Do you spend most of your time reacting to other people rather than carving out the path that you want to take in life? Do you spend your time blaming others for your difficulties and challenges rather than using that energy to create the life that you want? You can spend your life trying to change another person and that person just might not want to change. Have you accepted the fact that the only person that you can change is you?
Melody Beattie, author of The Language of Letting Go, writes, “I used to spend so much time reacting and responding to everyone else that my life had no direction. Other people’s lives, problems, and wants set the course for my life. Once I realized it was okay for me to think about and identify what I wanted, remarkable things began to take place in my life.”
Reblogged this on What I see, what I feel, what I'd like to see… and commented:
Nothing says ‘take responsibility for your own life’ like a little Melody Beattie!
Thank you, Todd. Yes- Melody Beattie says it well!
Reblogged this on LifeRevelation and commented:
I’m not quite sure what the four young ladies who are jumping in the air while wearing two-piece bathing suits has to do with the post, but that is how it came and who am I to judge? Maybe it is for Mr. Faulkner.
The post is excellent and I hope everyone enjoys it.
Be encouraged!
Thank you for sharing my post. I hope you have a terrific day.
It was my honor…enjoy the rest of the weekend…be encouraged!
That is a good thing to remember!
Sometimes for me, the confusing part becomes “If I carve my way with this or that thing, I won’t be able to hold up my end of certain responsibilities” – like, if I quit my job that I’m not too fond of at the moment, I won’t be able to pay the bills that I have with my partner. But I am making small choices each day that let me do what I want to do, so that I can eventually quit the job and be in a fully-decorated “way” that I am carving as I go.
Thank you for adding to my blog, Jennifer. It sounds like you are being wise and taking baby steps to get where you want to go. Sometimes we have to do certain things that we do not enjoy in order to get to a better place.
This is absolutely true. I think it’s especially hard for wives and mother’s. It’s just the way we’re raised, to put other people’s needs ahead of our own. By the time you have an empty nest you have forgotten who you are, what you want and what makes you happy. It’s actually very scary. I’ve finally accepted that I can’t fix people or make them happy, they have to do it for themselves. I’ve lost a lot of precious energy thinking I could save the world. I guess it made me happy while I was trying and while I was hopeful but eventually I became very depleted and physically sick. Anyway, lesson learned! Haha”
Great post and very valuable to the person who is open to hearing it.
Have a beautiful night!
Lisa
Ps. It’s nice that you were thinking of Harper! Haha!
Lisa, You are not alone. Many people, especially mothers of young children, find themselves feeling depleted. You can’t adequately care for another without caring for yourself.
So true!
Great post!
Thank you.
Great post, good reminder for when we think we can change someone. We continually need to look in the mirror and work on the person we see there. Thanks Kristin, have a nice weekend.
Thank you, Tina. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, too.
Hi Kristin
Really pleased to have found your site. I am new to blogging and write a daily inspiration blog at soulsnet.com. I hope you will come and visit.
Many of your themes echo my own interests. Awareness is the first step, isn’t it? Once we start to put a space between the trigger and the reaction we have a choice. A skillful response beats an automatic reaction every time.
May we all be peaceful and at ease.
Corinne
Corinne,
I look forward to checking out your site. Yes- thinking things through before reacting is always best! Great to hear from you.
You make an excellent point. Sometimes, it’s hard to change our outlooks, our perceptions and ourselves. Hard … but necessary if we want to achieve a happier, healthier life.
Yes- difficult but necessary. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Enjoy the rest of your day.
How very true. This post resonates well with me at this very moment of life. Thank you for the gentle reminder.
Subhan Zein
You are very welcome. I am glad that you found it meaningful. Thank you for your comments. I hope that you enjoy your day.
I did enjoy my day, I was working on my study and am now taking a break. Thank you again for your kind words and for following my blog. I hope my posts are not too disappointing for you.
Many blessings and much love to you, Kristin.
Subhan Zein
Great job, Kristin. Thanks. Melody Beattie, author of The Language of Letting Go, made my 50 Shades of Gratitude list on Friday. Number 21. Great minds think alike? Or, do we just read similar stuff?
Be well. ~Paul
Thank you, Paul. Probably a little of both- great minds think alike and we read the same stuff.
Your 50 shades post was great along with all your others!
Thank you for the pingback.