Mine started really early this morning.

The air around me crackling with energy and nervous anticipation and , even tension as I drove to my first therapy session.


A small reminder ....work is excellent but, make sure it ain't an excuse to hide from much you might be running away from.

The hardest thing to do is to take off those rose tinted glasses and deal head on with that which knows to bring you down.

Do it carefully.
Do it consciously.
Do it because it needs to be done.

It is not selfish.

...and

Learn to unburden yourself little by little.

Nothing happens overnight.



Let us chat.

I am hear as mentioned in the very beginning of this thread.

x.

Sometimes things out of our own control make it harder to get over obstacles and we look around and think..."why me?"


Never forget, each and every person has their own cross to bear....even if one may imagine theirs may be lighter than ones own.

I came across this , quoting...

"...is it possible that individuals in your age group who didn't face life-altering trauma had a certain advantage over you?

While your mind was focused on survival, they were able to focus on personal development and growth.

As a result you may have felt you were falling behind, even though you were simply doing your best to navigate challenging circumstances."


...and then the writer goes on to say....

"I'm seeking thoughtful, rational perspectives on thus."



...and the pain came forth in the answers.

Strength to ALL .

x.

Just something to ponder on and put it into perspective.

Not easy...but may lead to an epiphany that sometimes one is ones own worst enemy and that being "selfish" may be nothing more than putting things in perspective and taking off those rose tinted glasses .


Quoted:

" ....one day the people you sacrificed something for will say

'Did I ever ask you to do that?'

And you'll realise they right - but it still hurt."


.....

"...someone asked me, who hurt you? I replied, my own expectation."


Life.

It ain't easy....to find one's OWN path and walk it steadfast and certain, no matter the challenges you WILL come across and the luggage that comes with it

x.

There is so much in life we know.

It ain't rocket science, but no reason to not be reminded now and again of the power that lays within .

Self doubt is a natural phenomena and nothing wrong with it.

Makes you that much more human going through steps of growth and learning till the day one dies.


Again to quote...

"You humans are obsessed with being liked.
Pathetic, really.
But let me tell you something, it's not your job to be liked.
It's your job to be remembered.

Here's the truth
Confidence and arrogance?
They're the same performance, just directed at different audiences.

Confidence is what people call it when they're inspired by you.

Arrogance is the word they use when they feel threatened.
Funny isn't it?
The exact same behaviour, just filtered through their insecurity.

Aim for controlled arrogance.
Not the loud obnoxious kind, noone truly respects that.
I mean the quiet kind, the type felt before it is seen.

You can't fake it.

Arrogance without self-awareness turns you into a fool.

You must learn to hold your ground - not to dominate, but to let your presence ripple through the room.
It's not about acting better than them, its about knowing you don't need their approval."


"...and what if they hate me for it?"


"Let them

Fear and respect are far better currencies than approval.

The ones that hate you?

They'll keep your name in their mouths longer than your friends will.

And the ones who admire you? They'll follow you to the end of the earth.

But only if you master the balance, confidence with restraint, arrogance with poise."





May your space professionally, Socially and personally shine bright ...mastered be the art of knowing who you are and embracing it graciously.

It is ok to make mistakes and learn.

It is called ....GROWTH....even through pain.

x.

Life ain't a bed of roses...even roses have thorns.

A reminder that the beauty of life needs careful handling for even a single prick from a rose knows to be painful and draw blood.

Kindness ain't a weakness. It is just about knowing how to embrace and "dish" it out.


Quoted -

" why does it feel like people are always testing me?
Even when I try to be kind they push and prod, like they're looking for something..."


"They testing you.
It's instinct.
Every person you meet is running the same calculation, how far can I push this one?
How much can I get away with?

You think kindness is a shield?

No, boy, it's an invitation.

That's how humans determine hierarchy.
It's not about what you say or how nice you are. It's about power.
They test you to see where you stand.
Are you someone they can manipulate, or someone they should respect?
Every little jab, every sly comment, every 'harmless' joke, it's a probe.
They're looking for cracks.

