And while I may have work to do, I've come to realize that working myself to death by being a perfectionist wasn't getting me the results that I wanted. I was sick and tired of always being sick and tired.
I'm not sure where this sudden paradigm shift in my thinking came from. Something started to stir in me when I turned 40 that made me realize that I needed to take it easier on myself, and on others. But I think it was breaking my foot that really solidified it. I realized that injury was literally the result of rushing around trying to accomplish too much in too little time, and I had no choice but to slow down. That broken bone forced me to change my lifestyle and to get comfortable with a slower pace. And you know what? The foot has healed, but I haven't gone back to that frenzied lifestyle. Not only did I like taking it easier on myself, but I found I accomplished more by granting myself the grace of patience to work within the life I have. Yes, it's busy sometimes, but you know what? I realized I had all the time I needed to do what was truly important to me if I was patient enough to do it in the right timing. And suddenly, without pushing myself with unreasonable self-set deadlines, I find myself in the last few stages of writing Fracture several months ahead of schedule.
Grace makes the difference. You have to have grace with yourself first. You have to love the life you have and learn to work with it without imposing struggle or problems on yourself. You have to be obedient to the Holy Spirit prompting you to do the right things at the right times. That's really what your intuition is, and if you heed it, then it won't lead you wrong. You have to trust: have faith and hope that you're on the right track, even if what you do today doesn't seem like enough. It's always enough. The small things add up, and can lead you to bigger things, maybe faster than you think.
But there's been another side effect of this slower lifestyle: I'm getting along better with other people. I guess relaxing the standards on myself helped me to relax them on others. Sure, things still rub me the wrong way from time to time, frustrate me, or wear on my nerves, but I notice the effect is less intense and I move on faster. I hope it will lead to improved relationships with others. Relationships are, after all, the most important thing in life, so I certainly want them to be the best they can be.
It looks like there is something to the power of positive thinking and gratitude. Being kinder to myself is leading to the results that I've been wanting for years. It is true: changing your life is an inside job. Here's to living in the joy of faith and hope for better days to come.
That's all today. Take care, and have a wonderful weekend.
Bye!
I'm not sure where this sudden paradigm shift in my thinking came from. Something started to stir in me when I turned 40 that made me realize that I needed to take it easier on myself, and on others. But I think it was breaking my foot that really solidified it. I realized that injury was literally the result of rushing around trying to accomplish too much in too little time, and I had no choice but to slow down. That broken bone forced me to change my lifestyle and to get comfortable with a slower pace. And you know what? The foot has healed, but I haven't gone back to that frenzied lifestyle. Not only did I like taking it easier on myself, but I found I accomplished more by granting myself the grace of patience to work within the life I have. Yes, it's busy sometimes, but you know what? I realized I had all the time I needed to do what was truly important to me if I was patient enough to do it in the right timing. And suddenly, without pushing myself with unreasonable self-set deadlines, I find myself in the last few stages of writing Fracture several months ahead of schedule.
Grace makes the difference. You have to have grace with yourself first. You have to love the life you have and learn to work with it without imposing struggle or problems on yourself. You have to be obedient to the Holy Spirit prompting you to do the right things at the right times. That's really what your intuition is, and if you heed it, then it won't lead you wrong. You have to trust: have faith and hope that you're on the right track, even if what you do today doesn't seem like enough. It's always enough. The small things add up, and can lead you to bigger things, maybe faster than you think.
But there's been another side effect of this slower lifestyle: I'm getting along better with other people. I guess relaxing the standards on myself helped me to relax them on others. Sure, things still rub me the wrong way from time to time, frustrate me, or wear on my nerves, but I notice the effect is less intense and I move on faster. I hope it will lead to improved relationships with others. Relationships are, after all, the most important thing in life, so I certainly want them to be the best they can be.
It looks like there is something to the power of positive thinking and gratitude. Being kinder to myself is leading to the results that I've been wanting for years. It is true: changing your life is an inside job. Here's to living in the joy of faith and hope for better days to come.
That's all today. Take care, and have a wonderful weekend.
Bye!
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