KimPressions

I saw these 12 Truths online. The author is unknown, but it led me to some serious pondering. I retyped and added an autumn background. (Hey, ’tis the season.) Every one of these rang true to me. See if you feel the same.

1. The past cannot be changed.

We all have a past. (We weren’t born yesterday.) Our baggage might be filled with cherished memories or some things we would rather forget. It could be some of each. No matter what our past encompasses, it was what it was. And it will never change. We don’t possess a miraculous time machine to alter our pasts. (I’d be the first in line!) Looking back in retrospection, would we really want to? Those years formulated who we are. If we allow those times to mold us into a negative, unkind person, then all those years of experiences were for naught. My past is sprinkled with good and bad, but it’s my goal to mix all my years of life adventures into a potpourri of valuable knowledge and cherished wisdom.

2. Opinions don’t define your reality.

There are as many opinions out there as people. Many think that you should adopt their belief system or be hated. We should accept others despite their views, but we don’t have to conform with them. (Love the person, not what the action.) If only warring societies could only understand that concept. Various groups endeavor to sway us to embrace their current agendas or opinions, but we have the free agency to choose our own paths. When an opinion tries to limit you they can peacefully be proven wrong. (Like the doctors who said I’d be a vegetable the rest of my life. I will eventually walk up to them and say, “Ha!” I will do it on my ‘Victory Tour.’) Be true to yourself. Make your own choices. Just because the idea is popular doesn’t make it correct. (Don’t be a lemming!)

3. Everyone’s journey is different.

If you have numerous children you understand all too well. Their origins stem from the same place, but they are vastly different. Their paths follow different roads due to their personalities, choices, and sometimes just plain dumb luck. Everyone out in this great big world is experiencing their own trials and hardships. (Some are more public than others. Take it from me!) We all have our load (or loads) to bear in this life. No one is charmed, even if they look the part. You just never know what they could be going through. When the stranger in the car next to you does something brainless or rude, before you get mad, stop and think for a minute. What is their story? Why could they be acting this way? (Yeah, there are flat-out jerks out there.) But I have faith the majority of people are inherently good. Try to live with an understanding that behind the perfect curb-appeal facade or the jerk facade people struggle with a myriad of trials that we can’t even begin to comprehend. Be more forgiving of others and their weaknesses. We have them, too!

4. Things always get better with time. 

I know my recovery is moving at a caterpillar’s pace, but I will not give up just because I’m feeling a little impatient. (Or a lot!) Events always appear to be the worst when we’re in the thick of them. Time does help heal any wound, maybe not fully, but it helps. Keep the wound clean and well cared for so it doesn’t fester. (That means have a good attitude!) Example: I like Peeps when they’re rock solid, just less than petrified. (I know I’m weird.) I will buy a package, poke a big hole in it, hide it, and wait about a week. If I want to enjoy them the way I like them, I must wait. That’s my crazy example, but many things in our lives get much, much better with time. My marriage is a prime example. I thought we were great at first, but times that by 10,000 almost thirty years later. To sum up my thoughts: Be patient, and try. (Take a chill pill. I’m speaking theoretical, of course.)

5. Judgements are a true view of character.

Picture the “Mirror, mirror on the wall.” This magical reflective oracle was painfully honest. The way you judge others also reveals your true inner attributes. Many grapevine gossip stories start with one making a snap judgement. How many storylines involve misconceptions? (More than I can count!) How more simplified would life be if we eradicated these altogether? We should avoid judging altogether. It’s not our job. When we judge, informed or not, we display to the world the worst versions of our self. Like Dieter F. Uctdorf said of judging “Stop it!”

