11.26.15 For that which we receive, may we be truly thankful.

To that which we each believe in, which is all about and within us, blessed be thy being. May thy consciousness come, that we learn to be with what is; with the past, with our present moment,and the great unknown promise of future. 

Blessed be what we receive, may we be truly grateful. As we forgive ourselves for our mistakes, our errors, our wrongdoings and our misconceptions - of ourselves, of our fellow beings. As we forgive those who act against us also. That we grow in our awareness of treating all other beings as we would be treated. Learning and practicing each day the fine art of offering to others what we are able.Supporting ourselves as we awaken and pull ourselves from confusion, useless distress, ill thoughts and actions that we know to be untrue to who we truly are. 

For this existence, and what we hold to be true, is the foundation and the framework, the life and the breath of this day we are again given.

11.25.15 Because, you know, it's true.

I remember in my practice, clients at times would become so overwhelmed . With physical symptoms. With having certain conditions. With really tough circumstances . And some of them made substantial sacrifices to come for a half hour , learn ways to support themselves and improve their health all month long , and then get worked on a little bit too. It was a gift of an occupation .
They always needed honest support , being right in there with them so they weren't alone. Letting them know how really hard it was for them. And how absolutely beautifully they were doing , anyway . How conscientious or tireless or determined or tenacious they were.
     And they often had this misunderstanding . They would be uncomfortable , and say to me 'But I'm not ALWAYS ________" this or that .
     I'd say to them "Of course not . You wouldn't be human if you were always perfect and never ate junk and never acted like a jerk. It's ok. It's still all true . "
     And they'd smile , I so remember that . With the realization that remarkable was actually exactly like them, the way they were. How they looked was exactly how powerful and strong and courageous and determined looks .
     Because , you know , it's true.

11.25.15 At night , with the succor of gentleness

One of the nice things about being 63, as opposed to 23 or 43, is that it's actually possible, at times, when so much stuff becomes piled up in life accumulations, to take ourselves in hand , firmly interrupt the beginnings of frenzy about it all, and bring ourselves to ground.

I watched myself do just that tonight, in a way I never was able to do 10 or 5 years ago. 

     Take myself in hand, empathize with what seemed like mounting unmanageable circumstance and emotion, and set myself to rights.

Remind myself that I am not going to process or think over one thing after nightfall- not one. But I will make a note to make darn sure to carve out the time tomorrow. To honor those rising needs and concerns. 

     That each thing I'm spinning out about can just go up on that shelf right now , because now is the time to be kind and unwind. (remember that one from the days of video rentals ?!) That now is the time of day for self care and soft thoughts; as thoughtful as we are readying a small child for a deep restorative sleep, after a hands down tough day. 

     Finally it's possible, when we've been through the mill a few times, to say to ourselves "That worry? Not an emergency. It's alright. Everything is ok. Nothing is perfect. Let's just cool out , and reframe the focus on the big picture . "Darkness. Cozy lights. Putting the house to bed. Gently massaging lotion on feet and arms . Done with warm aromatic tea and something nice we thought on for a bit .

     Because peace of mind is right there, available to us.

     We just need an eagle's eye view , backing up as we rise- back back, as if standing by the old massive Connecticut, or the fathomless ocean, and in a blink of an eye , it's not that our problems aren't important . It's that we can reframe the perspective, so we once again give ourselves the Big Picture. 

     We can turn down the bed, close the shades, brush our teeth as our insides begin to settle in preparation.

     We can not have solutions for all the more than urgent concerns. , but be off the clock, to rejuvenate ourselves. 

     To rest in that peaceful time we give ourselves. Knowing that tomorrow, when we are ready, we can say " Ok. Ok. Let's take them down. , one at a time, zoom back in , and see what's possible ."

     And honor that promise, of carving out time. To let all the hard emotions come up , be heard and felt. With mindfulness, DBT, or your favorite most helpful ways.

     But not at night. At night , with the succor of gentleness , we rest, and sometimes, sleep.

11.23.15 We know so little

It's important to remember every day

that we know so little

of what it's like to be someone else.

(donkeys from Italy)

11.22.15 And then we go see what we can do

 

Having a life is kind of like you wake up and you're a certain person and age , in certain circumstances 

- with none of this, some of that , a little of this . 

And then we go be in that life. See what we can do