This is Day 6 of the 21-Day Journaling Challenge held in Nov 2011. The challenge is now over but you can do the tasks in your own time. Visit the overview page for all the challenge tasks.
Hi everyone – Welcome to Day 6 of 21DJC! :)
Yesterday’s question was: “Who Is the Most Important Person to You in the World?“.
As usual, I had a lot of joy reading your responses. Some of you stated your mom as the most important person to you. Some of you said your father. Some of you said it was yourself. Some of you said your child(ren). Some of you said your spouse. Then there were other answers, including God / a higher power / spirit, your pet, your friends, etc.
There’s no right or wrong answer, because what’s important to us is relative. The same for all other questions posed in 21DJC – there is no such answer as a one, true answer. There’s only what’s true for yourself, and the objective of 21DJC is to invite you to reflect, connect with your inner self, and growing through the self reflection.
If you haven’t not realized, the very process of answering the questions for the past 5 days have helped to clarify your thoughts. Some people may look at the questions and think “Ah, I’ll think about it later” or “This is too much for me and I can’t be bothered to think”. But for these people, they feel resistant towards the questions because they’re in a mental fog. And this fog doesn’t go anywhere until they sit down and properly think about what they are resisting.
By thinking about who is the most important person to you in the world, it has helped you to gain awareness of who matters the most to you, and hopefully, made you realize how much you should treasure him/her. You live only once, so don’t hold back on your emotions towards this individual, thinking that you have “next time”. Be true to him/her and let him/her know of your gratitude towards him/her. Be grateful to the universe for bringing him/her into your life.
Me, the most important person in my life is my higher self. My parents are among the dearest to me in this life. So are my best friends, and good friends. And the same goes for all of you out there in this world; the very people whom I’ve dedicated my life to help to grow and live your best lives. There is no dispute that all of you are infinitely important to me.
But my higher self – the person who orchestrated my birth into this world, who has been watching me silently all this while, who has been supporting me in my life, who has been with me through thick and thin, who has always given me strength to carry on – is pretty much the reason why I’m even here, in this world. There’s still so much I don’t know; so much I have not done; so much I have to do, and I know that my higher self will be with me all the way till the end, to guide me, to support me, and to carry me whenever needed.
Because of her, I’m here. Because of her, I’m now living in alignment with my highest self. I’m far from being my highest self yet, though I’m working in that direction. The day will come when I will come full circle with her, and I look forward to that happening one day, soon.
Important: Get Your Gravatar
Some of you have gotten yourself an avatar since the start of the challenge, while many of you are still appearing as Red PE Logos! (i.e. the default profile picture that appears beside each comment)
While I love the PE logo, I would love even more to see an individualized picture when I read your writings. I’m sure the other participants would love that too! It can be your real life photo, to a picture of your favorite flower, to your pet, to some scenery, to some quirky text. The point is to let your true self shine.
To set your custom profile picture, visit Gravatar, register your account (Important: Make sure it’s the same email as the one you use in your blog comments) and upload your profile picture. Your picture will automatically be reflected in all your blog comments where you had filled out the same email address as the one in your Gravatar account.
Look forward to seeing your new profile pictures! ;)
With that said, let’s now move to Day 6!
21DJC Day 6
After reflecting on the most important person in our life, today’s question brings us to a different emotion – but a very true one. Today, I’d like you to reflect on:
What Frustrates You?
Think about the times when you tend to feel frustrated. What typically happens in those times? What is it about those incidences that frustrate you? And why?
Your Task Today:
- Reflect and answer today’s question. There’s no word limit – whether minimum or maximum. Write as few or as many words as you want. It’s all up to what you want to express!
- Share your answer. After you are done writing, copy and paste your answer in the comments area and post it there.
- Check out other participants’ answers. Other participants will be sharing their answers too, so feel free to read and reply to their answers. This is a group course, so let’s support each other in these 21 days.
