Moving Beyond Blockages ..... 8/31/14

       Whenever we apply healthy alternatives to an area of struggle in our lives, we are creating a better today.  Acting like a victim is a choice, not a
destiny.
       These are three blockages mentioned in previous post:

1. Fear, anxiety, being

Revealing The News......2/2/14

Did you realize that this subject is
related to today's date?  Tutus: 2/2

       Last Wednesday, I startled Ted, a reference librarian at the Alameda Free Library.  For twenty-eight years, he's been a fixture at the place, pony-tail and all.  In the mid-afternoon, when the sun shines through the skylight into his face---while sitting at his desk---he dons a visor.  The only

Character Metamorphosis: Squeezing Beyond My Comfort Level ........11/26/112

Image: "Bluebells" by Tim Blessed. Copyrighted
 photo, used by permission. All rights reserved. 

 "On the mountains of truth you can never climb in vain: either you will reach a point higher up today, or you will be training your powers so that you will be able to climb higher tomorrow." 

      Good Evening,

I'm checking in.  Today, I worked.  Normally, it's my day off. It's fascinating watching my personality contort as it's developing strengths in areas once vulnerable.

       The past few days I've been squeezing through the slit I've gnawed through my characterological cocoon.  Since this summer, it's been a season of metamorphosis

Calmness In the Eye of the Emotional Storm, Part VI ..10/10/12

      The past few months have been a inspiring time of personal growth and learning.  More importantly, its been a time where I've seen the value of

Moving Towards Our Vision

"Where there is no vision, the people perish."

     Good to see you guys dropping by. Lately, the days have been crazy. I went out Sunday night and didn't get home until after one a.m. Yesterday, Alex's decline got worse, exponentially, he's still around, but the situation is sad. He can't sit or walk. He's mentally alert, but his body is giving out.  Monday, the internet went out in the afternoon, the service was restored this morning. I'll be busy replying to all who've dropped by over the past few days. Thanks for reading and commenting!
     
      As an aside, I've been working on my vision. (When do we ever here that word? Not often enough.) I'm concentrating on what my vision looks like, physically, spiritually, mentally, materially, professionally and relationally. It's been a good exercise. My actions are being set in terms of my priorities and they are being aligned with the vision for my life. I'm getting more tasks accomplished and I like witnessing the progress as I'm moving towards refocused, sharply defined goals.

       So, here are some questions I have for you:

1. Can you define your vision?  (Same categories as listed above.Try to make them practical.)
2.  If you were to break your vision down into three to five goal categories, what would they be?
3.  What would be some separate actions for each goal?

I'd enjoy hearing your answers. I'm asking that we share our practical goals.

    Have a great and grateful rest of the week,

"Improvements" : God Removing Dross from My Life ...6/3/11

Refining gold, removing the dross.

      It will be morning for most of you by the time you read this. I'm squeezing in my gratitudes while I can, before Saturday rolls in, claiming the time. As most of you know, this place provides a gratitude journal for the visitors of this inn. I ask those who drop by, to sign the registry to this place by sharing three gratitudes. It's easy to do, really.Would you give it a try?

My gratitudes for Friday:

1. Met with a client today, the time we spent was powerful and rewarding. I enjoy seeing progress and I'm happy helping others deal with long-term issues, many of them stemming from childhood. I love seeing others celebrating life more than they ever have.

Creating a Better Today ............ 5/31/11

       Beyond pretense.

      A friend of sever-al decades-----a Bal-cony Person in my life, and I lunched together.  This is what we discussed. The freedom enjoy-ed when facing our vulnerabilities.More importantly, we talked about over-coming our weaknesses by replacing them with healthy alternatives. The following are a few suggestions:

      I. If we're angry:
          A.  We can go for a walk
          B.  We can process it by writing about it in our journal.
          C.  Go to a local sports event and scream like the dickens.

     It is a socially acceptable place to yell.  Fans next to you will think you're amazingly fanatical.  I have a dear friend in her 70's who does this. She goes to the Cal Berkeley basketball games.

         D. We can listen to relaxing music, to decompress.
         E. We can release our frustrations out by beating a pillow or throwing rocks in a body of water.
         F.  Anger reveals we're experiencing an unmet need. We can take action to resolve the unmet need by taking one step that allows us to empty out.

      For example, say that we're with someone who is judgmental.   And we're uncomfortable with their put-downs or how they blame us for their problems without taking responsibility. We can excuse ourselves:

"I'm sorry, but I have to go. I have something pressing that I need to do."

       No, not ironing a shirt.  Yes, we do have something to do. It's leaving that environment.  We don't need to be with someone who suffers from the toxicity of a bitter spirit.

Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself.

                        Proverbs 22:24-25

      It's necessary if we want serenity. If we want to reduce the level of drama in our lives.  One source for sanity is being responsive to, but not responsible for the feelings of others.

      II.  If we're isolating, we can:
           A. Call a friend, see how they are doing. If we want to have friend, we need to be one.
           B. We can go to a movie with someone. We are connecting with others.  Not only the friend but the community of others watching the film with us.  It's a step.
           C. We arrange a time to have lunch with someone special.

      III.. If' feeling blue, we can:
           A. Go for a hike in nature. It lifts the spirit for many.
           B. Listen to music we like.
           C. Workout at the gym.  You probably know hard exercise produces endorphins, which are great                 for our moods.
           D. For some, chocolate does the trick, it has serotonin.

       The above are a few examples of healthy alternatives. You probably can add more. You get the idea.

      We may not have control over our circumstances but we do have control over how we choose to respond to them. We have many op-tions, healthy ones that are life affirming.  Difficult times remind me of the following quote:

      The only time we'll not have conflict is when we're dead; learning to process the challen-ges life offers is preferred to the alternative; I find a coffin a little confining.

       When we make healthy choices and take action towards solving our problems we'll find ourselves happier.  Life will be more sane.  We'll enjoy life more. We'll also have an atti-tude of gratitude because we're making the most out of our lives. We are also creating a better today.

How About You?
1. What are some additional alternatives that you find to anger, isolating, depression?
2.  What is one step you'd like to take today, that will move you towards the solution of your particular challenge?

                 Here's to encouraging one another,

Image: Countryside: Spring Sky by Tim Blessed, © all rights reserved, use by permission.

A Special Occasion Tonight

     Good evening everyone. Thank you, for dropping by; the Attitude of Gratitude Inn celebrates its two month anniversary tonight. It opened at 10:30 p.m. on  March 13th. Since that time we've had over 2500 visitors from: the U.S., Canada, Malaysia, England, Australia, Germany, India, Iran, Russia and Singapore, in that order of frequency.

       New friends, I've met, one of the results of the 124 comments and gratitudes shared by visitors to this inn, not counting the ones I post.  Thanks for the letters I've received from you----you know I enjoy community.

      I've churned out fifty-three blog posts since this place opened up. The furnace to this place has only begun to warm up this inn of encouragement   Ongoing fellowship in this inn, is something I look forward to, as the year progresses.

      Have a great and grateful Saturday,