Life is kind of crazy these days. With everything happening around the world and even locally, it has been affecting a lot of people in many different ways. Some of us can be sensitive to it and some desensitized. I feel like that no matter what we all feel a lot of it has to do with our perspective on life. Kind of like cup half full or half empty outlook. Perspective, I feel is also a personal journey. Some will just go off of how they were raised and use others views or will dig deep inside and decide how they want to feel and look at things.

I have had many times in my life where I had to stop and really think about how I feel about things. I, like many of us can get stuck in a dark cycle and loose time and spend wasted energy on things out of my control. I am a firm believer that if you can change your thoughts you can change your life. But I am also one who still struggles with it. Sometimes it feels like I have the weight of the world on me and it is hard to breathe at times.

I have always felt like I have been sensitive to people, feelings, situations, and surrounds. As an adult I feel it even more. I am way more aware of peoples energy, my surroundings and how it makes me feel. Understanding that everyone is and lives differently has really helped me be more kind and open. I have always felt different and being able to use and give that as a safe space for people around me and in the world is a better usage than casting judgment and excluding people that are different.

Being a lesbian, having a child from a same sex relationship, and believing there is something bigger than us out there, puts me in a place where I have no right to judge and don’t want to because I would like that same respect. The way I live my life really does not affect you. Who I love and how I love them is not only not your business, but also does not affect your life, and if you feel it does, you need to ask yourself why. I was not put on this Earth to judge people for how they live no matter the circumstances. If in danger, to help. If in need of support, show it. If in need of love and encouragement, give it. If needing an ear, lend it. And if in need of safety, provide it.

A few years ago I got a tattoo of the word perspective on my right arm by my wrist with a heart. The word is spelt with the letters all different ways. The meaning of this tattoo is very special to me. It reminds me daily when I am shaking peoples hands to always approach with love and understand that we all have different views on life and that is ok. having that there helps me daily sometimes in my field of work or when I am out and about meeting new people. If I am being honest it has been helping me even with the people in and around my life. I am human and catch myself starting to be like yeah but, and when I do I finish it with well there are so many ways to see things and handle situations.

I want people, when around me, to feel loved, supported, fun, caring, interest in them, and understood even if I might not know how to. I will educate myself in them and the things they are going through or are in to. I don’t have to understand, like certain things, or have the same perspective, but I will respect you and follow whatever direction that might go. I just want to be a good person and good to people. I don’t and won’t pick and choose who I am good to, but there will be instances where I might not mesh with people and well that’s ok, I will still be kind and respectfully remove myself from them.

I will and want to always be growing and learning to better myself for me and the people I love and encounter throughout my life. I want to lift or help keep level, never put down or make someone feel less than. I will always do my best to choose my words with love and concern. I want to always show up the best way I can. I am constantly working on myself to understand why I think and feel the way I do sometimes. I will say the hardest thing is showing myself as much grace and patience as show others.

I hope we can all remember, or at least remind ourselves we all have different stories, and have had different journeys through our life. We aren’t and will never all be the same but we can all proceed through life trying to be caring and understanding to those around us. ❤ Perspective

Every year I don’t do New Year resolutions, I pick a word for the year to set my intentions in all the aspects of my life. Last year my word was Connection. As I went through the year and when it ended, I looked back and reflected on how and if I followed through with my word. I am happy to say I did.

My focus was building Connections with my clients, myself, my friends, and my family. There was a lot of good success in doing this, but there was also some that were lost or distanced. This last year changed in a deep way with the way I look at things and if I am honest, people. It was a heavy year politically, and it really made me look at a lot of people differently and a lot of them are or were in my close circle.

I am not someone that is political, and with that I don’t speak my opinion very often, but I would if I felt I needed too. I chose to sit back and just observe and it challenged my connection with many. So, with that I took my word and used it in the areas that would help me grow and not make me feel so little. These times are heavy and loud. It has made me sad to see some of the posts, comments, remarks, and support things that are close to me. Let me also clarify that we don’t have to have the same views, but I won’t accept intentional disrespect or hypocrisy.

Moving on to this year’s word, which is Intentional. I created my new board, again focusing on all of the areas of my life that I can practice it. Moving through life intentionally will help me think before I speak and react, strategically plan out and prepare my thoughts in work, relationships, and do what might be best for my certain situations. This will also allow me to protect my peace when going through life’s challenges.

I have always tried to move through life leading with love and thoughtfulness. I am not sure if I am successful all the time, but I really do try. Assigning myself a word for the year has helped me slow down my reactions and identify my feelings. Doing this also helps with my self growth which I am always working on. Not everyone will understand it, and that’s ok, the way I move through my life is not for them to understand.

I am hoping that setting myself up for success in my thoughts and intentions I will be able to achieve my goals. I am hoping to stay motivated and focused, but allowing myself a little grace when it comes to my reactions. I am only human and trying to be the best I can in a world of absolute chaos.