Monday, February 25, 2013
Things I know: Grief
Things I know: Grief: So what about the big stuff? How do you get through the really big events like death, divorce, major illness? It's so much harder to c...
Grief
So what about the big stuff? How do you get through the really big events like death, divorce, major illness? It's so much harder to control your thoughts through grief than through anger or sadness. Like all of you, I've had my fair share of life altering hardships and I've discovered a few things that help. However, no matter how bad it is, time is the only thing that truly heals. Even an ongoing hardship like my son's illness is a much lighter burden now than when we first discovered he was sick. Having said that, there are a few temporary fixes I have found to help you get through the day. Now, I know that this blog is the last thing you'll be thinking about when you are faced with a major hardship, but maybe at some point in your day, you'll think about something I've posted and just maybe your burden will be lifted, just a little.
So have you ever noticed that when a loved one dies the days of preparation and services are so much easier than when everything is over? Well, that's the first tool of dealing with grief...keep busy. Go back to work as soon as you can, volunteer, take a class...do what ever you can to stay busy. Find a distraction to pass the time, because as time goes by, it WILL get easier. The second tool is laughter. Watch a comedy, read funny stories, reminisce about fun times. Even if only for a few minutes. Every minute you spend away from the grief...like a little emotional vacation...is a minute you are closer to healing. The third tool is to surround yourself with people who love you. Every human being has a deep seeded need to be loved, and seeking the company of those that love us will help us to bridge the gap between pain and healing.
There are a lot if emotions between grief and happiness. If you can get yourself from grief to sad, maybe through laughter or keeping busy, you've accomplished something major. Try to notice when you've accomplished this so you know you can do it. Knowing your own strength will help you on the days that are harder. From sad you can get to something else, maybe disappointed. Work your way up the emotional scale, but don't expect to stay there at first. Be easy on yourself and don't expect miracles. Try to control your thoughts. When you feel yourself falling into depression, find something else to think about. Something completely random...stay away from thoughts about the cause of your grief until you are in a stronger emotional place. Give yourself the time you need to heal.
Now, I know that I'm not saying anything new here. You've heard it all before, but I've found that sometimes it just takes a little reminder. Time really does heal all wounds.
So have you ever noticed that when a loved one dies the days of preparation and services are so much easier than when everything is over? Well, that's the first tool of dealing with grief...keep busy. Go back to work as soon as you can, volunteer, take a class...do what ever you can to stay busy. Find a distraction to pass the time, because as time goes by, it WILL get easier. The second tool is laughter. Watch a comedy, read funny stories, reminisce about fun times. Even if only for a few minutes. Every minute you spend away from the grief...like a little emotional vacation...is a minute you are closer to healing. The third tool is to surround yourself with people who love you. Every human being has a deep seeded need to be loved, and seeking the company of those that love us will help us to bridge the gap between pain and healing.
There are a lot if emotions between grief and happiness. If you can get yourself from grief to sad, maybe through laughter or keeping busy, you've accomplished something major. Try to notice when you've accomplished this so you know you can do it. Knowing your own strength will help you on the days that are harder. From sad you can get to something else, maybe disappointed. Work your way up the emotional scale, but don't expect to stay there at first. Be easy on yourself and don't expect miracles. Try to control your thoughts. When you feel yourself falling into depression, find something else to think about. Something completely random...stay away from thoughts about the cause of your grief until you are in a stronger emotional place. Give yourself the time you need to heal.
Now, I know that I'm not saying anything new here. You've heard it all before, but I've found that sometimes it just takes a little reminder. Time really does heal all wounds.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Things I know: Focus
Things I know: Focus: The other day I woke up feeling a little achy, with a fever, stuffy head and runny nose. I skipped the gym, dressed for warmth and comfort,...
