The impact of this journey reaches farther into my life than imaginable. In the last day or so, family situations, work situations, etc. have challenged each one of the tasks that I set forward. And you know what? I am making it through. Out of respect for certain family members that it pertains to, I won't got into it in this blog. What I can tell you is that I can feel it making me a better person already. It was completely evident to me last night while visiting with some family members what today's task would be. As I explained to my semi-internet illiterate dad (which he'll gladly admit to...) what I was doing and what a blog was, toady's topic came to me. It's negativity.
Negativity is something that can bring a strong person to their knees. I am reminded of a Native American story that I learned back in my college/convent days. Its the story of these 2 trees. To one of the trees, everyday the villagers came and berated it and criticized it; they told it that it was ugly, that they didn't care about it, that it was stupid, and that it would never amount to anything. Then they would go to the other tree. To this second tree they would love it, care for it, and tell it how wonderful it was, how beautiful it was, and how it was the best tree in the whole land. As the years went on and the villagers continued to do this, the first tree withered and died and the second tree grew into a beautiful harvestfull tree.
By our words alone we can ruin relationships. We can break families and friendships apart. I realized that in my life I didn't want to be one of the villagers who berates and kills the tree (or others in my life for that matter). I can't help thinking about my Catholic upbringing and the "Golden Rule" that we were taught to remember: "Do unto others as you'd have done unto you." It may sound selfish but I would rather not be beaten down and made to feel unloved. Statistics show that the amount of people having to take an antidepressant is higher now than ever before. Has society become such a negative world where we must all knock each other down in order to feel superior ourselves? 20 years ago we didn't fear the possibility of our kids dieing at the hands of one of their classmates who went on a shooting spree in the school, because that didn't happen. Bullying has become so severe that even the youth suicide rate is higher than before. I don't want to think that I have been the cause of a "tree" dying.
So...today....negativity. Since I know that words can be as sharp as a sword and that the old childhood rhyme of "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" no longer rings true, I plan on not saying negative things about other people...nor about myself today. I know that I tend to be negative towards myself. We all do that...we cut ourselves down. But I don't plan on being pompous either. Today I will be more aware of what I say to people..and I will compliment more.
To all of you out there who are reading this blog today, you are an important person today no matter what you do. You have gifts and talents you are put on this earth to do. And no matter what, there is someone out there that loves you no matter what.
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.......
Negativity is something that can bring a strong person to their knees. I am reminded of a Native American story that I learned back in my college/convent days. Its the story of these 2 trees. To one of the trees, everyday the villagers came and berated it and criticized it; they told it that it was ugly, that they didn't care about it, that it was stupid, and that it would never amount to anything. Then they would go to the other tree. To this second tree they would love it, care for it, and tell it how wonderful it was, how beautiful it was, and how it was the best tree in the whole land. As the years went on and the villagers continued to do this, the first tree withered and died and the second tree grew into a beautiful harvestfull tree.
By our words alone we can ruin relationships. We can break families and friendships apart. I realized that in my life I didn't want to be one of the villagers who berates and kills the tree (or others in my life for that matter). I can't help thinking about my Catholic upbringing and the "Golden Rule" that we were taught to remember: "Do unto others as you'd have done unto you." It may sound selfish but I would rather not be beaten down and made to feel unloved. Statistics show that the amount of people having to take an antidepressant is higher now than ever before. Has society become such a negative world where we must all knock each other down in order to feel superior ourselves? 20 years ago we didn't fear the possibility of our kids dieing at the hands of one of their classmates who went on a shooting spree in the school, because that didn't happen. Bullying has become so severe that even the youth suicide rate is higher than before. I don't want to think that I have been the cause of a "tree" dying.
So...today....negativity. Since I know that words can be as sharp as a sword and that the old childhood rhyme of "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" no longer rings true, I plan on not saying negative things about other people...nor about myself today. I know that I tend to be negative towards myself. We all do that...we cut ourselves down. But I don't plan on being pompous either. Today I will be more aware of what I say to people..and I will compliment more.
To all of you out there who are reading this blog today, you are an important person today no matter what you do. You have gifts and talents you are put on this earth to do. And no matter what, there is someone out there that loves you no matter what.
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.......
Well, you certainly showed tonight that you are following through. You had a positive look on your face, positive smile, and positive comments.
ReplyDeleteYou have made a great contribution to society today.
Thanks.
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteYou have such a wonderful talent & gift for writing and for art. I am always so envious of those that can write so eliquently. Keep up the good work.