Sometimes changing your perspective can make all the difference…

Sometimes changing your perspective can make all the difference…
Many of us have internalized the message that we need to be strong. Very often that results in us sweeping our emotions under the rug, trying to ignore them and soldier on. But this only makes us weaker because our bottled up emotions accumulate until one day, the dam bursts and our emotions spill over with the ferocity of a raging flood. Leaving us overwhelmed.
Being strong doesn’t always look like strength. Sometimes being strong is having the courage to be honest with yourself and face those scary emotions. It’s not easy, but the only (healthy) way out is through.
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
from “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver
Sometimes we feel helpless when we see our loved ones feeling down. So we go into proactive mode – we try to cheer them up, suggest solutions to their problems, hurry them to feel happier, because we care and don’t like seeing them upset. Unfortunately this can have the opposite effect and make them feel worse, because it feels like you are glossing over their feelings, or implying that their feelings are not valid. If you are not sure what to say or do, maybe try asking “What can I do to help?”. The answer might be a simple “Just sit and listen”.
Sometimes we’re hard on ourselves in ways that we’d never be on anyone else. It may seem like we’re pushing ourselves to be better, when really all we’re doing is beating ourselves up. If we really want to move forward, being gentle with ourselves is actually more productive.
I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.
Maya Angelou
To all my fellow over-thinkers out there: Life is too short to wait until you find the best way of doing everything.