That was Then, This is Now, from Distressed to Stress-free

Years ago, I watched a friend place a stack of photos through the shredder. She cited she no longer wanted any so-called memory lingering in what she believed was her new life. Wow, I could never envision myself doing that. Instead, I would remove those pictures from my “this is now” photo album and place them in my “that was then” album. Only the good pictures, the great memories, the “oh so right,” appear in the “this is now” collection.

HOW WE DEAL WITH LIFE MATTERS

Everyone deals with dilemmas differently. Sometimes the bad memories serve as great reminders, prompting us to never repeat the same things again. It doesn’t matter what caused the unwelcome memory whether an unacceptable workplace, a toxic relationship or an alleged friendship. What matters is how you choose to handle the situation.

Now and then, we run across those who try our patience, pushing all the wrong buttons. The problem occurs when we react too hastily only regretting what we said or did that made matters worse. Sometimes it’s better to just grin and bear it. Other times you just know your significant other, relatives, friends or the workplace wasn’t meant to be. You spot those who make you feel bad and accept the situation or admit it’s now or never, a time to challenge or change something that isn’t working.

CHOOSING THE ROAD TO STESS-FREE

Perhaps it’s time to move in another direction, any direction to avoid individuals who leave you feeling less than your ideal self. Who doesn’t enjoy good company and spending time with those who bring out our best? So, tell me why do we associate with people who continue to bring out our worse? We tend to spend time in relationships that take us from stress-free to distressed in a matter of nanoseconds.

THIS IS NOW

Create the life you want. A happy life happens when we choose peace over drama. Share life with those who aren’t reckless with your heart. Perhaps the time has come to move out of the equation altogether, away from the distress, apart from the commotion, and far from the bitter distraction. After all, this is where peace and harmony reside. When all is said and done, the dust will settle, and only then will you begin to see things clearly. And as you breathe a sigh of relief, you realize that was then… this is now.