Focus
The other day I woke up feeling a little achy, with a fever, stuffy head and runny nose. I skipped the gym, dressed for warmth and comfort, put minimal makeup on, barely styled my hair and went off to work. After a few hours, I cancelled my appointments for the rest of the day and went home to sleep. I just wasn't feeling good and was having trouble getting through my day. The next day, I woke up feeling the same, but I had appointments ahead of me that could not be changed...a whole day full! I went to the gym to "wake myself up", dressed with more style, did my makeup and hair and went off to work. I had no time to feel sorry for myself and got caught up in my busy day. Sometime in the afternoon, I realized I felt pretty good. Maybe not 100%, but certainly not sick. I realized that my attention to feeling sick only fed it and caused me to feel worse while my lack of attention to how I felt diminished it. Now I've posted quite a bit about controlling your thoughts in order to control your feelings, but this was an actual, physical manifestation.
Now you might say that I just got better by the afternoon of day two, but the truth is, I felt the same when I woke up on day three. I didn't get better, I just FELT better. I've always believed that controlling your thoughts is the key to a happier, healthier life, but in the way that controlling your thoughts helps to control your stress levels and negativity and in turn your health and happiness. What I realized the other day is that we can control, to some degree, how we feel physically. For me, it was distraction that drew my attention from how I felt physically. Now, I'm not saying that you should refrain from physically taking care of yourself, but I'm saying that once you do the activities needed for that care, you should focus your attention elsewhere.
Our mind is a powerful thing. The direction of our focus can make or break our day...our life, for that matter. Think of your mind's focus as a laser beam...careful where you point that thing! :-)
Now you might say that I just got better by the afternoon of day two, but the truth is, I felt the same when I woke up on day three. I didn't get better, I just FELT better. I've always believed that controlling your thoughts is the key to a happier, healthier life, but in the way that controlling your thoughts helps to control your stress levels and negativity and in turn your health and happiness. What I realized the other day is that we can control, to some degree, how we feel physically. For me, it was distraction that drew my attention from how I felt physically. Now, I'm not saying that you should refrain from physically taking care of yourself, but I'm saying that once you do the activities needed for that care, you should focus your attention elsewhere.
Our mind is a powerful thing. The direction of our focus can make or break our day...our life, for that matter. Think of your mind's focus as a laser beam...careful where you point that thing! :-)
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Things I know: Sunshine
Things I know: Sunshine: I was waiting outside for someone yesterday and the sun was shining brightly and felt warm on my face. Now, it's winter here in NJ right no...
Sunshine
I was waiting outside for someone yesterday and the sun was shining brightly and felt warm on my face. Now, it's winter here in NJ right now and it's been cold out. The warm heated inside is much more inviting than the cold windy outside. Most of us run from the car to wherever we are going and I have to admit I've been guilty of that myself this year. But being outside in the sun yesterday reminded me of how much I need the sun. Sunshine literally gives me joy when I stop to appreciate it. Being in sunlight calms me when I am anxious. And lets face it, a sunny day just makes us feel good.
Now, I didn't want to post anything here that would be harmful, and I know the sun can cause harm, so I did a little research. According to the National Institute of Health, the benefits of the sun come from Vitamin D, which is vital to your health in a whole host of ways. However, as long as you protect your skin, the benefits of the sun far outweigh any negatives. But I am not a very scientific gal, and none of my (very minimal) research even mentioned the benefits that I think are the most important...the sun's effects on my mood!
I am always aware of my mood and how I feel...and what is contributing to it. In order to live a fulfilling life, I strive to be happy and positive much of the time. I am keenly aware of what external forces can contribute to an improvement in my mood. I've talked to you about music, laughter, meditation, smiling to name a few...and now the sun. When you think about it, the sun is usually associated with fun activities...the beach, sports, picnics...on and on. But I am suggesting a daily dose of sun...ten minutes or so, every day that the sun is out. Even more when you are stressed or feeling down. I think you'll find, as I did, that the very act of appreciating the sun has a profound effect on your mood. A benefit that goes way beyond the Vitamin D!
Enjoy!
