by supportadmin_418 | Mar 11, 2019 | Sharing Joy
Since she got an iPad for her 80th birthday, my mother regularly emails the family pictures she takes on it of her yard, flowers, icicles or the snowy road. She’ll send some commentary about the photo, usually a glimpse of why it is a source of joy for her. It’s inspirational to experience with her the simple joys that fill her moments. She delights in each season as if it’s the first time: the beauty of roadside weeds, the intricate colors of tree fungus, the fun of a sweetgum seed ball, the luxury of freshly harvested mint. We get pictures of all sorts of things that we wouldn’t have noticed as interesting until she presents them as a treat. She demonstrates how easy it is to experience joy—just look around you with an open heart.
Today’s picture and message, though, was priceless. “The snow is evaporating, and that means I see “things” not previously visible. Such as deer turds. There is a path from right to left in the photo – and – locating the “Y” shape of the driftwood to the left – beyond – technically in my neighbor’s yard is a “pile” of turds.” Now if the image of an 82-year-old lady describing to you how to locate the deer scat in the photo of her neighbor’s yard doesn’t bring a smile to your face, what will?
by supportadmin_418 | Mar 11, 2019 | The Daily Compliment
I passed on an inquiry that came to me but was better addressed by one of my colleagues. I replied to the inquirer and copied Kate, my colleague: “I’m forwarding your question to Kate Manning, Joint Commission Know-it-all. The designation is not a grade-school taunt; it is an accurate statement applied with much affection and respect to a favorite colleague…”
by supportadmin_418 | Mar 6, 2019 | Gratitude List
That I have 3 days off.
I haven’t formulated a long, long list of what I want to accomplish with my extra 24 hours off.
That my husband is borrowing instead of buying a pressure washer. Borrowing means not only does he not spend our money but he’ll be obliged to get the job done so he can return the washer!
Getting to let my dogs run free and race this afternoon in beautiful weather.
That I was able to respond cogently and quickly to a request from my boss.
Wearing brightly colored clothes is sometimes all it takes to lift my spirits.
Being reminded by a friend that I need to do what’s right for me and that I’m not responsible for how someone else feels.
Going to work without a bit of makeup on because I was running late and not being terribly self-conscious about it–a big step, it feels great.
Working with new foods.
A friend I’ve been neglecting because of a personal neurosis on my part that I can’t put my finger on, who keeps in touch. A true friend.
by supportadmin_418 | Mar 6, 2019 | Gratitude List
That a focus on gratitude makes it difficult to obsess about minor difficulties.
for the lightness of heart when it is filled with a feeling of gratitude.
that avoidance of being hungry, angry, lonely or tired makes it easier to stay in awareness of self-abusive tendencies.
awareness of the problem goes a long way towards repairing it – I’m grateful I can make changes
“Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom” is a very good way to think of how I need to practice self-awareness.
That my freedom is not threatened at this moment.
I can get relief from stultifying mind trips by letting go of them.
With practice and eternal vigilance, my threshold for pain before letting go gets lower.
by supportadmin_418 | Mar 6, 2019 | Gratitude List
Today I am grateful that I did not have to get up early but I did anyway
enjoying the peacefulness of the early morning, listening to birds, Tom snoring, watching Diva clean herself (what is it with cats anyway?), reading emails.
long, hot baths with a good book.
not having to go to work today.
I did not binge today.
realizing that the space I am in my head is not reality and it will pass…i.e. feeling that I have no friends and that people don’t really like being around me…this is all shame stuff from when I was little and it has decided to rear its ugly head again…
knowing that I haven’t done everything I can to get out of this funk…actually, I have been wallowing a bit…I haven’t shared it with this community, haven’t been praying, etc
trying to love my body even though I feel fat and pale and all my deformities are glaring at me in the mirror…
