Saturday, March 31

Unexpected Kindness and Enjoying The Dialog We Share

The woman in the story below was maybe ten years older
      Good evening everyone,

It's fun talking with those who write in the comments section.  I enjoy the one-on-one time we share. Thanks for letting me know what's on your mind and sharing your gratitudes.

       As you know, if you sign the registry to this inn by posting, I'll reply. This week, you guys kept me busy.  If  you can't remember where you wrote your comments, check the box on the bottom right corner of this inn.  Click on your posting and you'll see our dialog.
My Gratitudes for Today:
Unexpected Kindness
        First, this morning, I walked in the rain, heading towards Park St. when a young woman spoke to me.  She sort of spooked me, I didn't know she was there. Sandy had observed me walking in front of her. She asked if she could share her umbrella with me.  Of course. What a great way to start the day.
        We strolled several blocks, chatting. When we arrived at my destination, we spoke for a few minutes. Offering me a shared umbrella was a first. I told her so. It was the sweetest thing that would happen this day, I said.
        It was.
        Her number I got before saying good by. We made plans to get together for coffee. Earlier, I arrived home at 1:00 a.m. after taking in two movies Friday night. I wrote replies to comments until 3:45 a.m. this morning. I didn't get to bed until 4:30 a.m., arising at 9:30.  I couldn't sleep, being wired from soda I drank at the theater.
        After saying bye to Sandy, I joined a gathering of friends. It was 10:30 a.m. and the day was already terrific.
         I pushed my body by attending.  But experiencing support and intimacy is inspiring. It strengthens my hope for mankind; my need for inclusion, empathy and consideration are met.
        After the event was over, five of us lunched at Juanita's. Yum, and filling.  So was our conversation, authenticity and talking with others who are present, enjoying life in the moment is awesome.  I'm happy I've been taking care of myself by hanging out with positive people, receiving plenty of love.
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Slowing My Mind Down: Good for Me!
        Secondly, I napped early Friday evening. Later, I saw two first-run movies, free. Not bad. It was great laughing, being in my body.
        So often, I'm in my head.  I laughed plenty while watching the latest Will Ferrell movie, "Casa de Mi Padre." Several parts of the film was corny, deliberately so. That was part of the fun in watching it. Sometimes I need to shut off my mind and enjoy plain silliness.  I did.
        Last gratitude: I had a terrific day at the office on Friday---my work is fulfilling. Someone entered my office agitated and depressed. Before we were done, she felt lighter and was happy. I'm not saying that's always the case, but it was Friday.
So How About You? 
1.  Can you share when someone recently did you an expected favor?
2.  What is it that you enjoy about your friends?
3.  What do you do, to shut down your mind, to give yourself a break from the pressures you feel?
        I always enjoy learning from you. I look forward to hearing your answers.
        I'm off to bed,

Thursday, March 29

Heaven is Now (Also, Experiencing Community: A Terrific Way to Be Nurtured) ..............................3/29/12

 “What if you gave someone a gift, and they neglected to thank you for it-would
 you be likely to give them another? Life is the same way. In order to attract 
more of the blessings that life has to offer, you must truly appreciate what you
 already have.” — Ralph Marston
Spoke Before A Group
       I spoke last night.  For me, talking before others is fun, something I've done for decades. The awareness that's stimulated

Wednesday, March 28

Staying In the Solution: Moving Beyond Being Stuck ..............................3/28/12

What a lot we lost when we stopped writing letters.
 You can't reread a phone call.  ~Liz Carpenter
       Wow, an amazing day. How was yours?
We Don't Need to Stay Stuck
       A letter to a friend, I wrote at five in the morning.  It was intense, but necessary.  I'm less emotionally constipated when I

Tuesday, March 27

God Isn't Limited By My Perspective

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our
 hearts are conscious of our treasures.” — Thornton Wilder
Image: Redwood Regional Park. It's in my neighborhood.
 I love the canopy of green, amazingly majestic!
      Good evening,

Wet weather kept me indoors today, making me antsy. I've gotten the exercise bug and now miss it, when I'm unable to scoot around on my bicycle.  However, we've needed this weather; we didn't get much of it this winter.
     The nearby hills are luminescently green, vibrantly alive, always a pleasure to view. The scrubbing of the metropolitan air with the recent showers and the

Monday, March 26

The Innkeeper Flew, Part II. (A Thanksgiving Story That Is Not Turkey or Cranberry Sauce Related) ..3/26/12


      Good evening everyone,
How was your day? Mine was as it needed to be. Restful. I had a catapulting experience yesterday. The item catapulted moved little today and is recovering.