((Images: Empty book for journaling, Frustrated woman))
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The lack of logical system in a situation. I mean like in the university class or at the workplace. That’s why I’m really beaing frustrated when I have to work with or under emotional type people. We annoy each other. (I’m far on the rational end of the emotional-rational scale.)
my body frustrates me, the fact that i still live with my dad, the fact that i don’t have a job ad just finished university, the fact that everybody keeps telling me it’s almost impossible to find a well paied job as an actress nowadays, the fact that my dad still hopes i’m going to change my career, the fact that i’ve done so many mistakes that caused many people to look at me like a nobody, the fact that i have no true friends, the fact that my dad doesn’t give me all the money i want, though he could, the fact that i through away all my clothes, the fact that i was so skinny and beautiful and i put on so much weight, the fact that i am so afraid of any kind of interaction with another human being, the fact that i haven’t had a true relationship in 5 years, the fact that i can’t find a boyfriend that i love and loves me back in the same way, the fact that nobody truely understands me, the fact that i look so ugly i can’t go to castings like i should, the fact that i am so vulnerable i attract people who take advantage of me, the fact that people treat me like a loser and i myself can see that i am a loser, the fact that i am in this theater project but i just can’t stand it when people try to correct me by yelling at me and there are people who are laughing at me, the fact that nobody appreciates me, he fact that i only live with my dad, the fact that nobody loves me, the fact that i used to love drwing but i think i lost my talent, the fact that i have nothing, the fact that i live in a country full of gypsies and the gypsy man are always making rude comments about women passing on the street, the fact that i have to pe patient while losing weight, the fact that i have to eat less, the fact that it’s cold outside
I’m frustrating but non-lovable or non-compassionable behaviors.
I read all these comments and can relate to almost all of them. It’s a very difficult question and I cannot possibly answer it. I see so many sides of it. I’ll name a few.
What frustrates me the most is:
1. The things that other people do which I’m frustrated with the most, – when looking from the other side, – I am the person who does the same things that frustrates others, and it frustrates me.
2. It frustrates me to hear how one person is frustrated about another, and then to hear the same things form another person towards the first one. Mostly the fact, that these person both/all are my family. I just wish they would talk and find the solutions. I just wish they could get along. It frustrates me to be in the middle of this. I cannot help, I cannot not listen, basically it does not even depend on me, but I cannot escape it either.
And of course, in other cases I am that person who puts people in similar situations.
I believe the cause is that – quite often trying to be “nice” is done wrong (don’t know how to say it differently) – that it leads to frustration. It’s something about suppressing your needs and feelings in order to be “nice”, when actually “nice” is something different.
Many, many things! Primarily: poor grammar, tacky make-up, and ego without humor. Wearing fur. Being self-righteous. Hurting others deliberately.
These are outside frustrations, however. If I look at inner frustrations, it gets a lot scarier. What it boils down to things is things I can’t do, or things I can’t do well. Not being able to do these things makes me frustrated, but worse, leads to a feeling of helplessness, which conjures up a dazzling array of childhood memories which are better left un-conjured.
The most frustrating thing of all, I think, is the fact that none of the things I cannot do (or do well) are impossible for any reason except that I haven’t worked at them. It’s not like I’ve tried and failed: I haven’t tried, which I think is worse because it makes me hypocritical and not deserving of sympathy. My biggest frustration right now is that I’ve lived in Japan for long enough that my Japanese should be fairly good, but instead I can barely speak it. The reason for this is that I haven’t studied diligently. What prevented me from studying diligently? Crazy overtime at work? Screaming kids? A lack of intelligence? A lack of time? The answer is: NONE OF THESE THINGS. The reason I haven’t studied is that I never got around to it. I don’t know if I’m lazy or if it’s something else, but I feel like a failure in this regard, and this is my biggest frustration. My second-biggest frustration is that I’ve known about this frustration for a long time and yet have still failed to do anything about it.
What truly frustrates me the most is feeling like I’m not being heard, or not being understood. In the past year or two, I’ve had more than one person with whom I’m close, and who knows me well, tell me that I’m not a good communicator, or that I don’t do a good job of giving and taking during an important discussion or an argument. I know there’s a lot about myself that could stand improvement, but I would never have listed that as one of them. Yet, when multiple people note that quality, I have to believe that there is a real problem there I need to address.
