A Calming Perspective, Revisited .......4/28/13

         Good evening,

I'm bumping this up. Let me know your response. I first posted this 3/16/11.  I found it among the dusty bins here, in the inn.

Facing Fear
     I'm grateful I face my fears.  When I do, the thing that causes dread usually

A Fun, Friend-Filled and Fortunate Day ......4/28/13

      Hello to my guests from Russia, Germany and Romania!

For this month, 15.6% of my readers are from

Not Being Had: Moving Beyond History, Abuse and Disappointment 4/25/13

The sun of recovery is breaking through
 areas that were recently darkened

     So much is happening.  Wow.  My business is growing, I'm enjoying time with family, work is fulfilling---seeing wonderful results with those I serve----and new friends are being added to my private world.  Other than that, there's

Taking Care of Self: The Value of Boundaries .......4/24/13

Japanese countryside.  I love the skyscape and vivid colors. 

   Good evening,

Rest was gotten today.  It was almost a day off.  I needed it.  Someone I mentor dropped by Alameda this afternoon.  A good time processing fear and the dragon of

Maintaining Wonder 4/22/13

God asks no man whether he will accept life. That is not
the choice.You must accept it. The only choice is how.
--Henry Ward Beecher

     Good evening,

How was your day?  Mine was pretty good, and warm, too.  I met with three new clients, in addition to the regulars I normally see.  Starting off the day at a later hour was a relief.  I slept in.  Ya ay!

    Sometimes my sessions are three act plays wrapped within

Thriving During the Weekend and a New Feature for This Inn 4/21/13

Crown Beach in Alameda

     Good afternoon,

Below are my gratitudes for Sunday.  I'm getting ready for a session with a client.  I want to point out there's a new

Responding to An Emotional Meltdown, Nonviolent Communication Is Way Better......4/19/13

"Like an earring of fine gold is a wise man's reprove to a
listening ear. " Prov. 25:12. The challenge is learning how
 to respond, not react and how to be loving instead of
spiteful, when we are frustrated. 

    Thank you, to my Russian and German guests, you have been dropping by, a lot.  Those who hail from the land of Tolstoy have been twenty-five percent of the readership for this month.  Ten percent of the visitors to this inn have been those from the land of Goethe.  I'm glad you're finding encouragement here.  A tip of my cap also goes out to those of you who hail from the United States. As always, you are the largest number who pass through the doors of this inn.

     This morning, I encountered an angry man.  No fun.  Even with all my training and experience, it's still

Marks of a Spiritual Awakening, Part II, Revisited ......4/18/13

     I'm bumping this entry up, originally written April 28th, 2011. The world, through the media, tries convincing us that happiness is having plenty of money, the right lover, job, car and home.  Oh, and having the right phone.  Not

Overcoming Resentment 4/17/13

"Forgiveness is not forgetting. It's letting go of the hurt."
 Mary McLeod Bethune

       I'm playing hooky as I write.  Today, I'm speaking in Alameda.  Becoming humble, honoring others and improving as parents, friends, sons or daughters will be covered.

         Normally, before giving a talk, I make time to review my notes, tweaking them.  Public speaking is an area where it's fine applying my latent perfectionism. Not today.

          I feel like visiting with you, instead.   Overcoming resentment is a topic discussed with several clients over the past few weeks.  Here are some thoughts about this toxic subject.

         When my emotions are drifting into this

A Request from the Innkeeper On This Day of Senseless Tragedy ......4/15/13

Image: Serenity

      Here, it happened again, to our beloved country.   A few months ago it transpired in Newtown, Connecticut.  Late tonight, I read about the horrible event in Boston,  Massachusetts.

      Gosh.

      I just got in from work.  Earlier, I visited two different friends in San Leandro, from 6:00-9:30 p.m., arriving home at 10:00 p.m.  On a whim, I checked the online news.  I don't have a TV.  And there it was, the sad, shocking news.

       I'm sure I speak for many, there is a collective anguish we Americans have for our fellow countrymen, our Bostonian brethren and any visitors harmed---physically or otherwise---by the bomb blasts this historic city on the East Coast suffered today.

