Tag Archives: Family

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Grudges

“Don’t carry a grudge. While you’re carrying the grudge the other guy’s out dancing.” ~ Buddy Hackett

We’ve all experienced having a grudge or two. Sometimes it really eats away at you. And, when you think about it, what a waste of your precious time. As we have all learned during this pandemic, time is so very precious.

Experiencing resentment can happen so easily at work, with friends, neighbors, and especially with family. I would say it’s better to have a sit down with the person or persons who you’re having a problem with and talk it out, but I know better because I have experienced how that can go so horribly wrong. Egos at war can really make a mess.

Depending on the people you’re dealing with, you might be able to talk problems through, but for those times that it would make things worse, I suggest writing a letter for your eyes only and let it all out how you feel. Read it a few times, and really analyze how you feel and maybe where you might have played a role too. Then throw the letter away and move on with your life.

Holding grudges will make you sick and it never changes anything.

Take a deep breath. Feel vindicated and let it all go.

“In the end these things matter most: How well did you love? How fully did you live? How deeply did you let go?” ~ Jack Kornfield

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Who Will You Be?

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“When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what the storm’s all about.”

~ Haruki Murakami

This pandemic has been our storm, and I wonder who I will be when it’s over.

Who will you be?  You have learned to go without certain essentials, making do with what’s available. Some of you have paid a heavy price in losing loved ones, businesses and jobs.

Do you think about and cherish the people in your life so much more, and have become patient and less judgmental toward others? Aren’t you just so grateful for each and every breath you take and think about the importance of caring for yourself, instead of always being at war?

If going through darkness changes a person for the good then it can’t be all bad. We should all be looking at our life and life in general in an improved way. No fear should reside within us. We are pioneers in a brave new world, learning to do things differently, and hopefully better. Let’s not forget about this planet. How we care for our Earth and its beings will come back to us, and maybe already has not in a good way. This pandemic might be a big warning to get our act together.

So … Who will you be? For me, I just hope that I’m a better human.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” ~ Rumi

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Find Your Glue

“A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose—a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve.”
~ John Maxwell

When times get tough for us it helps to get through the mess if we have glue that binds us and keeps us from falling apart. It doesn’t matter what kind of glue we use as long as it has holding power. Some types of glue are: religion/spirituality, family, partner/spouse, friends, volunteering, vocation, nature, and of course, pets. Just about anything that gives you something to hold onto and to live for.

You’re in danger when you feel all alone. That’s when you question why you are even here and that no one would miss you if you suddenly died. Yes, life certainly is not always a bed of roses, but with your glue you’ll be secured to Mother Earth and your life will always have meaning.

“Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being.” – Albert Schweitzer

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Self-Care

 

“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” ~ Eleanor Brown

How many of you actually take care of yourselves? Hello there… anybody? Are you constantly running around and bouncing here and there like a ping-pong ball? I know that I once was, but not anymore—at least for the most part. I used to be so crazy busy and stressed out that you could have attached my head to jumper cables and received quite a charge!

All this running around taking care of people and making deadlines etc. didn’t have to be so crazy if I would have believed in the word, “No,” and practiced better self-care. Yoga, meditation, taking a walk, swimming, etc. Whatever calms you down and brings peace to you will work. But not drinking too much wine and stress eating. Yes, I confess, that is how I used to handle stress.

I know it’s hard to think of yourself when you have so much responsibility, but if you don’t take care of yourself then who will? And what’s going to happen to everyone and everything that’s depending on you if you get sick? A stressful life can make you very sick. Self-care isn’t something that’s selfish, or trendy. Self-care is something that is necessary for a balanced life.

When you are living through a nerve-racking time in your life, then that is just when you need to take a step back and think about what’s right for you. You need to be mindful of the choices you’re making and how they are affecting your overall health now and into the future.

It helps if you get yourself in the habit of self-care on a daily basis before you find yourself in a stressful situation. This way, you will know how to handle the horrible way you are feeling and de-stress before you get sick.

Remember, cheating yourself is going to cheat those that love you. Don’t beat yourself up all the time. Take a break and enjoy this life of yours.

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Reflection

It’s that time again where the season is telling us to slow down and reflect on the past year. It’s a melancholy time, but can also be sweet and full of joy. Sometimes though reflection gets lost in this busy time of year, and that’s a real shame because taking the time to reflect is important for the soul to grow.

Give yourself the gift of reflection, and don’t forget to enjoy the precious moments you have with your family and friends. Hold your love ones close to your heart, and drink in the beauty that is your life because nothing lasts forever.

I wish all my WordPress friends a wonderful holiday season, and may you always have happiness and peace in your life.

All my love,

Michele

 

 

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Don’t Fear Saying No

As you travel on your journey not everyone you meet or even those you are related to will have your best interests in mind. Treating everyone with respect and loving kindness is an important virtue, but so is being aware and being able to tell when opportunistic people are knocking on your door.

People who tend to be opportunist find kind, loving people, easy prey. And you, wanting to be a good person, can find yourself saying “yes” to so much more than you bargained for. I’m not talking about being asked for a little favor, I’m talking about the big favors that could turn your life upside down. But since I mentioned little favors, they too can get to be annoying.

So how do you protect yourself from being taken advantage of, or simply not really wanting to do what’s being asked of you? Just say NO. Sounds simple but it ISN’T because nice people have trouble saying no. It makes them feel bad. You don’t want to let anyone down and you sure don’t want to come across as selfish and uncaring. But sometimes you just have to protect yourself and you do that by simply saying No.

It’s much harder after you agree to do something to try to undo it. That’s why a loving person needs to think a little bit about themselves and stop worrying about how it might look if they don’t do what’s being asked, or hurt the other person. Yes, someone might get hurt and that someone might be you!

The closer the person is to you the harder it will be to say no. Ask yourself what’s the worst that can happen? So they get mad and stop talking to you and the relationship ends. You have to ask yourself what kind of relationship would end because you said no? I’d say it’s not the relationship that you thought you had and probably isn’t worth keeping.

Be the kind of person that’s not only kind to others but also kind to yourself. Don’t fear saying No when that’s what you really want to say. It’s been said that No is a complete sentence, so use it and set yourself free.

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It’s the Season

“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!”

~ Amanda Bradley

it’s the season for life to get out of balance with all the things you have to do. Slow down, take a step back, and breathe deeply before you implode. Remember, the holiday season shouldn’t be a time to make you crazy. It should be a time to reflect on family, friends, and be grateful for your life. If you’re not mindful, this time of year can get out of hand.

Instead of thinking about all the presents you have to buy, all the places you have to be, and all the unending things you have to do, connect to the beauty and peace of nature because it will never fail you. While you’re at it, think about all the love you have to give, all the kindness you need to spread.

Stop the mindless stressing and feel the peace and joy down deep inside your soul and let those things be your guiding light restoring your balance where you can breathe with delight.

After all, it’s what the season is all about.

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.”

~ Hamilton Wright Mabie