Maryse L Postlewaite, TLC Pathways

tlcpathways.com/articles/differences-bring-connections

A continuation of keys to make a difference in your community through self-care. Following part 1, 14 additional keys and a photo collage of all 26.

Make a difference in your community by taking care of yourself. Part 1 includes the first 12 Keys. Be sure to watch Part 2 which includes a photo collage of all 26 keys.

The Gifts of 2020 I’m taking inventory of the gifts I received in 2020 before welcoming 2021. Looking back, there were many that no other year has brought to me. Shifting the paradigm of goodbye (or in some cases good riddance) to 2020, I’m choosing to focus on the hindsight of 2020. Here are just a few of the gifts which come immediately to mind: connections - more of them and with greater sincerity; acceptance - of what I can’t controlOh, the many times I had to make good... of the unexpected; boundaries - prioritizing what’s important to me - limiting my news intake; realizations and actions - for social justice; forgiveness - we are all doing are best; insights - from wisdom leaders; patience - for a loved one to heal from the virus patience with one another as we stay safe at home; hope - for future travel, hugs, and seeing the smiles behind the masksthey are there; and trust - it really will work out in the end. All will be well. It is through the adversities of 2020 that I’ve gained these gifts. In welcoming 2021, I want to be sure to take these with me and avoid some of the traps I was in, in the normal times. I hope that you’ll join me in changing the paradigm of 2020 - yes, it was a most challenging year, however, 2020 has had a great deal to offer. What are the gifts you gained from this past year?

The Gift of Acceptance Two Seconds of SadnessSometimes that’s all it takes! If you do not transform your pain, you will most assuredly transmit it." ... Richard Rohr As we come to the close of 2020, I invite you to a practice I know as Let it Out and CHEER. Before you can "let it out", it being your anger, or pain, or disappointments, you acknowledge and accept them. My default for a long time has been to try to change or deny feelings altogether. The result was a cycle of more pain and pain inflicted on others in my attempt to rid myself of it. Acceptance, especially of what we don't have control over, allows us to eventually move beyond. This is also true of accepting and acknowledging others without attempting to fix, to change, or to minimize someone’s situation. As a friend shared with me in a recent phone call, Two seconds of sadness is all I needed and wanted. Truly listen to your feelings and genuinely listen to others. Once recognized, our feelings or those of others especially the difficult ones (the "Let it Out") then we can CHEER, being open to the silver linings, the benefits. This process can’t be forced. It’s often preceded by a time of not embracing the pain and realizing the results, that you can reap the benefits of sincerely acknowledging those uncomfortable feelings. It’s freeing! For more insight on acceptance, I encourage you to read this article: https://www.psychologytoday.com//how-acceptance-can-transf

If you are like many families and friends around the world, more restricted as you gather for celebrations, maybe just on a video platform, try out this fun activity: https://tlcpathways.com/articles/kitchen-personalities. The link brings you to the description. It's easy, simple, and a great way to connect with either people you know well or not. Feel free to add your response to: If you were a kitchen utensil, what would you be AND why?