Saturday, December 31, 2016

Learning To Deal ..



The past few days have been surprising to say the least.  What I thought was despair has come full circle to shock and anger.  Both our land line and cell phones have been ringing with persons telling their stories.  How grateful I am for finally taking a stand along with legal assistance.
 
How does one deal with a mean, jealous person that appears to have only one direction; in hurting the lives of others?  Claiming perfection and sainthood yet guilty of dishonesty and theft.  I am talking about a person that cannot be reasoned with and think they can do no wrong and must blame and find fault with someone else.  I am talking about sarcastic, snippy, rude, chip-on-the shoulder types who enjoy putting others down and causing grave chaos in others lives while professing scripture and Christian living.  These are the malicious, mean-spirited bullies, psychological and physical.  They are envious of others' perseverance and successes and will do their best to undermine, destroy, and prevent someone else from succeeding.  Some may be truly sadistic.  Most are simply very unhappy, frustrated. and socially isolated.  Today, the realization of how I am being treated is typical of how others are and were treated.  I am not unique in the attack. They look for arguments, confrontation, and hostility to confirm their negative views of the world.  Should we tell them off?  Hit them back?  Leave them alone?  Recommend therapy?  All of these are options.  It is not easy under stress to make the best choice.
 
Of course, we have to begin to understand that it is them and not us.  We should try, I think, to diffuse their hostility by no responding in kind.  Why encourage them with negative rejoinders?  Offering something else that is positive may work.  Or not.  Staying calm is always best.  Their negativity feeds on others' emotional responses.  If one can't stay calm, it is best to leave them alone.  Above all do not take what they say personally.  It is them.
 
This is all very easy to say.  It is much harder to do.  The problem is that turning the other cheek seems to bring out the worst in some people.  Understanding the psychology of a mean person may help.  The main reason they are hurting themselves and want to peck at someone else to try to feel better.  It's the pecking order thing.  With chickens, a hierarchical social structure is said to develop to minimize uncontrolled and random inter-chicken violence.  Chickens only are to peck on those other chickens that earlier conflict has shown to be weaker.  They can peck without fear of retaliation.  Dominance means access to food and mates.  A mean person needs an army to be fulfilled; rarely can they do the dirty work on their own.  They need to feel just in their attack even though it only tells the story of a coward.
 
How will this story end?  Right now, I do not have the answer to that.  But in light of new found acquaintances and their experiences, it is putting much into perspective because ..
 
 
I ride the dark horse ..
 
 

 
 

Copyright © 2016 by CandaLeeParker, IRideTheDarkHorse.com

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Friday, December 30, 2016

Do I Have The Courage To Be Honest ..


If honesty is really the best policy then why is there so much deception?  And if we feel disrespected when someone isn't honest with us, then how can we justify those little white lies and carefully crafted exaggerations?  If we expect other people to have the courage to be honest with us, then wouldn't anything but honesty from us be prompting a double standard?  Maybe it is time to take a closer look at honesty and see if it really is the best policy.

My handsome husband told me yesterday the one that is "shouting" honesty the loudest is usually the one with the most to hide and deceive.  On the surface, the concept of honesty seems simple enough.  Then why is it that otherwise truthful people will justify distorting the truth in certain situations?  If being honest makes life simpler, then why would anyone purposely complicate things by being dishonest?  There are numerous situations that will quickly test our resolve to be completely honest.  The tendency seems to start when we are children and we want to avoid punishment. Fear gets the better of us and we say something in an effort to avoid consequences of whatever it was that we did.  If it works, then we just saw proof that lying is less painful and requires less courage than honesty.

