Last night I reconnected with an old friend. I haven’t talked to her in a few years and suddenly she popped into my head and we ended up on the phone chatting for quite a while. I am SO glad I called her. She is an amazing person…so loving, so comforting…everything you could ask for in a friend. Shame on me for not being in touch with her.
Because of our conversation, I’ve decided to let go of all the negativity that has been ruling my life for the past few years. I thought that I had let it go, but obviously I haven’t. I still lie awake at night thinking of things that are out of my control and crying about them and wishing things were different. But they aren’t and they probably never will be. So that’s it. I’m done with it. Well at least I hope so.
It’s crazy how these things can build up and take over your life. I can only imagine how much further I would be in my writing if I didn’t allow negative situations to consume me. I can only imagine how much better I would have felt about myself if I had just let go. So, in this new year, that is my goal. To just say no to people and situations that bring nothing but headaches! I really hope I can make it happen.
How do you handle negativity? Do you allow other people’s opinions of you or hard times to really affect you or are you able to brush it off? And if you ARE on of those people who can just brush it off, please tell me how you do that.
By the way, I must mention that my friend is an AMAZING singer. She has a God-given talent that I have always admired. AND she is a really good person. I mean truly, deep down and to the core, she is gold. Please check out her web site…RobinGallo.com
Thanks, Robin, for the great chat. I love you and your wonderful husband, Pat Galleo! You mean the world to me!
Because of our conversation, I’ve decided to let go of all the negativity that has been ruling my life for the past few years. I thought that I had let it go, but obviously I haven’t. I still lie awake at night thinking of things that are out of my control and crying about them and wishing things were different. But they aren’t and they probably never will be. So that’s it. I’m done with it. Well at least I hope so.
It’s crazy how these things can build up and take over your life. I can only imagine how much further I would be in my writing if I didn’t allow negative situations to consume me. I can only imagine how much better I would have felt about myself if I had just let go. So, in this new year, that is my goal. To just say no to people and situations that bring nothing but headaches! I really hope I can make it happen.
How do you handle negativity? Do you allow other people’s opinions of you or hard times to really affect you or are you able to brush it off? And if you ARE on of those people who can just brush it off, please tell me how you do that.
By the way, I must mention that my friend is an AMAZING singer. She has a God-given talent that I have always admired. AND she is a really good person. I mean truly, deep down and to the core, she is gold. Please check out her web site…RobinGallo.com
Thanks, Robin, for the great chat. I love you and your wonderful husband, Pat Galleo! You mean the world to me!
Have a Glorious Wednesday Everyone,
SIS Bren
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18 comments:
It's real easy to allow negativity to creep into your life, Bren. I've been that way and then decided no way, out out out. :}
And so great you reconnected!
Hi Bren
So happy you reconnected with your friend!
I know all about negative thoughts and what if. I with you on letting it all go. We can't change the past but we can influence the future. Hope you have a great 2010!!!!
I try to keep a positive outlook but it's not always easy. Especially when you (and by that I mean me *g*) live with people who tend to be negative almost all the time.
Linda,
I agree...out out out! I know that as soon as I let it all go, my shoulders will be rid of a heavy load.
Thanks for stopping by, Linda. I always look forward to your comments.
SIS Bren
Hi B.J.,
"We can't change the past but we can influence the future."
I like that. Here's to a great 2010 and better yet, a great future!
SIS Bren
Hi Tori,
Unfortunately, sometimes there is no escaping negativity. There are people in our lives who can affect us and we have to have them in our lives for whatever reason.
In our land of Ifandwhendia, I think we should outlaw negativity, and ban all people who can't seem to shake the bad habit. If someone is having a bad day, we should be armed with wands that we shake at them, sending big red lips out to smother them with kisses until they smile.
It's always nice to see you here at SIS!
SIS Bren
I remember Robin. Super talented and sweet. Checked out her website. Impressive! She looks darn beautiful, too. Glad you recconnected and came away inspired, Brenda.
