The Innkeeper Was Thrown for a Loop. Do You Have Any Suggestions?

      Good evening one and all,

I hope your day filled your heart with gratitudes. The weather was overcast, but that's nothing compared to what many on the East Coast are enduring. Those touched by Hurricane Sandy have my prayers and of many who visit this inn.

       It's great seeing many posting comments. Thank you!

       I will take chances with tomorrow's weather and head over to San Francisco.  I'll leave early.  My guess is that hundreds of thousands will join me in cheering the Giants baseball players as they enjoy a victory parade in the City by the Bay.
 
       I met with friends this evening and was thrown for a loop.  I'm still processing what happened. Someone made a request that blew my mind.

      She wasn't inappropriate, but her request was confusing and strange.  That's where my Balcony People come in. I'll check in with them and get their perspective.  I'm very glad that I have other who help me understand life.

      I had a busy day, seeing several clients. It's important I exercise: it helps me cope with the demands  my work places on me, emotionally. Today's sessions were positive and productive. But, my introspective nature needs recharging after I put out a lot of personal energy, actively listening and dialoging with those I see.

My Gratitudes for Today:
1.  I had an awkward conversation with the person who made a request.
       I stepped back and ended our talk when it became uncomfortable.  Part of my problem is that this person struggles with anger.  I find it best to stay away from others who are emotionally toxic.
       I'm thankful that I did what was necessary for me to have emotional safety.  I'm also grateful for character discernment.
2.  One of today's clients was new, her first session with me. Our time was rich, we worked through several significant issues in our limited time.  It's an honor seeing a person grow, right before my eyes.
3.  I had a good conversation with a friend. I was touched by her encouraging feedback.
     It's funny though, how the unpleasant conversation that I had with the angry person created an unpleasant space within me. That usually doesn't happen. I think I was more vulnerable because of the intense day at work and I'm exhausted.
     I'm glad I know about being in HALT.   You can read more about this subject here.
4. I rode my bike today. Putting in a lot of hours at work has reduced my chances at cycling. I'm glad I made time today.  It helps me discharge stress.
How About You? 
What do you do when you are in an unpleasant conversation? I have my ways of handling them, but I would appreciate any suggestions you have. I can always grow and approve. 

Re-Visioning

       Thank you for dropping by. How are you? I'm still decompressing from the Giants' victory yesterday. I even took a nap this evening.

       I'm about to ride my bicycle. Hearing the waves slapping the shores of the island town where I live, the roar of the wind in my ears and seeing the moon casting its beam upon the dancing bay waters as I cycle is a wonderful moment---I feel connected with the world around me. 

       Yes, I have a headlight and tail light for my bike. In this town, you get a ticket if you don't, and ride at night. That's a good thing.

My Gratitudes for Tonight: 
1. I am rested. I've been on the go, too much so. Having a tranquil home and resting this evening was a terrific way to invest in my welfare.
2. I look forward to a good night's sleep. It usually happens when I cycle.  I think more clearly, when my mind is rested.
3. I'm enlarging my vision.  "Without a vision the people perish."  I've been reviewing my professional, personal, relational, physical, spiritual and financial goals. As the ancient Greeks said:

   "If you aim at nothing, that's exactly what you get."

4. I appreciate the more than two hundred people who dropped by today. Thank you. This inn is here to encourage you and is a place for you to exercise your gratitude muscles.
5. I'm thankful for those of you who drop by and enhance the community we share here, with your comments. I like it when there's reciprocity and mutuality.
6. Tomorrow, I meet with a new client. That's always a good time. I love my vocation. It allows me to use many different parts of me. Best of all, I appreciate making life better for others.
7. I have a busy schedule Tuesday. Knowing my priorities keeps me focused and provides clarity for the day.
How About You? 
1. What are your three gratitudes for today?
2. What is your vision for your life? Where do you want to be in five years?
   
                                   I'd love hearing your answers.

Grateful for Victory, Celebrating Life 10/28/12

         For those of you who don't live in the United States, please bear with me.  I know my enthusiasm for baseball may not resonate with you.  However, if you look at the bigger picture, the lesson this team offers, perhaps you can relate with that. More about that in a second.

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.