Surprising News, Encountering Insensitivity, Continued (Part II) 2/28/13

       Hi there.

How was your day?  I'm getting up early tomorrow, so I have little time tonight to devote to

Thriving, Staying True to My Vision and Celebrating Life ........2/28/13

      How are you?

Here it is, a few minutes after midnight.  Spending the night with friends, I just got in.  Early Wednesday morning I woke up.  My mind and my eyes are a bit worn out at this hour, especially after an intense day at work, moderating a meeting at night, and gathering at a restaurant with new friends afterwards.

      I love seeing clients getting emotionally stronger, even expressing their anger.  Even when it's inappropriate.  Progress not perfection, I say.  At least it reveals ego strength, something that many of those who see me often don't have.   There's nothing wrong with being upset.  Negative feelings are a

Surprising News, Encountering Insensitivity, the Value of Exercise and Writing ............................2/26/13

         Good evening,

I had a break today.  I had the day off from work.  Was it good.

         Lately, some weeks, I've been working seven days.  I know,  I need to change

God Is Not Our Spiritual Bellboy, Revisited ........2/25/13

        Good evening,
 The post that follows these comments I'm bumping up. Fifteen months ago I wrote it.  It's a subject I've discussed with clients lately.  It's related to Steps 1-3 and 11 in any twelve step recovery program.

          When faced with a problem, many of us do the best we can.  For the majority, life still becomes unmanageable----their characterological growth has halted, and they are

Life Is Our Spiritual Practice. Also, the Value of Discernment ........2/24/13

        Good evening,

A new week has started and an upcoming new month is fast approaching.  How are you?   Usually, at the conclusion of a week I look back, reflecting upon what the events of the past seven days 

Not Deviating From My Priorities

   Good evening everyone,

Did you have fine Friday?  My day was busy, fulfilling, productive, and fun. It was a day where my business grew and I had hung out with a friend after work. We saw a great movie.

   This week, I've been retiring late and rising early.  I'm weary. To bed, I'm heading, after penning this post. I'm bushed.  This post is a labor of love.

    Tomorrow, I will hear someone share her story at a community event. This is a woman I've been getting to know for the past month and a half.  Before doing anything Saturday, I will rest. I'm mentally and physically frazzled.

     I met with two new clients today, along with seeing established clients. Absorbing a person's history, depletes me.  My bed is beckoning me, as I write the silent words before you.

My Gratitudes for Today: 
1.  I love good movies.  Tonight, I saw one. I"m glad I had fun with a friend.
2. I experienced disappointment this morning. I didn't allow it to upset my mood. I adapted to what troubled me.
3. I kept my equanimity when pressed on all sides today. People who were not on my schedule approached me, pleading for my help, a help I couldn't muster today.  I'm overjoyed that I did not allow the urgent to crowd out the critical things that needed my attention today.

How About You? 
What helps you to stay on task with your priorities?

Delighting In Life, Responding, Not Reacting

Image: "Switzerland: Mountain Sunset" by  Tim Blessed

Gratitudes for This Lovely Evening: 
1.  I'm deliciously tired.
        I've cycled 113 miles, since Sunday.  I'm thriving----delighting in my health. 

"If we wanted to count the number of atoms in just one drop of water, it would take every single person on planet earth counting one atom every second for 20 thousand years!"     Rob Bell

     Such is the case when

Discharging Stress In a Thoroughly Enjoyable Way. I'm a Cobbler, Too ........2/20/13

      Here I am again.

I've put in 80 miles (129 km) on my bike in the past three days.  Am I glad.  You know what?  It's going to

Continuing the Saga of Sunday's Journey .........2/19/13

Monday Morning  Journey, Part II
   Innkeeper's note:   Sunday, after working eight hours, I cycled to Union City----in my dress clothes.  It was a trip of thirty-four miles.  I watched a movie that ended at 12:05 a.m.  Here's the second part to what I wrote in this post. 

      I knew BART, the local train service was not operating.  There were a seven high schoolers standing near my bike, laughing and talking, hanging out after having watched Hansel and Gretel, the movie. I asked if they knew about

Saga of Sunday's Journey, Part I .........2/18/13

      Hello everyone,

Have you missed me?  I've been busy. Yesterday I worked. On top of that, I rode 32 miles on my bike,  from Alameda to Union City.  I saw the new "Die Hard" movie----for free.

       From there, at 12:10 a.m.,  I rode to Mission Blvd, in Hayward. BART, the local train service, closes after midnight. Instead, I caught a bus ride to Fruitvale and International Blvd. I was deposited there at 1:30 a.m..  This is a place where they have shot babies during the daytime.  Quickly, with strong motivation to keep my health intact, I cycled four miles home.  I kept looking in my rear-view mirror, that extends from my  goggles, as I scurried to my place.

       Today, was a cycling adventure, putting in 26 miles from Alameda to San Leandro and back, 75% of it was along the San Francisco Bay Trail.  Wow.  I can feel the tiredness in my legs.

       And, it feels good.  I could have spared me plenty of the miles I put in, cycling.  However, the beauty, solitude, the roaring of the bracing wind in my ears, the tranquility and ease I felt while rolling along nature----accompanied by waterfowl and the music of waves slapping the shoreline----was worth every bit of effort expended.
      
       Sunday, the bus ride was a trek and experience in itself.  When I was on it---- I was in touch with sights, sounds and smells not encountered since working in a psychiatric hospital, work I did before starting my practice.

       It was 1:04 a.m. when I clambered aboard, after putting my bike on the bicycle carrier.  Three men were sprawled on the seats, sleeping.

