Well hello little badass calendar!

This daily exhortation is more relevant today than ever.

How much information do we really need?

Personally, I do not watch much television.

I stopped watching COVID updates long ago.

Instead, I consult the CDC, WHO, and reputable statisticians who are much smarter than I.

I certainly no longer watch the mainstream media.

I prefer to read updates from sources of my choosing.

However, I receive news flashes from friends. They usually go something like this: “Did you hear that ____________?” My response is always, “You know I don’t watch the news, if it’s something important I knew someone would call me!”

I research and come to my own conclusions.

The focus in my day-to-day life is

Peace

Joy

and

Happiness!

I have a Peace toolbox. It is filled with coping mechanisms for my overthinking, formerly worrying mind.

The first tool in my box is shielding myself from the negativity of the outside world.

Since I don’t live in a bubble, it could be easy to listen to all the noise. When the noise becomes unbearable I throw up my shields, listen to music, meditate, pray, write, exercise, talk to family, friends, find something worthwhile and fun to do, or lose myself in work.

Not stressing out about things that I cannot control is another tool in my Peace toolbox.

I used to worry… oh boy, did I! “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best” was my motto.

I thought that preparing for the worst case scenario in all areas of my life would help me deal with the inevitable fallout. But the only thing it accomplished was to cause more worry. The time spent on what-ifs and overthinking caused me to miss out on many moments of joy.

Lesson learned.

The third tool in my Peace toolbox is being real.

Real about everything. I am no longer holding back, hiding, or being anyone other than me. I am also not kidding myself about things I need to work on in my own life to be the person I strive to be.

The last tool in my Peace toolbox is to stop trying to please others.

I used to think that I needed to please everyone. I was that person who thought she wasn’t valuable unless everyone else was happy.

Fuck that shit.

My attitude has changed.

I am valuable in my own right.

I am worthy.

If another person doesn’t like or flat out rejects me it isn’t my responsibility to make them happy or change to suit them. Their attitudes are a reflection of who they are and what is going on in their life. Not me.

Pursuing Peace

has brought Joy

Joy has ushered in

Happiness.

XO Lisa ❤️ living a gratitude filled life!