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Saturday, June 29
Wednesday, June 26
Tuesday, June 25
Processionary Caterpillars, Having a Spiritual Awakening............ 6/25/13
Today, I'm meeting with friends. At one time, I did this often. Not so, now.
Life's demands, make it imperative making time that enriches us. This includes setting aside time to invest in ourselves. Mind you, I'm with people all the time. If you are isolating, it may be God wants you connecting with others---pronto.
What a joy it is breathing in life, calmly, delighting in its glorious wonder. This can not happen when we live frantically. Our American sensibilities, often equate busyness with productivity or success.
It isn't true.
Learning from Processionary Caterpillars
Imagine having an empty flower pot.
Now, place seeds that processionary caterpillars love eating, inside. These critters would walk around and around and around---fol-lowing one another.
They would circle the pot, forever, eventually dying from starvation.
The nourishment needed was less than a quarter of an inch away, inside the ceramic container.
It's easy us being like a hairy slug-looking insect. It is common, mistak-ing activity for accomplishment. Effectiveness has to precede effi-ciency.
Doing a task right isn't the issue. Doing the right task, is. People who succeed, have goals. They know their priorities.
Appreciating the little things of life and nature. Allowing time for our spirit to express itself, making nutritious, delicious meals. They are ways of being grounded in the present.
It is taking care of ourselves. It frees us from mental chatter that easily can occu-py our mind and spirit.
Listening to music we love, engaging in intimate, authentic conversations with emotionally friends nurtures us.
Doing what it takes so that we can sleep more than seven hours allows our soul to drink in the sanity and serenity life offers.
Living by helpful principles, exercising boundaries----even when pressured to do otherwise by unpleasant, bullying, demanding people and narcissists, is loving and caring for ourselves.
A Spiritual Awakening
Staying focused. Stepping away from crises that want to embroil us. Obsessing less by going with the flow. Enjoying greater in inner peace.
These are all forms of a spiritual awakening. Being spiritual isn't feeling superior or wearing a halo of self-righteousness. Living fully is seizing the joys the day offers while being practical and responsible, too.
A spiritual awakening involves enjoying the beauty of living in the here and now, not tinctured with bitterness, fear or self-loathing.
It is sharing life with emotionally healthy friends. It is spending time with loved ones and family. Connecting with God and life involves luxuriating in emotional safety, tranquility, order, and ease.
This is bonding of the good kind and having intimacy with others who accept us as we truly are. We can be ourselves.
When the above is our reality, we will have an Attitude of Gratitude.
How About You?
In what ways are you enjoying a Spiritual Awakening?
Sunday, June 23
Saturday, June 22
"Checking In" Time: Highs & Lows, A Serene Cap to a Hectic Week 6/22/13
The Harbor Bay lagoons of Alameda |
It was great hearing from several readers in the previous posting. Thank you. This week has been busy, eventful, challenging, but
Wednesday, June 19
The Source For Personal Growth, And, Being Silent Doesn't Mean We Are Afraid. Boring Isn't Boring. It Means We or Others Are Healthy
Good evening,
My Gratitudes for Tonight:
I spent time connecting with
I just arrived at home after being with friends. When it was over, some of us continued hanging out, heading over to the refurbished Juanita's Mexican restaurant. Hello to Cheryl. She said she was dropping by tonight to check out this cozy place in cyberspace for the first time.
My Gratitudes for Tonight:
I spent time connecting with
Tuesday, June 18
Awareness, Realizing the Problem Lies Beneath our Nose, Revisited 6/18/13
Stinky stuff |
The following I wrote August, two years ago. Let me know your response.
******
How you be? Yesterday was a humdinger of a day, but good. Life has been rich and full this week. I thank God for the learning opportunities He provides.One of His instructions happened this week, in the laboratory of life. I witnessed a person in denial. And nope, that doesn't mean a big river in Egypt. (You are supposed to laugh.)
