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| "Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are." Arthur Golden Image: "Buckinghamshire: Linford Lakes" by Tim Blessed. Copyrighted photo. |
Yes, I've been away from the inn. Although, additions to the previous post could have been made into separate post. You might want to check it out. I reworked it, adding reflections about my time with professors, attorneys, mediators and others contributing to peace who spoke from their
mind, not their hearts: form without substance.
This week I was tuckered out from the energy expended Sunday, when participating in a forum in Berkeley, in honor of the U.N. International Day of Peace. Also, the past five days I've been busy, seeing new clients. I'm adding more, a result of people hearing me at the event.
Balance. That's what life is about. And how. It's a quality that's rare, nowadays. Especially as many of us are tethered to the constant distractions provided by today's technology: FaceBook, the internet and texting, and iPods. You can read here, for more about this subject. You won't be disappointed.
I stabilized my week by spending time alone, decompressing----nurturing yours truly. I spent a monkish day without speaking to anyone, allowing my mind to unwind. It doesn't matter how well I start off the race of life for a given week. What matters is finishing strong, with my head held up.
I did.
Setbacks are opportunities, reminding me that it's my job to transcend negative outcomes. Life is about manning up---or, womaning up---seeing clearly what needs to be done, taking responsibility so that our needs are met. Assuming a child-like role, blaming negative circumstances for the low ebb to our emotions is playing the victim.
Gratitudes for Today:
1. I slowed down. Rest, taking care of my physical welfare is maintaining balance.
2. I see a new client tomorrow. I look forward to serving this person, addressing his fears and anxiety.
Maintaining Integrity
I disagreed with someone yesterday. I'm grateful I can self-express, calmly saying my no---as gently as my yes. I stood for my opinion without standing against the other.
As a child, I couldn't voice my opinion. Heavens no. Now, my soul soars, no longer caged by codependency. Unfolding its wings, my personhood is no longer caged by controlling people or the need to please others.
3. Hurray for maintaining integrity!
4. I received a client approval letter this week. I enjoy helping others get the most out of life, guiding them, helping them to nurture their battered psyche.
6. Yesterday was the thirty month anniversary when this inn opened its doors. It's still a kid. Maintaining this inn has been a joy. I appreciate you who drop by.
Removing Static
I have an opportunity to share with someone what is not working out in our relationship. Consistency and reliability, as well as healthy, open communication are important "must haves" and "can't stands" for me. Unacceptable behavior is not tolerated.
We train others how to treat us, both by what we do and don't do. It will be great clearing the air. Honestly expressing my disappointment will free me from the distracting white noise of uncertainty and confusion that now exists when relating with this individual.
7. I value transparency in my relationships; peace, order, emotional safety and tranquility results, when authentic conversation is part of its fabric.
8. I look forward to celebrating someone's birthday. Some friends and I will let her know how important she is.
9. I was thankful for hearing from an old friend, yesterday.
How About You?
What are your three gratitudes for today?
Related Post:
Expressing Our Feelings
Posts
2 comments:
Dear Innkeeper,
On this welcome cool fall Monday night I am grateful...
1. I could persevere through a 45 total minute tech support call with Comcast to finally get our modum/router reset (takes mere minutes!) so our WiFi in the house would work, so I could post some gratitudes! Horray! Well worth the effort!
2. Earlier I could indulge in swimming 14 laps (28 lengths) at the pool, melting away "Japanese fish-monger-stress" in the jacuzzi and then in the steam room, where I proceeded to fall asleep. After a while,the poor folks in the steam room thought old "Gordo Gringo" was dead!
3. And speaking of Gordo...I could discover these amazing new (seem healthy to me!) crackers; Food Should Taste Good brand "Sea-salt & Brown Rice Crackers." They are baked, have all sorts of good stuff in them, and are irresistible! And no I'm not commissioned! After eating too many, I wandered out to our backyard fig tree, devoured several plump, ripe, sweet-purple pleasures, and was full for the night! At least the figs will keep me regular!
4. I could take a colleague, 20 years my junior out to a nice breakfast this morning, to thank him for some favors at work.
5. The last service - delivery fiasco at work was totally not my doing...what a relief!
6. Our oldest son and his wife are having a fantastic vacation in Poland and Italy, with lovely photo's abounding!
On this Tuesday night, I am grateful for;
1. A calm, measured, even sane, well-paced work day. While typically long at 11 hours, it was nearly stress-free and ultimately satisfying.
2. Once home, feet-up with a home-made iced coffee, crackers and cheese in the backyard-garden, before puttering around with some self-motivated chores.
3. A generous, restful nap, before a light dinner.
4. Wisely choosing benevolent surrender to my "forager" wife's request to rescue a neighbor's used, teak, outdoor, chaise-lounge frame. Easily loaded in and out of our empty, cavernous van. Even sacrificed watching Tom Cruise in "Oblivion" but it was too late on a work-night for that anyway.
5. Gently saying no to letting this new found treasure "replace" the ones bequeathed to me/us by my late Dad.
I mean c'mon. A mans outdoor/lawn chaise lounge is already a sacred possession; where any true-man can be found "snoring away like a well-oiled chain saw," under that leafy, backyard fig tree at early dusk on a warm summer's eve!
The mere thought of replacing a sentimental heirloom with a strangers discarded furniture (even if it is imported teak); well that's just sacrilege!
6. The mute button on the TV remote control! Being able to turn-off the TV and turn on the flow of ones imagination that creative writing can unleash...
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