Reflection

This post was inspired by two requests. I don’t feel entirely comfortable preaching or teaching. I am always in learning and simply like to share my experience so others can take what is useful to them.

I was speaking with a friend today who noted that we cannot grow stronger if we are not challenged. The comfort zone is ok sometimes but not as a permanent hangout.

For me, in order to allow situations to strengthen instead of fell me I have found I need to have a certain amount of acceptance, humor, perspective. I mostly do ok. When business disputes arise I can face those quite squarely and take my knocks and losses, learn my lessons and move on. It is much more challenging on the personal side where the stakes seem so much higher, personal, the most precious assets threatened. This can nearly take me down in hopelessness and despair at times. But books like The Conscious Parent and reminders that the bond with our children is not necessarily created by force and is so much more than we can observe insure me to press on. In these moments I try to take the high road, to act with class and kindness even when I want to scream “what are you thinking?!”

A wise friend said don’t be afraid to take a loss. Another said quiet is not weak. I have so many wonderful mentors. I could go on.

So when one week contains all of the following events: court orders that don’t seem in my favor, actions by bullies that make no sense, the chaos of dividing myself between five young people, the disappointment of giving so much to a client who decides to go elsewhere rather than pay what is owed, or any other conceivable circumstance…I try to maintain a calm, positive outlook; appreciate what Is going right; look for the lesson; and keep on moving forward one step at a time.