Simplify simplify simplify... That is what my mind keeps telling me
these days. Over the years I have tried to rid my life of that which
causes havoc and grief, and keep those things which spawn goodness and
pleasure. Now, that doesn't mean to throw out anything that doesn't go
my way, and keep whatever has a bow wrapped around it. However I have
put much thought into that line which is pretty undefined. Where does
one draw that line? That decision between keeping or letting go...(a
job, a situation, or perhaps even a person)
“The way
to find out about happiness is to keep your mind on those moments when
you feel most happy, when you are really happy — not excited, not just
thrilled, but deeply happy. This requires a little bit of self-analysis.
What is it that makes you happy? Stay with it, no matter what people
tell you. This is what is called following your bliss.”
:Joseph Campbell
As
I've analyzed that question, I have also asked myself whether or not I
am the kind of person that people would want to keep around. Do I, in
fact, add to the lives of others? Do I bring value to an equation?
Valid questions for I believe they go hand in hand. If I am to hope for
value; then I must ask whether or not I am VALUable enough to have
value returned unto me. Am I a keeper?:). Am I a producer or am I only
apt to take, that which is produced by another?
The law of attraction is one of BEING that which we ask the universe to return unto us...
Am
I BEING? Not "have I been" (for that indicates the past)...But RIGHT
NOW... Am I BEING the type of person that i want to attract? Do I merit
that which I seek? Or am I sitting back full of entitlement..?
I
suppose that before we let something go in our lives, we should analyze
ourselves first... Sometimes it's ok to let things go their way...away
from us. Yet others we SHOULD hold onto, even when it's difficult...
for they add to and beautify life...
Hard line to
draw... So I would say I wanted to share (and invite comments on) two
thoughts... When is it better to let things go? And two...to analyze if
I (you as the reader) am someone that others should let go of...or do I
add to life as a whole to be counted as a "KEEPER"....? :)
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Conditioned response
The inability to accept that people aren't perfect, mixed with a poor and even angry reaction when someone tells you they have messed up (in the effort to be honest)...perpetuates the telling party, to not tell again. EVER!
Example: Child comes to parent and is honest that they have messed up. Broken the rules, broke something, or made a mistake and is now "coming clean"... If that child is be-rated, scolded, or met with anything other than a listening ear, then that child will most likely not ever try that route ever again. We touch the stove and learn that it's hot, we learn to not touch it again... Child tells the truth and is met with anger and temper?...then that child becomes conditioned to not want to share and "come clean"...
Children (all of us) mess up, and this does not mean that there should be no consequences for their actions. Yet facing an abusive (emotionally or physically) parent, when they want to be truthful should not be one of those consequences.
I once saw a set of steps that one would follow to correct their mistakes:
1. Recognize and admit that wrong has been done
2. Ask for forgiveness from those that were wronged
3. Make restitution for that which was done... Correct and make right that which was wronged
4. Never repeat the mistake and leave it behind
Interesting that those 4 steps do not include "expect to be be-rated by someone along the way and/or face the wrath of your parent(s)."
Parents (every day) teach their children to hide and not tell the truth, because they will not listen with a level head. We should love our children enough to listen without reaction. Consequences can be decided and explained WITHOUT belittling comments or anger!
Children that learn to avoid being truthful and hide their actions, eventually will do that with a lover and eventually their spouse. The way kids learn to communicate in their childhood and adolescent years WILL shape the rest of their lives!
Does this happen in relationships too? YES!... Truth is told, reactions are given and measured,.. and we condition each other to either share openly, or hide and avoid the whole truth.
What's the key? Be in control of yourself enough to not react. Keep a level head (no matter what) and remain in control of your own emotions. Take time to digest if you need to, so that your response is done with dignity and control. Easier said than done sometimes, yet SO SO important that we learn the skill of "responding with control" instead of "reacting without control."
Love enough to listen!
Example: Child comes to parent and is honest that they have messed up. Broken the rules, broke something, or made a mistake and is now "coming clean"... If that child is be-rated, scolded, or met with anything other than a listening ear, then that child will most likely not ever try that route ever again. We touch the stove and learn that it's hot, we learn to not touch it again... Child tells the truth and is met with anger and temper?...then that child becomes conditioned to not want to share and "come clean"...
