I don’t feel I take anything for granted these days. After 4 tumultuous years and a pandemic to boot, I have learned to keep my eye on what is important and let the other stuff go. I appreciate my health, my loved ones, my home, my friends, my job and I do not take any of them for granted.

I can appreciate the time I am spending with my husband, cooking more than usual, and spending time doing my art.

Honestly, I think it is naive to think everyone is a good person and will not harm us. Just look at our awful political situation today.

I find it easier to let go of anger when the person who hurt me apologizes. It is hard to shake the ongoing resentment of someone who knows they hurt me and yet chooses not to apologize.
I can’t change their behavior, but I also have to accept that my feelings towards them will never be the same. It makes me very sad.

Truly, everything. The time to think and just be during Covid while I have worked from home has been a blessing. I recognize how much love and friendship and support I have in my life, and I am providing the same for others.

To have faith in my intuition. So often in the past I have ignored it to my detriment. I am much more open to listening and following those inner promptings these days.

I am going to visit a friend (socially distanced, of course) and I always feel grateful for her wisdom and her excellent listening skills.

Stay home. Wear a mask. Be kind.

I have always been fortunate to have friends and family there when I need them in difficult times. It would be impossible without them.

My husband’s health has been declining over the past several years, and I never saw myself as very good with sick people. But I have found a deep compassion in myself for his suffering, and am patient and loving with him. It has deepened our relationship and made me a better person, for sure.

My father’s, who was a lifelong Democrat in a sea of Republicans, who held on to his belief that we should help others. I have carried that belief since I was young, and will carry it forward in this new era.

I vote my values.

Our poor, divided country needs my compassion. Never thought I would see this kind of divisiveness today, in my own country. I have much more compassion for the countries of the world who have experienced, or continue to experience this kind of ugliness.

Think before I speak. Sometimes I start talking before my thoughts are fully formed, either verbally or in an email. I need to spend a little more time thinking about what I am going to say or write.

Good for you, Patricia, for making a decision to leave a toxic workplace. All the best.

So sorry for your disappointment, Antoinette. Take good care.

I love this, and it is one of my mantras when someone is less than nice to me or others.

So true, all you are saying, Antoinette.

I like that: “Preach the Gospel, and when necessary, use words.” Very prescient of St. Francis.

Agree. I really don’t like seeing spiders either.