Now, I didn't want to post anything here that would be harmful, and I know the sun can cause harm, so I did a little research. According to the National Institute of Health, the benefits of the sun come from Vitamin D, which is vital to your health in a whole host of ways. However, as long as you protect your skin, the benefits of the sun far outweigh any negatives. But I am not a very scientific gal, and none of my (very minimal) research even mentioned the benefits that I think are the most important...the sun's effects on my mood!
I am always aware of my mood and how I feel...and what is contributing to it. In order to live a fulfilling life, I strive to be happy and positive much of the time. I am keenly aware of what external forces can contribute to an improvement in my mood. I've talked to you about music, laughter, meditation, smiling to name a few...and now the sun. When you think about it, the sun is usually associated with fun activities...the beach, sports, picnics...on and on. But I am suggesting a daily dose of sun...ten minutes or so, every day that the sun is out. Even more when you are stressed or feeling down. I think you'll find, as I did, that the very act of appreciating the sun has a profound effect on your mood. A benefit that goes way beyond the Vitamin D!
Enjoy!
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Things I know: Have Fun!
Things I know: Have Fun!: What do you like to do for fun? When I think about times when I was having fun, I realize that many were not planned. Many were not times ...
Have Fun!
What do you like to do for fun? When I think about times when I was having fun, I realize that many were not planned. Many were not times and places where you would expect to have fun, and yet, my memories of these times are happy times when I had fun. I remember being in a supermarket with my daughter and laughing so hard that the other shoppers thought we were crazy. Another time I was on line at the DMV and started talking with the other people on line around me. Our conversation was so much fun I felt like hugging these strangers goodbye when my turn finally came up. A meeting at the end of the day when everyone seemed to be just a little bit punchy. A quiet meal that turned into a rowdy laugh fest...a long ride that turned into a sing-a-long...a phone conversation with my son that had us both laughing to tears...the list goes on and on.
When I think about it, there is fun to be had in almost every situation. Sometimes a good book, listening to music, working on a project, at the gym, a quiet walk....alone or with others. So my challenge to myself these past few weeks has been to find the fun. It's like the old Where's Waldo books...the fun is there, I just have to find it. Sometimes it's easier than others, but if I trust its there, I'll be able to find it. Life has been a little challenging lately but the more I look for the fun, the easier it is to find. The more I look for fun, the easier the challenges are to deal with.
So today my post is short and sweet...look for the fun in everything you do. Make it a priority...life is so much more enjoyable when sprinkled with fun.
When I think about it, there is fun to be had in almost every situation. Sometimes a good book, listening to music, working on a project, at the gym, a quiet walk....alone or with others. So my challenge to myself these past few weeks has been to find the fun. It's like the old Where's Waldo books...the fun is there, I just have to find it. Sometimes it's easier than others, but if I trust its there, I'll be able to find it. Life has been a little challenging lately but the more I look for the fun, the easier it is to find. The more I look for fun, the easier the challenges are to deal with.
So today my post is short and sweet...look for the fun in everything you do. Make it a priority...life is so much more enjoyable when sprinkled with fun.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Things I know: Oops!
Things I know: Oops!: Everyone makes mistakes. It's part of life. Many of our most important discoveries and inventions were born from a mistake...so why is it ...
Oops!
Everyone makes mistakes. It's part of life. Many of our most important discoveries and inventions were born from a mistake...so why is it we are so upset when we make one? It seems to me we spend far more time on excuses and berating ourselves than on fixing the mistake itself.
So lets pretend every mistake has value. Maybe it's true... penicillin, electricity, X-rays...Post It Notes... :-). So lets pretend every mistake has value...and we have to look for the value in every mistake. Mistakes would become good things instead of something to be embarrassed or angry about. There would be no need for excuses, no explanations, just evaluation. How cool would that be? Imagine if parents, bosses, teachers, looked at every mistake made as an opportunity to learn something new or find a better way... I think the world would literally be a better place. Maybe there are hundreds, thousands, millions of discoveries out there that could have been discovered if we weren't so busy making excuses for the mistake...the mistake that could have lead to something great!
