Enough is Enough
A friend, who is one of the least negative people I know, came over for breakfast. I’ve seen her feeling worried and upset but not like this. The small garden she had planted on the edge of a neighbor’s yard because it gets more sun than her own was being trampled on by kids and dogs who liked to play on a tree stump nearby. She was more negative than I had seen someone be in a while. She had spoken to the kids in her sweet, I –hate—to- bother- you-voice- but- would- you- please…. and they ignored her. She ranted and raved while we ate breakfast then said she was giving up. I asked her if she could talk to the neighbors, put up a small fence, a sign. I offered her my teacher voice. No, she was giving up. It wasn’t worth it. She said that she had talked to them, she showed them the trampled plants and they still did it, what could she do? She didn’t want to cause trouble in the neighborhood, she was letting it go.
Don’t get me wrong, there is wisdom in knowing when to hold them, when to fold them and when to walk away. There is also wisdom in knowing when and how to set appropriate limits with people, for their sake as well as our own. You are not doing anyone a favor by letting them treat you disrespectfully. All the complaining and disagreeable comments and labels don’t suddenly give people sense and respect and it doesn’t change your own feelings. That’s what I’ve learned about negativity, it doesn’t change anything, and it never makes you feel anything but worse. Negativity does nothing, it’s useless. Wisdom, on the other hand…
Wisdom can steer a path to your heart when it isn’t littered with the debris and detritus created by negativity. Wisdom will show the way to be fierce and passionate without needlessly destroying relationships and other people. Wisdom will reveal the action to take when we or something or someone we care about is being betrayed or exploited and it will be free of hostility, malice, and rancor.
Today I am praying for wisdom for myself and my friend, for all of us. We are in desperate need of fierce compassion coupled with strong action born of wisdom. My friend reached the point where enough was enough. Many of us have reached the point where we are saying, “Enough is enough!” and listening for the voice of Wisdom to lead us to action.
May we hear, with an open heart and willing spirit, the voice of wisdom on this, the most glorious day of creation. Amen
i use a combo of shea butter and aloe vera moisturizer. Works great. I use shea butter on my lips, around my eyes and nose (dry areas), My father swears by vasoline.
p.s. I dropped your name on Gina's post, Barb. ;)
Amen
I use the Kenny Roger’s Gambler song as a mantra, too. I’ve come to the realization that sometimes you just have to stand for something and speak up. I pray for the words. I listen to my intuition. I question if it is my ego that wants to talk or something that I really need to speak up about. Sometimes people who get older think it is their right to say whatever they think or feel, regardless of how it will come across. I pray that I’ll never get that way.
I do exactly th same things for the same reason. I am finding that not having negativity in my heart and mind makes it easier to do that. BTW, this is actually day 45 and that means I have completed half my challenge!
You go girl! Happiness is a choice we make.