When we are capable of living in the moment free from the tyranny of “shoulds,” free from the nagging sensation that this moment isn’t right, we will have peaceful hearts.
— Anonymous
I have reached the conclusion that part of the reason that we get discouraged is that we believe that we’re supposed to be different than we are. One of my resolutions for Lent is that I will listen to audio books by one of the Christian writers that I like for 15 minutes each day. This usually works out pretty well because I walk the dog for 30-40 minutes each day and I can easily choose to listen to something for 15 minutes – IF I PICK Continue reading » Deciding What Is “Enough”
Saturday is the 9th anniversary of the first attacks on US soil since Pearl Harbor. The images and stories from that day and the days that followed are burned into our brains. But in the nine years since the attacks, we have other images that finish out the story. These images are of patriotic Americans stepping up to “protect and serve.” They serve in the armed forces, the police, and in fire and rescue. They scan our luggage (which we don’t always appreciate) and work anonymously behind the scenes to locate and track threats. September 11th changed forever the level of risk involved in being on the police force or being a firefighter. In gratitude to ALL who serve we offer this video. Continue reading » Gratitude
I’ve tried yoga but I find stress less boring.
— Anonymous
Have you ever had a meltdown? You know what I mean… extreme stress, the heebie jeebies, sour stomach, wanting to scream and/or beat on someone. Your mind is a jumble of useless thoughts ricocheting all over the place from one catastrophe to the next one – none of which have actually occurred.
Some days, we seem more susceptible to mental meltdowns. The really uncomfortable part is the feeling that there’s nothing you can do about it. You just have to let it run its course and then, once it passes, you’ll feel better. I have an alternative suggestion – Re-Boot!
Ctrl-Alt-Delete
Having spent a significant part of my life as a computer nerd, there’s one thing I know how to do really well: Continue reading » How to Recover from Mental Meltdowns
Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.
— Nicholas M. Butler
Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? Well, it seems we all are. In Love Beyond Reason, John Ortberg goes all the way back to the story of the Three Little Pigs to make a point. I know you remember the story, but just in case you want to watch the Disney version, you can see it here. Ortberg points out that every life has its Big Bad Wolves. No matter what we do, the Big Bad Wolf (BBW) comes to visit us many times throughout our lives. We never know what form he will take and there is no way to avoid him. In life, there are Big Bad Wolves and we need to deal with them. (Sometimes several of them gang up on us all at the same time — after all, wolves run in packs.)
What to Do About All That Huffing and Puffing
No matter what form the BBW takes, his focus is to huff and puff and blow your house down. The question is what have we done to Continue reading » Are You Ready for the Big Bad Wolf?
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
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