suddenlysinglewomen

Becoming the best version of yourself

Lesson #43

“If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”

Well, strictly speaking, I suppose that’s true.  Although I note it’s not saying that if you do ask you WILL get, right?

This is kind of like the lottery officials telling you that if you don’t buy a ticket, you can’t win.

A simple truth but on a broader scale, I don’t really know how this works.

I’ve been out of the workplace a long time; I hear it said all the time that you should ask for promotions and salary boosts.  That would be hard for me, I’m one of those that always hopes to be recognized and rewarded because of merit – I’ve earned it.  I shouldn’t have to ask for it.

The world is a busy place though, and sometimes you are not going to get noticed, or helped if you don’t call attention to your needs, your wants, your desires.

Next time I feel really strongly about something I want, maybe I’ll take this approach?  It will need to be reasonable however, because I’m thinking that asking for something like a winning football season next Fall might be too much to hope for.

Baby steps . . .

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Lesson #40

“The best is yet to come.”

It is what keeps me going!  I’m just curious enough to believe it, and want to see it!  : -)

 

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Lesson #39

“Envy is a waste of time.  You already have all you need.”

I’ve been there, and sometimes I’m still there.  I believe it’s human nature that sometimes we look around and are envious of other’s possessions and/or achievements.

To have what they have, would I be willing to trade my life for their’s though?  No.

I’m blessed beyond compare, I have more than I ever thought I would.  It may not be the path I thought I would take, but I have satisfaction and gratitude for my life.

I like who I am, I’m a darned nice person.  Sometimes I fall prey to the “If only I had  the same _____  that so-and-so has . . . ”   Occasionally I feel sad for some of the things I’m most passionate about that I’ve had to walk away from for budgetary reasons.  Watching others still get to do it because they are married and can afford it.  Honestly, it stings.

But to make a list of my “haves” and my “have nots” – clearly I “have” and need to learn today’s lesson is part of the process of making myself whole again.  I promise to try to be more grateful and less envious, and know it’s part of a bigger plan.

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Lesson #38

“Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.”

This can be figurative or literal.  I offer this as both.

Cleaning out our closets, cupboards, drawers, shelves, garages, cars – what a great feeling.  Taking it to those resale shops is repurposing; keeping it out of the trash and landfills – recycling something that you no longer want, need or use but someone else might want, need or use.

That’s my literal take on today’s life lesson.

My figurative take is that if there are thoughts or emotions swirling around in your brain that are not beautiful or joyful – GET RID OF THEM!!

They are bad, they are evil, they threaten your happiness and your inner peace.   They pull you down when what you should be doing is climbing up.

It’s like the junk mail in your computer’s inbox – hit the delete button because if it’s not useful, beautiful or joyful – you don’t need it, promise!

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Lesson #31

Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.”

Of course I don’t mean “literally” – but more about your resolve to survive.

During the YOTD (Year of the Divorce), I thought there were plenty of things that were going to kill me, at least my spirit.

It’s been 9 years since my divorce.  Many of those days I wanted to crawl into a tight ball and just die.  It was never so dark that I wanted to end my life, but I did understand how people sometimes just want to go to sleep and never wake up.  Reality sucks at times.

The further I get away from it, the stronger I realize I have become.  I would not be the person I am today if it were not for the experiences I was put through with divorce and having to make my own way through this world.

It didn’t kill me and it did make me stronger.  Not the route I would have chosen to get here – but we don’t always get to choose, do we?  What we do get to choose is how we deal with it – and that my friends is what makes us stronger for it.

 

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Lesson #30

Two thirds of the way along our Life’s Lessons journey and I just love this one!  It needs no explanation, only trust in the possibilities!

“Believe in miracles.”

They do happen!

Amen!

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Lesson #29

“Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick.  Your friends will.  Stay in touch.”

In other words, keep your priorities straight!

Don’t keep in touch?  Really?  These days with the reach of social media and the internet, how can you come up with any legit reason to not keep in touch with friends and family.

Cell phones, no long distance charges, texting, Facebook and email – these are many of the ways you can keep a relationship from fading away into nothingness.   “He/She was a great employee” should not be how your tombstone reads.

I would much prefer to be remembered for the type of friend I was.  I would much prefer to be remembered as a good mother who raised/reared two great sons.  I would much rather be remembered as a fun grandmother, a passionate volunteer, a caring human being – one who stayed in touch.

 

 

 

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Lesson #28

“However good or bad a situation is, it will change.”

This is remarkably close to yesterday’s lesson.  If you give a situation enough time, it will change.

We have a saying in Texas, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes . . .”

If I have the patience, the right attitude and a little luck – I mostly can get my bad situations turned around.  It used to be easier just to whine about them and do nothing.  Remember the lesson on throwing yourself a pity party?

I’ve learned that it’s my responsibility to do the best I can, to get those bad situations turned around and make them in to, if not good situations, at least more tolerable.

Keep a positive attitude, wow does it make a HUGE difference.

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Lesson #27

“Time heals almost everything.  Give time time.”

“Impatience” is my middle name.  This one speaks LOUDLY to me.

It also doesn’t take a genius to figure this lesson out either.  You cannot rush yourself through divorce recovery.  You cannot rush yourself through any kind of recovery.

Do not rush yourself through life, because you will miss a lot along the way.  Stopping to “smell the roses” is something I intend to do a lot more of both literally and figuratively.

I’m going to give “time” a chance!

 

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Lesson #23

We’ve crossed the half way mark on our Life’s Lessons adventure.  I don’t know about how you’re feeling, but I’ve loved having “food for thought” everyday.  If you’re reading this, thanks for going on this journey with me!

“No one is in charge of your happiness except you.”

Let’s say that again:

“NO ONE IS IN CHARGE OF YOUR HAPPINESS EXCEPT YOU.”

‘Nuff said!

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