When I really think about it, I realize that I’m so concerned during a heated discussion about whether I’m being understood, or whether I’m being heard, that I probably do not do a good job of hearing the other person, or of making what I’m saying responsive to the concerns that they’re voicing. If I feel like my feeling isn’t carrying the day, or as though the emotion I’m voicing isn’t being received how I hoped it would be, I get incredibly frustrated.
I really hate the thought of being an emotional doormat– afraid of letting my own desires be steamrolled by someone else. The intense frustration comes from a belief that that’s what’s happening when I’m not being heard. But I need to learn both that the other person can hear me but still not agree with me, and that I have to pay as much attention to hearing the other person as I do to how I voice my own thoughts and feelings.
Being ill, procrastinating, liars
What frustrates me is dishonesty. However, for the sake of social ease we all are dishonest to a greater or lesser degree with other people. As a survival strategy we tend to pick our battles and not challenge others all the time. I hope I am becoming more honest with myself over time.
I am the type of person who does get frustrated easily from all the “hinayang” moments in life. Nothing frustrates me more than not experiencing the best from the place I go to, or the best from my day, or in general, moments that have passed that I did not know I couldve done or couldve went to, and only learned to find out when it was alrerady done. I hate not making the most out of life specially when there was a chance to. Because of these frustrating moments, I have a hard time letting go of the small stuff too which I definitely should be working on.
Ahhh, frustration. This is something that I really need to improve upon. Though I might not seem frustrated externally my mind is like a boiling pot of water. I try not to let small things irritate me but unfortunately I have a short temper and blow up for absolutely no reason. I get frustrated the most by rude people, people that don’t seem to understand your situation, people that take advantage of you, and people that are two-faced. However, I’m slowly starting to realize that frustration shouldn’t be the reason you have a bad day. With frustration comes unnecessary anger and negativity. I think you should allow yourself to feel and acknowledge that you are frustrated–perhaps reflect a little bit on why you are so frustrated, allow yourself to come to terms with it, and LET IT GO. Most likely you will not see the awful driver who cut you off ever again. And even if you do, who cares? That person will NOT determine your success or happiness in life. YOU determine that. You can choose to let it affect you and have a lousy day or to let it go and perhaps have the best day of your life. The choice is yours.
I think what frustrates me the most in life is when I break my own word to myself. I have down it so many times with smoking and uncontrollable spending that I have become immune to the fact and just find a way to justify instead of taking control of my emotions and be logical. I must find a realistic solution to my problems in order to control my urges. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to shot them my way. Books, audios, videos, and all else thanks. :D
Slackers frustrate me more than anything. They waste my time. And my time is my most precious possession which I am guarding very carefully.
I’m so sorry for updating this late! I was staying at my friends home and it would had been rude to ask for the computer each day. >~< I'll quickly update my journals:
In general I don't tend to get angry that much but I do get frustrated or desperate when:
1. My little brother misbehaves. He has some mental retardation and it frustrates me when he starts banging my door, hitting/breaking/touching my personal belongings, disobeying me, screaming back. He's always been like a son to me and it frustrates me like a mother when he starts doing this type of things because it's hard to explain morals to him as he doesn't understand such concepts and because I like to be in control(a bad habit) of any situation. I feel hopeless and I hate that feeling.
2. When people are slow at walking/doing a work/etc. I'm a fast walker and worker and I feel like it's a waste of time to take life so slowly. (again, a bad habit).
3. When my old friend would force me to be with her and hear her blabber all day about how horrible her life was but when I gave advice or asked some from her she didn't listen and would keep talking. Eventually I came to the conclusion I would not waste my time with such a person.
4. When somebody disturbs me while I'm working. It frustrates me so much I can even scream.
5. I waste my time doing nothing for hours.. I think of all the possibilities I could had done.
6. Always being so indecisive with my decisions and having too soft of a heart.
7. Being hurried up when I am working. I know it contradicts with what I said about loosing my patience with slow people.
