Sometimes, when attempting to fulfill commitments, you find the need to ask more questions. It's a fluid task - like a river. You're floating along in your kayak, and all of the sudden, you're stuck on the bottom in low water. Can you paddle your way to deeper water? Must you exit the kayak, and walk it to deeper water? Sitting there complaining you're stuck will do nada. So you have a discussion regarding more explicit parameters of that commitment - nobody's really wrong - there were just different expectations - you had NO idea the water level was going to drop THAT fast!!! It's not life-altering, you just adapt, adjust and move on. True confession - at times, when I feel people question the way I create, I can get a little defensive. It feels like it kind of bumps my passion, right in the face - resulting in a knee-jerk reaction, a definite character flaw.  That is why communication is important. While I totally get that questions are just seeking information, and not an attack; I still get that old trigger. Hopefully, someday, I will be able to view that one in my rear view mirror...

I've been balancing a lot on my plate, lately - I'm fine; but let's just say, medical issues abound in my family/friend circle. The bottom-line question to resetting, is, what is the truth? What CAN I control - I am not a medical professional, so that's ruled out. I am an empath - I can hold space for people, til the cows come home - soooo, I will support "my people", however I'm able. I attempt to ask questions that don't add to their load, while being true to what I need to do, to keep MY peace. Sometimes, it can be a delicate balance; but keeping lines of communication open, helps. Remember, if the other person/people feel you're adding pressure - you cannot just "explain that away". But, you still have to be true to you, even if it's quietly. Let them feel whatever they need - at this point, it is NOT about you. Your reset comes in the keeping of that truth. Doing what you need to do - even if it's in silence.  I'm a believer that people who truly know you will feel that support, anyway. Keep in mind - you must do what THEY need. Isn't it crazy how it will help YOU reset??!

...tell OUR story - someone else will; AND THEY WILL (almost always) GET IT WRONG!!! If you have a Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse/Assault or ANY kind of story - do you understand you have a RIGHT to share with ANY person YOU deem "safe". Abusers, of all types, continue, because they make their victims feel ashamed; and don't want people to know what kind of people they really are. Well - THAT REALLY isn't YOUR fault/problem, is it? If they don't want people to think badly of them - they shouldn't do things to create that possibility!!! We ALL can learn to make "good choices" in life - amiright??!

I recently listened to a Mel Robbins Podcast, featuring Dr Marc Brackett - he was discussing how to self-regulate your emotions.  The biggest takeaway, for me, was learning to "observe" the world around you - what people say/don't say, etc; as opposed to "absorbing" it all - basically, just be a sponge for the productive things in your life; and let the unproductive "noise", etc, just float away as the water (emotion) rushes over you. I used to have a "hair-trigger", when it came to responding to things, because I felt I had to defend every little iota of information (right or wrong), in any given interaction. This was part of my pendulum swing from not saying ANYTHING to cause waves. Now, I have been making the choice to keep my mouth shut - if they're right or wrong. My superpower really isn't being the great defender of everything!!! I am being more selective of the the "battles" I engage in. Hmmmmm...making my own choices...what a NOVEL idea!!!

Is it real - or just your imagination playing tricks on you??! I have come to realize, in MANY of life's situations, that the one putting the MOST pressure on me, IS ME!!! Though, when questioned, my response is usually, "Well, THEY said...", etc. However, realistically - who IS "THEY"??! Often, it's the old tapes replaying in my head, from situations gone bad in the past - and NOT wanting to feel that sting, again. While we ARE supposed to learn from the past, we are ALSO supposed to grow from it. Not "pinball" our way through life - bouncing from trigger to trigger - changing directions, every time. In the consistent choices we make, each time we bounce off that trigger, we are able to choose where we want to go - IT IS A LEARNED RESPONSE, and it takes time - but if you never start, you'll never learn. The ONLY way to remove the pressures you feel, is the choices you make when they arise. Take it from a "Recovering Pressure Cooker"... We would LOVE to hear any insight you might have. Please contact the ministry via this website; or email us at Ozer Ministries, Inc - ozerministries@att.net ; or my email - Connie J... - beamererin@yahoo.com . Have a good day, and be safe!!! #ENDtheSILENCEofVIOLENCE #isityou #domesticviolenceiseverywhere #youarenotalone #doyouknow #choicesmatter #pressure