Don't Take Anything Personally!

People will either amaze you or disappoint the hell out of you.  Most of the time, when you are disappointed it is because someone has projected their junk onto you.  It is time for my annual reading of The Four Agreements.  It changed my life and is a good reminder of some very basic principles.  Ironically, the very person who introduced me to the book is a friend I love dearly who I am seriously trying to understand right now.  What I understand is this,  Facebook Messenger is not the place to discuss important issues... take the time to be face to face with someone or at least make a phone call, there is less chance of misunderstanding.  In reality the issue is not about me or anyone else, it is whatever  is going on in their life. We all have busy, productive lives, obligations and our own junk...much as I would like I cannot always be the cheerleader. In the meantime,  the following is excerpted from the book, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

I am convinced if we live by these precepts, our lives are a little softer with less rough edges.  I read this every year to remind myself of the places I need some softness.  I have often said, sometimes the most exercise I get is jumping to conclusions"  Not making assumptions and not taking things personally...those are my biggest challenges.  Often, you have to step back or move on to allow for growth. Here's wishing you a soft place to land when the ride gets bumpy.

Word of the Year 2015

Many, many years ago, Christine Kane inspired me to choose a word of the year rather than make resolutions.  A guiding word to direct your choices for the coming year.  This is my seventh or eighth year of choosing a word.  Sometimes the word chooses you.  Words must be selected carefully, in other words, be careful what you ask for because you just might get it.

Last year I chose a word that someone, well-meaning, asked if I was sure and told me what that word meant to them.  I second guessed myself and chose a motto for the year instead.  The motto worked okay, however I kept coming back to the word and all of the doubts my well meaning friend instilled.
2014 was a year of doubts and second guessing everything.  It passed in such a blur...I was and have been in a survival type mode...not fully living and enjoying all of my blessings and gifts.  Living life by putting one foot in front of the other one day to the next and hoping for the best is not living.  It is a practice of being ungrateful for all the joy and beauty one can experience.

I have been thinking of a word for days and one finally came to me...again with the doubts.  When feeling doubtful about my word, I grab a jar of words and scatter them, close my eyes and pick.  Intuitively, I chose the word that originally came to me.

My word this year is Savor!  There are multiple definitions.  Here are a few that resonate with me:

to enjoy something for a long time

to delight in

to have experience of

This is the perfect word as it invites me to slow down and savor life.  Savor my experiences.  Slow down and smell the roses.  Stop allowing whatever happens to happen.  While putting one foot in front of the other, taking the opportunity to really look around and see.  My camera and I...we plan to be a better team in 2015.  We plan to operate better together.  Photography has always helped me to "see" more clearly.  I would like to create in a different way than what is most comfortable.

So my friends, I am wishing you a very Happy New Year.   Join me in stepping out of our comfort zones.  While we are rushing about doing all that we must, let us be sure to PLAY and to SAVOR!