      This afternoon, going over to the Mexican restaurant, Juanita's, and imbibing tequila medicine helped. Afterwards,

The Innkeeper Flew---I Crashed While Biking. (I and My Hands Are Thankful for Good Samaritans.)


    Good morning everyone,

I just awoke from a lengthy Sunday nap. A cable on my 21 speed bike got caught on my left pedal, seizing it. I went sprawling on the street while biking home from San Leandro.

It was too bad.  I was riding the fastest I had for the whole day--27.4 miles per hour,

Friday, March 23

Slowing Down, Enjoying the Blessings of Friends and Community

          Gratefulness
“For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
         Good evening,
How was Friday for you?
My Gratitudes:
1.  I met with clients today.
      It was encouraging seeing them leave each session healthier, emotionally lighter. The bounded out from the office happier than when they arrived.  Recovery from unhealthy thinking and habits usually requires awareness. We can't improve our lives without first seeing the need.  For more on this subject, please click here.
2. One of my clients was new, it's inspiring seeing the

Thursday, March 22

A Big Part of Being an Adult----Saying No, Gently, Without Fear .....................3/22/12

          Based on yesterday's post, "Relating With the Emotionally Fevered," (Please click here to read it.) I thought I'd bump this up, for those who might have missed what I wrote last October about this subject.  I hope it helps you to enjoy an Attitude of Gratitude.
              The Innkeeper
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“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?”
 William Arthur Ward
Please do so today by posting a gratitude. It will do you good.  (The Innkeeper)
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 A Big Part of Being an Adult
Saying No, Gently, Without Fear
        I love seeing people grow in their awareness. Today, I gave a public talk. I encouraged the listeners to consider their options when in the midst of drama. Avoiding the tendency to automatically accommodate others is important. It frees us from the snare of codependency.  Part of being an adult is

Wednesday, March 21

Relating With the Emotionally Fevered .............3/21/12

 “Whatever our individual troubles and challenges may be, it’s important to pause every now and then to appreciate all that we have, on every level. We need to literally “count our blessings,” give thanks for them, allow ourselves to enjoy them, and relish the experience of prosperity we already have.” — Shakti Gawain 
    Good evening my friends,
How was your day? Mine went well. Just a reminder: the Alphabetical Inndex in the tabs section above works. You might want to take a look. For the longest time the links did not work because I moved to this address. The links have been corrected. Let me know if you encounter any problems. Thanks!
Relating With The Emotionally Fevered
     Last night, I encountered the wrath of someone not in a good mood. I'm glad the behavior of others doesn't determine

My Joy Is Not Stolen, Nor My Serenity, By the Behavior of Others

The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes
 a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.” — Henry Miller 
   Good evening,

How are you?  I was distracted responding to a letter. I got it minutes before midnight from a friend I've known since I was twelve. So, here I am, a few minutes after midnight.

My Gratitudes for Tuesday. 
1. I rode my bike for 12 miles today. It's getting easier to do.
2. I explored the west part of the island while scooting around on my bike. The homes were pretty and the tree-lined streets refreshed my eyes and spirit.
3. I experienced someone's nastiness----his unpleasant personality. I'm glad

Monday, March 19

Great Works Are Performed Not By Strength, But By Perseverance ....3/19/12


       Good evening everyone,
Did you have a good Monday? Today was my day off.
 
      Sunday, on my bicycle, I rode twelve miles----one way, through two-and-a-half towns----to meet with friends. It was cold and windy, but it wasn't raining, so I went for it.

