Have you ever felt like your life is not going in the right direction?
I have been facing some hard reality facts lately. The life I dreamt of so long ago, is slowly slipping away from me and like a grade on a test, it’s marked incomplete. So I’m kicking my thoughts around in my head, trying to figure out my next move.
Live your dreamsChange your reality
Heighten your senses
Find solace in hidden sanctuaries
of beauty and love
Gaze on the countless stars above
Get lost in the mysteries of our universe
Daydream of new life that exist beyond this world
Untold secrets and unspoken words
Pause
Find pleasure in everyday life
no matter how small the moments
Focus on what matters
Eliminate that which seeks to steal
your inner joy and prevent you from really
living the life you deserve.
WAIT A MINUTE
This is not about cruising on the high seas while drinking margaritas by the pool. Or even visiting different Ports and destinations.
What I’m talking about is cruising through life and the happy times or pitfalls you may find along the way. While cruising on the high seas you may experience smooth or rough waters. At times a storm can come out of nowhere and disrupt your happy moments and so it is with everyday life.
It could be as simple as working on a job you don’t like, maybe taking care of your elderly parents which gives you a new purpose you may or may not be ready to fulfill. Sometimes getting into a new relationship or giving up on an old one.
Your pace may start out very slowly as you cruise making several changes and stops along the way. While you take the time to assess every experience on your journey, life becomes filled with twists and turns causing an explosion of events that changes your trajectory along the way.
Lately, I have been experiencing a chain of events which has rocked my world. I have come to the conclusion that everything happens for a reason and someday my ship will come in and hopefully I will be ready to go on a new adventure.
Now is not the time because I have taken on the roll of caretaker for my elderly Parents. I never knew how much work was involved. These past few months have been a real eye opener as I struggled to provide for them while also working several hours a day.
I am blessed because I have really enjoyed the time we spend together and the laughter we’ve shared.
They lost their dream to live out their life in their homeland due to hurricane Maria. Now they feel hopeless and homeless. However, reality has arrived and I have come to the conclusion they need 24 hour care.
Overwhelmed by this conclusion, my siblings and I have to come up with a game plan that will give them the care that they deserve with a quality of life they can appreciate.
This is not an easy decision as my cruising has been altered by this chain of events. My energy level has been depleted and I am totally off-balance as I take care of their needs while neglecting my own.
I’m way off course and out-of-order not knowing one day from the next. I am focused on their care and happiness while beginning to lose my way. I thank God I’ve had the opportunity to open my heart and home.
In order to get back on course I need to get them the care that they need and deserve. I love my Parents and I pray that God will guide our thoughts in order to make the right decision for there care.
Some people like to hide their emotions and pretend everything is ok. Well everything in life is certainly not always wonderful…
I thought this year was going to be different but it feels like an extension of last year. For the first time in years, I didn’t write my New Years resolutions for 2018. I haven’t had enough time to reflect on all the recent changes in my life.
Have you ever felt like running away from your life?
I know most of us would never admit it, but there are times when life seems to get the best of us and we are at our wits end.
It’s good to be honest with ourselves and find a way to deal with these intense emotions. Otherwise it can be like a fire. If we don’t try to extinguish it when it starts, it may spread to other parts of our life. Then we’re engulfed in a lot of flames or rather problems that may be too late to put out.
Haven’t you ever dreamt of being on an island, palm trees swaying in the wind, while relaxing on a hammock, enjoying the warm breeze as it sweeps across your face, while sipping on your favorite drink? Or maybe you have other dreams or desires that makes you feel good.
That sounds like heaven on earth. Peace and quiet is my ultimate reward even for a brief moment in time.
There are many ways to deal with negative emotions when it suddenly creeps into your life. Running away is not always the answer. Finding creative solutions to the problem at hand will help you grow stronger and more well-rounded.
Since I can’t escape to an island at will, even though I would love the opportunity at any given time, I usually settle for using my imagination. I try to imagine the site, sounds and smells while relaxing and transcending my mind to another place.
I also write, write and write some more to be able to put those intense emotions on paper rather than leaving them in my mind to linger and show up another day..
If you don’t deal with what’s making you feel like running away even for a day, it may come back to haunt you on another day.
Admitting to these emotions doesn’t make you a weak person but it has the ability to make you stronger as you flush out these intensities in your life.
What are some creative ways to deal with life’s bummers?
I’m no Scrooge, but lately I feel like the main character of that movie. I certainly was not a fan of his eccentric behavior. He was unkind, grumpy and nothing excited him about Christmas.
Christmas Past
Sometimes I wish Christmas felt as magical and spiritual like it was when I was a child. My parents would celebrate the birth of Jesus by having us attend midnight mass. Then we would come home and enjoy all kinds of goodies while preparing for Christmas day. Spending the day with our family and opening up our presents was very special.
Christmas Present
Today, I spend my time working ten to twelve-hour days wishing the season was over. Holidays like Christmas has become a tradition and as such is related to more stress than pleasure. People are so busy rushing around to buy that perfect gift for family and friends that they forget about the real meaning of Christmas. What if giving gifts was not part of this Holiday? Wouldn’t it be nice to celebrate the birth of our Lord spending quality time with family and friends?
The Public
I have had the opportunity to deal with the public for several years during various holiday shopping sprees. Working for a very large retailer, I formed many relationships with my customers and got their views on shopping for the holidays especially at Christmas. Besides listening to stories of fights in the parking lots, lost wallets or missing packages and more we can chalk it all up to unnecessary aggravation.
Christmas future
Where did we go wrong? Shopping has become more of a chore at Christmas. I have met some incredible people who have been duped into this shopping extravaganza. They are so relieved once their list is completed. Rushing through the season of what should be a time for joy and celebration, has left most of us tired and broke. Maybe Christmas future should be based on a revolution of change.
Think about creative ways you can reduce stress by opting out of giving presents to people who really don’t need more than they already have…
Finding new ways to celebrate the season will bring more joy into you life. Get out of the guilt trap and remember if you must share gifts, make it magical for the children.
What do you think?
Scattered Thoughts in Life 