I received an email today from American Express. They wanted to thank me and celebrate my anniversary with them. We’ve been “together” for 40 years.
My first thought?? That’s longer than my marriage!! : -0
Also much less stress, more responsive to my needs and easier to deal with.
(Sorry, couldn’t resist . . .)
So I’ve decided, not only was relocating an adventure . . . and getting a “last horse” to reclaim my riding passion an adventure . . . and clearing the house of unnecessary and unneeded items/clothes, etc an adventure . . . and re-establishing boundaries in relationships an adventure . . . but also making travel plans as a new potential adventure. What am I waiting for?
Whether it’s discovering via automobile my newly adopted home state of Colorado, and picking one new city/town per year to visit?? Or it requires an airplane ride and possibly even a passport, I’m not getting any younger – what am I waiting for?
Last year it was Crested Butte, Colorado for my new home state adventure. I also went to Italy for the BIG birthday as a “passport required” adventure. So fun, so worthwhile, and made me feel so brave and adventurous.
What I’m getting around to, is sharing with you this travel tip from a blog I recently started following thanks to my friend Diva J, who recommended it to me. I wanted to share with you all this really cool packing “Sudoku” grid that hopefully changes the suitcase situation.
I just committed to another “passport required” adventure with a former neighbor of mine, who lost her roommate due to health issues. We’re off this Fall to England, Scotland and Ireland. Once I did Australia and New Zealand in 2020, my new number one bucket list item became Ireland. When she mentioned where this trip was going, she had me at “Ireland”.
So here’s the link to the packing Sudoku grid. I can see this being an awesome method to use no matter where you’re going, how long you’re staying, or who is toting your luggage, HA!
Let me know what you think! Til then, what are YOU waiting for??
But so crucial in recovering from past hurts and disappointments. As recommended, I have not read it yet but I’ve added it to my summer list and thought I’d share it here on the blog just in case anyone else is looking to “let go” from past hurts and disappointments.
In “Forgiving What You Can’t Forget” Lysa TerKeurst offers a heartfelt exploration of the journey towards forgiveness, particularly in the face of deep, enduring pain. This book is a beacon for those struggling to move past hurt and betrayal, providing practical wisdom and profound insights into the process of healing. Here are seven transformative lessons from the book that will inspire you to embark on your own path to forgiveness and peace.
1. Forgiveness is a Process, Not an Event
One of the most powerful lessons from TerKeurst’s book is that forgiveness is not a one-time act but an ongoing process. It’s about continually choosing to release resentment and bitterness, even when the pain resurfaces. This perspective was liberating, as it allowed me to be patient with myself, understanding that forgiveness is a journey with ups and downs.
2. Forgiveness is for You, Not for Them
TerKeurst emphasizes that forgiveness is primarily for our own benefit. Holding onto anger and hurt only prolongs our suffering, while forgiveness frees us to heal and move forward. This lesson shifted my focus from the offender to my own well-being, empowering me to reclaim my peace and joy.
3. Honesty with Yourself and God
The book encourages an honest confrontation with our pain and emotions. Acknowledging the depth of our hurt and bringing it before God can be incredibly healing. TerKeurst’s transparency about her own struggles inspired me to be more open about my feelings, leading to a deeper, more authentic healing process.
4. Forgiveness Doesn’t Mean Reconciliation
Forgiving someone doesn’t necessarily mean we need to reconcile with them or restore the relationship to its previous state. This distinction was crucial, helping me understand that setting healthy boundaries is essential for my well-being. It’s possible to forgive and still protect myself from further harm.
5. The Power of Compassion and Empathy
Developing empathy for those who hurt us can be a powerful step towards forgiveness. TerKeurst illustrates how understanding the offender’s perspective and humanity can soften our hearts and make forgiveness more attainable. This lesson taught me to see beyond my pain and consider the struggles and brokenness of others.
6. Letting Go of the Desire for Revenge
TerKeurst speaks to the natural desire for revenge and justice, which often hinders forgiveness. She encourages us to trust that ultimate justice is in God’s hands, allowing us to let go of the burden of seeking retribution. This lesson brought a profound sense of relief and freedom, knowing I could release this heavy burden.
7. Practical Steps for Daily Forgiveness
The book provides practical steps and prayers for incorporating forgiveness into our daily lives. From journaling our feelings to praying for those who have hurt us, these actionable steps made the abstract concept of forgiveness more tangible and achievable. Implementing these practices helped me make forgiveness a daily, intentional act.
BOOK: https://amzn.to/4dGLcQV
You can ENJOY the AUDIOBOOK for FREE (When you register for Audible Membership Trial) using the same link above.
Recently had this shared on my FB page and loved loved loved it. When I was young, I noticed, since my parents were older (and therefore had older friends), that many of the women were kinda crabby all the time. I always swore that wouldn’t be me.
Then I got older and started to understand why. Life not where you thought it would be? Your dreams unanswered? People disappoint you? Is this all there is?
Hard to do, but worth trying. We can all try to “remain classy” as we work our way through the disappointments caused by friends, family and the universe. Enjoy these helpful hints and see (not judging, I’m equally as guilty) if maybe there’s one there that you can work on.
(And hoping that my “copy/paste” from FB – to this blog works, LOL! I’m old – but not crabby!!)
I used to love to read, holding a real book, the smell of the paper when you get it new. Sure, years ago I ordered a Kindle – seemed “with it”. Everyone had one, especially for plane travel. Then after a real lack of use, for some unknown reason I upgraded several years ago to the new version “Paper White”. It still sits in the bedside nightstand shelf, dead battery and all. You see, there’s this stack of real books I haven’t gotten to yet.
