DUREAL

DUREAL REAL STORIES let go of anger REAL OPPORTUNITIES

IN TUNE

Prepare, if you are going to drive anywhere a good plan is either with family or friends. In this way, someone else can help with the gas. Leaving you free to enjoy the scenery, which brings my mind to the dry climate around the gulf. We visited the beach area in a little town called Pascagoula Mississippi.The beach was beautiful,the ocean area seemed to be at a level equal to the land. We met a local resident who informed us they had not had rain all season. The climate was very dry at that very moment; a thunderstorm was brewing. People were trying to find shelter but did not want to leave. We

lingered around for a while……

LEAVING the BEACH

Time to eat after finding a restaurant. We decided on a restaurant called Wintzell’s Oyster House. Wintzell's, served seafood; fried oysters and okra. It can be broiled as well. The order was to go. We went back to our hotel The.Hilton Garden Inn, also located in Pascagoula Mississippi. It was so lovely, nice and clean breakfast was even free to its residents. They also served brunch for a fee, which included free coffee for everyone. At a lesser price, which included maybe a coffee roll. And also along with that came music.This entertainment was great. The hotel offered many amenities, including swimming, and the kids loved it.

ORIGINAL DESTINATION Back to Mobile,we drove back through Mobile Alabama because.of the beach. It is beautiful. white sandy beaches are the same as Florida. Certainly, I would say less stressful, if you are looking for a quieter experience. Airbnb properties are springing up.everywhere around the area. You can rent the houses as well as private beaches. If you do not belong there, you could be fined $50. After finding the public beach, we stopped to enjoy the ocean scenery. .Just dipping my feet in the sand was good enough for me.

When we left Mobile Alabama on our way back to Atlanta Georgia, I was aware of the dry climate the same as in Pascagoula Mississippi.There were small fires in the bush area, making it a busy day for the police and firemen. Even more important, people should make sure not to throw lite cigarettes out of the window.”That old saying where there is fire there's smoke.”

Shortly, further up the road we saw smoke. .Is this an indication of the rest of the summer? I hope not.

Why You Need to Let That Anger Go Many of us have been taught that anger is a bad thing. Your parents, teachers, and other authority figures reminded you to reign in your outbursts. You have probably shared that with your kids or others. Yes, there are times when getting angry helps you. It might spur you on to change. However, holding onto anger can affect you, your relationships, and your health. When you strive to let go of those things that don’t serve you or your goals, letting go of anger should be at the top of your list.

How Anger Harms Your Health and Wellbeing Think about the last outburst you had. Do you remember how your body tensed up? Did you see fear creep into your partner’s eyes as your face turned red?

Uncontrolled anger will cost you many things, including your health. Here is how living in a state of rage hurts your overall well-being: • Your Heart Breaks: This isn’t heartbreak from losing the love of your life, though it could happen. Outbursts may put you at a greater risk of a heart attack. Repressed anger is no better as it may be associated with heart disease.

• Your Stroke Risk Increases: Some studies suggest that you may be three times more likely to have a stroke after an outburst.

• Your Immune System Takes a Hit: Want to ward off sickness? Get rid of the anger. It’s possible to lose some significant infection-fighting power when you stay angry.

• Your Anxiety May Skyrocket: Anger may exacerbate your anxiety, making day-to-day living much harder. Internalized anger may do the most damage.

• Your Lifespan May be Shortened: Anger causes your body to live in a constant state of stress. Stress is linked to your overall well-being. That's to say – staying angry equals a short lifespan.

3 Tips to Start Letting the Anger Go Anger robs you of reaching your goals and dreams. Here are three steps to help you rid yourself of residual anger: 1. Determine where the anger comes from. Are you angry at your upbringing? Did you have an ex-spouse do your wrong? Now is the time to figure out why you are mad, so you can let it go.

2. Institute some relaxation techniques. From meditation to deep breathing, finding the relaxation techniques that work for you will ensure you are headed in the right direction.

3. Take a time out. Sometimes, you need to remove yourself from the situation or people. If at all possible, do so. The break will help you step back, assess the situation, and cool down.

Anger doesn’t have to rule your life. Choose to let it go and replace it with constructive personal growth.

