Dropping the Past

    "Past memories cling to us like old scars that never fade.  The more we think about them, the more they feed our pain and failure.  To help get past painful memories, try this simple exercise.

1.  Make a mental list of your top two worst memories...for example, a divorce, or a bad relationship.
2.  Think about how you felt about each bad experience.
3.  Put a positive spin on each lesson you learned.
4.  Memorize the following affirmation to help you stay in a positive frame:  'I got through it, and I am stronger for it.'


     When you can find the inner strength that helped you through past difficult situations, you can quickly drop self-defeating thoughts, and move forward with peace and grace."

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My two worst memories:  my divorce, bad bosses.

My divorce rocked my world, but good friends and faith in God pulled me through.  I realized how strong and loving I am, as well as why the marriage HAD to end.

I have had a few "bosses from hell."  People who were bullies, alcoholics, sociopaths, or downright mean.   But those cretans are no longer in my life, I've moved on, and live in the moment.

Bullies in the Courtroom

   A judge in Florida was removed after berating a disabled defendant  in April, 2018, who died two days later.

video from the Miami Herald  http://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article209496684.html

Public outrage!

BULLIES

Porter--

First day--

"Welcome to school,"

As she talked with all the

Staff, no indication of

Problems.

First month,

Flew by,

Her angry words hurt her

Staff, teachers so upset

That they would confide to each othertheir pain..

And hurt.

Then the

Blistering

Outbursts began,

In hallways, staff meetings and,

Classrooms.

Respect--

Not there

For the teachers
or students

Morale declined, then fell

Off the charts, as teachers left for

New jobs.

Bullies...

So many...

Pervade and fill,

The ranks of school principals, and

Administrators in the U. S.

Bullies.

Why is

This thing 

Allowed to go

On, poisoning 

Our schools.

Porter 

Stayed for 

Two more years, then

A forced retirement sent her

Packing.

Porter,

Unkind,

Unprepared to,

Establish a quality

Educational setting

For kids.

Let down,

These kids,

Retreated and

Failed to give them a good education.

Let down

By the system

Who allowed her to stay.
Her name should be engraved
on a Wall of Shame

"Pink Slip" (c)

Twelve years ago, it happened

in that office by the door.

The end of a four year battle.

My little civil war--

"The decision was made to..."

My mind freezes at the word.

What now--

The end of misery and abuse--

The beginning of what?

Searching, 

Pain,

Suffering,

Closed doors,

More that open--

to the Library of Congress,

Chapel Hill,

the mountains,

the sea,

UNC,

Paris,

Normandy,

Hemingway's hang-out,

My first camping trip in a long time,

Durham,

the Nasher,

writers and poets,

DPAC 

and Boston

and back here.

Where is here?

To gratitude

for where I am now,

and for not being where

 I was then.

I've given the pink slip

to that person,

and that time,

and love 

my prayer

for grace and

forgiveness.