Winter darkness is on my mind a lot today as I notice a significant change in my level of energy. It seems all I want to do is come home from work, snuggle up on the couch and expend no more energy than what it takes to stare at some episodes of 30 Rock and chuckle along.
By the way, I started recently with Season 1. I may have mentioned this already, but I laugh out loud repeatedly in each episode. Steamy foreign films? Take a backseat to 30 Rock for now. Tina Fey is sheer genius, and the combination of her character and Alec Baldwin's - ahhhh, wonderfully talented writing.
I say this about watching 30 Rock and doing nothing, but keep in mind I have two boys. We actually baked chocolate chip cookies tonight. But in my parallel universe, I had zzzz's above my head- the big puffy drowsy kind.
Back to the darkness discussion - what can we learn? The sunset today was at 4:33 p.m. We have this trend for another 3 weeks until the equinox.
My friends and I celebrate the solstice, and I thought I knew a lot about the origins of holidays, winter traditions and so forth, especially in view of my religious background, but I wanted to do some more research on the whole deal. I'll share a little bit of what I learned.
First of all, in case you don't know this, the winter solstice marks the longest night and shortest day of the year. This year it is December 21st. (It's either the 20th or the 21st, depending on the year). So, in optimistic thinking, after that day, the days will begin to get longer- until June!
What I really like about the solstice is this- it has so many layers. There is the astronomical layer, the astrological layer, the mathematical layer , and the cultural layer, for starters.
We start with a natural phenomenon, amazing in itself, and layered in complex mathematics- the tilt of the earth, the revolution and rotation of the earth. Then we have what humans throughout all of history have done with this natural state of science, nature- call it what you will, incorporating our human traditions and celebrations.
One thing I'd like to research more relates to something I read today - that the mysterious Stonehenge is a perfect marker of both the summer and winter solstices. I don't remember ever reading that. National Geographic featured Stonehenge a couple of years ago. Scientists had found evidence of brutality in the fossil discoveries. They weren't sure if it was due to the hard work involved in creating it- as in, a lot of people died trying to move those big stones... or if there was something more cruel that went on related to the rituals that may have surrounded the structure itself. This is, of course, strictly my synopsis of the article based on a weak memory of something I read awhile ago, so it's worth revisiting.
There was also a book quoted on one website I visited, "4,000 Years of Christmas". It was written in 1948. One excerpt stated that the Mesopotamians were the first to recognize the solstice, with a 12 day celebration or festival of renewal with the purpose of helping the god Marduk "tame the monsters of chaos for another year." I love the traditions we establish to explain things we don't understand, or try to control the things that we can't control - or acknowledge our helplessness in facing something as untameable as chaos!
The other question this cold, sleepy weather is raising in my mind- Do we store fat for winter the way animals do? I swear not much has changed for me in the past few weeks, but I feel like I have put on ten pounds.
So, my eyes are nearly closing as I type. But I think this is a good topic for a future post. I did a little preliminary research and found some conflicting information. The common ground is that everyone agrees that humans gain weight in the winter... there's just some disagreement on how and why - so I'll present the evidence of what I found... maybe even tomorrow night.... if I can stay awake.
Peaceful and warm sleep to all - is there anything better than a down comforter? Well, maybe... but in the realm of warm, sleepiness ? Is anyone sick of my "steamy foreign films" references yet?
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Petty?
If a pet begins to interfere with your quality of life, when is enough enough?
I'm being dramatic, maybe. But my cat is on my last nerve. He's overweight, even on weight control pet food. He meows to have the tub faucet turned on. He meows to have his food dish heaping. I'm not kidding when I say if his food dish is not overflowing, he meows for me to fill it. He meows during the night because he just wants to be in a different part of the house. I have all fans running to try to drown out his noise of banging against doors and or meowing when his little cat nap expires.
