First our reading for April 29th....then you'll find April 27th
and 28ths readings as I was away from the computer those days. : )
For April 29th, "Don't fear new beginnings".
Here it is nearly the middle of 2013. It really is surreal how quickly time seems to pass once we begin our busy lives once we grown out of our "youth"; carefree days and nights, sleeping in till noon, having the stamina to keep keeping on even when we've only had 2 hours of sleep. But things change, and they change drastically once we hit 30.
Years ago I bought the book, "Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life" (Sheehy, Gail. 1974)for a seminar I had attended entitled, "Counseling Men through Middle Age: Mid-live Crises or Just Down Right Dumb". My eyes were opened to the cycles we all encounter as we breeze through life. As I learned how to counsel individuals through various "mid-life crises", my preconceived ideas were uprooted as I found out men really do experience a chemical and physiological "change" much like women experience menopause called andropause, or viropause.
It is during these adult "passages" we have the opportunity to begin anew, making changes in our lives which will bring us to a refreshed understanding of what comes next as we transition through a new passage.
Note these times of renewed "beginnings" are nothing like making a resolution, which most of us aren't all that great at keeping; I was never a big believer in New Year's resolutions for this very fact. As we look approach these forks in the roads on our paths to personal success and begin anew, there are some tools which make starting over a little easier:
1. Starting over is not the same as recouping from a failure. It is a new beginning. This mindset is helpful because it keeps you from wasting your time being too difficult on yourself.
2. Moving through life is like climbing stairs. You go up a level and then you level off. Nothing is ever a straight shot. Have some patience with yourself and with your new found direction.
3. This new beginning we're making is yet another "first" in our lives. It could also be a new life if we approach it in the correct way. Sometimes little ideas can turn into big things. Try writing that letter to the editor or, if you need to, make the choice to drink a little less alcohol.
4. Endings are not necessarily bad things. Even though you may feel what your leaving behind was the best time in your life so far, the years ahead might just leave it in the dust. This is also true if if what your leaving behind seemed to be the worst part of your life so far. Maybe you just went through the largest crisis thus far in your life.
Search out someone to talk with, preferably an experiences professional who comes highly recommended.
5. Starting over may feel scary, but it's really a cause for celebration. Think of it as exciting, and many of your anxious feelings will begin to fade.
6. Remember your future is not governed by your past. No matter what has happened in your life, you can find a way to make things a little better for yourself, and hopefully for those around you as well.
7. Having to start over is different from choosing to start over. For those whose lives are still in chaos because of man made and natural disasters, starting over is not a choice. Giving support to those in need and being able to accept it when necessary are great qualities.
8. Healthy alternatives to negative lifestyle patterns abound. Take baby steps if you don't feel comfortable making all your changes at one time. If you can't stop a bad habit, start by cutting back. It's okay to give yourself a little time to moderate or stop something that's hurting you.
9. It's not all about joining a gym to get fit. What about taking a dance class to get in shape and have fun at the same time? Starting over can mean chasing your dreams. We're happiest when we're moving toward a goal.
10. Starting over is about giving yourself a chance at real happiness. You will have to be brave and get good at learning new things, but how bad can that be? At the very worst, you will acquire the skills you need to start on the next project.
Mid-life doesn't have to be the big bump in the road everyone makes it out to be. Remember, once you honestly commit to the changes, you have already begun the process.
Don't fear new beginnings.
Keep looking up. : ) AJ
Today's reading for April 27th....from "A Woman's Daily Guide to Success" is "Write a poem at least once in your life".
Self expression is an important aspect of a healthy self concept. Sitting around keeping our thoughts, beliefs, talents to ourselves stifles personal growth.
We each express ourselves in different ways; some sing, others run 5 Ks, some write, still others are great orators. The important thing is to find your nitche and let your energy be known.
Writing at least one poem over your lifetime is a good way to get your own mission on paper to serve ad a "focus" tool. It doesn't have to follow literary rules or stand up to an English teacher's scrutiny; it can be as long or short as you choose...not must it rhythm.
Regardless of what your way of self expression is...just express yourself. Don't "hide your light under a bucket". Let it shine.
Keep looking up. :) AJ
Our April 28th reading from "A Woman's Daily Guide to Success".... "Entertain".
There was a time when entertaining was a way of life. Young couples would have other couples and friends over regularly for board games, dinner, cookouts, fondue....Families could expect extended family to drop by most Saturdays and Sundays. Social skills were learned by the young from adults who modeled appropriate social interaction.
These days there is little entertaining between couples and families; in fact most don't entertain at home at all. Meals are eaten on the go or brought in from fast food establishments.
Interaction with others is such an important aspect of our understanding of the world around us. I have known a few individuals over the years who have been blessed with the talent of hospitality. They enjoy regularly having people over for meals, dessert nights, holiday get togethers. The joys others experience and gratitude expressed enhance relationships and encourage reciprocity.
Entertain. Bring back an aspect of the past which would have been best to never have been ignored.