      I walked into the place where my friends met, dressed differently than usual.  Wearing running shoes, ripped jeans, my windbreaker and vest seemed to be more sensible garb for today's adventure. No way would I wear a lycra biking outfit. Forget

Saturday, March 17

The Innkeeper is Stumped

“Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because
 if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be 
happy — because we will always want to have something else or some-
thing  more.” — Brother David Steindl-Rast 
    How is everyone?
My car is out of action. I tried working on it with a friend, Kevin, yesterday. No luck. I've bought several parts in our attempt to repair it, but the car won't budge. I'm convinced the problem is related to

Friday, March 16

Living By the Healthy Priorities, Deeply Enjoying My Life

“Real life isn’t always going to be perfect or go our way, but the recurring acknowledgement 
of what is working in our lives can help us not only to survive but surmount our difficulties.” 
— Sarah Ban Breathnach 
       Good morning,
I know you might think it's late for posting in my blog. I'll bed down in a moment.  
       I did a lot of

Wednesday, March 14

Gratitudes From a Tired Innkeeper


     Good evening everyone,

How are you tonight? Today starts a new year for the inn. I'm a bit tired; I've written plenty lately. Today, a meeting with someone I mentor had a bit of a surprise. More about

Responding to Comments From Others: Bon Mots and Other Thoughts


“You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert
 and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before
 I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, 
boxing, walking,playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.”
 G. K. Chesterton  
     Thanks, Becky, for sharing your story in the comment you posted yesterday in "The Demon of Denial" post. (Readers, you can find it to my right, in the sidebar.) It was honest.  I really like

Tuesday, March 13

Success and Happiness: Going Beyond The Default Mode of Passivity ..............................3/13/12

Such as it was, last year. 
        I'll get to discussing success and happiness in just a minute. First, I want to recognize something special. I'm celebrating life. Rejoicing in births is good for my soul. They make me happy.  I don't let the rational part of me overcome my need for nurturing my feelings or soul. (Our cognitive selves never heal our emotional or mental pain.)
The Birth of This Gratitude Journal
        I am happy.
       This is the very moment when the search lights announced the arrival of this inn to cyberspace. The door to this cozy inn opened at 10:20 p.m., on March 13th of last year. (Does it tell you a little about me, that I posted this to the minute of the birth of this place?)
      So many keys have flowed beneath my fingers since then, 307 posts.  Nearly sixty-six thousand views/hits to this place from visitors from all five continents, 8,700 unique visitors since December, alone. Wow.  More importantly, literally thousands of gratitudes have been proclaimed and are now invested into

Growth or Accomplishment Requires Effort: Life-Long Character Traits Don't Change With Minimal Effort .... ..................3/13/12

In the confrontation between the stream and the rock,
 the stream always wins–not through strength but by 
perseverance.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
     Today is a special day.  It's the one year anniversary of the opening of the inn's doors. The inn was open for busi-ness at 10:30 p.m. on this day, so I'm a little ahead of my-self.

"If someone asks for one character quality that is the cornerstone for success, I would say perseverance.  Being great athletes, par-ents, leaders or achieving anything else---including losing weight, reducing clutter or getting our finances in order---is about a willingness to persist in the face of challenges. We want to use these opportunities as a means to exercise our commitment towards whatever goals we seek.

"Expecting the road to success to be a cakewalk leads to disap-pointment. No one is immune to the obstacles life presents. However, we hold the power to choose what we do with what-ever challenge we face.

"So, how about you?  Do you persist when times are tough?  Do you pause to assess the obstacle? 

"Do you view your situation positively, that what you face is an opportunity that leads to growth and fulfillment? This is where a positive attitude is critical. [Click here, for more about this.] We live in a society of instant gratification. 

"Many of us treat our goals in the same manner. We may expect instant mastery, flawless performances. We may want overnight success.  

"The truth is, our character and potential are determined by how we deal with the obstacles we face.  It is in these moments that we can take it one step at a time, towards the fruition of our dreams. "      Beth Allen
And this:
When nothing seems to help, I look at a stonecut-ter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it.  Yet at the hundred and first blow it may split in two. I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.        Jacob Riis
*************************************************** 
How about you? 
1. What helps you to persevere, when you want to give up on a project, relationship, job or dream?  
2. What do you find as a source of strength, during stressful times? 
3. What quotes or principles spur you on, when you want to give up? 
I'd love hearing your response to this post. 

Monday, March 12

Dealing With An Emotional Bully, Part VI: Turning The Person Over to God's Care, Letting Him Take Care of the Situation .........3/12/13

“Real life isn’t always going to be perfect or go our way, but the recurring 
acknowledgement of what is working in our lives can help us not only
 to survive but surmount our difficulties.” — Sarah Ban Breathnach
    Good evening,
This is my day off from work. Was it needed. I had a good time exercising. Walking for an hour in the morning and this evening, riding my bike for an hour and fifteen minutes (ten miles, I have an odometer), were two fantastic ways of investing in myself. I'm hoping I'll sleep well. I should.
    In between exercising, I rested, studied and spent time with friends.
    It's great seeing God at work in my

Our Vision: Why We Visit This Place

     After my reply to Syd's comment, in my last post, I remembered writing this. I'm bumping it up AND I'm going to make it a separate page featured in this inn. It's good remembering the reason why we visit this place.

