“Ten toes down…”
Not standing there fighting everybody…
Just standing firmly in your own humanity while other people are busy revealing theirs.
BOOM.
Love and blessings,
Wendy
Tag: soulnotes
It Is Always Winter:Soul Notes – Love, Wendy
She had so much going for her.
Intelligence.
Personality.
Generosity to a fault…
And…her beauty was external, but more than that…her inner beauty shared the depth of her soul. She exuded empathy and kindness, love and compassion and patience. Forgiveness. Love…
She was so loved, but then…in the depths of abuse and neglect…she lost her way…and they abandoned her.
She stood alone. A cold, dark winter that never brought another spring…and that lasted the rest of her life…
Her beauty faded into despair.
Her despair took her life…And nobody noticed.
Did she really ever exist?
Love and blessings,
Wendy
Betrayal:Soul Notes – Love, Wendy
People reveal their character not only by how they treat the people they need, but by how they treat the people they no longer “need”…with an insatiable desire to be liked.
It’s realizing that the person you thought you knew is not the person you believed they were after someone steps forward saying, “I feel you should know…” That can hurt more than the actual exclusion.
And perhaps the most painful part is knowing that the exclusion they once shared that they experienced by these same people…the heartbreak they experienced at the hands of the very same people they have now aligned themselves with…is the same exclusion they are now inflicting.
A profound kind of betrayal.
In a world where it seems too many people are normalizing purposeful exclusion, dismantling of community, and a “Mean Girls” mentality, let us normalize inclusion and kindness.
Love and blessings,
Wendy
Patterns:Soul Notes – Love, Wendy
I observe behavior and think to myself, “I won’t take this personally. What else can be true about the situation?”…
But then, after watching their consistent patterns, I realize…they know exactly what they are doing.
This is another opportunity to build grit and resilience…
Thick skin…ten toes down…forge ahead with empty hands…
This is not yours to carry.
Love and blessings,
Wendy
One:Soul Notes – Love, Wendy
It only takes one small cloud to block the sun.
It takes only one unkind word to break a spirit.
One smile can heal a heavy heart…
“One is the loneliest number that you’ve ever known.” (Three Dog Night)
“It Takes Two” Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston
Bring the sunshine. Speak with kindness. Share your smile.
Sing a different tune…
Be that one.
Love and blessings,
Wendy
Write It Down:Soul Notes – Love, Wendy
Writing is my form of meditation and prayer.
It is how I process what is happening inside of me…not by forcing an answer, but by placing the thoughts somewhere outside of myself so that I may see them, feel them, process them…and sometimes…let them go.
Love and blessings,
Wendy
NEVER LET THE TRUTH INTERFERE WITH A GOOD STORY:SOUL NOTES – LOVE, WENDY
Through both my lived experiences and my field experiences, I have learned that those who lack emotional intelligence are often emotionally immature people, lack self-esteem, and experience accountability as an attack.
Accountability threatens the narrative when someone’s self-image depends on being the innocent, misunderstood, or “always right” person.
Taking responsibility for their words and behaviors is unlikely because it threatens the story they need to believe about themselves and portray for others…
When the truth threatens their story, they are sticking to it…
“NEVER LET THE TRUTH INTERFERE WITH A GOOD STORY.”
Love and blessings,
Wendy
Peace Begins With Me:Soul Notes – Love, Wendy
Remind yourself daily and often “I do not need anyone’s permission to experience peace. It is my choice and my right…and I mindfully cultivate peace in every decision that I make and every person that I engage with…
”Peace begins with me.”
Do not cower, do not apologize, do not deny yourself your birthright to live in peace and wellness.
If they don’t understand your journey and they choose to abandon you…their loss…
Keep going forward with humility and grace.
Love and blessings,
Wendy
On Character:Soul Notes – Love, Wendy
Character is revealed in how you treat people whose choices are not aligned with our own beliefs and values.
One’s beliefs are simply a small piece of their tapestry…
We must always appreciate the entire intricacies and richness of the whole cloth.
Love and blessings,
Wendy
Sobriety and Reality:Soul Notes – Love, Wendy
Having so much free time is exhausting.
Free time is wonderful when we’re using it to live.
But…when there’s an enormous amount of unstructured time during a difficult emotional season, it can reopen a wound for every memory, every what if, every comparison, every loss to bleed once again into the present moment…and feel like death.
And this summer break has given me a lot of time to reflect on my 14 years of “wellness in recovery “ from prescription drug addiction…write…re-process and practice acceptance…intermittently, if I’m being honest.
I have recognized patterns. I have grieved. I have learned to change my environment in my grief in order to re-center myself.
I recall the woman I once was…and the life I once had.
And…I also recognize the woman I have become.
Sober, Independent, inspiring, passionate, productive, and dedicated to my 14 years of sobriety…second to none.
But reflection doesn’t always feel like healing while we are “living” it.
Sometimes reflection deeply hurts before it integrates.
I’ve discovered that reflection can be both a gift—and a burden.
It can highlight how far we’ve come…while simultaneously reminding us of all we have lost.
And…I continue upon my journey…one moment at a time…carrying my past with me as a badge of honor as I return to a full schedule tomorrow as an educator…
And I rise once again.
Love and blessings,
Wendy
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