8. Eating unhealthy food.
9. Being too skinny and not being able to get fat.
10. I don't have any ambitions in life and this frustrates me as having no goal feels like I'm wasting my time.
As I wrote this I noticed most of the things that frustrate me have to do with a)Wasting my time. b)Not being in control. c) Conflict vs. my inner desires and other peoples desires. d )Faking to be something I'm not.
Having a goal or dream and no matter what I do or how hard I try I am unable to realize or manifest it the way I desire.
One thing in particular thing that frustrates me would have to be violence, especially domestic violence. I grew up in a home where my mother was mentally and physically beaten, daily. It was so hard to watch my mother being humiliated and degraded repeatedly. I cannot stand to hear men speak down on women in a way that she walks away with her head low. That just absolutely breaks my heart.
My answer would be violence.
I feel frustrated when things don’t go as per plan or when someone does things to make me mad.
For example, about planning my life. I usually have plans on how i want my future to be but when i can’t commit due to work at the end of that day/week, it frustrates me. I usually get moody when anyone disturbs me while i’m trying to plan if i’m really short of time.
Next would be my social life, i think it’s really bad and it’s partly due to work. It really frustrates me when i see my friend’s awesome social life photos in facebook. I have no issues socializing with the opposite sex and in fact i go out for lunch with many females daily. However, it’s just during working hours. They usually have their own life with the bf’s/gf’s at night or on weekends. Sometimes i feel so lonely during the nights or weekends because i’m still single and i can’t seem to find a girl that i believe will suit me.
Lol. This question brings to mind a quick answer.
Everything frustrates me…and nothing frustrates me. I guess it depends on my mood & mindset when I come across a “challenge”.
I strive to be in the mindset that everything that comes my way is a blessing, a part of my life journey to be enjoyed. There is a mutual learning experience to be shared. This is not a level of thinking that I’ve achieved to date in my life…I keep striving to though.
Sometimes my role is the “sinner”…sometimes my role is the “saint”.
We all have our pet peeves. Sometimes it’s just a matter of getting over them. I try not to impose judgment on anyone. We all walk the through life together, but in the end it’s up to each one of us to take the first step.
I have trained myself to stay positive, and am able to accomplish this most days. I rarely let negative thoughts and situations into my life any more. Some days this is difficult, particularly when things keep going wrong. Some days/weeks seem to be full of negative things that directly influence my life. It, at times, feels as though for every good thing I do, three or four bad things happen in my life. For every mini goal accomplished, I am set back three or four steps. When this happens, I it seems that my life will never get back on track.
I get very frustrated when I am getting no acceptance for what I am doing. I use to think that this is not fair and then I get annoyed. I also get frustrated when my bosfrieds beats around the bush.
In this case, I am unhappy with my handling of these situations. I can not make the world love me 100 % of the time. After a few minutes, I am able to think these second thoughts. And this makes me frustrated even more.
In the end, I have to admit, that this is an issue, I can´t deal with very good and that I have to work on it. I know this and I allow myself to get angry in the first place because I know, I will think it over and get calm after a few minutes.
This is how I deal with it today. I know, nobody wants to hurt me intentional :)
I’m frustrated with the fact that I could be doing so much more. I could be giving back and living in my purpose. But because of life situations I’m temporarily held back. I feel like I’m wasting time over here when I should be devoting all my time and energy somewhere else. I feel like I’m on the tip of being a part of something great, but I never make it over the tip. I’m just here, and have been here for awhile. I don’t want to lose my drive or passion just because my situation will not allow me to move forward yet. I’m sooooo frustrated. It’s like being stuck at an eternal red light.
I understand about the feeling of being held back. I can’t seem to find the money necessary to do the things I want to do to help others. In time, I believe that we will all have our chance.
i get frustrated when i am trying to get a job done and its giving me difficulties, i also get frustrated when i am been pushed around by my boss or when he does not appreciate my efforts.
i also get frustrated when people nag around me.
