Gilmore Girls – A lifetime of transformation

Today, I finished watching the Gilmore Girls series for the second time. The entire production is excellent, from witnessing the young Lorelai Gilmore deliver a new life into this world at 16 to monitoring their journey in close-up for 153 episodes, and the last one, A Year in the Life, which molded everything much more beautifully than I’d imagined.

I started watching this movie on a friend’s recommendation, and bless her heart, she wasn’t wrong. I recall her telling me how she would watch the series when she was bored or wanted something to play in the background. For me, it was the same and more. I found it a nice source of comfort when I finished work and wanted to get on with my housework, or when I needed something to warm my soul.

Movie characters

There’s something unique about the two Gilmore girls’ friendship, the way they leaned on each other over all difficulties. Without a doubt, the little town and its citizens played an important role in their journey. I was pleasantly surprised by how they helped and cared for one another in a clumsy, unapologetic manner.

I loved the characters, the peace that Luke’s diner would bring to the small town, the crazy, determined Taylor and his ludicrous plans to improve the city at any cost, the warm neighbors, Babette and Morey, Kirk and his struggle to be forcefully loved and appreciated, Rory’s friend Lane Kim and her impossible but loving mother, the determined Paris and her plans to conquer the world.

Lorelai and her daughter also developed wonderful friendships throughout the years. From the decisive connection with Mia to Sookie’s wild enthusiasm for cooking to Michel’s hilarious yet genuine responses.

Gilmore Girls’ parents were no exception. Richard and Emily played an important key role in the entire production, from sustaining Rory in College to supporting the two financially and chaining them to a never-ending Friday Dinner fiasco.

Personal take

A year has obviously changed me, and as a result, I see this movie in a completely different light than the first time I saw it. And I believe that the lessons the characters had to learn in the film were a decent mirror of my own life experiences.

I recall Emily Gilmore’s motherly grief as she tried to reconnect with her daughter, Lorelai. It made me think of how, when I was in college, I pushed my mother away because her love and protection seemed too much for me, in a dreadful attempt to fight back against my growing process.

I remembered my father telling me how much my mother had grieved and how sorry she was that I had left, how the house felt lonely, and how she no longer had her daughter at home. I apologized to her at the time, but no one truly knows the grief a mother goes through.

The movie depicted the Girlmore Girls’ love life as unpredictable, prone to error, and always changing. I appreciated how they didn’t try to hide their feelings and would just take action when things went wrong; I admired their diplomatic approach to relationships.

The final episode was superb. Lorelai and Luke finally get married. Lorelay wanting to expand the inn. Emily Gilmore selling the house she shared with her husband and purchasing a new property by the sea, all while appreciating and caring for her maids. I can’t decide which one I liked more.

The last line of Rory, which surprised everyone, made me ponder. What if the circle of life never ends? Are we going to follow in our parents’ steps until we discover our peace and place in the world? I guess we’ll have to wait and see for ourselves.

Song of the Day #79

I’ve decided to continue with my Song of the Day series because one of my readers mentioned it’s a great addition to their car playlist. Today’s song is Belong Together, composed by Mark Ambor. It’s a top choice since it boosted my mood the entire week. Enjoy!🎵

Take Action Today!

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Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?

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Today, while I was wrapping up the week’s tasks, I realized something. The more you do, the more others expect from you, there are no exceptions. When you say no and take a step back, things will become easier for you. Just think about it.

Love and relationships

Your spouse may admire your hard work and dedication, but until you decide to take a break on your own, you will not be helped. Especially if we’re talking about men who used to believe that the woman had to do everything around the house, and he was supposed to be at ease, living like a king, waiting for a leaf to be blown in his face, while housework and other homely tasks were miraculously completed.

Love should be about helping each other and togetherness, not about one person pulling all the strings while the other relaxes comfortably after a long day at work. The other person may also work, but they opt to help around the house and get involved. You don’t commit to being with someone for the rest of your life just to feel sorry for yourself while doing things you’re meant to do together.

