Get Past The Bad, Capitalize On The Good
Posted: Friday, March 19, 2010
by Susan Thom
I don't think any of us really know why we are alive, and breathing on this Earth. I think we all have our theories. Mine is a belief that God allows us to come down here as a rehearsal for eternal life with Him and mankind in Heaven. I believe this rehearsal is for us to learn. Learning how to love is the epitome of this lifelong rehearsal. So many things happen to us and around us, from birth to death.
We may realize we need a second job to make ends meet, and against all we want to do, we work that extra 20 hours. We are learning, changing, becoming more stable and self sufficient. It seems like we are forced to do so. As we grow and age, we absorb more patience and kindness and awareness of all that surrounds us. Fighting the rat race is over, and we can more fully enjoy what God has provided for us. We can concentrate on ourselves and make sure we don't waste any of this precious life, even when it doesn't feel like such.
Reliving the past in our head should only be done, in my opinion, once. It won't-it'll recycle hundreds of times, but ideally, once is enough. Address the consequences of your thinking and reacting, and figure out how both can be altered to a calmer, softer way. If anger is your problem, psychiatric care or reading some good books on anger, will help lower your boiling point. I learned different, less intimidating ways to talk to people. Sometimes, just the order in which you say your words can make a remarkable difference.
"Don't you know" . Puts others on the defensive, like they did something wrong by not knowing. "Did you know? makes the sentence interesting, and non judgmental. If we can learn to think before we talk, keeping in mind that we don't want to sound confrontational, we can increase our odds at being happy and surrounded by a more mellow mood. Once the bad is sifted through and worked on, we need to stop obsessing about the past, and capitalize on the good.
Make it count. Relish the stars at night and the sun during the day, and even the rain and snow that fall. Relish kids and grandkids and family, friends, and neighbors. Don't let the woman who snubbed you at Wal-Mart's take over your precious time on Earth. Be a good person. One who is kind and compassionate and non judgmental. Doing so makes one feel good, and your energy level is heightened. Don't worry as much about the big things, and not at all about the little ones.
Feel a "part of", not against the rest of mankind. Hold that door open, instead of just standing there wondering if you should. Smile at people when you pass. Put the cart back in it's little stall at food stores. Go for a boat ride, if you are able. A walk through a peaceful and pretty area, always boosts one's spirit. Do some gardening, and feel the joy all spring and summer as they come alive and grow. I truly believe nature heals most wounds. Nature and a mind determined to succeed, no matter what. A mind who will seek help when needed, and then put the help into practice in one's life. A mind who hits rock bottom at times.
A mind who knows what to do when this happens. Prayer is part of my life, and comes first, before I begin to work things out on my own. I feel I am then being guided as to what I should do. Sometimes, it takes a long time and much heartache before I get it, but I take the knowledge I learned, and know that patience is a virtue, and sometimes, that's what you have to be. I had to learn through many different situations, how to be patient, but it does improve one's overall well-being drastically. And patience will also come faster if we get past the bad, and capitalize on the good.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Very nice article, Susan. Full of lots of good wisdom. I too feel one of the main reasons we are "here" is to learn.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi joyce,i appreciate you reading and commenting.i think the more we learn, the better off we are, even if it doesn't feel so good at the time.my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Good article Susan, thanks for sharingPlease log in to respond to this comment.hi david,thanks for reading and commenting.i finally was able to get an article out, now maybe i can do so again today.my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Good, thoughtful article Susan. Thanks for sharing wisdom from your journey. StevePlease log in to respond to this comment.hi steve,thank you for reading and leaving a comment.at this point, all i have is wisdom from my journeys.although panful, they have been helpful,my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Good article Susan. I had to learn how to see the good in all situations and oh what a relief that was. Thanks for sharing.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi linda,thank you for reading and commenting, it is always appreciated.yes, seeing the good in any situation is helpful to our peace of mind, as well as the others involved.my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Nice article Susan, "Address the consequences of your thinking and reacting, and figure out how both can be altered to a calmer, softer way."
Meditation of course!
Best......ePlease log in to respond to this comment.hi e,thanks for reading and commenting. i wish i knew all you know.but, i'm trying in my own way.i hope all is well,my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
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