Why Is It Important To Let Go of What Doesn't Serve You? Throughout life, we experience situations that leave a lasting mark. We accumulate items that bring us joy or serve a particular service. There comes a time when you reach a fork in the road toward your personal growth. You can take one lane, and everything stays the same. You have the same job, friends, and routines. The other path takes you on a new adventure with possibly new friends, a business venture, or other opportunities. However, it comes at a price…you must let go of things that no longer serve you. You may understand what that means, but do you know why it is vital to your growth?

Why Letting Go of What No Longer Serves You Is Critical to Your Well-being Choosing what to let go of looks different to each of us. It may mean letting go of stuff and clutter, a horrible job situation, or a previously valued relationship. Each case has different levels of difficulty, but you and your well-being will enjoy the benefits of letting go: 1. You regain emotional energy. If one of the things you need to let go of is a grudge, then you know the amount of energy you have spent in anger and hurt. But to what end? You may have inadvertently pushed away friends and family while living in your pain. Stop the energy-suck by forgiving the culprit and moving on to better things.

2. You regain your identity. A painful relationship may leave you questioning who you are. Letting toxic relationships go allows you to rediscover who you are and dream about what you'd like to do with your future.

3. You open the opportunity for change. Keeping yourself tied to the same job because of fear prevents you from jumping on opportunities to get that new career or start a business. Let go of the fear and embrace the possibilities.

4. You rediscover your joy. When you dread going to your job or going out to dinner with your critical in-laws, you have lost your happiness. It may be time to relook at your career choices or find ways to limit contact with your extended family.

5. You regain focus. In our distracted society, the day-to-day stuff in our lives burdens us all. Smartphones and social media have a way of keeping us from focusing on what matters. Regain your focus by putting the phone down and letting go of the need to be constantly scrolling through social media.

Moving forward to reach your goals requires letting go. It's vital to your success, so why not start today?

What Does It Mean to "Let Go of What Doesn't Serve You"?

Life is a journey. It starts with a childhood where you learned to interact with others on the playground and share your favorite toy. Soon, you move into young adulthood with its vast emotional attachments and desire for independence.

Next, you are headed into full-blow adulthood with all the trimmings – jobs, relationships, kids, mortgages, and debt.

In each stage, you have relationships and belongings that you love and others that you don't need. Finally, you find yourself old and wondering what in the world happened?! The key is learning to let go of what doesn't serve you and keep what does.

Learn what It Means to Let Go of What Doesn't Serve You The phrase is across the Internet, but what does it mean, and how can you apply it to your circumstances? It all begins by understanding what the term 'serve' means. Once you know that, you are in a fantastic position to release and hold only what makes a quality life: • Definition of Serve: Generally speaking, to serve is to be useful or to be of use. Your server at your favorite restaurant is of service when they bring you that delectable platter of food you've been craving.

• Determining What No Longer Serves You: This looks different to everyone.

Look for what makes you doubt who you are or want to become. Think of those items or relationships that drain you mentally, emotionally, and physically.

• Examples: You might think of these things in categories: a. Internal: This category includes your belief system, values, goals, duties, and obligations.

b. Behavioral: What habits, hobbies, commitments, or other pursuits are eating up your life? c. Physical: These can be as simple as clutter in your home to the vacation house you never seem to use because you have to work all of the time to afford it. d. People: You might find this the most challenging category because it could mean looking at relationships. There are also the roles you hold, groups you are part of, and connections you've made.

• Where to Start Letting Go: It is helpful to start with a brainstorming session. Next, take a category and decide the steps you need to take, then go for it! Go through each type and write down everything you believe has stopped serving you.

Let go of those people, items, or emotions that stop you from moving forward toward your goals.

The Types of Relationships You Need to Let Go Relationships give us a sense of belonging. The right ones bolster you and encourage you to grow as a person. The wrong ones leave you depleted emotionally. All relationships have their ups and downs. However, if you have a relationship that always seems down instead of up, it may be time to let it go. It will not be easy, especially if children are involved, but it may be necessary to your overall wellbeing.

How to Know When It’s Time to Let Go Not all relationships need to call it quits. There are many times when issues plaguing those involved can be rectified. However, if you are in any of these types of situations, it may be time to say goodbye and get on with your life: • Abuse: At no time should you have to put up with abuse. This is a complex situation when there is a marriage or children, and you may need help or intervention from others like a trained counselor. If your spouse or lover abuses you physically, emotionally, verbally, or in another way, it is time to let them go. If you don't leave, you subject yourself to more abuse because the abuser will not change their behavior.