So next time you or someone around you makes a mistake...before the excuses, before the anger...stop a moment and look for the value. I would hate for you to miss it.
So lets pretend every mistake has value. Maybe it's true... penicillin, electricity, X-rays...Post It Notes... :-). So lets pretend every mistake has value...and we have to look for the value in every mistake. Mistakes would become good things instead of something to be embarrassed or angry about. There would be no need for excuses, no explanations, just evaluation. How cool would that be? Imagine if parents, bosses, teachers, looked at every mistake made as an opportunity to learn something new or find a better way... I think the world would literally be a better place. Maybe there are hundreds, thousands, millions of discoveries out there that could have been discovered if we weren't so busy making excuses for the mistake...the mistake that could have lead to something great!
So next time you or someone around you makes a mistake...before the excuses, before the anger...stop a moment and look for the value. I would hate for you to miss it.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Things I know: Good Morning!
Things I know: Good Morning!: You want to know what I think are the most important moments of the day? When you first wake up in the morning. I think those moments set ...
Good Morning!
You want to know what I think are the most important moments of the day? When you first wake up in the morning. I think those moments set the tone for your entire day. It's so important that this post is entirely about those first moments, before you even get out of bed. These moments are your best opportunity to clear your mind, control your thoughts and set the tempo for the day ahead of you.
In the first few minutes of your day, your mind is not yet absorbed with activity and observations of the world around you. Negative thoughts have not yet had the opportunity to take hold and it is so much easier for you to control your thoughts. If you shape these moments into positive ones, your entire day will be transformed. It's like building muscle through exercise, as your muscle builds, you burn more calories throughout the day. Well, as your positive thoughts build, your entire day is more positive. And the first few minutes of your day are the most influential.
So, here are some tricks I use to make the most out of those moments... First of all, be prepared. Have a mental "box of happy thoughts" you can call upon. Don't waste those moments struggling to find "feel good" thoughts...have them ready. Not just one thought, either, because what makes you feel good one day, may not another day. Second, I found that sleeping is like suspended animation for your Feelings. Most of the time, the dominant tone of your feelings when you fell asleep is the first to show up when you wake. So make sure your thoughts (and therefore feelings) are positive when you lay your head down to sleep. Do whatever it takes to bring your thoughts around from negative to positive when you go to bed at night...meditation, listen to feel good music, pay attention to what you are watching on the TV (news? Probably negative)...whatever it takes to fall asleep on a positive note. Your tomorrow depends on it!
Sweet dreams!
In the first few minutes of your day, your mind is not yet absorbed with activity and observations of the world around you. Negative thoughts have not yet had the opportunity to take hold and it is so much easier for you to control your thoughts. If you shape these moments into positive ones, your entire day will be transformed. It's like building muscle through exercise, as your muscle builds, you burn more calories throughout the day. Well, as your positive thoughts build, your entire day is more positive. And the first few minutes of your day are the most influential.
So, here are some tricks I use to make the most out of those moments... First of all, be prepared. Have a mental "box of happy thoughts" you can call upon. Don't waste those moments struggling to find "feel good" thoughts...have them ready. Not just one thought, either, because what makes you feel good one day, may not another day. Second, I found that sleeping is like suspended animation for your Feelings. Most of the time, the dominant tone of your feelings when you fell asleep is the first to show up when you wake. So make sure your thoughts (and therefore feelings) are positive when you lay your head down to sleep. Do whatever it takes to bring your thoughts around from negative to positive when you go to bed at night...meditation, listen to feel good music, pay attention to what you are watching on the TV (news? Probably negative)...whatever it takes to fall asleep on a positive note. Your tomorrow depends on it!
Sweet dreams!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Things I know: I don't care...
Things I know: I don't care...: Remember when you were young and the guy/girl you had a crush on didn't call? It would ruin your day! Maybe the "cool kids" included you i...
Saturday, February 9, 2013
I don't care...
