"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it only empties today of its strength"
-Corrie ten Boom, Clippings From My Notebook
Resistance to change is a thief of time. Being anxious about the future, regretting old mistakes and reliving the past wastes the precious present.
We are not as in control of our future as we like to think. Just when things seem to be going along smoothly... something, anything, many things can come along and knock you off your trajectory.
We are not as in control of our future as we like to think. Just when things seem to be going along smoothly... something, anything, many things can come along and knock you off your trajectory.
Lately the only thing I can be sure of is uncertainty. Meeting this uncertainty with grace and dignity is work. Very hard work.
Making time for quiet meditation, walking my dogs in the sunshine and getting daily aerobic exercise are crucial for my balance.
It's also helpful to put extra care into how I dress each day. Wearing something a little dressier than usual adds a boost to my confidence and inner strength. I feel better equipped to tackles struggles when my appearance is crisper.
Making time for quiet meditation, walking my dogs in the sunshine and getting daily aerobic exercise are crucial for my balance.
It's also helpful to put extra care into how I dress each day. Wearing something a little dressier than usual adds a boost to my confidence and inner strength. I feel better equipped to tackles struggles when my appearance is crisper.
Dressing well is a form of self-respect which others respond to and in turn, treat me with more respect.
I am not in control of life surprises and the struggles that go along with it. I am in control of how I dress to meet them.
What are your must-do's to maintain your equilibrium?
I'd love you to share what helps keep your focus on the present.
I never feel in control of anything because I expect things to go wrong on some level every day. To help offset this I need to spend time by myself, just to recharge. I also need to sleep on things when I have a problem that requires delicate handling. I've noticed that my problems seem smaller when I'm outside doing something, like walking my little dog. Also, talking to my Mr. always helps because his job involves solving problems all day long and his advice is always great. I think your method of coping by dressing well is a great psychological boost.
ReplyDeleteYou're very lucky to have a helpful Mr. Walking my dogs is great therapy to clear my mind.
DeleteI am a great worrywart especially about my children (grown up I might add). All of the above helps, except I don't have a dog. Especially yoga and pilates, Also putting on my make-up each morning.
ReplyDeleteAlways makeup...unless I'm just out of surgery or have the flu!!
DeleteWhen my husband was out of work for three years, I learned the power of just living one day at a time...and not worrying about our future. So that is how I live today...one day at a time...thankful for this day and everything happening in it. The Corrie Ten Boom quote is powerful...even more so when you know her story. What an amazing woman. When I turned 50 and decided to take care of myself I also discovered the joy which accompanied fixing myself up every day!! It does put a smile on my face!
ReplyDeleteLove this post! It is funny - the last 4 months (and the 18 preceding them) have been difficult, but I feel at times like I am sheeding skins here there and everywhere. I try to dress nicely every day now, even if the "only" person who sees me is the dog! I recently started meditation and like you, I need exercise and healthy food to feel good. WHat is really making the difference for me (self-professed control freak) is just letting it all go. I spend a lot of time looking at things now, really looking at them and I spend a lot of time telling myself that things will unfold and I don't need to be the one doing all of the unfolding! It so funny, but out of a very stressful time, I have learned great humility and joy. and I have learned that if you reach out, there is almost always a hand to grasp you, and that sometimes, that hand is your own! And I love the picture!!!!!!!How elegant! I think I would feel even better if i was wearing that skirt around the house!
ReplyDeleteLike Sulky Kitten, by bottom line would be quiet time to myself, at least a small patch, every day. Lately, I haven't quite managed that, but I'm working my way back there.
ReplyDeleteI love that ten Boom quote == thank you!
Thinking warm thoughts for you Mater! This is a tough time for you.
DeleteGotta have a sense of humor. That and a hot bath with a glass of wine is very centering for me.
ReplyDeleteHumor gets me through a lot. Thank you.
DeleteI tend to just burrow down in my house at times like that, going too far makes me feel quite panicky.
ReplyDeleteI always workout, that's my sort of daily meditation.
I am, by nature, introverted. I like being around people but in small quantities otherwise I feel drained, tired. I need alone time to function.
ReplyDeleteDaily I walk for aerobic activity, I am on again/off again with my toning exercises. But regardless of what I do for exercise, it always helps me feel better.
I think it is important to take the time, put forth a little effort, in dressing nice. Not necessarily fancy but looking put together and well kept go a long way in feeling good.
My other must do...I learned to "no" without regret years ago. : )
I'm having a hard time with "no" these days. That's part if the struggle.
DeleteBINGO!I too find exercise helps me even if I cannot do what I use to be able to do with ease!I push myself out the door and always feel better once I have done it!I too "DRESS UP" daily........well most days........yesterday I was gardening then decided I needed more plants and went out in gardening attire!Thought to myself well,hope I do not run into anyone I know but they will all know what I have been up too!YOU do feel better when you look better..........especially when you get compliments!It doesnot take much to add a little more..........unfortunately,this generation doesn't give a hoot about how they look or dress I find.When I find a gorgeous outfit I now think to myself where on earth will I wear that?The answer is always the same!SAFEWAY!!!!And I do.
ReplyDeleteYes! Exercise, caring for yourself (personal time) and meditation (or lots of deep breaths!). If you take the time to look good .. it does help with how we perceive ourselves. Your comments are right on the dime:) It does no good to spend time dwelling on the negative or worrying when there is nothing that can change what is. As a 53 year old woman, I'm finally getting this (thankfully). It's been a long journey but so worthwhile. I was just talking to my daughter about this very topic this morning. The sooner you experience life's lessons and how to handle them, the happier you will be.
ReplyDeletexxleslie
Thank you Leslie. At 56 I'm still a work in progress but getting wiser every day.
DeleteA walk is essential to my sense of well-being. After that would come time to myself - and sometimes these two things, together are enough. I also need order at home, and that is harder to achieve when one lives with a partner for whom order is unimportant.
ReplyDeleteFinally, it helps me to look at something beautiful every day - or to find beauty somewhere in my routine.
Yes, order at home. That's one of the first things to go and the last that should!! Thank you.
DeleteGood Morning Jennifer
ReplyDeleteand Greetings from Ireland
I just wanted to pop by and wish you
a very Happy St. Patrick's Day.
May you always have
Walls for the winds,
A roof for the rain,
Tea beside the fire,
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all your heart might desire!
Fiona
Your post made my heart skip a little faster, the breath of recognition, the want to hold out a hand and say, "Can I help?", and also "I hear you!" and "Me too!".
ReplyDeleteEating well - by which I mean clean food, thought about in advance and prepared with care - drinking water, sleep, and spending time with people you love is my prescription. That and what I like to call adventures - trying a new restaurant with old friends, a day trip to the seaside with my sister, actually going to an as-yet unvisited museum with my beloved. At the moment I don't feel like I have time to do any of these things, which is definitely a sign.
That's always a sign for me. Good friends is a great tonic.
DeleteThese are what I do when I'm out of sorts: Eat a lot of fresh vegetables and whole grains. Get plenty rest. Drink water. Go for a nice walk outdoors. Do something that makes me feel small like look up at a redwood tree. And ask myself about whatever it is that has me fretting, "Is this important enough to report to God?"
ReplyDeleteYoga, meditation, gratitude and outfits. Thanks for focusing on the good stuff!
ReplyDeleteYes...outfits make a big difference.
Delete