Keep looking up. :) AJ
For April 29th, "Don't fear new beginnings".
Here it is nearly the middle of 2013. It really is surreal how quickly time seems to pass once we begin our busy lives once we grown out of our "youth"; carefree days and nights, sleeping in till noon, having the stamina to keep keeping on even when we've only had 2 hours of sleep. But things change, and they change drastically once we hit 30.
Years ago I bought the book, "Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life" (Sheehy, Gail. 1974)for a seminar I had attended entitled, "Counseling Men through Middle Age: Mid-live Crises or Just Down Right Dumb". My eyes were opened to the cycles we all encounter as we breeze through life. As I learned how to counsel individuals through various "mid-life crises", my preconceived ideas were uprooted as I found out men really do experience a chemical and physiological "change" much like women experience menopause called andropause, or viropause.
It is during these adult "passages" we have the opportunity to begin anew, making changes in our lives which will bring us to a refreshed understanding of what comes next as we transition through a new passage.
Note these times of renewed "beginnings" are nothing like making a resolution, which most of us aren't all that great at keeping; I was never a big believer in New Year's resolutions for this very fact. As we look approach these forks in the roads on our paths to personal success and begin anew, there are some tools which make starting over a little easier:
1. Starting over is not the same as recouping from a failure. It is a new beginning. This mindset is helpful because it keeps you from wasting your time being too difficult on yourself.
2. Moving through life is like climbing stairs. You go up a level and then you level off. Nothing is ever a straight shot. Have some patience with yourself and with your new found direction.
3. This new beginning we're making is yet another "first" in our lives. It could also be a new life if we approach it in the correct way. Sometimes little ideas can turn into big things. Try writing that letter to the editor or, if you need to, make the choice to drink a little less alcohol.
4. Endings are not necessarily bad things. Even though you may feel what your leaving behind was the best time in your life so far, the years ahead might just leave it in the dust. This is also true if if what your leaving behind seemed to be the worst part of your life so far. Maybe you just went through the largest crisis thus far in your life.
Search out someone to talk with, preferably an experiences professional who comes highly recommended.
5. Starting over may feel scary, but it's really a cause for celebration. Think of it as exciting, and many of your anxious feelings will begin to fade.
6. Remember your future is not governed by your past. No matter what has happened in your life, you can find a way to make things a little better for yourself, and hopefully for those around you as well.
7. Having to start over is different from choosing to start over. For those whose lives are still in chaos because of man made and natural disasters, starting over is not a choice. Giving support to those in need and being able to accept it when necessary are great qualities.
8. Healthy alternatives to negative lifestyle patterns abound. Take baby steps if you don't feel comfortable making all your changes at one time. If you can't stop a bad habit, start by cutting back. It's okay to give yourself a little time to moderate or stop something that's hurting you.
9. It's not all about joining a gym to get fit. What about taking a dance class to get in shape and have fun at the same time? Starting over can mean chasing your dreams. We're happiest when we're moving toward a goal.
10. Starting over is about giving yourself a chance at real happiness. You will have to be brave and get good at learning new things, but how bad can that be? At the very worst, you will acquire the skills you need to start on the next project.
Mid-life doesn't have to be the big bump in the road everyone makes it out to be. Remember, once you honestly commit to the changes, you have already begun the process.
Don't fear new beginnings.
Keep looking up. : ) AJ
Today's reading for April 27th....from "A Woman's Daily Guide to Success" is "Write a poem at least once in your life".
Self expression is an important aspect of a healthy self concept. Sitting around keeping our thoughts, beliefs, talents to ourselves stifles personal growth.
We each express ourselves in different ways; some sing, others run 5 Ks, some write, still others are great orators. The important thing is to find your nitche and let your energy be known.
Writing at least one poem over your lifetime is a good way to get your own mission on paper to serve ad a "focus" tool. It doesn't have to follow literary rules or stand up to an English teacher's scrutiny; it can be as long or short as you choose...not must it rhythm.
Regardless of what your way of self expression is...just express yourself. Don't "hide your light under a bucket". Let it shine.
Keep looking up. :) AJ
Our April 28th reading from "A Woman's Daily Guide to Success".... "Entertain".
There was a time when entertaining was a way of life. Young couples would have other couples and friends over regularly for board games, dinner, cookouts, fondue....Families could expect extended family to drop by most Saturdays and Sundays. Social skills were learned by the young from adults who modeled appropriate social interaction.
These days there is little entertaining between couples and families; in fact most don't entertain at home at all. Meals are eaten on the go or brought in from fast food establishments.
Interaction with others is such an important aspect of our understanding of the world around us. I have known a few individuals over the years who have been blessed with the talent of hospitality. They enjoy regularly having people over for meals, dessert nights, holiday get togethers. The joys others experience and gratitude expressed enhance relationships and encourage reciprocity.
Entertain. Bring back an aspect of the past which would have been best to never have been ignored.
Keep looking up. :) AJ
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