Consider the early days of a relationship when love is in bloom, you can’t get enough of each other, the time spent together is shorter than you expected, and chores are completed with the snap of a finger. And you get to share an ice cream at the end!

Work

I saw this week a reel that captured the new employees and how hard they strive to work, including during their meal breaks, and hoping to be seen and rewarded. From my experience, every time you over-deliver and do double, you actually do worse, because most of the time that work is either useless or worse, you’ll be noted and reported for doing something they didn’t ask for.

Your golden retriever attitude may eventually be deemed cute, but you may be overburdened with more tasks than you can handle and not be compensated for all the extra work you do. That’s a sad but true reality of the workplace, and the sooner you grasp that, the better off you’ll be.

Conclusions

The only person you should care about is yourself. The world doesn’t care much about you either way; they’re all preoccupied with themselves. So don’t expect anyone to give you a break; it will never happen. You are the only one who gives you the necessary pauses. You’re the one who tells you what you can and cannot do. 

All that hard work and back and forth will eventually wear you out, create white strands of hair, promote stress and, in the long run, bring sickness. Stop what you’re doing today, look at yourself in the mirror, and decide whether it’s worth it. If you find it tough to decide, make a pro or con list, then look back at your younger self and notice if you can still see it, hidden under the massive piles of people’s opinions, shouldn’ts, and wouldn’ts.

Those self-help books you’ve read will be ineffective if you continue to abuse yourself and become the rug for everyone who enters your life, allowing them to wipe their dirty feet on your hard work and devotion. Please stop looking for love in all the wrong places.

Boundaries To Growth

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Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.

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This is something I’ve learned the hard way. I didn’t have many friends as a child, and my parents encouraged me to go out and play with other kids and create new connections. As a child, I was pretty unique; I had short hair, dressed in sportswear, and stood out from the other girls.

The fact that I lived in a tiny village and that my mother’s relatives were not what society expected didn’t help either. What made me distinct was that I felt lonely and wanted to meet new people, and unfortunately, I would do anything to be near others.

I would still be in a place where people would talk badly in front of me, and make fun of me. I would accept that as normal because those were the friendships I was introduced to when I was small, there was no other example to refer to.

What my mother and family believed normal and sociable was a riddle for me, and it was also rather puzzling. They’d tell me to go out and play with the kids, and then when I made some new friends, they’d put up walls and tell me I couldn’t do this or that.

Things grew strange when it came to dating and meeting guys. When I saw other girls seeing boys in secret, my parents would warn me that it was not acceptable throughout adolescence and that those girls were not as nice as me.

When it came time for me to date and meet men, that would be another mystery. No system of rules informed me what to do or how to act. In short, I used to fall for bad guys who didn’t treat me well or show me any respect. I didn’t have many significant relationships, but the ones I had taught me a lot. As a result, I left behind many people who had harmed and disrespected me.

“Every woman that finally figured out her worth, has picked up her suitcases of pride and boarded a flight to freedom, which landed in the valley of change.”
― Shannon L. Alder

If there was one thing I didn’t learn throughout my first few years of life, it was the need to set limits. The barriers that let you stand out while concealing your unique qualities. My first years of life weren’t comfortable and they taught me lessons I would carry until the end of life.

However, sometimes, when I meet new people, it’s easier to fall into the comfortable, people-pleasing mode and allow one or two things to slide by. As you can tell, this doesn’t work well and I am reminded again, that I shouldn’t water weeds that hinder my growth.

And truth be told, that also applies to the people I love, forgiveness is one thing, but when a pattern repeats there is no resolve in hoping that things will get better with time because they won’t. Disrespect is still disrespect, even if it comes from the people you love the most.

The reason I’m writing this post is because I made a decision. And that is to stop being influenced by the way the wind blows and people’s opinions. There is power in owning your place, and knowing your worth is essential.

