Life has certainly been challenging for everyone, especially over the last few years. We’ve had to deal with the COVID pandemic, bushfires, the recent floods in Queensland and NSW as well as coping with news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The media has also reported three heart attack realated deaths in a week of prominent Australians – Kimberley Kitching, (52) a senator in the Australian Parliament, Rod Marsh (73) and Shane Warne (52) both huge names in the world of cricket. A wake up call to all of us that life can be cut short.
I’ve had a couple of conversations with friends and we all agree that we feel guilty, because our lives are going well, yet others are experiencing devastation.
In this week’s Micro Monday’s episode I discuss the importance of overcoming our ‘guilt’ when life is going well whilst life is devastating for others. During the episode I share ways to
- Find the balance between feeling empathy for others and still recognise the good things that you are experiencing
- Resilience to cope when life gets overwhelming
- Take that moment every day to find good in our life to maintain good mental health and wellbeing
- Celebrate the good moments despite all that is happening around us
- How showing kindness and support to others can help you
Listen to my thoughts and I’d love to hear your comments.
How are you feeling at the moment?
Are you robbing yourself of personal joy because you feel guilty?
What are you doing today to make the most of this day?
20 Comments
I don’t think you need to feel guilty – you just need to appreciate your good fortune more. Show empathy and offer help to those that aren’t. Those in a better position should always help to carry the load of those that aren’t. #Lifethismonth
I agree Lydia, we shouldn’t feel guilty but sometimes when you see what others are going through it certainly can be heart breaking. x
Hi, Sue – Thank you for this very timely MicroMonday. I agree that empathy, compassion and gratitude trump guilt every day — and do much more good.
Hi Donna, there has been so much happening here and overseas. We really need to count our blessings don’t we? x
The perfect reminder to embrace gratitude – and keep an eye on your heart (in more ways than one…)
For sure, Jo. x
Hi Sue – I’ve often felt that we’ve been spared so much of the covid upheaval here in WA – although it’s arrived with a vengence now they’re (finally) opened the borders. We’ve commented many times that we were in a good place age-wise for this pandemic – retired, not too old, happy to be home, and not yearning to travel. I’ve certainly felt the pain of others who haven’t been so fortunate.
Hi Leanne, yes I hope you don’t get a delayed COVID reaction over in WA. When we opened the borders is when it got out of control. Stay healthy and safe. x
Hi Sue, I listened to today’s podcast on the way to the hairdressers and you certainly captured much of what I’ve been thinking about lately but you also gave great reminders of what we CAN do. We especially need to look at what today’s joys are so we don’t lose sight of the big picture. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom. xx
Thanks Deb, it is difficult not to feel guilty but as you say we can’t lose sight of the big picture. Life is too short. So pleased you enjoyed the podcast and also some pampering. x
I don’t feel guilty but I do think that everything else going on the world has made me all that more aware of each day and what we’re experiencing. I try to focus on all those blessings I have and how grateful I am for them.
Hi Joanne, I think that is all we can do really. We can help others where we can but we also need to appreciate our life because life is too short. xx
Thanks for sharing this, in times like these where social media influences our life decision so much. Blog like these really brings out a different set of view.
Thank you Nina for stopping by to comment. Social media can be a huge influence in our lives can’t it? Over the last week or so I’ve stepped back for a while and I’m certainly feeling much better mentally. Take care and enjoy your week. x
You’re so spot on with this. I’ve been struggling a LOT with everything going on, and bad things happening around the house too, and got to a point where I had to stop thinking, and start looking for the good and joyful things again. I didn’t feel guilt for having it good in life, but I sort of felt guilty for my anxiety and low mood – because I should be enjoying life while I have it. So I started my joyful blog series and the beauty series on Instagram, to make myself looking for the good things in life again, celebrate them, and live every day in gratitude. Nobody will be helped because I bring myself into depression!
Hello Susanne, I hear you as sometimes I can feel that way too. Your joyful blog series and beauty series on Instagram are a perfect way to help not only yourself but others. We are deciding if we will move house to be closer to family so I’ve not really been on social media or reading blogs at the moment. I will be sure to check out your blog and Insta though. Please take care of yourself and never feel guilty for the way you feel. xx
Hi Sue I agree with you that many of us are struggling at the moment with all the bad news going around. I have to admit that I don’t feel guilty that all is ok with me. I feel very thankful for that. I do feel very empathetic with those that are suffering. The news is very hard to watch at the moment. Will definitely listen to your podcast. It’s a very interesting subject.
Hi Jen, the world isn’t in a good place at the moment is it? x
There have been times I have had to reduce my time on social media because of the ways in which my body and mind react. I know that I am a very feeling person, and that is all good but I also need to give back to me as well in terms of self-compassion and self-soothing in times like these. I don’t feel I am ‘better’ or ‘more fortunate’ than others and it is so sad to see what so many have gone through. The recent decision by me to ‘do less’ and ‘be more’ has come with its challenges. I will be sharing when I re-cap for WOTY link up. A great discussion I see here by the response from your commenters. Thank you so much for linking up your blog post for the FIRST #LifeThisMonth Link Up on Denyse Whelan Blogs. I do hope you return for the next one: Monday 11 April 2022. Warm wishes,Denyse.
I’m looking forward to your WOTY post Denyse and I’ve been wondering how you are going with all that is happening around us. Take care xx