I know it might seem petty to those of you who are struggling with a nursing baby that gets up on the hour all night, or a toddler that wakes up after a mere five hours of sleep. But, I'm out of that zone now. I've become accustomed to a solid night's sleep. I served my time in the sleep deprivation realm, and I don't have much tolerance for it now. My kids are 11 and 8. The only time they wake me up is if they're sick or they have friends sleep over. Otherwise, I hover right around eight hours.... which is human... which is what I clearly need.
So, when Pedro the Lion gets it in his head that he is nocturnal, I'm at my wit's end.
In my pet psychology, I will diagnose his restlessness as stemming from his childhood (kittenhood?), his need to go outside. When we first adopted him, we lived out of the city about 30 miles. We had 3 plus acres of land, so he was able to be an outdoor and indoor cat. He roamed the fields of Oak Grove all night and slept all day. Then we moved back to Minneapolis, which I know was an adjustment for him. But it's been five years now. His life in the city outweighs his life in the country, no pun intended as he is probably ten pounds overweight, you know, in cat pounds.
I don't know. I'm grasping at an explanation in my weary state and I'm leaving you with a pretty boring post... it's because I'm tired and I'm going to bed.
I'm just trying to work on my Stephen Covey inspired plan to form a solid habit of writing- remember he said it takes 21 days to form a habit. The day I reach 21 days of blogging in a row is the day I quit and go back to my lazy ways of blogging when I feel like it. I just want to prove I can do something 21 days in a row.
Good night! Maybe I should put a sleeping pill in Pedro's food. Would that be wrong?
I think I forgot to mention that he woke me up at four a.m. this morning to fill his not quite full food dish, and I was unable to fall back to sleep. He's clearly a dish half empty kind of feline. Poor Pedro.
I'm being dramatic, maybe. But my cat is on my last nerve. He's overweight, even on weight control pet food. He meows to have the tub faucet turned on. He meows to have his food dish heaping. I'm not kidding when I say if his food dish is not overflowing, he meows for me to fill it. He meows during the night because he just wants to be in a different part of the house. I have all fans running to try to drown out his noise of banging against doors and or meowing when his little cat nap expires.
I know it might seem petty to those of you who are struggling with a nursing baby that gets up on the hour all night, or a toddler that wakes up after a mere five hours of sleep. But, I'm out of that zone now. I've become accustomed to a solid night's sleep. I served my time in the sleep deprivation realm, and I don't have much tolerance for it now. My kids are 11 and 8. The only time they wake me up is if they're sick or they have friends sleep over. Otherwise, I hover right around eight hours.... which is human... which is what I clearly need.
So, when Pedro the Lion gets it in his head that he is nocturnal, I'm at my wit's end.
In my pet psychology, I will diagnose his restlessness as stemming from his childhood (kittenhood?), his need to go outside. When we first adopted him, we lived out of the city about 30 miles. We had 3 plus acres of land, so he was able to be an outdoor and indoor cat. He roamed the fields of Oak Grove all night and slept all day. Then we moved back to Minneapolis, which I know was an adjustment for him. But it's been five years now. His life in the city outweighs his life in the country, no pun intended as he is probably ten pounds overweight, you know, in cat pounds.
I don't know. I'm grasping at an explanation in my weary state and I'm leaving you with a pretty boring post... it's because I'm tired and I'm going to bed.
I'm just trying to work on my Stephen Covey inspired plan to form a solid habit of writing- remember he said it takes 21 days to form a habit. The day I reach 21 days of blogging in a row is the day I quit and go back to my lazy ways of blogging when I feel like it. I just want to prove I can do something 21 days in a row.
Good night! Maybe I should put a sleeping pill in Pedro's food. Would that be wrong?
I think I forgot to mention that he woke me up at four a.m. this morning to fill his not quite full food dish, and I was unable to fall back to sleep. He's clearly a dish half empty kind of feline. Poor Pedro.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Giving credit
PS - I want to give credit to the intuitive healer who told me about a cleanse in the first place.
www.allowharmony.com I am not doing her talent justice but another post, another day, when I am not so tired. Peace!
www.allowharmony.com I am not doing her talent justice but another post, another day, when I am not so tired. Peace!
