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Wednesday, March 1, 2017

An idea for Lent


Although I'm not Catholic I love the idea of concentrating on a bad habit for "release" so Lent is a doctrinal idea I am embracing this year. As some of you may know we have had our share of health issues lately and with any challenge it can rob you of your peace. So this Lent I am avoiding the small things and some of the big things of life that rob my peace. Not easy to be sure, but certainly worth the effort. These are some of things I am going to "release".

Arguing for the sake of argument. No one on Social media is beating down my door for editorial comments. My commentary is best shared with my ficus trees.

Reading inflammatory comments and absorbing them. No one gets up in the morning with the intention of personally attacking me. No reason to take anything personally.

But most important is to stop the personal focus on myself. There will only be unhappiness when we focus on ourselves. Of course personal care is important, self love and acceptance are so vital - but when I spend time thinking about my problems I get afraid. Fear is my biggest vice, and I get most afraid when my energy is low....positive thoughts, positive people and positive pursuits give me energy. And that energy helps me overcome the fear.

Writing helps me cope with fear. I didn't know where this was going but as I let the words lead me the next 40 days are clear. I wanted help with my fears, and now I see this is the focus I need to concentrate on.

Lent got very important for me this year and I would love to hear how you have overcome fear in your life. Maybe your favorite saying, song or idea...anything that gives you hope and conquers your fears. 

Thank you 

18 comments:

  1. I support you 100% in doing whatever is best for your psyche, my dear friend. xo

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    1. Love you!!! What a great conversation we had today, it was rejuvenating!!

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  2. The way you approached your health issues inspired me. For real. I have lung problems. Or I don't have lung issues. I'm in my third round of testing in four years and this not coming to a conclusion is making me crazed. But I continue because walking is one of my biggest joys in life and I become breathless. So I gained weight which made it worse.
    I knew my eyes were getting bad but I had no idea how much they were holding me back. Little problem. I was scared of eye surgery. I had the first eye done last week and literally can't wait until next week when the second eye will be done.
    Please know that people who only know you through the Internet find you inspiring and kind and everything good. Your ficus's aren't the only "things" that care about your opinions. But I totally get talking to plants as therapy. And wish I could be quiet on FB!

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    1. Your opinions on FB are important. Dont underestimate your influence there. Follow your passion and your heart. Also remember the ground you have won...you may not have answers about your lungs yet (and that must be very difficult not to know...hate it) but your eyes! How wonderful to know the surgery worked! Patience is what you can teach when this is over.....teach patience to those who will need to hear it. xxoo

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  3. I am a person who seeks so much input about an issue or a task before I feel comfortable starting.... My new mantra (my Lenten goal, if you will...) is "Done is better than perfect." I am tired of being afraid of an imperfect outcome. God bless, sweet friend. I just love you. That is all.

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    1. Incredible!! When we have had enough of things that keep us from our potential we finally get there....you can get there. We all live beneath our privileges.

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  4. Here's an acronym I made up during the past difficult year: HOPE=Having Only Prayerful Expectations

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    1. Oh I hope that means this year is a better year. And what a great acronym....

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  5. I am not Christian, but I need so much to let go of my stress eating. It makes me gain weight, which doesn't do good things to my blood sugar (I'm prediabetic). This has been a real struggle for me. Lent is a good time to focus on that and find a strategy that works (finally) for me.

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    1. Exactly, no one has to belong to a religion to want to improve...it was just a great idea I latched on to. If I can persuade you to truly follow your need to take care of yourself....let me. Diabetes is nothing to trifle with, and since you are prediabetic you have caught it in time. I know you can find a strategy that you can live with. Good luck!!

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  6. Only thing I know is faith and fear cannot coexist. And I want to choose to be filled with faith and not fear. I have to constantly refrain my thinking and not always assume the worse which causes me fear.

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    1. Isnt that the truth? Fear is zero fun, and it never moves the pile unless you are running from a bear.

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  7. Awe...fear/anxiety. A familiar friend of mine. Prayer and Faith. That's what gets me through.

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    1. Not sure how I got the name "Oldest Student" Apart from being old.

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    2. Faith has been a problem for me....I am the most faithful person you could meet, but faith? truly working on that. Let it go....let it go. So much harder that I would ever think

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  8. Hi Donna, I am a Catholic and got ashes yesterday. As a child we GAVE UP things, but doing what you are doing is more positive. Or simply working to do for others and blot out your fear. My husband works with the homeless. I have worked in the public school, health and hospital systems. People can be confirming at many levels. I always try to offer a smile. Being told to FEAR is wrong. Being told to be cautious yet go ahead is better. Fear for me was that my husband might die from cancer. He did not. Now he gives back.

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  9. I am tired of being afraid of an imperfect outcome. God bless, sweet friend. I just love you. That is all.

    ^^
    โกเด้นสล็อต
    สูตรบาคาร่า
    Gclub จีคลับ
    ^^

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