Dailies #17

People and things that are not for you will hinder your progress. If you don’t let go of those things and people, they will weigh you down and influence your mental and physical health, eventually leaving you exhausted and unable to move ahead.

It’s the body’s way of telling you to stop, let go, and move on; this isn’t for you.

Workplace Gloom

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What job would you do for free?

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I started working at eighteen. I was interested in knowing more and got excited about what I may learn and become; from wood technician to cashier, sales assistant, Xerox operator, engineer, and statistician.

When my dream was shattered and I fell into depression, I decided I wanted to change careers. I discovered the world of customer service and began giving it my everything. I went through it all: sleepless nights, irate customers, and harsh employers.

If there was one thing I hated, it was when others disrespected me; I despised it when, despite my hardworking attitude, I was shunned and pushed into a corner.

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” —Mark Twain

No matter how hard you work and strive to be your best, the others hate it. Colleagues object since you could be considered an opponent, and they try to stop you by being unpleasant or speaking harshly behind your back. Employers would catch you off guard and then put you in a cage, underpaid, motivating you with bits and asking you to give your all regardless of the circumstances.

The truth is that nobody wants to truly help you in the workplace, you’re on your own. People are cold and it’s rarely possible to find good-natured people who could even share a smile with you, it’s a jungle. I was chatting to a person last week, and she told me about her prior workplace, and how far she had to go to please her older coworkers so that she might actually learn something.

Seniors do not wish to teach younger workers in their line of work. They realize their abilities and what they can achieve, but they are unwilling to do it for free. They are frightened of losing their job to someone younger, so they use every instrument available.

It’s hilarious that this happens in 2024, especially with so many career options accessible. The more alternatives we have, the more greedy we get, making it more difficult to find a worthwhile, well-paying job that respects us and our needs.

I realized that no matter how hard you work or how much you care about your job, it makes no difference. Despite admiring your excitement and zeal for work, they tend to keep you responsible and focus on your flaws, restricting your diligence.

When you look back on a year of struggle, you may be unable to pinpoint how much work you did, but you do remember how you felt and that your work quality is valuable. You recall the long hours you worked, the frustration you felt when things didn’t go your way, and how hard you tried.

If there is one thing I would tell my younger self, it is to not settle or become complacent. Work is simply that: a workplace. And if they can’t see the light in you, it’s their loss. It’s crucial to finish the day knowing that despite your eyes aching from hours spent in front of the blue light and your back, you did your best.

Morning Rituals

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What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?

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Aaah, who doesn’t enjoy spring mornings? I love the beautiful rays of sunshine that emerge every morning, the birds chirping outside, and the chilly yet refreshing weather.

After reading Atomic Habits, I wanted to begin my day with positive, productive habits that would help me achieve my goals throughout the day. To ensure that I would follow through on them, I installed and paid for a Fabulous Daily Routine Planner yearly membership.

My positive habits stuck with me, and I am now convinced that even if my membership ended, I remain extremely productive. I begin my mornings with prayer, a brief but powerful method of reminding God that I am grateful for the gift of a new day, followed by tea and a little read before embarking on my typical necessity schedule.

Next, I have a small and healthy breakfast, workout, shower, and then go about my day. I’m not an obsessive cleaner, but I hate seeing things scattered around the flat, dirty dishes, and dust or grime on the flooring. After that, I begin my job and continue till the evening. But it is a story for another blog post.🙂

Mornings are for waking up, for personal discovery, and for finding the power to begin a new day cheerful and fresh. Your morning routine has an impact on the rest of your day. In Romania, there is even a saying „to wake up with your face against the sheets”, which means that you woke up indisposed.

Some people wake up cheerful and full of energy, while others wake up cranky and shout for coffee, which is fine too; whatever fills your cup. We are distinct individuals, hence our behaviors are unique.