Dream another dream
I had another vivid dream last night. I had a blood transfusion. It was traumatic because, rather than a needle, they poked a big thick tube into a vein in my arm. I watched the entire bag drain into my body. I wasn't in a car accident or anything, just wasn't feeling well and the doctor decided that a blood transfusion would do the trick.
The reason this holds special significance to me is because Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions, even if facing death.
Or was the bag of blood a parallel to the bags of chemo my dad has been taking in treatment?
Dreams are fascinating and the two I have had lately were really clear and detailed.
I have no interpretation, just observation.
I went to Present Moment yesterday and had a great time browsing their amazing collection of books, and the overwhelming jars, bottles, containers of herbs, natural cures, and on and on. Check it out: http://www.presentmoment.com/
A friend and I had a reading by a psychic named Tammy. Mine was so over the top positive, it didn't surprise me, and I am still smiling. The reason it didn't surprise me is that a lot of it was things I've been sensing, just better times ahead overall. But it never hurts to hear it twice. She's great, by the way. You can schedule through Present Moment, or call her directly. http://www.readingsbytammy.net/
There is also an herbalist there who will give you recommendations, make combinations of herbal remedies for you. Over the past few months, I have had the worst complexion I've ever had in my life, even as a teenager. I attributed it to stress, and finally thought I should try something. Anything topical just seemed to irritate it. It's been a funny combination of dry skin with acne.
So I asked him. He looked at my face and told me he thinks it is digestion related. A good friend and an intuitive healer had both told me the same thing. I guess I need to hear the same information like twenty times over the course of six months before I finally take action. Anyway, he gave me a kidney cleanse tea and an intestinal cleanse powder to mix with water once the tea is gone. I'm really excited to try it and see what a difference it makes. Of course, I am not a fan of tea, so I'll probably have to plug my nose or something... but if it helps with my not so clear skin, I'll take it. I've been avoiding wearing my hair pulled back because the worst of it is on the sides of my face. Everyone I know who has tried a cleanse loves it. So, I'm looking forward to feeling lighter and less acned.
It was a beautiful sunny day today so a friend and I walked around the lake. We ended up walking for almost two hours. It was one of those "we have to soak up this natural light while we can" moments. That can't hurt my skin either.
Overall, it was a weekend of a lot of quiet reflection for me as well. I watched my crazy movies Friday, went out with friends yesterday and last night, and was pretty quiet today.
I just finished making homemade chicken stew... and now off to bed.
I'm looking forward to the week. The boys and I will get serious about Christmas this weekend, get our tree, start some shopping, all the good stuff.
We did do a little shopping Friday. We're sponsoring a child and his parent at their school. They have a really neat program. So. it was fun to pick out those gifts. I told the kids before we went shopping that it was not about them that day. Of course, being kids, it did become about them and my oldest in particular did some pouting and near crying over the things he wanted. But, overall, hopefully a small lesson in giving was learned. I can only hope, and laugh a little bit at the way kids are. I was the same way. Sharing and giving is almost against our nature sometimes. Yet, a book I read once, it may have even been "The Secret" said if we hold onto things, we are in effect telling the universe or God that we don't trust it to provide for us. That's an interesting way to view it. The more we give the more we get. Abundance and gratitude attact more of the same.
Good Night and sweet dreams of prosperity and love, maybe even the steamy foreign films kind of love. ha ha
The reason this holds special significance to me is because Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions, even if facing death.
Or was the bag of blood a parallel to the bags of chemo my dad has been taking in treatment?
Dreams are fascinating and the two I have had lately were really clear and detailed.
I have no interpretation, just observation.
