Do you have a bull in china shop?

I am going to use this blog to share about lessons I am learning as I get ready for this year of change and I will promse not be negative, but occasionally, I have to get some things off my chest and see what others think. In my effort to say no, I am discovering I have people in my life that will not take no for an answer. They come into my life, like a bull in a china shop, and make decisions that effect me and my family with any regard for how it affect me and with little respect for my life and my choices.

Though I have lived a long life and I have learned many good lessons, and have grown as a person emotionally, physically, and spiritually, I am still not able to share any wisdom with them and they often make efforts to chastize me and tell me what they think.

I look at their life choices and see they have no better grip on things than me and there is little reason for me to take anything they say with any real creedence. So when one is in this situation, do you question, what in the world is wrong with them or what in the world is wrong with you?

You know this flaw is part of their character and yet you allow them to negatively affect your life. You continue to make yourself open to their nonsense, with the hopes that things will change. Does that make them wrong or does that make you crazy for going down that dead-end street yet again, hoping something will change?

This year, I am saving all my energy on people that don't suck the life out of me. On God (who never fails me), on my husband and kids, my close family and friends, and my work. My advice to you is, keep your mind from sinning by avoiding those who make you crazy and save yourself by having people who unselfishly lift you up in your life without agenda. Accountability is important but avoid the judgmental ones, who feel it their personal mission, to keep a running list of your mistakes to remind you of, later. You are not a personal project for someone trying to fill a hole in their soul - you are God's masterpiece (no one else deserves the title). But also be prepared to do the same for everyone else - don't be a hypocrite Courtney!

In 2009, I am saying NO to selfish people and there are no "bulls" allowed in my china shop.