Ever feel like Life slammed a case of energy drinks and decided it was the perfect time to throw you a ton of curve balls all at once? Welcome to the last few months for me. I truly apologize for being MIA for quite a while but sometimes it is necessary to take a deep breath, exhale an eloquent WTF and handle every one of Life’s pitches (Yup, I said pitch…it’s a family newsletter after all!)
The list of “pitches” (uhm…or however you want to spell it…) isn’t what is important. What is truly important are the lessons and reminders I encountered along the way. Those of you who have been with me a while know I place a high importance on paying attention to the chats the Universe is trying to have with us as we go through the day. Man, they were certainly chatty! Among other things, here are a few key points I’ve taken away from the last months…maybe you can relate.
- Take a breath and simply stop when things start to feel overwhelming. Remember to take an honest non-judgmental look at the situation you are in and see what part you need to own and what parts you cannot control. Focus only on your part and address it as best you can. Accept you are not responsible for the rest.
- Face the cold hard realities and come to terms with them. Ignoring critical discussions will not solve anything. If nothing else, it will only continue to get worse. Own tough decisions head on. Not acknowledging their existence will not make them disappear. It only serves as a base for the next issue, and the next one. Eventually that heap will be huge and even tougher to conquer. Show it who is boss right up front and let it go.
- While it may not feel like it, there are always good things happening around you all the time. It may be the smile of a child, warm sunshine, the snuggle of your pet, or simply fresh air. Be sure to recognize those moments and cherish them. They are those bright spots that make the day’s issues more bearable. It’s a wonderful reminder that the Universe is helping you handle the issues by reminding you of the bright spots too.
- Be ok with experiencing and showing emotions. Often, we stuff down fears, anger, or heartbreak to manage a situation. We have been taught to appear strong. Only weak people cry, right? WRONG! Feelings and emotions are part of being a human being. Stuffing them down ultimately does not make us stronger because they will manifest in other ways that will not be healthy. Ulcers, addictions, anger are only a few ways those stuffed emotions will appear. It is time we feel ok with genuinely saying I love you to your family or friends. When someone crosses you, honestly and tactfully let them know. In the long run, they will admire and respect you.
- Most importantly, honor your boundaries. When you are tired, yet people are demanding your time, it’s fine to tell them Not Yet. Remember to pay attention to your physical and emotional states. Take time to do what you need to in order to relax. Maybe it’s a glass of wine and a good book. Hot bubble bath. A day at the spa. Whatever it is, do it. You need to take care of yourself, or you won’t be able to be there for others. Clearly define your boundaries and stick to them. Let others know when they start to cross them. They will understand when they see how you are benefiting from that and may even start doing it for themselves.
Sorry for this being a bit long winded, but heck I haven’t been around in a while! And, you know how I feel about learning the lessons from whatever life throws at us. I have definitely been learning a great deal about myself and working with others lately (including swearing in 4 languages 😊). This level of self-awareness is so cool. And worth every tear, sleepless night and smile.
So, how are you handling life’s crap storms? Are you keeping an eye out for those lessons? More importantly, are you noticing those good things too? Take time to thank yourself for keeping going one step at a time. It will be worth your time to journal what you have discovered, so you can read those reminders the next time you step in a cow patty of life. What are you doing with those amazing lessons? Start embracing them because you are so worth it!
