Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 28oC, hot, sunny, and cloudy.
It is Tuesday, a beautiful autumn morning with a slight breeze and a temperature in the low 20s. Walking to the end of Leme to exercise, I could see that the sea had a rough swell with the waves hitting the shore and the rocks with force; it was stunning and impressive to watch!
On Tuesday, Yasmin should come and stay with me as she has functional training in the evening after school. She should have had it last week, and as she is mad with me today, she cancelled coming to stay with me and doing it.
She probably thought she was getting to me by not coming, but little did she know that the day before, I had met her trainer by chance in the street and had cancelled the sessions as I would be moving this month.
When Yasmin decided to send me a message saying that she wouldn’t come today, I promptly replied with an OK! Just an OK!
I have come to the stage in life where I can’t force a situation anymore. If my daughter wants to be with me, GREAT!!! If she doesn’t want to or is angry with me, even though I was trying to teach her something to improve herself and her life, and if she doesn’t know how to appreciate it. WHAT CAN I DO? And GREAT TOO!
I have reached a point where I no longer care about what others think or say about me. I had already arrived at this stage a long time ago.
However, what has changed recently is that I have become more selfish about myself and my needs.I have realized that even though I have given a lot to others, sometimes I don’t receive any recognition or appreciation.
I’m not constantly seeking praise or validation, but it’s tough to ignore that people tend to forget about your past efforts and sacrifices when you change your stance.
My daughter will be shocked when she realizes that I have cancelled the training sessions and that her cancellation was for nothing. This situation reminds me of Dona Rosa. I gave classes to Dona Rosa for 6 or 7 years. She was a little old lady from a traditionally wealthy Brazilian family.
She was already in her late 70s when I began to give her classes, and she had a powerful personality and opinion that she was never afraid to express in any situation. Unfortunately, she is no longer with us, and telling her whole story now would be too long, but Dona Rosa taught me a valuable lesson:
“WHO HAS THE POWER TO GIVE ALSO HAS THE POWER TO TAKE AWAY!!!”
It is a lesson I have never forgotten, and I carry it in my memory. Many people do not understand this, nor want to understand it, but it is very true! As Yasmin is no longer coming, I can give the few last classes in the afternoon, read my book, and go to bed early.
WHAT MORE COULD WE ASK FOR???
In bed by 9.30 pm.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.
Richard
