What I have learned from life so far......

Posted by covidstinks2023 @covidstinks2023, May 18, 2023

1) Everybody needs encouragement whether today or tomorrow. Be an encourager.
2) Hurting people, hurt people. Read it again slowly.
3) The ones that are the hardest to love, need it the most.
4) Chronic illness has changed me to empathize and be more compassionate towards others that are suffering.
5) 99.9% of the things in life I have worried about....never happened!
6) Nobody comes to a pity party except me!
7) Soft answers turn away wrath in others that are angry towards you.
8) If you have food on your table, a roof over your head, a little pocket change, family or friends that love you, you are more blessed than most.
9) Having an animal is wonderful therapy.
10) Bitterness in your heart does nothing to solve anything. It only makes you depressed. Forgiveness releases it all!
11) Marriage is made up of a lot of "I love yous" and "I'm sorry".
12) Children often teach us more than we teach them.
13) Doing something secretly for someone else will make your day!
14) Seek out someone everyday to be a blessing too.
15) Laughter truly is the best medicine. A good belly laugh is wonderful.
16) This world has changed so much. Be the loving and better person to combat the tension.
17) Being offended about everything is a problem with yourself...not others.
18) Music is such a blessing and so calming.
19) Be silly sometimes, no matter how old you are. Kids love it!
20) Compliment your family about something every day.
21) Don't sweat the small stuff....most of the things we fret the most over really is small stuff.
22) Don't watch too much news. Most of it is negative and can make you depressed if you have a steady diet of it.
23) Journal....Your family will enjoy those journals when you leave this earth.
24) Don't take yourself too seriously.
25) Everybody is not going to love and like you.
26) Put your cell phone down when you have company.
27) Always be kind to people and keep short accounts with others. You never know as it may be the last time you will see them.
28) Be your own beautiful self. There is nobody else just like you.
29) There are a lot of lonely people in this world. Reach out to them.
30) Blow your diet once in a while. Have that doughnut or that cake. It will taste wonderful!
31) Life is 10% of what happens to me....90% is my attitude towards it.
32) Bring out that candle for dinner and the good china. Why do we only use the good china for special occasions?
33) Many days are just plain hard. There is still something in it big or small to be grateful for.
34) Nobody likes a know it all. We don't have to comment on everything. Listen more and talk less.
All of you have a blessed day!

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@captboat

One thing I have learned:
GIVE FLOWERS TO THE LIVING!

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Amen!

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@sisyphus

Well you seem infinitely more lucky than me...no sons, daughters, siblings, friends, neighbors who are "supportive."
Yet, I suppose when life was doled out to me, some eight decades ago, the universe did not Promise me anything except some basic faculties that would help me carve out something that looks like "life."
Nietzsche has said, 'we die at the right time.' Really, those who die at three. thirty, or ninety three, are all rightful deaths?

I'm still grappling with this notion, Maybe life must NOT be measured in clock-time. Maybe there is another unit-of-life...one that is outside the confines of earth's rotations and revolutions. I seem to like this idea of 'good life'...in life-lengths would not seem 'just.'

Did you notice that when you are engaged doing what is 'enjoyable' you seem to lose sense of time? It's like a time-outside-time?

As long I'm independent, I can 'control' most things such as food, exertion, stress, But I'm utterly lost HOW would I go when I'm not independent. Even the death-cafes don't get into it, only into formalities of dying. I have not come across any info on the internet either. Does anyone know?

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It sounds to me, you have not recognized your purpose yet? But keep living and loving everybody and you will see. BTW the devil has more advocates than he deserves...try the “light” side!

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" Chronic illness has changed me to empathize and be more compassionate towards others that are suffering." This one really resonated with me. When I was in the throws of a major health crisis with much suffering, I would say to myself, "If my suffering can take away the suffering of another, it is all worth it." That really helped me get through the experience. Somehow (don't ask how) I was able to turn this otherwise challenging experience around. Instead of asking "why me?" I, instead, asked "why not me?" It isn't what happens to you in life, it is how you handle it. Don't get me wrong, I am no angel, but looking back on this experience, I feel I was touched by grace.

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@equanimous

" Chronic illness has changed me to empathize and be more compassionate towards others that are suffering." This one really resonated with me. When I was in the throws of a major health crisis with much suffering, I would say to myself, "If my suffering can take away the suffering of another, it is all worth it." That really helped me get through the experience. Somehow (don't ask how) I was able to turn this otherwise challenging experience around. Instead of asking "why me?" I, instead, asked "why not me?" It isn't what happens to you in life, it is how you handle it. Don't get me wrong, I am no angel, but looking back on this experience, I feel I was touched by grace.

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How precious Arlo! Thank you for these wise, sweet & kind words. I believe you were touched by grace as well. God Bless you. Hugs & Blessings....

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@thisismarilynb

I am going to be the devil's advocate. What I have learned so far is that most of the time life stinks. Sorry, but that's the way it is. While everything you say has worth and value, it doesn't always go that way. I am nearing the end of my life. (I think) I am now alone as my husband of 59 years died. Of two sons, only one is supportive. My outlook is bleak and I will not be sorry to go.

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Hi there @thisismarilynb, I’m so sorry for your loss and for everything you’re going through. I wish I could say something to make it better; anyway, I’ll keep you in my prayers. < 3 I’ve been reading about your journey with losing your husband and I’m impressed by your courage and resilience. I agree that a lot of the time life does stink and lately I’ve been feeling frustrated and depressed. But I like to think that it’s the smiles and love that we give each other when our hearts just really are NOT in it that are most powerful and most cherished by God. Anyone can smile when all is right with the world, but it takes courage for you to give that because you’re hurting. It’s a special role you've been given.
Hugs,
geekygirl9

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@geekygirl9

Hi there @thisismarilynb, I’m so sorry for your loss and for everything you’re going through. I wish I could say something to make it better; anyway, I’ll keep you in my prayers. < 3 I’ve been reading about your journey with losing your husband and I’m impressed by your courage and resilience. I agree that a lot of the time life does stink and lately I’ve been feeling frustrated and depressed. But I like to think that it’s the smiles and love that we give each other when our hearts just really are NOT in it that are most powerful and most cherished by God. Anyone can smile when all is right with the world, but it takes courage for you to give that because you’re hurting. It’s a special role you've been given.
Hugs,
geekygirl9

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Only two words needed - Thank you.

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What I have learned is “don't rehearse the hurt.”

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Here is another long one I came across in facebook. I found it to be quite wonderful and wise. It was prefaced with this note: "I asked a friend who has crossed 70 and is heading towards 80 what sort of changes she is feeling in herself."

1 After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started loving myself.
2 I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.
3 I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.
4 I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am.
5 I stopped telling the elderly that they've already narrated that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane & relive their past.
6 I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.
7 I give compliments freely and generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say "Thank You.”
8 I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.
9 I walk away from people who don't value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.
10 I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat and neither am I in any race.
11 I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.
12 I have learned that it's better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas, with relationships, I will never be alone.
13 I have learned to live each day as if it's the last. After all, it might be the last.
14 I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!

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In a world where you can be anything, be kind.

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@californiazebra

I also printed our your list as a great daily reminder! As one person is indicating above, be kind to yourself as well. I heard something cute before that fits with that.

Talk to yourself like you would your dog. What a good girl!!! Do you want a treat? You're so chubby and cute! Want to go to the park? I love you!

Be sure to use that sweet voice we all use when talking to animals. Sometimes when I' talking to the squirrels, I think, "Wouldn't it be amazing if we all talked to each other in this sweet tone?" 🙂

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Made me smile…and I sure needed to smile right now…thanks!

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