When Our Lives Work
When our lives work, we are not afraid to take
away our masks,
to let people see who we really are.
When our lives work, we are willing to try new things,
to risk, so that we may expand and enrich
our comfort zones.
When our lives work, we are so busy discovering
our own talent that we don’t have time
to manipulate and control other people.
When our lives work, we understand that anger is only
a feeling. It is right to acknowledge and then
appropriately release it..
When our lives work, we pause, without judgment,
when crisis hits; we allow ourselves recovery time,
knowing that we are worth that effort.
When our lives work, we are comfortable
in the silence of our own thoughts.
When our lives work, we realize that
our ability to forgive others is
hampered if we cannot forgive ourselves.
When our lives work, we use our talents
for our own pleasure, and for the good
of the community.
When our lives work, we give ourselves the time
to see where we want to go,
and then we take steps to begin that journey.
When our lives work, we are able to communicate
our needs, at the same time being very aware
of the needs of others.
When our lives work, we live enthusiastically
and radiate peace.
Shirley A. Mahood
from her book, Making Our Lives Work