SUNDAY THOUGHTS : PRESERVE YOUR PEACE

I see you. You’re not reacting! Wait. Is silence a reaction? You are so calm, it's got people scratching their heads!

Your busy hands used to be in everything! 

Your second-guessing of microaggressions, and gaslighting; your apologizing, and accepting that you were the one with the problem, was epic! 

Your need to clarify and explain, to those committed to misunderstanding you, was infuriating! 

You thought you had to be everywhere, and fix everything!

 

Look at you now, prioritizing and getting rest and stuff! Well done!

Now, you know that:

1. "Peace at any cost" sounds admirable, but it only bankrupts those who genuinely seek peace. 

2. Going along to get along, is no longer an option. 

You can speak up—say “No”— and still sleep.

3. Forgiveness is not the destruction of boundaries.

Your chill is impressive, and the infamous "They", are losing their minds! Why? 

Why wouldn't they want you to be more discerning? 

Why would they want you to deny what you see? Why does your ease and freedom bother them so much? 

What else do they want to heap onto your already full plate, to satisfy themselves that you are doing something worthwhile? Is the problem that you are now dishing up your own plate-- without their permission, approval, or input? Why should you be consuming what doesn't nourish you? 

Why should you wake up, every day, dreading what nonsense they've concocted overnight? Why should you be all frazzled because they've sold their souls? 

Is that doormat version of you, that centers everyone's needs, likes, and experiences, except your own, the most acceptable?

Now--strictly for your own well-being--soberly and honestly, assess and decide whether your calm state is actually:

disappointment-driven apathy, 

exhaustion-driven inaction, 

intimidation-driven surrender,  

grief-driven stupor,

fear-driven paralysis, 

truth-driven contentment, 

well-founded apprehension, or 

pattern-driven wisdom. 

If it's any of the former, consider why you've checked out; why you're ill-informed or oblivious, and how re-energize, and be motivated by what feeds your soul. 

If it's either, or all of the latter three, Congratulations! Carry on with your calm self! You've learned the pertinent lessons taught by the experiences of others, as well as your own. The antagonizing weapons form, to lure you out of safety and security, but they never prosper. History has taught you that. The players are different, but you've seen this game before.

Never mind “Them”, nor their expectations, emergencies, plans, demands, or opinions about what you should be doing. Decline that ticket to the guilt trip. Concentrate on what’s right, fair, healthy, moral, and reasonable.

Wait...Do you even have a dog in the hunt? Should you do anything at all? Haven't you done and said enough--repeatedly-- that was neither respected nor heeded? 

Hmmm...nevermind.

"Be anxious for nothing". 

Preserve your peace. 

Consider the consequences of decisions made in haste. 

Stay out of the fray. 

Hang on to your principles. 

Differentiate being used and being useful.

Go where you are wanted and welcomed.

Respect your own set boundaries. 

Keep your two cents to yourself, lest they magnify it into something you can't recognize or afford. 

Take a nap. 

Pray.

Practice gratitude.

Be creative.

Care; feel. It's okay to have empathy and be concerned. I mean...you're not a psychopath, but mind your business.

Document. That's for your sake and theirs.

Embrace the truth. You don't have to hem, haw, or skate when you do.

Watch that chaos play out--from a safe distance. They'll get tired, eventually.

Don't be goaded into engagement. There will be no dust to shake off of your feet, if your feet aren't on that dusty path to begin with.

You've sown enough seeds, and if they keep dismissing the harvest as insignificant, and don't want to help gather it---even to feed themselves--- whose fault is that? 

You're neither cold nor indifferent. You're smart. You'll know when it's necessary to act...and that thing, they're going on and on about, and trying to drag you into? That ain't it. That is not your assignment. Remember your source.

Calm looks good on you, Friend. It really does.