Make each morning your personal masterpiece

What I like doing is making mornings brighter with small changes. That begins with an early-night preparation. I like to change my bed linens regularly so that they smell good and feel fresh. To avoid disrupting my sleep, I prefer to sleep in comfy pajamas. I sprinkle magnesium on my feet before going to bed.

I avoid scary movies before going to bed and instead watch casual movies that perk me up and don’t let me linger on the negative; currently, I’m watching Gilmore Girls, which is the best feel-good movie ever. Or, if I still have energy, I read a fantastic book that piques my interest and keeps me amused till sleep.

In the mornings, I make sure that my meals are clean and delicious. I enjoy drinking my favorite tea blends outside the window, gazing at the blue morning sky. Then I choose a decent workout-at-home routine that motivates me and makes me sweat without requiring too much mental effort.

My favorite YouTubers are growingannanas for when I feel like truly working out, Madfit – this woman explains the workouts beautifully and makes sure you don’t fall behind, and finally, growwithjo – she is a crazy, passionate woman full of energy, and I love dancing through her music video workouts.

During my shower, I make sure to use shower gels or oils that will smell pleasant throughout the day. This week, I found Nala’s grape shower gel and ended up purchasing the entire red grape product line. It just has a wonderful, sweet yet acidic, wine-like scent. It reminds me of my youth and the Easter celebrations, and it inspires me to celebrate life.

“It is a serious thing – just to be alive – on this fresh morning” — Mary Oliver

Truth be told, not all mornings are as enjoyable, and not all plans work smoothly. While influencers and artists show themselves in their best light, not everything is perfect. Some mornings you may want to be less productive and sleep in, others you may want to do something different, or you must be early at a specific location for an event or medical check-up; the possibilities are endless.

It is entirely acceptable to be imperfect and omit some of these morning activities, as long as it is not done for an extended period and becomes an unhealthy habit. Mornings are wonderful because they are God’s creation; however, you must make it all about yourself and those you care for. 

Godly Talks #12

I have been trying to sort things out. I am a horoscope Virgo, and as you might know, we Virgos tend to overthink and overanalyze. We have unanswered questions and unresolved baggage that pulls us down.

When God gives us a dream, a glimpse of what wonderful things are to come, we are the worst. We withdraw, worry, and become rough with dear people, especially if they have previously hurt us. We focus on the unpleasant parts of our lives, which attracts more negativity. Then we scream to God for help. Some of us may even be unhappy with God because, well, You weren’t right to me!☹️

Sometimes I sit aside and think about how God sees us, especially when we’re reaping the consequences of our bad labor. I like to think that God has a sense of humor, for even when we go through a period of mourning, he always picks us up, dusts us off, and sends us on our way, similar to the prodigal son story that Jesus told. During this time, I realized how much God loves us. He cares deeply about us and our growth, even when we make mistakes that make Him frown, He still chooses us.

I discovered that the moments we live in today are the answer to our prayers. The people we are with today are the ones our souls need to finish their mission. I had a wonderful time with my special person and family last night, and I couldn’t help but reflect on how much I needed these people in my life, and how much I wanted their love and attention to be genuine. It pleased my heart to know that it had finally come to pass and that everything is okay now.

We are living in the days of answered prayers, but we’re too busy to notice.

People come and go from our lives. However, feeling insecure, always assuming something is wrong, and obsessively consulting horoscopes and tarot cards will not speed up the process or bring our dream closer. God wants us to live in the present moment, to see the grace he has placed in the answered prayer.

Don’t jump to conclusions and give that person the highest possible nomination on earth; he or she will be unable to handle it. They are people, and when God challenges them, they will lose their cool and shout. But it is not our responsibility to sort things out for them; they must do it themselves.

If your previous strategy did not work, try a different approach. Instead of getting heated up about how flawed those people are, give them space to be themselves, to own their shortcomings, and they will return to you when they are all better.

