Don't Let Anyone Dismiss You

We all have a lot on our minds these days; our health, Covid, finances, relationships (new and old), growing responsibilities ... you name it. It's obvious that no two people are the same; we look different, we think different, and we have different priorities and opinions. But who is to say that I am right and you are wrong or vice versa? We each have different needs and function in unique ways that suit us. No matter how much some people might like to lump others into categories for their own convenience; young or old, educated or not as much, chic or frumpy, well to do or struggling from week to week ... well, we each know what is playing through our minds at night when we can't sleep.

Whatever you are dealing with, thinking over, weighing the pros and cons for, or even daydreaming about ... learn to own it. Don't let other people define you or sway you away from thinking what you think or feeling what you feel. Learn to own your own bubble, your worries, your stresses, your happiness, your dreams, your sadness, and your doubts. Your emotions and goals and battles are all yours; they aren't there for others to dissect or dismiss.

When someone doesn't want to understand your point of view or even bother to ask yet they still like to categorize parts of life with dismissive comments that make you wonder if what you're feeling is valid, they are truly the ones who are struggling. As they are trying to suggest that other viewpoints are invalid or silly, I think they're just trying to establish support for their own point of view. They may or may not be doing it purposely, they may not even realize how their words and actions are affecting other people. We'd be giving them much more credit than they deserve if we let them think they had that kind of power over us.

Stand tall, remain firm, trust yourself and take on each challenge that comes your way with a renewed sense of positivity. You matter and so do your opinions; we're all entitled to them. We just need to remember that it's fine to share your opinion when someone asks for it. If you're going to try to persuade people to be more like you just because you think you're better, then you're going at it for the wrong reasons.

When's the last time you felt like someone was trying to dismiss you?

How did you handle it?

Things I Wish I Never Had To Worry About

These are crazy times. The current list of things one could worry about is endless. On a normal day people find themselves worrying about their finances, relationships, or an unexpected diagnosis. 2020 has been a year like no other that I remember in my lifetime. Throw in the stresses and ugliness of a recent presidential election and add a Covid-19 pandemic on top like a cherry on a sundae. Some days it can feel like TOO much.

We are now nearing the holidays; Thanksgiving is next week and Christmas a month after that. Now we have tighter Covid-19 restrictions in our state for at least the next three weeks (after the last eight months, we KNOW it will be more than three weeks). Our holidays this year will be very different. Most of us know at least one person who has experienced a Covid birthday already. Thanksgiving (for most of us) will be quieter and more subdued. Personally while I will be fixing dinner for my immediate family of three, I think I will pull out the good china but stay in my cozy sweats. This year's theme is about being flexible and learning to go with the flow.

Worry comes in many shapes and sizes and there are those days when we wish we didn't have to worry about the big things OR the little things. 

We wish we didn't have to worry about whether or not someone had enough food to eat.

We may wish someone would remember us.

There's times we worry whether someone has Covid-19 just because they routinely sneezed after raking the leaves in the yard.

We wish we didn't have to worry about people remembering to respect each other and get along.

We worry about potential confrontations when people don't wear a mask. None of us like wearing them, but we're doing what we can to be part of a solution.

What is something you have found yourself worrying more about this year than in years past?

When Your Shoulders Begin To Weigh You Down

The month of March arrived with hopes of sunshine, spring weather, and 'yes' even an extra hour of daylight each day. Unfortunately, for many, it has also dropped an extra load of stress, sleepless nights, insurmountable worries, and feelings of uncertainty. So, how do we adjust when our shoulders begin to feel too heavy?

We tell ourselves we just need to get over the current hurdle, cross a few more items off the To Do list, and that things will return to normal soon. But are we kidding ourselves? Will life ever get back to the way that it was or is life today 'the new normal'? For some it's a busy time at work - lots of pending deadlines, for many it's crunch time as April will bring with it final exams for college students, and for others it's having to face unwanted challenges head on.

In the grand scheme of life the important thing we need to remember is that we can do this (whatever THIS is). Why? Because we don't have to do any of it alone. It may feel like we have the weight of the world on our shoulders, but it doesn't have to be that way. My hope is that each of you has at least one person in your corner that you can call, have coffee with, send an email to, or pray with. Let us help balance your stresses, your concerns, and your worries. Don't work so hard at being brave or trying to be a superhero; even superheros needed kryptonite or a golden lasso.

I pray that your upcoming nights will be full of restful sleep, your thoughts will be productive, your mind will gain new clarity, and your shoulders will be a bit lighter.