Yesterday I was on emotional overload. If you read yesterday’s post you know it was the anniversary of losing my Cha. Yesterday also marked the retirement of a colleague who had impacted my life for more than two years. (I’m kidding; it was significantly more than two years.) He was one of the best things to ever happen to the office where I work and to say that he will be missed is an understatement. Put that together with reading The Red Bandanna, and, well, Kleenex, a whole box of Kleenex.
Since April, I have tried to make sense of events, which can be futile. However, what isn’t futile is a healthy reaction to events, finding the silver lining, if you will, and sharing observations and trying to live a more thoughtful life, embodying all of the meanings of that word–thoughtful.
Here are a five things this year has taught me:
- Cell Phone Free Zone. Make it a point to put your cell away when you are socializing with your friends. Get each of them in on it. There is nothing on that phone more important than the people in your life. Nothing.
- Be Present. This moment, live it, know it, love it. Stop worrying about yesterday or tomorrow. Don’t wish your life away.
- Be Open. If you care, let them know. As you get older, you realize a lot of people cling to their feelings too tightly. What happens if they know how much you care? Nothing or everything or something in between. But what happens if they never know?
- Prioritize. But make it spiritual. I am not talking about a divine being here. What I mean is: don’t choose games or work or tv (you get the drift) above playing with your kids or dogs or cat or whatever or whoever the living, breathing creature is that wants your attention. Talk to the person you love, really talk to them. Help someone who needs help–even if it’s just picking up something they’ve dropped and handing it to them. One morning you could walk out of your home and find your life has been irrevocably changed. Don’t regret.
- Be Grateful. If you have enough, learn to be grateful. You’ll be surprised how your life changes when you stop thinking you need “things.”
Live well, love well, be well.
end 7/30/2016
S. Darlington
I’ve recently been trying to be more present! It’s so easy to get lost in the past or personal thoughts, to the point where we forget to enjoy what is around us. Especially like your cell phone free tip. Will be trying it out!
It IS hard to be present. Good for you for trying. The cell phone thing came as a response to the increasing number of times I’ve observed people at restaurants (with other people) looking at their phones rather than being present with their friends or significant other. It’s made me sad!
I agree! It’s ironic how such amazing communication devices are causing us to neglect person to person interactions.
I relate to what you write. Especially about prioritizing and being grateful. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! 🙂