What a tangled web we weave,
When first we practice to deceive!
~ Sir Walter Scott
 
Since moving away from pain is the strongest human motivator, we quickly fall back on dishonesty anytime we think it will spare us from painful consequences.  Yes, I am guilty of this practice; all of us are.  But why when we tell the truth, others believe it to be deception and continue in judgment.  Is this a way we need to justify our actions?  When we already know we are doing something wrong.  Making excuses may soothe our logical minds temporarily, but it doesn't do anything for the internal conflict we have created.  When we deliberately do something that violates our core ethics, it sets in motion a destructive emotional conflict.  Some will lash out in rage and gossip; others may do so more in secret.  The end result will be the slow erosion of our core values or the manifestation of some self-sabotaging behavior.  Either way, we lose!
 
When it comes to being honest in all areas there is no one alive who doesn't have room for improvement.  Set the record straight, practice honesty even in the little things, honestly emphasize the positive, don't confuse preferences with reality, and it is okay to say nothing.
 
Choose to always take the high road.  Being honest may not always be the easiest or most convenient course and that is why courage is required.  Honest is the journey to integrity.  Regardless of the prevalence of dishonesty, we all have the freedom to choose to live by a higher standard.  People of integrity will always recognize and appreciate your honesty and courage.  There is a strong and healthy trend toward transparency and honesty.  This happened to me yesterday but I am amazed that as I have chosen the higher road, truth is being revealed.  I am tired of the cloak of deception that serves those with selfish interests of the few and dragging down the many.  We can all do our part by setting a good example and by having the courage to be honest with ourselves and others.  Life without dishonesty is totally possible because ..
 
 
I ride the dark horse ..
 
 







Copyright © 2016 by CandaLeeParker, IRideTheDarkHorse.com

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Thursday, December 29, 2016

A Little Chaos ..



Is there a Theory of Chaos?  Is a little chaos good for us?

Chaos is the science of surprises, of the nonlinear and the unpredictable. It teaches us to expect the unexpected. While most traditional science deals with supposedly predictable phenomena like gravity, electricity, or chemical reactions, Chaos Theory deals with nonlinear things that are effectively impossible to predict or control, like turbulence, weather, the stock market, our brain states, and so on. These phenomena are often described by fractal mathematics, which captures the infinite complexity of nature. Many natural objects exhibit fractal properties, including landscapes, clouds, trees, organs, rivers etc, and many of the systems in which we live exhibit complex, chaotic behavior. Recognizing the chaotic, fractal nature of our world can give us new insight, power, and wisdom.  By understanding that our ecosystems, our social systems, and our economic systems are interconnected, we can hope to avoid actions which may end up being detrimental to our long-term well-being.

So, a little chaos can be good as it can direct us in a direction that we might not otherwise take.   Or in a moment of weakness, we go there.  Sometimes the decisions made in the split second can be better than the pondering and wondering type of decision.  Some decisions made in chaos can cause pain and misunderstanding.  I want to be done with the complex, except for in my college classes. and a little clutter here and there is not a bad thing.  After a stressful morning, I decided against housework and sat down to watch a movie.  We watched "Sully" and became memorized with a hero. Look at the chaos that happened to him, yet in the end, a happy ending!  And I left dishes in the sink and a load of laundry in the laundry basket.  A bit of chaos because ..

I ride the dark horse ..





 

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Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Happy Anniversary ..


Today is our anniversary and I have been thinking about anniversaries and the importance of marking milestones.  Most couples remember the important moments in their relationship; when they met, their wedding day, the births of their children.  Research shows that marking important anniversaries can actually help strengthen relationships.  If a couple is having problems taking the time to celebrate together will help to spark the memories of those happy times they shared in the early days.  This is what we have done over the past 5 years; it has become easier and easier to renew love and increase love.
 
Talking about 'the good old days' can help remind a couple why they fell in love in the first place.  This helps them focus on each other's good qualities, rather than any negatives that might be affecting the relationship now.  It can help them reframe the relationship and look at things more positively.  So these days, I believe celebrating one's anniversary must never be overlooked as it reinforces the fact that our marriage is priority.  An anniversary celebration allows me to pull back from the daily grind and relive the moment that changed my life forever.  My grandmother always use to say that anyone can pull out all the stops on their wedding day, but when a couple makes it to 10 or 20 or 60 years of marriage, that deserves a celebration.  Today has been 17 years for us and we are celebrating!
 
