Author: Patricia Fagan

I love to write...Journaling has been a blessing since my days in College. I write about anything from my life experiences. I hope you find some nuggets of truth you can implement in your own life.

System Reboot

~ Patricia Fagan ~ Leave a comment

OUR WORLD IS IN TURMOIL

We are in a Global Pandemic fighting for our lives against the Corona Virus while operating in a system of Fear. This ultimatey will shift our conciousness and change our world.photo-1551578692-db3530dc142c (2)Does anyone else feel our whole system is experiencing massive changes that will be with us in years to come?

We are in an entire system Reboot worldwide.

Think about it…

Things were beginning to spiral in a downward trend before the corona virus came to our shores.

The outbreak is a catalyst that only exacerbated our financial problems and pointed to our weaknesses in handling the virus.

Cell phones were already making us more and more isolated but this, what we are currently experiencing with the Corona Virus is unprecedented.photo-1491319669671-30014eb16b8dSocial distancing…no hugs, no kisses, no shaking of hands. The stand off approach. Quarantine… We are told to stay 6 to 10 feet from one another.

Separation and isolation from friends, family and colleagues is constantly talked about in the news.

It’s reshaping how we interact with people.

We are social beings and now we are given new directives to limit how we interact with one another.

How is that going to change our behavior in the future?

My company just shut down for a couple of weeks and other companies are following this narrative.

I believe this is a temporary situation until our country notices a retreat of the virus. It’s scarey what is going on…

Our world will never be the same after going through this experience.

Strangers are considered dangerous because of our fear of getting infected.

Almost every industry is impacted and may shift the way they do business.

How we test for viruses are being rolled out in many countries and will most likely be utilized for new viruses in the near future.

photo-1579781403289-674275bc71c5 (1)The mall’s have become like a ghost town due to the  Corona Virus.

Schools are closed  for weeks while students turn to online classes.

Restaurants, gyms and bars are also closed.

How will they shift their way of doing business?

Travel is almost non existence unless if absolutely necessary. Entire nations are shut down.

Who would have predicted this could ever happen?

I have decided to cancel my vacation plans for this year under the circumstances.

Honestly,  I’m not afraid, rather cautious as to how other countries may be handling the Corona Virus.

Food shopping for groceries, paper goods and cleaning products have become our latest pastime.

Work from home platforms, the way people choose to invest and what they choose to invest in will change.

As I reiterated earlier, travel is on hold, hotels, cruise ships tourism on the whole is a disaster worldwide.

The retail industry is being desimated by the Corona Virus with social distancing.

Shopping for Fashionable items have become a low priority.  Grocery stores like COSTCO, BJ’S and smaller stores where you can purchase food and other items are on the rise.

Toilet paper sales is on the rise.. What is up with that?

You can’t even find meat in some local supermarkets. I went to three stores to find pasta.

Hand sanitizers….gone!!

Cleaning products is running out in stores.

Don’t forget to wash your hands. Are you addicted to that behavior yet?

As noted, our world is being rebooted and we will never be the same.

We are all in the self quarantine mindset if we can afford to do so.

People are being laid off and others are extremely concerned they won’t be able to pay their bill’s.

Does anyone actually believe after all this is over everyone is going to go back to business as usual?

Companies who can afford to let their people work from home are using companies like webex an online platform

This will change the nature of doing business in the near future.

More and more we are rethinking our world economy because we are all connected globally.

The Corona Virus will propel the destruction of economies.

They will suffer additional losses that were already in progress. And the world as we know it will be forever changed.

Watch for massive layoffs because not all businesses can sustain being closed for an undetermined amount of time.

In my opinion we are under an entire system reboot.

There are two stories going on here so don’t get distracted.

The first is the Corona Virus which is swooping the globe causing major disruptions and destroying economies.

Second is our financial markets which will ultimately slow down leading to a global recession.

We are living in troubled times. Our systems of governing, doing business and living is being transformed at a faster pace than anticipated.

The storms of life are raging. It’s not always easy to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

But we will emerge from this situation forever changed yet hopefully stronger.

Our world will go through a system reboot. We will survive and life will go on….Forever changed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hate paying bills…

~ Patricia Fagan ~ Leave a comment

It’s like a disease that never goes away…

photo-1562240020-ce31ccb0fa7d (2)Friday’s are the best day of the week in my opinion.

I feel more free knowing the weekend is finally here and its time to do whatever I choose without rushing the day.

It’s also pay day…Yeah!!!

Now we can all pay those Pesty bills that’s like a bee always buzzing around our ears.

The majority of us live paycheck to paycheck.

We are blessed when we can afford to pay those bills.

Why has this become most peoples reality?

I believe because salaries have not gone up significantly since the 70’s in order to keep up with inflation. Housing expenses has gone through the roof, as well as other factors.

Why do I hate paying bills?

It’s like having another job…I do it, but I don’t have to like it.

Also to be quite frank,  it’s the process. It can be very stressful if it’s hard to make ends meet.

