Detach

"The root of suffering is attachment." -Buddha

There is a meme of a bloody hand holding a rope and the words, "sometimes holding on does more damage than letting go." How many of us are damaged because we would not detach? We held on to toxic relationships. We stayed too long because we thought things would change, and we ended up damaged. We ended up bitter. We ended up insecure. We ended up suffering. We have parasitic connections to people, places, and things. Let Go! Detach before its too late.

Damaged

I remember when I based what I ordered online on the cost of shipping. If shipping was more expensive than what I wanted, I simply would not order it or I would wait on a free shipping option. Amazon changed the way millions shopped online with their Prime membership. I’ve been conditioned to only shop for items that are available for Prime shipping. I need my package in 2 days or less. I can count the times that my package hasn’t arrived or was damaged on one hand. It just doesn’t happen that often.

Truth is things get damaged. Things break. Things fall apart and most times we aren’t conditioned on how to handle damage. We want our money back. We want a replacement in 2 days or less. We are not very accommodating to change or inconvenience. We have become a microwave generation. We want participation trophies and prescriptions. We refuse to acknowledge that in many cases, we are damaged. We fix the obvious damage, but negate to fill the emotional holes. Evaluate your life. There is beauty in your brokenness. The only way to truly fix the damage is to acknowledge it.

As/Is

In the last few years, I've become quite the bargain shopper. My husband and I have really gotten into "diy" projects. A lot of the items we purchase are "as/is," which basically means we agree to purchase the item regardless of its condition when it is sold. Interesting enough, there are a lot of people who have taken an interest in "diy," refurbishing, and restoration projects.

It's funny how people are willing to accept items they purchased in "as/is" condition, but not people. The truth is all of us are "as/is." There is no guarantee that we will grow and mature. People change when they choose to change. People change when they are willing to do the work. Accept people for who they  are, without any expectations.Celebrate them when they choose to grow. Learn to love people in their current condition, "as/is."

Collateral Damage

Every action has a reaction. Sometimes, our actions affect people in ways we never imagined. We can’t control all the variables. We can’t control all the reactions. We have to deal with the outcome. We have to pick up the pieces. We have to deal with the collateral damage.