She wanted to switch on the light, but she didn’t dare wake him. On those sleepless nights, if the moon wasn’t too bright, she could see stars through the skylights above their bed. Maybe one day, when she was free to pursue her own interests, she’d learn the constellations – Cassiopeia, Orion and the others. The names made her think of possibility. Continue reading →
Posts Tagged: in search of self
1
Mar 13
Help In The Night
26
Feb 13
On Packing Light
Meet me on the hill – the one where
we used to start at the top and race to the bottom. Continue reading →
15
Feb 13
Words Got Her Out
A few more boxes to pack and load into the car and she’d be done. Continue reading →
5
Feb 13
When to Stay Away
The thing is, most of the time I know when to stay away. Continue reading →
15
Jan 13
The Jigsaw Puzzle
She was too exhausted to untie the bundle. He stood next to her and excitedly pulled at the bow that was wrapped tightly around the four corners of the blanket. His hands were shaking. He fumbled a bit, but the blanket fell open to reveal the most precious gift. He gently placed the baby in her arms. They didn’t notice the green organza bag that fell out of the blanket to the floor. Continue reading →
11
Jan 13
Life Happens In The Ricochet
I have the choice of being constantly active and happyor introspectively passive and sad.
Or I can go mad by ricocheting in between. - Sylvia Plath
9
Jan 13
Who Are You Mad At?
Are you mad at the clerk because of her surly attitude, or was she surly because you loudly chatted on your cell the whole time she rang up your groceries? Continue reading →
30
Dec 12
New Growth
Lose weight.
Exercise more – hell – start exercising.
Quit smoking.
Start walking.
Read more.
Watch less TV.
Eat better. Eat less. Eat mindfully, or not at all.
Go to the gym or at least sign up at a gym, go to meet a friend and drink coffee by the elliptical machine.
Cut up credit cards.
Get more sleep.
What are you fixing?
What do you want to change?
What needs to be eliminated?
What ought to be included?
Where do you begin?
In the plant world, new growth is supported by existing growth. The old growth may be trimmed or pruned to make room for the new, but the old is still necessary.
New growth is fed by what comes before.
Acknowledge what you have done well.
Appreciate what is already good.
Focus on the steps you’ve taken so far.
Build slowly to create lasting, healthy change.
Add on to the strong foundation you’ve built up to this point.
Keep what is working, prune what doesn’t benefit you, and allow space for new growth.
There’s no need to start from scratch. There’s no need to beat yourself up for missteps.
Stop psyching yourself out about the first day of January. Quit letting the calendar make you feel bad about yourself.
Don’t turn healthy changes into a big issue.
Incorporate change in small, steady ways – each day. If today isn’t the day to go to the gym, let that be okay.
Take the pressure off of yourself.
Tonight, after brushing your teeth and reading a couple pages in that self-help book, revisit your day. Think of the things that have gone well. Think of what you might do differently tomorrow.
It’s okay.
Keep trying.
Go slow.
Be kind to yourself.
This isn’t a race.
You’ll get there.
New growth takes time.
11
Dec 12
On Default Settings and Choice
Stumbling in the dark, hoping to avoid stepping on the cat on my way to making that first cup of coffee in the morning, I do not have the presence of mind to plan on having a happy day. Once I’ve had those first sips and my eyes start to focus, I am not any closer to consciously thinking, “Today is going to be really happy.” Continue reading →
