Friday, April 1

Taking Care of Self While Stressed .............................4/1/11

Van Gogh: Almond Branches
    How are you?
Yep, it's late. I've been working on a major project. Overall, Thursday was great. I'm processing loss. A community that I've been involved with for 19 months is shutting down. When facing stress, I make a point to do what I need to do in order to take care of myself.  It is especially important during such times to make sure that I strengthen and equip myself.  Being at an optimal level, while going through a difficult time, is in my best interests. 

My gratitudes for today:

1.  SSS is still open, as I write. See my first post in this blog, for more background information.
2.  I'm grateful for those who post gratitudes here.   I enjoy community, your support and the celebration of what's alive within you.
3.  I'm glad my computer is back in action.  I study, take notes, research, communicate with many, record thoughts, prepare my work, and decompress, using this electrical device that allows me to talk with you.
4. I'm thankful for the lively conversation I enjoyed with others until 11:00 p.m, last night, after I spoke. I'm inspired by the different insights of others. Even if I don't agree, I like hearing divergent perspectives.   It's a good thing to keep an open mind.  Our mind is like a parachute, it only works when it's open.

A small portion of what I viewed on Thursday, during lunch

        Lunch in the island town of Alameda was had on Thursday. I visited a cafe that fronts the San Francisco Bay, Abigail Cafe. It's fast becoming one of my favorite hang outs. It's not as crowded as Starbucks, it's on the quieter northwest side of this ten square mile island. The place has wi-fi, offers plenty of tranquility, in addition to Moroccan and American food. When you come out to see me, I'll take you there. I might even like it better than Fenton's, that says plenty, if you know me.

       The vista stretches ten to twenty miles beyond the sloshing waters of the bay. Views of  San Francisco and its peninsula restored my mind, worn by recent demands.  I took care of business with a colleague while sharing a meal. The panoramic, 250 degree view was breathtaking. The weather was in the mid 70's, with a cool breeze. Little squirrels or varmints popped up their heads in the grass that runs along the shoreline. If only I had Alexander the Gray with me, it might have picked up his spirit.

5. I'm thankful for rest, the hypnotic power of the waves lapping against the beach and for a treat for my weary eyes and soul. 
6.  Tonight I was feted with a fabulous dinner; I didn't have to cook----can't beat an opportunity like that!
7. Thursday morning I enjoyed an in-depth, uplifting conversation with a dear friend. I've known him for 35+ years. Heart-felt conversations satisfy my soul. Inclusion, stability, empathy, nurturing, respect and support are wonderful qualities to come upon. Our talk armored me for the rest of the day.
8.  I've been relating with someone I barely know.  It's disappointing that she likes to judge and does so, quickly.  She even told me her judgments of me.  The last thing I enjoy doing is interacting with someone who's not affirming and is controlling.  Keeping my distance from her provides the serenity I need.   There are diseased areas within my psyche that, if I weren't careful, would want to accommodate a person with an attitude of superiority and is critical.   I'm glad I place principles----in this case, watching out for my emotional safety---above weak areas in my personality that would make me even think of  pleasing her.

    So, what are your gratitudes?  I'd love hearing them.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like that quote, "Our mind is like a parachute, it only works when it is open". I left a post on her before, but I believe it got lost in cyber, so here I am again. Just connecting to you and thankful for this new home you have created. Hoping we will stay connected on our journey through our life. Talk to you later my friend. God bless you !

Pablo said...

Hi there 95ec. Who are you? Is this Daisy Duke? Please let me know. Great to hear from you, even though I don't know your name. Progress, not perfection, I guess is the case here.

Anonymous said...

Great guess! I have no clue why that crazy number came up. I thought it was part of the processing of the comment. My profile is AIM and used my regular username and that is what came of it. Crazy, huh? At least I have a profile and may just be known here as 95ec unless you know what I need to do to correct that. Let me know...like you say progress, not perfection. It is a beginning...

Pablo said...

Lisa, glad you made it over to my new digs. This place has a different look than the other inn. Many of us at SSS were able to extend our good byes for another day----I'm grateful for that!
.
I'm sorry you lost the post you wrote earlier.
I look forward to seeing you here, again

Anonymous said...

Hey Pablo, just curious, how come I'm not listed as a follower w/Coop, Paul, & Phyllis? Glad to see SSS is still up, and pray it continues, but if not, we have many homes to keep our connection. Grateful for that! Thankful my eating habits were good, trying hard to cut out bread, not all carbs, but bread. Need to get more exercise in an aerobic way. Are you continuing in your home gym? I remember reading that Coop, was still working out with the Wii, right? Phyllis is continuing her walks. Not sure what Paul does? Anyway, have a great Saturday night. This East Coast girl is 'hitting' it! Sweet Dreams...

Pablo said...

Dear Lisa,
Did you click on the Follow button? Let me know if you still have a problem with being listed as a follower of this blog.
.
You might want to cut out all foods that are white: sugar, starches, anything refined. Wheat is fine, though.
.
Yes, I use my home gym. I also walk for at least 30 mins., 5-6 times a week. It helps me to burn calories and drop pounds I don't want to have. Have you tried riding a bike, instead of a motorcycle? Do you have any weights you can use?
.
I like how you stay on top of the exercise regimen that each person has. You have a good memory. I thought I was the only one. :P I hope to see you again. Please feel free to post your gratitudes in the comments section.

Quotes from the Posts

"I'm mindful that our thoughts affect the words we use, our words influence our actions, our actions shape our character and our character determines our destiny."

From "My Character Determines My Destiny." To read it, please click here.

"Progress not perfection, is better than no progress at all, especially when we're trying to rid ourselves from unwelcome dragons that dwell within the closets of our soul."

From, "Still Learning" which, within four days, became the most popular post
written. To read it, please click here.

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its trouble, but it does empty today of its strength"
From the post: "Life Is Not a Correspondence Program." Click here to read it.

"Even though we cannot control our circumstances, we can control how we choose to respond to them."

From, "Handling Stress and Dealing With an Emotional Bully."Click here to read this post.

"Nope, being busy isn't exciting. Boring is good. Because boring is not boring; boring is being healthy, living a balanced life that has serenity"

From: "Do You Know What It Means If You Are Too Busy?" For more, please click here.

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