DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY!

By Shirley M. Carolan

Ever since I lost my website last summer I’ve not written any articles for my blogs.  I want to get beyond that disappointment and loss and start writing again on a regular basis.  So here goes.

As the new year approached I decided to make new year’s goals rather than resolutions which I’ve always found too easy to break.  I set three main categories to work on:  Health and Fitness, Writing projects, and, eliminating the Clutter in my life!  Each have daily and or weekly tasks assigned.  My mantra for this year is:  “Don’t Take It Personally!”

What I’m finding out is that my health still needs a lot of patience and work to get back to where I was last September.   It’s been hard for me to accept that my health plummeted so quickly,   making daily living a real challenge.   But now I’m off the oxygen 24/7 and it turned out not to be a blot clot on my lung.  For both I’m extremely grateful.  I’ve even rejoined my local senior center and am enjoying their “fitness room” and all the modern equipment they have.

Patience is also something I’m learning along with not taking anything personally.  I find my “schedule” needs to be adjusted because my energy runs low and I can’t do all the things I’ve planned for that day.  Rather than being disappointed or giving up my goals I thank God for what I am able to accomplish daily!  This way I’ve stopped beating up on myself and am accepting that I am doing the best I can with the resources I have.

Also, I’m learning that just getting rid of the clutter needs organization, an action plan.  It can’t be done just willy nilly.  It also helps to tackle one room at a time rather than a bit here and a bit there.  This goal is something that had to take a back seat in 2009 when I was in the hospital twice with pneumonia and on oxygen 24/7 as well as in hospital with pneumonia last year.  Again, patience is what I need to pursue even this goal.

Toastmasters has been a wonderful outlet for me. In fact, it’s a way of life to me.   I missed a lot time from it last year.   I’m happy to say I’m now back at it, mentoring new people, and winning either Best Table Topics or, Best Evaluator trophies and just participating to the fullest.

Good luck on your new goals!  I hope you have a mantra for this year too?

Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Writer ● Speaker ● Artist
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663

http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com
http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com

Copyright© 2014 by Shirley M. Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any part of this article simply contact Shirley Carolan at artistwithaflair@att.net. Thank you.