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For Thursday, August 30: Stay soft

We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden.  Johann von Goethe

Ever run into someone who has decided, consciously or unconsciously, to stay a certain way - whether that's an age, behavior, mindset, etc?  It's painful isn't it?  It's painful to have to live with this person - whether that is literally or in a setting like work, etc.  Not allowing change because of desire to "fit in" with the age group you wish you could be forever, or because of laziness about taking on life responsibilities, or because of fill in the blank is one of the most detrimental things we can do to ourselves.  And it is OUR choice.  Nobody else can own that.  People may try to control it or own it but we always have a choice.  
What happens when we choose not to change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves?  We become hard in all the places being hard is damaging.  We become hard of heart, we become hard in relationships, we become hard-headed (ha, I totally had to throw that one in - it was too easy!), we become hard to handle.  What other ways can you think of?  
But when we allow change in our lives - which leads to renewal and rejuvenation - we stay soft in all the places being soft is healthy for us and the people we connect with.  And we become better people - we grow into better versions of ourselves when we allow change.  I know I am a better version of myself than I was 1 year, 3 years, 5 years ago. Why?  Because not only have I allowed change I have invited it and welcomed it.  It has helped me stay and get soft in all the places of life that matter.  
So don't just allow change - invite it and stay soft. 

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