“No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.”
I will if you will!
Seriously, as I write this I’m sitting in my bathrobe still, with both dogs asleep on my feet.
How easy is it for us to “cancel”, to not show up, to live the day in our workout clothes (whether we actually work out or not)? Too easy for me. I need to quit asking myself the question, “Do I really have to?”
Yes I do!
Our mothers got up, dressed up and showed up.
OK – off to shower . . .
“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! : -)
“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.
“All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.”
Note that this does not say that you WERE loved” – it’s that YOU loved.
Happy Valentine’s Day and for a lot of us, it’s just another reminder that we’re NOT part of a couple.
I’ve written on this blog before of the many different way’s Valentine’s Day has weaved itself into my life so I won’t bore you again – but it’s there, always in the background. Note to self: never name your new puppy Valentine in honor of your BF’s gift, because when he dumps you – every time you call out that name, it stings!
The message today on this day of love, is that you are loving. First and foremost you need to make sure that you love yourself, because if you can’t love yourself and your actions, you will never be able to truly express love to another.
Love your family members, yes even the ones who drive you crazy – we all have them. Love your friends, and even when they are no longer a constant in your life, love them anyway.
Love your neighbors, you never know what they’re going through so send them a message, say hi, smile and wave as you pass by. Show love to those in the service industry, thank them for what they do. Share a smile, brighten their day.
Love those who have hurt you, and those that “done you wrong.” Maybe it’s the first kindness they’ve had in a while? Maybe it’ll never be returned but no one can ever fault you for not at least trying?
The Golden Rule has been passed down for years and years – there’s a good reason. It’s to make us all better, kinder, more loving human beings. It starts with you.
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!
“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.
“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.
“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!
“What other people think of you is none of your business.”
Today would’ve been my Father’s 105th birthday. Of course, I lost him long ago, in March of 1998 but his wisdom has stayed with me forever. I sometimes wonder what he’s thinking of my life’s journey as he looks down at me from up above. Does he have a good opinion of how I’m doing?
He’s visiting his elders in their heavenly nursing homes, singing in the church choir, mowing and “edging” the grass every Saturday, playing devil’s advocate in every conversation, rooting for his beloved Texas Aggies and looking for a foot massage (except we called them “rubs” back in the day!).
He would’ve given me the above advice. He was his own man. He was a man’s man. My Dad served in the Army through WWII and Korea. He was a leader of men, and gave no quarter. Mostly he minded his own business, and rarely minded anyone else’s. He lived his life and allowed others to live theirs.
Opinions of his actions were seldom, if ever, sought. To say he was self-assured is an understatement, but then again, he grew up in a much different time. There was not much of a male role model in his life, so my Granny sent him to “military academy” – back when it wasn’t a place of just troubled young men. She wanted him to have strong structure and guidance, and he got it. Served him well in his Army career, and later in his engineering career.
When we live our lives worried about what others think of us, we’re not being very good or fair to ourselves. If all we do is seek their approval and their opinion of our actions and our lives, we’re not really living for ourselves – we’re living for them.
It really isn’t my business to know the opinions others hold of me; I’m pretty sure I might be surprised. They don’t know my reality, they haven’t walked a mile in my shoes. As long as I continue to live my daily life in a physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy way, then really only my opinion should be my business.
Live your life so you have an excellent opinion of yourself! I think you’ll turn out A-OK!
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!
suddenlysinglewomen 