Years ago I would visit my mom when she lived outside beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. Mom’s place was small so I stayed with her friend Barbara who was kind enough to offer a room. Mom and Barbara were Meals On Wheels buddies. Every morning Barbara and I chatted while walking in her neighborhood among the tall pine trees near the Blue Ridge Parkway. The birds greeted us and sometimes we saw deer in that bucolic setting.
One morning we were walking along and I was probably doing my usual whiny complaining. My life with an aging mother, three children, a partner and a full time job felt full up to my eyeballs in obligation.
Barbara very calmly turned to me and stated, “I never do anything I don’t want to”. I looked at her incredulously allowing the concept to roll around my tired brain. “But how?” I stammered.
https://reallove.com/identifying-victimhood/
What she told me has stayed with me my entire life. “Either I don’t do a thing, or I do what I want or I decide I want to.”
As a young woman, it took me awhile to wrap my brain around not acting like a victim. I still find complaining creeping into my words and thoughts but do my best to put on the brakes as soon as I catch myself. It takes practice to DECIDE I want to take my MIL to the doctor, take the car for service, or get my hearing checked, all things on my agenda for the week. Knowing I can say “no” helps, but there are always those pesky consequences. Better to decide I want to.
DOS TORTAS
the adventures of dos tortas 
Wonderful ♥️
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Excellent attitude!
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Honed over the years.
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I love this Alex – I absolutely love this. Thank you thank you xo
Lorrie Jones
Simple Serenity
simpleserenity.comhttp://simpleserenity.com/
253.312.3117
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I’m sending this to my nephew who constantly uses that phrase. Thank you.
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Good luck.
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Sound advice!
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Certainly makes me happier 😊
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