Moving forward

Image from Instagram

Recently I was chatting with a friend and he said that he hated it when people told him to "Move on" or "Move forward" whenever he lamented about anything.  It amused me because even if he didn't want to, he was moving forward.

No matter how we dislike the notion of letting the past go, we unconsciously leave a bit behind each day until, suddenly, it no longer becomes an issue.

I know there are people who do mean things daily and don't think twice of it but my friend is one of those who knew he did mean or terrible things.  He regrets having done that.  He wishes he hadn't done them. However, he has moved on, knowing that he can be different from who he was.

In a way, this is true for all of us.  We shed the skin of who we were and we are a new person each and every day!

No one gets to say that we never change. We all change and no one gets to say that they know us well.  No one can because we do change; whether we like it and whether we know it or not.

Things I love...

As we get older and wiser, the list of things that we love grows shorter and shorter.  In fact, the things we want are no longer fighting for space with the things that we need. 

There was a time when I made a mental note of whatever I wanted to get and eventually I would go out and get it.  There are many items on that list that I haven't yet bought but they have been relegated to the nether worlds now.  

It made sense not to buy that Jimmy Choo pair of shoes since I'm almost always wearing my Fitflops!  Designer bags? They aren't practical for me now.  Clothes?  Nawwww as I have more than enough.  I could go on...

However, the list of things that I love which money cannot buy has grown tremendously.  It's a good feeling and there's a release from the bondage of shopping.  I have time to love and also enjoy the basic things that make my day better.  

How I have changed in these last three years from always buying more than I needed!!  (Stephen will smile when he reads this!).

Even though I live so near the famous Orchard Road, I hardly ever go there because I already have all the things I love or need.

In fact, I've given away so many things that I used to love and I haven't even thought about them at all.  How wonderful not to be tied to stuff.  

I think that moving away from Kuala Lumpur and having to leave all my favourite things behind has taught me a good lesson.  I didn't really need any of those things.

At the end of it all, just having someone to love is all we really need in life.

Groan if you want...

Taken from Pinterest

I know some will find my loving posts irritating. Well, groan all you want. 

The thing is that loving posts are so few and far between.  Most people find that sharing feuds, fights and foibles are an integral part of their life.  Maybe it's an indirect way to show the world how tough they are and that they can take on any challenge the world throws at them.  

I think that I have just as  much of a right to share the happy things and the positive vibes because, well, we need it. 

People curse and swear in real life and online.  So I figure that I can bless and spread goodness in the same way.  

If I am going to be exposed to people saying mean and ugly things then I'm not going to hold back  when I feel love or loved.  

Since I recovered, I feel so much  better.  I'm healthier and my strength is increasing.

Nobody really cares because all they want to know is about suffering and problems.  They want to be informed if someone is worse off or who has bigger issues to deal with.

Let's change that.   Let's talk about the love and bless those who are better off and be happy for those who have a better life.  

It's not as easy as you think.  But it's not impossible, either. 

The image above really touched my heart.  It's who my Stephen is!  While I may be the love of his life and the children come a close second, I know that I'll be having a tough fight for first place when the grandkids come.  We'll see!!!  

Listen and learn

I may not be considered an exceptional family member or friend but I do consider myself an exceptionally good listener.  They say that most people listen with the intention to reply and I am guilty of that sometimes but I am also capable of just listening.

I used to think that I would be able to solve people's problems but I'm over that already.  I realise that people just want to talk and they are always on the lookout for an eager listener.  Even if they don't know it themselves and even if they won't admit it, they will gravitate towards the one who listens.

When I saw this image on Facebook, in my mind, I thought of the people who appreciate that I listen to them when they need to let it out.  Do they know it is an effort not to offer advice or give an opinion! Probably not, as the state they are in wouldn't allow them to think of the person listening.  They just want to get it off their chest!  

I do share a positive slant to it if I can or I give some encouragement.  Listening is a two-way street!

I think that in our subconscious mind, we search for people who we think will understand us and we are so grateful when we find that there is always someone out there who will care enough to just listen.  

And while I listen, I learn as well.