I remember seeing my mother as a child being inundated with mail. I didn’t understand it, but now its quite clear 99% were Bills.

My mother use to say in her time, paying Bill’s when she sat down to do so was like borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. In my home it was a juggling act while mom was trying to raise nine kids.

All her life, I remember her being surrounded by paperwork. Every day the mail came in, it piled up until she was able to get to it.

So it left a negative impact on my mind that I carry to this day.

Maybe that’s why I resent it. It consumed alot of her time.

Paying  bills is so intertwined in all our lives that we can’t help but hate it if there is not enough income coming in to satisfy the creditors.

We are all swimming in a sea of debt…

You might say to yourself, I have no credit card debt but there’s always something that has to be paid.

Some of us are drowning in debt and have no emergency savings.

Think about it..

You may have to pay rent, a mortgage, car loan,  car insurance, student debt etc..

There is no escape unless you are rich. However even the rich have to pay bills but I guess there peace of mind comes from the fact they can afford it.

According to USA today most Americans are struggling to pay their bills every month. That’s including people who make $100,00 plus a year. Career Builder put’s the number at 78% of U.S.

I personally would rather spend my time doing other things than paying Bill’s.

It’s a sad state of affairs…even worst is our saving potential for emergency purposes. 

Money can be a downer if you don’t have enough of it..but its not everything.

Paying Bill’s can be a nightmare for some people, but remember, its a means to an end.

If you can afford to stay away from any kind of debt, do so for your peace of mind.

The less Bill’s that you have to pay, the less stress.

Make your weekends count. Forget the mess and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

 

 

 

Don’t forget to write

~ Patricia Fagan ~ Leave a comment

If you’ve never put pen to paper before, here is some reasons to start writing…

WRITING IS NOT JUST FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE WRITERS, BLOGGERS OR AUTHORS…

brass black brown fountain pen
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

It’s for anyone who has something to say…

Writing down your thoughts on paper with a pen as you express your deep feelings is a great way to relax.

  • It improves your mood if you had a bad day.
  • Your stress level will decrease as you pour out your concerns on the page.
  • What a wonderful way to meditate without the usual methods.
  • Helps with depression and anxiety.
  • It will allow you to focus and see life more clearly.
  • This is your quiet time which allows you to be calm.
  • When you are angry…write it’s a great way to find some relief.
  • It encourages us to be more creative.
  • Writing is also influential on how we think.

Every situation you find yourself in gives you an opportunity to write. It’s therapeutic and can lead to a more positive outlook on life.

Nancy Olson, a Forbes life writer confirmed writing by hand is a powerful tool for learning. It also increases neural activity in certain sections of the brain.

When I had to study in college, the only way I would remember anything was to write it down.

For some reason my brain connected more to the information when I actually took the time to write rather than just using memorization.

Amazingly after all these years, this is my go to skill if I need to learn anything.

Try it! It actually works because you are not only using your brain, you are using your writing to remember the information.

I have been writing by hand for many years and I can definitely attest to the fact that it’s very rewarding.

Do you remember when people actually wrote letters to one another?

It may be you were to young to remember or it didn’t happen in your time.

It was a time of innocence meaning we did not have the technology that’s available today.

People who wanted to communicate in a meaningful way to friends, family or lovers, wrote and mailed letters.

We wrote, wrote and wrote some more and was very excited when we received a letter back in the mail.

Our hearts were on display in pen and ink and it felt good. We enjoyed the art of writing.

Of course if you received a bad letter, well you know what I mean…

Remember the movie Miracle on 34th street, the people wrote letters to Santa to get their point across to the Judge.

WHY DO WE WRITE?

So my point is this, writing is another way to express yourself. It is for anyone who wants to find another way to destress.

Don’t forget to write…

It’s not just for writers…Yes anyone who chooses can write.

Before getting out of bed to start my day, I find myself reaching for my journal to write about anything that concerns me

These past two years has been very trying and I am so thankful that writing has given me a way to say exactly what’s on my mind without being judged.

The ability to go deeper below the surface of my mind has given me time to examine my life while making positive changes.

It has been the most rewarding experience and helps me to relax before starting my day.

Our mind can become cluttered with thoughts we find very difficult to express with others.

But when you really allow yourself to let go by writing down your thoughts, its very liberating.

Hence the name, don’t forget to write because so many of us live our lives stuck in busyness.

We forget to take time to really get slow down and get to know who we are inside and out.

Taking time to open up to other possibilities and even finding answers to your most pressed questions could be found by allowing your mind to expand in another direction.

Writing might not be your thing, but its definitely a form of relaxation for those who would take the chance to explore it.

Even for the novice who is new to journaling, it will begin to change your life in more ways than one..

Writing is like meditation when you allow yourself to get lost in your thoughts, you would be surprised at what you learn.

By taking some time each day to write down your feelings, it will be very beneficial as you search within your soul for your life’s most pressing challenges.

