Friday, March 1, 2013

Miscellaneous thoughts (Part 3)

~ Things are never really as bad as they seem. When something seemingly stressful or bad happens, it's normal to immediately go into survival or "woe is me" mode. But here's what you need to remember in times like these: You will live, the feelings will pass, some blessings are in disguise, and feeling strongly about something doesn't make you pathetic or weak.

~ You will adapt to change. It may take a few days. It may take a few weeks. It may take a few months. But you will adapt. Give yourself the time to do that.

~ I saw a quote on Pinterest last week (I see a lot of great quotes on Pinterest) that said, "Opportunity is missed by people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." I would like to confess that for a huge majority of my life, I expected that real opportunities were the ones that magically fell into your lap like a giant cosmic sign from the universe---no hard work, no resistance. Just magical blessings to be called "fate" or "destiny." But as I grow up, I'm starting to realize that opportunities aren't always going to fall into your lap, and they aren't always going to be magical---at least not at first. You have to do the work. You have to show up every day. You have to keep working at something and believing in something even when it seems so hard and so overwhelming that you want to crawl under a table. It won't seem hard and overwhelming forever. Someday it will all pay off. Someday it will all make sense. But as long as opportunities aren't coming to you, you have to go to them.

~ It's okay to be yourself. I know that sounds horribly overused and meaningless at this point, but really think about what it means for a second. In what areas of your life are you thinking, "I should want, do, or be _____."? Maybe you think you should want a car. Maybe you think you should do yoga. Maybe you think you should be more outgoing or social. If you don't want a car, don't get a car. If you hate yoga, don't do yoga. If you're quiet and solitary, don't pretend to be outgoing and social. BE YOU.

~ You are not the thoughts your mind makes up. Your mind can be extremely convincing. You should really stop listening to it. Some people say to follow your heart, but take your head with you. While I agree with that to a meager extent, I really don't like listening to my head sometimes. I think I should leave it behind more often and just follow my heart instead.

~ People care about/notice way less than you think they do. Just because you constantly amplify your own flaws doesn't mean that everybody else is doing it too.

~ Power naps are great. Giving yourself permission to take breaks is also great.

~ Don't give up before you've even started.

~ Never make a final decision about something on the same day the idea is planted in your mind. Always sleep on it for a night or two. If you still can't push the idea out of your mind, then you can make a decision. We live in a society where the concept of diving off a cliff without prior contemplation is way too glamorized. And the concept of reflection is way too underrated. So reflect before you dive.

~ Don't forget to love people.

<3 Madison

p.s. Happy March!!! :-)      

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