GET OFF THE ROLLER COASTER
Years ago I was told in no uncertain terms that our lives were filled with too many peaks and valleys and it would be preferable to live a life that looked more like: _______. Hmm. A flat line. I don't think "life" looks that way. Death maybe, but not life. I am happy to be back on track and fully connected with myself and those around me. Years of emotional detachment and unrealistic demands took their toll.
The assignment: Get off the roller coaster.
Ironically, with the absense of the one making demands, our lives have become far more calm on an every day basis with the occasional peak and valley. The ups and downs are ever-present and I'm grateful as it shows me and my kids to appreciate all that we have!
Ah kids. With a house full of them: 18, 17, 15* and 14* there is always some form of drama or another that I cannot avoid getting involved in, though I do my very best to stay on the perifery if possible and provide guidance only when it's requested. They have a lot to navigate: school and marks, sports and activities, their mama dating, relationships with family and friends, romances and gender drama, they are, at this stage, navigating the full array of all life has to offer.
I have taught them to do their best to clearly decide in which battles to engage. Not to be selfish, but to decide which outcomes (positive or negative) would benefit or impact them; and, from there figure out the course of action that best serves them.
The beauty of people, like the energy of the universe, is we are ever expanding. With every experience you are never the same person after than you were before. Everyone is errevocably changed with every change we label good or bad. There is never any "getting off" the roller coaster, but there is plenty of leaning in and enjoying the ride.
* within the season
__________________________________________________________________________
Like Bree Hester, I believe you choose to be happy. Sure there are bad (out of your control) things that happen, but how you handle them is completely up to you. Your choices are your responsibility - there is no blame, no shame, no nothing but accountability. Your attitude is your decision. I choose to be happy. Happy within the context of not wearing the proverbial rose-coloured glasses or any expectation that those who populate my life have made the same choice :) Last October, Bree put together 31 DAYS TO A HAPPIER YOU and, armed with her PDF, I'm using March - that dreary time between winter and spring that seems to drag on forever - to make the conscious choice to be happy every day this month!
