At sundown on September 5 a New Year began. The thoughts of renewal and rememberance bring me both relief at the luxury of starting with a fresh palate - new paints and new choices and some sadness. I will not dwell on the ending but look to the newness.
Sometimes these opportunities to begin afresh are frightening. Will I make wise choices? Will I take advantage of the resources I have and take a few risks? Am I ready to expand my horizons in this new year?
I just read this wonderful quote that I must share: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain
It was this thought from that very wise humorist that brought thoughts of taking advantage of the new challenges this year will bring. In addition to the above message, I must remind myself: step out and take those chances that are before me.
And breathe.
L'shona tova.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
It's Over
Well, summer. Labor Day and those "free days" of summer are gone for this year.
Sometimes the idea of returning to that daily grind or the same issues we left back in May when we celebrated Memorial Day can be pretty disheartening. More of the same old, same old.
Or maybe not. Maybe this Fall we are willing to see this end of summer as a new beginning. A time when we might actually look at those old issues lurking behind that door as not an obstacle but a challenge.
Sometimes it really is a matter of simply changing the way we define the condition. If we can call that frustrating situation a challenge, as an opportunity to repair rather than ignore, we can look at the issue with new eyes.
What resources do we need to change the way we have been approaching this situation? What skills do we bring to this old problem that we did not use previously?
Breaking out of a rut doesn't mean letting go of everything we've been doing but doing it in a different way, looking at a solution we never tried before.
Think about changing the way in which you view the challenge. Perhaps you have always looked at it from North and South. Now you are willing to view it from East and West as well as from North and South.
Keep breathing.
Sometimes the idea of returning to that daily grind or the same issues we left back in May when we celebrated Memorial Day can be pretty disheartening. More of the same old, same old.
Or maybe not. Maybe this Fall we are willing to see this end of summer as a new beginning. A time when we might actually look at those old issues lurking behind that door as not an obstacle but a challenge.
Sometimes it really is a matter of simply changing the way we define the condition. If we can call that frustrating situation a challenge, as an opportunity to repair rather than ignore, we can look at the issue with new eyes.
What resources do we need to change the way we have been approaching this situation? What skills do we bring to this old problem that we did not use previously?
Breaking out of a rut doesn't mean letting go of everything we've been doing but doing it in a different way, looking at a solution we never tried before.
Think about changing the way in which you view the challenge. Perhaps you have always looked at it from North and South. Now you are willing to view it from East and West as well as from North and South.
Keep breathing.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
sometimes the sunniest days are the worst
I know. The worst
days are the ones where the weather is perfect, where there is no pressure to
make that telephone call or finish that project. Because you are at risk, because you can only
think of doing something, anything, to stop the pain, start with this simple
action: STOP.
Stop
Take a deep breath.
Observe (even if observing is painful, observe and continue
to gently breathe)
Proceed.
Now you are a bit closer to allowing yourself to recognize
that you do have choices. You have the
choice of acknowledging that there are some things in your life you wish you
could change, or forget AND you have the choice to recognize something as
simple as the sun is shining and you can feel the breeze on your face.
STOP. Stop now and be
kind to yourself. Let yourself feel sad
and know that your health and welfare matter to a lot more people than you
realize.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Time for me!
What a concept?!
My schedule has been so jammed, I have been so busy, I have had to remind myself to take that break for something to eat, or to wash my face, but mostly to stop and breathe.
After a few weeks like this one, I have been very mindful of the need for "me time." While I haven't taken the wonderful mini vacation to the Korean spa, I am taking those brief yoga and sitting breaks.
It does make a difference. When I don't take that break for me, I don't feel competent. I don't feel able to take care of myself or anyone else.
Find something that gives you your own "Me time" and then do it. Do it every day, even if it is just drinking that cup of tea without interrupting yourself to answer the phone or send another text.
Breathe.
My schedule has been so jammed, I have been so busy, I have had to remind myself to take that break for something to eat, or to wash my face, but mostly to stop and breathe.
After a few weeks like this one, I have been very mindful of the need for "me time." While I haven't taken the wonderful mini vacation to the Korean spa, I am taking those brief yoga and sitting breaks.
It does make a difference. When I don't take that break for me, I don't feel competent. I don't feel able to take care of myself or anyone else.
Find something that gives you your own "Me time" and then do it. Do it every day, even if it is just drinking that cup of tea without interrupting yourself to answer the phone or send another text.
