Captured Memory #55

Today's Reminder

 We learn to do something by doing it. There is no other way.

–John Holt

“I’m an armchair adventurer,” I’ve heard more than one person say. This means that they never actually go out and do anything. They let others take all the risk. Through books, they’ve climbed Mount Everest, sailed around the world, hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, and snowshoed to the South Pole. They were even able to tell me all about how to fly a plane before my first lesson.

It’s one thing to spend our time reading books or listening to lectures about how to do this or that– how to have a successful relationship, how to build a business, how to live life more fully, whatever comes after how to. The trick is to finally put the books down, walk away from the lecture, and do it. Getting information, support, and encouragement is helpful. Necessary,too. But life was meant to be lived, not studied. The only way that you’ll have a successful career, relationship, or hobby is to go out and get one for yourself.

Daily Reminder

Let go of your plans

Letting go can feel so unnatural. We work hard for a promotion, a relationship, a new car, a vacation. Then the universe has the gall to come along and mess up our plans. How dare it! And so, rather than opening ourselves to the experiences that await us, we hold on to the plans that we made for ourselves. Or we hold on to bitterness about our plans going awry.

Sometimes losing our dreams and plans for our future can hurt as much as losing a tangible thing. Sometimes accepting and releasing our broken dreams is part of accepting a loss.

Let go of your expectations. The universe will do what it will. Sometimes your dreams will come true. Sometimes they won’t. Sometimes when you let go of a broken dream, another one gently takes its place.

Be aware of what is, not what you would like to be, taking place.

Let go of your expectations and accept the gifts that you are given each day, knowing that there is beauty and wonder in each act of life.

Daily Thought

"Our true enemies, as well as our true sources of strength, lie within.”
–Willaru Huayta, QUECHUA NATION, PERU

A long time ago, the Creator put inside the human being the secrets to the laws of life. We usually know this is true even though we may not know what these laws are. If something goes wrong with our lives, we usually fix the blame on something outside of ourselves. We tend to give up accountability. One way or another we say, “It’s not my fault.” We need to realize that all permanent and lasting change starts on the inside and works its way out. If it’s meant to be, it is up to me.

Captured Memory #54

TFTD

It's easy to be negative about past mistakes and unhappiness. But it is much more healing to look at ourselves and our past in the light of experience, acceptance, and growth. Our past is a series of lessons that advance us to higher levels of living and loving.

The relationships we entered, stayed in, or ended taught us necessary lessons. Some of us have emerged from the most painful circumstances with strong insights about who we are and what we want.

Our mistakes? Necessary. Our frustrations, failures, and sometimes-stumbling attempts at growth and progress? Necessary too.

Each step of the way, we learned. We went through exactly the experiences we needed to, to become who we are today. Each step of the way, we progressed.

Is our past a mistake? No. The only mistake we can make is mistaking that for the truth.

Captured Memory #53

Breathe...

When it all gets overwhelming....

Breathe, Mel.
Go to that place of peace.

Yesterday's diagnosis should have been no surprise.
The bone density test came back with a 'T-score' that made osteoporosis official.
I have choices about my treatments.
But they don't have to be made today.

I won't be doing toe-touches.
And I'm stocked up on the right kind of calcium tablets.
We can talk lifestyle changes and dietary changes another day.
Odd ... lt's not my brain that's revolting from it all.....it's my body.
Tonight, after a cluster**** concerning my primary pain medications which I resolved by circumventing the insurance companies, after all that other STUFF....I just need PEACE.

I need to breathe and just go to that peaceful place so I can heal from all the drama.
Too much drama...



Ohhh yes.......how could I forget!!

   |
   |
  V

When the world doesn't measure up to our expectations, it's often our expectations that need adjusting, not the world. 



Tyvm fairies....  :-/

Daily Reading

There are days when some of us wallow in self-pity. It's easy to do. We may have expectations about how our lives should be, expectations that aren't always met. Maybe we've tried unsuccessfully to control someone, or we think our circumstances should be different. Perhaps we've compared ourselves with others and found ourselves lacking. The more we try to make our life conform to our expectations, the more uncomfortable we feel. Self-pity can arise from living in our expectations instead of in the world as it actually is.

When the world doesn't measure up to our expectations, it's often our expectations that need adjusting, not the world. We can start by comparing our lives today with the way they used to be, developing gratitude for our growth. We can extend this exercise in gratitude by counting the good things in our lives, becoming thankful that the world does not conform to our expectations but exceeds them. And

by further cultivating gratitude and acceptance, what we can expect in the future is more growth, more happiness, and more peace of mind

Winter Wonderful

Daily Reading

Many of us have felt so insecure, so poor, or so much the underdog that we made a fervent promise to ourselves that we'd come out on top later. We know how weak we felt, and that image continues to be our guiding force long after the weakness was overcome. We may have spiritual problems because we are blind to the reality of our present life. While grasping for more security, more love, more money, or trying to lose more weight or attract more friends, we fail to stop and realize the real rewards we already have today. We are driven by the memory of pain and insecurity, rather than rising above it and relating to the higher principles and people around us. Getting more control or more achievements does not solve our spiritual problems, but by making peace with the fact that life is insecure does.

Captured Memory #52

Ramblings

This is more than a bit nuts....this is insane.

Two freaking shots in the wrist which, come to think of it, IS better....

