A Provocative Thought

[Lookin 2 B Free]

I save inspirational quotes and look at them from time to time.  Today I came across this one, which always gives me a thrill:

"You're always one decision away from a totally different life."

Anyone care to jump in?

[Happypants]

Lookin 2 B Free - Love that, going to add it to my collection.  Thanks for a great post idea! It's amazing how one short statement can change your mindset in a split second.

"No-one can make you feel inferior without your consent" - Eleanor Roosevelt

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage" - Anais Nin

[blacksheep7]

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us."

-- Helen Keller

[Hepatica]

Lookin 2 Be Free,

Your quote is one of my favourites. It is absolutely true. For example. Years ago when I was young and single, I went to the beach by my house and brought a book and sat against a log on the beach to read. There was a music festival going on in the park next to the beach and this young man came and took a spot against the log I was sitting against. I thought he was cute. I hummed and hawed and tried to think how I could talk to him and then I just decided to ask him the time. He answered politely and we began talking about everything. He walked me home that night. Now he is my husband. And he's a good husband. I don't know that I could be doing what I am doing right now, going NC with my FOO if it wasn't for his support.

I woke up to this this morning. It's not technically a quote but I like it.

It's comforting to have a snappy answer or the certainty of knowing not only how it is, but how it happened and precisely what happens next.

But sometimes we don't know.

And in those moments, we are left with our first principles. To focus on possibility, on the change we seek to make, on showing up as an even better version of the person we hope to be.

Especially when it's hard.       

Seth Godin

[Hepatica]

I just want to add to my story above about my husband bc it sounds so up on myself as I re-read it. I wanted to share this. When I met my husband to be, I had left three terrible relationships with toxic men and was about to embark on another, a guy who I know would be considered in the complete lack of conscience realm, even malignant level PD. I had had two years of therapy though and I was beginning to see my own pattern of choosing bad guys. I nearly overlooked my husband and went with this bad guy but I read something in a pamphlet about domestic abuse and how sometimes we are attracted to a partner that seems familiar - bc of a disordered family of origin. I thought a lot about that. Who turned out to be my husband seemed new and unfamiliar to me and I nearly let him go. But after talking to a friend, she said, no, give him a chance. So I dumped the really bad guy and began dating my husband. That is the best decision I have ever made.

[Stillirise]

"I have room in my heart for him, but I no longer have room for him in my life." 
—my friend

We were discussing how I spent years putting up with abusive PD behaviors, because I felt "sorry" for his upbringing.  Someone close to me was commenting on a relationship that she ended several years ago. She made the above comment, in the context that she tries to fondly remember the good times, and still wishes him the best.  However, he is no longer part of her daily thoughts, or her life.  Those were the right words at the right time for me.

[Free2Bme]

I just want to add to my story above about my husband bc it sounds so up on myself as I re-read it. I wanted to share this. When I met my husband to be, I had left three terrible relationships with toxic men and was about to embark on another, a guy who I know would be considered in the complete lack of conscience realm, even malignant level PD. I had had two years of therapy though and I was beginning to see my own pattern of choosing bad guys. I nearly overlooked my husband and went with this bad guy but I read something in a pamphlet about domestic abuse and how sometimes we are attracted to a partner that seems familiar - bc of a disordered family of origin. I thought a lot about that. Who turned out to be my husband seemed new and unfamiliar to me and I nearly let him go. But after talking to a friend, she said, no, give him a chance. So I dumped the really bad guy and began dating my husband. That is the best decision I have ever made.

WOW Hepatica, wonderful for you,  ....there IS hope after all!


My favorite quote:

"If error is harmless, then truth is useless"
credit~ Abraham Booth (?)

[Lookin 2 B Free]

I love all your posts.  They inspire me.   Reminds me of another one of my faves:

"Everything you're searching for is on the other side of fear."

May we all be blessed with the courage to live our best lives, one step at a time!  I have committed myself to move forward in faith.  Even if it's hard. . . or scary. . . or I slide back sometimes.   Even if all I can manage are tiny baby steps,  They add up.  And none of us is doing this alone.