It’s time to let go and stop gripping so tightly. The dream you’ve had is coming true, as are the people you need in your life, as well as your health, prosperity, and success. So quit peeking over the fence and trying to control how God will sail the boat of your life. His power is inconceivable, his affection is limitless. He can walk on water and separate waves; raise the volume of faith and wait for deliverance, since it will not come unless you are fully prepared.

Daily Prompt 😃

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Ce te face să râzi?

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Lucrurile neasteptate. Lucrurile frumoase. Oamenii slabi cu duhul si inimile lor de aur. Naivitatea. Sanatatea. Soarele si razele sale calduroase. Cadourile. Timpul petrecut cu oamenii dragi. Pixurile cu sclipici. Zambetele. Faptul astazi i-ai facut ziua mai buna unui strain. Iesirile in natura. Florile.Primavara. Dumnezeu.

Pe tine ce te face sa razi?

The unexpected things. The beautiful things. People weak in spirit with hearts of gold. Naivety. Health. The sun and its warm rays. Gifts. Time spent with loved ones. Glitter pens. Smiles. The fact that today you made a stranger’s day better. Nature outings. Flowers. Spring. God.

What makes you laugh?

Gratefulness

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What do you wish you could do more every day?

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This one is easy. I wish I could be more appreciative every day. We often focus on negative parts of our lives, such as setbacks, worry, and tiredness. Our to-do list is never-ending, with some tasks requiring immediate attention and others on the next day’s agenda.

In our rush, we forget to express our gratitude. We seldom do it when we receive a compliment because we believe we already know it and take it for granted, sometimes believing it was overdue, and stepping all over that person’s line without considering how much he or she has prepared to say it out loud.

We don’t say thank you when we get a gift either. Sometimes it’s less than we expected, but have we considered the other person and how much work he or she put in? Sometimes we say thank you, but our hearts aren’t in the right place, and our body language reflects our true feelings.

These are only a few examples, but there are other reasons to be grateful. For our eternal soul, for the gift of being here in this world, and for the new day the Lord has made.

For those in our lives, particularly family members, whom we may not always love or admire due to their flaws or how they make us feel. I’m curious whether any of us have ever thought that they are a part of our life because they awaken us and perform inner work that only they can, and that they are also a gift.

I wish we’d stop giving them so much advice and mending their lives. They are aware of their behaviors, and sometimes it is best if we cease controlling their life and concentrate on our own. We are people, prone to error, and destined to make mistakes. Listen to what they say, ask questions, and gently guide them to the truth; it works wonders.

I also wish we could be kind and present for everyone in our lives, especially when they are in need. This week, I finished watching the Kdrama Hometown Cha Cha Cha, and this old lady, Kim Gam Ri, lingered in my thoughts. She was a sweet, good-natured woman who adored her family and did her best to help others.

She was the shoulder to cry on when others needed it, full of life and enthusiasm. She had a son who had moved away from her hometown, and he was constantly looking for an excuse to visit or help her out. Unfortunately, he was too late, however, she died away smiling, owing to the great people God placed into her life. I was amazed by her final words:

I like that I’m old, looking back I’ve had many tasty dishes, seen great scenery, and met wonderful people. What more could I ask for? I’m happy that I appeared on a TV show, sang on stage and I am chatting with my friends. My life is fun. I particularly remember this evening glow, and my last meal. Look around closely, as we are surrounded by a lot of precious things.

I wish we could do more good actions for those who love us without creating excuses. We must cherish them while they’re still alive, and show appreciation for what they represent. And in the end, because we cannot halt the never-ending cycle of life, collect smiles and memories that warm our hearts and use those to replace whatever grunge we may have against them.

This life is too precious to miss, and time is merely an illusion. We began this journey 20, 30, 40, or 50+ years ago, yet it feels like it happened in the blink of an eye. That is why it is so important to be present and not focus on the past or the future, to release any hatred that may be polluting your spirit, and to thank God for everything you are and have. It’s a gift! 🎁