There is nothing like hearing my husband say, "Remember that time when ..." to put a smile on my face and remind me of all the reasons why we got together!  There have been tough times, there have been tragic times, but for the most part, we have had great years!  We have endured the loss of parents, the loss of a son, the loss of a grandson, and now a illness that will slowly take the life of my husband, but we are rejoicing because we begin one more year of renewed love, renewed strength and courage that will take us into the coming days.  Now, there is a reason to celebrate because ..
 
I ride the dark horse ..
 
 
 




 

Copyright © 2016 by CandaLeeParker, IRideTheDarkHorse.com


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Monday, December 26, 2016

Present Over Perfect ..

 
 
 
Wild Geese
By Mary Oliver
 
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have  to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting --
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
 
 
We all make mistakes and have regrets.  As we try to somehow make amends, there are those who wish to make us suffer for days, years, and until death.  I am present in my instinct to seek joy and set the boundaries for those who wish to destroy my peace.  I am inherently good and while some of my choices may have been bad, this is not my nature.  We all have the skeletons in the closet; we see that we are not alone.  We can become so self-absorbed in our suffering that we lose sight of the fact that no one else is affected by our inner turmoil.  We magnify these troubling thoughts way beyond their significance. 
 
Our frames of mind are a matter of perception.  We can spend all of our time weighed down by thoughts of the past and what we might have or should have done.  We should open our eyes to the potential of the present and all the mundane beauty there is to be harvested by simply taking the time to let it wash over us.  We are all really the same bundle of emotions and defensive stances.  I need to allow myself to be authentic in all things; I do not need to be perfect, just present and allowing my good will to drive my dreams, ambitions, and service to others.  What makes life interesting is that we all have something unique to offer the conglomerate of life and nature.  What makes us all important is that we all belong .. We don't have to perfect; just present.
 
 

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Saturday, December 24, 2016

My Christmas Blessing #20



I love our home.  It is one of our most important and wonderful blessings.  An early, rambling farm house with four levels, 5 bedrooms, three bathrooms and wonderful nooks and crannies, it fills our lives with love and sanctuary.  Many wonderful adventures and incredible relationships happen under our roof.  With my husband's illness, it has become even more important for me to make it a cheery, uplifting place for him to be.  The fireplace and wood stove provides warmth and conversation.  Family pictures and portraits compliment each room.
 
My son and his fiancé lost their cat two days ago to an incurable disease and the telephone rang asking if they could stay with us because they needed the warmth of home and family.  This is one of the best compliments I could ever have.  There are some, with their embittered feelings, that proclaim that I do not have such a life, but I do, and more blessed than ever!
 
There is nothing better than to come home to a clean, organized home complete with wonderful aromas of baking and today was a day such as that.  Tomorrow our home will be filled with family and friends to enjoy our Christmas decorations and lights, gifts and chocolate, the wonderful food and conversation that comes from a day such as Christmas.  We will rejoice in having one more year with my beloved husband and the excitement  of embarking on new adventures in the year to come.  These are the blessings that mean most and are cherished.  Building the memories to last us into the forever because ..
 
 
I ride the dark horse ..
 
 
 


 

 
Copyright © 2016 by CandaLeeParker, IRideTheDarkHorse.com


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My Christmas Blessing #19



I was in a meeting today and someone defined a leader as one who provides answers and direction to a team.  I understood their concept even though I disagreed with the application.
In fact, I have a different theory.
 
Good leaders sometimes allow a little chaos and confusion to prevail. In fact ..
 It can be best for everyone.
  • It often provides the best discoveries.
  • It promotes buy in.
  • It fuels creativity.
  • It fosters teamwork.
As the team wrestles together for answers great discoveries are made; about the team and the individuals on the team.   If the leader always has everything clearly defined, is always ready with an answer, then why does he or she need a team?

