As we navigate our lives, we encounter toxic individuals. It's crucial to recognize their presence and the power we hold to let them go, empowering us to take control of our relationships.
It has been said that "People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.” When someone is in your life for a reason, it is usually to fulfill a specific need during a challenging time, often appearing like a blessing. They may seem like they have been sent from heaven, and they have. However, once that need is met, this person may unexpectedly leave your life, signifying that their purpose has been served and it's time for you to move on. Even if it feels unexpected or unsettling, the prayer you sent up to God has been answered, and their job is done.
Some people come into your life for a season, often to teach you a lesson, provide support during a particular phase, or share a unique experience with you. Their presence may be temporary, but their impact can be lifelong. These people may bring you an understanding of peace and an unbelievable amount of joy during a particular stage of life. After your shared time ends, it is only natural to let the connection fade as you move in different directions.
Lifetime relationships teach lifetime lessons on which to build a solid emotional foundation. Our job is to accept the lesson, love the person because of it, and use what we have learned in all other relationships and areas of our lives. These people remain a constant presence, an extension of ourselves, by providing a deep sense of belonging and mutual respect.
We all come to a point in life when we realize that it's time to sever ties with someone we once loved. This can be because we realize that the person is no longer healthy for us or simply because we have changed direction.
Sometimes, we realize that not all people are well-meaning. Relationships should add to our lives in positive and purposeful ways, not subtract from them. Despite our best efforts, we may find ourselves in relationships that detract from our experience more than they enhance it. Growth is learning to identify these toxic people and understanding how to detach from them.
Moving on is easier said than done, but sometimes, it's necessary. Accepting your worth in this world will make it easier to walk away. Removing these relationships from our lives can be heartbreaking, even when they are unhealthy. Just because someone has been bad for you doesn't mean you don't love them or care for them, but there is only one personal truth in this life that matters: you have to learn to love yourself first before you can truly love someone else.
Walking away from the things that no longer suit us can be done with a door wide open or a door locked shut. It's all a game of boundaries, and there should only be people who bring you happiness within your inner circle.
Occasionally, we may say, "Hit the road, Jack," to people in our lives, but we should always show grace to those who enter it. We are the only people who can determine what we will or will not tolerate. Walking away isn't easy, but it is always courageous. Letting go can hurt us deeply; however, these feelings teach us the most about ourselves and what we want in our lives. There doesn't always have to be two sides to every story. Sometimes, there is only one – yours. Know your story and make yourself the hero of it by accepting nothing less than what you deserve. No relationship is worth diminishing the joy inside you. In the immortal words of an old friend's voicemail, "I am trying to make some changes in my life. If I don't return your call, you’re one of them."
Carne En Su Jugo
INGREDIENTS
- 6 ounces thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 3 pounds beef strip or top sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 10 tomatillos, husked and rinsed
- ½ medium white onion, plus more for topping
- 1-2 serrano peppers, stemmed and seeded
- 1 jalapeno, stemmed and seeded
- 1 cup packed cilantro, chopped, plus more for topping
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano (or regular oregano)
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 2½ cups beef stock
- ½ lime juiced
- 3 (15-ounce) cans of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- Garnish with chopped white onion, cilantro, sliced radishes, and lime wedges
INSTRUCTIONS
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Add the bacon to a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and cook until crispy, about 10-12 minutes.
- While the bacon is frying, make the tomatillo sauce. Add the tomatillos, onion, serrano and jalapeno peppers, garlic, beef stock, lime juice, chopped cilantro, cumin, oregano, black pepper, and 2 teaspoons salt into a large blender. Blend to a smooth, frothy consistency.
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Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined bowl and set aside. Season the beef with the remaining 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Add the meat to the same pot and cook for 10 minutes until browned. This will ensure that the juices inside the meat are sealed inside.
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When the meat has browned, pour in the tomatillo sauce. Stir to combine, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook for 30-35 minutes, until meat is tender.
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Stir in the pinto beans and half of the reserved bacon. Cook for 2-4 more minutes until warmed through.
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Serve in bowls garnished with crispy bacon, diced onions, chopped cilantro, thinly sliced radishes, and a lime wedge. Eat with fresh corn tortillas, tortilla chips, or ladle over cooked rice.