Here's the post, originally posted 4/15/11.

*********************************


Welcome
          Can you think of a better way of going through your week than considering your gratitudes? Neither can I.  Know that this place is here to encourage you. Please have a seat. Relax from the pressures of your world. Here you'll find hope, and support for an optimistic, staying-in-the-solution week. 

      Dwelling on life's complications only makes them loom large and more disturbing.  Where's the

Saturday, March 10

Taking Care of Self: Detaching With Love From an Abusive Person

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the
 charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” — Marcel Proust 
     Good evening,
How was your Saturday? Mine was fine. It was busy, relaxing, intoxicating, invigorating, challenging and tiring. Other than that,

The Innkeeper Is Still Growing---Learning New Skills

I've been busy, churning out posts
       Good late evening everyone,
How are you? What a day. Lately I've not been eating much. I just haven't felt hungry. There have been four days this past week when I preferred researching to eating

Friday, March 9

Critical for All Relationships: Building Trust

   Just a quick note:
I thought you'd like the link listed below in blue. It is a video link from an author I like and a psychologist who is excellent: Henry Cloud. It discusses a critical quality needed in any relationship, being it personal

Thursday, March 8

A Source for Sanity: H.A.L.T. 3/8/12


         It is reassuring knowing God cares for us.

         He does, more than we can love ourselves.  It is even better, appreciating this fact on the exper-iential level, not just cognitively.

        We are also fortunate when enjoying the benefits of a supportive network.  They are our Balcony People.  

       We enjoy the richness of life when taking care of ourselves.  Ourselves.  It is easy, thinking of everyone else's needs, neglecting our feelings, what we want.  When we do, it should be no wonder why we are irritated, depressed.

        All negative feelings are the result an unmet need.  This is today's subject.  In the midst of life's demands, it critical making time for ourselves.

      Continually run-ning at 9,000 rpms isn't healthy.

       Part of personal growth is learning to do less during stressful times.  Less than we are capable of achieving.  There will be times when we may not be as efficient as we desire.

       But we'll be more effective.

       Making time to take care of ourselves will give us more bounce to life.  We get through life with more energy, zest.  We are making it more likely that we will thrive.

       We want to make time for personal growth.  One way is having a Quiet Time.  For many, it is best having it early in the morning.  We invest in this time even though the urgencies of life scream for attention, wanting to pull us away from nurturing ourselves. 

       Secluded time for prayer and reflection is investing in ourselves despite the e-mails, text messages and phone calls beseeching for our attention. It is ignoring imperious demands that implore us to scurry on, not making time to strengthen ourselves.

      They insist we ignore our mental and spiritual needs.  But it is more vital, donning the armor of Quiet Time.  It is best doing so in the morning, before the day's battles consumes our thoughts and the emotional fiber of our being.

       Studying, praying, meditating.  They form our Quiet Time.  Reading uplifting material, listening to inspiring music, too.

       Going for a walk at a park keeps us fresh.  They are ways of strengthening ourselves.  These possibilities are better than TV, playing video games, or surfing the internet.

       Turn off your computer.  Invest in yourself.  I'll be here when you return.

       You are back?  I'll continue.

       Conversations with friends.  Doing community service.  These activities are healthy for our mind, emotions and spirit.  The following quote is also helpful to keep in mind during stressful times.
HALTDon't get too hungry, angry, lonely or tired.  I use this reminder to help me set healthy limits for myself, which I never learned as a a child. In the past, I often believed I should be able to go for days without enough food or sleep.   I also tested the limits of my ability to handle enormous doses of stress and isolation without tending to my own emotional or physical needs. 
I've learned a gentler, simpler way of caring for myself.  I find it of great benefit to have a brief list of the most basic areas in which I neglect my own well-being: nourishment, emotional wellness, fellowship, and physical rest.   
First, is my stomach rumbling?   Then I need to stop what I'm doing and eat some food.  Am I too angry about the trivial details of my life?   If so,  I can take a break and punch a pillow or engage in some physical exercise [or process these issues with a trusted, emotionally healthy friend].  Am I lonely?  I could get together with friends or call someone [who accepts me unconditionally]. Finally, am I so tired that I can't keep my eyes open? Then it's time to lie down for a nap or a good night's sleep. 
When I feel stressed, I'll stop to check whether my basic needs are being met. We can watch for the need to HALT and give ourselves special attention when we are feeling  Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.
              We have a liveliness, an excitement for life when we take care of ourselves.  When we do, we enjoy life more.  We will also have an Attitude of Gratitude, along with greater sanity. 