I went to Present Moment yesterday and had a great time browsing their amazing collection of books, and the overwhelming jars, bottles, containers of herbs, natural cures, and on and on. Check it out: http://www.presentmoment.com/
A friend and I had a reading by a psychic named Tammy. Mine was so over the top positive, it didn't surprise me, and I am still smiling. The reason it didn't surprise me is that a lot of it was things I've been sensing, just better times ahead overall. But it never hurts to hear it twice. She's great, by the way. You can schedule through Present Moment, or call her directly. http://www.readingsbytammy.net/
There is also an herbalist there who will give you recommendations, make combinations of herbal remedies for you. Over the past few months, I have had the worst complexion I've ever had in my life, even as a teenager. I attributed it to stress, and finally thought I should try something. Anything topical just seemed to irritate it. It's been a funny combination of dry skin with acne.
So I asked him. He looked at my face and told me he thinks it is digestion related. A good friend and an intuitive healer had both told me the same thing. I guess I need to hear the same information like twenty times over the course of six months before I finally take action. Anyway, he gave me a kidney cleanse tea and an intestinal cleanse powder to mix with water once the tea is gone. I'm really excited to try it and see what a difference it makes. Of course, I am not a fan of tea, so I'll probably have to plug my nose or something... but if it helps with my not so clear skin, I'll take it. I've been avoiding wearing my hair pulled back because the worst of it is on the sides of my face. Everyone I know who has tried a cleanse loves it. So, I'm looking forward to feeling lighter and less acned.
It was a beautiful sunny day today so a friend and I walked around the lake. We ended up walking for almost two hours. It was one of those "we have to soak up this natural light while we can" moments. That can't hurt my skin either.
Overall, it was a weekend of a lot of quiet reflection for me as well. I watched my crazy movies Friday, went out with friends yesterday and last night, and was pretty quiet today.
I just finished making homemade chicken stew... and now off to bed.
I'm looking forward to the week. The boys and I will get serious about Christmas this weekend, get our tree, start some shopping, all the good stuff.
We did do a little shopping Friday. We're sponsoring a child and his parent at their school. They have a really neat program. So. it was fun to pick out those gifts. I told the kids before we went shopping that it was not about them that day. Of course, being kids, it did become about them and my oldest in particular did some pouting and near crying over the things he wanted. But, overall, hopefully a small lesson in giving was learned. I can only hope, and laugh a little bit at the way kids are. I was the same way. Sharing and giving is almost against our nature sometimes. Yet, a book I read once, it may have even been "The Secret" said if we hold onto things, we are in effect telling the universe or God that we don't trust it to provide for us. That's an interesting way to view it. The more we give the more we get. Abundance and gratitude attact more of the same.
Good Night and sweet dreams of prosperity and love, maybe even the steamy foreign films kind of love. ha ha
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Romance the romantic
I have a new obsession now that I have Netflix live. It started out as catching up on seasons 3-6 or 4-6 of The Office. That was a wonderful diversion and I still find a lot to laugh about on that show.
Now my focus has turned to "steamy foreign films". Yes, that is a category on Netflix that I had never noticed before, I didn't create the name of the genre, wink. What got me started was a recommendation by Netflix, as in, "You liked blah blah so maybe you'd like blah blah". And so my eyes were opened to a new category that I can Watch Instantly!
These movies are perfectly kitschy, some very grainy cinematograhpy, which is fascinating in itself. The music adds a lot too, not to mention the beauty of a foreign language. I was surprised to find my limited French coming back to me quite easily. The best one I have watched to date is "Broken Embraces" with Penelope Cruz. She is such a beautiful woman. This is an intense story, complete with obsession and betrayal. I downloaded the soundtrack, and , although I was completely caught up in the moment, I have no regrets.
It does get me thinking once again about sociology, anthropology and psychology. Are Europeans more advanced sexually and don't have nearly the hang-ups most Americans have? Do Americans have the hang ups I think we have?
There seems to be more of an acceptance of bodies, nakedness and carnal need among certain cultures. Or am I forgetting that these are simply "steamy foreign films", not a true reflection of what goes on in day to day life? Other countries like France, Italy and Spain seem more open sexually to me. Either way, human behavior never ceases to be intriguing. And adding these films to the mix opens up another dialogue in our fascination with love and relationships. Think of the art it inspires, once again.