How true is this with life!  Sometimes the answers are easy to find and apply and sometimes they seem just beyond our grasp.  I have a little chaos going on in my life right now; yet I am happy with it.  It is because, soon, the answer will be black and white.  The chaos is just a few steps of challenge to success.  How grateful I am for the wisdom and experience to understand this and I appreciate the blessings that it brings because ..

I ride the dark horse ..
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copyright © 2016 by CandaLeeParker, IRideTheDarkHorse.com


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Friday, December 23, 2016

My Christmas Blessing #18


I woke very early this morning as I had to attend to my part-time employment.  Sometimes working seven days a week can really take a toll but the importance of taking care of my family overshadows the sore joints and sleepless nights.  One reprieve I have right now is that I do not start back to college until January. 
 
When I arrived at my employment and had gone through the initial duties, I noticed an envelope in my drawer with my name on it.  When I opened the envelope, and then the card, a check fell out and onto the floor.  I picked it up and found a Christmas bonus!   What an incredible surprise!
 
Isn't it amazing how blessings appear at a moment when we least expect it?!   I am going to surprise my husband with a night out for our anniversary and a few other things!   More importantly, inside the card was a beautiful paragraph about how much I am appreciated, dependable, and in good spirits despite the battles I am facing at this time.   Having the compliment meant much more than the monies.
 
Is today easier than yesterday .. NO!  And tomorrow may be even harder, but deep down I know the journey will be worth it and the rewards many, because ..
 
 
I ride the dark horse ..
 
 

 
 
 
 
Copyright © 2016 by CandaLeeParker, IRideTheDarkHorse.com


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Monday, December 19, 2016

My Christmas Blessing #17

  1. tenacity(Noun)
    The quality or state of being tenacious; as, tenacity, or retentiveness, of memory; tenacity, or persistency, of purpose.
  2. tenacity(Noun)
    The quality of bodies which keeps them from parting without considerable force; cohesiveness; the effect of attraction; as distinguished from brittleness, fragility, mobility, etc.
  3. tenacity(Noun)
    The quality of bodies which makes them adhere to other bodies; adhesiveness; viscosity.
  4. tenacity(Noun)
    The greatest longitudinal stress a substance can bear without tearing asunder, usually expressed with reference to a unit area of the cross section of the substance, as the number of pounds per square inch, or kilograms per square centimeter, necessary to produce rupture.
  5. Origin: From tenacitas.
    How grateful I am for tenacity; the will to continue; the will to continue to the end.  Strength, courage, clear thought, and perseverance.   There are so many forces in this world that can tear one apart; death, life, illness, cruelty, and there are some mornings I wish I could just stay in bed.  But, then, the world wins. 
    This morning I woke early to make sure my handsome husband was okay.  His night was restless; he is in pain.  How life dealt us this cruel blow we will never understand but we must make the best of it.  And we are.  We pray for a miracle of healing, we pray for strength, and I pray for my tenacious spirit because ..
    I ride the dark horse ..
    Copyright © 2016 by CandaLeeParker, IRideTheDarkHorse.com

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Sunday, December 18, 2016

My Christmas Blessing #16



Our home smells so good and it gives a sense of peace.  Cookies fill plates to be distributed to family and friends.   Whipping up treats in the kitchen can do more than just create yummy comfort food.  In fact, baking has been found to have therapeutic value which helps to ease depression and anxiety.

Today, I made thumbprint cookies, sugar cookies in different shapes and sizes, and 7-layer yummy bars.  Some were wrapped for family and friends and some will grace our table on Christmas Day to be enjoyed during the football games or the Christmas movies!   Creative expression creates a general overall well-being which is much needed as of late.

