Quote No.35 from Encourage Yourself Encourage Others by Anne Devine.
I think the key word here is “your.” Don’t try to live your life to somebody else’s expectations or level of ability.
Have the courage to be imperfect and remind yourself that courage develops of the back of trial and error. Courage means pushing yourself onwards in spite of the fear you feel.
How will you live your life to the best of your ability today? How courageous do you feel? Share what gave you courage in the past.
Le grà,
Quote No. 40 from Encourage Yourself Encourage Others by Anne Devine.
‘Thank you,’ two simple words that are often not so simple to say. Sometimes we brush off a compliment rather than acknowledging it and saying thank you. Sometimes we have the best of intention but being busy or complacent, we neglect saying thank you for a kindness received. Remember “A simple thank you is all that is needed.”
Quote No. 49 from Encourage Yourself Encourage Others by Anne Devine.
We are all learning to accept the imposed boundaries of lockdown. Some of us are finding it easier than others. Now might be a good time to consider if the boundaries we have in our own lives are helpful or if they could do with being revised. It takes courage and maturity to “Accept that what others do is their business.”
Le grà,
Quote No.54 from Encourage Yourself Encourage Others by Anne Devine.
Coping during this pandemic takes real courage, actually it takes twice as much courage!
“Choose ways to be actively kind to yourself.” Make time for that walk or bath.
Be creative, when you can’t have a real cinema night, have a home, virtual cinema or “Watch Party” night.
You will be well placed to handle everything life throws at you; family illness, separation, isolation, pain and loss coupled with the fear and uncertainty of this new unknown.
Be extra kind to yourself and others today!
What’s on your list today?
Le grà,
Mindfully Marie xx
Encourage Yourself Encourage Others by Anne Devine. (If you would like your own copy of Anne’s book send your enquiries to info.devinepublishing@gmail.com)
No matter where you are in the world, remember as you walk forward into 2020 you have your friend at your side and I’m here for you waiting in the shadow…
Time and the right conditions not only preserve but bring about something of beauty – Marie Clancy.
When we deny who we are and how we really feel, either physically and/or mentally we silence our authentic self. We reject ourselves. For years I didn’t admit that I have fibro/fatigue, except to a few family members and close friends. When we reject ourselves we are bullying ourselves. We think we are not good enough, we focus on our flaws and feel a sense of shame.
Similarly, when we are bullied we are also silenced. We are judged by someone and denied the opportunity to be our real selves. We think we are not good enough and we withdraw from society or family. When we withdraw emotionally we block off our true emotions, denying ourselves the right to acknowledge and feel our emotions.
When our daughter experienced bullying, it caused her to step into survivor mode. She put up a front whilst crying inside. She couldn’t let the bullies see her crying. She knew if she broke down crying, it would fuel even more bullying.
After finishing secondary school she moved past bullying, building back her resilience. She participated in further education and in society. She set and achieved many new goals. She met new and inclusive peers, friends and educators. All these mature, self-aware people bolstered her confidence.
However, even if it’s been years since you were bullied, a simple, present day event may unexpectedly trigger the same feelings. This was the case for our daughter. It only took one educator to criticise Emma and her work, in front of her peers, to bring our daughter right back to survival mode.
This time it was different. Emma found the courage to address the issue to her school counsellor. She sought advice. She spoke up to that educator. She stood up for herself. She didn’t need to call upon her parents. She was self-sufficient.
But despite speaking up for herself, the trauma of being disrespected and denied the right to be herself, triggered her survival mode. All the things she could do with ease soon became overwhelming. That was almost nine months ago.
More mental health support came on-board. But there are still ups and downs.
She felt lonely a few nights ago but she didn’t deny her feelings. She didn’t hide it. She cried for the loneliness and for the years of denying her true self. You can learn more about isolation here Bullying & Beyond…A victim’s abject loneliness.
She cried while we were away, only showing us a glimpse when we returned. But a glimpse is enough to show us that she has turned a corner because now she is beginning to listen to and acknowledge how she feels. She is learning to externalise how she feels instead of internalising the pain. That is a big step and an important lesson!
We can also learn a lesson from her new, trainee Psychiatric Assistance Dog, Doris.
Doris saw Emma’s upset. Doris didn’t deny her. The opposite in fact, Dorris, a little puppy, stretched herself across our daughter’s lap and kissed and licked her. Dorris accepted Emma exactly as she was.
Have you been denied the right to be yourself? Do you deny yourself? What supports can you access to build your resilience and be your true self?
Paula’s Light prompts of Brazil, Nut & petunia for some weird reason made me think of a bit of random fun and joy. Where that idea came from I don’t know but I’m learning to trust and follow my gut feeling… so read on if you’re in the market today for some joyful poppycock and in case you’ve never come across some poppycock before and need a little confirmation of what it is, here’s a few synonyms… to leave you in little doubt!
Welcome to Monday’s Memory Lane where I share a post from before we came to know each other.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Does life feel too busy? Have we become addicted to being busy? How do we shift our focus to a more positive one? I hope you will read on…Life – More grass than flowers? Shift your focus!
You can’t beat the sight or sound of a wave, or many waves to wash over you and sooth your spirit. A friendly wave from across the street or from a friend as they drive past also lifts my spirit. Top it off with a hug and you’re onto a winner.
Do waves and hugs improve your day?
Le grà,
Mindfully Marie.
Inspired by Calmkate’s Friday Fun – Waves @ aroused blog
Create Space 