Remember when you were young and the guy/girl you had a crush on didn't call? It would ruin your day! Maybe the "cool kids" included you in something and for the rest of the day you were feeling great. Our entire world would depend on the actions of someone else. Well, I believe we still do that...let our mood, our feelings, our happiness depend on the words or actions of someone else. How often do we think "if only he would do this....I would feel better". Most arguments consist of lists of things we don't like that another is doing. Think about how many times your mood...good or bad...was affected by someone else. Now, I understand that there are times when the actions of someone else can not help but affect us, like if someone physically harms us, but much of the time we allow the everyday words and actions of others to dictate our own moods and behavior.
I propose we take back our power to control our own moods. I, for one, don't want to have a bad day simply because my husband, my child, my friend...was inconsiderate or mean or having a bad day themselves. I don't want my enthusiasm to be determined by the enthusiasm of those around me. Imagine this...you wake up feeling fine, go to work in a great mood and your boss calls you into his office. Now lets say your boss is not in a good mood and while giving you your assignments says something sarcastic to you. You have a choice...do you allow your mood to darken or do you disregard the remark? Most of us, if we are being honest with ourselves, will admit that what would normally happen is that our mood would darken. I propose we all practice...at least a little more...the art of not caring. If you know you do a good job, why would you allow the mood of your boss to determine the rest of YOUR day? And yet, that's exactly what we do every day. It's time we say to ourselves...."I don't care!".
I know that's easier said than done. It all comes back to Rule #1...you are in control of your response to every situation! Find a way! Maybe you simply need to repeat silently in your mind.."I don't care, I don't care", but find something that works for you. Practice caring less, giving your own moods priority and taking back your power to control your day!
I propose we take back our power to control our own moods. I, for one, don't want to have a bad day simply because my husband, my child, my friend...was inconsiderate or mean or having a bad day themselves. I don't want my enthusiasm to be determined by the enthusiasm of those around me. Imagine this...you wake up feeling fine, go to work in a great mood and your boss calls you into his office. Now lets say your boss is not in a good mood and while giving you your assignments says something sarcastic to you. You have a choice...do you allow your mood to darken or do you disregard the remark? Most of us, if we are being honest with ourselves, will admit that what would normally happen is that our mood would darken. I propose we all practice...at least a little more...the art of not caring. If you know you do a good job, why would you allow the mood of your boss to determine the rest of YOUR day? And yet, that's exactly what we do every day. It's time we say to ourselves...."I don't care!".
I know that's easier said than done. It all comes back to Rule #1...you are in control of your response to every situation! Find a way! Maybe you simply need to repeat silently in your mind.."I don't care, I don't care", but find something that works for you. Practice caring less, giving your own moods priority and taking back your power to control your day!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Group Mentality
I recently went on vacation with a group of friends...rather, a group of people who by the end of our vacation were all friends. I have a group of girlfriends that all get together for a weekend three or four times a year. My whole family goes away together every year. Family reunions...dinner parties...the more the merrier...There is something magical about a group of people getting together to have fun. A few months ago I was at a convention and it must have been fifty people that crowded into a tiny karaoke bar at the end of the day...the next morning, there was a camaraderie that permeated the meetings we all attended.
Now, I know that sometimes good intentions are not enough. Sometimes personalities conflict, but when the synergy is there, it's magic! Look for it!
This post is different than most in this blog because it is purely an observation. A tribute to the laughter, the closeness, the fun I have had with the groups of people I have shared this magic with. I seek out those magical times, I look for the opportunities to join together with others....simply to have fun. It energizes me! The company of others is vital to us all...the company of a group set on having fun...now that is magical!
Now, I know that sometimes good intentions are not enough. Sometimes personalities conflict, but when the synergy is there, it's magic! Look for it!
This post is different than most in this blog because it is purely an observation. A tribute to the laughter, the closeness, the fun I have had with the groups of people I have shared this magic with. I seek out those magical times, I look for the opportunities to join together with others....simply to have fun. It energizes me! The company of others is vital to us all...the company of a group set on having fun...now that is magical!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Things I know: Appreciation
Things I know: Appreciation: So many times, when I sit down to write this blog, I start out with the intention of writing about one thing and wind up writing about somet...