• Dishonesty and Disloyalty: Another situation worth leaving is consistent deceit or disloyalty. This isn't a one-off lie or act of infidelity. It is when someone continually lies to you or is unfaithful and refuses to change. They lack character and integrity. You will soon learn that your respect for them will dwindle the longer they carry on.

• Irresponsibility: At some point, you have to grow up. Adults have responsibilities. Yet some can be irresponsible in handling finances, raising kids, or holding jobs. You are left cleaning up their messes when they fail to handle their duties. Stop letting them undermine the fundamental parts of your life.

• One-Sided: Are you always the one to initiate time together? The other person may be selfish and demanding. When you realize this, you may also learn that you are spending too much energy on a one-sided relationship.

You may want to let that go and find someone happy to meet you halfway.

• Demanding Expectations: You may be in a relationship where the other party requires you to dress or behave in a certain way. They may expect you to spend all of your time with them. You may find that you’re compromising your own desires or needs just to keep the peace. Maybe it’s time to do an about-face and remove yourself from their reach instead.

Self-development is more than reading some good books. It’s also about taking action to remove yourself from relationships that stunt your growth.

How to Let Go of Past Grudges Who hasn’t been hurt by someone? Your spouse cheated on you. Your best friend from high school stole your boyfriend. Maybe you have a co-worker stealing your ideas or a boss who bullies you. Worse, you might have experienced trauma from physical, mental, or other forms of abuse. As time passes, some wounds don’t heal, and when that happens, you may be carrying a grudge. Grudges are those leftover feelings of anger and resentment that prevent you from growing as a person. It’s time to let go and move beyond your past.

Tips to Let Go of Grudges and Get Your Life Back Holding a grudge is often an indication of unforgiveness. It can tear at your soul and corrode your physical and emotional health. It can affect all of your current and future relationships. Take the needed steps to release the grudge and gain your life back: 1. Establish Why You Are Holding the Grudge: You need to determine what the problem is so that it can be forgiven. Sometimes, you will find that the offense is not worth the grudge. Other times, you will know precisely what is causing the pain.

2. Consider the Benefits of Forgiveness: Choosing to forgive does not mean you forget, nor does it mean that the other person won. Instead, it means you let go of the resentment holding you back from living your life fully.

3. Acknowledge Your Emotions: Avoid stuffing the emotions down. Use a journal if you want, but take some time to examine your feelings about the harm you received. Also, think about how this affects your behavior and your relationships.

4. Look at it from Their Perspective: This will not always apply depending on the harm done. However, try putting yourself in their shoes. Under similar circumstances, would you have done the same thing to them?

5. Talk with the Other Party: Open communication can remedy some grudges simply. If you believe it will help, approach the other party to see if they will talk with you.

6. Release the Victimhood: Choose to accept what happened and your feelings about it. You don’t have to wait for an apology. (HINT: You may never get one.) Instead, stop playing the ‘wounded one’ card and take back your life by healing, releasing the anger and the grudge.

7. Avoid Dwelling: This may be the most challenging part, but it is critical.

Once you choose to forgive, don’t look back. Avoid dwelling on the situation. If others want to bring it up, change the subject. Your healing is worth it.

Grudges don’t need to define you as a person. Let go of the past and spring forward to your new life by releasing resentments today.

How Can I Let Go of My Need For Perfection?

Are you a perfectionist or an over-achiever? The difference may surprise you.

Over-achievers aim high and hit their mark. They succeed because they are motivated to do their best in everything. Perfectionists want to achieve, but fear of failure stops them. It paralyzes them and diminishes their self-esteem. Does this sound like you? There is nothing wrong with aiming for perfection; however, it can hold you back more than you realize. It's possible to let go of your need for perfectionism and see yourself in the achiever category.

How You Can Kiss Perfectionism Goodbye Stop letting your need for perfection hamper your happiness and reach your goals. Here are some tips to get you started: 1. Admit You Are a Perfectionist: Pay attention to your thoughts and tendencies. Look for patterns that indicate your perfectionistic ways.

Consider the self-talk you use. Starting here gives you an edge on overcoming your preferences.

2. Look for the Positives: It is easy to fixate on the negatives when nothing is perfect. It won't be easy to focus on positive self-talk, but it will take you miles down the path to your goals.

3. Remember that You Will Make Mistakes: Allow yourself to make mistakes.

You will learn much. Mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow as a person. Enjoy the process and accept that mistakes are part of it.

