Trust

     In a democracy, citizens are guaranteed many rights and freedoms.  We are free to exercise our rights according to our conscience.  We can design our lives based on our own beliefs and opinions.  Other people may influence our thinking, but they don't have the right to control our choices.
     Some citizens wish to reduce our choices.  They believe that law should be based on their own religious and political interpretations, but all citizens have the freedom to form their own religious beliefs or have no religion at all.
     Some people only trust those who agree with their way of thinking.  They place their confidence in  members of their own religion, political party, and lifestyle.  Those outside their groups may not be trusted to make the "right" choices.  Those making the "wrong" choices need to be controlled by more restrictive laws.
     The beauty of a democracy is that we all have the freedom to exercise our rights according to our own beliefs and opinions.  We need to gain confidence that the general public can make good decisions based on their own circumstances.  We  need to trust each other.

Grit

     When you have the ambition, motivation, and perseverance to accomplish your long-term goals, you have begun to develop grit.  When obstacles or challenges present themselves and you retain your commitment and zeal, you definitely have grit.
     Some people are born with this personality trait; some may learn it from their parents.  Others may witness the advantages of this trait in other people and learn to develop it in themselves.
     First, you need to set long-term goals.  Both the young and the not-so-young will benefit by having a plan for their future.  Next, keep the goal a priority by managing your time and energy wisely, and don't allow yourself to become distracted or side-tracked.  When set-backs occur, refresh your determination and commitment.
     You can control a good deal of your future.  Don't just sit back and let it happen.  Put some grit into the process.

Stick To Your Guns

     Stand up for your rights.  Keep your convictions and beliefs.  Refuse to change your ideas even when other people criticize and  try to make you change.  Protect yourself, value your opinions, and stick to your guns.
     Too often, we are expected to put ourselves second...or third or fourth.  Some religions stress that we should give up our self and live for the benefit of others.  Self-sacrifice is promoted as the highest  form of love.  Of course, helping each other is a wonderful goal, and compromise is often the best solution.  This type of mindset, however, can often cause feelings of injustice and resentment.  These feelings are warnings that something is unbalanced.
     Looking out for number one is the first step in survival and a necessary step in developing our potential.  We can overdo pushing our pause button so that others may grow and flourish.  People may then expect us to serve and take our actions for granted.
     Having confidence in our own ideas and beliefs is a necessary step in growing up.  As we mature, we may change our minds and behavior.  Change can be difficult.  Those closest to us may become uncomfortable as we assert our updated ideas.
     Our own best interests are served by being aware of what we think and what we do.  As our opinions and goals evolve, we need to be strong and stick to our guns.
     

Rejection

     Sometimes we need to say, "No."  We may disagree or refuse to believe ideas that don't seem to ring true.  When we show rejection of  certain popular messages, we have to be brave and explain our opinions.
     Reject the idea that we are too old to change.  We can continue to learn, teach, improve, forgive, and design our future.
     Reject the idea that you should give up on someone who could benefit from your gentle persuasion.   You can continue to be a good role model, welcome communication, listen to all sides of an argument with an open mind, and minimize judgments.  Explain your feelings about a relationship.  Don't pout, be passive aggressive, or try to manipulate.  Keep connected.
     Reject the idea that science has an answer to everything.  Some people believe in miracles of the past and hope for miracles in the future.  Others put their faith in the laws of nature and scientific discovery.
     Reject the idea that our laws of the land are carved in stone.  Some laws need to be updated, some deleted, and some new laws need to be passed so that every citizen has equal rights.   Be active in your government and make your voice heard.
     Reject the idea that you can't do anything about the past: what's done is done.  How we remember and feel about the past can change.  As time passes, we may gain perspective on what happened and use our memories to improve the present and future.
     The term rejection often has a negative connotation.  We think of young people who are socially rejected and not included in their peer group.  We think of rejection letters from colleges or publishers.  These types of rejections can cause unhappiness.  Other types of rejection can be positive actions.  Rejecting ideas that don't reflect what we think is true helps us define what we do believe.

Acceptance

 

     For those situations we cannot change, we need to practice acceptance in order to reduce stress and find serenity.  By not accepting reality, we may just be putting off the inevitable.
     We cannot change the progress of getting older, but we can embrace our years of experience and the wisdom that brings.   Accepting ourselves just the way we are right now is better than idealizing the way we were or wishing for the way we want to be.
     We cannot change others unless they want to change.  The time and energy we spend judging others and wishing they were different may not be good for us or them.  Accepting others the way they are is the first step toward a healthier relationship.
     We cannot change the laws of nature.  Our world was here for many, many years before we arrived on the scene.  We learn to accept our place and hopefully leave our planet in a good condition for generations to come.  Even though some people hold unscientific beliefs about our universe, we all can appreciate our home.
     We cannot change the laws of the land without the cooperation of other citizens.  When something is deemed legal, we must accept that the majority rules.  Our democracy guarantees the rights of all.
     We cannot change the past, although we can analyze what worked and what didn't.  We can think about what we did and didn't do.  We can forgive ourselves and others.
     By facing reality, we can appreciate the way things are, accept what we cannot change, and discover peace.