Saturday, June 29

My Highs and Lows for This Week

   Here it is. It's Saturday. What do we do on this day? Yep, we share our high and low points for the past week. Here are some of mine:

High Points: 
1.  I did not allow someone to

Friday, June 28

We're Not Responsible For Other People's Disappointment 6/28/13 (123)


“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life.  And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law:

Wednesday, June 26

Enjoying Community and Thriving, In Hot Weather 6/26/13

       Here I am.  It's almost that time, the witching hour, when the day changes it's name.  The weather has been sticky, which is unusual for this neck of the woods.  Normally we don't have

Tuesday, June 25

Processionary Caterpillars, Having a Spiritual Awakening............ 6/25/13


       Today, I'm meeting with friends.  At one time, I did this often.  Not so, now.

         Life's demands, make it imperative making time that enriches us. This includes setting aside time to invest in ourselves.  Mind you, I'm with people all the time.  If you are isolating, it may be God wants you connecting with others---pronto.

        What a joy it is breathing in life, calmly, delighting in its glorious wonder.  This can not happen when we live frantically.   Our American sensibilities, often equate busyness with productivity or success.

       It isn't true.

Learning from Processionary Caterpillars

     Imagine having an empty flower pot.

      Now, place seeds that processionary caterpillars love eating, inside. These critters would walk around and around and around---fol-lowing one another.
They would circle the pot, forever, eventually dying from starvation.

     The nourishment needed was less than a quarter of an inch away, inside the ceramic container.

     It's easy us being like a hairy slug-looking insect.  It is common, mistak-ing activity for accomplishment.  Effectiveness has to precede effi-ciency.

     Doing a task right isn't the issue.  Doing the right task, is.  People who succeed, have goals. They know their priorities.

     Appreciating the little things of life and nature.  Allowing time for our spirit to express itself, making nutritious, delicious meals.  They are ways of being grounded in the present.
 
      It is taking care of ourselves.  It frees us from mental chatter that easily can occu-py our mind and spirit.

     Listening to music we love, engaging in intimate, authentic conversations with emotionally friends nurtures us.

     Doing what it takes so that we can sleep more than seven hours allows our soul to drink in the sanity and serenity life offers.

     Living by helpful principles, exercising boundaries----even when pressured to do otherwise by unpleasant, bullying, demanding people and narcissists, is loving and caring for ourselves.

A Spiritual Awakening

      Staying focused.  Stepping away from crises that want to embroil us.  Obsessing less by going with the flow.  Enjoying greater in inner peace.

      These are all forms of a spiritual awakening.  Being spiritual isn't feeling superior or wearing a halo of self-righteousness.  Living fully is seizing the joys the day offers while being practical and responsible, too.

      A spiritual awakening involves enjoying the beauty of living in the here and now, not tinctured with bitterness, fear or self-loathing.

      It is sharing life with emotionally healthy friends.  It is spending time with loved ones and family.  Connecting with God and life involves luxuriating in emotional safety, tranquility, order, and ease.

       This is bonding of the good kind and having intimacy with others who accept us as we truly are.  We can be ourselves.

      When the above is our reality, we will have an Attitude of Gratitude.

How About You?
In what ways are you enjoying a Spiritual Awakening?

Sunday, June 23

Balance When Relating With Others 6/23/13

 
       Good evening,

I worked today.  I'm beat and tomorrow is my busiest day, and it's going to

Saturday, June 22

"Checking In" Time: Highs & Lows, A Serene Cap to a Hectic Week 6/22/13

The Harbor Bay lagoons of Alameda

          How is everyone?

It was great hearing from several readers in the previous posting. Thank you.  This week has been busy, eventful, challenging, but

Wednesday, June 19

The Source For Personal Growth, And, Being Silent Doesn't Mean We Are Afraid. Boring Isn't Boring. It Means We or Others Are Healthy

     Good evening,

I just arrived at home after being with friends.  When it was over, some of us continued hanging out, heading over to the refurbished Juanita's Mexican restaurant.  Hello to Cheryl.  She said she was dropping by tonight to check out this cozy place in cyberspace for the first time.

My Gratitudes for Tonight:
     I spent time connecting with

Tuesday, June 18

Awareness, Realizing the Problem Lies Beneath our Nose, Revisited 6/18/13

Stinky stuff
     Good evening everyone,

The following I wrote August, two years ago.   Let me know your response.
******
      How you be?  Yesterday was a humdinger of a day, but good.  Life has been rich and full this week.  I thank God for the learning opportunities He provides.

       One of His instructions happened this week, in the laboratory of life.  I witnessed a person in denial.  And nope, that doesn't mean a big river in Egypt. (You are supposed to laugh.)

        Being unaware of areas where our character needs to grow is understandable.  Denial isn't that.  For more clarity on this subject, you can read here.  When we are actively in denial we strongly oppose areas requiring change on our part.  These areas can involve either our thinking or behavior, perhaps both.

Monday, June 17

Life Doesn't Get Any Better Than Today---Enjoying Abundance 6/17/13

Abundance is not in how much we
 have, but in how much we enjoy. 
   Good late evening everyone,

How was your Monday?  Mine was busy, but good; the weather was fantastic throughout the day.
I can't say my baseball team, enjoyed today. They arrived from Atlanta at 4:00 a.m. this morning, started a game at 7:15 p.m., losing it at 11:50 pm, just now, in the thirteenth inning, after more than four-and-a-half hours of play.