       This is not a day for gratitude.  Tomorrow, perhaps.  In times like these, my only response is prayer.  God is still on the throne and He continues to answer our petitions.  Would you like to join me?  I'd be honored, if you would.

       Dear Lord, 

       We ask you to comfort those harmed by today's explosions in Boston.  We petition you to calm, with your loving Presence, those suffering----families, and loved one's grieving for those harmed or killed by this disturbing, outrageous act of violence. 

       We don't understand, but you know the culprits.  We ask for these actions to stop that violate the dignity for life and well-being that all humans deserve. 

       Be with the medical staff attending to the many injured.  May they be instruments of your healing Power.   

      Still the savage beasts of hatred that dwell within the breasts of those who perpetrated this event.  We ask for justice----that those who have caused harm are found out and held accountable. 

       Guide the national resources being applied to this tragedy.  Be with the detectives, police, our politicians, the civic and spiritual leaders of this region as we turn to You for direction, the restoration of the peace and the harmony we seek. 

        In Your name we pray.  Amen. 

**********

       If your heart resonates with this prayer, would it be possible for you to join me by simply placing an "Amen" in the comments section?    It's just a request.  Wonders happen, when hearts are knitted in agreement through prayer.

       As for me, I agree with Dr. Frankl.  I commit my life to contributing towards peace, not only peace between people, but within ourselves.  When we have that, we have compassion towards others, not judgment.  Compassion prevents the useless waste of life through murder----a result that can happen when our hearts are filled with hatred and bitterness.

Highs and Lows For Last Week: How About Yours? ........4/15/13

Leona Heights Park.  Where
 I hiked yesterday.  Heaven.

    Good evening everyone,

How was your Sunday?  I worked in the afternoon. I'm getting my schedule back on track after the Easter holiday, imagine that.  Several clients changed their appointment schedule, having the week off, tending to children and vacation plans.  I'm still straightening my work week, as a result.  And you thought you had it bad.

     Really, I'm fortunate having

A Great Time In Nature, Hanging Out With a Friend ......4/13/13

One view of where we hiked today

     Yesterday I spoke before group.  That was fun.  I got together with a friend afterwards.  Today, a female friend and I hiked for three hours in a hilly area.  We clambered over rocks and fallen trees.  The symphony of a running stream soothed this

A Special Day Today and a Part of My Story Not Shared Before .........................4/13/12

The Fremont hills near where I live and where I grew as a child.

    Well, it's going to happen.

You can see it over there, on the right, can't you?  The

Friendship and Community Are Plants of Slow Growth 4/12/13

     Just got home in time to make the Friday deadline.  I'm bumping this up. Let me know what you think.  I wrote this January 3rd of this year.

“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the

 mind.”  Lionel Hampton.  Image: Cumbria: Great Gable by Tim

 Blessed. Copyrighted material. Used by his kind permission.

       I'm thankful for a terrific weekend.  Connecting with friends the last two days---taking in their accepting and positive nature---increases the value I place in

The Sticky Gum of Resentment........ 4/11/13

The sun setting on San Francisco
 Peninsula, viewed from Alameda Island

      My body has been thrown out of wack----I'm sleeping irregular-ly.  The good news: I rode sixteen miles today.  It should help me bed down sooner and sleep soundly. We'll see.

          On the other hand, I sleep like a baby: I wake up every three hours and cry.  (Just joking, folks, for those who always take me seriously.)

         With another, I circumnavigated part of Alameda Island on two wheels in the afternoon.  We traveled 10.5 miles.  The glorious weather made for a lovely time of cycling.  Our conversation was better: intense, honest, supportive, and authentic.

         The guy that rode with me today provided perspective re-garding a vexing issue that, since early March, has stuck with me.  This subject involves an annoying piece of gum attached to the bottom of the shoe of my consciousness.  Its sticky sound constantly reminds me of its presence as I walk on the linoleum of life.