Wednesday, March 7

Regaining Our Dignity: Freedom from Approval Seeking (300th Post)

     Good evening everyone,
Slipping this post under the wire, before this day becomes Thursday, I am.  I've been up since four a.m. this morning.  Yep, I'm tired.

     This afternoon, at a park in Alameda, I met with someone I mentor.  Our time was intensely good.  The subject was "seeking the approval of others."  Isn't it amazing, how easily we revert to our childish selves, if we aren't

Tuesday, March 6

Serenity: Its Source ..............................3/6/12


        The following excerpts quoted below and several of today's thoughts are inspired by, Hope for Today, p. 98. One of the best things that happened to me is getting freed from the tortuous habit of worry. I believe God is managing my life and everything happens for a reason, whether I understand it or not.  
"At any given moment, I am the sum total of all that has gone before, both painful and pleasurable, so everything I've experienced has value." 
          I surrendered my life to God decades ago, as a youth. It was the best decision I made. Doing so changed my thinking. I stopped making God my spiritual bell boy (for more about that, please click here.), telling Him

Monday, March 5

A Wonderful Start For the Week

    Good evening everyone,
How are you? Today was a day off from work. Resting was terrific. The weather was gorgeous. 
My Gratitudes for Monday: 
1. Thank God for restful days where we can take in the beauty that surrounds us and invigorate our souls.
    Investing in myself----being alone, was fantastic. I'm usually with others.  Decompressing from the hectic activities of the previous week was a well-earned break.  I  can be alone, but its been decades since I've been lonely---since I was fourteen. (I believe we are lonely when we cease to be at peace with ourselves.) 
2.   I'm grateful for the richness my life has. Good friends, a beautiful town where I live, a great bike, loving sons and a close relationship with God, He's my friend, He loves me unconditionally and He's patient with me. And I love my job.
    I showed up at a business in another town at 8:00 a.m., this morning I hoped to get my BlueTooth. Over the weekend I left it there. They had it. Ya ay! 
    I celebrated recovering this small devise, that allows me to hear voices and to all appearances, makes me look like I'm talking to myself. I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at a local restaurant, taking notes while studying the subject of trauma, book in over-medium, egg-stained hands. (I didn't need my yellow highlighter, the pages did stick together, however.)
3. I'm thankful for learning as a young man to be grateful for everything, including little things. The BlueTooth I use  is sophisticated and expensive. I'm glad I don't take things for granted. 
4. I studied at a library in another city, San Leandro.
I loved the peace, silence, joy and calmness I felt during time spent among stacks of books. Being there allowed me to stay present and get "centered."
  What I learned will help me in my work with others and my own personal growth----how to deal with the "Bad Parent" voice that often assails us. I also studied how we can thrive while dealing with a controlling person. Good stuff.  I was in a bit of a fog as I studied---I went to bed at 12:30 a.m. this morning and awoke at 5:00 a.m., but I pushed on. 
    A nap called my name when afternoon rolled around. But, first things first. I took care of my body by walking for an hour while visiting with friends on the phone, using the newly recovered BlueTooth.
    Dogs barked, construction workers, out in the front yard, refurbishing an old home looked at me as I circled the block six times, speaking into the air, so it seemed.  At least they did not jump away as I walked by them.  
    Oh my. The weather was amazing. Prototypical absolutely fabulous weather. In the 70's, with NO humidity, a light breeze making the stroll just wonderful. 
5. I'm glad I invested in taking care of my body. Talking on the phone today was a great time to get busy, physically. 
6.  I can't wait to get on my bike tomorrow morning. Pedaling out my frustrations invigorates me and helps me sleep better. I now have a computer attached to my bicycle.
      I look forward to seeing progress as I attack the streets on two wheels. The beautiful weather we have here, in the San Francisco Bay Area and the lovely homes in my neighborhood, as well as riding along the beach, makes for a fantastic time.   
    How about you? What do you do, to invest in your health, both physically and mentally? What are three things that you are grateful for? You can see, I've listed six. 
    I'd love hearing what makes your heart sing and puts a smile upon your lips. 

