Affection never was wasted: If it enrich not the heart of another, it's waters, returning back to their spring, like rain, shall fill them full of refreshment. - H.W. Longfellow
Saturday morning did not start well. My MP3 player wouldn't work. I got some sad news about a friend. Then I dropped off slacks for my Mom who has lived in assisted living for the past 10 years. She is not well mentally. It is often disheartening to visit with her. She is very negative and unhappy. By the time I left, I was upset and just wanted to make the half hour trip home as quickly as possible.
In the middle of Bennett St., the car in front of me rolled slowly to a stop. I didn't know why. There were no pedestrians or cars anywhere. I allowed my already surfacing emotions to get the best of me and made a poor choice in my desperation to get home. I crossed the yellow lines and as I passed the car I saw the Mama and 2 baby ducks in the street far from any water. They were making their way across. I felt horrible. Fortunately they were moving in the opposite direction of my car so I surged ahead and got back in my proper lane. The ducks crossed the street safely.
I am very grateful God was watching out for the ducks and for me despite all my drama. . . .
(CLICK ON "READ MORE" FOR REST OF ARTICLE AND MOST CURRENT WORKSHOP. CHECK CALENDAR PAGES FOR ALL OTHER EVENTS.) EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER OF FACE BOOK CLICK ON SANDY SEYLER STUDIO IN FACEBOOK BOX (at right) FOR MORE INFO AND LINK TO AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S RELAY FOR LIFE.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like on of these. - Matthew 6:8
I'll be happy when. . . .
I'll relax when. . . . .
How many times have I uttered those statements, setting the stage for disappointment and let down. I held all sorts of circumstances and conditions over my own head. I allowed my happiness and peace to be governed by outside circumstances. I could not relax and enjoy life until all my conditions were met.
Perfectionism tainted everything I did. I looked for the faults in myself and my work, instead of appreciating the creativity flowing through me. I usually picked myself apart after every class or session. This hindered me from feeling any sense of accomplishment. Each task brought a greater sense of dis-satisfaction. I focused on negative qualities of myself and others. These thought patterns caused me a great deal of unrest I always thought something was wrong or something needed fixing in every moment of the day. Of course, I believed I was responsible for "fixing it". Needless to say, this was a very tiresome state of being. Life was a continuous struggle to get things right or not being or having enough.
Through some soul searching I have adopted a new attitude toward perfection. The vision I had. . . .
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Ithaka by Constantine Peter Cavafy
As you set out in search of Ithaka, pray that your journey be long, full of adventures, full of awakenings Do not fear the monsters of old. You will not meet them in your travels if your thoughts are exalted and remain high, if authentic passions stir your mind, body and spirit. You will not encounter fearful monsters if you do not carry them withing your soul, if your soul does not set them up in front of you. - written in 1911 by Greek poet Cavafy
Ithaka was the beloved island home of legendary Greek hero, Odysseus. After playing a leading role in the Trojan War, Odysseus roamed the world for ten years, having adventures, meeting challenges and learning lessons that profoundly changed him. Today an odyssey means a long often exhausting, exhilarating and/or excruciating trans formative journey.
"The search for authenticity is our own personal odyssey." - from Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach
I have endured my own personal odyssey in the past 6 months. The journey was long. It was full of beautiful moments of discovery. I awakened to the habits and limitations that kept me from my true purpose. My monsters were set up before me so I could slay them. Once I was able to see the old negative and habitual thought patterns and the emotional and physical reactions they created, I could allow them to be cleared. I learned I could change at a level I did not even know was possible. I had previously accepted some of my shortcomings as "just part of my personality." I am staggered by the depth of change
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 Next > End >>
|
| Results 1 - 4 of 12 |