DEALING WITH REJECTION

Whether we like it or not, we all face rejection sometimes. It can be a small putdown in a conversation. An idea is rejected.
Applying for a job and not getting it is a form of rejection.
A new love rejects us. A marriage is over and the spouse rejects us.
A new diet does not work and it feels like rejection. A fitness program does not pan out.
Rejection too often can lead to bad self esteem and low mood.
So how to deal with it. Normalizing that rejection happens to everyone. Take a look at the rejection and are there ways to turn it around.
Reviewing all the successful times in your life. Wallow in some self pity for a short time. Then pick yourself up and get on your two feet and move forward.
What have you done to deal with rejection?
#rejection#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#dealingwithrejection#whatstrategiesdoyouusetodealwithrejection#howmanytimescanyouberejectedbeforefeelingblue#normalizethefactweallfacerejectionatsometimeinourlives

LET HIM EAT CAKE FOR HIS CELEBRATION

A January birthday celebration for a husband, dad and grandpa. Just family but fun to be together. We used the Toronto Maple Leafs as the theme. If no Maple Leaf stuff then wear blue and white. It was good to be together. Not that we needed to eat lots after the Christmas season. So more fruit, veggies, chicken. sweet and hot sausages and pizza was on the menu.

Birthdays are a good way to mark life. They are an opportunity to get together. Eat, drink and yes make him eat cake. The problem is my husband does not like to eat much cake so I get to try to finish it. I am smarter. I cut pieces and freeze for another day.
#birthday#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#torontomapleleafs#blueandwhitetheme#lotstoeat#pizza#chicken#veggiesanddip#sowhatifhedoesnotlikecake#barbaradimambro

IS RISK TAKING WORTH DEATH?

Life happens. Accidents can happen. But skiing in the back country and being killed by an avalanche in BC. Climbing a resort wall in Collingwood and falling to your death. Driving drunk. Taking medication with fentanyl.  Are unnecessary risks worth a life?
Risk taking with a safety net is always a good thing. No we can not live in a bubble. Life involves getting out there and living. But wearing a seat belt. Staying home during a snowstorm. Driving according to conditions. Putting away items in a home to make it safe for a toddler or other children. Salting your driveway. Not going to countries Canada recommends not to visit. The list is endless.  I am tired of seeing grown ups dying for a stupid reason just because they wanted a challenge and some fun.
Yes I have taken risks- many in my life. Yes I challenged myself.
Well I have driven on the 401 during rush hour, haven't I??
#risktaking#whydiefromrisktaking#safetyisagoodthing#takecalculatedrisks#drivingonthe401duringrushhour#lifeneedschallengesbutplayitsafemakesthemdoable

HOSTING THE PERFECT EVENT OR NOT- PERFECTIONISM HURTS

I read today about hosting the perfect family get together. I read before Christmas about having the perfect Christmas tree. The word perfect prevails in design magazines. Fashion magazines. So what is perfect? And does it really matter??
Perfectionism is part of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. However in modern magazines, websites and stylist we need to be perfect, dress perfectly, and well be perfect.
Being perfect is a high standard to maintain.  No one is really perfect. Even if we think we do things perfectly someone always points out the little flaw and often with contempt.
Being organized and doing things well brings contempt. Others who can not achieve your standard like to see failure. Humans can be a jealous bunch!
So much for perfectionism. Let it go to grow.
What if instead of the perfect party or Christmas tree or house, why not a comfortable, a happy place, what works for you.
Yes everything including yourself can be well designed but taking the pressure of perfect away gives room for more fun and well being.
So I am hosting a bday dinner for family for my hubby. It will not be perfect. With a variety of age ranges of the children there will be noise and someone not liking some of the food and well this is boring I want to go home!!
In its own way it will be perfect to me. Why? Well we are together as family. There will be those family pictures with all the funny faces we all make. Another chance to celebrate together.
One person's definition of perfect can be different than another's. I like the idea of imperfection.
#perfectionism#reflectivethoughsbybarbara#hostingafamilyevent#perfectlivingdoesitexist#hostingfamilyeventscanbefun#lettingperfectionismgo

SNOW CLEANS UP THE VIEW

So looking out the patio doors to the back porch, it made me reflect on how beautiful snow can be. Not the dump Newfoundland received but a nice dusting in the yard. If it has to be winter then let the snow cover the brown dinghy view. Besides snow helps to make it lighter at night. The next time the grandchildren visit they can play in the snow
#snow#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#playinginthesnow#winterfuninsnow#canadaanditssnow

JANUARY- THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR

January- right in the winter months. Time to begin the new year. It is a good month to get lots of indoor projects done. If not heavy snowfalls, little outdoor work. If a lover of winter sports then a great opportunity to get outside skiing or sledding or skating or whatever activity liked to get lots of fresh air. If waiting for bargains, a good month to capitalize on those end of season sales.
January is a month of renewal. Something about the start of a new year that brings hope. Hope for a good year. Hope for good health. Hope to make it through winter to spring.
I always liked January as it is my birthday month and other family members.
But the month comes with a letdown too for many people. The January blues can happen. The feeling when Christmas is really over and all the hoopla is over. The emptiness of being indoors too much.
So at the second day, time to get some goals, action and activities to help it be a good month. How about you? What are your thoughts about January?
#January#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#januaryblues#indooractivites#howtogetthroughthewinter#hopeforagoodyear

NEW YEAR-NEW BEGINNING

The start of a new year can bring new resolutions and goals. A new year. A new beginning. For me I stopped making resolutions. What I do is revisit my goals for myself. Do I need to exercise more? Do I need to finish my projects? Are there friends to see?
With family, what more can we do with each other. Are there events to see?
What will 2019 bring? Health, wealth and happiness are always ideas permeating with many people. For me, life has slowed down and maybe I want it to rev up a little.
First day of the new year was busy with putting away all the Christmas decorations and reorganizing them too. The linens washed. The floors dusted- the place looked like a dust bowl. So maybe a goal will be to reduce the dust in my house over the winter. Or maybe the Christmas stuff hid it??
I like the idea of new beginnings. Wanting to make some change is a good thing. Takes about 2 weeks to change a habit!
January is a time for celebration in our family- 3 birthdays and 1 anniversary. So there will be food and cake.
So bringing on my creative self. Writing. Crafts. Looking for ways to augment my income.
Of course the ongoing support and care of my husband.
So how about you. What new beginning do you have in mind?
#newbeginnings#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#goals#noresolutions#friends#family#revinguplife#whatwill2019bring