Tag Archives: respect

We Eloped 40 Years Ago

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Len and I eloped on St. Patrick’s Day forty years ago. My parents were less than thrilled, but they soon discovered that he’s a terrific guy and ended up loving him as much as they loved me. 

People often ask us the recipe for our success. The secret is in the way we express our love. Here’s a list of our favorite ingredients:

  • Mutual respect
  • Intentional kindness
  • Active listening
  • Forgiveness
  • Quality individual time, balanced with quality together time
  • Personal hobbies, balanced with mutual interests
  • Laughter. Definitely laughter!

What’s your favorite relationship ingredient?

© lauriebuchanan.com

Establishing Boundaries

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When I visited the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) temple and gardens in Cardiff by the Sea, CA,  I appreciated the fence—boundary—installed between the gardens and the cliff.

Due to erosion, it’s imperative to keep visitors from stepping too far forward, which many people want to do because of the stunning photo opportunity.

When it comes to human beings, there are many types of boundaries: personal, professional, relational, social, ethical, etc. 

Boundaries are internal and external lines that we draw. They delineate where our — physical, mental, emotional, spiritual — space ends, and where another’s may begin. Boundaries establish what’s okay and what’s not okay. They help us:

  • Stand up for ourselves
  • Keep us from doing things we shouldn’t
  • Protect and take care of ourselves

Boundaries are not separation, they’re not division. Boundaries are respect for ourselves and others.

As I tell my clients, establishing boundaries is one thing, but it’s not enough. To be effective, they must also be maintained. 

[bctt tweet=”Are your boundaries in good condition? Are they effective?” username=”@TuesWithLaurie”]

Are your boundaries in good condition—are they effective?

© TuesdaysWithLaurie.com

My Hat’s Off to You

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It’s the time of year when my big garden hat is handily located right inside our back door. Each time I step outside to “garden”—code for sitting in a lawn chair and enjoying a good book—I plunk it on top of my head. When I come back in I take it off and put it right back in its place.

In the United States (probably other countries too), My hat’s off to you is an expression we say to someone who’s done something we respect and admire.

In France, chapeau means hat, but chapeau! (with an exclamation mark) is used to express appreciation and approval.

Who is your hat off to?

Listen with your heart,

Laurie Buchanan

“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
— Laurie Buchanan

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© 2012 Laurie Buchanan– All Rights Reserved

Seven Generations

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Gaia Our Home by Laurie Buchanan

Gaia Our Home by Laurie Buchanan

Barbara’s blog post, Earth Consciousness, was extremely thought-provoking, and served to stir the pot a little more …

The universe is a living connected organism. When we embrace this, when we really take this to heart, there will be a tremendous shift in behavior; individually and collectively. When we understand our relationship to Gaia—Mother Earth—we’ll cease dumping, strip mining and polluting our home. When we understand our relationship to each other—we are one—greed, envy, and fighting will cease; we’ll treat each other and our environment with respect.

When we truly understand how we fit into the big picture, we’ll teach our children the Seven Generation mind/heart set; a sound ecological concept that admonishes the current generation of humans to work for the benefit of the seventh generation into the future and to replenish what we use, leaving enough for the next seven generations in line. Imagine if humankind recognized Nature as a critical partner—the positive global change would be staggering!

“In every deliberation, we must consider the impact on the seventh generation … even if it requires having skin as thick as the bark of a pine.” —Great Law of the Iroquois

© TuesdaysWithLaurie.com