      Normally, I'm

Sunday, June 16

Love, Fun and Connecting With Dear Ones

       Good evening,

What a fabulous Fathers Day.  The good news is that tomorrow will start out well and end even better.   I'm thankful for the love received today.  It's amazingly fulfilling, hanging out with loved ones, taking in special time together.

      We met with friends this evening, having a blast as we played Pit, a card game.  Enthusiastic yelling, laughter, giggling, diving for the last spoon, a roomful of smiles and beaming faces made for an excellent evening.

      The weather was amazing.  Amazing.  It was 75 degrees with a cool breeze.  I'm thankful for Theresa. We gathered at her place for fun.  Man, is life is a joy, when it's shared with our supportive community.

My Gratitudes for Sunday: 
1.  Fun was had and I was loved today.  That always makes for a great day.            
2.  Loving time with family. I am always encouraged when I'm valued. That happened today.
3.  I'm doing better with budgeting time.  I have more ease and serenity, when I allot  enough time to get things done.
4.  I lost something important for work. I have been gentle towards myself as I process the loss.
5.  Tonight, after the evening was over, my friend Stuart and I talked. A rich conversation filled my mind with inspiring possibilities.

How About You? 
    What are three gratitudes you have for today? 

Saturday, June 15

Celebrating Life and Its Highs and Lows 6/15/13

       Good evening,

How are you?  Have you been good towards yourself?  Have you been getting the rest?  Are you spending time, tending to your needs?  I hope so. Today, I did just that.  I slept, even. In the middle of the day.  I was worn out.

        I eagerly look forward to

Thursday, June 13

A Special Day and Not Accepting Unacceptable Behavior .........6/13/13

I'm sorry you can't join me in eating this cake.
       Good evening everyone,

Tonight, I'm worn out after a busy and intense day.

      Today is a special day.  Yep, this is the 27th month anniversary of this inn of gratitude.  My, my, time has flown as

Wednesday, June 12

Compassionate Communication, Revisited 6/12/13

       Good morning,

          I love when you post comments, they contribute to the community we enjoy here.  I appreciate them.  For many guests, it's time to hear from you.  Yes, you.

          We'd enjoy hearing your thoughts on what is posted in this inn, even if it's old.  I value your insights and It's always good getting to know you.

          I leave this entry, written in April of 2011.  Compassionate communication is wonderful idea.  It reminds me of a reply Gandhi had when asked,  "What do you think of Western Civilization?"  He said,

Sunday, June 9

A Scene Painted By Nature ...........6/9/13

         I'm tired---worn out after seeing three clients.  I'm heading for bed after writing this.   I worked and cycled today.  But, I'm happy.  My baseball team, the San Francisco Giants, won today, one-and-a-half games out of first place.  They had been struggling.

         It was blustery as I cycled home, after work.  The sleeves to my windbreaker flapped in the breeze, sounding like a kite as the wind filled my ears with its roar.  Gearing down, I pressed headlong into

Saturday, June 8

Serenity, Dignity and Joy When Expressing Our Voice 6/8/13


   Good evening,

As children, it was easy having our feelings and opinions minimized and invalidated. That's too bad and emotionally scarring.  Being not heard and not knowing empathy easily

A Rich Life, Part II

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."              Henry David Thoreau
    Good morning,

I conked out, upon arriving at home tonight.  I just woke up.  While wiping cobwebs from my mind, I post these gratitudes for Friday:

1.  For friendships that heal.

      I checked in on a friend today, in the middle of a busy workday.  She's recovering from an injury.  I love what the word "visit" means in Greek.  It means

Wednesday, June 5

A Rich Life

          Good evening,

How are you?  I'd love hearing from you.  Yes, you.  There are many Silent Readers who drop by and then go on with the rest of their day.  We've had 1,200 guests to his inn, in the past five days.   It's been a little chilly, lately.  Let me know if

Tuesday, June 4

Our Ideal Self Isn't, Revisited. Going Easy On Myself .........6/4/13

         "Our past, released by forgiveness and gratitude,  frees our            present to be all it can be."    Tim Blessed
Image: "Field and Country: Spring Shine by Tim Blessed.   Copyrighted photo.  His caption fits this post well. 
      I'm bumping this up.   I wrote this two years ago.   Let me know your response.


My Gratitudes for 6/21/11:
1.  I'm working out, making exercise a priority.  I feel good when I take care of

Saturday, June 1

The Healing Power of Acceptance

         How was your day?

Mine was excellent.  Can't complain, although I could about my baseball team, the San Francisco Giants. They are in a deep funk. But, it's a long season and the team is only 1.5 games behind first place, in their division.

        Fear was confronted today.  It grew as the night progressed.  My adult self faced the terror-inducing issue, taking action.  The outcome wasn't as bad as anticipated.  It was hard on my emotions, but now I'm relieved.

        About the good part of today.  I'm loving what I'm studying.  I've been reviewing how we get healing, especially in the troublesome, sensitive areas of our lives.  Acceptance is key.

        But, its's not the acceptance you probably are imagining.  Yes, it's vital, coming to terms with areas needing growth. This is the classical understanding of this acceptance.  But, there's another part that is just as essential.

        It is acceptance from loving others, those who help us live in redemptive time.  Nowadays we call redemptive time recovery.  This is living, in the present, with grace and truth. When we are lovingly supported by healthy, nurturing, affirming others.  We experience healing.

       That happened a week ago today, not only for me, but for everyone who attended my birthday celebration.  There was mirth, laughter, smiles. There was also plenty of healing, something we didn't expect at a birthday party, but there it was, a Gift from the Giver.

       I wrote more, but my computer acted up and erased what I wrote. I'll try again, tomorrow. I'm tired, I'll see you then. 

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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