Appreciation
So many times, when I sit down to write this blog, I start out with the intention of writing about one thing and wind up writing about something else. Somehow the right topic forms itself as I start to write. Today is one of those days. I wanted to write to you about focus, and instead I find myself writing about appreciation. So....
Do you want to know the fastest, sure fire way to get out of a bad mood? Think about all the things in your life that you are thankful for! It works like a charm...providing you can control your thoughts enough to focus on appreciation. That's the hard part, right? We all know that thinking about things we are grateful for will improve our mood....it's just hard to think about them when we are in the grips of a bad mood. So how do we do it? Well, I start out slow. If I try to force gratitude into my negative thought pattern, my mind resists and I find myself even more negative than I started out to be. But I find that if I can find one small thread, I can build on that thought, no matter how small. From there, I find it just a little bit easier to find another thought, then another...well, you get the picture.
A few weeks ago, I was having a bad day...you know the kind, when you are hit with everything from a stubbed toe to depressing news...and everything in between! Well, I had a presentation to do late in the afternoon and I was not feeling very upbeat and positive. I feared my presentation would fall flat and I would be a huge flop. The problem was, no matter how much I tried to force happy thoughts and appreciation into my consciousness, I just couldn't get past my glum. I was getting a little panicky, which only made me feel worse. Finally, in my frustration, I put my head in my hands...and I noticed that my hair felt really soft...and I liked that. From there, I remembered a complement that someone had given me about my hair the day before. From there, I was able to pull up more gratitude until I was doing okay. I did fine in my presentation, not my finest, but fine. I'm not looking for miracles, but improvement...through Appreciation. I know how minor the softness of my hair is...how inconsequential in the big picture...but it was the one small thing that was the catalyst for me to change my thought momentum. So the next time you're feeling down...look for that one small thing. You never know what it will be.
Do you want to know the fastest, sure fire way to get out of a bad mood? Think about all the things in your life that you are thankful for! It works like a charm...providing you can control your thoughts enough to focus on appreciation. That's the hard part, right? We all know that thinking about things we are grateful for will improve our mood....it's just hard to think about them when we are in the grips of a bad mood. So how do we do it? Well, I start out slow. If I try to force gratitude into my negative thought pattern, my mind resists and I find myself even more negative than I started out to be. But I find that if I can find one small thread, I can build on that thought, no matter how small. From there, I find it just a little bit easier to find another thought, then another...well, you get the picture.
A few weeks ago, I was having a bad day...you know the kind, when you are hit with everything from a stubbed toe to depressing news...and everything in between! Well, I had a presentation to do late in the afternoon and I was not feeling very upbeat and positive. I feared my presentation would fall flat and I would be a huge flop. The problem was, no matter how much I tried to force happy thoughts and appreciation into my consciousness, I just couldn't get past my glum. I was getting a little panicky, which only made me feel worse. Finally, in my frustration, I put my head in my hands...and I noticed that my hair felt really soft...and I liked that. From there, I remembered a complement that someone had given me about my hair the day before. From there, I was able to pull up more gratitude until I was doing okay. I did fine in my presentation, not my finest, but fine. I'm not looking for miracles, but improvement...through Appreciation. I know how minor the softness of my hair is...how inconsequential in the big picture...but it was the one small thing that was the catalyst for me to change my thought momentum. So the next time you're feeling down...look for that one small thing. You never know what it will be.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Thank you!
I really want to thank you all for supporting this blog! There are now nearly 2000 readers in 13 countries! I would love to hear from you...post a comment, send a message and please continue to share. Thank you so very much!
Change
It's funny how we resist change. Everyone does it at one time or another, even people who embrace change will resist it now and then. I suppose it's fear of the unknown, or perhaps we are happy with the status quo or are comfortable where we are. The truth is, all of our growth comes on the other side of change. Think about it, who we are, who we will ever become, is born because something in our life changed. The bigger the change, the bigger the growth. Now, I understand that not all the changes in our life have been good...but every change has touched us, formed us, developed us into the people we are today. Our changes are a part of us...every one of them.
