Welcome to Monday’s memory lane where I share an old post…
Let your dreams soar…unmeasured!
In this post I considered the word “Measure”…
A common noun, a thing, a word with a lot of meanings such as the size or quantity of something. It can also mean a unit of size or quantity, such as the size of our home or the quantity or amount of friends we are blessed with. Measure can also mean extent, the range over which something extends; its area, such as the ground our home covers or the extent to which we can depend on our friends or them on us. Measure can also mean action taken, law or even be applied to poetry as poeticalrhythm.
So if one word can have so many meanings and mean so many different things, surely, that’s all the more reason to be measured in the words we use and the things we say.
How often do we stop and measure what we are about to say before we rush headlong into saying it without thought of the consequences.
Has life always been measured or depending on your social standing, not measured at all? Are we either highly valued or of no value?
Do we measure ourselves only by comparing ourselves to others? I envy your attitude, your ability to remain positive in the face of adversity. What a measured put-down and denial of our own measure.
Just check out social media if you are unsure of how you measure yourself. To what extent is our success, popularity and acceptance measured by the number of likes, shares, followers and retweets achieved?
Hi... failte (Irish for welcome! and pronounced fall-thhha).
I'm a newbie to blogging, here just over a year, but what a great year it has been!
I've turned the corner to 50 recently and two things become more relevant...time and experiences!
Material possessions are less important! Using time wisely and truly experiencing each day holds a new significance for me!
If you wish..., a little of the back story...
I''m blessed to be married to a kind and loving man for 28 years, we have two children now 19 and 21.
As I approached 40 and searching for something more, whilst holding down my then part-time legal secretarial work, I trained as a voluntary adult literacy tutor, with the hope of helping adults improve their literacy skills and have a second, and better experience of learning!
However, little did I think that wanting to help others improve their lives would see my own life improve beyond measure also!
You see for years I found it difficult to know what to do as I watched our two children suffer at the hands of bullies. Their struggle began to change when I returned to education! Through education I slowly gained valuable knowledge, I grew in confidence and self-esteme and it had a ripple effect!
By 2014, aged 47 I had completed a Higher Certificate in Literacy Development and a B.A. in Adult Education. I love my work as an adult educator, particularly when adults trust me enough to let down their defences and 'let me in'. Then I can help them by getting to know what makes them 'tic' and what 'lights their fire!'.
As an added bonus along the way I've realised that I also have a love of writing and that writing is cathartic (providing psychological relief through written expression of built up emotions), both for my students and myself. This blog enables me to pursue that new-found interest and I've really enjoying reading your blogs, sharing comments, getting to know so many people and gaining new perspectives. I also like to share any little 'gems' of learning I've gathered along the way!
Thanks for sharing your stories and for helping me realise that it is all possible...and that together we write a truly better story!
Much love,
Marie x
So many uses and applications for the word, and perspectives on each, too. I think measuring ourselves against others helps us get perspective but can be equally dangerous and damaging; we can’t compare, it’s not equal ground to do so. I think we often measure ourselves against societal norms and rules and expectations, too. Also a dangerous slope. Great memory lane post, very thought-provoking! xx
No wonder English can be so confusing to those where English is not their native language. How do I measure myself? I must admit I like making goals for myself and then accomplishing them. I don’t measure myself with anyone else, Marie, just me. I like going beyond what I’ve done to go one better. I like to keep growing and building myself into more of a me that I feel darn good about. I don’t measure myself with others as to what I’ve done or not done. And I also will not put added pressure on myself to push beyond what I’m comfortable doing. Now, …. however ….. when it comes to a crisis situation I do whatever it takes to arrive at stable. That entails going beyond my endurance. And when that happens I always pay but …. I realize I am capable of doing much more then I at times give myself credit for.
I certainly did Terri and I’m glad I did, I’ve found out lots more about you as a result. You are a very determined lady living well with fibromyalgia and showing others that it can be a good life too! Xx
Great post Marie. Personally, I get inspire by others but I don’t compare myself. I try to only measure myself by how well I have achieved my goals. I admit, my expectations are high and sometimes it can be damaging. Still working on that. 😉
We are a work in progress but once we are aware we can build from there! Sounds like you know yourself well. I just try to listen to what my body is telling me! Xx
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March 25, 2019 at 4:55 pm
True. If only we would pause, think and utter before letting out the words we never bothered to measure.
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March 25, 2019 at 6:09 pm
Life would be so sweet!
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March 25, 2019 at 5:41 pm
So many uses and applications for the word, and perspectives on each, too. I think measuring ourselves against others helps us get perspective but can be equally dangerous and damaging; we can’t compare, it’s not equal ground to do so. I think we often measure ourselves against societal norms and rules and expectations, too. Also a dangerous slope. Great memory lane post, very thought-provoking! xx
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March 25, 2019 at 6:11 pm
Hi Caz, I’m glad I prompted such reflection, thanks for your insightful reply! My motto, well one of them, compete against ourselves not others! Xx
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March 25, 2019 at 6:35 pm
No wonder English can be so confusing to those where English is not their native language. How do I measure myself? I must admit I like making goals for myself and then accomplishing them. I don’t measure myself with anyone else, Marie, just me. I like going beyond what I’ve done to go one better. I like to keep growing and building myself into more of a me that I feel darn good about. I don’t measure myself with others as to what I’ve done or not done. And I also will not put added pressure on myself to push beyond what I’m comfortable doing. Now, …. however ….. when it comes to a crisis situation I do whatever it takes to arrive at stable. That entails going beyond my endurance. And when that happens I always pay but …. I realize I am capable of doing much more then I at times give myself credit for.
Ha! You got me thinking ….. LOL XO
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March 25, 2019 at 7:54 pm
I certainly did Terri and I’m glad I did, I’ve found out lots more about you as a result. You are a very determined lady living well with fibromyalgia and showing others that it can be a good life too! Xx
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March 26, 2019 at 5:03 am
Great post Marie, very thought provoking! 😀
Blessings,
Jennifer
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March 26, 2019 at 1:25 pm
Hope it got you thinking and writing.
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March 28, 2019 at 12:39 am
I never measure myself by others but only by how I can improve … measuring seems similar to judgement … unhealthy 🙂
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March 28, 2019 at 8:21 am
So true Kate…good for you and such a peaceful place to be! Xx
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March 28, 2019 at 8:45 am
what we should all aim for …
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March 28, 2019 at 2:04 am
Great post Marie. Personally, I get inspire by others but I don’t compare myself. I try to only measure myself by how well I have achieved my goals. I admit, my expectations are high and sometimes it can be damaging. Still working on that. 😉
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March 28, 2019 at 8:25 am
We are a work in progress but once we are aware we can build from there! Sounds like you know yourself well. I just try to listen to what my body is telling me! Xx
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March 28, 2019 at 12:44 pm
Good point Marie. I tend to think too much about things when I should just be listening to what my body is telling me.
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March 28, 2019 at 1:43 pm
Never to late… xx
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March 28, 2019 at 3:16 pm
Great post Marie.. True and thought provoking!
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