Growth – Pacific Northwest Empty Nester

I admit, own, and envelope the fact that I am a sensitive individual. Some would refer and categorize me as overly sensitive. And okay, I buy that. It’s always how I have been. However, aside from that, I have always had compassion for pretty much everyone, even those I don’t particularly like.

What I don’t understand is those that lack compassion. I just don’t understand it. I have tried to rationalize it. I have tried to wrap my head around it. I can’t imagine people are born that way, it’s got to be a thing that’s environmental. Generational? I mean children aren’t born racists, that’s taught. Compassion or lack of must be taught – yes? no?

What’s taking up space in my head is about the Bill’s player that suffered a cardiac arrest. He was down at least 15 minutes as they pounded on his chest, got his heart beat back and got him to the ER where he’s in critical condition. I have lost count in regards to how many people actually said to me – “They stopped the game because of that? Players get hurt and are taken to the hospital all the time, and they keep playing.” I want to say “Really? Is that all you are concerned about?”

Why don’t we as people take a pause and have a little compassion. For those around you, for the world, and for yourself.

And the night the football player was injured and suffered a cardiac arrest – having compassion would look like: “That night we were all Bills fans.”

This year I said to heck with the yearly New Years resolutions. I have great intentions. I never keep them. There’s a lot of self-loathing, and it becomes this – mess.

So my supervisor at work suggested and shared this cool link about adopting a word for 2023- instead of making those abysmal, hard to keep, annoying New Years resolutions.

My words for 2023 is “ sustainability “ – it’s a noun meaning the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level. From my perspective if what I’m choosing to do I can’t continue to do or keep up appropriately ain’t doing it. That circles back to making good choices.

As I watched everybody’s posts about jumping on the exercise train, counting calories, doing keto, etc. etc. etc. I just shook my head and refused to feel pressured or guilty because that’s just not how I roll. For me I have to do things that make sense, work and again are sustainable.

For instance there’s a study out that they’ve been working on for 25 years that talks about the importance of being hydrated and people that are dehydrated chronically have a higher incidence of serious health issues.

Anybody who knows me, knows I’m not a water person in regards to drinking water I hate to drink water. But if something small like making sure I get nine glasses of water a day helps me in the long run for health it seems sustainable.

My other choice this year is to become more involved in my interests and my life. Being the caretaker of others while it feels good it’s exhausting. I include my spouse and son in this equation.

The kid needs to reach out more on his own. Without any prompting from me. If that means me not reaching out unless I truly have to – even if that’s going to smart – oh well. The secret is for me to keep busy enough to where I don’t feel I need to connect with him all the time. Remnants of a recovering helicopter parent.

And my person, my spouse, my partner – it’s time he start doing more for himself. You won’t find me talking much about our relationship here. It’s private. I reserve my confiding about relationship challenges with my therapist and my girlfriends 🙂

And that friends- is for today sustainable. so tell me what’s your word for the year?

Category: Growth

Let’s Talk a Little Bit About Compassion

New Years Word – No Resolution’s