Being unaware of areas where our character needs to grow is understandable. Denial isn't that. For more clarity on this subject, you can read here. When we are actively in denial we strongly oppose areas requiring change on our part. These areas can involve either our thinking or behavior, perhaps both.
Monday, June 17
Life Doesn't Get Any Better Than Today---Enjoying Abundance 6/17/13
Abundance is not in how much we have, but in how much we enjoy. |
How was your Monday? Mine was busy, but good; the weather was fantastic throughout the day.
I can't say my baseball team, enjoyed today. They arrived from Atlanta at 4:00 a.m. this morning, started a game at 7:15 p.m., losing it at 11:50 pm, just now, in the thirteenth inning, after more than four-and-a-half hours of play.
Normally, I'm
Sunday, June 16
Love, Fun and Connecting With Dear Ones
Good evening,
What a fabulous Fathers Day. The good news is that tomorrow will start out well and end even better. I'm thankful for the love received today. It's amazingly fulfilling, hanging out with loved ones, taking in special time together.
We met with friends this evening, having a blast as we played Pit, a card game. Enthusiastic yelling, laughter, giggling, diving for the last spoon, a roomful of smiles and beaming faces made for an excellent evening.
The weather was amazing. Amazing. It was 75 degrees with a cool breeze. I'm thankful for Theresa. We gathered at her place for fun. Man, is life is a joy, when it's shared with our supportive community.
My Gratitudes for Sunday:
1. Fun was had and I was loved today. That always makes for a great day.
2. Loving time with family. I am always encouraged when I'm valued. That happened today.
3. I'm doing better with budgeting time. I have more ease and serenity, when I allot enough time to get things done.
4. I lost something important for work. I have been gentle towards myself as I process the loss.
5. Tonight, after the evening was over, my friend Stuart and I talked. A rich conversation filled my mind with inspiring possibilities.
How About You?
What are three gratitudes you have for today?
What a fabulous Fathers Day. The good news is that tomorrow will start out well and end even better. I'm thankful for the love received today. It's amazingly fulfilling, hanging out with loved ones, taking in special time together.
We met with friends this evening, having a blast as we played Pit, a card game. Enthusiastic yelling, laughter, giggling, diving for the last spoon, a roomful of smiles and beaming faces made for an excellent evening.
The weather was amazing. Amazing. It was 75 degrees with a cool breeze. I'm thankful for Theresa. We gathered at her place for fun. Man, is life is a joy, when it's shared with our supportive community.
My Gratitudes for Sunday:
1. Fun was had and I was loved today. That always makes for a great day.
2. Loving time with family. I am always encouraged when I'm valued. That happened today.
3. I'm doing better with budgeting time. I have more ease and serenity, when I allot enough time to get things done.
4. I lost something important for work. I have been gentle towards myself as I process the loss.
5. Tonight, after the evening was over, my friend Stuart and I talked. A rich conversation filled my mind with inspiring possibilities.
How About You?
What are three gratitudes you have for today?
Saturday, June 15
Thursday, June 13
Wednesday, June 12
Compassionate Communication, Revisited 6/12/13
Good morning,
I love when you post comments, they contribute to the community we enjoy here. I appreciate them. For many guests, it's time to hear from you. Yes, you.
We'd enjoy hearing your thoughts on what is posted in this inn, even if it's old. I value your insights and It's always good getting to know you.
I leave this entry, written in April of 2011. Compassionate communication is wonderful idea. It reminds me of a reply Gandhi had when asked, "What do you think of Western Civilization?" He said,
I love when you post comments, they contribute to the community we enjoy here. I appreciate them. For many guests, it's time to hear from you. Yes, you.
We'd enjoy hearing your thoughts on what is posted in this inn, even if it's old. I value your insights and It's always good getting to know you.
I leave this entry, written in April of 2011. Compassionate communication is wonderful idea. It reminds me of a reply Gandhi had when asked, "What do you think of Western Civilization?" He said,
Sunday, June 9
A Scene Painted By Nature ...........6/9/13
I'm tired---worn out after seeing three clients. I'm heading for bed after writing this. I worked and cycled today. But, I'm happy. My baseball team, the San Francisco Giants, won today, one-and-a-half games out of first place. They had been struggling.
