I shut my car door and walked across the street. Within minutes, I was standing in front of the Acupuncture Clinic. The door was locked, as I knew it would be. On my first visit, I had forgotten to write down the code that would open the front door. This time I had found the code and committed it to memory. Continue reading “I Love Being This Relaxed”
Category: Learning
Inspiration Comes in Many Forms
Sometimes, because of the chronic health problems and aches and pains that so often accompany growing older, plus the fact that my mother died at 74, I have felt like my life is winding down, even though most of me doesn’t think that is true. The dilemma about what I want to do when and if I retire adds to that unsettled feeling.
I met someone in India this past December who was such an inspiration. It is a memory I can hold in front of me during the times I am feeling down. Continue reading “Inspiration Comes in Many Forms”
Judgment or Compassion?
There are a lot of homeless people living in Seattle, especially in the Green Belt, a forested area, part of which is located near my home. There are times when I strike up a conversation with them or at least smile as we pass by each other on the sidewalk.
I really notice the difference between my behavior in those situations and when I am approached by a panhandler in a parking lot or near the entrance to a grocery store. Continue reading “Judgment or Compassion?”
Writing 101, Day One: Unlock the Mind
Blogging University’s Writing 101 course starts today! Every day we will be given an writing assignment and a twist. We can choose whether or not we want to do the twist…. and we can choose whether or not we want to publish what we wrote during that day’s assignment.
Our first assignment: Continue reading “Writing 101, Day One: Unlock the Mind”
A Complaint Free World
I have been disturbed recently by the amount of negativity that I have allowed to creep back into my speech. In my assessment, I am complaining entirely too much. While I haven’t felt well and I’ve been under a lot of stress, complaining certainly doesn’t help and it isn’t the way I want to be in the world. Then last night, I read this week’s writing prompt from Traces of the Soul. Oliana asked us to write about negativity, both our own negativity and the impact of being around others who are pessimistic and see a glass as half empty instead of half full. Continue reading “A Complaint Free World”
What a Difference Knowledge Makes!
I’ve lived in the same house for more than 40 years. There have always been rhododendrons in front of the house. They grow so fast they easily cover the big front windows. What the good of having plate glass windows if you can’t see out of them? Continue reading “What a Difference Knowledge Makes!”
Struggles with Conflict – Part 2
On April 17, 2014, I wrote a post called Struggles with Conflict. That turned out to be the second most popular post I’ve written. After reflecting some more about the topic, I decided to share some techniques you might find helpful when you are faced with conflict.
When someone is very angry with you, if you start defending or explaining, you may make the situation worse by giving the person more ammunition to use against you. While the problem may need to be discussed in depth, a positive outcome is not likely when one or both parties are escalated. In those cases, consider using one of the techniques I list below. That may be all that is needed. If not, then you can always set a later time for a serious discussion. Continue reading “Struggles with Conflict – Part 2”
My Spirit Led Journey
May 19, 2014
I am not a meditator, but yesterday I found myself having the opportunity to practice a form of walking meditation that had occurred spontaneously to me many years ago. I had decided to take a brief walk in my neighborhood. As I began the walk, I realized I was entering an altered state of consciousness. Strange as it may seem to those of you who are reading this post, I decided I would allow my feet to decide where I would go.
As I looked down the street, my vision became more and more tunneled. I had the sense I was entering a long walkway covered on the sides and above by flowering trees. Continue reading “My Spirit Led Journey”
Reflection: What Would/Should I Do?
Oliana from Traces of the Soul has started offering a weekly writing prompt. This week’s prompt Silent witnesses – Bystanders asked:
“What are your thoughts about bystanders who get involved, those who watch and for various reasons do not help, speak out or get help? Write a poem, a story (fiction or true) about a situation related to a bystander or witness of some form of offensive behaviour.”
When I read Oliana’s prompt last night, my mind went immediately to December of last year. My children and I were in India when we received a phone call Continue reading “Reflection: What Would/Should I Do?”
The Story Behind the Spiral Garden
In March of 2013, I attended an “Introduction to Permaculture” class taught by Netsah Zelinsky, a certified Permaculture Instructor. As part of the class, we built a spiral herb garden in the front yard of one of the participants. I was interested, but had no plans to make one anytime soon, if ever.
I woke up during the night, however, with a drive to build one, right away. I must have done so much planning in my sleep, because when I woke up in the morning, I knew exactly how I would build it. It was important to me that it was an inexpensive project, so I had decided I would use pieces of broken concrete. Continue reading “The Story Behind the Spiral Garden”
Living, Learning and Letting Go 