For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
— T.S. Eliot
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Thank you for stopping by. I hope that you enjoy your visit ~ it means more than you know.
Festive is not a day. It is a state of mind.
It is the fizzy anticipation of seeing a Broadway show. The delight in dressing up, or choosing a fashionable accessory that makes one feel good, is a cause for celebration.
Awareness of the seriousness of life is never far away from me, so moments of joy deserve to be treasured and savored.
Giving a gift chosen with care and watching the recipient’s face is a special occasion.
Delight in the moments of unbridled happiness.
My mother raised us to make memories. She also raised us to always take photos of the table before it gets messed up…. 😀
Celebrate ~ Engage ~ Sparkle ~ Laugh ~ Appreciate ~ Enhance ~ Radiate
Joy, Enthusiasm and Gratitude
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This time of year can be so difficult for those who are still grieving. Whether it is a loss of a person that breaks your heart, or you are grieving a divorce, job loss, estrangement with a loved one, there is a hole in your spirit.
Being forced to attend parties during the time of mourning, I remember trying to slap a smile on my face; I kept telling myself to keep it on even if it hurt to pretend. But, after awhile, it was exhausting. There was too much false praise and gaiety; the noise and celebration became too much for me, and I had to excuse myself to leave the room.
One of the hardest things while mourning is the guilt about laughter. I remember how badly I felt if something might make me smile and that it was inappropriate to enjoy when my heart was broken. Quiet, and time to restore your personal strength, is so important as you mourn. I look back and realize just how long I was mourning; I also realized that while I tried to behave like a “normal” person, my brain was actually in a fog of grief. During that time, my trust was abused. Vulnerable, and not strong enough to fight back, I was treated badly. That, in hindsight, was a cruel lesson that I could not fully acknowledge or reconcile for a long time.
So, when given the chance to defend someone else, or create understanding, I felt that I had to.
Grief takes time and mourning comes and goes. No one can truly understand the memories that you share or the triggers that set off your emotional alarms. Running to hide in the bathroom, or outside, to cry is understandable. Yet, we are protecting others’ feelings while not honoring our own.
Miss the one that you love. Accept, acknowledge, and process all the feelings that go with it. It is a private journey.
Empathize with another because you can recall pain. If you are able to gently recognize this in another, don’t try to make someone else “snap out of it” or push them to a party. Busyness is not a healing tool. Build in some quiet moments for another; sensory overload is too strong or overpowering at this time.
Remember, that no one is immune from an overactive mind of memories, lost moments, and painful goodbyes. Don’t feel that you are “supposed” to feel cheery, hearty, or joyous just because it is the Holidays. Surround yourself with kind people and avoid toxic or negative situations that will only aggravate and stress the depressed spirit you already are experiencing. Use music if that is calming, or escape into a book, if you are a reader. If the outdoors soothes you, take a walk or even just look at photos of beautiful places in nature. Distraction can help to calm the thoughts for a couple of minutes.
You deserve joy, compassion, kindness, understanding, and peace. If you cannot find support, give it to yourself. If you are grieving, it means that you have loved.
May you find personal peace and comfort at your own pace with the time to experience and seek it out.
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Thank you for stopping by! I hope that you enjoy your visit.
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Every time you choose to stand up for yourself, you are enthusiastically living your life. It is the absolute possession of your own mind to step forward, or hesitate, to improve how you feel and make the next best choice. Each time you choose to show up, despite the pain, fear, and anxiety, you are enthusiastically encouraging yourself to keep going.
Enthusiasm doesn’t mean giggling at everything or punishing yourself if you don’t feel like smiling all the time. Life has tumbles and struggles. But, you can rise up because it is your choice and effort to do so.
Live your life to the best of your ability. Show empathy and not cruelty. Kindness and compassion increase the positive of life and make you feel better as you help others to do so. Choosing to be enthusiastic in your life means that you are fully engaged in being sincere, honest, or vulnerable.
You are living enthusiastically each time you show yourself a good time or find the healing power of laughter. Be proud of who you are and each step forward, even if you must step back a few times to get there. Joy is your natural birthright and embrace it when you can.
Be enthusiastic in caring for yourself as much as you care for others. Choose to make yourself a priority and, no matter what you face, remember how strong and brave you are no matter what you choose to take on.
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https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/enthusiasm/
Thank you for stopping by! I hope that you enjoy your visit.
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