It was blustery as I cycled home, after work. The sleeves to my windbreaker flapped in the breeze, sounding like a kite as the wind filled my ears with its roar. Gearing down, I pressed headlong into
It was blustery as I cycled home, after work. The sleeves to my windbreaker flapped in the breeze, sounding like a kite as the wind filled my ears with its roar. Gearing down, I pressed headlong into
Saturday, June 8
A Rich Life, Part II
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." Henry David ThoreauGood morning,
I conked out, upon arriving at home tonight. I just woke up. While wiping cobwebs from my mind, I post these gratitudes for Friday:
1. For friendships that heal.
I checked in on a friend today, in the middle of a busy workday. She's recovering from an injury. I love what the word "visit" means in Greek. It means
Wednesday, June 5
Tuesday, June 4
Our Ideal Self Isn't, Revisited. Going Easy On Myself .........6/4/13
"Our past, released by forgiveness and gratitude, frees our present to be all it can be." Tim Blessed
Image: "Field and Country: Spring Shine by Tim Blessed. Copyrighted photo. His caption fits this post well.
|
My Gratitudes for 6/21/11:
1. I'm working out, making exercise a priority. I feel good when I take care of
Saturday, June 1
The Healing Power of Acceptance
How was your day?
Mine was excellent. Can't complain, although I could about my baseball team, the San Francisco Giants. They are in a deep funk. But, it's a long season and the team is only 1.5 games behind first place, in their division.
Fear was confronted today. It grew as the night progressed. My adult self faced the terror-inducing issue, taking action. The outcome wasn't as bad as anticipated. It was hard on my emotions, but now I'm relieved.
About the good part of today. I'm loving what I'm studying. I've been reviewing how we get healing, especially in the troublesome, sensitive areas of our lives. Acceptance is key.
But, its's not the acceptance you probably are imagining. Yes, it's vital, coming to terms with areas needing growth. This is the classical understanding of this acceptance. But, there's another part that is just as essential.
It is acceptance from loving others, those who help us live in redemptive time. Nowadays we call redemptive time recovery. This is living, in the present, with grace and truth. When we are lovingly supported by healthy, nurturing, affirming others. We experience healing.
That happened a week ago today, not only for me, but for everyone who attended my birthday celebration. There was mirth, laughter, smiles. There was also plenty of healing, something we didn't expect at a birthday party, but there it was, a Gift from the Giver.
I wrote more, but my computer acted up and erased what I wrote. I'll try again, tomorrow. I'm tired, I'll see you then.
Mine was excellent. Can't complain, although I could about my baseball team, the San Francisco Giants. They are in a deep funk. But, it's a long season and the team is only 1.5 games behind first place, in their division.
Fear was confronted today. It grew as the night progressed. My adult self faced the terror-inducing issue, taking action. The outcome wasn't as bad as anticipated. It was hard on my emotions, but now I'm relieved.
About the good part of today. I'm loving what I'm studying. I've been reviewing how we get healing, especially in the troublesome, sensitive areas of our lives. Acceptance is key.
But, its's not the acceptance you probably are imagining. Yes, it's vital, coming to terms with areas needing growth. This is the classical understanding of this acceptance. But, there's another part that is just as essential.
It is acceptance from loving others, those who help us live in redemptive time. Nowadays we call redemptive time recovery. This is living, in the present, with grace and truth. When we are lovingly supported by healthy, nurturing, affirming others. We experience healing.
That happened a week ago today, not only for me, but for everyone who attended my birthday celebration. There was mirth, laughter, smiles. There was also plenty of healing, something we didn't expect at a birthday party, but there it was, a Gift from the Giver.
I wrote more, but my computer acted up and erased what I wrote. I'll try again, tomorrow. I'm tired, I'll see you then.