Best of all, giving away these masterpieces brings a smile and a great feeling of making someone else's day just like how I felt in seeing wonderful goodies on my doorstep!

Tonight there is an aroma of fresh homemade bread and my famous potato corn chowder soup with bacon and sauteed vegetables!  It brings comfort and relaxation on such a beautiful, snowy day!  My sweet husband is facing another procedure tomorrow and this will help to calm him and let him know that I am by his side to give him comfort and care because ..

I ride the dark horse ..




Copyright © 2016 by CandaLeeParker, IRideTheDarkHorse.com

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Saturday, December 17, 2016

My Christmas Blessing #15


We have 5 Christmas blessings; Dodger, WhiteSox, Pirate, Anchor, and Dodger Jr!  They are gorgeous felines who think they own our home and, of course, we allow them to think so.  How do we know that we are loved?

Not for the faint of heart, but our cats brings presents and they are usually laid on our outdoor porch mat.  Cats are natural hunters, so they will bring us the gifts of mice, a snake, a mole, or a bird.  We have to think of it as a love token and it has to be disposed of when a feline's back it turned so not to hurt their feelings!

Although you would never think of this as a friendly gesture with a human, to receive a head butt from a cat is a pretty big deal.  When our cats share this special privilege with us, they are actually depositing facial pheromones on to us.  These serve to represent their feelings and their "possession" towards us as if they are leaving traces of their scent to claim us with.

When our cats nibble on us in play, this is one of their ways of showing affection towards us.  It is different than a bite that could cause bodily harm, and it tickles more than anything.  When our felines linger around us it is letting us know that they love us.  The rubbing around our legs is because they want to be close to us.  Even when they pretend to be aloof when we are around, we know that they are bluffing because they definitely want to be around us.

Our sweet cats love to knead us like bread dough.  This is really their way of showing you the love they developed as babies when nursing from their mothers.  Usually when your at stays by your side while catching some "Z's", they are known to drift themselves into a heavenly state while kneading away at parts of your body.

I love how our felines make eye contact with us!  They know us well and have developed a trust for us.  When your kitty locks eyes with you, casting a slow blink once eyes are met, this is their version of a kiss!  Be a sweetie and give them a slow blink in return sealing a kiss, an unbelievable bond and love.


Even my felines love me because I ride the dark horse ..





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My Christmas Blessing #14



I am grateful for being able to pursue my dreams.  Some have been put on hold for a bit but hard work and perseverance is keeping some very much alive!   Our world totally turned on us about two years ago when my husband became severely ill once again.  This meant job loss for him and ever-accumulating medical charges that never seem to end.  Even outside opposition presented itself to cause havoc and harm.  Yet, we were are! Doing better, stronger, and loving life more than ever!


There are three things I ask myself before I am ready to give up on my dreams:


1. Have I given all the energy I can give to this?  Be honest with yourself. Have you tried everything to achieve your dream? Sometimes it takes the help of a friend or coach to point out that you haven’t. I have a wonderful personal coach that I am working with in exercise and self-worthiness.  What a difference it has made in my outlook  in walking the path of sometimes disappointment and despair.

2. Have I tried to accomplish my dream in a new, different way? Achieving your goals is typically never straightforward, and you may need to try something you’ve never done before to get there.  Challenge may be uncomfortable but the rewards are incredible.

3. Ten years from now, will I regret giving up on this dream? It’s not always easy, but try to project into your future self, and determine as to whether or not you’ll have regrets later on. Time passes quickly, and ten years from now will be here before you know it.  It is important for me to protect my family, my home, my employments, and more than ever, me!  Seeking outside assistance may be necessary and worth it.

I remember that my potential is unlimited! And my dreams might be right in front of me. It might mean giving it more time and energy, working with a mentor or coach to guide me, or trying to approach it from a new angle.  In just a few months, I can go from “I can’t” to “I DID!”

My dreams are waiting for me to achieve them. I am not giving up because ..

