I’ve spoken to several people since writing my last post “Is Peace Possible?”.  The responses varied from blank reactions, in agreement with me, or “be a realist and that peace is not possible.”   Where does the truth lie — in our own beliefs around the possibility of peace in the world and our willingness to be partners in change?

I was trying to write a post on another topic while listening to a new CD I purchased by Zade.    An impossible task…I must write about what I’m experiencing right now.

I happened upon this wonderful artist by chance on a Public TV station that was showing: “One Night in Jordan…A Concert for Peace.”  Was it chance…I’m not a believer of chance, but rather I needed to hear this man’s music.

Zade’s piano playing, as well as his intention behind his music, creates tears in my eyes from the pure enjoyment of emotions filling me when listening to his music.

I’ve been thinking how we generally accept that there are areas of our lives that we are powerless to control.  We feel that we have no control over the crazy boss, bills, our partner’s habits, or what our children do.  We have no power to choose in some situations.  Yet is that true?

I’ve certainly had a boss from the pits, who was constantly unhappy with whatever I did, loved to let me know and was controlling.  It was no fun and to be honest I didn’t really handle it well.  I vacillated between trying to keep a safe distance and doing my best or giving up and not really trying as hard.    I definitely felt powerless with this person.   Yet was that true?

Does anyone else suffer from this annoying habit “one more thing to do before I leave for the day?”    I’m always rushing for the bus or am a few minutes late meeting someone because I did one more thing.

I’m not sure when or why I started this habit, but probably when the kids were young and there was always one more thing to do.  I remembered when I lived in San Francisco, before kids, I walked to the bus stop in a leisurely fashion with plenty of time to spare.   Actually, life in San Francisco was more relaxing and it’s unfair to compare New York City living to it.

Today is Valentine’s Day and immediately I thought of people I love.   How can I let them know they are important and special in my life?   Then I thought, “what about me?”  How do I show myself that I love “me” and I’m special in my life?

What flashed in my mind immediately is that I’m tolerating too much in my life.   How do I know that I’m tolerating “stuff?” I can tell by listening to my internal thoughts of frustrations or the complaints that I express to others.  

Don’t we all just love to let others know how we’ve been mistreated.   Listen to the conversations around you, as well as your participation, and you will hear many victim stories.

I noticed something about myself last night.  I was out to dinner and a friend was sharing how she was the victim in a situation.  I react strongly, though not necessarily wisely, when a woman plays the victim.  I wasn’t any different last night.   Ultimately I felt I had intruded on this person’s right to feel the way she does because of my own internal thoughts.

What do you think about change?    We all have our reactions to change…some things we are ready to let go, others we hold on to dear life.   All around us change is occurring without our permission.   As the seasons change, so does our lives.   How do you handle change from the outside?  Even more important how do you initiate change in your life?