I Prefer Joy to Happiness ...............................10/28/12

“Without pain, how could we know joy?' This is an old argument in the field of thinking about suffering and its stupidity and lack of sophistication could be plumbed for centuries but suffice it to say that the existence of broccoli does not, in any way, affect the taste of chocolate.” ― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

We Are Responsible for Our Feelings
 Happiness is Oversold

       I'm thankful for God's provision and his deep, committed love for me. Apart from Him, I can do nothing.  Because of my relationship with Him I have confidence in tomorrow and joy for each day.  
       Joy is way different from happiness. Happiness, for many, is

Taking Care of Self, Having Fun

       Just a  moment ago, I wrote about communicating our needs, rather than being passive or indirect about them. Being friendly, if we want a friendship with another person, was also covered in the previous post.

My Gratitudes for Saturday

1. My baseball team has won the first three games of a best of seven contest, the World Series.  It's always fun

He Who Has Friends Must Show Himself Friendly 10/27/12

         How was your Saturday?  I rested, gearing up for gathering with friends and watching the evening game of the World Series. It  pitted the San Francisco Giants, my baseball team, against the Detroit Tigers.  I can't complain about the results---they won.  My team is awesome.

         I relate with someone who is emotionally scarred.  I'll call him Bob.  As a kid, his mother constantly created drama and topped that off by yelling at him, frequently.  Unfortunately, his hearing isn't the best, the result of

End of the Week Inventory: High and Low Points for This Week: Please Share Yours

Image: "Autumn Bouquet" by Tim Blessed.
Copyrighted photo, used by permission

       My leg is ready for Halloween. Now, if only the rest of me was.  It's been gruesome
looking---infected, with a long open wound from above my ankle to my knee.   I've taken steps to eliminate this

Doing What Needs To Be Done, Budgeting Time

We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege
and our adventure to discover our own special light. ~Mary Dunbar

    Good evening everyone,

How was your day? One good result after another has been

Can't Beat Days Like Today ...... 10/24/12

       Good evening,

I just got in. Tuesday was good, ethnically different, challenging, challenging (deliberate repetition), irritating, encouraging, full of intimacy and wonderful. 

       Other than that, not too much to say about the day. :->

Kisses From God: Unexpected Pleasant Surprises 10/22/12

      I had a great second session with a new client.  It's heartening seeing her progress, in such a short time.  Accep-tance is the first step towards healing.

Futility: Worshipping the Mind, But a Great Day Was Had, Nonetheless ........................10/21/12

       Today, I rested, celebrated and had fun.

       Yesterday was something else. I went to bed at 2:00 a.m., Saturday morning, awoke at 5:30 a.m. and spoke

Making My Life Count While Standing On One Leg

     Good evening,

How did your day go?  I visited a doctor. It was an interesting experience. It's been years since I waited in a doctor's office, because I was ill.

       An infected leg, I have.  I'm getting

Parading the Elephant: Expressing What Troubles Us, Revisited.

      I'm bumping up this post. I found it one of the musty boxes left in the attic of this inn.  It was written last year in May.  I'd love hearing your response.

What did the grape say when the elephant stepped on it? (Answer below)

       It's been a tough week. I didn't think it would be, but