Remarkable Relationships

February 2023

We are all going to die.

“It is difficult to provide an exact percentage of people who die alone, as it can vary depending on factors such as age, location, and overall health. However, studies have found that a significant number of older adults, particularly those who are socially isolated, may die alone. For example, a study conducted in the United Kingdom found that around 20% of deaths among older adults occurred in people who lived alone.”

Definitely a Bot answer.

Change is inevitable; constant yet not consistent; predictable, yet more often, not.

I have heard it said that change happens over time. I would argue that change happens ALL the time. Time moves on and moment by moment we’re just that much older or if physically moving, we’re in a different place. I have a granddaughter whom I have watched growing/changing. At her age, change is so significant and quick. As we age, the process seems to slow for a while but then seems to pick up speed again later on. 

We find comfort in predictable changes - the seasons, the movement of the sun in relation to the time of day, the growing and harvest seasons for food, how certain things will progress.

I read a book.

The book is, “The ONE Thing” by Gary Keller.

Yes, I read it to myself, but I am also in the process of reading it chapter by chapter each week for the month of July, and foreseeably for the month of August in my regular Wednesday, 12 noon, Facebook LIVEs.

You can see them here:

https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.oreilly/

Fear of the unknown, of failure, of success, of judgement, of injury, of death, of ……

Fear is universal. Everyone who has ever lived, is living, and will live, experiences fear! Age, gender, size, financial situation, position, state of health, level of spirituality or education; there is no partiality!

I’ve just completed a book, “Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action,” by Simon Sinek and I am challenged. Being challenged is a very good thing; at least it is for me!

I also feel much better about my inability to completely articulate why I am in the business I am in. On page 56, Simon explains, “The part of our brain that controls our feelings has no capacity for language. It is this disconnection that makes putting our feelings into words so hard.”

We have many friends and acquaintances.

Some are exceptionally good for us, some good, some not so good, and still others, well, let’s just say they’re not in our best interests to pursue or have in our lives.

Some of these “friends”, while not the best for us, are still comfortable. Comfortable in the sense that we know what to expect of them, that they’re not the most reliable, but we’re used to them.

February is, arguably, relationship month! Due in no small part to Valentine's Day.

I was reminded several times in the span of one day recently of the importance of consistency. It was prevalent in so many areas that day that I really had to take notice. One particular topic was about relationships; something I never really thought about within the context of consistency. Consistency, yes, in habit change, in health, in finances, in one’s employment, and in one’s spirituality, but never had I considered consistency in relationships. And then I saw a short segment by an individual, unfortunately I cannot recall who it was or where it was that I heard it, who spoke about (in a nutshell) how easily we give up on relationships without really pursuing what we’re trying to achieve