Daily Gratitude: When this says “don’t let them change who you are”, it means who you are deep down inside – your core values and beliefs. You need to hold on to them. However, I also believe that we should reassess those things (especially the beliefs) from time to time. The worst thing we can do is to blindly hold on to something when they’re are facts in front of us that show us that maybe it’s time to alter those beliefs. This is a somewhat silly example but it gets the point across. I’ve been around for so many years that I’ve seen the what seems like weekly change of opinion as to whether or not coffee is good for you or not. One week the researchers show that coffee will do x; the next it does y; and again in a month or so it does z. It shows facts. What we do with those facts is another story. Just because coffee does x and x is good, does that mean that coffee is good? Not necessarily. Coffee may also do a, and c which are bad. Does x outweigh the adverse effects of a, b, and c? These are things we have to look at and constantly reevaluate in our lives. Take some time and assess your biases. Do you dislike or criticize a category of people? Or even just make generalized statements about them? But then you develop a friendship with someone who objectively fits in that category. But surprisingly (or not so surprisingly), the list of detriments that you didn’t like about that category don’t apply to your friend. Why do you think that is? Perhaps it simply means that we should stop creating these categories and judging the abstract category. There are good people in “bad” categories and bad people in “good” categories. Maybe we should just get rid of the categories?? Take time to reassess your beliefs

Daily Gratitude: What is all the current tension in the country doing to your inner world? Have you thought about that?’”But,” you’re probably saying “what can I do about it? It’s out of my control.” That’s true. It is out of your control. So what IS in your control? Is complaining helping any? Not really. What activities can you participate in that will help you feel better and hopefully make a difference? Focus on those. When you’re in turmoil, you’re not helping anything are you? And it’s not healthy for you either. I’ve written before how so much stress and upset within my system put me in the hospital for a long time. I’ve learned to focus on what I can do at my small level and join when there is something that can make a difference but my system doesn’t need to live in a state of unrest every minute of every day. That does no one any good. Find things that you can influence. Join others when possible but otherwise don’t let the state of the union ruin your state too. I am not saying to ignore what’s happening, just to find ways to minimize the adverse effects on you. This takes discernment and control but it’s well worth the effort.

Daily Gratitude: Why, then, do we hurry so much in our lives? Perhaps it’s because we want to squeeze everything we can into the short time we have here. But, does doing more afford you the opportunity to enjoy more? What is enjoyment to you, anyway? Is it just ticking things off your todo list? Is it just being able to say “I did that”? Why do you hurry so much? Why is it so important that you “do” so much? How much do you actually feel? Do you feel at all? Why are you always in a hurry? I have had two days in the last few months that I called “do nothing” days. And I realized that meant “do nothing scheduled”. I just stayed at home and truly intended to do nothing. You know what, though? I ended up getting more done than on most other days. It was amazing and rewarding. Consider reassessing all that you do and why or what it gives you (and what you think it’s giving you). Can you change just one thing? What happens if you do?