This has been a sort of weird week for me. Not exactly bad but not without its challenges. So rather than stress myself out even more I decided to simply find a quote that spoke to me with the offhand chance it might speak to some of you as well. This one reminds me that no matter what the circumstance, we always have the choice about how we will respond and where we go from there. Of course, it doesn’t mean we just roll over and acquiesce but it does mean, at least to me, that we work with what shows up rather than against it. And besides, who can’t use a little advice from Eckhart Tolle now and then?
Kathy, One of many things you and I have in common, inspirational, motivational, uplifting quotes. Not pushing against the grain always makes sense. The “horses” quote made me smile.
Hi Erica! Yes, aren’t quotes just the best way to help switch our thinking around in a way that is more “inspirational, motivational and uplifting”? And the internet makes it so easy. Remember having to save scraps of paper whenever we could find one we liked? I actually still have a folder “pre-computer” with a bunch of them about these topics. Glad to hear that you share this love. ~Kathy
I think, as it promises change and improvement of the situation. I hope your next week is more positive.
thanks for sharing us.
Hi Ritu! Thank you for your comment. And yes, let’s hope for everyone’s sake that things continue to improve in the weeks ahead for us all. ~Kathy
Thanks, Kathy. I didn’t realize how much I was resisting our current circumstances until I read your post. It helped to identify the feelings swirling around in my mind!
Hi Diane! I’m guessing most of us have at least a tiny bit of resistance going. And why not? Every thing is so different and uncertain and I think it is natural to want to get a handle on the situation. But learning to flow with it is a big help to me and I’m hoping for others as well. Thanks for your thoughts. ~Kathy
Acceptance has always been an important step in difficult times and probably one of the hardest ones. Acting is much easier, I think, as it promises change and improvement of the situation. I hope your next week is more positive.
Hi Liesbet! I so agree that for those of us who are action oriented, that part can come easily. But like I said in Gary’s comment, I think our actions are far more productive and in alignment with our values if we can take some of the emotional reaction off our situation first. And YES!!! Thank you! The optimist in me hopes that next week is more positive and uplifting for us all. ~Kathy
Wise words, Kathy. If I could extrapolate on this with my own realizations:
One thing I learned while I was working was that I always had choices. If I didn’t like the situation I was in, I could try to change it. If I couldn’t change it, I could try to accept it. If I couldn’t change it or accept it, I would have to leave it.
This worked for my relationships as well.
Deb
Hi Deb! Very wise (or SMART depending upon how you look on it!) And your perspective sounds a LOT like either Elenor Roosevelt or Maya Angelo or??? No wonder I always appreciate your perspective! ~Kathy
Yep, needed that! Thanks!
Thank you. And I hope things are “getting better all the time…”
Hi Mary! They are thanks! And sometimes just a little venting helps too. ~Kathy
I agree with Haralee: this quote is a perfect match for where many of us find ourselves. To shake our fists at the heavens or bemoan our fate is a waste of energy and time.Accept what is happening and make the most of it, just as if this is what we would have chosen. That is such an empowering way to handle life at the moment.
Hi Bob! I agree completely. But if you are anything like me you need to be reminded again and again!!! And it helps when friends remind each other huh? Thanks for checking in. ~Kathy
Perfect quote, Kathy. I think I have a tendency to first “wish away” unhappy challenges. It hasn’t worked yet 🙂
Hi Janis! Your comment reminded me of that quote, “If wishes were horses we’d all be riding!” And yes, I do love to ride. Fortunately my tendency to forward think will pull me out of my situation fairly quickly, but I still need to remember that fighting with anything that is happening is pointless! Glad you appreciated the quote as much as I do! ~Kathy
I needed this quote today too. I’m putting it on a sticky note on my computer monitor. I hope you guys are well.
Hi Lizzie! Yes, we are doing pretty well except for a week filled with an odd collection of circumstances. Nothing horrible compared to so many others but when when they pile up on your they can definitely catch you off guard. Right? And we hope you and the family are all good too. ~Kathy
Hi — Sorry to hear you’ve had a rough week. We all do have them, particularly these days. So it’s great to be open about them with your community. And that’s a good reminder from Tolle: we have to accept something as reality before we can act on it effectively. Something I know well in theory, though I have been known to whine….
Hi Nancy! Thanks. I suppose that some people believe that positive and optimistic people never have “downers” or even see them, but that’s not true at least in my experience! Far better to admit them and then decide where you go next in my honest opinion. And yeah, who isn’t being touched these days with weird experiences or reactions? And if we can’t whine a bit to friends, who can we wine too 😉 ~Kathy
Hi, Kathy – Working with what shows up (rather than against it) is very wise and timely advice. I truly need to keep this in mind.
Hi Donna! Don’t we all. I’m (obviously) no expert but just keep reminding myself! Thanks for letting me know it helped you too. ~Kathy
Yes Kathy,
If you can’t change it, may as well accept it. Now I have to decide how to act…
Hi Gary! I think much of the time the “act” is much easier to figure out when we remove the “over-reaction” part, don’t you. Not always easy of course, but certainly more doable. And in the long run, much more in alignment with our values. Thanks for interjecting that idea! ~Kathy
Another helpful quote I heard today follows: I am only now beginning to learn the powerful force of “intention.” Thanks for your blog posts, Kathy!
Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world.
All things break. And all things can be mended.
Not with time, as they say, but with intention.
So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally.
The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.
L. R. Knost
(from the website i.pinimg.com)
Hi Jackie! Thank you! I’ve read that poem before and COMPLETELY agree with it. Lovely isn’t it and so very important? Thank you for the reminder of it and for sharing it with us all. ~Kathy
With the pandemic this is a perfect quote and state of mind!
Hi Kathy – I hope the week hasn’t been too bad – these are strange times that we’re living in and I think we need to just roll with it and be extra kind to ourselves. Restrictions here are gradually being lifted and hopefully life will look a little more normal in the months ahead. Look after yourself x
Hi Leanne! No it really wasn’t THAT bad…but just one of those week’s where one thing after another kept cropping up and I decided to “flow” with it rather than resist! I’m pretty okay with things not returning to the “old” normal in many ways…but there are some things I am definitely missing. One day at a time…and thanks for checking on me. I hope things are good on your side of the planet! ~Kathy