I had prepped myself for a good holiday. As a dreamer, I always have a picture in mind of how the events might go. I had expected to see some people that I love seeing and talking to, and I had other expectations too. Due to unexpected changes, the holiday didn't go exactly as I imagined.
This isn't the first time that's happened. There have been other holidays that had unexpected surprises, surprises that challenge one's flexible thinking, acceptance, emotions, and outlook. A friend reminds me that because I tend to be an optimist, I tend to expect life to move along without struggle, and when struggles occur, I'm surprised and disappointed. Whereas this friend typically expects the struggle, so is pleasantly surprised when there isn't one. It's the glass half-empty, glass half-full situation.
I'm always reading the landscape to understand the messages it is sending. In the past few weeks, I've received a lot of messages about needed change and direction. These messages have pointed to new ways of living and connecting with loved ones and others. It is leading me to let go of some old, familiar ways of living while adopting some new ways of living.
The best way to meet these messages is to begin to try out or practice the ways life calls you to be by putting in place these new and/or deeper practices sooner than later. Action rather than thought solidifies one's ability to live in new and different ways.
These practices need to be based on your most important values; the values you base your life on. For me, I want to bring the following values to life:
This isn't the first time that's happened. There have been other holidays that had unexpected surprises, surprises that challenge one's flexible thinking, acceptance, emotions, and outlook. A friend reminds me that because I tend to be an optimist, I tend to expect life to move along without struggle, and when struggles occur, I'm surprised and disappointed. Whereas this friend typically expects the struggle, so is pleasantly surprised when there isn't one. It's the glass half-empty, glass half-full situation.
I'm always reading the landscape to understand the messages it is sending. In the past few weeks, I've received a lot of messages about needed change and direction. These messages have pointed to new ways of living and connecting with loved ones and others. It is leading me to let go of some old, familiar ways of living while adopting some new ways of living.
The best way to meet these messages is to begin to try out or practice the ways life calls you to be by putting in place these new and/or deeper practices sooner than later. Action rather than thought solidifies one's ability to live in new and different ways.
These practices need to be based on your most important values; the values you base your life on. For me, I want to bring the following values to life:
- Family first--a dedication to caring for and supporting family members in ways that I can.
- Attention to individual needs--thinking about what the individuals in my home, at work, and in my extended communities need and supporting those needs in ways that I can.
- Embracing positivity and not feeding my mind or body negativity as much as possible including media, food, experiences, actions.
- Compassion and empathy--recognizing life's challenges, missteps, and directions and having an attitude of compassion and empathy in that regard.
- Compassion for self recognizing that, like everyone, I'm not superhuman.
- Recognizing people's special events.
- Living responsibly with regard to time, money, self-care, events.
- Contributing to the larger world as I can--putting my best foot forward as much as possible.
- Continuing to listen to the world around me to learn more and do better.
So today, I'll begin this work by preparing for a loved one's birthday celebration. We'll host a few people we care a lot about, enjoy a good home cooked meal, and celebrate this young man's birthday. Tomorrow, I'll make time to carefully review students' learning efforts to see what children have successfully learned and where the classroom's direction need to be. Staying focused on positive action is the best way to move past difficult times and hurtful relations. That's where I'm headed. Onward.