Thursday, 24 May 2012

Thankful for Choices and warm hugs



I've noticed a lot of people are struggling right now physically and emotionally with their purpose in life, self esteem ~ regarding weight and health issues, relationships and even their blogs.

Some days the sheer weight of the number of choices before us exhausts us .With to do lists as long as {insert your own} -the Harbour Bridge- is it any wonder we give ourselves a hard time.

My mind is buzzing with all the things I have (yes really need) to organise , people to see or annoy or email , or wrangling the kids and school stuff -  that I can't engage the present except for intently checking Facebook updates and emails.

We are burdened with such high expectations that we feel unfulfilled and frustrated.

I find it personally hard to silence my inner critic, to quiet the noise in my head and just go with the flow. If I can't keep up I feel a failure.

I worry about the future and our plans for it , I worry about things that may never happen and I forget to live in the moment.

I ask myself how do I find a balance ?

I know having less choices would be easier but putting things in perspective I have a rich life. Sure I have past regrets about bad choices and bad experiences and I can't change these.

“There are 86,400 seconds in a day. It's up to you to decide what to do with them.”
Jim Valvano




I'm  still letting go of ~ the preconceived ideas about how things are meant to be; the things I can't change and  bridges I don't have to cross. 


I can make better choices ...

I'll focus on practical steps to stay as organised as I can be (plenty of blogs to help me there) ...

I'll focus on my running , getting fitter and stronger...step by step.

I'll find a sense of purpose by engaging in activities or creative pursuits that interest or inspire me...crochet a granny square or make a quilt ...some day.

I'll connect with like minded people and I'll breath deeply .If things don't go my way I try again .. tomorrow or the next or reassess plan B.

I'm making a start today !


Right now I am thankful for the warm hugs of my cherubs, though I have to ask them to not touch my face - because they have 'boy germs' a hacking cough and the green curtains are down in Tissue town.

We have all been unwell this week and they are home from school again today. My husband has also been away for work. It's tough solo parenting and my admiration for single parents is beyond measure.

Many mothers are better at caring for their children (and even friends in need) than ourselves. When our cherubs are hurting or unwell we wrap our arms around them, soothe their worries or injuries , say kind words and nurture them.

It is time we choose to nurture the child inside you ourselves - how about metaphorically giving yourself a warm hug ...say something good about yourself and challenge the inner critic !

Most things will pass , "this too will pass" is my favourite mantra !.

Go gently and make good choices - for you !

? credit unknown - I feel like doing this today except it is raining ...yay for filling water tanks.
So what is good about you (make a new list) ?
If you draw a blank phone a friend...


Comments (22)

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Ah I needed to read this right now. Thanks!

Mindfulness and remaining on task do much to help - I feel better at the end of the day if I can check off at least a couple of small goals achieved. I try not to keep projecting too far into the future but what can I say - this is a lifelong challenge for me, as is silencing the inner critic.

Thanks again for the reminder!
1 reply · active 677 weeks ago
The inner critic , self sabotager is what gets me most of all
My recent post Thankful for Choices and warm hugs
A really lovely post T. Xx
1 reply · active 677 weeks ago
Oh I totally love this post ! So very true. And I adore that first photo. It is stunning.
My recent post What??? I said?
1 reply · active 677 weeks ago
Thank you Cat, I like that photo too.
My recent post Thankful for Choices and warm hugs
I loved reading that. We often get ourselves caught up in such thoughts that don't help and more..& you are seeing them for what they are worth. Not helpful. There must be intense periods of loneliness which could overwhelm but by looking at it differently, when hub is away, it's more of an opportunity I guess. I fight the inner critic most days! When will I ever learn?!! Denyse
My recent post School is NOT always the answer. Part One.
1 reply · active 677 weeks ago
Thanks Denyse , I don't feel loneliness as such - more the overwhelming'ness (? it has to be a word) of doing everything and being responsible for everything alone. The inner critic is hard to silence.
I love your post Trish. It's so true...as mothers, we worry about anything and everything and everyone, and sometimes forget about ourselves. There is plenty of good about me...sometimes I just need to remember it.
My recent post 6 layouts, 1 scrapbook kit...
So very true - I hope that you all feel better soon and better able to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
Have the best Friday that you can.
Me
Hmm...for me, I guess, how things are working (don't want to jinx it) pretty ok right now. And I think OK is fine, no need for a FANTASTIC. I think when we expect too much and when it doesn't go the way we want it to is what makes us feel down. Focussing on the positives in our life at the moment is what can get us through to be honest. Something I need to practice telling myself too.
My recent post Wardrobe Basics – Everyday Essentials
It always helps to live in the moment I think- and not beat yourself up about seconds lost. Just always stay focussed on making the current ones count.
My recent post Bullet Dodged- A Modern Day Fairytale
It's like you wrote this for me Trish. I'm in that place of overwhelm, exhaustion, but so much exciting stuff to do as well as all the mundane stuff to deal with. 86400 second huh? Well I just invested 180 of them very wisely, reading your post :) Thank you x
My recent post Condition Report: How I’m really feeling
I love your post Trish. Thank you
My recent post Jasmine’s Story
Wow - how did you know I needed to hear this right now?

So true... my inner critic is a real party pooper, I wish I had better strategies to quiet it down...

Thanks so much for linking this in with #teamfriday - this is the kind of thing we all need to be reminded of. This is the stuff of 'being cool'... Hugs, B
My recent post Team Friday – How Sweet Are You?
I have been feeling a little that way too, can totally relate to the 'intently checking Facebook updates and emails' and wrote a post similarly along these lines too!
I have always loved that our day as a bank analogy (right word?) and it definitely rings true.
Stacey-Lee
My recent post Shaking that ‘Blah’ feeling!
Trish, do you realise how inspiring you are for so many people ? Thank you for sharing this. We all certainly have those days when the harsh critic in ourselves takes over.
But you are so right. Each day is so very much how we make it.
My recent post FYBF – Return of the Princess Leia buns
Oooh Trish, I love this, and so needed to read it. Thank you, thank you. My inner critic is so nasty sometimes and I need to remember things like this. x
Pink Ronnie's avatar

Pink Ronnie · 677 weeks ago

Beautiful post Trish. "This too shall pass" is my mantra too!
"We are burdened with such high expectations that we feel unfulfilled and frustrated." I think we can definitely all relate to that.
I exercised for the first time in a very long while this morning, and am feeling much better for it.
Baby steps.
Ronnie xo
My recent post The best beef stir fry ever, cantonese style
That's a great post, Trish. Time is our most valuable asset, yet it often is the easiest one to waste. I love the 'make each day count' quote (it always makes me think of young Jack from Titanic!) I try to spend my life making each day count, and stretching myself outside of my comfort zone. It's surprising what I can do when I try!
Have a great week, I hope everyone gets better quickly.
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Thoughtful post! I need to look into that book! It sounds like a good read... Following you from Stalker Sunday! Love for you to follow back when you get a chance!
http://naptimeshopper.blogspot.com

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