Simple Messages for the New Year
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
– John 14:27
“Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.”
– Buddha
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
– Mother Teresa
“Peace is its own reward.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
“Son, if you are able, keep your heart..free from malice toward anyone.”
– Al-Tirmidhi:59
Beating Yourself Up Does Not Work
Don’t beat yourself up over what you are not doing well.
Remember when you were 18?
Yes, you were an adult. Yes, you might even have been a responsible adult. However, could the “18-year-old you” juggle all the responsibilities you now have and effectively run the life you have today?
The answer is obviously NO.
Even at your current age, there are tools and skills you do not have. More importantly, you don’t even know you don’t have them yet.
They will be there when you need them. Berating yourself will not make them appear any quicker. Quite the contrary, it will help you feel bad and make you more inclined to give up.
There are tools to life you do not have right now. You will have them when you need them.
By the way, you have tools you no longer need. It’s OK to let them go. [Read more…]
Is It Time to Say Goodbye?
Is it time to say goodbye?
When it’s time to move on, from bad habits or painful relationships, these simple steps will make it easier:
- Accept the reality that what you had once is no longer working
- Get support
- Decide what you want to do that’s different
- Make a small step toward that new priority
- Praise yourself for changing
- Give thanks for what you had; it served you well for a long time. (If you’re saying farewell to a person, remember “compassion first” whenever thinking about them or bumping into them.)
Goodbyes are certainly not as fun as “hellos” but they are necessary.
How we handle them is essential to a balanced and happy life.
Compassion First
Be compassionate – especially when you don’t want to.
People do hurtful things; it’s part of the “human condition.” Sometimes, when they do them, we’re on the receiving end.
However, viewing their actions through the lens of compassion can never hurt. It’s not always easy, but it will help heal the pain. (And it doesn’t mean you condone the action.)
Look at others, especially those who have wronged you, with compassion first.