How much can one person handle? I always wonder what choices are there. Giving in, giving up, seems to yield additional troubles.
Why are we all so afraid to feel the emotions associated with heartbreak in whatever form it takes? Why is it so acceptable to medicate our feelings into submission, instead of standing up and saying I will not be defeated by them? Saying it over and over until we believe it and it becomes true.
“Fall down seven times, get up eight.” – Japanese Proverb
Have you ever noticed that sometimes, when you let go of trying so hard to make things happen, they just appear on their own?
There’s a bunch of you reading this right now and saying “No, actually.”
I know, I know it doesn’t happen nearly enough to me either. It usually happens when I finally say “F**K it. I don’t care. I’ve had it and I’m not trying anymore.”
Yesterday I spent the very, very… did I mention very… rainy day making lists. Lists of things I needed to do, lists of things I wanted to do and then more lists on how to do them. When I’m feeling overwhelmed or out of control I make lists of what is important to me. Most of the time it helps calm me down. Even when it’s a very long, seemingly insurmountable list, I still know where I need to start and what I need to do.
One of the few things on the list without a list of steps to make it happen was friendships. I haven’t been a great friend over the last few years. I’ve let many of my friendships fade away because I just haven’t made the time to take care of them. I need to change that.
It’s not that I don’t love these people, but when they called to get together I was with my kids, working, studying, going to school, etc… Something had to go and that was the only thing I could spare, although I really couldn’t.
So, recently I’ve been trying to arrange get togethers, coffee, drinks and/or dinner, anything to bring those people back into my life and off of the fringe.
All of the other things on the ‘to do’ list seem to pale in comparison to renewing these friendships. So, I’ve been working hard at it.
And then yesterday in the middle of all of that planning and list making a wonderful new friend reached out and just made my day. Truth be told, she made my month. Sometimes amidst all of the planning and making things happen I forget that wonderful unplanned opportunities present themselves and that friendships are what we all really need and belong at the top of the list of things that are important to me.
The greatest sweetener of human life is friendship. To raise this to the highest pitch of enjoyment, is a secret which but few discover.
Joseph Addison
Listen to me. We’re here to make a dent in the universe. Otherwise why even be here? Steve Jobs
Kris Carr, who I absolutely love, asks: Do you know your life’s purpose? If so, what is it? If not, here’s an exercise: what do people compliment you for? What are you really good at? Let’s start there…
People say that I am the world’s best cheerleader. I can make a person feel like anything is possible and am able to dig the only shred of confidence a person may have hidden somewhere and drag it to the surface, nurture it, and help it bloom. I see things differently than many people and can get to the root of a problem where others may have given up. I’m tenacious. “No” isn’t an answer I accept readily. I believe anything is possible and if you hang around me long enough you will believe it too.
I’ve used all of these skills, talents, or personality traits in my work as a special educator or when I worked with the homeless or mothers recovering from addiction or surviving abuse.
I still feel like there’s something more to do. What is my life’s purpose? Such a huge question. How can I use all that I am to make that dent in the universe? Big questions. What’s your answer?
Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn’t, it is of no use.
Carlos Castaneda
Magnolia Beginnings 