~Lessons Learned~

 

    Well it's that time again!!!  Time to re-evaluate those that surround you.  The quote says so much........look at those around you, your friends, your loved ones, your acquaintances, co-workers.  Are they strong, supportive, loving, giving, caring, etc., etc. in their actions towards you?  Or.... disrespectful, dishonest, cocky, cruel, insensitive, superficial, etc. to you or others?   If you find that these words are used to describe people you "choose" to surround yourself with, it is time to look inside.  What are you lacking?  Self-confidence?  Love?  We are a reflection of the people we surround ourselves with.  If you "hang out" with drug addicts, pretty good chance you do the same thing.  If you hang out with thieves, you probably steal.  Have you ever noticed that you are extremely happy when you surround yourself with the loving people in your life (even in disagreements--even the best of...

Why do we allow others to step on us?  Hurt our feelings?  Make us feel inferior?  Conform?  Say yes when we mean no?    " You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop, and what you reinforce."       Low self-esteem, a yearning desire to be loved or accepted, lacking self-worth, fear, etc. etc.  Whatever the reason, you and you alone have the ability to change it.  It's kind of like a parent with a child, if you allow your kids to run amok and don't put down any boundaries, they will believe they can always act like little shits.  When you finally try to grab hold and put down rules, it will be an uphill battle.  Same is true in relationships and friendships.  If you allow people to take from you they will continue to use you until there is nothing left to use.  It is usually at this point that we get angry at the other person.  We are able to find all of their faults ...

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!! A group of college alumni went to visit an old college professor.  After awhile the conversation turned to the stress of life, careers, and relationships.  The professor excused himself to get coffee for the group.  When he returned, he had a full pot of coffee, as well as cups made of porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some were plain looking, some exquisite.  He told his guests to help themselves to the coffee.  After everyone had cup in hand, he said, if you notice all the nice looking expensive cups have been taken up leaving the plain and cheap behind.  While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourself, that is the source of your problems and stress.  Be assured that the cup adds no quality to the coffee.  In most cases it's just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.  What all of you really wanted what was in the cup.  But you consciously went for the best cups, a...

I was asked to write on motivation.  Hmmmm. Motivation is a psychological feature that calls a person to action. It is a type of inspiration, inducement or incentive that drives a person forward. But getting motivated can be extremely difficult and the more you try to motivate yourself and then end up back on the couch watching T.V. the harder it is the next time to motivate.  Been there, done that, watched as the laundry piled up, or the dishes, etc.  Motivation is a mind set and how often do we allow ourselves to let the chitter chatter get in the way and distract us from what we need to do.  Sometimes, this causes stress because if you're anything like me, motivation doesn't kick in until the last second and then you are rushing to get things done, you feel overwhelmed and slightly guilty, because you know that you could have avoided the stress had you got up off your lazy butt.  I know a lot of you are smiling, because you too, do the same thing. ...

~In prosperity our friends know us, in adversity we know our friends.~ True friendship-ONE OF THE GREATEST GIFTS in life.  But what is a true friend?  Do you know the difference between a true friend and a person looking for someone to hang out with?  Are you a true friend?  I look around at my friends, my close knit group of friends and realize some I talk to often, others seldom, and with a couple, it could be months before we connect.  All of them are different, some married, some single, some with kids, some with grand kids, yet the one thing that they all possess, the great quality of loyalty and love.  I wouldn't trade my friends for anything in this world.  I have friends that have been a part of my life since I was young and I have friends that have been a part of my life for a few years.  It's not the length of time a person is in your life that makes them a friend, it is about how they treat you that makes them a friend. When I...