Sunday, February 13, 2011

Sunday Afternoon Reflections 02.13.11 Promise Yourself

I'll admit it... there are some qualities in people's attitudes that frustrate me at times. Much of what I've had to do along life's road, many of the decisions I've had to make, have been borne out of what I perceived as necessity at the time. But I've come to learn that my idea of necessity very often is nowhere near the average person's idea of necessity.

I was taught to be quiet as a child since my father worked nights and slept during the day... this was simply being considerate of his needs. I was taught to offer a guest the larger or last piece of my favorite dessert... that was simply good manners - as was holding a door open for the person behind me or offering to assist someone who was struggling with something. I'm that person who will always offer my seat to someone older than me, or to someone who simply looks like they need a seat more than I do. I do subtle... I often know exactly how a person is feeling before they even voice it themselves. It can be frustrating at times because I can often see through the BS, and although I always try to give others a chance to prove my instincts wrong, once history is in place, it's hard for me to believe that anyone is other than what their behavior has proven. The ability to see the reality of a situation rather than what someone wishes it was is both a blessing and a curse. Expecting others to share my views is probably my biggest vice. I don't understand hunger for power, or a sense of entitlement, or how so many people can be so insensitive to others. It angers me when I see people taking advantage of situations without thought of how the effects will trickle down, or people who have no sense of responsibility to understand anything but their own needs.

I am a believer that we should always strive to do just a little better than our own personal best - and that you should never expect something for nothing. I believe in justice... and equality not based on social rules, but rather on the equality of respect earned for doing the right thing - even when no one is looking. I often fear that the universe is spinning wildly out of balance right now, and until we, as a species, can come together in a spirit of community and humanity - a sense of "we" instead of "me", that society will remain on this path - losing its true purpose of making life all it can be for everyone. Underlying all of this is the truth that we should never expect more of others than we are willing to give of ourselves, but to enjoy life to its fullest, we must give it our all - not when it's convenient for us, but always, in every interaction we have with others.

Do All The Good You Can Print John Wesley Quote
from AtEyeLevel

It can be easy to get caught up in the drama and frustration that comes with day to day life; it's somewhat less easy to remember that we have the power to decide how we choose to react to life's ups and downs. This is one of the poems I read whenever I need to remind myself that anything is possible if I'm giving it my all, with a positive attitude and compassion for the needs of others... Those are my necessities in life. I hope you enjoy it...

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.
Christian D. Larson

Are you willing to promise yourself all of this? I hope that you will!

xo,

3 comments:

LetaMarieDesigns said...

Wow karen! Wonderful post and a good reminder for all of us. Have not seen this poem before. Love It! Thanks for sharing. Leta

RJDesignHut said...

Thank you for a wonderful post! Just shared it.

Blue Forest Jewellery said...

A great post and really inspiring quotes!

Alison

Blue Forest Jewellery

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