distance myself from negative voices

I think it’s time to remove this one from the list. It has served it’s purpose as a reminder and I don’t feel that it’s an applicable goal for 2009.

It’s what you answer to. I saw that in a movie, and it’s significance was made apparent today. I don’t HAVE to respond to every little silly thing that’s said to me. I can acknowledge that there are certain attitudes that are beneath me, and REFUSE TO STOOP. (which, incidentally, I’ve noticed, only serves to piss people off even more than if I’d chosen to argue) LOL

Gets easier and easier as the things that come out of some peoples’ mouths get more and more STUPID. On Saturday morning, Kenneth and I read Proverbs 27 together while the kids were in the pool. Verses 4 and 5 (NIV) say: “4. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” In keeping with this, certain comments were made, and then followed by “I’m sticking my mouth where it doesn’t belong” My response “You’re right, you are.”

No further comment required.

When I got back to the office on Monday morning, and was discussing my weekend with people who actually CARE about my happiness, my assistant, (who’s my STB Ex’s aunt, was like “I’m sort of happy for you”....WAIT….WHAT??? She went further to say that she hates that her nephew had to go to jail behind all of this. ALL OF WHAT???? He went to jail because he refused to respect the restraining order that was put into place because he can’t keep his freaking hands to himself. She feels bad for HIM because he’s in jail, which means she was lying when she said she felt bad for ME when he was cheating on me and kicking MY ass whenever I tried to leave him. Kenneth came along AFTER my ex was removed from the premises, and furthermore, NOBODY felt “bad” when my ex was bringing all of his women around to their houses, and to family functions while I was at work. Additionally, my ex was LIVING with another woman when he was arrested for violating the restraining order. All he had to do was stay where he was! HE chose to continue to violate the order, and HE made the decision to risk going to jail. I can’t help but to wonder how bad she might have felt if he’d actually hurt or killed me. He’d still be in jail, but who would she feel sorry for? Him or me? As far as I’m concerned, the line is drawn there; and that’s simply another person I need to distance myself from.
Blood is ALWAYS thicker than water, no matter how muddy the water may get.

No. 1 on my list. Especially in a situation where I’m in the middle of a divorce, and surrounded by ex-in-laws-to-be. I’ve upset a lot of people lately by taking a stand for myself and what I know to be right, and I’m still learning how to say “I don’t want to hear it.”

This is a hard one – it’s more of a reminder to myself rather than a goal.

It’s sad but some people tend to really dwell on the negative aspects of life and never seem to be able to see all the positives and amazing opportunities they have available to them. I feel sad for them and wish I could do something to help open their eyes up to how lucky they actually are, but I also find that if I spend too much time with them I pick up on the negative feelings. This then has a ripple effect that impacts firstly on my mood and then on my other friends and family.

This reminder doesn’t mean to “burn” these friendships, these people are important to me, it’s just to put a little more space in the friendship to reduce the negative impact and hopefully focus more on the positives.

So far this space has worked quite well with a work friendship and I find we are both enjoying the time we do spend in each others company a lot more now.