The Past Week: Good and Bads...... 11/30/14

       Once again, it's time, reviewing the high and low points for the recently concluded week.  He's how it looked for me:

Highs: 

1.  Had an in-depth conversation with someone dear.  Feelings and concerns were expressed lovingly,
kindly.  I love conversations where both people are

Today Is The Biggest Day........... 11/27/14

        Good morning everyone.  Many suffer from worry, depression, frustration, self-loathing.  An Attitude of Gratitude coun-teracts these ills.  Cherishing our loved ones and counting our blessings are key.

       Thank you for dropping by.  This is the central day of this inn.  May this Thanksgiving Day be the best ever.

     Thankfulness depends not upon

Tomorrow, The Greatest Day of This Inn ..... 11/26/14

“Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion.

 Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception. 

 Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude.

  Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and

 limps along the spiritual road.”      John Henry Jowett        

       Thank you for dropping by this inn of encouragement and praise.  What thanks have you?   Of all the days of the year, tomorrow will be tops for this inn. In America, this Thursday is about the vision of this cozy place in cyberspace: sharing thanks for the good things that are a part of our lives.

Growth Requires Effort---Reaping What We Sow......... 11/25/14

     I awoke tonight at 10:45 p.m. after conking out on the couch while reading.  My body has more sense than me. Pre-cious, my cat, was curled at my feet.  Not done before, us being together since June.  She's letting me know I rate.

     Normally, I work late on Tuesday night.  It is holiday time, I caught a break.  Tonight, I'm reviewing

Calmly Surprising a Controlling Person 11/24/14

        The other day, while with friends, I was in a good mood.  Peaceful even.  Towards the end of our time someone said, "What's wrong with you Pablo, you were quiet tonight."

        This assumption she said, even though I shared my opinions

The Demon of Denial ................ 11/22/14

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget
that the highest appreciation is not to utter words,
but to live by them.”   John F. Kennedy 

        Awhile ago I met with someone I mentored. This per-son danced around issues needing attention.When he became defensive, I held my ground,  prompting a discussion about the difference between being unaware and denial. When a person is unaware of an issue, the response often is, "Do I do that?  Can you help me deal with this, do you have any ideas?"

     Denial is entirely different.  When one is in it, he becomes defensive, perhaps agitated, or argumentative---justifying his perspective. Such responses indicate that the demon of denial has appeared.

When relating with others, and this monster lurks, I don't debate with them. There's no point arguing with a drunk person. When we're in denial we are emotionally intoxicated, beyond reasoning.

      Besides, when there's a difference of opinion, I don't argue; I share my position, leaving it at that. It's not my role to convince.  I find heated discussions unproductive; they're only good for escalating tension, creating ill-will. Who wants that?

     It was interesting noting this man's overt denial as we spoke about this very subject. It's not my job to change anyone. There is only one God.  I am not Him.

      I let this mentee know I will not avoid reminding him of this demon of denial that lives within him.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of the enemy are deceitful. The full soul loathes the honeycomb, but to the hungry soul [the one that doesn't have discernment or recovery] every bitter thing is sweet.   Proverbs 27:6-7

This person's reaction allowed me to know I have better uses of my time than pursuing the subject of denial regarding his relationship with a predatory woman.

Gratitudes: 

1.    I'm thankful for sanity that happens when I do not pursue fruitless discussions.  I have better ways of investing time that offer a better return.

      This same person wanted to analyze areas needing growth. I stopped that. We need a different consciousness than the one that created them. Analysis doesn't change anything. Action does. Taking steps, albeit tiny ones, leads to substantial growth. Flowers, oak trees, human physical growth are all incremental; but they provide big results over time.

2.   I'm grateful for the progress that occurs when staying in the solution, looking at healthy alternatives when faced with problems. For more about this with specific ideas about doing so, please click here.

Encountering a Hollywood Celebrity
      While mentoring this person at a quaint but unfriendly cafe in Corte Madera, there was a smallish guy at the counter, wearing white shorts and a grayish blue t-shirt, his back to us. The person I was with and I were tucked into the bay window that fronted the sidewalk.

      The guy at the counter rose, paid his tab, facing me as he walked towards the door. His unshaven face gave a sheepish smile as his blue eyes met my darker ones.  He brushed by our table on the way out.  It was Robin Williams the actor, comedian.  He was shy.

