Have you ever experienced an INTERRUPTION in your life? You know, those things that are completely unexpected and unplanned that alter your mindset, outlook and direction in life? COVID is a good example, right? If you hadn’t noticed, last week I did not do a Tidbit Tuesday because I experienced a huge INTERRUPTION in my life. It completely altered the way I saw my future. We have choices in how we respond or react to life’s INTERRUPTIONS. We could choose to be the victim or use it as an indicator for change. The INTERRUPTION can be a blessing in disguise and provide you with the learned lessons needed in order to be better prepared for the next INTERRUPTION. It can also highlight your priorities and values where you put things back in their proper order. Pausing is important but no need to stop your vision and movement forward. INTERRUPTIONS can be a good thing.

Today is election day. I know we are all anticipating the results of this election. We have choices in how we cope or accept the results. We can choose Fear: it makes us say and do things we would not normally say and do or we can choose Faith: recognizing there is a system in place bigger and beyond ourselves that determines the outcome. I chose a hike today (peace and calm) versus having the news at my finger tips (stress, anxiety). Feeding the social media platform with Fear and ego can only add to the division. Whether you are in celebration or defeat in the end, consider putting yourself in the other persons shoes. It will be your choice of Faith that will temper the flames. Choose faith.

Happy TidBit Tuesday. Guess what we are preparing for this week? Yep, Halloween! It’s the one day of the year that we can pretend to be someone else or act in a way that reflects our mask. There are professions that wear masks all the time… doctors, nurses, welders, baseball catchers and US now to protect ourselves from flying objects or disease in some way. But, what about the masks you can’t see that emotionally, psychologically or socially protect us – that keep us from being our true selves and affect open and honest communication. In honor of Halloween, be gentle to those mask wearers and ensure they are loved, accepted, and cared for. Demonstrating this may very well remove that unseen mask and give people the freedom to be who they are. Mister Rogers’ daily message to his young audience was “I like you just the way you are.” I’m sure that consistent message went a long way. Enjoy your Halloween week!

What’s the difference between a trade off and a sacrifice? According to Google, they appear a bit similar BUT I see them differently. I often use the term “trade offs” frequently in my every day language to mean an exchange for something or something I’m moving toward. The term “sacrifice” is something we often give up, lose or in the end, maybe even regret. Think about those decisions or choices in your life…do you see them as trade offs or as a sacrifice? Chances are if it is a trade off, you will likely welcome the choice knowing you will grow as you move toward something. Set your mind and intention in your decision making transition to something that you move toward versus something you are moving away from or leaving behind. Fear is a choice and so is how we think about change. Off you go to trade off! ENJOY!