It inspired me to dream, that's for sure. Nothing sexual, but something very interesting. I often wonder what sparks a dream of a person I have not thought of or heard from in years. The first guy I really really had a crush on is Ben Parker. That crush lasted for years. He was a beautiful boy.
So, in my dream, he was at my grandparents' house visiting with his wife and little boy. I had no idea he would be there, and I have no idea what the connection to my grandparents was. They were there for Thanksgiving. When I saw him, I just felt utter joy and love for him. I gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. Then I went to meet his wife, and his little boy named Axl. The dream was really vivid. And the other interesting thing, is my grandparents house was exactly my grandparents house, to the detail of the chairs. You know how sometimes places in dreams aren't what they are in real life. But this was.
Maybe this is me making peace with the loves of past.
I love what art inspires in me and what seed of a memory could have been planted.
Happy viewing!
Now my focus has turned to "steamy foreign films". Yes, that is a category on Netflix that I had never noticed before, I didn't create the name of the genre, wink. What got me started was a recommendation by Netflix, as in, "You liked blah blah so maybe you'd like blah blah". And so my eyes were opened to a new category that I can Watch Instantly!
These movies are perfectly kitschy, some very grainy cinematograhpy, which is fascinating in itself. The music adds a lot too, not to mention the beauty of a foreign language. I was surprised to find my limited French coming back to me quite easily. The best one I have watched to date is "Broken Embraces" with Penelope Cruz. She is such a beautiful woman. This is an intense story, complete with obsession and betrayal. I downloaded the soundtrack, and , although I was completely caught up in the moment, I have no regrets.
It does get me thinking once again about sociology, anthropology and psychology. Are Europeans more advanced sexually and don't have nearly the hang-ups most Americans have? Do Americans have the hang ups I think we have?
There seems to be more of an acceptance of bodies, nakedness and carnal need among certain cultures. Or am I forgetting that these are simply "steamy foreign films", not a true reflection of what goes on in day to day life? Other countries like France, Italy and Spain seem more open sexually to me. Either way, human behavior never ceases to be intriguing. And adding these films to the mix opens up another dialogue in our fascination with love and relationships. Think of the art it inspires, once again.
It inspired me to dream, that's for sure. Nothing sexual, but something very interesting. I often wonder what sparks a dream of a person I have not thought of or heard from in years. The first guy I really really had a crush on is Ben Parker. That crush lasted for years. He was a beautiful boy.
So, in my dream, he was at my grandparents' house visiting with his wife and little boy. I had no idea he would be there, and I have no idea what the connection to my grandparents was. They were there for Thanksgiving. When I saw him, I just felt utter joy and love for him. I gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. Then I went to meet his wife, and his little boy named Axl. The dream was really vivid. And the other interesting thing, is my grandparents house was exactly my grandparents house, to the detail of the chairs. You know how sometimes places in dreams aren't what they are in real life. But this was.
Maybe this is me making peace with the loves of past.
I love what art inspires in me and what seed of a memory could have been planted.
Happy viewing!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Self of self
Thanksgiving is definitely a time for reflection. That makes it my favorite holiday.
There are a lot of threads of thought weaving thru my weary, wine-infused head today, and be forewarned that it could lead to a very sporadic post that might be better served by multiple posts, but we'll just see where it all ends up. There may be an ending that wraps it all up neatly, ultimately but no promises.
Gratitude is so beautiful. The things I have to be grateful for are, hmmm... at a loss for a word meaning unable to count... and I love basking in that feeling. I have two amazing children, who I am watching grow up and just flat out marveling at. Seeing their unique personalities and their talents is awe inspiring. I'm also grateful for the freedom I have. I'm no longer enslaved to craving the approval of others, which allows me to be the best parent I could possibly be. Approval is an illusion anyway. I am now surrounded by people who love and support me and I am ever grateful to see the difference, the true meaning of love. I didn't realize how subtle negativity can be - well, I'm still learning that lesson.
