Ruminations On Easter and My Personal Resurrection 4/20/14

 

    Good evening,

How are you? As always, take what you like and leave the rest.

    What a lovely day today was.  I made time, reflecting upon the significance of Easter.  I spent it with loved ones and am glad for it.  It's amazing how holidays can evolve with time.
My Gratitudes for Today.
1. The message of Easter. Nope, it's not about
Easter bunnies.  Sorry.
2. Like Easter, I celebrate knowing an emotional and spiritual resurrection birthed from deathly, dark moments. I'm grateful for luxuriating in the joy, hope, vibrancy and excitement life offers.  Decades ago, that wasn't the case.
3. For appreciate not staying emotionally or situationally stuck, when I experienced abuse. As a young man, I was stuck, mired in despair.  Now, I'm thankful for living by principles  (and here, too) that enable me to transcend difficult circumstances, people and emotions.
4. I'm thankful for no longer being a moth, drawn to the flame of unhealthy people, individuals who would consume my emotional strength, if I let them.
     The scarey thing is that these people can smell us through lead. Yes, lead. That's how dangerous they are. The good thing is that recovery is also apparent. Those types who at one time mistreated me now leave me alone.
     We do not reflect our growth or recovery through our words and overt behavior. We reflect it, or the lack of it, in every breath we take, by how we stand, hold our shoulders and how we smile, among other means.

One source of gratitude: staying away from emotional vampires!

5. I'm glad I detect emotional bullies, manipulators, narcissists and non-mutual friends for who they are: emotional vampires, even if they smile and use charm when addressing me.

      It was no fun explaining to others when I got two puncture wounds on my neck---psychological hickeys.  I'm delighted that wearing high collars is no longer necessary.  Which makes me thankful for.... the next gratitude.
6. I'm thankful for character discernment.  It allows me to delight in relationships with people who have my back, who love me unconditionally and provide support, when needed.  Discernment allows me to not accept unacceptable behavior.
7. I'm thankful for my voice.  As a child I wasn't allowed to express it.  It was suppressed.  I'm glad that I say what I mean, mean what I say but not say it meanly.
8. I rejoice in the benefits of exercise.
      It is an amazing stress reducer. I sleep better, feel better and I contribute to my overall health when exerting this body.  Cycling is fantastic.
      I'll start running, perhaps this week. I accomplish more when I let my intentions be known to the world.
9. I love community.  In-depth conversations, interacting, relating with another, floats my boat.  With real time, in-the-flesh friends. I share meals, listen to live music, go hiking, biking and walking with them.  I'm a lucky man.
How About You?
1. What characterological resurrections have you experienced in your life?
2. What helps to get you out of being stuck? Any principles or actions you take, that make it easier for you to move out of the morass of difficult moments?  Please share.
3. Who are the emotional vampires in your life?
4. What are qualities you like in your personal community? I'm always open for ways to deepen mine.