Breathe.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Lying: to ourselves
If I'm late, I'll just tell them traffic held me up. That's logical in LA. On the other hand, what if t you're late because you didn't want to go. What would happen if you admitted these feelings to yourself?
Asking a big question: "How would my life be different if I was really honest with myself?" means allowing yourself to really look at who you are.
Questions of this sort are incredibly hard to ask and the answers we give, WHEN we allow ourselves to be honest can actually make us feel better.
Admitting that we don't want to be with certain people can help us learn more about what we need in a relationship. Answering this question can help us create satisfying friendships. By examining our wants and desires in relationships we develop a meaningful support system.
Learning what we want in friendships does not mean getting rid of people in our lives. This information can make our current acquaintances even more meaningful. We look to companions for how we feel with them. We turn the friendship around so we appreciate the connection with all of their quirks. We have friends we enjoy.
Finally, I'm Baaack
What an amazing few months
Academic challenges for me personally and very satisfying teaching experiences.
Let this brief post be just a notice that I am back and thinking about supporting readers who may be going through the pain of "is it all worth it?".
Been there, done that and you get points for hanging in. . .
It is worth hanging in just for today. It is worth it to stay in this moment of breathing without thinking about tomorrow. Things look bleak when we are unable to narrow our perspective to one simple idea. Look out the window and observe the way the light falls on that tree or on that dirty car or how the shadows create an unexpected pattern.
When was the last time you allowed yourself to simply breathe and observe without judgement?
I'll keep writing.
Academic challenges for me personally and very satisfying teaching experiences.
Let this brief post be just a notice that I am back and thinking about supporting readers who may be going through the pain of "is it all worth it?".
Been there, done that and you get points for hanging in. . .
It is worth hanging in just for today. It is worth it to stay in this moment of breathing without thinking about tomorrow. Things look bleak when we are unable to narrow our perspective to one simple idea. Look out the window and observe the way the light falls on that tree or on that dirty car or how the shadows create an unexpected pattern.
When was the last time you allowed yourself to simply breathe and observe without judgement?
I'll keep writing.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Catching up
A new season, daylight savings time and another moment of surprise at this constantly changing resource I am offering. Let's just say this essay after so many months of quiet is to say "hello, I am back and want to provide support to anyone reading this blog."
The primary reason my for silence is that I was finishing my novel! It is now making the rounds of agents. Meanwhile, a chapter is available at my other website: www.susantlindau.com and the opening of the novel is posted on its own facebook page! Read it! Like it! Comfort Food, opening!
I am thinking of the craziness of those unpredictable events that we handle every day. Some days there are the bills that appear out of no where, other days there is the dog with skin allergies whose scratching is creating a black fur rug on top of my white carpet. Mostly I can report that simple distractions like S-T-O-P keep me going from one obstacle to next challenge.
The primary reason my for silence is that I was finishing my novel! It is now making the rounds of agents. Meanwhile, a chapter is available at my other website: www.susantlindau.com and the opening of the novel is posted on its own facebook page! Read it! Like it! Comfort Food, opening!
I am thinking of the craziness of those unpredictable events that we handle every day. Some days there are the bills that appear out of no where, other days there is the dog with skin allergies whose scratching is creating a black fur rug on top of my white carpet. Mostly I can report that simple distractions like S-T-O-P keep me going from one obstacle to next challenge.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
New Semester and New Lessons
Melt downs. This month just completed has involved painful emotions by everyone in my group. Stability has been reached and people are feeling more committed to keeping their heads above water.
Avoiding hospitalization and keeping themselves safe is our primary focus rich now. Finally, I can breathe a sigh or relief that everyone is safe. Everyone is keeping her appointments and with all the pain floating throughout our world they are today more willing to inch forward toward management of their excruciating pain.
What has happened to make it possible to feel more grounded within this painful environment? First, our focus is on staying in the most narrow of the present. What is happening in this very moment here that requires intense response? While we can't change those environmental or external conditions, we can change the way we respond.
We again learning how to stay in this very present moment with the emotions we are feeling and are learning how to lower the intensity of those emotions.
Breathe.
Avoiding hospitalization and keeping themselves safe is our primary focus rich now. Finally, I can breathe a sigh or relief that everyone is safe. Everyone is keeping her appointments and with all the pain floating throughout our world they are today more willing to inch forward toward management of their excruciating pain.
