To many people this is Christmas time. Officially (meaning according to Church calendars were in Advent time) and that means we/I do my best to be my best. That is what I try to do everyday so it's always Christmas time for me.
Regardless, it's fair to create that new feeling of love for all folx. Peace on Earth and goodwill too
We're being low key this holiday what about you?
Words have meaning! On World AIDS Day, Dec 1st we/I think about how far I've come. I recall the friends, co workers and others who succumomed to this plague. I also celebrate the future where proper care can keep me alive. Lets speak our truths and break stigma by not using labels/terms such as "not clean" or "UB2." Words have Power.
I read in a column a friend writes "The future belongs to those who prepare for it." He's quoting Malcom X
Truer words were never spoken, even later in my life. I only started to earn money through trading stocks. It wasn't until my very late 40s actually. I didn't enter the market willy nilly but after reading and researching. I PREPARED for a future. There's not a lot of money in stocks but enough to enjoy what I do have and will in the future.
Prepare for it, the future that is can appear daunting and when the future is uncertain it may seem futile, still I'll plan for what will be.
Do you prepare for your future?
My job changed at work a few months ago. Needing state certification to actually begin at my new role I needed updated training, too. It's taken MONTHS and now that classes, all six are done I need to 'shadow' a person with experience. Backstory: I've done this job before it's that certification lapsed thus retraining as if it's square one.
At times I thought of giving up, giving in and finding a new career but I realized that I had a goal to meet
I'm back to focusing on the goal and not the path or road to that goal
Does this resonate with you?
In my line of work there is bound to be errors. FYI the best way to describe my work is in the social services field. There are things we/I need to be meticulous about such as record keeping. It's the interactions with people that sometimes miscommunication happens. It's the not fully hearing a clients needs for angst.
Regardless I do my best. I try to explain to clients that I am human with frailties. I still give it my all and do my best.
Realizing that no one is a machine we/I need to see differences and work with those.
What I say impacts my actions. Do I/We think before speaking and acting? I know that I've said things and acted what I've said. I really hope I say only things that speak uplifting thoughts and thus actions
Speech has power. Words do not fade. What starts out as a sound, ends in a deed.
Abraham Joshua Herschel
Whenever I used the word “should” when talking to myself, it was motivated by a lack of self-acceptance rather than encouragement. Some years ago I heard a wise person say "Please don't should on me." Should is a directive, not as encouraging as I prefer.
Can we share less should please?
7 Rules of life
Enjoy the NOW
I've been dating the same person for 16 weeks. It helps that we are both work alcoholics, very involved in our community and share same passions of helping people. We've both had some unpleasant dating/relationships and we decided at the same time to take things slowly
Enjoying the NOW is our mantra. Making and keeping time to share a meal, watch a show we both like, work on projects that fulfill us all in moderation. Since our 'date night is Saturday evenings' we both look forward to making that our now time.
What helps you to enjoy the now?
For those new to my blog I'm a queer man living with AIDS. HIV positive since mid 1980s and in 1993 got the official AIDS diagnosis. I'll go over why I choose HOPE over DESPAIR later or you can just scroll though any former topics so see what I mean. Today is different
During a discussion in the group Positive Attitudes we talked about an article in POZ magazine about brain disorders.
I do have two brain disorders, the first being HIV encephalitis and the second PML
Add a minor stroke 13 years ago and I'm shocked that I can work full time. Seriously until I got the PML diagnosis just two years ago I was on disability.
I choose HOPE over DESPAIR and found employment where i can share my work skills and life lessons
Where do you find angst and do you fight it or combat it?
There are many street sings advising us/ME on what to do, what to avoid, how fast to go, etc
I thought it would be super if such signs existed for my life. Who knows how I avoided "that wrong road" or made an incorrect turn without warning. Turns out there were road signs in my life:
Mom is one of them. Her wisdom gained from growing up with a family like the one I did helped her see the dangers ahead. I joined the Boy Scouts and they taught "Do your best"
Now I'm in uncharted waters in my dating life. Thanks to having had rough roads before I think I know what lies ahead
Still I'll take head on the future What sign do you follow?
The cartoon "Pinky and The Brain" is about perseverance. Through mishaps they try and try and try again to "take over the world" A key word that Brain says is "TRY"
As Winston Churchill said never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never
When work leaves me weary, I say "I'll try", when a date goes bad, I try again
What tools do you use to "Try and take over the world"
Happy New Year. That I survived covid free all year despite working in an assisted living facility is a miracle. Turning 58 mid December having been "PROMISED" at 34 I'd have seven years to live is a miracle. 22 years of sobriety and that is a miracle.
Having been single for a few years I had a second date last night: that's a miracle for sure
These maybe small things to you but if you've gotten anything from this blog I praise small things
What has been your miracle?
From "Fiddler on the Roof"
