Bucket List vs. Living List

Thanks to the recent movie, BUCKET LIST, many people are now, more than ever, trying to scratch off their own dreams and wishes in life, before their individual time here on earth expires.

My own thoughts and methods in this regard are more in the line of: Why would an individual ever wait to experience the riches of life? One need not have an expensive or lengthy list to experience LIFE'S amazing gifts. We just need to slow down and recognize LIFE for the precious gift that it is all on its own. It's as simple to me as just appreciating the small things each day, which we so often overlook because we are too busy or we yearn for something greater and grander. Actually, actively "living," each day to its fullest, is pretty amazing all on its own! The sun as it is setting in the western sky on a glorious evening, the extra hour of sleep curled up next to the one we love on our day off, a walk in God's glorious kingdom be it the mountains, deserts, or waters can be enjoyed by all. Even city streets have a magic if you choose to look for it.

These simple things are there for the taking, yet how many of us really make an effort to recognize them for what they are? So, here's what I'm suggesting:

Each day this week, write down at least one thing you did that day that you normally would have taken for granted. At the end of the week, you have a wonderful LIVING LIST. Maybe, this is better than a "bucket list!" Try it; what is there to lose?

Life is good. Sue

Procrastination Stinks!

It's difficult to even think of one time, when procrastination has been beneficial in almost any context. Honestly, I have been thinking on this intently for quite awhile. Does putting something off, regarding health, ever work out? Does carrying those extra twenty pounds, smoking for several additional years, or ignoring that small lump or skin discoloration...really get better over time? How about things in our personal life? Does it make sense to "wait" before intervening in our children's bad behavior? If one waits long enough to discipline a child when they are young...they are neither able to understand rules later on nor able to grasp that bad decision making has negative consequences...when they are teens. Or, if we are aware that our "significant" other is being unfaithful or is struggling in some other moral area...does it miraculously go away because we pretend we don't see it or know of its existence? No. Similarly, has it ever worked to our advantage when we are unhappy in a situation be it at home, school, or on the job...and have not spoken up, that it has actually turned around all on its own in our favor? When does that happen? As annoying as those cliches and phrases are, you know: "The early bird catches the worm," "Don't put off until tomorrow, what you could be doing, today," etc. etc. they are so true. They particularly apply to the negative things, I think.
So...here's to speaking up and making changes, accepting personal responsibility for actions either given or received that need to be altered, and beginning, at least, to make changes in all the negatives in our lives. Sue

Nature vs. Nurture

In both directions of inheritance good traits/habits vs. bad traits/habits, it is easy to believe we are going to be just like our parents! Afterall, both sets of genes have entered our bodies, so it seems logical. That's where Humans are superior to other mammals. That's pretty cool. Although we might physically resemble one parent or another, our lives are ours alone and we have the ability to make of them what we choose. If we don't like a trait that was genetically "given" to us, and the list is very lengthy, we have the abilities not to become that ourselves. NO, IT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY, BUT IT'S POSSIBLE. We alone are the "nurturer" of our existence. If our parents abuse controlled substances in any fashion, we do not have to follow suit. If they always over-eat and never exercise, we can set the new norm for the family by eating healthy and exercising daily. If we were constantly put down and verbally abused as children...it is important that it stop with us. We do not do it with our own children! How liberating and healing it is to realize our life is more of our own choices and very little of genetics. However, all people have good characteristics... even the ones who struggle with their own positive choices. Find those good characteristics within yourself, that you inherited from those "genes" and nurture them. The negative gene characteristics... we all need to let them go. sue

Leaving the Comfort Zone

Not too long ago I wrote about "Integrity" one of my own personal choices in life. Although I take a great deal of "heat" in doing so sometimes...I make the choice of handling issues in my life with Integrity: you know, making the right choice in spite of the outcome. That involves telling the truth. Sometimes, these "truths" are said to others... even when they might not be welcome at the time. When one chooses not to address a wrong, especially if it affects others negatively, to me that's prideful. It's the easy way out and it's the path of least resistance. I believe it translates that you care for your own well-being more than the well-being of others. That, to me, lacks integrity. With this choice, we are more concerned with being "liked" than trying to right a wrong that is clearly evident and hurtful to others. True, when we make the attempt to correct a wrong...we usually ruffle some feathers. We have to actively step out of our own comfort zone and approach someone who has been safely "existing" (perhaps not even living) in his/her comfort zone. It's difficult to address someone about his/her negative choices in life that affects others. But it can be done. It's called LOVE. sue
Posted by sue at 9:05 AM