Dear Raven,
Thank you for your kind thoughts. They really cheered me up, and you are totally right that I can still contribute. In a way it’s forced me to be more mindful of small happy moments in time, and I’ve learned how important it is to stay positive.
Hugs,
AH
My biggest frustration is trying to figure out what my true passion in life is. I am more than willing to put in the time and effort towards that passion, I just wish I knew what it was. I enjoy my current job, but I don’t love it. I work with people who truly love their jobs, which is great to see, but it is frustrating to still be seeking my passion at the age of 54.
What Frustrates You?
Not being able to pursue my dreams to the fullest. Also not being able to help my children financially for them to realize their dreams – and ease their burdens. I lost my job in 1986 and remained jobless for the next 9 years. A few years after I got into teaching, I started graduate school and did it slowly as I had to work at the same time. I got more extra assignments at the workplace so I had to slow down with grad school some more. By the time, the extra load was over; my husband lost his job, so I had to stop my studies to lower expenses. Today, he is still jobless; I am no longer keen on resuming my studies as I am 7 years away from retirement. A daughter with masters’ degree wants to pursue her doctorate but just cannot as yet because she has to help out in the family’s living expenses. So many dreams ….that await fulfillment. But I do not lose hope….I will continue doing the best that I know how……
What frustrates me the most is lack of time.
Lack of time with family and my husband, because our work hours tend to be opposite shifts, and I am a morning person while he loves to sleep in.
I also try my best to always get everything done at work, but lately I find I cannot finish everything I need to.
I work so much that there is hardly any time left at the end of the day to paint, relax or get the housework done.
Saturday night my husband’s grandmother passed away. I wish there was more time to have said more to her. At least we got to say we love her and were able to say goodbye.
21DJC Day 6 – What Frustrates You?
Some questions are hard, real hard to answer. Some questions were made for you!
Arrogance frustrates me to no end. People with a “God” complex. The world could not survive without them, work should be grateful for their contribution; the family would not be together without them. The team would not win if they did not play, they know everything about anything.
I describe people like that in a funny quote, I once read. “If I could buy them for what they are worth and sell them for what they think they are worth, I would not have to win the 1M in Question #1 of this series, I would already have lots of money!
I think the arrogance carries with it, pompous and ignorant. They don’t know how to treat the cleaner, a waitress, and the lady at the counter. I don’t know a lot of arrogant people, perhaps because I have the good sense to drop the connection when I recognize it.
I know I don’t them – Simple – As black and white as it gets in any equation, no gray areas – I just don’t like them…
Smiles
Mostly I find it frustrating when I don’t understand something, or when I am misunderstood. On every possible level I am frustrated by communication breakdowns between people, lack of understanding, and sometimes even the desire to understand. If everyone tried to step in another’s shoes, world would be a much nicer place, in my opinion. I guess, I am frustrated that communication is not all-powerful. It is also disturbing that we know so little about how we ourselves work, humans, both body and soul. So it is my quest to understand more myself and to help people understand, too.
Well. I stopped there on thursday, catching up now.
What frustrates me ? Ignorance. Whether it be me not knowing/understanding something told by someone, or the contrary, I hate the simple fact of not knowing.
Some of the things that really frustrate me are:
a. People not respecting time
b. Lots of procrastination and “let’s do it later” attitude from myself and others.
c. Stopping myself in face of fear
d. When I want to sleep, and I don’t get enough sleep, becoz of kids
e. Unorganized things
P.S. Con’t frustrating things..
Also am reminded of 1000’s of emails from years and years that I have not weeded through to save and file the ones that mean alot to me. Yes, that’s 1000’s. I never get through my plan of doing a whole page of them a day. Anybody else have a ton of emails?
P.P.S. Also frustrating is keeping up with this challenge! I always have more to say than I ever think I do when I begin to journal my comments to the question, and it takes alot of time. Also, I cannot keep up with reading all the awesome comments from others, and reply to as many as I would like to. And now Email notes from PE/21DJC are piling up waaaay high! Yikes! Anyone relate?
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