Have you ever found yourself just going through the motions?
Life is a nonstop parade of minutes, hours and days — a steady string of magical moments that we can choose to use as we see fit. And the manner in which we use or abuse these irreplaceable moments shapes the lives we get to enjoy.
— Unknown
If you’re a regular reader of this blog then you know that in my 2009 year-end post, Objects in the Rearview Mirror, I greeted the New Year with this declaration of independence:
I’m hoping that, like a Hoberman Sphere, I can expand my heart to embrace the adventure that lies before me… I’m puttin’ on my dancing shoes – so, 2010, cha cha cha!
And shortly thereafter, in an effort to supplement my not-so-daily walks, I joined a twice-a-week Zumba® exercise class. (Golly gee, do ya’ think there was some subconscious doings going on in there??) For those of you who haven’t been to a Zumba class, it’s dance-aerobics done to pulsating latin music. It’s fun, challenging and invigorating. Usually.
But the other day I was simply going through the motions in class, with little or no energy and certainly no joy. My action and energy reflected a lackluster attitude of mental and psychic fatigue; I was tired. I was distracted and discouraged. I was unwittingly succumbing to overwhelm. You’ve been there – to overwhelm – haven’t you? It’s when your life circumstances demand: More, more, more! And your brain (and body and soul) cry: Enough already!
Then I had a flash of great genius (Smirk): Continue reading » Make It Count
Which of your “imperfections” will you celebrate? How would doing so change how you live?
Appreciate this and every moment no matter how imperfect, for this moment is your life. When you reject this moment you reject your life. You don’t have to settle for this moment, you are free to steer a different course, but for now, this moment is yours, so be mindful to make the most of it.
— Taro Gold
In my last post I wrote “I can do better.” Yet today I’m recommending that we make peace with imperfection. Am I spewing oxymorons? Spinning an evil plot? Spawning a diametrically opposed battle of wills? Naw. I believe both ideas can live in harmony. And, no surprise, the Japanese have a name for that harmony – they call it Wabi Sabi.
Wabi sabi is a term that describes the beauty to be found in imperfection. It originates in Japan, where artists will often leave subtle fractures in the glaze of a vase or a rough surface on a bowl as a reminder of the wabi-sabi nature of life. Wabi sabi recognizes that all of life is in a constant state of change and that decay is as much a part of life as growth.
— Lori Erickson
Better Isn’t Perfect
Better, perhaps even “best” doesn’t necessarily make perfect. I hark back to the university instructor who Continue reading » Wabi Sabi – Making Peace with Imperfection
How about you, can you do better? Do you want to?
I like the sound of “we can do better”. It gives me courage. I want to make it my own as in: “I can do better…” I’ve been thinking about this for a while now. You see, a few weeks ago our church bulletin published these questions:
These questions got me to thinking about several important things that I expected to have “done” by now. And to asking myself: When will they be done? How will I get them done?
At the same time those bulletin questions were published, the story of Billy and Fireman Bob resurfaced… which gave me more food for thought.
Billy and Fireman Bob
Continue reading » We Can Do Better…
Of all the traps and pitfalls in life, self-disesteem is the deadliest, and the hardest to overcome, for it is a pit designed and dug by our own hands, summed up in the phrase, “It’s no use – I can’t do it.”
— Maxwell Maltz
Lately, my friends have been facing some major challenges. One of my friends is struggling with a breakup – which she initiated. She’s now considering getting back together with the guy because she’s lonely – and her biological clock is ticking.
Another friend has both of her grown sons living with her. The older one just lost his job – AGAIN(!!!) – and the younger hasn’t worked in many, many months. She’s heading towards retirement age but still has a house full of kids that she’s supporting.
Both of these people are Continue reading » Get Out of That Pit
Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.”
— Mary Anne Radmacher
Recently Ellie and I were talking about resilience and bouncing back and many of the issues that we try to address in this blog. As we talked, it became clear to me that our emotional set points are very different. Even in her sadness, Ellie seems to be a more naturally positive person than I am.
It is commonly accepted that there is a set point in weight loss. The set point is the weight range that your body is programmed to attempt to maintain. There also seems to be Continue reading » Finding The Starting Line
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