Sometimes You Just Need To Quit!

My girlfriend sent this out this morning and I thought it was excellent. I've been musing about life like a lot of us have as we seek to redefine who we are in the midst of this economic depression. Someone told me the other day that part of the national problem is that we have defined ourselves by what we do, how we do it, where we live, or what people think/say about us. I thought about this some more and realized how exhausting it is to live up to other people's expectations and forget about living! So, in honor of my girlfriend and in honor of living, I say, just quit!

Here is her list of things to quit, I am taking notes, what about you?

1) Quit arguing with people about the same old foolishness!
-Respect their position and keep it moving!

2) Quit telling people your secrets when you know they are not going to keep them!
-And if you keep telling them, then quit getting mad when they tell your secrets!

3) Quit trying to pull people on your journey who don't want to travel with you!
-Either they believe in you and value you ...or they don't!

4) Quit complaining about things you can't and won't change!
-I am not working on being a size 6 or a model...so instead of complaining about the weight charts, I negotiated with my doctor for a "comfortable weight for me." Forget the charts! I created my own "healthy weight!"

5) Quit gossiping about other people!
-Minding our own business should be a full time job!

6) Quit blaming each other for things that in the big picture aren't going to matter 3 weeks from now!
-Talk solutions...and then implement them!

7) Quit eating things you know are not good for you!
-If you can't quit...eat smaller portions! (I know...this is hard for me too!)

8) Quit buying things when we know we can't afford them!
-If you don't have self control, then quit going to the stores!
-Quit charging things, especially when you don't NEED them!

9) Quit staying in unhealthy relationships!
-Some friendships are unhealthy, quit making excuses, walk away.
It is not okay for people to verbally or physically abuse you! So quit lying to yourself!
-It is not okay to stay in the marriage for the children! Ask them and they will tell you that they really would prefer to see you happy and that the misery you and your spouse/partner are living with is affecting them!
10) Quit letting family members rope you into the drama!
-Start telling them you don't want to hear it!
-Quit spreading the drama!
-Quit calling other relatives and telling them about your cousin or aunt! Go back to #5 - minding your own business should be enough to keep you busy!

11) Quit trying to change people! IT DOESN'T WORK!
-I am still working on this because I really see a world of possibilities for others and try to convince them to see and want differently for themselves!

-Quit cussing people out when you know that they are just being the miserable and jealous people that they are!

12) Quit the job you hate!
-Start pursuing your passion
-HINT: find the job that fuels your passion before you quit!

13) Quit volunteering for things that you aren't getting any personal fulfillment from anymore!
-Quit volunteering for things and then failing to follow through with your commitment!

14) Quit listening to the naysayers!
-Quit watching the depressing news if you are going to live in the doom and gloom of it all!

15) Quit making excuses about why you are where you are or why you can't do what you want to do!

16) Quit waiting on others to give you the answers...and start finding the answers for yourself!
-If what you are doing isn't working for you...then quit it!
-Quit settling and start making your dreams a reality!

-Quit being afraid and START LIVING YOUR LIFE!

Hannah's Song

We came together last night and sang Hannah's song. Family from California was in town, it was the night before Aunt Hannah's Home Going Celebration. We met at my house late in the evening to fellowship, remember, hug, eat, and laugh. Thom felt the love in the room and I'm sure his mom would've appreciated us doing what she did all her life - love. Aunt Hannah was a gracious woman. Her gentle spirit, sparkling eyes, and constant smile will be remembered. She has left us physically, but never spiritually. The laughter was like music in Thom's ear. For the first time in weeks I saw my cousin relax. He has been in a tornado for the past four weeks from his mother's diagnosis to her death. Even in her final stage, Aunt Hannah was granted her desire. She asked to not suffer long when it was her time to go, she had been a caregiver her whole life and I'm sure her prayer was for her son. In the last days of her life, she still greeted well wishers with a wa...

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Ashes to Ashes

This is Ash Wednesday. For a lot of Catholics and Anglican Christians, it begins the holy season of Lent. We remember we are but dust and to dust we return, ashes to ashes. It is a somber reminder of our humanity and the finality of life. We are a mere breath. Today, as a Hospital Chaplain Resident, I am imposing ashes on patients, family, and staff. It is a visible marker of a shared faith and belief. We look with anticipation to the finished work of salvation on the cross and in eager hope of the resurrection. As my day progressed, I noticed how much hope was in the eyes of the ones giving and receiving this reminder of our existence. It was both a somber moment and a joyful moment. Two things can exist at the same time. Like the world we find ourselves in. Even as it seems like the darkest, certainly the darkest I’ve known in my six decades on this earth. Completely imperfect as a nation, there was still a glimmer of light until the nightmare became reality. We wonder abo...

The Musings of a Latte Queen: Narratives of Everyday Life

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