So a 2024 resolution is to get through some of those books. I’m doing pretty well. Truth be told, as I read some of them, I wonder . . . now why did I buy this?? However, the latest one has charmed me and made me laugh out loud multiple times. It’s been around for a bit, and clearly someone gifted this to me as they know of my love of canines. I present to you: “Lessons From Lucy – The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog”. The author is a familiar name: Dave Barry.
As promised from my last post, this is light hearted and a feel-good share. I do encourage you to read it in it’s entirety, yes – even if on a Kindle, because there were a few times where I laughed so hard that I had tears, but below I share it’s finer points for a quick “lesson” in being joyful.
When Dave Barry wrote this book (and he’s written many) he was turning 70. Of course the book was published in 2019 (told you I was behind) but since I just turned 70 I took it as a “sign” that I was meant to read it at this time. I’m thinking of printing these “lessons” out and sticking on my refrigerator door so that I can be reminded on a daily basis of ways to be more joyful.
I hope you’ll enjoy these Lucy lessons as much as I did.
I admit it, I ready my monthly AARP magazine and also the small newsy publication that looks like a “mini” newspaper. I like the crossword, I also like the articles and suggestions they offer. If it’s something that doesn’t pertain to me, I skip it. Not one of those who reads it cover to cover. It does give some interesting info that I can use.
One of the tidbits I found a few days ago was short and to the point. It makes total sense, but sometimes even those things that make total sense are still hard to accomplish. Life is challenging, not like the “good ol’ days” when people behaved and were nice to one another.
Alot of my posts lately have been about people, relationships and even bad behavior. I promise, the next one that I have planned will be alot more fun. Till then, I share from the December 2023/January 2024 issue this thought:
“Lighten Up! Ruminating on grudges, resentments and negative thoughts not only can put you in a foul mood but also has been linked to a decline in cognition and memory in people 55 and over, according to a study published by the Alzheimer’s Association.”
I certainly don’t need anything causing additional decline in cognition and memory. There’s only so much Prevagen “Extra Strength” I can swallow!
How’s the time change working for you? The older I get the more I appreciate those states who no longer deal with Daylight Savings Time. Spring forward? How’s about ‘Spring’ing into a face plant. Feeling kinda sluggish today, of course I could also attribute that to the very busy two weeks of travel I’ve had and a fairly packed calendar of events. Didn’t used to slow me down, but OK, I’m older now, ha ha.
So after a dog walk, an appointment at the Apple Store, and a grocery run, I found myself on the sofa binging a series on Netflix. “Madoff – The Monster of Wall Street”. You know about him, you think you understand it, but the details are fascinating and wow, would not wanna be the SEC during all of that discovery. Talk about an EPIC fail. But I digress . . .
One of the main people who narrate on camera is a woman, who in summation at the end of the four-parter comes up with a statement that was so significant to me that I had to pause it, write it down, so I could share it with you. Not only does/did it apply to the Ponzi scheme and meltdown of his investment business, but is totally relatable to many other areas of life. Summed it up so succinctly that I had to stop and think about things in my past, and how to handle relationships in the future.
So here it is, for your consideration:
“The only people who can deceive you completely, are people you trust completely. And the price of trusting anyone is that they can betray you like that”.
I tend to place my trust way too often, and way too easily. Do I want to always be suspicious? No, but maybe a few things in my past might’ve turned out differently if I had been? Hind sight is 20-20 but as I move forward, it certainly is food for thought.
Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but certainly it is OK to be cautious moving forward with personal relationships. They say that trust given freely, once broken, must be earned back. In some cases, maybe you never give it back. Be careful out there and remember the one person you can ever really truly count on, is yourself.
And I don’t mean actually cleaning the physical house. UGH! What I’m thinking 2024 is for me is the year I’m finally gonna get “real” about relationships, both long term and short term.
Some people lift you up, some drag you down. Some people meet expectations and exceed them. Some people you keep lowering your expectations and they still disappoint. Why do we do that to ourselves?
So by cleaning house, I really am saying that some people I thought were friends, you know, the forever type? I’m moving on. It’s too exhausting to be the only one vested in the relationship. It’s too disappointing to forever be offering graciousness and latitude, gifts of kindness and opportunities, and get nothing back in return.
I know you should not “give” so that you will “receive”, but at some point the “give” doesn’t even get a thank you or an acknowledgement? And the repeated yearly “gives” become expected vs appreciated.
I just had some friends from my old hometown visit here in the mountains and we talked about life, the past, the future, shared many topics and opinions. One of the funnier conversations covered Christmas cards. One of the people that I always send to, and who never sends back, mentioned that she doesn’t spend the time or money to send them but she really does enjoy getting them and hopes to continue to receive them. I think I must’ve done a head tilt and a “huh”? Don’t you think I enjoy receiving them too? Am I not worth the cost of a stamp and the time to address a card?
I know what you’re thinking, I’m being silly, I’m being too harsh, I need to get over it. Maybe, but it just struck me that the only way to quit being disappointed, is to quit setting my self up for it to happen. So I’m cleaning house, and surrounding myself with those who appreciate my friendship, who value me as a person and understand that I am worth your time.
And I suppose I’ll be addressing fewer Christmas cards this year. (sorry for the rant, but sometimes you just need to)
Lordy, get me outta January!! Though it’s still cold, there are more sunny days and I am so grateful.
Speaking of being grateful, I stumbled across this article the other day and thought, since many of us have run into this personality trait, it would be a great share. For me, reading it made me grateful to no longer being in the sphere of a man suffering from this. (Women display it too, not male bashing)
Give it a look see, and let me know if you’ve tried any of these hints. Heaven help me that I ever run into this again, but now at least I have a menu of things to choose from. Read and enjoy your February.
Link: https://kimsaeed.com/2020/08/12/how-to-make-a-narcissist-miserable-12-things-they-hate/
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