SOLDIERING ON

~ WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO THRIVE, NOT JUST SURVIVE ~

“Love is a Battlefield”, by Pat Benatar, is a song that comes to mind as I was mulling over my topic on

survival.

It seems that people nowadays absolutely rise from their slumber and clothe themselves in ethereal

armor to survive 7 days a week. They have lost the joy of being open with others about their feelings.

They work with two faced people who are ready to emotionally hack them as soon as they are out of

earshot. Students in schools are always on high alert, looking for social media content regarding them

or watching for active shooters. Parents not only have to deal with work issues and people, but

teachers and a myriad of problems that may or may not occur with their children. Most administrative

officers only care about the bottom line, not about the people who are working for them. An example:

When I had breast cancer I was on FMLA for 7 months having gone through a bilateral mastectomy,

chemotherapy, chest expander surgery which went very wrong, and sepsis from that surgery. I was

hospitalized for several days, and seriously ill. My boss came to visit me on Valentine’s Day, with her

11-yr old son who she had picked up from school, bringing me a small bag of chocolates. She got up

to leave and turned to me at the foot of my bed saying, “I need to let you know that I cannot wait for

you any longer. I am terminating your employment.” Imagine doing that to someone while they are

so weak and so sick that they can barely talk. I felt so betrayed and hurt. She was kicking me when I

was in a very precarious state. I worked for a Catholic healthcare institution. I understand she waited

a lengthy time, but this could have waited until I was on the road to recovery. She brought her son as

her armor. She displayed such cowardice that I pitied her but forgave her because carrying grudges

is not spiritually or physically healthy. I have not forgotten the action, but I forgive the action.

I write affirmations daily for my audience to learn to love themselves and to carry love in their hearts

for others. We must start at the origin to give our best to others. The armor would not be necessary

if we learned to love ourselves. We could soldier on providing others with the care, trust and true

respect they deserve.

Love is the key to, not just surviving, but thriving in life. Four letters and it is so simple, but everyone

makes it so difficult. Love does not have to be a battlefield. People choose to make themselves into

soldiers that go to war daily with anyone who comes into their life and over the pettiest of things.

We are made from love. We are love. Love God. Love yourself. Love all living people and things.

Choose love. Be a soldier of love and let’s create a better world!

Namaste,

Annette