     He pulled his over-sized black sunglasses over his face before walking out the door.  He got in his black Audi, transporting himself to whatever the day held for him.

3. I'm thankful for life's surprises, excellent weather, the cool bay breezes, clarity of thought when conversing with others and the silent, abundant joy we know when we know our boundaries and adhere to them. This peaceful, abundant joy has another name: serenity.

4.  I love my profession.
5.  Life is good, the result of having a vision and working towards my goals. As the Greeks said,

If you aim at nothing, that is exactly what you'll get.

  6.  I'm regularly getting rest. How could I not have an Attitude of Gratitude?

    You know the routine. I ask if you can share at least three gratitudes when you drop by.  You've heard mine. It would be terrific hearing yours.

Related Post:

The Problem Lies Beneath Our Nose

Lessons Learned From a Sassy Female ............ 11/20/14

       I have a new girlfriend.  She's been mentioned here, at the inn.  She's sassy, but quiet.  My type of gal.  She's immodest, doesn't like wearing clothes.  But she loves me dearly----I'm sticking with her.  Her name is Precious, a Himalayan cat.

Precious

      I thought I was training her.  I have.  But, she is

Being Gentle Towards Ourselves 11/19/14

“The six most important words:  I admit I made a mistake.

 The five most important words:  You did a good job. 

The four most important: What is YOUR opinion?

 The three most important: If you please. The 
two most important words:  Thank You. 

The one most important: We.
      Least important:  "I.”   
Author Unknown

Image: The California coast: Point Reyes

My Gratitudes:
1. Met with friends tonight.  Getting back at it.  For nearly a month I didn't attend-----was immersed in following my Giants baseball team as they marched on, even-tually becoming national champions.
2.   It's fulfilling seeing others getting

The Vision of This Inn.............. 11/18/14

Innkeeper's Note: 

       I am recuperating from a crazy week and weekend.  My sleep has been thrown out of kilter for days, along with my equanimity, though no one would know it.  This is what has happened to me, the result of being a public speaker for decades.  I have nerves of steel even when disoriented.  

       Outwardly I am calm, when my soul feels like it has been in the

Calmness In The Eye of the Storm, Part III, Revisited 11/16/14

Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.
Image: "Countryside: Across the Valley" by Tim Blessed.  Copyrighted photo. Used by permission. 

        Busy, I have been.  Plenty busy.  But, I figured there has  been enough silence at the inn.  I have a high priority I am preparing for.  I leave this post, it was popular when this inn was new.  Let me know your thoughts. Here it is.

******

        It's a great feeling, not perseverating when stressed. And, right now, I am under pressure. Getting agitated never helps.  How can I be mentally clear, when

Increasing Our Contact With God 11/11/14

     Using a different computer.  Mine woke up sick today.   It's in the shop.  It will be the third fan put in it, in the last six months.  I asked Angelo at the computer shop if they had a loaner.  And here

Patience is Active 11/9/14

      Today, an intense and intensely good conversation with someone dear was had. For three-and-a-half hours, making me happy.  I got clarity.

       Refreshed, alert, I am, the result of conking out this afternoon. The past week had me on a torture rack. The demands faced stretched me

Seeing Progress 11/7/14

    It's that time.  Often, here at the inn, we review the high and low points of the week just ending. Here are mine:

High Points
1.  I am getting regular, consistent sleep.  More often.
2.  I am maintaining sobriety regarding use of the internet.  I have no problems with drinking.  I said internet use. If not careful, I could spend too much time perusing the internet. When I die, I don't think I will say, "I wish I spent more time using my laptop."
3.  I am using a new paradigm when working with

Today Is One of the Good Ol' Days We'll Talk About In the Future................. 11/6/14

Image: "Switzerland, Autumn Mist" by Tim
Blessed.  Copyrighted photo. Used by permission. 

My Gratitudes for Today: 

1.  For studying.  It helps me to contin-ually grow.  I milk more out of this day, this week and month, enjoying more of its luscious, intoxicating quali-ties, when I work on my personal growth, daily. 

2.  For rest.  I slept in this morning.  Was it needed.  It contributes towards

Where Has The Innkeeper Been? 11/5/14

    I have been here every day, since Friday.  My visits were unnoticeable. I worked on my previous post, every day since Friday, getting it right.

    I enjoy the sculpting involved with