Worthwhile Actions, Thoughts and Enduring Undertakings: It’s Your Choice

We forget how contagious our attitude, energy and opinions can be.

Erica wrote a great post about surrounding yourself with negativity or choosing a generally, more uplifting mindset with the people you spend your time with.

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Then I stumbled across this quote by Andre Maurois:

Often we allow ourselves to be upset by small things we should despise and forget. We lose many irreplaceable hours brooding over grievances that, in a year’s time, will be forgotten by us and by everybody. No, let us devote our life to worthwhile actions and feelings, to great thoughts, real affections and enduring undertakings.

I find myself struggling with the ‘small things’ like I’m trying to move in sticky honey, but just getting messy, frustrated, tired and nowhere fast.

Especially being a woman, there are a myriad of petty issues, swarming around us. I can take the high route, not get sucked in to the gossip: “I don’t like her,” “She’s so annoying,” “Let’s not invite them,” or the proverbial social stigmas, looks, attitude and small problems that consume us, but don’t really break us, but it can be difficult.

Erica always says (with a bit of attitude of course), “No work doesn’t scare me, cancer scares me.” When something becomes daunting in the workspace, it is overwhelming but we can “leave” work, we can take a walk, we can go home at night to be with our loved ones and get a night of rest.

I feel like I have a soft core – mushy and sensitive. I hear hissing, negative talking about someone, something, a place, an experience and we all like to vent but when it turns to me or something I’m related to it feels like a lot of paper cuts all over my body; small, manageable, they will go away, but it hurts. Like a lot.

What do we do when we get a paper cut? It stings and next time, the tip of my flesh, my finger, is careful to not graze the paper. I stay away, I’m cautious, a little slower in my approach. I pay closer attention. This too, reverts to relationships and internal attitude.

The process of learning to stick around because it’s worth it, walk away and/or tread carefully when relating to the output of emotions from those in your circle of loved ones is important. As I’ve moved a fair amount, I find friendships flowing in and out, some remaining, others changing like the ocean tides rising up and down.

I think in all relationships, the smaller pieces are overlooked and can easily consume you. It’s so gratifying to realize we can literally, walk away or adjust our mindset from the negativity. Recently, more than ever, I’m learning to cut my losses, I’m over it, move on. I have too many good people in my life, to be sucked into a black hole of perpetual disdain and emotion.

This isn’t to sound preachy – it reminds me distinctly of certain people from my past who choose to hurt, versus uplift. You tell me which type of person you would rather be around.

Let’s focus on what really matters and not brood and spend energy on the petty items that will soon be forgotten, in a years time.

It’s our choice, choosing a sense of action that is worthwhile, focusing your thoughts on the important pieces and the enduring undertaking.

What are you going to choose?