Several years ago I read a few books on co-dependency as well as creative visualization. Very illuminating. One of the things I came away with was the idea of 'embracing the positive' and 'avoiding the negative'. If I can't avoid it, I keep it at arm's length. The trick in my case was not to allow negative people or people with negative aspects into my inner circle. If it's someone you HAVE to interact with, then keep those times as infrequent and brief as possible. Work hard on developing a thick skin or at least a 'Whatever' mentality, shake off their ugliness and immediately do something inpriring or seek out someone or something positive.
I also think it's important to keep ourselves busy with things that bring joy or at least offer distraction. To have goals and dreams and to actively pursue them. The more time we spend around positive people, the more time devoted to pursuit of a positive goal, the less time we have to wallow in all that's crappy in our lives.
It's cliched, but I really do believe: Negativity breeds negativity. I wallowed in my own negative thoughts in 2009. Been there. Over it. Joy will be mine in 2010! It can be yours too!
SIS Beth
Yes, get that heavy load off your shoulders before you develope a hump. :}
I think the magic wand of Ifandwhendia is an EXCELLENT idea, Bren! :)
Beth,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Even though these are things we know, it's nice to be reminded. The hardest thing for me is developing that thick skin. My skin is so thin you could call it translucent. My feelings are easily hurt. I am not a mean or spiteful person, so I don't understand when another person is that way to me. But anywho, I have been working hard at getting the "whatever" attitude down. I think Barb has that one nailed.
Thanks again and yes Joy shall be ours!
SIS Bren
Linda,
Are you calling me Quasimodo? Having that hump removed could be expensive so I guess I should stop it before it grows!
Bren
Tori,
It's official then...The Wand of Wet Sloppy Kisses!
Bren
Hi Bren and everyone!
Great post.
Hmmm? I have to wonder if I'm being perceived as "hard"? No worries if I am. I'm not offended in the least. I, too, use to have transparent skin too but over the last few years I've developed Rhino skin. Several situations added layers to my hide. I actually prefer it this way and while some may call me callous and others think my expectations are too high, I refuse to set them lower. Been there, done that and it's wrong.
My feelings used to get hurt, now I tend to get mad. Sometimes, I let things fester (I know that's wrong) until I explode. Other times, I tell all my opinion straight up and right away.
I think I'm getting sidetracked. Sorry about that. I like tangents! Anyway, yesterday was a very bad day. I was in a funky ass mood all day, but I warned those that were close to me. What prompted my mood? Thinking about people close to me doing something that is completely wrong. Today, I woke up and decided I can't fix them, they are who they are. So I slapped on bright red matte lipstick and took my "new" self to work. The lipstick worked. My co-workers approved of the nicer me.
So, how do I deal with it? Whatever and Move On!
SIS Barb aka Elle j Rossi
Barb,
I don't consider you to be "hard" at all and anyone who knows you knows how very thoughtful and caring you are. I guess what I meant by your "whatever" attitude is simply that when something happens or is said that is wrong, you literally say "whatever" and seem to let it go. I love that about you. I know that you don't really let it go, but at least you seem to have some sort of handle on it. I respect that and hope to be able to achieve the same.
Sorry about your bad mood yesterday, but you're right. People are who they are and they'll do what they'll do and you can't change it. But perhaps you could nonchalantly give them suggestions on how to improve their "wrongness".
And red lipstick? I don't think I've ever seen you with red lipstick! Good for you!
SIS Bren
Oh yeah,
Bright, screaming red lipstick! Hmmm...nonchalantly? I'm not sure I'd even know how. Perhaps I should write a letter or send an email. Those always go over really well! Don't ya think?
This is a wonderful post and one that's got my wheels turning! Love it, Bren!
SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi
Elle,
Oh you're funny. If you do make a phone call, could you make it a 3-way call so I can listen in?
I sense that the festering has come to a head and you're about to explode! Let those wheels turn though and see if they help you reach a more subtle approach.
Bren
Barb/Elle... non-chalant? Ha!
Sorry. Couldn't help myself. :)
Lovin' the red lipstick. (wore the same shade today myself) Red Smackers unite!
SIS Beth
There is nothing like re-connecting with old friends!
As for me, I do my best to find silver linings even in clouds and to write down 5 things I'm grateful for as often as I can!
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