Saturday, March 3

Questions for Regular Visitors to the Inn

Image: "Cumbria: Langdale Pikes from Loughrigg Fell by
 Tim Blessed, used by permission. Copyrighted photo. 
       I'm bumping this up. On 2/28/12 I asked the following:
Cary, how has the past week been for you? What has been your biggest challenge?
Kelly, how is college treating you? How's Myles?
Lowry, how are you? What's a lesson you've been learning, lately?
Muse, did you do anything special this past weekend?
Phyllis, how are you my friend? Are you still walking three miles a day?
PJ, what do you do when your patience is tried?
Stuart, what have you been learning lately?

Character Discernment, Part IV : Freedom from Narcissists:....... 3/3/12

Money will buy a fine dog, but only love will 
makehim wag his tail Image byTim blessed.
"Countryside:Sunlit Canal Path" Copyrighted 
photo. All rights reserved.  
     My grati-tudes are highlighted in purple.

      I'm thank-ful for my in-tuition. While getting to know some-one, the caution flag of discernment prodded my consciousness.

  In younger years, its voice was ignored. During the past two months, I listened to its advice. I did this while getting to know some-one.   

      I have learned the value of cau-tion and pa-tience.  They spare me from getting involved with emotionally unhealthy people.  I'm quicker at respecting this reptilian part of me, the limbic system.  This is the part of us that senses fear and danger. 

       I did not allow my cognitive self overrule common sense.  My more basic, less rational self has a primal wisdom.  Unfortunately, it is often ignored by our rational self.  In the past, not paying attention to it caused distress. 

    This woman I'll call "Barbara" is a kick.  Looking at difficult circumstances with a sense of humor is my preferred response. It is better than being alarmed or disgusted.  Seeing the lighter side to  challenging moments helps me  detach from my foibles.

         Today, Bar-bara was charming, ingratiating. She praised me in front of mutual friends.  
"Faithful are the wounds [or loving correc-tions] of a friend; but the kisses of the enemy are deceitful."    Prov. 27:6
       Her charm was off-putting.  Authenticity is better.  Her smooth words were an attempt to distract me from something I recently discovered.  She betrayed a confidence I had shared with her, to a friend of mine.  He told me. 

       I am wary of honeyed speech.  Barbara spoke this way at a gathering we both at-tended.  The way she spoke extended my antennae of caution.  My skin crawled.   Ex-pressing herself this way was  like fingernails screeching on a chalkboard. Yeech. 
       
    Yet, I was happy hear-ing the screech.  It revealed I was matur-ing.  I was present, not misled.  Discernment helped me focus on her character, not seduced by her wiles. 

       It's terrific saying how I want to be treated.  It means I know my worth as a person.

        It is empowering, taking responsibili-ty for my thoughts,  words, emotions and actions.  Former but-tons no longer trigger me.  I now stay in my power.  I maintain in-tegrity with my values.

       Sometimes I feel I'm critical.  That I am being too cautious when keeping distance with Barbara-like people.  In reality, I'm getting characterologically strong-er. 

      No longer accepting narcissists or unac-ceptable behavior provides the serenity I need to thrive.  My emotional safety is more secure.  I need mutuality and reciprocity when con-necting with others.  My needs and feelings need to be  considered, too.  

      This is what it is to live with recovery.  We become internally referented. 

     I have much to be grateful for.  It is the re-sult of working on my personal growth.  Long standing unhealthy family and generational legacies are being replaced. 

      I now enjoy healthier relationships, ones that don't exploit me.

Friday, March 2

Celebrating Life: What Freedom Really Means ..................................3/2/12

Love is NOT blind; it has an extra spiritual eye which sees the good and 
possibilities that others cannot see. Image "Countryside: Canal Walk" by 
Tim Blessed, all rights reserved, copyrighted photo, used by permission. 
My Gratitudes
1. I'm thankful for health. Last year, at this time, I had pneumonia. Today, I enjoyed the weather and exercised. I appreciate

Enjoying A Bit of This Wonderful World: Sharing the Moment With a Friend

An Alameda Street
     What a lovely Friday.  The weather in the 70's. A crisp, clear sky. Bay and lagoon waters shimmered on the southern end of streets

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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