What has happened to make it possible to feel more grounded within this painful environment? First, our focus is on staying in the most narrow of the present. What is happening in this very moment here that requires intense response? While we can't change those environmental or external conditions, we can change the way we respond.
We again learning how to stay in this very present moment with the emotions we are feeling and are learning how to lower the intensity of those emotions.
Breathe.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
So many changes
First: I lost my password. So sorry for not posting throughout my exotic, wonderful, shocking and still extraordinarily memorable travels to eastern portions of this world.
Hong Kong is, to quote my traveling friend, a combination of Las Vegas and Rodeo Drive (Beverly Hills, CA) on steroids. It was great, exciting and the location of the Olympics of shopping. The food was amazing and probably the best meal I had was at the home of my host in Hong Kong whose cook prepares meals from her Thai home town.
India was truly awesome. Every day there was another wonderful, overwhelming and breathtaking adventure and now, three weeks after my return, I am beginning to assimilate ALL of my experience throughout that magic land. Again, the food was wonderful. I bought a new wardrobe of stunning formal Kurtis (tunic with pajama pants and flowing scarves). The two most outstanding sights were (needless to say) the Taj Mahal and Ghandi's home.
I am back with my students AND my clients. The stress of our daily lives in 2012 continues to stimulate both pain and challenges AND growth. I will continue to explore all of these topics. Do respond with your own questions.
Hong Kong is, to quote my traveling friend, a combination of Las Vegas and Rodeo Drive (Beverly Hills, CA) on steroids. It was great, exciting and the location of the Olympics of shopping. The food was amazing and probably the best meal I had was at the home of my host in Hong Kong whose cook prepares meals from her Thai home town.
India was truly awesome. Every day there was another wonderful, overwhelming and breathtaking adventure and now, three weeks after my return, I am beginning to assimilate ALL of my experience throughout that magic land. Again, the food was wonderful. I bought a new wardrobe of stunning formal Kurtis (tunic with pajama pants and flowing scarves). The two most outstanding sights were (needless to say) the Taj Mahal and Ghandi's home.
I am back with my students AND my clients. The stress of our daily lives in 2012 continues to stimulate both pain and challenges AND growth. I will continue to explore all of these topics. Do respond with your own questions.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Staying Sane
when all about you are loosing it!
Yes! It's been one of those weeks. Little unpleasantnesses. Traffic snarls (what else is new), had to pay taxes out of my LOC - clients are also dealing with financial shorts, the housekeeper twisted the vacuum cleaner chord so I must replace it and the dog has allergies. Sigh. How do I keep my head above water when there doesn't appear to be a raft to grab?
Well, don't swallow the water. Keep dog paddling. Watch for the logs floating by and hold on to the one that will keep me afloat. In other words, make do with what is available. Don't get overwhelmed by the annoyances because there will always be something to challenge the evenness of life around me.
To prepare for the week I took myself to a special gathering this morning and I have just made gazpacho. Yum. The treat was a gathering at The Church in Ocean Park celebrating Juneteenth - the day news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas in 1865. While the Proclamation was actually signed in January 1865, the slaves of many states did not learn of this action until June and because that news reached various communities on different days, it is celebrated as Juneteenth, rather than on the 16th or 19th of June.
Recipe for Gazpacho in the next blog.
Yes! It's been one of those weeks. Little unpleasantnesses. Traffic snarls (what else is new), had to pay taxes out of my LOC - clients are also dealing with financial shorts, the housekeeper twisted the vacuum cleaner chord so I must replace it and the dog has allergies. Sigh. How do I keep my head above water when there doesn't appear to be a raft to grab?
Well, don't swallow the water. Keep dog paddling. Watch for the logs floating by and hold on to the one that will keep me afloat. In other words, make do with what is available. Don't get overwhelmed by the annoyances because there will always be something to challenge the evenness of life around me.
To prepare for the week I took myself to a special gathering this morning and I have just made gazpacho. Yum. The treat was a gathering at The Church in Ocean Park celebrating Juneteenth - the day news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas in 1865. While the Proclamation was actually signed in January 1865, the slaves of many states did not learn of this action until June and because that news reached various communities on different days, it is celebrated as Juneteenth, rather than on the 16th or 19th of June.
Recipe for Gazpacho in the next blog.
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