Shutdown

SHUTDOWN;

— n
1.	a. the closing of a factory, shop, etc
	b. ( as modifier ): shutdown costs
— vb
2.	to cease or cause to cease operation
3.	( tr ) to close by lowering
4.	( tr ) (of fog) to descend and envelop
5.	informal  ( intr; foll by  on or  upon ) to put a stop to; clamp down on

Shutdown

Times such as these makes you want to point the finger and say that you would be doing things differently, like compromising, instead of being so immovable if only it were you in that situation. Before you go ahead and do that though, stop and take a step back.  Take a good hard look at where maybe you have decided to be shutdown in your own life. What areas have you become so immovable about?  What in your life have you chosen not deal with?  What situations or feelings have you chosen to hold on to so tightly that it's making your life toxic?  

Don't point out what others should be doing anymore ~ you be the walking, living, breathing example of what being open looks like, feels like and sounds like.  Stop building your own walls.  Stop being so defensive.  Stop being so angry.  Stop making excuses.  Stop retreating. Stop waiting for someone else to fix it. Stop chipping away at your integrity.  

Learn how to tear down you own walls. Learn how to be vulnerable. Learn how to find peace from listening. Learn that it's okay to ask for help. Learn that you are not the only one that brings ideas to the table. Learn that there is a difference between having values and judging. Learn how to truly love who you are, no excuses, no strings attached and certainly no parameters.

Comfort

You don't choose your family.  

They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.  

~Desmond Tutu

Comfort

There are times in your life when you need to give comfort to those in need.  Then there are times in your life when you are the one who needs to be comforted.  It's in these times that you see the true face of humanity and compassion.  Let yourself be open to receiving all forms of support. Let someone give you strength when you can't muster up your own.  Let someone provide you a shoulder to rest when you are too tired to keep your head up. Allow your heart to feel all of the love that is surrounding you and never underestimate the capacity of another human being to lift you up in a time of great pain.  

Roar

I got the eye of the tiger, the fire, dancing through the fire

cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR

~lyrics from Katy Perry's song "Roar"

Roar
You have sat silent long enough. It's time to let your voice be heard. You matter in this world. Your thoughts matter.What you do matters. How you feel matters. What you say matters. Do not let yourself be silenced. Do not let the fear of change stop you. Listen to the fire within and finally let yourself roar!