Thoughts

Today’s Thought:

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Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind thoughts are the roots, Kind words are the flowers, Kind deeds are the fruits, Take care of your garden And keep out the weeds, Fill it with sunshine, Kind words, and Kind deeds. ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

NOTE: Kindness – Kind acts and kind words are humble, transforming, free, and transferrable. They’re usually not headline worthy. They don’t scream and shout for attention. They turn the darkness into sunshine. I’ve been the recipient of many kindnesses in my life. Each kindness reminds me there are many more good people in this world than the nasty kind. Each kindness touches me in such a way that I want to share the joy the kindness brought by paying it forward. Each kindness reminds me life is worth living.

Today’s Inspiring Quote: It’s a Matter of Perspective

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We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses. ~ Abraham Lincoln

The Day to Free Yourself from Grieving

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Welcome to Episode 75 of ‘Journey from Grief to Healing‘ with Dr. Ray Calabrese. In this enlightening episode, Dr. Ray discusses the profound emotion and process of grieving that we all go through, emphasizing the idea that there will come a day when we must declare ourselves free from it.

Each person’s grieving timetable is unique and unpredictable, with no set calendar time signaling the end of grief. Sometimes, the grieving process can be lengthy, extending from formal cultural ceremonies to the informal grieving that remains with us when we are left alone.

As we navigate the multifaceted emotions of anger, guilt, sadness, fear, depression, and confusion during our grieving period, we also embark on a journey of self-discovery. Among the hard lessons we learn about life and ourselves, an enlightening realization of our resilience emerges.

At some point, our internal messenger will indicate when it’s time to move on, transitioning us into a stage of acceptance and inner freedom. And while this does not imply that the pain dissolves, it symbolizes our decision to live and experience life, despite the hurt. It is the conscious decision to step away from the grasp of grief, hold onto hope, and embrace the promise of a better tomorrow.

This episode draws upon references from F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, among others, to underscore the transformative power of embracing change and resilience. The story of an older couple dealing with the loss of a partner further illustrates the societal misconceptions concerning grieving that can hinder personal healing.

Dr. Ray encourages listeners to stay strong, resilient, and hopeful for brighter days. The journey of healing is not linear or prescribed; it is deeply personal. Nonetheless, the power to break free from the constraints of grieving and embrace life with renewed vigor ultimately lies within us.

Explore more episodes of ‘Journey from Grief to Healing’ and follow Dr. Ray’s inspirational blog at http://www.dancingalone530.com. 

You can listen to Episode 75 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 75.

Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button to receive notifications of future episodes

Today’s Thought: A Smile is All it Takes

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Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. ~ Mother Teresa

NOTE: I go for a walk each evening after I finish my dinner, clear the table, clean up the mess I’ve made, and turn on the dish washer. It’s a gratitude walk. I give thanks for each of things I am grateful for that I witnessed during my day while I walk. I can’t help but smile as my list grows. I’ll see other people walking, I give them a smile and a “Have a great evening” greeting. Most don’t have a smile when I see them, but when I give them my smile and greeting, they smile and return a greeting. For a brief moment, they let their troubles go. For a brief moment, their world is a bit kinder. It’s easy to do, all one has to do is give a smile and a greeting to bring a bit of sunshine into someone else’s life.

Today’s Thought: Release Your Fears

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Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like to see you living in better conditions. ~ Hafez

NOTE: I read the news online. I avoid cable talk and news shows. They have one thing in common, they all use one ingredient, fear. They advocate for their position by showing why I should be fearful of the opposing position. There’s no effort to discover middle ground or to sort out the truth from fiction. I recently saw a late night host do a bit on billionaires who are building survivalist bunkers. What are they afraid of? One billionaire even created a fiery moat around his bunker. Fear has gripped them tighter than a boa constrictor wrapping itself around its prey. Fear parallelizes. Fear places a wall in front of freedom. Fear restricts creative thinking. Fear holds us prisoner inside a cell and leaves the cell door unlocked knowing we will be too fearful to let go of our fears to open the door and walk away. What fears are you holding on to? What fears do you have that are irrational? How would you feel if you could let go of your fears and start living?