      "Do some people use this bus to sleep?" I asked the driver.
       In matter-of-fact manner she replied, "Yes, they do."

       Even though I was sitting still, mentally I was spinning.  I had no clue how the AC Transit routes worked.   I did know this bus was heading for Oakland.  I needed a break.  My legs were worn out.  And, at least I was warm.

To be continued in my next post.......

      Right now, I need to get some grub.  I haven't eaten since breakfast----I'm famished.

      In the meantime, I'd love hearing your gratitudes.

Giving You A Peek At My Work ........2/15/13

“All growth depends upon activity. There is no 

development physically or intellectually  [or

characterologically] without effort, and effort

 means work.”       Calvin Coolidge

        Hello everyone,
 
I hope you had a great week.  Here we are.  It's Friday.  

        Sonny, welcome to the inn.  Thank you for becoming the latest to subscribe as a follower.  I wish you

Celebrating an Achievement Approaching the One Year Mark ........2/14/13

        How are you?

I'm squeezing this post under the wire,  while it is still Friday.  I'm bushed.  Cycling twenty-two miles today did me in, physically.  I also tuckered out after

Daring to Discipline My Emotions: Enjoying Its Fruit .......2/13/13

How I feel after overcoming challenges

        Good evening everyone,

How are you?  Life is going well, thank you for asking.  The past two weeks, I squished through the wringer of emotionally pressing and ego-reducing circumstances.  My Pablo-centric universe imploded a

Happiness Is a Choice, Part I, Also, Being Right-Sized---Key for Unity 2/12/13

    I'm leaving a copy of this post, in the off chance you didn't visit this inn when I wrote it a few years ago.

      Placing our mind on our treasures, counting our blessings, is a great way to have an

Questions from the Innkeeper

      Good morning,

     In what state do you find yourself?  For me, other than saying, "California,"  I am in a quizzical and energy depleted state.  I should be in bed.  I cycled eighteen miles after working a long day and it's a bit late.  The good news is that I can sleep in tomorrow morning.  I have the day off!

     I having fun with the variety my life has. For example, today took a

Inspiration Tucked Within This Post ........2/10/13

" Harvest Path" by Tim Blessed. Copyrighted photo

      Last night, I went to bed at a Godly hour----10:30 p.m. I've been up for a couple of hours.  I've studied, prayed and ruminated.

      How are you? I love your comments, it allows us to have community in this inn.

      Although the following is presented by

The Week in Review. I'd Love Hearing Your Side of the Story

"Scotland: Loch Cluanie by Tim Blessed. All rights reserved.

      Hello Everyone,

It's time again. As is my wont to do, I'd enjoy hearing what was your high point(s) and low point(s) for this week. I'll go ahead and start off.

My High Points: 
1. I rode my bicycle 33 miles, Monday night.
2. I arranged an appointment with someone next week. That's also known as a

Warding Off Demons, Having Community With Healthy Others

"The admonition to love our neighbor refers to everybody

 who crosses our path, and we can show love in any num-

ber of ways great and small if we are open to the leading 

of the moment.  Even a simple smile or common courtesy

 is a form of love if expressed sincerely."  Image:
"Cumbria:Best Friends" by Tim Blessed, copyrighted
 photo.  All rights reserved.  The lovely caption is his.

     Good and eventful evening everyone,

I'm beginning to settle down.  A highly unusual afternoon was had.  With eight others, I went to help someone experiencing demonic oppression.  Yep, you read that correctly.

     It was quite an experience not only for that person, but also for me.  I'm glad I was

Slaying the Dragon of Abuse and Fear .........2/7/13

         How are you?

Today was intense.  Emotionally draining days have been piling up.  Rest is earnestly sought. This is the time when Quiet Time----time alone with God----is a major relief.

        Prayer, meditation, moments of deliberate solitude, exercising the spiritual disciplines of silence, giving, praise and worship help me maintain sanity. There is also relief when

Standing in My Power, Recovery and Integrity Part II .........2/6/13

      Good evening everyone,

This past week was interesting.  I've kept a secret from you.  I experienced abuse over the past seven days.  Yep, I did.

      Last Wednesday, in the post "Celebrating Life, Enjoying Community With a Stranger and Friends" I mentioned I had encounters of the emotional bullying kind.  It was a fascinating experience.  It reminds me of a

Persistence Paying Off----Moving Beyond Exhaustion ..........2/6/13

The view when cycling around San Leandro Bay yesterday

My Gratitudes for Tuesday: 
1.  I had a different type of session with someone today.  I was his dating coach.  I've done this for several

Making Time for Me, Thankful for the Great Big Life I Enjoy

     Hello everyone,

My, was Monday an amazing day.  I saw many clients. The time at work was so intense that I needed to ride my bike for 33 miles when my day was done.

       I had a fright, when I stopped in Oakland, at the newish Walmart on Hegenberger, before I rode along a channel  and around San Leandro Bay, onwards towards Alameda.

My trip, outlined in blue. Click on this image  if you want a larger version.

     I couldn't find my

600th Post. God Revealed At Work, Gentleness Towards Self and a Spiritual Awakening, Its Characteristics ..............................2/3/13

    Good evening,

I suppose it is even though my football team lost in the Super Bowl.  Oh darn.

    The Forty Niners did well for a group that had an rookie for a quarterback. Today, he was playing only in

The Beauty of Detaching........ 2/1/13

        Yesterday was an amazing day.  I had plenty of drama.  I don't care for it, but it was served against my will.

        It was interesting noticing my response while trapped in an emotionally intense moment, with a very angry man. He is wrestling with issues that existed way before I ever knew him.  I was thankful that I maintained my