Perspective

We all make mistakes, right? You can't be afraid of mistakes. Sometimes, even when you're pretty sure
you're going to end up hurt, or just back where you started, you just have to go for it and try something.

I tried something very new to me recently. I got burned. Well, more like I'm still in the process of getting burned.
I knew going into this experience that it would probably not end well. But I had to do it.
I have no regrets. For what it was, it was absolutely worth it, and I will carry the memories of it with me forever.

Do I wish things had happened differently? Not really, if I'm honest with myself. I'm okay with life
(and the people in it) being imperfect. I'm becoming okay with uncertainty, change, challenge, and hurt.
Not that I'm seeking out pain, but I'm accepting it.

I'm really working on rising above. Sometimes I sink into experiences, sometimes I get swept away by them.
But after that it's time to rise above, get my 'big picture' perspective back. Glean from them-
what do I want more of, and what can I do without? What parts are 'me,' and what parts do not reflect who I want to be?

We can't change or control people. Sometimes we can't change or control circumstances.
But we can change our expectations, perceptions and interactions.

I've wasted a lot of energy in my life lamenting over what and who I can't change or control.
I really want to put that energy back into myself, to learn how to flow around obstacles
rather than trying to move them out of the way. To learn that when a door is shut, a lot of times
whatever is behind it is not something I need, and rather than tugging on the knob with all my might,
my energy is better spent trying the next door.

Love Ewe

Possibly the cutest thing ever. I will never be able to hear that song again without picturing this!

{source}

Why Is It...

Sometimes we really have to convince ourselves to do something that is good for us.

Sometimes we really have to convince ourselves that something (or someone) is a very destructive habit and it's time to break away.

Why is that? Why are the things that free us so difficult to do and the things that harm us so hard to let go of?

Why is it so hard to believe that we deserve better?

Why is it so easy to let people walk all over us and just think 'that's the way they are' or 'that's the way things are' or 'we can never have it all?'

Why are we sometimes irresistibly drawn to someone who is 'bad on paper' in every way, and we leave the one who is 'good on paper' in the wings gathering dust?

Why does chemistry override logic?

These are the questions I've been asking myself lately.

Reading Rachael's 'Love Yourself' post from a couple days ago really helped with my perspective.

I'm reading and re-reading those words.

Because I DO deserve better. And so do you, friends.

Remember that. And remind me too, while you're at it. ;)

After 10.5 Hours of Much-Needed Rest, I can Agree:

Nerd Alert: Star Wars iPhone Cases

Have I told you guys how much I adore Star Wars lately?
I can't choose a favorite.
(Although the Jed Eye Chart, Pop Art Storm Trooper, Keep Calm Yoda Quote, and the Falcon are all in the running.)

Where to get them:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Don't Complain...

When a soldier comes home, he finds it hard....



....to listen to his son whine about being bored.



....to keep a straight face when people complain about potholes.



....to be tolerant of people who complain about the hassle of getting ready for work.



....to be understanding when a co-worker complains about a bad night's sleep.



....to be silent when people pray to God for a new car.



....to control his panic when his wife tells him he needs to drive slower.



....to be compassionate when a businessman expresses a fear of flying.



....to keep from laughing when anxious parents say they're afraid to send their kids off to summer camp.



....to keep from ridiculing someone who complains about hot weather.



....to control his frustration when a colleague gripes about his coffee being cold.



....to remain calm when his daughter complains about having to walk the dog.



....to be civil to people who complain about their jobs.



....to just walk away when someone says they only get two weeks of vacation a year.



....to be forgiving when someone says how hard it is to have a new baby in the house.

The only thing harder than being a Soldier....



Is loving one.

Thankful Thursday: It's There.

I didn't feel like posting tonight.
But once I started thinking of things I'm thankful for,
I realized all you have to do is look for something to be thankful for, and you'll find it.
It's there.

Thankful:

Heaters.

Gloves.

Layers.

Free healthy food at work.

My first full paycheck with the salary I was promised 7 months ago.

Being motivated to clean my house this morning so I could come home and relax after work.

Being listened to and valued by my boss.

My mom being in the same city and state as I am right now.

Playing chess with family and friends on my phone.

All of the wonderful things that can be learned from the internet.

Cheesy songs that make me belt them out, dance like a goon, and feel wonderful.
{like this one,  this one and this one}

Finding a stash of chicken corn chowder in my freezer.

Encouragement from friends.

My brother Jeff walking away unharmed from a scary truck crash in the snow.

The prospect of another amazing Reiki and massage session soon.

You?

{image: Hollywood Palm Trees via my iPhone}