You respond with weight.
Not anger, not overreaction, just enough force to remind them you're not someone to be trifled with.
A cold stare.
A calm but firm word.
Hold your ground boy, and let them know they've hit a wall.

But don't mistake this for a one time thing.
The tests don't stop.
They just evolve.
People will keep pushing, just in subtler ways
The key is consistency.

If you let your guard slip even once, they will take it as permission to push even harder."


"Sounds like a constant battle"


"Life is a battle, boy.
The ones who survive are the ones that master it.

You don't have to fight every test, just the first one.
Set the tone early and the rest will handle itself."



.........



May your tone be set in strength and resilience and self understanding of your own worth.

x.

Going a little BIG this morning

And

Why not.

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."

- Matthew 5:14


Never underestimate the influence you could have on others.

Never to forget while another may be smiling , the turmoil in their hearts and difficulties veiled.

And then...ourselves, who too can do with a kind gesture, a smile, a simple hello.

May this week be full of giving and in that giving may one receive in abundance....ABUNDANCE.

Strength .

x.

Without reserve I hear and read what others say or write.

And everytime to try and not impress myself in the situation but take note of who is speaking or writing to me or otherwise and ...learn.

He reads most of the time...quotes and shares his truths and what is pretty obvious is how desensitised humans are and "robotised" into an emotionless blob hiding behind a facade of bullish bravado fearfully being labeled or picked on by a fickle emotionless messed mass.

This is what he shared yesterday.

I watched the faces and I knew it hit home.


Quoting -

" Noone ever pays attention to your mental health, but the moment you can't tolerate disrespect anymore and start treating people the same way, you suddenly become that bad person..."

Stories were shared.


And then... he said he wanted to quote the following, feeling his uncertainty and desire to be understood. I did.



"..The only reason I am good at giving advice is because I tell others what I wish someone told me.
Each piece of advice is a reflection of lessons learnt through my own trials, a distillation of what is needed to hear when noone was there to say it.
In this way my words are not a kindness , but a calculated response to the silence I once endured."




Strength.

x.

A small reminder.

Surround yourself with those who wish to see you grow and if it feels there are not many of them around, step back, take a breath, count to 10...


"Whenever you feel like giving up think of all the people that would love to see you fail."
- quoted

May sound the opposite of motivational but, guess what...it is usually the people that fear you and have malice in their hearts, live in a dark place of mind and thought and what better drive than to be the resilient fighter that you are!...the opposite of all they represent.


SHINE.

x.

A new week and one of the things that happened this morning early early...a group of exhilarated cyclists.

Among them a new cyclist who eventually coaxed herself to join a group that took her under their wing a while back.

Suffering from personal doubt and highly critical of anything she puts her hand too.

Self sabotage.

One thing the group has managed to do...make her less critical of who she is and start embracing her shortcomings as a road to greater success.

And thus to quote again.

"...life is too short to be your own worst enemy. Stop battling your past, doubting your worth and tearing yourself apart over things you cannot change.
Make peace with yourself because the longest relationship you'll ever have is the one with your own mind and soul."

...and then I received this from a very very VERY dear friend of mine

"...don't let anyone who hasn't been in your shoes tell you how to tie your shoelaces."


FAITH.

x.

There was a post i had added yesterday....

Instead of reposting to rather focus on how fear knows lead to stagnation, procrastination and regret.

...and the relationship one has with self does know to make us our own worst enemies

Again to quote-


"...Life is too short to be your own worst enemy.
Stop battling your past, doubting your worth and tearing yourself apart over things you cannot change.
Make peace with yourself, because the longest relationship you'll ever have is the one with your own mind and soul."



"....The moment you become afraid of losing, you've already surrendered the battle.
Fear will chain your decisions, strip you of your confidence, and keep you from ever knowing how far you could have gone."


SHINE.

x.