Get Healthy: Check the Anger at the Door, It’s Unhealthy

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Holding on to anger can have a range of debilitating effects on both your physical and mental health, as well as on your relationships and overall quality of life. Here are some of the key impacts:

  1. Physical Health: Persistent anger can trigger a range of physical health issues. It activates the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response, leading to an increase in stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This can elevate blood pressure, increase the risk of heart disease, weaken the immune system, and contribute to inflammation, among other health issues.
  2. Mental Health: Anger can also take a toll on your mental health. It is associated with an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Persistent anger can lead to an overall negative outlook on life, diminish one’s ability to enjoy life, and can even affect cognitive functions like memory and decision-making.
  3. Relationships: Anger can severely strain relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. It can lead to aggressive behavior, arguments, and a breakdown in communication, eroding trust and making it difficult to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
  4. Quality of Life: Being in a constant state of anger can prevent individuals from experiencing happiness and satisfaction in life. It can overshadow positive emotions, making it hard to appreciate good moments and achievements. This can lead to a cycle of negativity and dissatisfaction.
  5. Behavioral Issues: Anger can lead to harmful behaviors, including substance abuse as a coping mechanism, aggression, and even violence. These behaviors can have legal, social, and personal consequences.
  6. Work and Academic Performance: Anger can affect concentration, motivation, and the ability to work or study effectively. It may lead to conflicts in the workplace or academic settings, negatively impacting performance and opportunities.

Understanding and managing anger through healthy outlets and techniques, such as mindfulness, exercise, therapy, and communication skills, can help mitigate these debilitating effects. Strategies like Appreciative Inquiry, focusing on the positive and potential in people and situations, can also be a powerful tool in transforming anger into constructive and positive outcomes.

Source: ChatGPT

Shut the Door on Yesterday ~ A Poem by Agnes Martin

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Shut the Door on Yesterday

Agnes Martin

I’ve shut the door on yesterday,
It sorrows and mistakes;
I’ve locked within its gloomy walls
Past failures and heartaches

And now I throw the key away
To seek another room
And furnish it with hope and smiles,
And every springtime bloom.

No thought shall enter this abode
That has a hint of pain,
And every malice and distrust
Shall never therein reign.

I’ve shut the door on yesterday
And thrown the key away—
Tomorrow holds no doubt for me,
Since I have found today.

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Today’s Inspiring Quote: Think Great Thoughts

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“Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think.” –Benjamin Disraeli

Getting Set ~ A Poem by Grantland Rice

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Getting Set

Grantland Rice

WHEN morning brings the end of sleep
I say, “This is my toughest day
I’ll find the shadows dark and deep,
With raw Fate on the right of way
So when Misfortune stops and hails
I do not meet him with a curse ;
I’m propped against the roughest gales,
Since I had figured something worse,

I underwrite the loudest crash
That may befall the erring soul,
And if by chance things go to smash,
I’ve been in training for the role.
But if my path escapes the muck
And I come on a kinder fate,
Or get an even break in luck
I say, “What, ho i But this is great !”

It’s all in how the mind is set,
And so it’s well enough to know
Most days are rainy, dark and wet
Or wind-swept, with a hint of snow;
And if by chance the sun breaks through
To dance among the fading vines
From just one narrow slit of blue,
It’s all the brighter when it shines.

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Today’s Thought: Turn Your Attention from the Past

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Don’t stumble over something behind you. ~ Seneca the Younger

NOTE: Dwelling on past hurts gets one nowhere. Dwelling on what used to be gets one nowhere. Dwelling on what could have been is another time waster. Time spent dwelling on the past detracts from living and enjoying the present moment. When we adhere to the myth, “It’s the way we’ve always done it,” we’re adhering to the past, refusing to consider newer and more effective options. Don’t get hung up on the past. It’s over. Life is lived now. Do what is important today so tomorrow will be even better than today.

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