Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts

Friday, December 14

Breaking With An Innish Tradition, Rightfully So .....12/14/12



"The great men and women of history are remembered not because they never failed, but because they didn't let their failures stop them." 
      
   
        Hello everyone,

I'm breaking with an innish tradition.  For only the second time----in five-hundred and sixty-four posts----am I not saying "good

Saturday, December 1

Loving My Work and How I Go About It. Also, Power Through Prayer

       Good evening everyone,

This week was amazing, thrilling, offering more drama than I'd care having.  Nonetheless, it was also terrific, causing my character to grow.  I've missed hanging out with you guys.

       I'm seeing new clients.  Eight this week, four more in the new week starting in a few minutes.  Today, I received two calls from two new people wanting my help.

A Possibility To Know Me Better
(At least a video tape of me.)

      Changing subjects,  I haven't heard from any other readers, besides Keith, who want to see the fifteen minute video clip of a talk I gave two weeks ago.  If there is enough interest, I'll embed it in this inn.  You'd get a better idea of my personality and you'd hear me (not to mention getting a sense of my humor).

       Yesterday, I worked with my intern.  I learned more about her in the process.  I'm thankful for her help.  Today, I saw five clients and will visit with another tomorrow.

       Tomorrow, I'll sneak in watching my football team----the San Francisco 49ers.  For those not in the know, there's been a bit of a tempest about the quarterback.  It looks like Coach Harbaugh has gone with \the newer QB.  He prefers Colin Kaepernick, who appears to have more abilities than Alex Smith, who has been quarterbacking the team since 2005.

       It will be nice watching the game, engaging in something fun, not intense.

My Gratitudes for Saturday: 

1.  I love my work.  It's my ministry.  Yes, it cab wear me out.  But, I enjoy making my life count.
2.  Work allows me to weave many parts of me.  I use my research, education, past experiences, my ability to hear, communicate and synthesize.  My spirituality is also critical in what I do.

     I find clinicians are often in denial.  Most have not done recovery work---so what they share is from the neck up.  Often they present themselves as not having vulnerabilities.  To show otherwise makes them fear that they will not have authority to help others.  I totally, totally disagree.  Did I say totally?

     That's a subject for another day.  I find most therapists are paid co-dependents, which is sad.  Often they say what the client wants to hear.  They do not challenge those they serve.

     With my clients, they have tasks to do between sessions.  I insist that they are in touch with their feelings.  "I feel that........" statements are of declarations of thought, not feeling.  It's critical for us to be in touch with what is alive within us.
3.  I rode my bike in-between rain storms.  I love releasing tension from my body.
4. I met with a prospective client, during lunch.  Our conversation was fabulous.  He was abused as a child.  We had a wonderful rapport. I appreciated how much work he's done to overcome his past.
5. Two people called me, asking for my services today.
6.  I'm getting increasing clarity about my work.  It feels good.  I've had to rearrange what I normally do on week nights, to fit in the surge of work I've had.

Power Through Prayer
        Last night, I visited with a friend.  We talked, checked out sailboats and prayed.  I learned more about him.  When the evening was over, he gave me a ride home----it was raining, I did not have my bike.  Before I got out of his car, he said he liked the time shared in prayer.

        Prayer is a central part of me.  Without it, I couldn't live.  We are as strong spiritually as we are in our prayer.  I asked my friend if we could pray, before we did.  That's not something a person usually requests from an associate.

7.  I took care of a commitment today.  It's a relief having it off of my mind.  I have two more next week.  Only with God's help, will I succeed.
8. It's  storming outside. A good book, a warm room and time nurturing my inner self is always good during such times.  And so it has been.

How About You? 
What was you low and high points for this past week?  Please share, I love it, when you do!

Monday, May 16

Emerging from Confusion:The value of walking a spiritural path. Gaining an encouraging perspective during trying times 5/11/11


      Hey, can you tell me what you are thankful for? What are things that make your heart sing with praise?  Hearing your encouraging words uplifts my spirit.  

     Going through a good time, addressing important priorities, getting them resolved, is heartening. Such has been the recent case for me.  There was a period, a week and a half, earlier, where I faced plenty of uncertainties

Tuesday, April 19

Courage: Speaking Truth with Kindness & Courtesy (also, Seeking God's Will Amidst the Clutter of Life's Demands.) .....4/19/11

Thank God for beautiful flowers!
       My gratitudes for today, while it is yet Tuesday:

1. Someone strayed from general principles that are foundational for Al-Anon Family Groups.  Unfortunately, her influence disrupted the unity among members. I spoke with her privately this evening, after a meeting we attended.  When I finished, she wrinkled her nose and said, "Thank you."

      It was clear she was annoyed.  That's okay.  I'm glad I spoke calmly and courteously.  How she chooses to respond is up to her.  I spoke from my perspective, how I felt about her actions.

     I mentioned the need for unity, harmony and fellowship.  After I shared my concerns, I let it go.   Her response was not my focus. Time will tell.  The results are in God's hands.  I "Let Go and Let God."

     I'm thankful for the courage I exercised this evening, this person has an aggressive personality.

3. Cooperation is always great.  Healthy, considerate communication invigorates my soul.  I'm glad I spoke my truth with this woman after the meeting. It's important for me to understand others and to be understood.

4. Early this morning, before the day got started, I listed my priorities.

        I did so, prayerfully.  I submitted these tasks before God, asking for His guidance.  It's a great,  getting many tasks accomplished.

       What was more satisfying, was operating from a perspective seeking His Will.  What I did today was not a result of hustling, making things happen, in my own strength alone.
"The mind of man plans his ways but the Lord directs his (man's) steps."   Prov. 16:9
"Commit your ways to the Lord and your plans shall be established."    Prov. 16:3
Time With Family
       I'm meeting with my oldest son tomorrow, for lunch.  It's overdue.   Nothing is greater than investing in family.  I pray God blesses our time.

       My son is a gift from God----a considerate young man.  He's working hard, finishing his degree at a nearby university.  I'm convinced the best thing I can do for my sons is to let them know how proud I am of them, love them and be available, if they need me.

5.  I appreciate the time my son and I will have to connect

6.  One of my best friends I'll see this Thursday.

     I was his best man when he got married and he was mine, when I got married. We've known each other since the 7th grade. We went through school and sports together.  Meeting with him allows me to enjoy mutuality, terrific conversation, deep love for each other, stability, and the support that only an old friend provides.

     Thank you, everyone, for dropping by.  May I ask you to share your gratitudes?  I know many of you are still getting used to this place which is essentially a gratitude journal for Blogger's cyber community.  Don't you think now would be a good time to exercise your gratitude muscles?  I hope and believe so.
     

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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