          My cycling companion and I had dinner at Jim's Cafe in Alame-da.  We covered the bugaboo of resentment; our time was pro-ductive and insightful. We looked at satisfying remedies that allow us to have peace of mind.

         I'm progressing with my attitude towards the problem that has troubled me since last month. It's not something I want to do, but I will tackle it eventually. I will call the person who created it.

      I'm growing in my will-ingness to talk with this individual who jolted me last month by re-opening an old emotional scar that I hadn't thought about in a long while.  It looks like it's time to use the butter knife of forgiveness to scrape off negative feelings that gummed up the sole of my thinking. 

***********

         After dinner, I scooted over to Grand Ave., connecting with friends on the island.  Someone shared her story of growing up with an alcohol-ic, heroin-addicted mother, who gave birth to her when six-teen.  The speaker was transparent and honest and vulnerable and positive----her talk was a heartfelt message of encouragement.

       Her progress, using the principles and the fellowship of Al-Anon Family Groups, helps her have peace and clarity during stressful moments----something she didn't know as a child.  She mentioned perspectives that allow her to overcome dark clouds that previously obscured her happiness.
     

        Her comments were a great reminder. She mentioned how she realizes she can't control her husband.  But she's learned she can control how she chooses to respond to him.

       Her newfound recovery-based sanity provides her with clarity and ease; she has discov-ered a source of tranquility in areas that once irritated her.  I'm happy for her and glad I heard her herald truths I need to heed----at all times.

My Gratitude for Today: 
1.  I rested. Even though it was a restless rest, I semi-rested.  That's the progress, not perfection, of a vital area affecting my health.  Halting relieves my muddled mind.  When I don't get enough sleep, I can't think straight.  Isn't that also true for you?
2.  I spent time reading today, one of my favorite things.  I love discovering new truths and the growing awareness it provides.

A Mixed Day, Happiness and Joy. I Prefer Joy: Happiness is Ephemeral...... .................. 4/7/13

    The day was eventful, fun and ended crazily, unfortunately.  I lost a leather binder, on the bus, just before I arrived home at 11:00 p.m.

    Frequently, this binder is used when

Made Time for Me, Guarding Our Tongue, Feeling Better 4/6/13

How the skyscape has been been, around the Bay Area

     Good evening,

How was your day?  This place improves, when you drop by.  Having fellowship with others is good for the soul.

     I was wiped out today.  A long nap helped.

My Saturday Gratitudes:
1.  Rest.  I had an easy day, relaxing.  A mini retreat from

Back on Track From A Detour From Joy and Serenity. (Courage Faces Fear and Thereby Masters It, Part III) ..........................4/5/13

     Good evening,

How you be?  My life is settling down after having a few things throw me for a loop in March.  Now, life is marching on (pun intended).

     I agree, life can have its low moments. They can be a monument to our past pain. Or, by how we respond to them, they can reflect the

Source for Peace: A Gentle Ideal Self ........4/3/13

 

  Good evening everyone,

Thanks for dropping by.  Your visits add to the fellowship shared here.  How are you?

Me and My Ideal Self----It Has Changed, And How

     I met with friends tonight.  I spoke about my experience with my ideal self.  It has transformed.  No longer is it an unpleasable tyrant that

Life Is Not a Correspondence Course, Revisited ....4/2/13

    "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its trouble,
 but it does empty today of its strength."

Go ahead and stop the video. You'll find it down below.

        I'll wait.

        Sorry about that.  I'm still new at technology.  I actually used HTML to embed the video.  I don't know how to do that with the video NOT starting up right away.  That's okay.  I'll be gentle towards myself----progress, not perfection.  It's a terrific video by a fellow that I quote here, in this inn.

      This entry is our feature for today. Written twenty-one months ago, some of you were not familiar with the inn. Let me know what you think.

Staying In the Solution:
       The quote above reminds us of the value of staying in the solution when troubled.  What can be done? What are our options, given our circumstances?  Focusing----while relying upon God's strength and direction, and working with the support of our Balcony People (click here, for more info on who they are) -----on what can be done, is the best approach.