Wednesday, November 2, 2016

LEARNING, ALWAYS LEARNING . . .

Considering that my last entry was about procrastination, and seeing how long it’s been since I’ve gotten around to writing another entry, I obviously have a lot of work to do on overcoming my tendency to procrastinate. I could defend myself with the fact that I’ve been on deadline writing a novel—which is now completed—but it really doesn’t take that much time for me to write something for the blog. It really boils down to procrastinating, and I’d really like to get over it. I’ll keep working on it.

In that same vein, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to how difficult it can be to figure out our weaknesses as human beings, and then to actually apply what we learn in a positive and productive way, especially when we have decades of habit working against us. But in a way, I supposed that’s the summary of life’s challenges—to keep forging ahead and striving to become better. Sometimes I wonder if life would be easier if I were one of those people who seems content to remain in some form of denial, but in reality I know it would only appear to be easier. In the long run, the things we are in denial over are likely the very things that cause us the most difficulty—but since denial is real, you can’t develop an awareness unless you really start paying attention to what makes you uncomfortable and why. 

Forgive me if I sound like I’m rambling; I really am working up to a point. In my own journey of striving to become better, I’ve had some harsh moments of being shocked out of denial, but eventually I’m always glad to be more self-aware and to keep learning. I love learning more and more. I love learning about the human condition, and how to continue to make it better—starting with ourselves and then by reaching out to others with a more genuine ability to love and be compassionate. 

Hence, I would like to share something that has taught me a great deal. I’m including the link here to a YouTube video that is less than six minutes, and definitely worth watching. It’s an interview clip with Brene Brown, a woman I have come to admire more and more. I’ve read more than one of her books, and I highly recommend her TED talks and all the other stuff on YouTube, as well as her books, which are on Amazon. I’ve watched this particular video clip several times, and I’ve pondered its messages a great deal in how they apply to me and how I can use what’s being taught here to make life better for me and for those I love. 

I’ll just leave it at that. I hope you’ll take the time to watch it, and I’d love to know your thoughts. May you live in gratitude and find joy! Much love, Anita





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