pretend smoke breaks

I am not an advocate of smoking, I do not condone smoking, and I haven't smoked. Ever. It is an expensive, smelly, dangerous habit. But...

It's interesting to me that smoke breaks are accepted - expected - by those who smoke and by those who employ or live with the smokers. A few minutes to step away from the work or the family or the next chore to be done. A few minutes outside either alone or with someone who shares at least one common interest. Completely acceptable. What about a Diet Coke break? Could my bestie and I get away with that? Or a peanut butter M&M's break? Probably not.

And smokers seem so relaxed after their break. It's just the break. Nicotine is a stimulant. Being outside in the sun, having a stretch, breathing deeply and slowly - with intent - , taking a brain break - those are the things I want.

I'm not going to start smoking, but I do plan on starting to give myself pretend smoke breaks. Maybe have that Diet Coke and some of those yummy M&M's. Go outside. Move. Use the time that smokers use with no questions or penalty. They don't sign out or have to otherwise make excuses for their use of that time. The same courtesy should be extended to those of us who don't smoke.

In fact, I'm going to take my first pretend smoke break right now.

accepting others

There is an amazing video on the Huffington Post website (link will be provided at the end of this post) that beautifully demonstrates unconditional love and acceptance of people are they are, not as we would like them to be. It is so hard to let go of the control - or the thought of control - of making someone fit our expectations and schedule and preferences. The greater challenge is to see someone as they are but to love them in their fullness, remembering that we are all beautiful and wonderful and generally screwed up. It's helpful to pretend that you are a disaster relief chaplain, and you are meeting each of the people you encounter in a day at the worst and most vulnerable and terrible moment of their lives. Through that lens you can offer true companionability in a way that is most meaningful to them. And you can be thankful that others are doing the same for you. We're called to care for each other, and that means as we each are, with all of our innate beauty and somewhat embarrassing warts.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/30/whittington-family-ryland-transgender-son_n_5414718.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular