Another Easter Down

wow ... this has been my third Easter since I started my journey ... hmmmmmmm

Easter is like Christmas ... if you arent religious and it has not religious significance for you, then it is just a commercial holiday and a "state of mind". A state of mind that says, Easter = chocolate + hot cross buns. But like Christmas, we can eat these "speciality foods" any time of the year, we use Easter or Christmas as an excuse to overeat chocolate, buns, steam pudding, turkey, lollies, pavlova, cream, brandy butter ... etc etc etc ...

We're only human, I'm so human I scare myself sometimes. LOL

However, despite my overindulgences, I managed a maintain this week. So I better behave myself so it doesnt catch up with me next week instead!

Wore my boots to WW today and got loads of compliments ... along with heaps of people asking how the duathlon went ... great support that group thats for sure.

Today's meeting was all about ... where abouts "YOU" were in the priority order of your life.

90% of the meeting said ... they came right after KIDS, family and work. Goes back to that old training our mums and their mums taught us - it's not right for us to blow our own trumpets, it's selfish of us to put ourselves first when so many others depend on us.

BOLLOCKS.

Two years ago when I set out on my journey, I was guilty of using using all of the above as an excuse so I didnt have to concentrate on me or put any effort into me. The first thing I had to do to make this journey successful was to invest in me ... and that meant sometimes I needed to put me first.

It's a catch 22 situation. The chicken or the egg scenario.

If I sacrifice "me time" to make everyone else happy, would I be around long enough for that their happiness to continue? Even more thought provoking, if I wasnt around what would happen to them? Yep they'd be sad for a bit, but after some time I would be a fond memory perhaps?

or ...

If I sacrifice some of "their time" to spend on me ... I'd be around longer to provide them with happier and perhaps more memories which would last far longer into old age?

If I was happier, healthier and more confident in myself and my abilities - what kind of an impact would that have on those around me in the present day... family, friends, work colleagues. Would I be a better, more productive and nicer person to be around?

hmmmmmmmmm

So ... it comes down to the benefits of them being happy vs me being happy vs everyone being happy!

The only thing I can answer from my own experience is ... I'm over making other people happy when I felt so miserable in myself.

Is there such thing as a false happiness? Do women make others happy just because "its the right thing to do"? Why do we sacrifice our own happiness to do this? How do we find the balance which is a win win situation all round?

It's a bit like when you get on an aeroplane and during the safety instructions they say ... if the oxygen masks drop down in front of you - place it over your own mouth first before attending to dependent travelling companions. Why? because we aint going to be any use to our dependents if we are gasping for our last breath trying to find their mask and then the both of us end up ... well ... very unhappy I guess.

hmmmmmmmmmmm but its soooooooooo selfish ... to think of ME ME ME MEEEEEEEEEE. Maybe thats why I find it so hard to relate to the "new generation of teenagers". It seems to be all about them! They dont give a fats rats if they dont turn up to work for the day - in their mind ... work will still be there tomorrow (and the next day).

Why is it so damned hard sometimes to say NO? Because we want to be liked and we dont like disappointing or letting others down. Are they manipulating us or are we just denying ourselves selfworth and happiness? Who is who's worst enemy?

I'm not being selfish, I'm being true to myself and making me a better me which my family and friends and work colleagues will benefit from. Plus I'm going to be around a lot longer to make sure they damn well dont forget it *giggle*

*whew*