Table for Eight

Amazing cancer-survivor and Survivor friend/fan: Katherine. She contacted me on Twitter when I played Survivor and we began a 140 character friendship--with exchanges that have been truly kind and uplifting. She runs races in support of cancer research and she wears her own Immunity Necklace with the names of those she's running for, and praying for. And she's been kind enough to put my friends' names on her necklace. I love people who LOVE people. XO Katherine! I thought I would keep today's preamble short. But here's what's been on my mind lately: Why is it so difficult (at times) to just simply LOVE ALL PEOPLE, INCLUDING OURSELVES? Why do we/I find it easier to see faults vs. talents; negative vs. positive; disappointments vs. successes? I know for a fact that every person's goal on Planet Earth is to feel and find joy. I know our ultimate goal is happiness (non-suffering). And I know that finding fault with myself and othe...

Lately I've been thinking about how our  my own expectations for others are so unrealistic. Now, I'm not saying I'm ready to just give up on the idea that it is good/nice to expect certain things from myself, my kiddos, Dave-man, society, etc. I'm jussayin' as I look at my thoughts and my own actions more and more, I realize that often times I am holding people to standards that are so unrealistic. So unrealistic. And I think that is a negative thing. I think it causes unhappiness for me (translation: stress, disappointment, frustration, resentment, guilt, anger, etc.). And I think it is negative for the people on the receiving side of my expectations. Anyway, my point! I want to change this about myself--and ironically, I want to change other people, too. LOL! (I'm telling you, it's a chapter from my unwritten book, "It Bothers Me That YOU Bother Me.") I don't think it's helpful or healthy to expect life a...