I ride the dark horse .. 




Copyright © 2016 by CandaLeeParker, IRideTheDarkHorse.com

All rights reserved. This blog or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or similar cited with author's name and copyright.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

My Christmas Blessing #13


What does resilience mean"  The word is a noun; an action word!  It means that one has the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties with toughness!!  That would be me!

I so appreciate this Christmas blessing.  These past months have been difficult in keeping up with homework, housework, employments, and caring for a husband who does not feel well; emotionally and physically!  The mother of childhood friends from Eastern Washington is now living close to us so I am spending alot of time caring for her and her grief as her husband just passed away.  I want to make sure she is safe and well.  Some days, it feels as if life is unfair and difficult.  Other days, the blessings shine through like brilliant stars amongst a dark night.  Much like the dark horse carrying his rider through battle with sword and armor to protect all that matters!!

When something tends to go wrong, do I bounce back or fall apart?   I admit; I have fallen apart and have had to regroup!  When one has resilience, one harnesses inner strength that helps to rebound from setback or challenge such as job loss, a disaster, or the death of a loved one.  If you lack resilience, you might dwell on the problems, feel victimized, become overwhelmed, or turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse.  Resilience will  not make my problems go away, but resilience gives me the ability to see past them, find enjoyment in life, exercise, and better handle life.  I work with my horses, write, read, and other skills to become more resilient.

Resilience is the ability to roll with the punches!  When stress, adversity, or trauma strikes, I still will experience anger, frustration, grief, and pain, but I am able to keep functioning; both physically and psychologically.  I never miss work, I never miss class, my home is neat and clean, and my family well cared for.  However, resilience is not about toughing it out, being stoic, or going it alone.  In fact, being able to reach out to others for support is a key component of being resilient.  This has been a learning experience for me because I am not good at reaching out to others.  I have had incredible family members and friends come forward in love and support.

Resilience can help protect me from various mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.  Resilience can also offset factors that increase anxiousness and sadness such as being bullied or trauma from the death of a child.

Resilience improves my ability to cope because ..

I ride the dark horse .. 



Copyright © 2016 by CandaLeeParker, IRideTheDarkHorse.com

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Tuesday, December 13, 2016

My Christmas Blessing #12


My Christmas blessing this year has been able to apologize to certain others.  Being able to say you are sorry has a lot of power.  It can maintain healthy relationships, inspire self-reflections, and motivate a person to positively change their approach in the future.  A good apology is about looking into the inside of myself, carefully considering how my actions affect others, and thinking about how I can prevent misunderstandings from happening down the road.  Like any skill I practice, there is an art to "I am sorry".  Of course, there are some persons who do not care to receive an apology and that is all right as well.  Just know that I have tried to make things right once more is what truly matters.  Once enemies, we are now the best of friends.

Apologizing is great when my intent is to genuinely own up to my mistakes and make a change.  These past months, there are a few people that I have contacted, made amends, physical and emotional, and what a difference it has made.  I took in what was being said and examined why the person was offended.  I can actively change my behavior moving forward.  Finding a solution is important as well.  I will apologize after I have looked at the dispute with a clear head and are ready to take responsibility.  In the past, I have taken responsibility regardless if I was wrong or right.  I no longer do this.  I will take responsibility and restore integrity.  Actions speak louder than words.  

It is okay to feel hurt or upset during a confrontation, so I give myself some time to process the situation.  It may be 10 years or so before I decide to confront an individual and if need be, apologize.  In regards to one situation, I am still very hurt and the deceptions continue.  When all calms down and it seems appropriate, the blessing of apology will come.   

The blessings of this Christmas have already been abundant.  I couldn't be happier with the way live is advancing for the wonderful because ..

I ride the dark horse ..


Copyright © 2016 by CandaLeeParker, IRideTheDarkHorse.com

All rights reserved. This blog or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or similar cited with author's name and copyright.