Twenty-one weeks, how long it's been since my last haircut. It's no wonder I was a woolly booger. Grace and Kevin are two of my favorite people. I knew Kevin before I met Grace, he was a colleague at UPS. Kevin makes me laugh, he's smart as heck, and funny. Grace makes me feel beautiful, while using her degree in psychology to help me think intelligently. We laugh. And sometimes we weep.
Approaching the end of tumultuous year from hell, I reflect.
One year ago this past week, I graduated this from PT, rocking and rolling. Flexibility was slowly making a return appearance to my stiff body. In the mean time, my knee felt better than it had in a months. I couldn't tell I'd had surgery, except for not being able to make numerous rounds performing lunges, jumping was a no-no for a bit, and I was slow, going down stairs. But I tell ya what, my form was/is better than ever, ninety degrees baby, really pretty. Good people, solid rehab, brought me back stronger and better than ever. What a difference a year makes.
An avulsed meniscus taught me valuable life lessons, so many lessons. The most important? Put one foot in front of the other and repeat, over and over and over. Never quit. Is it fun when our world is seemingly falling apart, or our body doesn't cooperate? No, hard no. We re-set, re-adust, re-start, re-focus, as many times as needed. We breathe. I forget to deep-diaphragm breathe often. Breathing properly makes a huge difference, especially with anxiety. During hard times, I learn, a lot. You will too, if you relax and give in to whatever is being taught. (Big words, coming from me. I'm giving myself a pep-talk.)
The small differences, consistencies, we make each day, change our lives. Do you want substantial gains, rewards, and achievements? Make incremental, consistently implemented changes. It's the one step at a time theory, and empirical evidence proves guaranteed success. I promise.
I remember my aunt teaching me that anytime she passes judgement on others, it only serves to make her look like an ass. Truer words were never spoken. I've watched myself, and others. The ass to intelligence ratio when passing judgement is 100:1, I'm pretty sure. Ten Commandments maybe? There for a reason?
Judgement passed in work circles and politics, are very often without basis in fact. Her clothes are wrong, her hair is too long, too short, her butt is too big, or flat or non-existent, these have nothing to do with one's ability. He's bald, short, too tall, a little chunky, these are not indicative of intelligence. You can't do that, it won't work...can't, won't, don't. Here's what I want to hear: what I can do. I'll give everything when plans are implemented, direction given, feedback provided. Success is guaranteed with strong, consistent, clear, leadership. We need this now more than ever. Lead. Maybe you, like I, do not consider yourself leadership material. Just maybe leading by example is a solid leadership concept. Rather than blah blah blah, just do it, live it. I'm not big on unspoken bull-stuff. People are smart and catch unspoken subtleties often-time quicker than spoken double-talk. Don't insult anyone with passive-aggressive nonsense. Spare them. And me. Say it.
This is what I've learned, again and again.
Let's see...what else...love hard, never, ever, give up on love, your neighbor, yourself, your God. People recognize a loving, giving, heart. And God never, ever, gives up on us. Hallelujah.
This week I was gifted latte, at work, again. This simple act of kindness warmed my heart, and the giver knows this, as I told them.
The more simply I live my life, the more I see goodness and beauty around me and my little family of critters. We are abundantly blessed. I open my eyes, the scales fall, and I see clearly.
Thank you God.
God bless each of you that read this.
Stick together, do not let anyone pull us apart. We are a team, differences and all.
P.S. I work with Git 'er Done Jules tomorrow! We are crazy, straightforward, irreverent, and fun. The Jersey girl has a heart as big as Texas. I pray for an exceptional day for both of us.
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