Talk to yourself...

Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.

- Brene Brown

It’s curious that we don’t necessarily think to do this. We can be so critical of ourselves. I wonder if it’s that old “internalized parent” thing. Our parents do their best to keep us safe and guide us to a happy and productive adult life. Unfortunately, we can end up feeling damaged, flawed and less than. I hope we can ease up on ourselves. Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Changing the game...

Pray when you feel like worrying. Give thanks when you feel like complaining. Keep going when you feel like quitting.

- Unknown

I’ve been trying this and it actually works. I’ve made allowances for people because I would be so grateful for kindness when I mess up. Rather than complaining, I’ve replaced the thought with “Well, life isn’t perfect. Things fall through the cracks.” I’m still working on the worry thing. I have a perfection issue and as I’ve gotten older, I seem more anxious. I love the idea of praying (or wishing) the stress away. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. xo

Blessings,

Chatgirl

The art of the pause...

Practice the pause. When in doubt, pause. When angry, pause. When tired, pause. When stressed, pause. And when you pause, pray.

-Unknown

Do I ever need to take this advice to heart. I am permanently on fast-forward, which leads to many klutzy moments. I fell over the weekend and ouch, I can barely use my right arm. As far as praying goes, we’re not all religious or even spiritual, but taking a deep breath and making a wish sounds peaceful. Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Remaining calm...

Someday, everything will make perfect sense. So for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears, and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason.

- Unknown

I’m not certain about everything happening for a reason. What does amaze me though, is how often I am completely surprised (and wrong) in life. I have been wrong about people, both to my dismay and to my pleasant surprise. I have made assumptions and later realized I was way off, due to lack of information. I have worried needlessly, only to find an outcome absolutely lovely. (i.e. meeting my sweetheart’s ex/mother of his two boys and realizing she is completely wonderful and a blessing in my life). So, I guess we just don’t know until we have that 20-20 hindsight vision. I still think it takes effort, discipline and practice to remain calm and trust that we’re going to be ok. Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Allowances for human weakness...

Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good times and bad. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.

- Ann Landers

I wish I had understood this a long time ago. Spending time in the “wrong relationships” is a learning experience and I know we’re not supposed to have regrets, but I would have preferred more time with my one and only true love. Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Hopeful?...

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

- Helen Keller (One of the most famous deaf people in history. Keller, a prolific author, was well-traveled and outspoken in her convictions. She was inducted into the Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame).

Many wise people say that we have to believe something before we’ll see it in our reality. Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Power over you...

It all begins and ends in your mind. What you give power to, has power over you. If you allow it.

- Unknown

I’ve been working on this one for a while, and I continue to be amazed at the lasting impact of past experiences and disappointments. My favourite life coach says go easy on ourselves because the body, on a cellular level, holds onto trauma. Our past traumas can be “triggered” and send our central nervous system into the past wher our body (and mind as well potentially) thinks “it” is happening all over again. So Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a real thing. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl