I don’t like to give advice, but I wish I’d given myself this a long while ago.
Something like, if it feels uncomfortable don’t do it or if you can’t avoid, wear a warm coat
Stay out of the wind, and when you can’t wear a hat.
Don’t cross paths with wolves or coyotes or get into conversations about them.
If its none of your business, don’t talk. If it becomes your business, let the other person talk first (you’ll know).
Go to yoga even if its fake Easter. Do your asigned part, but also take care of you. Be helpful if needed, stay within the peramiters. Dress as if it’s actually Easter.
Sometimes being right and quiet is the best way to be right.
Being right in some (most) cases doesn’t matter at all.
I’ve learned the hard way. It took a few years. Im not sure why, but I get it now. Put the oxygen mask on youself first. Its a metaphor for life.
I now spend most of my time here doing things I like doing. I got a job teaching, I walk with a friend, we laugh, I do a ridiculous amount of yoga, I even have my art in a gallery, my books in a handful of establishments. Instead of enduring, I’m sidestepping. Instead of trying to blend in, I decided not to.
Weirdly, even when others are spending their days doing things they don’t want to do, and disliking it every step and in every conversation, I give up any guilt for being happy. Also weirdly, if I’m happy, I tend not to be part of problems.
Here’s the yoga term I just learned:
“Ahimsa”.
Its a Sanskrit word that means do the opposite of harm. Not just do no harm, but actively do good. Uplift, inspire, encourage, love, show kindness, invoke joy. Nurture, heal, help…
As my yoga teacher suggested, we start with ourself!
AHIMSA!
Peace Kit 