Affirmators for the Week Ending Friday, April 23, 2021

 My inspiration card over the last week:

So, how did I do?

This one was a no-go from the start. I could not wrap my head around thanking the people who tried to make my life hard last week.

I get it in a big picture way. And maybe with a little time, I'll get there. But last week was really tough at work, some people seemed to go out of their way to piss me off, and I'm still working from that space.

Like I always say. I'll get through this. I just need to be dramatic for a while.

And a sneak peek at next week's card:

Affirmators for the Week Ending Friday, April 16, 2021

 My inspiration card over the last week:

So, how did I do?

This one was a tough one, and this was either the best or the worst week for this particular lesson. There were a few related events  that all presented me with the choice of either being authentic and vocal or staying quiet and feeling like I was not being true to myself. I chose to speak up and it wasn't completely well-received.

In hindsight, there were probably some things I might have handled a little differently. It didn't have to be quite so adversarial, and a little nuance might have made things easier. But I'm in it now and need to continue to see this through. I will make more of an effort to walk that line of staying true to myself while still remaining cognizant of the impact my actions are having on others.

It won't be easy but it will be worth it in the end. I can do this.

And a sneak peek at next week's card:

Affirmators for the Week Ending Friday, April 9, 2021

 My inspiration card over the last week:

So, how did I do?

This one was slow to click for me, but when it did, it hit hard and all at once. I could see with total clarity how I have relied upon denial and rationalization to get through moments where I felt overlooked, ignored, or even less than. I chose to either act as if it wasn't happening or that it didn't really bother me. But that was long-ago me. These days, I speak up when I feel slighted or unseen. I don't need the hold habit of laugh-and-play-it-off. My new awareness and realization is that I should be valued and get to remove myself from any space where that isn't happening. And that is some kick-ass personal growth.

And a sneak peek at next week's card:

Affirmators for the Week Ending Friday, April 2, 2021

 My inspiration card over the last week:

So, how did I do?

This one was easy for me. I already think life is a game to be played and with as much humor and laughter as possible, so this wasn't really a stretch for me. The cool thing about this was that Ric was home all week on vacation, so we were able to interact and engage throughout the day in person instead of just through text messages. That means there were even more laughs than normal and it was wonderful. I completely and totally recommend adding a little more playfulness to your life. You'll be happy you did.

And a sneak peek at next week's card:

Affirmators for the Week Ending Friday, March 26, 2021

 My inspiration card over the last week:

So, how did I do?

This one was tough, because there were a couple of things that kicked off this week but are still unresolved. Plus, there was a lot of talk about and planning for our September 2022 vacation to Europe. That is fun and exciting to think about now but it's also a little frustrating that it's so far off in the future. The take-away here is clearly that there is something good about waiting for something great, right? Yeah, whatever. Guess this one needs a little more work on my part. I'll keep trying.

And a sneak peek at next week's card:

Affirmators for the Week Ending Friday, March 19, 2021

 My inspiration card over the last week:

So, how did I do?

This one was easy, in part because I am already a pretty optimistic guy. Add to it the good news this week about the COVID vaccinations and it felt pretty easy to look ahead and be happy. Things are getting better and I trust it will continue that way.

And a sneak peek at next week's card:

Affirmators for the Week Ending Friday, March 12, 2021

 My inspiration card over the last week:

So, how did I do?

This one was kind of fun for me, actually. I had a few different occasions to either be annoyed about having to wait or chill about the unexpected free time, so I made the conscious decision to not get mad about the delays. Turns out, there might be something to this idea of not stressing out if something takes a little bit longer than I expected. So lesson learned, I suppose.

And a sneak peek at next week's card:

Affirmators for the Week Ending Friday, March 5, 2021

 My inspiration card over the last week:

So, how did I do?

This one was really tough. It's hard to focus on a specific lesson when that lesson is all about "all things in their own good time." I mean, was I supposed to just leave it all up to the hands of time and trust that they would help me learn this lesson when the timing was right?

Anyway, I did try to keep this idea in mind as I went through the week. I didn't become completely passive, like, "whatever will be, will be," but instead tried to find a middle ground. "Is there anything I can do right this moment about things happening in my life? If so, do it. If not, let go of the worry and trust that it will all come back around in its own good time."

And that kind of worked for me to lower my stress a bit. So I'll consider this a win.

