With all the pain and suffering going on in our world today, I’m conscious of trying to stay emotionally afloat. I thought you might be having some trouble from time to time, too, and thought it might be good for us to share ways that we try to cope. These are some of the things that help me – in no particular order. I hope you’ll share what helps YOU.
Filed under Attitude, Beautiful Boxes, Challenges, coping mechanisms, Encouragement
Filed under Attitude, DIET!, Encouragement
Maria wrote me recently to encourage me about my efforts to lose my lard, suggesting that I read her blog post the next day.
When I read it, I was re-motivated to follow her suggestions of handling goals, making the goals reality. You might find it interesting and motivational, too. FlowingWatersArtBlog
Maybe we can get there!
Thanks, Maria. :0)
Filed under DIET!, Encouragement, exercise
We’re all still going through a very stressful time. It’s hard to try to get to whatever the ‘new normal’ is without at least a twinge or two about risk.
I’ve chosen to read as much as I can about what is going on in the world around me – reading as many different sources as I can find – decide what I want to do, and just do it.
Life is too short to live in fear of everything. I’m going to die of ‘something’ at whatever time I do. I can only take whatever precautions I think are reasonable and get on with it. I don’t want to miss the rest of my life because of fear.
Filed under Attitude, Challenges, Changes, Encouragement
Filed under Acting Like a Grownup, Encouragement, Poohisms
Filed under Childlike Fun, Encouragement, memories
I don’t know why, but when I was growing up, I felt that I ‘should already know how to do things’ before doing them out in public. If my class at school announced that we would have a roller skating party, I would beg my mom to take me to the rink so that I could practice before the party, in a panic about the idea of embarrassing myself in front of other people.
Gradually, over the years, I gave myself ‘permission’ to admit that I had no clue about certain things, that I had never tried something, etc. It still bothers me a bit, but I’ve FINALLY learned to try the new thing to see if I enjoy it, rather than ‘standing back in my own mind’ seeing myself falling in a heap when everyone else seems to be able to do it with no problem.
I don’t know if others share my lack of confidence, but it caused me to miss out on several things when I was young. I still admire people who seem to be fearless, who throw themselves headlong into whatever it the situation is, with a ‘can do’ attitude, or the idea that it will be fun.
One thing I did that helped me deal with this was when I was teaching swimming each summer from the time I was 14 through college. We taught beginning swimming to young children, but we also taught older, experienced swimmers who wanted to work on their technique, stamina, or just wanted the workout.
My favorite thing was our “Mothers Classes.” These ladies sat on the benches in the hot, steamy, indoor pool area so that their kids could learn to swim. What we discovered was that the reason for this many times was that THEY were scared of the water, had never learned to swim, and wished they could. I ended up with some impressive scratches sometimes from women who were petrified, but I felt that the time we spent getting them over their fear was priceless for all of us. We taught them to relax and let the water hold them up. We showed them that they could actually float! Helping women find the confidence to try to overcome years of fear and avoidance helped ME, too. Seeing them learn to swim across the deep end on their own, laughing with joy, made me see my own problems in a different, more healthy light.
Are you with me? Got your T-shirt?
Filed under Attitude, Challenges, empowerment, Encouragement
Filed under aging, Attitude, Encouragement
Filed under Attitude, Challenges, Encouragement, kindness
With Covid, the economy, the divisiveness of our country, and the awful weather from which people have been suffering, it’s hard to keep your head above water.
It might sound inviting to simply withdraw into protective shells, allowing our souls to simply implode.
I am choosing to concentrate on all the good in the world, reaching out to find it and then share it when I can.
Last night I found figure skating on TV. I happened upon it by accident, and was delighted to watch women’s and men’s competitions in Stockholm which would decide who would qualify to go to the Olympics. I absolutely LOVE watching truly talented people. I’m happy to live on the same planet. These people show what talent, hard work, and dedication can do.
We had some storms overnight – nothing like the awful ones in the southern U.S., thank goodness. This morning the sun is shining brightly; some of my plants are sprouting or blooming.
Seeing the positive in your life and being truly grateful for it is a survival skill that needs to be practiced to the point it’s as automatic as breathing. Let’s do it together.
Filed under Attitude, Encouragement
The past two days I have spent outside.
There are things left to be done of course, but my main spring garden is planted. I weeded two brick planters yesterday and got my tomato plants in, too. We have ordered new sprinklers for the main garden, and the irrigation system for the yard needs to be tested. We need to replace a PVC pipe that waters one planter in the front yard. I have two celery starts that need to go out to the main garden. These are details.
I’m still overwhelmed by how my SPIRITS lifted when I bought the plants and worked to get them into the garden. I guess I’ve let the state of our world sit on my shoulders too much. It’s hard to stay upbeat when there is so much bad stuff happening all around you. I felt good feelings FLOOD into me, though, with HOPE for the future as I found places for all my plants the past two days.
I’m smiling as I type, ready to get back outside and see what details I can handle today. :0)
I hope there is something wonderful flooding YOUR heart and soul today.
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