4. Reconsider Your Goals: You probably set your goals too high, using impossible standards. Reduce your stress and increase your chance of success by setting realistic goals. In essence, you set yourself up for failure.

5. Learn How to Receive Feedback: Perfectionists generally don't like to receive feedback because they suffer from low self-esteem. You learn to do better when receiving constructive feedback and not taking it personally.

6. Lower Your Standards: You don't need to go to the far extreme and have no standards. But it's helpful to reduce the pressure on yourself by lowering your expectations a tad.

7. Stop Procrastinating: As a perfectionist, you are probably a procrastinator.

Instead of giving yourself an excuse to slack off and stress yourself more, learn to work ahead and be proactive. It will provide you with more time to complete tasks to the best standards possible.

It's okay to give yourself full permission to no longer be perfect. Letting go of your perfectionism reduces your stress and opens up your ability to grow and learn new things to achieve your dreams. You will thank yourself later.

7 Personal Belongings We Can Let Go Decluttering gives you the orderliness that encourages creativity and a healthier lifestyle. Your stress levels will dissipate when you choose to declutter and organize your home. For example, seeing a kitchen counter cleared of mail from the past six years is a godsend. However, choosing what to keep and what to ditch can be taxing.

You may struggle over items of sentimental value. You may feel guilty over the money ‘wasted' or make excuses to keep things. Part of expanding your horizons and attaining your goals begins with your ability to release those things that no longer serve you. Personal belongings are an excellent place to start.

Personal Belongings that Weigh You Down We struggle with getting rid of items, especially if they have sentimental value. If you start small and work up to it, you will gain the momentum you need to clear out those extra things weighing you down: 1. Old, Unidentifiable Cords: You probably have a drawer of these. Cords to eReaders, old cell phones, and other electronic devices. There is no need to hold onto those items as they become outdated quickly.

2. Glass with Outdated Prescriptions: Instead of holding onto glasses that you cannot see out of, donate them. Someone else could get more use out of them, and you can use the space in your drawer.

3. Product Manuals: Almost anything can be found on the Internet, including the product manual for your electric mower. If you must keep the paper version, recycle those you no longer have the product.

4. Sunscreen: Your favorite sunscreen will not last long as its effectiveness breaks down. It’s a good idea to buy new frequently, particularly during summer.

5. Mismatched Socks: Where do all the socks go? That is the question plaguing many, but that doesn’t mean you need to keep the partner. Unless you want to make sock puppets with your kids, please get rid of them and then throw them out.

6. Plastic Utensils: When you have perfectly good silverware at home, get rid of the plastic stuff. You could take them to work and tuck them in your desk for your brown bag lunch.

7. Old Workout Gear: Kudos to you for keeping up with your exercise routine!

Remember that your gear will wear out faster from frequent use than your regular clothes. Keep an eye on them and replace them often.

Decluttering personal belongings begins with small steps, but it brings lasting results. Enjoy a cleaner home and a clearer mind to aid you in reaching your goals.

5 Bad Habits that it is Time to Let Go Part of self-development is learning to let go of those things holding you back.

One area of life we all struggle with is habits. Bad habits keep us from losing weight, getting healthier, or finding the next career move. Letting go of these bad habits can be frustrating as they hinder your growth and goals. Once you do, though, you will find a new way of living that helps you achieve your dreams.

Let Go of These 5 Bad Habits and Thrive Bad habits are bad for you. They can cause you mental, physical, emotional, and social harm. They may be hard to get rid of, but it is worth it for your well-being.

Here are five bad habits to stop today: 1. Neglecting Your Health: You may have many different responsibilities every day. They will eat up your time and your emotions, leaving you depleted.

The next thing you know, you stop eating healthy, cease exercise, and gain weight. When this happens, you may become frequently sick and unable to keep up with your responsibilities.

2. Hanging with Negative People: Achieving a goal requires dedication and support. If you are always around others that bring you down, you may give up on your dreams. Feedback is only good when it is constructive. You will be much happier if you hang out with those who support you and provide positive feedback. At the least, learn to limit what you say to the negative people in your life.

3. Pleasing Others: You may want to please others all the time, but the truth is, you will run yourself ragged doing it. Most of the time, those you are trying to please do not appreciate you. Focus on those who do. Stop wasting your efforts on those that don’t appreciate you.