And a sneak peek at next week's card:

Affirmators for the Week Ending Friday, February 27, 2021

 My inspiration card over the last week:

So, how did I do?

Looking back over the week, I’m happy with how I did. The card did what it is supposed to do in that seeing it all day, every day made me more aware of my thoughts and helped me to redirect them as needed. The week was a tough one, with the terrible news on Friday of losing a friend as the worst of it all. And no amount of “positive thinking” changes that heartbreak.

But, I am still considering this as a win for the week. I kept my focus on good, upbeat things whenever I could, I shared that positivity with those in my path, and I am ending this week with a full heart and an outlook I can be proud of. Can’t think of anything more I could ask of myself right now.

And a sneak peek at next week's card:

Affirmators for the Week Ending Friday, February 19, 2021

My inspiration card over the last week:

So, how did I do?

Candidly, I did not do great. My very first opportunity to put this into play and I failed. I was on a work conference call and something came up that absolutely was not directed at me, not about me, and not because of me... and I promptly took it personally, anyway. Even worse than feeling that way was the fact that I decided to give voice to those feelings and took a well-crafted (albeit impulsive) shot at someone who was no doubt already having a shitty enough day. My "Mr Positive" reputation definitely took a hit over it. 

So, no, I do not get to consider this one a win. Despite staring at this card on my desk all week, I still managed to do exactly the opposite of what it suggests. I'll be thinking about this one for some time in hopes of taking it a bit more to heart.

And a sneak peek at next week's card:

Introducing "Affirmators"

First, let me just say... I'm back. It's been months since I have felt like posting anything to my blog, but that changes now. And I'll start with a selfie I took yesterday. This is me, nearly a year into pandemic hibernation. The hair and the beard grow a little longer, but then Ric gives me a haircut, I shave, and I look cleaned up again.

In other news, I'm spending several weeks off of Facebook. I am isolating a bit from social media and working on a few personal things, instead. I'm puttering around on Twitter a bit and dusting off this blog, but FB is on hold until Spring, at least.

I've been trying to focus on my own emotional and mental well-being. Dealing with a global pandemic in 2020 was tough on all of us, of course. On top of that, I went through an ugly personal  situation that resulted in a painful, permanent, but necessary separation from a family member. And also like many of us, I spent time soul-searching and made the decision to distance myself from many people who have demonstrated that they have very different priorities regarding political, social, and cultural issues. They likely feel the same about the positions I take, but candidly, that isn't my concern, anymore. I wish them good lives, but I no longer wish to be in them. It's better for all of us, I'm sure.

So, all of that said, it's been a tough year with new challenges. Add to that the unresolved issues of the past that I seem to routinely drag back out into the light, and clearly, I need to get my shit together once and for all.

And that brings me to the "Affirmators." They are described by their creator like this:

Even pessimists like a little positivity, so comedian Suzi Barrett created these inspirational-but-not-cheesy affirmation cards. Providing the fun of a horoscope with a little less woo-woo, and full of positive affirmations, this whimsical box will help you help yourself, no shamanistic consult required!

Here's my plan. I am not going to preview any of the cards. Instead, each Saturday, I'll select another one, read the message, and spend the next week trying to incorporate whatever positive lesson there is into my day-to-day living.

There are fifty cards, so I can do this for almost a year. That sort of consistent positive thinking has to have a good influence, right? I'll find out.

So, this is a little weird right out of the gate. The instructions with the deck suggest shuffling them without looking at the front of any of them, and then selecting one that feels like the message I need right now.

I did.

And I got a card that feels tailor-made for me in this very moment.

Week 01: Don't Take It Personally

This one is pressing all the buttons, mostly because I am currently putting distance between myself and many of my Marine Corps brothers. We were friends thirty years ago and have stayed connected since, but truthfully, many of us have grown apart and developed very different views on the world. Seeing this card - with the camouflage backpack - feels like it's speaking directly to those military connections.

So, this week, I'll keep this card front and center at my desk and put some real thought into the message. And if someone is less than kind to me, I'll try to remember that it's all about them and what is happening in their life. It's only about me if I let it be. Instead, I need to remember that they are free to say whatever they want and I am equally as free to not bother listening.

Let's see what kind of impact a full week can have when I keep repeating,"if you don't enjoy the message or the messenger, feel free to disengage."