Happy love yourself day! I get why we have this day, but it has never been a favorite day. I feel we should act like everyday is Valentine’s day and spread the love always. Simple acts of love and kindness daily are way better for our heart and soul than 1 big day with lots of pressure to make a grand perfect day and get the perfect present so we can compare with others. That comparison thing is bad before and after.
During my walk in the muggy post rain hair frizzing air, I was taking in all the things nature presented to me and having a chat with myself. Since we are in lockdown and my normally inspiring drives are not an option (and I have a car issue anyway), I have to walk the ideas out.
Solo trips in the car or by foot are where I can block things out and get inspired and work on future plans. My co-workers don’t really love that my car trips lead to ideas and then work (LOL.) But I find clarity and boost from them and that is what matters.
This morning I decided I would focused on other ways I can learn and push myself so I decided to focus on words, learning and vocabulary. What better place to start with than T words……. as I thought that, the turtles came swimming over to me while I walked across the bridge to say hello and remind me that Turtles are an excellent T word. I thanked them for their contribution and thought back to being part of turtle hatchlings coming out of the nest and making their way to the ocean in Emerald Isle, NC during the last summer before we sold the house.
There are lots of great T words, my favorites are TRUST and TRUTH ………….. but today I am starting with TEACH and TAKE.
You can look up the words and see how Websters defines them, but for me TEACH and TAKE is that everyday there is an opportunity to TAKE from the day many things …. good, bad, average, trauma, etc. whether we intentionally set out to learn or do something doesn’t matter, it is happening anyway ……. very much like how simply walking around outside even with sunscreen on, you are getting tan or how even with a mask on you can walk by a cigar smoker or the cologne department in a store and still smell the smoke or cologne. Life will seep in no matter what we do.
On the flip side, TEACH is based on the same principle …. every single thing we do whether we are intentional or not goes out into the universe and is teaching someone something whether it is a stand tall and be proud act, your clothes, your hair, every single thing. Turn that around and every single negative thing you do is teaching someone else as well. It doesn’t have to be abuse or horrific things, it can be poor health habits, fear, doubt, accepting bad behavior from others, it all adds up to someone else learning that you are ok with whatever you think is negative.
As part of a group I am in, people are sharing stories. Many have had tragic past experiences and they want to share how to overcome similar things. Many others know there is something that is holding them back and making then not confident, and they need a push. A lot of the stories are TAKE-aways from what I have described above.’
Those stories are definitely why I have been thinking about TAKE and TEACH a lot lately, it was the walk that helped me put the words to what I have been feeling.
The first steps are always hardest, but try to commit to loving yourself and working on the things that will make you feel at peace and achieve your dreams. I am rooting for you. Remember life is full of cycles and changes, and we are here for a short unknown time……. I think that is why I love butterflies so much. xo Tracy Lynne
The Lovely Spotted Flamingo 