Children (all of us) mess up, and this does not mean that there should be no consequences for their actions. Yet facing an abusive (emotionally or physically) parent, when they want to be truthful should not be one of those consequences.
I once saw a set of steps that one would follow to correct their mistakes:
1. Recognize and admit that wrong has been done
2. Ask for forgiveness from those that were wronged
3. Make restitution for that which was done... Correct and make right that which was wronged
4. Never repeat the mistake and leave it behind
Interesting that those 4 steps do not include "expect to be be-rated by someone along the way and/or face the wrath of your parent(s)."
Parents (every day) teach their children to hide and not tell the truth, because they will not listen with a level head. We should love our children enough to listen without reaction. Consequences can be decided and explained WITHOUT belittling comments or anger!
Children that learn to avoid being truthful and hide their actions, eventually will do that with a lover and eventually their spouse. The way kids learn to communicate in their childhood and adolescent years WILL shape the rest of their lives!
Does this happen in relationships too? YES!... Truth is told, reactions are given and measured,.. and we condition each other to either share openly, or hide and avoid the whole truth.
What's the key? Be in control of yourself enough to not react. Keep a level head (no matter what) and remain in control of your own emotions. Take time to digest if you need to, so that your response is done with dignity and control. Easier said than done sometimes, yet SO SO important that we learn the skill of "responding with control" instead of "reacting without control."
Love enough to listen!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Self Impossed Damnation...
"The only thing that is truly constant in our lives, is CHANGE."
: Who Moved MY Cheese
As we take this journey in life, we sometimes come to those vistas where we like how things are... It works... and we would like to stay for a while. So we settle in and make plans to stay awhile. Time goes by and we slowly begin to build a wall around our new found comfort zone. All in the effort to protect it and ensure that it will last... Meanwhile this world moves on, and we failed to remember that God has things in store for each of us. Yet, we are in this little comfort zone, that makes us feel safe. We are typically unwilling to accept change, because it threatens that feeling of safety which comes from the predictable,..the expected,..and keeping things "the same". If God is going to get us to where He wants us to be, then He has got to keep us moving. This requires change! We are all so afraid of change, yet we should be more afraid of staying the same. This is self imposed damnation. To be damned, is to stop progression. How often do we participate in our own damnation as apposed our own progression!?! If this life is about experiences and progression, then we must learn to be open and accept change. Those vistas in life that we reach...? Yes, we can stay for a short while. Yet if we stay too long, then those vistas only become plateaus, and in the end hold us back from progression.
Stay open and nimble in life! There is so much ahead, if we will only be willing to eagerly embrace the unknown! The amazing part is that other doors DO open, and life DOES go on when we decide to leave life's vistas turned plateaus. You'll find the way! Trust God, and also trust YOURSELF...You are one in the same.
: Who Moved MY Cheese
As we take this journey in life, we sometimes come to those vistas where we like how things are... It works... and we would like to stay for a while. So we settle in and make plans to stay awhile. Time goes by and we slowly begin to build a wall around our new found comfort zone. All in the effort to protect it and ensure that it will last... Meanwhile this world moves on, and we failed to remember that God has things in store for each of us. Yet, we are in this little comfort zone, that makes us feel safe. We are typically unwilling to accept change, because it threatens that feeling of safety which comes from the predictable,..the expected,..and keeping things "the same". If God is going to get us to where He wants us to be, then He has got to keep us moving. This requires change! We are all so afraid of change, yet we should be more afraid of staying the same. This is self imposed damnation. To be damned, is to stop progression. How often do we participate in our own damnation as apposed our own progression!?! If this life is about experiences and progression, then we must learn to be open and accept change. Those vistas in life that we reach...? Yes, we can stay for a short while. Yet if we stay too long, then those vistas only become plateaus, and in the end hold us back from progression.
Stay open and nimble in life! There is so much ahead, if we will only be willing to eagerly embrace the unknown! The amazing part is that other doors DO open, and life DOES go on when we decide to leave life's vistas turned plateaus. You'll find the way! Trust God, and also trust YOURSELF...You are one in the same.
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