Category: Journaling

friday’s “secret”: practice empathy when you can, sympathy when you can’t

Leave a comment

This post was inspired by my thoughts while listening to the sixth episode of Modern Mrs. Darcy’s What Should I Read Next. Anne and her guest, Tsh Oxenreider, spent a little time discussing the book, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed. Both of them didn’t particularly care for the book and abandoned it but after reading Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar, also by Strayed, Anne said that she had more insight into Strayed’s life experiences and was thinking of giving Wild another shot.

I read Wild last year and while it isn’t one of my favorite books, I enjoyed it because I wanted to read about Cheryl’s journey, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. I personally wanted to know how she could go out into the wild, alone, while never hiking before. I was curious as to how she dealt with the fear and I wanted to read her story. And while I wouldn’t have made some of the choices that Cheryl made, I realized that the book was a story about a certain time of her life and it is highly unlikely that who she was then who she is now. I’m different and I don’t know if any book can tell an entire story; it can only give us glimpses into certain aspects, certain thoughts, and certain experiences of someone at that particular time.

Which is also what we are only able to see of each other in actual life. It made me think about how we, in our humanness, often make judgments about other people, often times not knowing their story. And when we do know bits and pieces, we are quick to judge without empathy (if that is possible) or sympathy (when empathizing is not available).

I did this all the time. But life had a way of showing me a lot of my flaws, causing me to be empathetic to a lot of situations. Plus, in attempting to connect with others in a sincere and authentic way, I have begun to be more sympathetic to others.

I don’t know if anyone can tell that I am making the effort but I am a lot happier. No judgment here! And it’s a lot easier to…

…enjoy life.

friday’s “secret”: know the things that are saving your life

Leave a comment

What's Saving My Life, Write Now

Too often, we go through life knowing exactly what is ruining our life, what is messing everything up, what we need to change in order to make everything better. I know I do. On any given day, at any given time, I can tell you what I wish was different in my day-to-day life without much thought. What I can’t tell you is what is saving my life, what things are making my life easier, happier. Today’s “secret” is that in order to be happy, I should focus on what things are saving my life, what is working for me today.

Anne Bogel feels that February is “the cruelest month”. I would feel the same except my hubby and I celebrate our wedding anniversary at the end of it and we try to take a trip someplace warmer and sunnier than our home. This year, we plan to return to the scene of the crime, Las Vegas, Nevada, where we were married ten years ago, after exactly three years of dating. Thirteen years with this guy; can’t believe it! “Time flies when you are having fun.”

In spite of the Blizzard of 2016 (view of said blizzard from my front window pictured above), we have had some remarkably nice days with sun and warmth. This has allowed me to take my half marathon training outside and running outside always saves my life. I love listening to the sound of the birds and the bullfrogs that live in the mini pond in our neighborhood.

And nothing is so good after a cool run as a hot shower when it’s all said and done. Being very cold natured, I am always so grateful for running hot water and heat in the winter time.

And finally, writing (how many of you caught that intentional misspelling in the pic; like my play-on-words there?) both here in the blog and in the journaling that I have started doing again in the mornings is saving my life write now. It feels so good to put pen to paper and write through my thoughts and feelings, getting clarity in the process. And by the way, this is my 50th post on this blog! Hooray!

All in all, I feel like I am doing pretty good with staying relatively happy and contented this winter. Seems like changing my mindset about the cold, as discussed in this article about the Norwegians, may actually be helping. I think I have only asked my hubby if we could more further south one time so far, a remarkable feat for me.

In addition to being Friday’s “secret” this post is a very special link-up with Modern Mrs. Darcy especially for all of us who abhor these dreary and cold winter days and long for spring time and sunshine and warmth. Check out what other people are doing to enjoy life this winter here.

What is saving your life, right now? Oh please, do tell.

enjoy life…

what i learned {january 2016}

4 Comments

Beach. What I Learned

“The body keeps score and it always wins.” -Brené Brown

I was sick for a week this January. I had pushed myself hard in December: not sleeping well, getting up early, pushing my body and working out harder than I have been in a while, a lot of responsibilities and guess what, “the body always wins.” When you don’t take care of yourself, the body will make you take care of it.

First, I learned that I whatever I do, I must keep up, what Gretchen Rubin refers to as, my foundational habits: Getting proper rest, staying hydrated, eating better, and keeping my stress levels down. These habits allow me to be at my best self and able to function at an optimal level.

Simply TuesdayAnd second, while I am doing that, I must always stay in the present moment. Living too much in the future and in the past ruins the present, and surprisingly, increases my stress level! Who knew? So while, I was sick, I did everything that I could to listen to my body and rest. I drank hot tea, read, and caught up with my favorite television shows.

I am currently reading Emily P. Freeman’s book, Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World. I am finding it to be a great book to start my day and I am enjoying savoring it slowly. I am linking up with her and others to tell you what we learned this month. Check out all our collected wisdom here.

What have you learned recently?

enjoy life…