How lucky am I that the hosts of my Thanksgiving are my dear friend, who happens to be the sister of my soon to be ex, and her husband. She invited my brother and his wife as well, in her big heartedness, knowing we are all orphans in a sense. Sometimes I wonder if she is my soul mate because she has taught me so much about openness, love, friendship and standing up for yourself. Thanks to you R, you know who you are. (Is this a speech at the Oscar's?) But, truly I am so moved and I don't care if it makes me vulnerable in this moment.
How lucky am I that I have two beautiful boys as a result of my marriage. A good friend once told me that my two kids are the best of both J and I. It was like, in that moment, we were our best and highest selves, and it was total and ultimate love that created them. I don't regret a minute of it.
Related to Thanksgiving, this same friend, who has helped me to heal immensely thru this life change, also advised me to send gratitude toward things, people or situations- even if the gratitude is as primal as "I'm grateful I don't view the world that way... or I'm grateful I am me." It is by no means a feeling of superiority. That's the beauty of it. It's simply self love and the realization that sending love and gratitude toward a person or situation is the best outcome for everyone involved. Being angry and bitter is ugly and unhealthy.
Today also made me think about who I am today, in this moment. I feel proud about certain things, but also feel humbled into recognizing that I am a work in progress.
There is a balance between wanting to improve and exhaustedly striving, never feeling content. When I first left the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses, the therapist I was seeing helped me out a lot with the deprogramming aspect of leaving a religious group that had dominatd my existence for so long. Because for the first time in my life, the sky was the limit for me, I didn't know what I believed or even where to start. Did I believe in God anymore? Did I believe in anything? So, my therapist lent a CD set to me - Jon Kabat Zinn, "Mindfulness for Beginners". I highly recommend it. I think there was a stretch when I listened to it every day, especially when I would walk around the lake. It became a meditation for me. The philosophy is so basic and very helpful.
Jon Kabatt Zinn leads the stress reduction clinic at the University of Massachusetts medical center. What lead me to mentioning him in my internal highway of electrical connections, is that he talks about just being, non striving, and so many positive nuggets of truth and awareness.
There is a portion on this CD set where he discusses non-striving and states poignantly that maybe we should retitle the species to something other than human "beings", since we are so often not in the moment and sometimes so afraid of just being. I feel like I'm not doing him justice, grasping at ways to describe something so helpful that I will now simply insert the link to his website now and you can have your own experience with his work and be quiet : http://www.mindfulnesscds.com/
The best part about gratitude is that it's very basic. There isn't any need for drama, really, if we're grateful. We might say that the most important gratitude is being grateful for ourselves, who we are. Because if we start there, we don't have any need for jealousy. We don't have any need for competition with those around us. We're grateful to be who we are, in love with our uniqueness, to the point that we are a mirror reflecting that love and gratitude onto anyone and everyone around us. That's beauty.
And, the irony of all of this is that today celebrates a day when the Native Americans unassumingly and lovingly gave what they had and shared with foreigners. That becomes a story of its own, but at face value, in an over arching generalization, they knew what gratitude was about. They were gracious and generous because they were able to just be.
Happy Thanksgiving.
There are a lot of threads of thought weaving thru my weary, wine-infused head today, and be forewarned that it could lead to a very sporadic post that might be better served by multiple posts, but we'll just see where it all ends up. There may be an ending that wraps it all up neatly, ultimately but no promises.
Gratitude is so beautiful. The things I have to be grateful for are, hmmm... at a loss for a word meaning unable to count... and I love basking in that feeling. I have two amazing children, who I am watching grow up and just flat out marveling at. Seeing their unique personalities and their talents is awe inspiring. I'm also grateful for the freedom I have. I'm no longer enslaved to craving the approval of others, which allows me to be the best parent I could possibly be. Approval is an illusion anyway. I am now surrounded by people who love and support me and I am ever grateful to see the difference, the true meaning of love. I didn't realize how subtle negativity can be - well, I'm still learning that lesson.
