Chin Up

Today I woke up feeling really low.

Overwhelmed by my troubles and problems.

All I could think about was my debt, my (perceived) lack of success, my inadequacies and failings.

The sky was grey, the sun had stopped shining, it was cold.

All I could see was the bad stuff:  the grass needs cutting,

the fridge is empty, and I am alone again.

I put my head against the window and sighed, close to tears.

Does this sound familiar to anyone else?  Can we all relate to this?

Every human being goes through times like this.

However, the key words there, are: “Goes Through”.

Aim?  To Come Out The Other Side.

Now, I know all this in theory,

but can I  LIVE it  now I need it most?

I know that the secret with bad feelings, is to catch them as soon as possible, and Reverse them, flip them.

To halt the plummet downwards into depression, as soon as you notice it happening.

So I went to my most favourite place in the world, and sat in my front garden surrounded by Hedge.  Breeeeath in the morning,  breeeeath out my stress.

The first thing that happened, is three birds came to greet me. I said Hi, and they vanished again.  I felt very honoured!

Suddenly, the trees erupted in bird-song, in stereo, just for me!

Some on my right some in front, others farther away – the depth of the sound was stunning.  I felt like a conductor, sitting there beaming inanely at natures music around me  and waving my arms wildly at the trees!  I loved it.

(Sounds bonkers to you? It’s actually non of your business! This is my way OUT of my own depression. I will do whatever it takes to get my Chin Up, stick my chest out, pull my proverbial socks up).

As I relaxed more into the experience, I started noticing the colours all around me – how strongly beautiful the brown trunks were, how luscious the green of the leaves, the many shades of grass.

Finally, when my frame of mind was more attuned, I started thinking about the Truth.  Oh yes, there is the truth I started this writing with, but there is ANOTHER truth, that I choose to remind myself of and focus on.

I remembered, a most amazing Lady had written a newspaper article about me. I used this article to open up a new business direction and create new marketing material. This was Miracle No1 for the week.

Miracle No2 was meeting a man who will publicise me throughout all of Wrexham. I wrote him a song last night, he put it on the internet today! In two days time I will be presenting to a room full of businesses. Miracle No3 is, at the end of the week, I will be seeing my Best and Most Encouraging Friend, that’s a wonderful thing to look forward to.  All this and it’s only Wednesday!

So within the space of 30 mins, I had taken myself from the pits of despair, to the heights of joy and peace. The day hadn’t changed, the problems hadn’t gone. But my heart was lighter, and my spirit freer. In this state, surely I would attract more goodness into my life.

I did cry, but these were tears of joy and gratitude, partly because of the extreme victory I had just won, partly for the realisation  I was indeed a success, and wonderful things were happening to me.

The key to getting my Chin Up, was recognising these wonderful things, acknowledging them, remembering them, appreciating them, and choosing to rename a situation, and focus on the alternate Truth.

Just Be Nice

“Just Be Nice”, I keep begging my son.

Then I stopped to think, just what do I mean by ‘Nice?’.

Being ‘Nice’ to me, embodies/embraces/includes all the good, perfect and wholesome qualities us humans have available to us.

Qualities that truly make the world go round.

When I say “be nice”,

I mean consider the other person first, before yourself.

Nice means share.   Be generous.

Nice means respect the other person.   Trust them.

Nice means listen to the other person.  Hear them.

Nice means thank the other person.      Appreciate them.

Nice means value the other person.      Honour them.

Nice means serve the other person.      Reduce their stress.

Nice means give to the other person.

Nice means speak kindly to the other person.

Nice means smile at the other person.

Nice means help the other person.

Nice means forgive the other person.   Release them.

Nice means don’t criticise  or judge  the other person.

Nice means don’t draw attention to their mistakes.

Nice means cover for the other persons' faults

Nice means tidy up after yourself, at least. At best, after others too.

Nice means anticipate a need, and meet it.

Nice means be patient with the other person.  Be soft spoken.

Nice means be truthful to the other person.

And many more things, of course.

Can you imagine a world, or a nation, or a school, or a home, where we all treat each other like this?  It is my DREAM COME TRUE: To be surrounded by love and support and niceness like this.

This morning, I made 6 people smile before 10:30am.  It cost me nothing, brought me great satisfaction, and for all I know may have made their day.  My smile, my greeting and friendly words, may have been the only nice gesture some people receive all day.

I read an article about how to win the romantic affections of your partner. The list of things to do was huge!  But when I looked down them carefully, I realised the writer was simply exhorting us to be ‘Nice’,  as per the list above.

A person exhibiting the qualities above,

would certainly be irresistible to me!

Ultimately, I guess, “Be Nice” means Love each other,

Love with a capital L.

Hate

Hate – what a horrible word.

It is a word which I try to never use,

and it is a feeling I avoid at all costs.

It eats people up inside, and can produce numerous bodily problems.

Yet, there are some things which I do really hate.

So I’m going to do something unusual, and list some of the things

I hate.

I hate hearing people putting themselves down.

I hate it more, hearing someone putting someone else down.

(I absolutely LOVE IT when I hear people lifting themselves and other people up).

I hate violence in all it’s forms, be it domestic or national.

I think violence breeds violence.

(I absolutely LOVE it when a quiet answer turns away wrath. When a peacemaker smoothes over a situation wisely).

I hate Gossip.  I hate the spread of badness.

(I absolutely LOVE it when people check out the truth first-hand, and spread peace).

I hate Manipulation. I hate the tricking of people. I hate the notion of moving up, by stepping on people below.

(I absolutely LOVE it however, when people admit they are wrong. When they are transparent and truthful).

I hate Bullying.  I hate the notion of preying on those weaker and smaller, inflicting pain and sadness.

(However, I absolutely LOVE seeing people helping, supporting, encouraging and lifting each other up).

I hate many more things: Childishness in a grown up, immaturity, selfishness, a haughty arrogant spirit, greed, unsympathetic, insensitive. I carefully choose the types of people I spend time with.

My idea of heaven, is where people are mature Adults inside,

and the overriding, dominant attitude is LOVE,

which is my opposite of hate.

Love, acceptance, respect, patience, hope, joy etc… these are the attributes I want in my life