One will stop casting judgements on others when they focus on bettering themselves. When you focus on your own heart, the state of another’s is not your concern. Surround yourself with people who support & love you. You will figure out who these people are when you are struggling, because they are the ones that will stand by you without doubt or question.

I posted the above collection of thoughts the other day on my facebook status and I want to explain where it comes from!  I have always believed that if I don’t judge other people, then I will not be on the receiving end of judgements! Guess what my friends? This is not the case sometimes!  Judgements directed my way have caused me to stop and think about who I am as a person, and it has also caused me to doubt who I am as well!  I’m actually thankful for it today, because it has solidified even more my own inner-truth about the woman I am today.

At this point in my life I have learned that there will always be haters unfortunately…even if you put your best foot forward and treat others the way you wish to be treated.

Here’s the shift in my thinking that I want to share with you!  Yes, there will be negative thrown my way, and sometimes it hurts coming from people who I care about; however, why does the negativity seem to hold more stock inwardly than the positivity from others?  The positive support should outweigh the negative judgements.  To focus on one negative rather than many positives is ridiculous I tell ya!

I used to be a judgmental person. My life was filled with “shoulds”, but often directed at other people.  I deflected so much of what I needed to deal with personally by wasting time on what others were doing. It was my own issues, and often the things I couldn’t handle about others, were the exact things I needed to change within myself.

It wasn’t until I focussed on bettering myself that I moved forward through that way of thinking.  I worried solely about my own heart rather than the state of another’s. It gave way to a state of true acceptance of all kinds of people.  People of all different ways of thinking!

I have to tell you that the acceptance of others has been one of the greatest blessings I have come across.  It actually makes me giddy! I love meeting new people, and hearing other points of views that are so different from my own.  Rather than make judgments, I now internalize so much of it and just figure out which path is actually right for me.  It helps me to figure out who I am even more!  Yes, that’s fantastic!!! 🙂  Seriously amazing news my friends!!! (do you feel my enthusiasm in this area?! lol)  I have learned there are many different roads one can take, and just because it’s right for them, doesn’t mean it’s right for me (and vise-versa)

Also, I had another revelation today!  The best things happen when you give and expect nothing in return. You actually receive so much when you least expect it. It blows my mind sometimes! Positive out, positive in!  Thank you to all the people in my life that give so much of themselves to me! I’m so very thankful for you. I woke up this morning with so much gratitude for the amazing people I have met along the way.

Giving is so good for the soul. Whenever I feel discouraged, I just need to remember there is always someone else dealing with more than I am.  We are blessed simply for the fact we live in a free-country!  I have taken so much for granted. Sometimes it just takes a shift in perspective to realize that.  Just tune into the National news for an hour, and one is reminded!  We are spoiled my friends. There are a few sayings that I remind myself of and this is one: “Always give more than you take.”  

Change your focus: when you are down…focus on the good, the positive, the uplifting.  Before you know it, your outlook changes. Gratitude is a gift.

I’m so often humbled when I meet others who are dealing with so much more than I am: health struggles for one. Because I’ve witnessed what my sister has gone through battling MS, I see the ability to run as a privilege. When I go for a run, I am so thankful that I’m able to run. I run because I can. Thank you God for that privilege!

Have a great day, and remember for those in the Edmonton area…the snow will melt! It only makes a person appreciate the sun that much more! 🙂

And a song  that makes me smile for your TGIF (you will have to click to watch on You Tube)

Yes, it’s a Good Life!

From my heart to yours,

Christine