FORGIVE YOURSELF AND MOVE ON

Forgive yourself and move on. Release the need to rehash, review or relive what you could have, should have or would have done. Instead, be aware of what you learned about yourself.

Look at what the situation showed you that you were unwilling to see. Forgive yourself...despite your choices, actions or inaction and in spite of your lack of knowledge or misplaced trust. There may be consequences and responsibilities that you must face.

Avoidance and denial are poor substitutes for decisive action. Stop swinging at yourself with a super-sized bat. Put it down, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and know this..you will learn to trust yourself again, despite what you may be feeling now. Be gentle on yourself. Choose to be stronger, wiser, more courageous, determined, and committed to living in the present and building a brighter future for yourself. Remember, you have something special. You have GREATNESS within you!!

LES BROWN

THE REWARDS OF LIFELONG PARTNERSHIP

The Rewards of Lifelong Partnership

As long as there is growth and honesty in a relationship,
it is worthy of our commitment.

That doesn't mean that it's perfect.
Even in the best relationships,
doubts and fears continue to arise.

However, mature couples learn to hold
their doubts and fears with compassion.
They learn to be patient with each other.

In time, the hard shell around their hearts
begins to crack open.

Where fear used to hold them back,
they learn to take baby steps forward.

They learn to stretch out their hands to each other
when one or both of them falter.

They learn to heal together and to trust each other.

And then they experience a gentleness
born of the struggle,
a sweetness born of the pain.

Then there is a twinkle in their eyes
when they look at each other.

It isn’t the same twinkle that was there
when they first met.
It is a different one.
It tells of their journey
through fear and projection
into the heart of acceptance and love.


From Everyday Wisdom by Paul Ferrini
www.paulferrini.com

LIFT OTHERS UP & RISE

JUST STOP! TAKE A MOMENT TO THINK BEFORE YOU ACT

Just stop! Take a moment to think before you act so that you are in control of yourself, your emotions and your responses. It is easy to justify unpleasant or rude behavior with excuses of being tired, overworked, or stressed. Sometimes we take out the irritations of the moment or the day on our family, children, co-workers, or even the family pet. What is the emotional tone of your family or your life? Is it harsh, cold, unforgiving, withdrawn, or warm, loving, open and embracing?

Take time each day to build and generate new verbal and non-verbal responses that will allow you to build your capacity to be a gentler, kinder, more compassionate, peaceful and loving person. This is a skill set that takes intentional rehearsal and practice ~ just like playing sports or working out. If you find yourself acting often out of irritation, anger, or even rage, reflect on what excuse you use to make someone else the brunt of your bad attitude or worse ~ your bad behavior. Decide that no excuse is worth the cost of emotional venting in public or in private ~ especially on those you love. Do the hard work and the heart work to hold yourself to a higher standard. Raise the bar on yourself, your attitude and your behavior. You have something special! You have GREATNESS within you!


LES BROWN

STANDING FOR TRUTH WITHOUT ATTACKING OTHERS

Standing for Truth without Attacking Others

Standing up for truth is a forceful act,
but it should not be a violent one.

There will be times when you must stand up for yourself
and for others who are being mistreated.

You cannot live your life in a state of fear,
cowering in a corner while others make decisions for you.

You must stand up and be counted.
However, you can and should do this without attacking others.

It is important to stand up for the truth.
However, if you don’t stand in a loving way,
it is not a truth that you stand for.


From Everyday Wisdom by Paul Ferrini
www.paulferrini.com

SAYING 'NO' IN A LOVING WAY

Saying “No” in a Loving Way

You may not think that saying “no” can be a loving act.
Yet, if your child is putting his hand on a hot stove,
you say “no” quickly and firmly.
You do not want him to hurt himself.

And then you put your arm around him
and reassure him that you love him.
How many times does your brother come to you with his hand on the stove?
You cannot support behavior
that you know will be hurtful to another person.
And you don’t want your friends
to support that kind of behavior in you.

From Everyday Wisdom by Paul Ferrini
www.paulferrini.com

BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF

Be Gentle with Yourself

Today, be gentle and patient with yourself.
When you get up in the morning,
be open to what the day has to teach you.

When something difficult happens,
remember that its primary purpose
is to help you learn to love yourself
and the other people who share your life.

From Everyday Wisdom by Paul Ferrini
www.paulferrini.com