When I was married, I often asked my husband to help out but when he did… I would sometimes criticize his work and end up completing the task on my own.

I see now that this was damaging to our relationship for several reasons:

I let my husband know that I did not value his contribution.

I made him believe that he was incapable of doing any task as well as I could.

And… I set myself up to never ask for or receive help because no one could live up to my standard of work.

My perfectionism was not only hurting the person I loved, it was also helping to keep me overwhelmed, weary, worn, because I refused to share the burden of my load with others who were willing and wanting to help.

Today I know that my perfectionism is a character asset and a flaw.

My perfectionism ensures that I will give a job my “all” my best work.

But… my perfectionism also gets in the way of my own spiritual growth and it keeps those around me from feeling needed and valued.

It is in my best interest, to let go and let others participate in my life.

I must accept help and I must accept that they are completing the task as best they can and praise them for their work.

_

“Dear God, help me to let others in. Help me to step aside and allow others to share my heavy load.”

Sometimes I find myself so overwhelmed with day-to-day life that my mind becomes engulfed by fear.

Fear of things I have no control over.

It always seems funny to me… how struggling with commitments can turn into struggling with fear.

But… it always makes sense when I break it down to one simple fact: loss of control.

Whenever I am feeling out of control in day-to-day life, that is when fear sets in.

It is at this time that I know I must quiet my mind and focus on small tasks to return to a calm sense of balance:

Folding one pile of clothes.

Mailing off a bill.

Making the bed.

Sweeping the porch.

Each chore may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things but order in my daily life releases my mind from chaos, clutter, and fear and allows me to focus on what truly matters:

Progressing on my spiritual path instead of wasting my precious time lost in a state of panic.

_

“Dear God, help me to let go of fear and calm my mind. Help me to complete each small task so that I am able to move forward towards bigger accomplishments.”

Today I look forward to celebrating with my family and friends. Joyous events remind me of how lucky I am that I am surrounded by so many loving people in my day-to-day life. To turn off the cell phones… To step away from technology… To share good food and good conversation… laughter and good will… soothes my soul and calms me in a way that nothing else can. It is important to set time aside to celebrate with the people I love. These celebrations are significant markers… wonderful memories of my life. Today, I am reminded it is not about money… or education… or work… or chores… It is about embracing my family… and holding them close during these lovely shared moments. _ “Dear God, thank you for the gift of joy. Remind me to always set time aside to celebrate with those I love.”

Today I was at a conference when the speaker began to lecture on drive and stamina.

He talked about how we so want the rewards of a goal yet we often don’t have the drive or stamina… gumption really… to be rejected numerous times before we get it.

His words stayed with me over the course of the day.

I thought of how many times I have been knocked down in life and how many times I’ve stood back up, brushed myself off, and tried again.

Life is full of set backs.

Life is full of rejection.

I cannot be easily deterred from my path just because someone tries to stand in my way.

It is my responsibility to be strong in my core, work hard for the goals I hope to achieve, and fight on with moral fortitude against the odds if necessary.

Today I choose to let my drive, my stamina, carry me towards my goal.

_

“Dear God, thank you for giving me the will and the drive to achieve my dreams. Help me to stay the course as I work towards my goal.”

Recently, I have been burdened with too many commitments and too little time.

I know that I must finish each project in front of me but, overtaxed and worn, it is hard to keep going when I so want to stop.

So, when I find myself in the midst of a task that proves to be too great to bear, I reflect on a quote that has always helped me:

Just for today.

It is a simple saying but it reminds me that all I have to do is get through the present moment: the past is now gone and the future is not my concern.

I can tolerate any difficult situation for one day, one hour, one minute, one second if necessary.

Life is sometimes difficult, commitments can often weigh heavy, but if when I am overwhelmed I calm my mind and focus on the day… I will make it through.

_

“Dear God, help me to have the strength I need to see a task through to completion. Help me to be calm and focused as I work towards my goal.”

When I was first divorced, it was emotionally taxing each time memories of the past would suddenly arise.

A specific smell: like my ex-husband’s aftershave or cologne could bring me to tears.

A photograph of a joyous moment in the past, could weigh my heart down heavy with despair, at the thought that we would never share a moment like that again.

A movie we enjoyed, a favorite place to eat, a book that we both loved, were all painful reminders of my broken heart.

Today, now that time has healed my pain, I cherish each memory as it presents itself in my daily life and rejoice that I have had such wonderful times with someone I truly loved.

There are many people in this world that will never experience the love I have had in my life.

These memories remind me of how precious and fleeting life is.

I must remember to live in the day, cherish my time with those I love in the present, for there is no guarantee of what the future will bring.

_

“Dear God, thank you for providing me with love. Thank you for giving me cherished memories that I can hold dear during the difficult times in my life.”