Visit With a Feline Ghost 2/7/14

     Good evening, all.  Are you enjoying life?  I am.  My week was full, and good.  Today, a visit with someone dear, and yesterday, with someone new, made for a wonderful seven days.  I'm working on a poem.  Yes, again; my third since November.  Before then, I hadn't written one in

Joy, In Spite of Exhaustion 2/5/14

    Last night I hoped to catch up on sleep, bedding down early.  Such was not my fate.  At 4:00 a.m. there was a fire twenty feet from my place. Oh brother. More drama than my weary body needed.  Five loudly idling firetrucks and thirty-plus firemen and female firemen kept

Friends vs. Acquaintances 2/4/14

This is Fremont, California, where I lived as a child.

       I'm thankful for friends.  In today's culture, the word "friend" is used frequently.  In most cases those listed as such are acquaintances, really.  I prefer in-the-flesh friends to cyber ones.  A digital smile from an internet friend doesn't compare to the warmth conveyed by a friend sitting next to me. 

             A friend is someone who is available, when we're

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

Patience: The Forgotten Virtue of Urban Society. Recapping the Past Week: Highs and Lows 2/1/14

       Yes, it's that time.  At the end of the week I ask guests of The Attitude of Gratitude Inn to share their high and low points, the best and not so good, that happened

Practicing Patience and Grace, Seeing the Fruit of Staying Present, Not Catastrophizing ..................1/31/14

       Good evening.  My eyes are drooping.  I'm tired.  The week has been crazy.  In spite of these complaints, I'm thrilled.  Beyond thrilled.

       There are so many stories to recount........all of them are

Checking In 1/29/14

   Good evening, my friends.  My life just gets better and better.  Yes, it is possible.

I'll elaborate more, when I'm not tired.  I'm hitting the hay and will

Being Gentle and Assertive at the Same Time 1/28/14

   

The past few days, I've been relentless, posting gratitudes, despite demands insisting I do otherwise. Being positive can be developed, I'm living proof of that. Right now, I'm using toothpicks to keep my eyes open.  Not really, but it feels that way, bone weary, I am.

    Today was different than most.  I worked a split shift.  Time with one client took two hours.  So, what was good about today? How about this:

Gentleness Towards Self
1.  I bought gloves and lost them within an hour.  I need them when I cycle early in the morning and late at night. What's good about that?  Plenty.  I was gentle towards myself.  Life happens.  What I do or don't do is no indication of my worth.

Assertiveness, Using Boundaries
2.  I lunched with a prospective client.  A client referred me his brother to see me.  He was with us, as I visited with his younger brother. His sibling tried dominating the conversation.  I simply told him he had talked at length and I now I needed to speak.   If I hadn't I'd be sitting in that booth, sleeping at this moment, as he droned on.
3.  My life is moving forward.  I am happy with how this year is working out.  The best year in my life has been, and will be, 2014.
4.  Yesterday was my most successful day, ever.  I thank God for his guidance and support, as I serve others.

How About You? 
What three circumstances has created joy in your life?

I'm going to bed. I'm tired. I'll revise this post tomorrow. 

Overjoyed and Transcending Hurt 1/27/14

       Good evening.  How you be?  Thank you, for dropping by.  I was busy today, but I thrived.  Can I encourage some of you, who haven't posted comments, to do so?  It contributes towards the community shared here.  I'll thank you in advance.

My Gratitudes for Monday:

Overjoyed: 
      I had a delicious conversation early this morning, as in, from midnight until 2:45 a.m.  I was nurtured.  Connection, communication, love, openness and

Highs and Lows for The Past Week 1/26/14

      It's that time again. On weekends I ask if we can share the highs and lows from the previous week. Here are mine:

Highs: 
1.  I pushed my way through an emotionally