Archive | July, 2015

Power Outage

21 Jul
We’re all very busy in this day and age.  We might have family responsibilities, jobs, chores or tasks that never seem to end.  With the technology available to us, we are rarely out of touch with others.  We carry our laptops, tablets, and smart phones with us, and people are continually contacting us.  This constant availability and our continued responsibilities can wear on us.  We can become overwhelmed with fatigue, and get burned out.  And when that happens, everything we do may suffer.  Our concentration is off, our energy level is down, and we’re just going through the motions.
 
When it all catches up to us, and we are burned out, we have to stop.  At that point, stopping is the only way to go forward.  We have to take some time for ourselves, take a break, turn off all our gadgets, and get some respite for a while.  We can, and we should plan time for ourselves every single day.  We can keep our batteries charged instead of waiting for them to die completely if we take a little time for ourselves.  It doesn’t usually take much.  Just a short time for personal pleasure every day – say fifteen minutes in the morning, and then again in the afternoon – may prevent a full blown power outage.  During our down time we could just goof off, lie in the sun, read a book, take a walk or whatever else we enjoy.  We can regroup and rest for a moment before starting again.  We work hard every day.  We do a lot.  We deserve a break, and we need to take it.
 
It takes planning to prevent burn out, but sometimes we don’t take the time to make a plan.  We know if we’re working all the time the crash is going to come, but instead of planning for time out, instead of scheduling a break, we sometimes just keep pushing forward.  There is the next thing on our list that needs to be tended to.  There is that project coming up we’ve already put off twice that must be done.  There is so much to do, we can get lost in the busy-ness of it, and forget we need a break.  But we’re important, and we deserve to be at our best.  We can only do that if we remember to schedule time for ourselves along with the time we’re scheduling for everyone else.
 
Today if you’re feeling burned out, and exhausted, just stop for a while.  Take a break.  Go outside, get away from your phone and your computer, and take a breather.  Give yourself recess.  Take the very best care of yourself.  The time you take to refresh is as important as anything else you will do today.  Take it.  You’ll feel stronger, you’ll have more energy, and you’ll be happier.  You deserve every good thing.  Today schedule time just for you.  You are the most important person on your list today.
 

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Look Up

18 Jul

When things are going wrong, when plans don’t work out, when we’re troubled, overwhelmed and downtrodden, it’s hard to look ahead. We have to process the disappointment, and figure things out. Sometimes the pain of where we are can be paralyzing, and we have to stop for a time before we can move again. It hurts when things go wrong. And when we’re hurting, it can be hard to think of anything but just getting through it.

Disappointment and trouble are part of life. We all wish everything would go easily, every plan would work out well, every day would be filled with sunshine and roses, but that’s not life. That’s fantasy. An active fantasy life is one thing, and real life is quite another. There will be dark days, there will be sad moments, and sometimes there may be devastating developments. When we’re going through these times, it’s important to remember that nothing lasts forever. It can feel like forever, but things change every day. Whatever is driving us down today will be different tomorrow. It might not be perfect tomorrow, it might still be difficult, but it won’t last forever. Eventually everything changes.

When we’re unhappy our demeanor is off. We walk with our heads down, we may talk more quietly, or we may scream and rant. We may feel prickly inside, agitated, and wired, or we may feel numb, depressed, and sullen. Whatever the expression, it’s off from our normal personas. Our friends and family may offer suggestions which sometimes help, and sometimes don’t.  It’s not a good time. But it’s not forever. It’s just a moment. It will pass. Eventually we’ll feel whole again. Our dispositions will return to normal, and we will find happiness once more.

Today if things aren’t going well, or something disappointing has happened, if you feel bad and you’re not yourself, it’s okay. Feeling bad is a normal response when things go wrong. If you’re walking with your head down, and feel heavy with the challenge, look up. Lift your head, and square your shoulders. This will not overcome you. You will navigate it and you will conquer it, whatever “it” is. You are strong, you are capable, and you will walk right through this to the other side. Keep looking up, and keep walking. This is just a moment. You’ve already come so far. The other side is just around the corner.

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Bending

17 Jul

Patience is a beneficial virtue to acquire. If we learn to be patient, we can often understand things more easily, and prevent conflict by listening, and waiting for answers instead of pushing. Being patient is a gift to those we interact with. When we’re patient, others learn they can trust us to listen, and not jump to conclusions ahead of time. Although this is a valuable skill, is it possible to be too patient? Can we give too much? Can we wait too long?

When we’re in a relationship we value, and things aren’t going the way we want them to, we may discuss the issue with the other person, tell them why we aren’t happy, and ask for a change. If they are not ready, they may need time. If we’re patient, we may offer that time in order to preserve the relationship. Sometimes with communication and effort, things improve, and the problems work themselves out. But other times, despite our willingness to wait, things stay the same. Patience will not create change. It only allows time for change to happen. If the situation doesn’t improve after a time, we have to decide if we can wait a little longer, or if we need to move on.

