Canon Winston Joseph, former Rector of All Saints Anglican Church at Marli Street for 26 years, was in town for the week of Carnival. The mas playing priest who does look very well and did play mas with Hart's "Latin Fire", has been rector of St Patrick's Episcopal Church, West Palm Beach, since October 5, 2000.
Strangely enough, it was during this past week that I found a very wise and helpful piece of advice which Canon Joseph shared with his parishioners just before leaving for Florida on how to deal with those I call the 'toxic' people in our lives. And take my word for it, it works like a charm as there is no more trying to deal with people, particularly family, who cause us endless pain.
Life is a Theatre
Not everyone is healthy enough to have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance.
It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go of, or at least minimize, your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going- anywhere relationships/friendships.
Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention.
Which ones lift and which ones lean?
Which ones encourage and which ones discourage?
Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill?
When you leave certain people do you feel better or worse?
Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know or appreciate you?
The more you seek quality, respect, growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.
"If you cannot 'change' the people around you, change the people you're around."
Be a good friend!!
PEACE, HAPPINESS AND RESPECT
Have a great day!!