How lucky am I that the hosts of my Thanksgiving are my dear friend, who happens to be the sister of my soon to be ex, and her husband. She invited my brother and his wife as well, in her big heartedness, knowing we are all orphans in a sense. Sometimes I wonder if she is my soul mate because she has taught me so much about openness, love, friendship and standing up for yourself. Thanks to you R, you know who you are. (Is this a speech at the Oscar's?) But, truly I am so moved and I don't care if it makes me vulnerable in this moment.
How lucky am I that I have two beautiful boys as a result of my marriage. A good friend once told me that my two kids are the best of both J and I. It was like, in that moment, we were our best and highest selves, and it was total and ultimate love that created them. I don't regret a minute of it.
Related to Thanksgiving, this same friend, who has helped me to heal immensely thru this life change, also advised me to send gratitude toward things, people or situations- even if the gratitude is as primal as "I'm grateful I don't view the world that way... or I'm grateful I am me." It is by no means a feeling of superiority. That's the beauty of it. It's simply self love and the realization that sending love and gratitude toward a person or situation is the best outcome for everyone involved. Being angry and bitter is ugly and unhealthy.
Today also made me think about who I am today, in this moment. I feel proud about certain things, but also feel humbled into recognizing that I am a work in progress.
There is a balance between wanting to improve and exhaustedly striving, never feeling content. When I first left the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses, the therapist I was seeing helped me out a lot with the deprogramming aspect of leaving a religious group that had dominatd my existence for so long. Because for the first time in my life, the sky was the limit for me, I didn't know what I believed or even where to start. Did I believe in God anymore? Did I believe in anything? So, my therapist lent a CD set to me - Jon Kabat Zinn, "Mindfulness for Beginners". I highly recommend it. I think there was a stretch when I listened to it every day, especially when I would walk around the lake. It became a meditation for me. The philosophy is so basic and very helpful.
Jon Kabatt Zinn leads the stress reduction clinic at the University of Massachusetts medical center. What lead me to mentioning him in my internal highway of electrical connections, is that he talks about just being, non striving, and so many positive nuggets of truth and awareness.
There is a portion on this CD set where he discusses non-striving and states poignantly that maybe we should retitle the species to something other than human "beings", since we are so often not in the moment and sometimes so afraid of just being. I feel like I'm not doing him justice, grasping at ways to describe something so helpful that I will now simply insert the link to his website now and you can have your own experience with his work and be quiet : http://www.mindfulnesscds.com/
The best part about gratitude is that it's very basic. There isn't any need for drama, really, if we're grateful. We might say that the most important gratitude is being grateful for ourselves, who we are. Because if we start there, we don't have any need for jealousy. We don't have any need for competition with those around us. We're grateful to be who we are, in love with our uniqueness, to the point that we are a mirror reflecting that love and gratitude onto anyone and everyone around us. That's beauty.
And, the irony of all of this is that today celebrates a day when the Native Americans unassumingly and lovingly gave what they had and shared with foreigners. That becomes a story of its own, but at face value, in an over arching generalization, they knew what gratitude was about. They were gracious and generous because they were able to just be.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Monday, November 22, 2010
One more thing
Check out this blog: www.stephanieklein.com -- I read her book "Straight Up and Dirty" last year. It's a "Sex and the City" esque true tale of her marriage and divorce. She's self deprecating and very entertaining.
Since publishing the book, she is remarried and has twins. Her blog deals with all types of mommyhood issues, and interesting marital interactions.
Cheers to all the people who share their intimate stories for the rest of us to learn from, and maybe feel that we are not insane after all. I mean, there's sanity in numbers, right?
Since publishing the book, she is remarried and has twins. Her blog deals with all types of mommyhood issues, and interesting marital interactions.
Cheers to all the people who share their intimate stories for the rest of us to learn from, and maybe feel that we are not insane after all. I mean, there's sanity in numbers, right?
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