* Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
* Live with the 3 E's: Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.
* Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
* Dream more while you are awake.
* Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.
* Try to make at least 3 people smile each day.
* Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.
* Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
* Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum , but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
* Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
* Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
* Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
* You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
* Make peace with your past so it won't mess up the present.
* Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Showing posts with label Attitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Attitude. Show all posts
1/27/09
Law of the Garbage Truck
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on hisbrakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.
So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.
Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.
Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(Written after she found out she was dying from cancer).
--I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
--I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
--I would have talked less and listened more.
--I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
--I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
--I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
--I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
--I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
--I would have sat on the lawn! With my grass stains.
--I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
--I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
--Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
--When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's'; more 'I'm sorry's.
--But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it... live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!! --Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.
--Instead; let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
--Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with, and what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally.
--I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
--I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
--I would have talked less and listened more.
--I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
--I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
--I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
--I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
--I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
--I would have sat on the lawn! With my grass stains.
--I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
--I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
--Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
--When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's'; more 'I'm sorry's.
--But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it... live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!! --Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.
--Instead; let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
--Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with, and what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Expectations
I used to move so fast my life was a blur. I worked FT in a very high stress job, took care of 2 growing boys, gardened, kept a spotless house, cooked, baked, ran everyone everywhere, did the bills, shopped, gave all the big family parties, and called all my friends on a weekly bases to keep all their lives going too.
Who did I think I was a super woman?? :sillygrin: Yes, I did. Then I got sick and God said slow down girl and look at your life.
Why do we feel the driving need to do everything and be everything to everybody to be a good person? Why do we expect so much from ourselves? I know for me it was part my past, part lack of self-esteem and lack of confidence in who I am. I don’t remember a time I didn’t want to please people. Being a perfectionist to me was something I always took great pride in. I always listed it as being one of my best qualities. To this day, it’s one of the qualities I miss the most from who I once was. I can no longer be a perfectionist. I can’t physically or mentally do it anymore. It’s one of the reasons I can’t work anymore.
Delegation without criticism is a very hard lesson for a perfectionist to learn, but I had to learn it. I had to learn how to allow others to help me and when they did accept how they did it. This also means being patient and waiting till it get done. The “I can do it better and faster” way of doing things is now a thing of the past. I have had to accept this.
There are those of us with FM and other illness that still hold onto the superwomen ideal. Why do they wonder why they are frustrated, flaring, resentful, and envious of the people in our lives that sit there and don’t help or understand how they feel?
Hubby comes home from work, tired, parks on the recliner in front of TV, expects dinner on silver platter, house clean, laundry done and you in a pretty pink dress all shiny and smiling. Every man's dream. You work to, but you come home and you believe you should have the energy to be “man's dream.”
Ask yourself these questions:Why do you feel this is expected of you? Who told you, you were expected to do this, this way?
Does he really expect this? Or is it what you think he expects and what you have always done so now he expects it from you? Would he be willing to help you? Would the kids? Have you asked? Have you tried to let them help you or have you just criticized the way they do things? Are your expectations so high and patience so low that the “I can do it myself” thing is so over whelming to you and you just can’t let go?
Think about it. Talk about it with your family. You have changed; your life must change too.
When you talk to your family, etc. give them info on your med condition, explain how it affects you and everything you do. Ask for their help, then except it when given. No, they won’t do it as fast as you or as good as you, but it will be done. Yes, this is a rosy picture. I know they aren’t going to jump at the chance to help, but explain to them that by helping you, you will feel better and will have more energy to spend time with them.
Teach your kids how to do a good job. As a parent, you need to teach them how to do these things correctly. These are chores they will need to do as adults. Doing something well will build their self-esteem and confidence. Encourage them by letting them know they are helping you out, being a responsible member of the family and when the task is complete everyone will have a since of pride in a job well done. You learned this lesson when you were young that’s how you be came the perfectionist you are today.