It is possible to bend too far in trying to make something work. If we find the wait is beginning to affect our happiness, we need to rethink the situation. We offer patience to help situations improve, but if nothing changes all the patience in the world will not help. If we bend too far, and give too much, we may find ourselves in a very uncomfortable place.

Today if you’ve been patiently waiting for a situation to change and it’s not happening, re-evaluate your options. Determine how long you feel comfortable waiting, and when you get there if nothing has improved, move on. Patience is a noble attribute, and it’s good to exercise it. But don’t bend so far that you’re miserable. Sometimes even the best changes don’t come. Sometimes we have to let it go, and move on. Today think about that. The situation may be important, but you’re important too. Be patient, and be kind, but remember your happiness is valuable. Do what you need to ensure it.

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Resolute

16 Jul

In this day and age it seems that we are pressured to accept every idea that comes along. If we don’t like something and speak up, we may face criticism. But it’s not possible to like everything or agree with everything we come in contact with. And we are certainly still entitled to our opinions, even if they differ from the mainstream. We are all individuals, and unique in our personal standards, and beliefs. It’s appropriate and correct for us to choose our own way, and determine our own preferences. It’s right for us to be resolute in those decisions. We can be unwavering if they are important to us. We are, after all, on our own paths, and not on some pre-determined road designed by someone else.

When we are faced with a situation where we disagree with an issue being presented, we can speak up. There may be some who criticize our opinion, but we are still entitled to it. It is narrow-minded and inconsiderate to expect everyone to follow along when they disagree. Unfortunately, sometimes that narrow mindedness is part of our lives, and we are placed in uncomfortable situations. But we are still in control of our lives, and we may choose what we agree with, and what we don’t want.

This world is full of contradictions, differences, opposites, and contrasts. It’s what makes life interesting, and gives our experiences depth. If we were all the same, all believed the same things, all agreed on the same things, and all did the same things the same way, it would be very predictable, and very boring. Thankfully, we’re all different. It’s those differences that make us special, and unique. The pressure to conform can make us feel that our opinion is unworthy, but nothing could be further from the truth. We all need to hear other ideas. We need to embrace opposing viewpoints, and we need to encourage those around us to share their thoughts. We’re all finding our own paths, and we need to do that our own way. It’s good to be who we are. We need to embrace that, and we can be resolute in staying true to ourselves.

Today if you feel pressured to accept something you disagree with, remember your opinions are valuable. They are as important as the opposing viewpoint. If you disagree, speak up, and share your thoughts on the issue. Express your feelings, and hold strong to your beliefs. You are entitled to make your own choices. You don’t have to go along. Today be true to who you are. Your opinions are important, and they are worth hearing. Be resolute in them. This is your path. Stay true to it.

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Outside the Lines

15 Jul

When we’re children we’re told all sorts of things about how we should act, and what we should do. “Take turns, no cutting in line, play fair, and color in the lines,” among others. It is polite to take turns, and we shouldn’t cut in line, and it’s nice when everyone plays fair, but that doesn’t always happen. However, do we really have to color in the lines? Do we really have to keep the colors where the picture tells us to, or can we color outside the lines and make our own pictures? Some of us are more comfortable with the lines there to define where we are, but some of us prefer to ignore them, and make an abstract. Inside or outside the lines, wherever we choose to color, our creativity can blossom, and we can fully express who we are.

There are all kinds of rules, and laws in the world. We mostly try to obey them because they bring order, and order is something most of us like. But when it comes to expressing ourselves, we need to be free of restriction. We should be able to show as much of who and what we are as we like. Our personalities, our gifts, our talents, and our offerings are unique to each of us. We need to feel free to express them completely. How we do that is up to us.

Some people are natural at coloring outside the lines. They dress in styles unique to them, they play interesting and different music, they wear their hair in unconventional styles, and every day, and in every way, do exactly what feels right to them. Others prefer a more conservative approach. They like to dress to fit the norm, they are comfortable in predictable patterns, and they like traditional activities, and things. They prefer the picture with the colors in the lines. Neither expression is wrong. We just need to decide which we prefer.

Whether we color in or outside the lines, the important thing is that we color in some way. We can use broad strokes and be bold, or we can define each detail as we go. Either way, we need to express who we are genuinely. It’s important that we give the world the exceptional gifts we have to offer, our way. We’re the only ones who can bestow our specific talents, and the world is blessed because we share them. Everyone around us is embellished when we share who we are with them. They say variety is the spice of life. When it comes to us as people, nothing could be more true. We’re all different. We’re all supposed to be different. Whether we are in the lines or outside of them, we are blessing the world because we’re here.

Today be who you are in everything you do. Let go of restriction in expressing yourself. Be free to be your true self. Be confident, and let your uniqueness shine. You don’t have to fit a mold or an idea to be worthwhile. You are perfect just as you are. Today, share your best, unique self to those around you. Just be you. That’s the very best person you can be.

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