4. Procrastinating: Pushing things off causes stress, and you will not put forth your best work. There are many reasons you may procrastinate. Whatever the reason, you are affecting many aspects of your life, and you need to stop. Instead, aim to be proactive and give yourself the time required to accomplish your tasks or projects. You will soon find yourself becoming more relaxed.

5. Being Tardy: A close cousin to procrastinating, being late makes you feel rushed. You will often feel the stress of constantly playing catch up. (By the

way, being late is rude, too.) Ease your hurriedness by training yourself to arrive early to appointments and meetings.

Gain the upper hand in your life when you let go of your bad habits and replace them with positive ones.

4 Preconceived Notions We Should Probably Let Go We all have them – those nagging thoughts that creep up when we want to pursue a new career or other personal goals. Preconceived notions hold you back from being the best you possible. They stop you from stepping out and taking needed risks. Your growth should not hinge on faulty views of yourself and your abilities. Instead, grasp the reality that you can attain any goal when you let go of your preconceived notions.

4 Preconceived that Are Holding You Back When you decide to grow personally or professionally, you may immediately stop as doubt moves in. This often comes because you have preconceived notions that you will not be successful. Once you realize that these ideas are holding you back, you have everything you need to start your success journey: • Lack of Experience: How often have to let an opportunity pass you up because you didn’t feel like you had 100% of the requirements? How else will you gain experience if you don’t try? The willingness to learn is the best skill you can have to thwart any lack of experience. Go ahead and apply for the new position or take the leap into a new adventure.

• Lack of Education: It all starts with comparing ourselves to others. You may look at a co-worker who seems lightyears ahead of you in the intelligence arena, but in reality, they are not. You might let your background affect your confidence and tell yourself that you don’t have the right degree.

Many times, digging in and trudging through the trenches gives you more education than a college degree.

• Wrong Time: You are looking for the perfect time to start your blog or take up skydiving. You calculate and plan, but you never execute. Remember, the best time to start anything is now because time will keep moving even if you are standing still. Do you want to look back a year from now and see that you have not made any progress?

• Too Much Knowledge: If you believe you have reached the pinnacle of what you can learn, consider revisiting that idea. Knowledge is power. It can also keep you from growing as a person. Instead, look for new adventures that take you out of your comfort zone. You may find you still have lots to learn.

Embrace the path of continued growth when you ditch your preconceived notions.

3 Emotions You Should Let Go Emotions are part of our everyday life. None of us will go through a day without experiencing some kind of emotion, be it fear, anger, happiness, or joy. Some people hang on to negative emotions instead of feeling them and letting them go.

If you tend to hold onto your negative emotions, you may find that your life is affected, including your relationships. It can hinder the pursuit of goals. If left alone long enough, you may look back on your life with regret at the wasted years.

Release these 3 Emotions for Greater Personal Growth There is a time for experiencing all of your emotions. You don’t want to get stuck in the quagmire of these three negative emotions, however: 1. Regret: Who hasn't second-guessed their decisions? Maybe you are going through some financial stress, and you wish you didn't buy that expensive new truck. You might which you would have chosen a different career or spouse. You will regret some of your choices; however, you don't want to get stuck looking back so much that you stop living in the present and planning for your future. It’s okay to look back and feel the emotion, but don't stop there. Learn the lesson, and move on with your life.

2. Anger: Getting mad happens. You may have an off day and yell at your kids or partner for a simple mistake. Other times, you might have a good reason to be mad, but you refuse to work through it. Instead, you want to hang on and carry a grudge. Anger affects your health. It also pushes your loved ones away. Don’t let anger control your life and reduce your chances of future happiness. Learn healthy mechanisms to control your outbursts.

Extend forgiveness, even if the other person doesn’t ask for it. You are

releasing the pain that has been defining you. That is a huge step in personal growth.

3. Disappointment: This close cousin to regret, disappointment is directed at other people when they don’t live up to your expectations. For example, your co-worker failed to do their part for the upcoming presentation. You may be a little mad, but you are disappointed because you have always known them to be reliable. Living in a constant state of disappointment will affect your relationships. You may come across as cynical and push people away from you. Understand that people will disappoint you, but you don’t have to turn your disappointment into distrust. It’s critical to offer some grace and move on.

You will always have to handle your emotions. But when they threaten to overwhelm your happiness, it is time to let them go.