As life unfolds many things, situations & circumstances are presented before us. Some we choose and are prepared at least in theory to deal with the consequences, some we happen upon - usually labeled coincidence for which "they" whoever "they" are say there is no such thing as coincidences. Some happen upon us - if dreadful, are labeled bad luck or conversationally designated "in the wrong place at the wrong time" generally delivered in morose tones to emphasize and convey the dreadfulness. However no matter ones view point which is undoubtedly shaped, influenced and informed by culture, tradition, spiritual practices, philosophy, ethos and experiences happiness can still exist and coexist within all those realms of unpredictability’s bringing along with it lessons to be had if one has the proclivity to get the lessons the experience(s) brought.

While as human beings we are not able to control all that life hurl our way we can certainly determine how we allow “it” whatever “it” maybe to change and inform who we are and who we become. Whilst malevolent and benevolent behaviors can be contextually justifiable neither are permanent human conditions.

Choose to be happy no matter what life throws your way. Perhaps one might designate me an eternal optomist, so be it, who voluntarily wants to live in a perpetual state of discontent and misery, certainly not me!

• Rhapsody Phoenix is living in Toronto, Canada. She is originally from the beautiful Island of Trinidad. She has amazing skills both in poetry and prose. She wrote a poetry in simple words with profound meaning and shaped it in the form of tree which was spellbinding to see. Since she has absorbed the cultures of Trinidad and Toronto, she makes excellent presentations with lovely photos. In addition, she has a fantastic photo blog. She has great analytical ability and the investigative mind of a Sherlock Holmes. She is a great friend and a treasure. She is like a breath of fresh air and it will be extremely interesting, invigorating and refreshing to cultivate her friendship.

Wasn't that nice? It simply was a wonderful surprise. Sometimes the unexpected gifts are the most precious.

Toon by Inkygirl's photostream

The first steps to taking care of oneself (self-love) are …

Truth

• Be honest with yourself 100% of the time for every season in every situation and circumstance.
• Teach yourself to see things as they are not as you would like them to be.
• Do not confuse self-delusion with hope.
• Surround yourself with people that will keep it real and you grounded not with those that will tell you only what you want to hear, they are enablers that will happily support you off a bridge because they are not strong enough to give you the tools to help you maintain your path.

Cultivate personal integrity.

• Follow through on your commitment to yourself.
• Do not knowingly make promises to yourself you cannot keep (self-delusion).
• Do what you say you will do even when no one is looking.
• Think before you speak, to speak out loud intentions, is to commit yourself to a thing, a person(s), an experience, or a job, you may not be able to do; complete or simply you may change your mind or lose the desire. If you are not sure then be silent (don’t speak it), if you’re in an environment that require a response then you declare uncertainty (‘am not sure') ask the person(s) to allow you to think it over (‘can I get back to you on that because I have some things to sort out’) and you will get back to them later.

Accountability

• Take responsibility for your actions and poor judgments (mistakes).
• Understand that mistakes do not make you a bad person it only makes you human and learning from them makes you wise while ignoring them and pretending makes you willfully stupid.
• Be mindful that whatever you fail to learn will come again and will continue to manifest until you get the lesson.  Learning teaches you to recognize the issue(s) so that you can articulate and be clear on what is not working and what is working in order for growth to occur (psychological, spiritual, emotional, financial etc, etc). 

Life is an evolution it will happen with or without your consent, only you determine whether or not you’ll be in the driver’s seat and have some say about how that evolution informs and transforms who you are and will become.

Mindfulness Thought:

We all have something to offer the world, each other. Sometimes in life we are teachers and sometimes we are students, it's important to note that no matter which position we are at any given point, we should always be observers.

D.S.B.Rhpasody©2009

I had a plan

I thought I had a plan

And then…

Life happened

D.B.S.Rhapsody©2009