In this post, I share with you a refreshing perspective on living and nurturing our relationships from Dr. Amit Sood of the Mayo Clinic.
I enjoy reading different viewpoints or, I could say, different versions of the same song.
Dr. Sood’s email reinforces and rekindles the kind of behaviors that I want to incorporate in my life.
From Dr. Amit Sood
“Dear Friend,
“Until quite recently, I was extremely busy trying to improve others. I was also totally absorbed in my to-do lists. As a result my brain was cluttered with numerous open files. I was pushing life away. In an effort to improve others, I was failing to appreciate how good they already were. Fortunate for me, slowly a different realization has set it.
“I have realized that my obstinate effort to improve others only pushes them away. They associate me with feeling bad about themselves. Instead of improving, they withdraw away from me – a big price to pay.
Thoughtful Prioritization
“I have now found a simple solution – thoughtful prioritization. I accept the imperfections that represent variations of the norm. I try my best to accept others as they are. Realizing my time with others is finite, I focus on the big picture. I prioritize relationships above anything else. This has saved me countless hours of grief.
“This Wednesday commit to nurturing an open flexible kind accepting disposition following this exercise.
Exercise:
“Commit to being flexible this Wednesday. Pick only the most important challenges. As important as to-do list is not-to-do list.
Make your not-to-do list today.
“Minimize judgment of others. Choose not to improve a minor annoyance in others. Accept it as a different flavor, instead of calling it good or bad. Not choosing to improve is sometimes a great improvement. Tell yourself today – not everything needs to be or can be fixed.
I wish you well.”
Amit
Amit Sood, MD MSc
Professor of Medicine
Mayo Clinic Rochester
@amitsoodmd
Stressfree.org
As always, I wish you well too!
Lori Greer in Portland 
Perfect advice — oh how I should always keep it in mind !!! All the best Lori, thank you ❤
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Hello, How are things going? I hope every day is wonderful. Thanks for reading and commenting. Take care and enjoy everyday, Hugs, Lori
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Hello Lori, every day is wonderful and has its own special gifts. This morning the first mist of the season arrived – better late than never – it’s an April thing, normally. Things aren’t normal though, Cape Town has been declared a disaster zone because of the drought. Here on the farm we have our own water, but we don’t grow crops, so we’re okay; others are not so lucky…..Thinking of you and your family ❤
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Awesome words of so much insight and inspiration. Thanks for the wonderful share.
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Judgements all gone. I finally realised that those so called faults in another, is the exact journey that they need to find that inner love, just as I did with mine. How could I ‘judge’ that perfection 😀
Great share Lori, and I hope all is going well with the journey’s you are all on at the moment. Sending much love to you all ❤
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Hi Mark, You are right…faults in another are just part of their journey. You stated it beautifully. I am hanging in there. Cancer is a marathon so we are preparing for the long road ahead. Radiation ends tomorrow with a new drug treatment starting next week. Thank you for asking. Have a great weekend!
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I hope it goes well Lori. And a great weekend to you all as well ❤ 😀
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Wise words indeed. Accept. Not everything needs to be fixed.
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I think it is when we accept someone and they feel that acceptance is the most important part of a relationship. No one likes to feel as though they are broken or bad or inadequate. Have a great weekend.
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Thank you. You too Lori. x
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Wise words and great inspiration. Work each day on what must be ‘done’ and enjoy to the fullness the rest of the time on simply ‘being’ . Sending love and ongoing prayers.
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Hi Faye, I love his “not to do list”…. You are right about tending to what must be done and enjoy the rest of the time simply “being”. Thanks, as always! Have a great weekend. Lori
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Amen to this Lori. Another thought, “By letting go it all gets done”.
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I like that thought. It is another side of the coin and equally true. Thank you for reading and commenting. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Lori
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“Not to do list ” I am on board😊
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Sometimes I fret over my lists….but letting go of ineffective behavior is always a good thing. Part of it is letting other live their lives. Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate it. Have a great weekend!
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You too💟
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A “not-to-do” list would be very hard for me, but he does have some good points.
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I hear you! His website is cool and especially helpful during this stressful time. This is the new normal. Have a great weekend and keep writing!
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Thank you. Enjoy your weekend too.
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This is mind-blowing. I wish everybody reads it. So many people and the world as such would profit from it. Wishing you all well. ❤
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