for how you act,
no matter how you feel."
"You are always responsible for how you act, no matter how you feel." This is a good reminder, especially for me. More often than not, we use our feelings or emotions (though completely valid and deserving of consideration) to justify actions that we know are not for the best. And it's hard not to. The key is to remember what we value in those times to guide us to decisions that are for the best, even if that means we have to put our feelings aside to do so. This may mean helping a loved one despite a recent argument or holding the door open (instead of letting it slam shut) for a co-worker who you don't particularly care for. Whatever it means in any given situation, let's remember that in order to be our best selves, we must take responsibility for our actions.
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"We are all so desperate to be understood, we forget to be understanding." How often do we find ourselves questioning others' treatment of us and forget to think about our treatment of them? Likely, more often than we'd like. And that is a hard habit to change. It is easier to think of how we should be treated than to think about how we ought to treat others. Yet, if we want to handle difficult situations as peacefully as possible, we have to consider the feelings and perspectives of others. It'll take practice and patience; but it will definitely be worth our while.
"A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms." I consider myself a relatively competitive person. And while I do not see a problem with that; I know that competition for the sake of itself is not always a good thing. Often times, it can limit one's potential and sometimes create so much of tension and stress, that the joy we get from doing what we love is diminished.
For this reason, this week's quote is a reminder to myself to put my best effort in everything I do because it matters to me. Its importance is what warrants my attention, dedication and effort; it is not about simply being the "best". "Strength grows in the moments when you think you can't go on but you keep going anyway." Giving up is sometimes so so so tempting; you feel as though it is just too hard and you cannot imagine another day of failing or struggling so much. But then there's this little voice (well, sometimes not so little!) that tells you to keep going, to push through it and go on. While listening to that voice seems silly, I think it is telling that in our most difficult and trying moments that we know (at our core) we are capable of so much more than we think we are. P.S. I am very sorry that I have not posted on the blog in a month?! This term in school has been especially busy and homework-heavy and as a result, I have not been posting. I hope to get back into the routine of posting at least once a week, starting next week. As always, comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome! Please let me know if there are any particular topics you would like to see on the blog. "One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say." This week's quote is definitely an important reminder for me! Listening to others is a skill that comes with practice and conscious effort. And it makes a great difference in the quality of one's relationships and ability to work with others. That being said, it takes time to develop. As much as I would like to think I am a good listener and show respect for people's thoughts, I know there is quite a bit of room for improvement. And on the days I find it difficult, I hope to look back at this quote to remind me that listening is a form of respect, something especially important when dealing with others (and even more important in relationships with loved ones.) "You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." As the year draws to a close, I cannot help but wonder if I have accomplished what I wished to in 2016. Looking back, it appears as though not enough growth has taken place, making it feel as it was not the year it ought to have been. But life doesn't always go the way we want it to nor should it. Sometimes when we try to accomplish something (be it learning a new skill, passing a test, finding the ideal career, strengthening a relationship), it does not work out the first time around. We may make some progress but it often appears that we are closer to where we started than where we wanted to be.
In those moments, it is important to remember that life's biggest challenges and greatest accomplishments are not ones that work out the first time around. The bigger the challenge the greater the effort and time it requires. Anything worthwhile takes everything we have and we have to be wiling to give it our all if we wish to have it. What we value should not have a price tag or time slot. And after all, the greater the challenge, the greater the glory (and joy and all the other benefits of hard work.) "You are never too busy to take time out of your day for those who matter most." Busyness is a terrible thing. Now that is not to say that living a full productive life is problematic rather it using that lifestyle as an excuse that has become a problem. If you counted the number of times people were "too busy" to be there for those they claim to love most, we'd all be rich. But why is that? We always say relationships are important and people matter yet they are almost always pushed aside for something else.
Relationships are a two way street. And sometimes, the traffic is heavier on one side than the other. But at the end of the day, we cannot control what another person does; we can only control what we do and how we spend our time. If someone is important to you, you make the time for them. It is challenging at times to do so, but life is all about making priorities and giving time to what (or rather, who) matters most to you. "We can choose to be grateful no matter what." To be grateful is a conscious choice, one that requires constant reflection and awareness in order for all of us to remember all that we have. It is not always an easy choice; sometimes life challenges us in ways that make it seem like there is nothing good left. In these times, it is especially important to remember all that we do have, material-wise, and more importantly, the people we have in our lives and the strength that has carried us throughout the many trials we have faced thus far. The struggles we each face are different in type and degree but they all serve a common purpose, to reveal who we are at our core. Difficulties have a unique ability to shed light on what we value and what we take for granted. What we do with this knowledge ultimately defines us going forward. So on this day, where we celebrate the importance of gratitude, let's make a promise to ourselves to choose gratitude every day, no matter what. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful day with your loved ones!
"You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them." I think one of the hardest things to do is convince yourself that you are capable of something difficult especially when you have been struggling with it. It is very easy to get discouraged when multiple setbacks occur and you feel as if you just do not have what it takes. But every difficulty can be overcome. It requires not only persistence and hard work but also a solid belief in yourself and your ability to succeed. That belief is what will get you through those ups and downs. And it'll make the good times in your life even more special, knowing that you have what it takes to accomplish any and all goals you set for yourself.
"If you have the power to make someone happy, do it. The world needs more of that." I've talked about simple pleasures quite a bit on the blog. And the reason for this is because I feel that our world tends to focus on the big gestures. The full college scholarships, grand dinners, luxury vacations, and the stuff that "shows." While all of those things are great, there are so many of us who could only dream of such things let alone do them for others.
But what happened to the simple gestures? A cup of someone's favorite coffee or box of their favorite snack? Or maybe something simpler like a call in the morning or a message saying you're thinking of them? Personally, I think these small gestures are what make life's best moments. It doesn't have to cost a great amount or be some grand thing, rather it's about taking the time and effort to remember those we care about. After all, love is a verb, a emotion that shows who really cares. Not necessarily what the world sees or defines as caring for others. |
So, there's really not much to tell. I'm a person of many interests, and talking to others about theirs.
So, I guess that's it for now! Archives
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