A trip to a new pain specialist who had no idea why I was there cuz it was just a clustered mess so he sent me home with a script for narcotics....wasn't that kind.

A trip to my normal pain doc who got called away to translate in the ER so I saw yet another different doc who is releasing me back to my primary care physician cuz I'm improved and stable on my current medications which is why she discontinued an 'as needed' pain medication ... oh, and of course I didn't need it cuz I rarely used it (or refilled it) and didn't I tell her I JUST got a script from another physician for narcotics...(insert a blank stare!).  I'll be getting a visit from the DEA some time next week, I'm sure.

AND tomorrow I go for a bone density scan, though I'm not sure why cuz my ortho surgeon told me I had osteopenia cuz the bazillion xrays they took of my leg said so.....but it'll be good fun to expose myself to more radiation just for kicks.

I'd toss something in the air and walk off, but alas, all I have is the notebook.....and the sound of that flying into the air wouldn't even come close to the sound of fluttering papers.

Oh....and it's cold.

And it's too late to have a cuppa hot cocoa with marshmallows.

But it's NOT too late to have a marshmallow or two.
OR three....

Fairy Diddy

Rivalry is not good for us. It leads us to forget our own unique qualities. We each are the best person in the world at one thing: being ourselves. When we compete, we need to retain a balanced perspective and to think well of ourselves whether we win or lose. We run the best race we can; therefore, let us not regard others as rivals. They are our sisters and brothers, and they, too, are doing the best they can.

Inflation

"Der tuth fare

I wud like 10 dolers"

Five year olds know how to work it.  LOL

TFTD

Why do you feel guilty when you're doing what you've been led to do?

That nagging, gnawing feeling of guilt is leftovers– leftovers from another period when we didn't love ourselves. It's left over from another time when we didn't trust ourselves. Left over from another place when we didn't know life could be fun, easy, natural, and joy could be ours.

Feeling guilty and anxious about that new thing you're doing, that new place you're going, that new adventure you're on is part of your resistance to the lesson. Part of your shying back from the idea that you can truly, absolutely, and fundamentally love yourself and enjoy all parts of your life.

Soon you will see that you've been led to the very place you're at right now. The very thing you are feeling guilty and anxious about is the very thing you've been led to do to take you on your next adventure.

Life is abundant. We can bask in self-love and the healing resources around us. Our movements, our activities, our days and hours and nights can flow easily. Naturally. And we can do the things we're led to do without feeling guilty.

TFTD

Relax. Savor this moment,too. Stop trying to fill it up. You're in the void, that magical place from which all creation arises. Breathe the air, look at the flowers, feel the sun. Or build a fire to keep you warm. There's no need to be frightened of this place; there's nothing you need to do. Keep walking your path, and the creative way will become clear to you soon.

Captured Memory #51

Snowing and blowing

If I were a snow drift, I 'd wanna be across someone's driveway.

Granted, I'd have a bit of a struggle cuz people would wanna move me.....But I'd endeavor to try to recreate myself.

I'd let the wind take me where it would to shape me into something it had in mind...
I'd be stretched and broadened--clean and brilliant in the gray or sun.  I'd show myself as a part of the universe, unabashedly revealing my purpose and beauty.  I'd be an example of a great plan being fulfilled.

(And maybe a teensy bit of me would wanna be annoying cuz I'm kinda like that but STILL---)  I'd wanna persevere to be THE best snowdrift I could be in the circumstances I was given.
Nothing gianormous, I'd wanna be just one of many difts.
But in the lives of those I touched, their driveway or not, I'd be BIG and IMPRESSIVE, if even for that moment.
I'd be the kinda drift people take note of.
The ordinary drift that still makes people say "Whoa.....now THAT is a snowdrift.."


Right....
Me.
Snow angel!!

And I'll celebrate the existence of the (now) 3' drift across the drive that the snow blower will move to a new location.


Now THAT is a snowdrift.

:-)

Daily Reminder

Many of us are skilled at denying and discounting what hurts us. We may endure a particular situation, telling ourselves repeatedly it’s not that bad; we shouldn’t be so demanding; it’ll change any day; we should be able to live with it; it doesn’t annoy us; the other person didn’t really mean it; it doesn’t hurt; maybe it’s just us.

We may fight and argue with ourselves about the reality and validity of our pain – our right to feel it and do something about it.

Often we will tolerate too much or so much that we become furious and refuse to tolerate any more.

We can learn to develop healthy tolerance.

We do that by setting healthy boundaries and trusting ourselves to own our power with people. We can lessen our pain and suffering by validating and paying attention to ourselves. We can work at shortening the time between identifying a need to set a boundary, and taking clear, direct action.

We aren’t crazy. Some behaviors really do bug us. Some behaviors really are inappropriate, annoying, hurtful, or abusive.

We don’t have to feel guilty about taking care of ourselves once we identify a boundary that needs to be set. Look at the experience as an experiment in owning our power, in establishing new, healthy boundaries and limits for ourselves.

We don’t have to feel guilty or apologize or explain ourselves after we’ve set a boundary. We can learn to accept the awkwardness and discomfort of setting boundaries with people. We can establish our rights to have these limits. We can give the other person room to have and explore his or her feelings; we can give ourselves room to have our feelings – as we struggle to own our power and create good, working relationships.

Once we can trust our ability to take care of ourselves, we will develop healthy reasonable tolerance of others.