6. Overthinking leads to sadness.

Take it from a professional over thinker, I have hashed and rehashed every detail of my live countless times. (I especially did it when I couldn’t move!) Your overactive, worrisome brain can cause unrelenting turmoil for yourself. My husband always says, “Don’t waste a worry.” This time-squandering process of remembering and speculating is pointless. (You know how the worst day’s details run over and over through your head in a loop. Some call it PTSD.) Take on the attitude of ‘it was what it was’ or ‘it will be what it will be.’ Do you really think you can change the past? (Let me know when they invent that.) You can, although, create a better future. Don’t spend your precious time on the negative or self-torture with unneeded rehashing of the past or worrying about the future. Follow Elsa’s advice, “Let it go!”

7. Happiness is found within.

You know those people who are unbelievably happy while their house is figuratively burning down around them? Why do you think that is? Attitude, a positive one. I would love a luxurious mansion and a sleek sports car with all the conceivable bells and whistles. Then give me a full-size Barbie closet with a huge wardrobe and every cool piece of bling. Take me to a tropic isle several times a year. I could have it all materially and still be unhappy inside without my family, faith, and hope for the future. (Many don’t possess those!) True happiness can’t be bought on Amazon. It is only something you can conjure up inside yourself. (Get crackin’!)

8. Positive thoughts produce positive results.

This one’s a no-brainer, but it is so incredibly hard to actually do. It is so easy to say, “Woe’s me!” when times get hard. But keeping your chin up, head high, and spirits elevated is a little harder. When I was working in accounting, I had a sign on the wall that said, “I Can Do Hard Things.” It was there to remind me when the books didn’t balance, I have it in me to keep hunting down that error. Or when I was on hold on the phone with the IRS for five hours, I remembered that I could be doing something worse. (Even after hours of that annoying hold music!) Mentioning phones, don’t forget you can phone a friend. Being positive is easier with company. If they’re a thoughtful friend, they will help you see a sunny side of the situation you haven’t considered. (You can’t grow roses with turnip seeds!) You only recieve what you give. Give it a good one!

9. Smiles are contagious.

Have you ever tried walking down the street with a big grin on your face? I have. It’s a great experiment. I traveled a block with a sour expression, and everyone looked away, were super quiet or equally returned a blank expression. Then on the next block all I did was smile. The people I passed spoke to me with a happy greeting and consequently returned my smile with a smile. How can you possibly be unhappy with a smile on your face? Smiling should be on the top ten most contagious diseases list. (Kill ’em with kindness!)

10. Kindness is free.

Speaking of kindness… it acts as another magnifying glass to the soul. It might be an inconvenience, but nothing can be a substitute for the awesome feeling you’ll take away. (Kindness is addictive!) Most of the time all it takes is a quick split-second gesture. Pay attention to your conscience to assist you in identifying who and what is at need. All you must do is forget yourself and take the first step. Then your heart will take control. (Engaging your auto-pilot.) Kindness will never go out of style. Those simple gestures don’t cost a cent to perform, but they’re worth way more! (I remember every kind act I have performed!) When you show care for another it is the most human thing you can do. Be human, be kind.

11. You only fail if you quit.

No matter what your current goal is, “Keep on swimming, keep on swimming!” Dory knew the secret. (When she remembered it.) Don’t ever quit. If you continue to persevere, failure is not an option. You might stumble, you might fall, but the race isn’t over until you cross that finish line. It might be a lifelong race! Who knows? Don’t ever throw your hands (hand) up and admit defeat. It might involve a portion of the “P” word. (Patience.) You will get Heavenly points for trying. But seriously, it will be worth it!

12. What comes around goes around.

You know the saying. ‘What you give is what you’ll ultimately get.’ (Destiny.) Fate is an unforgiving reward squad. I personally don’t want negative just desserts. So my little kismet insurance policy is to be a good person. Kismet is a Turkish word which originally meant ‘to divide.’ Now they use it to describe fate or destiny, what one deserves. I enjoy those movie scenes that show a bad person’s fate strike them. But good people also get what’s coming. I believe that’s how it works. Usually it won’t be rewarded here on earth, but we will get what we deserve at one time or another. (I wish you the best of kismet!)