Life lessons | Tyra Garlington

It’s Spring! Don’t worry; be happy.

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

There’s a truth in life that some people refuse to accept: You have no control over many of the things that happen in your life. Some people who resist this truth become control freaks. They micromanage, refuse to delegate tasks and try to force other people to change. They think if they can gain enough control over other people and the situations they find themselves in, they can prevent bad things from happening. Others know they can’t prevent bad things from happening, but they worry about them anyway. They fret about everything from natural disasters to deadly diseases. Their worries keep them occupied,……
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It’s Spring! Be imperfectly perfect.

Posted on April 10, 2018 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

“Practice makes perfect.” Does this phrase, although uttered quite frequently in our society, have any truth behind it? How much practice, in fact, does it take to become “perfect”? What even is “perfect”? We have come to believe, through the influence of media, that perfect is attainable; it is something we can reach if we would just be “better”. In reality, perfection is having no flaws, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t think that is remotely possible. How to fix this? Well, first you have to find who you are. Whoa! That was pretty deep, wasn’t it?……
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Do more than just exist. We all exist. The question is: Are you living?

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

A while ago, I realized the course my life had taken up had been the product of other people’s ideas, opinions, and decisions. I knew all too well that life was short, yet every day I was just going through the motions and doing what I was “supposed” to do, instead of what was right for ME. I was in line. I was comfortable. And I was utterly distracted from what matters most in life. But, fast forward to today, and as I awoke this morning I marveled at my life. Where once I awoke with inner resistance at the……
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When the most wonderful time of the year isn’t …

Posted on January 2, 2018 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

“Lights, lists, carols, crowds, family, the perfect gift, friends. This is often the stuff of a magical holiday. But for those living with loss, they can signal a minefield of emotions, triggers, and questions. Facing the holidays after a loss can be daunting for a child, teen, or family. Young people living with loss, no matter where they are developmental, can find the holidays as especially conflicted due to the fact that they in large part do get swept up into the energies of the season. Many often report feeling guilt or shame about wanting to participate fully in the joy and hope of the……
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How will their “second story” read?

Posted on December 12, 2017 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

Picture this: “David has been homeless since the age of 12. He first started “couch surfing”, but by age 17 David ran out of places to visit and ended up on the streets. Even while living on the streets, David worked hard to stay in school. A social worker eventually connected with David and let him know about the youth shelter where he currently lives. Penny says he has been hopping trains for a few months now. Jimi has been traveling for the better part of two years. She took a few months to “kick it” in Los Angeles, but she says it’s……
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In Sickness and in Health

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

It definitely has its delights, but falling in love shakes up your life quite a bit. Devoting yourself to a partner includes taking on new friends, new relatives, and a new living arrangement. Pairing up also sparks sweet dreams about the goals you’d like to reach, trips you want to take together, kids you hope to have. Likely, the last thing on your mind is how your beloved will tweak your cholesterol levels. Yet, a large body of research shows that relationships steer our physical well-being as well as our emotional health. A romantic partner often has more influence on our behaviors than anyone else. Exactly how……
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Moving from good to great

Posted on November 7, 2017 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

“What if you knew your life would work out for you when you realize every decision you make is based on everything that has happened in your life? Think about that… that’s big! Now for a quick test. Check off the ones that you don’t do. Ready? “Are you paying attention? Are you aware of what you do? Are you paying attention to the results you get? Are you paying attention to how you feel? When was the last time you took stock of what was going on around you? Are you paying attention to what you do, or are……
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What do you do when you feel powerless?

Posted on September 11, 2017 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

It’s 2:21 am, and I can’t sleep. I crawl out of bed and drape my exhausted body on the couch in front of the TV. Late night TV is usually an effective sleeping pill. The microwave dings, announcing that the water is hot enough to make a cup of Sleepy Time tea. But the TV images and words bring me fully awake. In high definition, I see a colorful red, yellow, and white circle spinning across a map of the Carribean. I hear words like”catastrophic” and “150 miles per hour”. The scene morphs into a long line of people hugging their life necessities……
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Be together, not the same.

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

When I walk daily I intentionally “unplug”. There is nothing on my body to indicate how many steps I have taken during my four-mile walk. I listen to the birds singing and ducks honking as they make love to spring. I notice new flowers in bloom. I am at peace. Yet sometimes, today, for instance, unwanted thoughts insert themselves. Today it was the concept of “Othering”. I don’t like it and I like even less the fact that it is being intentionally used in this season’s political lexicon. It is not good news. By “Othering”, we mean any action by……
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Things to remember when what you want is out of reach.

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Tyra Garlington • 0 Comments

Here are a few borrowed thoughts that, at just the right time, reminded me to say, “YES” to the power within me. Maybe one of you is stuck in a moment where they will also help you. “Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. That’s the super-short version of my advice for those moments when nothing seems to be going as planned—when everything you want seems out of reach. Yes, just be right where you are, with an open mind. Let go of what you think your life is supposed to look like and sincerely appreciate it for everything……
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