Resolution # 1: The Great Law: As you sow, so shall you reap. These are great words for me to remember when plotting any type of revenge tactics. Your actions can come back to you at any time. This could be a very scary thought.
To follow through on the Great Law, so far:
I have tried to be kinder when I am driving. I have tried to be more patient with stupid drivers. I wave people into traffic. I am slowing down when weather is crappy. A few drivers have actually waved me into traffic and no one has this month shot me the middle finger. So far so good.
I have tried to talk nicely to bank tellers, telemarketers, grocery clerks, store clerks, and to smile at people. That last one really freaks them out. Amazing the responses you receive when you are polite. Some people just look at you like you are crazy; other people seem to have really needed that kindness on that day. So far so good.
I am being kinder and more patient with myself. I am giving myself plenty of time to do things, trying not to rush but to enjoy each moment of every day. If my day has to be extended at either end, so be it. It is so nice not to be rushing first thing in the morning and throughout the day. I feel calmer and can enjoy all of the nice moments of my day, to stop and listen to others, and to have them stop and listen to me. So far so good.
I am eating better. Healthy everyday meals are readily affordable so I have been buying salads and soups for lunch. I eat my healthy gluten free snack bars everyday and have cut down in the dark chocolate. I feel better and seem to have more energy. I did fall off the wagon with the chips, regular and barbecue. Mostly, so far so good.
I am trying to do only one thing at a time and doing it better. I have always been the queen of multi-tasking. Then I recently read an article about multi-tasking that says most people do not accomplish either task so I have cut back on that. Why work harder if I do not have to? One thing at a time, Elizabeth. Mostly so far, so good.
I am keeping things neat and tidy at home. I almost always have a neat and tidy house. Being busy at work, however, just seems to invite an invasion of the dust bunnies. By most people’s standards my house is perfect but I am not happy if things aren’t in their place. (This stems from having to tidy up before going outside to play. I never wanted to miss out on that). So far so good.
I walked in the Women’s March in Washington D.C. That event changed my whole perspective on life. “As you sow, so you shall reap” really made me think about how I can advocate, speak for, and assist others who need my voice to insure healthcare, Social security, Medicare, workers’ rights, equal pay, and so much more. If I do one thing everyday, I can make a difference. And everyday, I have made phone calls or written letters to do just that. Time will tell if I have really made a difference but better to speak up. If you do not speak up, you have no right to complain. So far so good.
I believe that I really worked hard to follow the first law in January. I have kept the revenge stuff to a minimum, tried not to throw the nasty words back at anyone who said them to me, or done spiteful things (even though I just might have wanted to), but have rather resorted to my late Grandmother’s words: be nice to people who are mean because it really will make them feel bad (eventually) about making you feel bad.”. Some people may never get it but the good people in your life will. And it is for the good people that I have been calling, speaking out, and advocating.
I cannot wait to see what the second law brings for me in February. Stay tuned.