Set up a cleaning schedule where everyone is included and post it in plain site. Assign tasks for everyone, kids, hubby** included. This teaches responsibility and that everyone is part of a team that needs to work together as a family. Set expectations of job completion for everyone. Plan reward time if everything is complete on time. If one person didn’t complete the task by that time they don’t get to go or do the reward. This can be as simple as family night with pizza and a video or a camping trip. I never believed in allowance for my kids. Chores are part of being a family and no one pays you to do them, why should kids be paid.
** Some hubby’s had perfections as mom’s and never learned to clean, cook or run errands. Given the chance, encouragement, and training they can still learn. Mine did!
Like us, they have bad days and good days. I know when my Hubby gets upset with me it's not always about me, it's something else that's bothering him.
Men like the book says, think in black and white, broken, fix it. My hubby gets frustrated when I'm in a flare cause there is nothing he can do to "fix it.” Some time they just get upset cause they feel helpless when they can't help us. I asked my hubby this once and his eyes just shined and he said exactly, that just how he feels.
So, what are we to do? Give them information, simple basic information. Sit down and review it with them. Bring them to your Dr visit or therapy. Let them see that they are not the only one who doesn't have a clue; Drs don't have a clue either. Haha
So now that their educated, tell them what you need them to do. Don't include words like you have to, or do this or that, they will look at that as a command, and you don't want that. I think I said something to the effect of...When I'm in a flare I need lots of gentle hugs. I do what I can, but I need you to be patient with me. When I'm in a flare, my whole body is screaming. If you want to help me you could...insert list here. Don't make it to big or complicated. I think this gives them something to keep them busy and feel useful when you hurt. When they finish, a task be overly thankful. We don't need to be thanked for all the millions of things we do but they live for the thank yous. Oh, we would love to get them but we won't so why expect them. OT
Another thing hubby and I do is divide up tasks. You gather up trash, he takes it out. You sort the wash, he loads, you fold, and he puts away. You dust, he vacuums. You rinse and load the dishwasher, he unloads. You clean up the kitchen, he wipes down the cabinets and sweeps the floor.
You are partners in the fight against this monster. Your life has changed it effects everyone not just you. You have to get everyone on the same page, family, and friends included. Those that choose not to understand, well it's their choice, and that's that. You have to take care of you. I know it sounds selfish but Stress does equal pain and you sure don't need any more pain.
Who did I think I was a super woman?? :sillygrin: Yes, I did. Then I got sick and God said slow down girl and look at your life.
Why do we feel the driving need to do everything and be everything to everybody to be a good person? Why do we expect so much from ourselves? I know for me it was part my past, part lack of self-esteem and lack of confidence in who I am. I don’t remember a time I didn’t want to please people. Being a perfectionist to me was something I always took great pride in. I always listed it as being one of my best qualities. To this day, it’s one of the qualities I miss the most from who I once was. I can no longer be a perfectionist. I can’t physically or mentally do it anymore. It’s one of the reasons I can’t work anymore.
Delegation without criticism is a very hard lesson for a perfectionist to learn, but I had to learn it. I had to learn how to allow others to help me and when they did accept how they did it. This also means being patient and waiting till it get done. The “I can do it better and faster” way of doing things is now a thing of the past. I have had to accept this.
There are those of us with FM and other illness that still hold onto the superwomen ideal. Why do they wonder why they are frustrated, flaring, resentful, and envious of the people in our lives that sit there and don’t help or understand how they feel?
Hubby comes home from work, tired, parks on the recliner in front of TV, expects dinner on silver platter, house clean, laundry done and you in a pretty pink dress all shiny and smiling. Every man's dream. You work to, but you come home and you believe you should have the energy to be “man's dream.”
Ask yourself these questions:Why do you feel this is expected of you? Who told you, you were expected to do this, this way?
Does he really expect this? Or is it what you think he expects and what you have always done so now he expects it from you? Would he be willing to help you? Would the kids? Have you asked? Have you tried to let them help you or have you just criticized the way they do things? Are your expectations so high and patience so low that the “I can do it myself” thing is so over whelming to you and you just can’t let go?
Think about it. Talk about it with your family. You have changed; your life must change too.