A few years back, I was transferred from one office to another in my job. Now, even though I generally like change in my life, I railed against this transfer. I felt like I wasn't "done" in my old office...I didn't want to leave the people...I had a lot of reasons, but the truth is, I didn't want to change. I was comfortable where I was. The transfer forced me to grow in my profession which led to greater success.
Even those changes that we dread have positive aspects...when my mother passed away, some time ago, I was devastated. Among other things, my mother was the one person in this world who I knew was proud of me. She was the one I turned to when I was happy and when I was sad. I felt a huge loss when she passed. Now, I never realized it before, but while my mother was alive, I never really got to know my father. It is such a treat to see how my relationship with my father has grown and developed in the years since my mothers passing. I am so fortunate to have these years with him!
I know that nothing I say in this blog will help you to embrace change when it comes around, but maybe you'll remember that there is growth on the other side. Maybe that truth will help you weather the storm...look for the rainbow on the other side!
A few years back, I was transferred from one office to another in my job. Now, even though I generally like change in my life, I railed against this transfer. I felt like I wasn't "done" in my old office...I didn't want to leave the people...I had a lot of reasons, but the truth is, I didn't want to change. I was comfortable where I was. The transfer forced me to grow in my profession which led to greater success.
Even those changes that we dread have positive aspects...when my mother passed away, some time ago, I was devastated. Among other things, my mother was the one person in this world who I knew was proud of me. She was the one I turned to when I was happy and when I was sad. I felt a huge loss when she passed. Now, I never realized it before, but while my mother was alive, I never really got to know my father. It is such a treat to see how my relationship with my father has grown and developed in the years since my mothers passing. I am so fortunate to have these years with him!
I know that nothing I say in this blog will help you to embrace change when it comes around, but maybe you'll remember that there is growth on the other side. Maybe that truth will help you weather the storm...look for the rainbow on the other side!
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Intuition
My daughter is a teacher and very good at her job. I do not have the privilege of being in her classroom with her, but I have had the opportunity, on many occasions to observe her with children of all ages. Children love her, are drawn to her instinctively. I have seen children that are total strangers to her being drawn to her as if they knew she would love them. Long before she speaks to them, makes faces at them, plays with them, they are attracted to her. Children follow their instincts.
As we get older, many outside influences interfere with our ability to recognize and follow our instincts...logic, the opinion of others, common practice...to name a few. Have you ever had a bad feeling about doing something, but you did it anyway? How did it turn out? Our lives are full of those events that we say "I knew I shouldn't have done that!". Now there may be some fundamental difference between instincts and intuition, but I look at both as the same. I believe that many of us have allowed our instincts, our intuition, to be dulled by our surroundings, but it doesn't have to be that way. I contend that practice makes perfect. If we pay closer attention to our intuition, it will become sharper. Even if we don't follow our instincts, if we notice when they are right, we will enhance our ability to recognize them.
We need to be more like children, follow our instincts...suspend logic, peer pressure, common practice. Our intuition, our instincts are there to serve us!
As we get older, many outside influences interfere with our ability to recognize and follow our instincts...logic, the opinion of others, common practice...to name a few. Have you ever had a bad feeling about doing something, but you did it anyway? How did it turn out? Our lives are full of those events that we say "I knew I shouldn't have done that!". Now there may be some fundamental difference between instincts and intuition, but I look at both as the same. I believe that many of us have allowed our instincts, our intuition, to be dulled by our surroundings, but it doesn't have to be that way. I contend that practice makes perfect. If we pay closer attention to our intuition, it will become sharper. Even if we don't follow our instincts, if we notice when they are right, we will enhance our ability to recognize them.
We need to be more like children, follow our instincts...suspend logic, peer pressure, common practice. Our intuition, our instincts are there to serve us!
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