IT’S VALENTINE’S DAY…WRITE A LOVE LETTER TO SOMEONE YOU LOVE. WATCH THEIR REACTION…

 

 

 

A Perfect Fit

~ Patricia Fagan ~ Leave a comment

photo-1491438590914-bc09fcaaf77aARE YOU STILL TRYING TO FIT IN?

Why do we torture ourselves this way?

When we were younger, I believe we all did it at some point to connect with our peers at school.

Somehow it continued to be a part of who we are in terms of forming friendship with others to be part of a group.

But there are times when we may not be a perfect fit and honestly, it’s okay…

Human beings always had a desire to fit in or find their tribe in order to feel whole. I guess it gave us a sense of belonging wherever we went.

For those who didn’t fit in they felt like loners or outsiders.

So fitting in has always been a big deal.

But as you grow older, wiser and more intuned with who you are as a person,  the need to fit in takes on a different meaning.

Being confident and accepting yourself is the first step to letting go of the tribal mentality.

You don’t always have to fit in, the key is to try to get along and build a good relationship with those you may come in contact with at home, work, or play.

A perfect fit is a misinterpretation of the reality of life.

None of us are truly perfect, but we are perfect for the friends, associates and family we interact with who accept us just as we are with all our warts.

Who cares about the people who has no real desire to connect.

You are better off leaving them alone because they will only make life more miserable.

Life is about building relationships with others whether family, friends or new people you may meet who has a genuine interest in you as a person.

WORKPLACE

We all know about the culture on the job and how we all try to fit in with our coworkers.

Sometimes it may be toxic and yet you may find coworkers you may connect with and have a sense of belonging…

Fitting in is not the answer to getting along at work. Building positive relationships is much more valuable.

My experience

I have been on my job for several years, and have met many people from all walks of life.

When I first started, I tried fitting into the work culture and personalities I met along the way.

Since it was a very competitive environment, people were very disengaged with anyone who they considered to be a threat of being a top producer.

I experienced that when their were people deliberately trying to sabotage my success.

So just imagine trying to be a perfect fit in that environment. It doesn’t work so the best way I coped with the situation was to continue to be the best version of myself.

I connected on so many levels with people who saw me as a valuable asset and we continue to maintain that relationship years later.

I also have a coworker on my job who in my opinion has trouble with others.. so I try to stay away from her as much as possible.

My clients tend to give me compliments and gifts. Her jealousy was very pervasive this year and she showed her true colors.

Her negative energy reminds me this is someone I need to stay away from as much as possible.

She obviously is not a perfect fit and we will not be able to connect on any level even though I’ve tried for several years.

My advice

In this short life we live in you have to find the people who will impact your life in a positive manner.

If you are trying to hard in order to be that perfect fit in a friendship or relationship with someone and you feel like you’re spinning your wheels and going nowhere give it up.

It’s not going to work with people who have bad attitudes or no real desire to connect.

Save your time for people that really matters…

Find people which will bring positive energy into the equation.

It doesn’t pay to waste your time trying to fit into relationships that just doesn’t work.

Simply put, it’s a waste of time…

Accept yourself for who you are, Find the people who sees your worth and there you will find the perfect fit for your life.

Just remember, none if us are perfect and trying to fit into scenarios that hurt us rather than help us is not smart.

Don’t torture yourself trying to fit into a situation that will make you unhappy.

You have to love yourself first,  accept yourself for who you are..

Only then will you be able to connect with others who you can build a real friendship and grow your relationship.

 

What are we thankful for?

~ Patricia Fagan ~ Leave a comment
photo of woman sitting on stone next to body of water
Photo by aymyogaschool on Pexels.com

Life can be a blast, but sometimes it can be like a raging river out of control…

I dont know how you feel,  however there are  times  I get lost in my own thoughts and my own little world.

When things are going wrong , I forget about what’s going right.

Thank God I’m alive living in this time to see all the technological advances in our world.

I have to remember to be grateful for all that’s been given and all the lessons learned along my journey.?

This is the way we grow and learn to be the person we are meant to be…

When you think your life is meaningless, guess again because you really haven’t been paying attention.

So what are we thankful for when life seizes to have meaning?

Take some time and Look around at everything we take for granted.

If you woke up this morning, be thankful

If you have a job or a business which enables you to pay your bills, be thankful.

If you can use your legs to walk be thankful.

If you have a roof over your head and clothes on your back please be thankful

If you can spend time with family and friends while sharing a meal this Thanksgiving be thankful..

There are so many people in this world who have far less while others spend time alone.

And yet they are thankful for whatever they have in spite of their circumstances.

So be thankful and kind to those who are less fortunate.

Life is a gift in so many ways. It is more meaningful than meanigless.

Try to look at the big picture…There is a beauty to life that adds meaning.

Everything in this world was created by God for mankind..so be thankful

We are blessed by the creator of the universe.

We fail to see the little things while we focus on life’s distractions.

Have a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude.,

For today is given, tomorrow is not promised

Live your life with an attitude of gratitude.

 

Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.