When you talk to your family, etc. give them info on your med condition, explain how it affects you and everything you do. Ask for their help, then except it when given. No, they won’t do it as fast as you or as good as you, but it will be done. Yes, this is a rosy picture. I know they aren’t going to jump at the chance to help, but explain to them that by helping you, you will feel better and will have more energy to spend time with them.
Teach your kids how to do a good job. As a parent, you need to teach them how to do these things correctly. These are chores they will need to do as adults. Doing something well will build their self-esteem and confidence. Encourage them by letting them know they are helping you out, being a responsible member of the family and when the task is complete everyone will have a since of pride in a job well done. You learned this lesson when you were young that’s how you be came the perfectionist you are today.
Set up a cleaning schedule where everyone is included and post it in plain site. Assign tasks for everyone, kids, hubby** included. This teaches responsibility and that everyone is part of a team that needs to work together as a family. Set expectations of job completion for everyone. Plan reward time if everything is complete on time. If one person didn’t complete the task by that time they don’t get to go or do the reward. This can be as simple as family night with pizza and a video or a camping trip. I never believed in allowance for my kids. Chores are part of being a family and no one pays you to do them, why should kids be paid.
** Some hubby’s had perfections as mom’s and never learned to clean, cook or run errands. Given the chance, encouragement, and training they can still learn. Mine did!
Like us, they have bad days and good days. I know when my Hubby gets upset with me it's not always about me, it's something else that's bothering him.
Men like the book says, think in black and white, broken, fix it. My hubby gets frustrated when I'm in a flare cause there is nothing he can do to "fix it.” Some time they just get upset cause they feel helpless when they can't help us. I asked my hubby this once and his eyes just shined and he said exactly, that just how he feels.
So, what are we to do? Give them information, simple basic information. Sit down and review it with them. Bring them to your Dr visit or therapy. Let them see that they are not the only one who doesn't have a clue; Drs don't have a clue either. Haha
So now that their educated, tell them what you need them to do. Don't include words like you have to, or do this or that, they will look at that as a command, and you don't want that. I think I said something to the effect of...When I'm in a flare I need lots of gentle hugs. I do what I can, but I need you to be patient with me. When I'm in a flare, my whole body is screaming. If you want to help me you could...insert list here. Don't make it to big or complicated. I think this gives them something to keep them busy and feel useful when you hurt. When they finish, a task be overly thankful. We don't need to be thanked for all the millions of things we do but they live for the thank yous. Oh, we would love to get them but we won't so why expect them. OT
Another thing hubby and I do is divide up tasks. You gather up trash, he takes it out. You sort the wash, he loads, you fold, and he puts away. You dust, he vacuums. You rinse and load the dishwasher, he unloads. You clean up the kitchen, he wipes down the cabinets and sweeps the floor.
You are partners in the fight against this monster. Your life has changed it effects everyone not just you. You have to get everyone on the same page, family, and friends included. Those that choose not to understand, well it's their choice, and that's that. You have to take care of you. I know it sounds selfish but Stress does equal pain and you sure don't need any more pain.
I've Learned by Andy Rooney
They're written by Andy Rooney, a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words.
I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.
I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.
I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
I've learned....That being kind is more important than being right.
I've learned....That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I've learned....That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I've learned....That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
I've learned....That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I've learned....That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I've learned....That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
I've learned....That money doesn't buy class.
I've learned....That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I've learned...That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I've learned....That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I've learned....That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I've learned....That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I've learned....That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I've learned....That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
I've learned...That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
I've learned....That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
I've learned....That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I've learned....That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.
I've learned....That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I've learned....That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I've learned....That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.
I've learned....That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.
I've learned...That less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.
I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.
I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
I've learned....That being kind is more important than being right.
I've learned....That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I've learned....That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I've learned....That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
I've learned....That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I've learned....That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I've learned....That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
I've learned....That money doesn't buy class.
I've learned....That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I've learned...That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I've learned....That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I've learned....That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I've learned....That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I've learned....That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I've learned....That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
I've learned...That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
I've learned....That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
I've learned....That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I've learned....That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.
I've learned....That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I've learned....That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I've learned....That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.
I've learned....That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.
I've learned...That less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
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