Friday, August 10, 2012

The Naked Within

I called someone plainspoken today. I told her this was one of my highest compliments. I believe I've always felt this way. But even more so since 2008. Being plainspoken means putting it out there as it is. No fancy dress, no mask. 

I appreciate plainspokeness because it feels real and solid. Everyone I admire most in the world has this quality. That doesn't mean it is always easy to be the recipient of plain speak. It has a way of peeling back layers you'd just as soon not be peeled back. The naked within isn't always acceptable even to yourself. But I know for myself that this naked is necessary for me to go forward especially spiritually. 

I need to hear that I am totally in charge of myself and my feelings. I need to hear it loudly and likely multiple times. So the Universe has provided this message over and over. Infinite patience don't you know? Why is it necessary to know this? Because Friend, it opens all doors and windows. It gives the awesome gifts of freedom and choice. To know you are free, to really know it, is scary. To acknowledge you are totally responsible for your life, it's happenings and consequences, is scarier still. And for some people too scary. 

How would it feel to be at a point where you were able to acknowledge this but then have to look back at all the things that you blamed others for and have to admit it was always you? For some this is not going to happen at all. They will continue to be a victim. I am further down this road than I ever have been before. I am grateful to be going forward. I have my times though, when I fall back to victim and I know better. Somehow it is our first response to point the finger at anyone but ourselves. 

I read a blog post by someone making the argument that business owners are not responsible for failure of their businesses when things like bad economies and big box stores are involved. The blog went on to offer up the example of a woman who made a firm and clear decision about what she wanted in her work life. After the decision was made she threw herself into the task of study and preparation (focus in new age speak) and it shouldn't be surprising to anyone that the woman achieved her desire. I am sure this woman had hard days. Days where she thought she might have to give up. But a clear vision of what she wanted and purposeful focus ultimately led to success. Success on her terms.   

You don't have to be Pollyanna. Indeed, I think it would be harmful for the success of a vision to be so positive you close yourself off from alternatives that might serve you. And face it, sometimes a good cry and a bout of self pity are what it takes to get through the day. But putting the blame on things or people outside yourself is not the answer. The economy is what it is. Big box stores are successful because they offer goods that people can afford and they employ others. If your business failed, mourn it -but don't think your effort wasted. What was learned? How can it benefit you?  

Mike Dooley says that something unexpected or unwanted is a bridge to what you do want. Until you cross the bridge you can't look back and see that this was so. But if you keep on traveling you will be able to. I had something happen to me in 2008 that rocked my world. I thought my life was over. But what it was was life pulling me forward. Today I am at a place I never thought I would be. I have traveled over the bridge. I can look back and see how today came to be. I am not Pollyanna. I mourn what was. I cry and despair at times. But I have made a promise to someone to keep traveling. I intend to, and on my way, enjoy the scenery. 

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Unnecessary Genie

How lucky (and by lucky I mean blown away at your sheer good fortune) are you if you have someone in your life with whom you share a 'thinking' connection? If you have such a person, they are more valuable than all the wishes you might require of a genie. 

I was reminded of this last night. I had read a moving blog post. It was well thought out and beautifully written. But, for reasons I won't go into, it made me feel like shit. The blog post seemed to have been well received and I had no doubt it was well intentioned. Therefore, it was pointless for me to open up about how it made me feel personally. 

But last night I was asked about this blog post. I was asked if I had read it. I replied that I had. And that it was well thought out and beautifully written. Because I was asked this by a person I can be totally honest with, I added that despite these attributes it made me feel like shit. The reply was, 'I wondered'. Like a tiny miracle the understanding, care and compassion behind that statement took away any bad feelings the blog post had left me-replaced with humbled awe at my good fortune. 

Sunday, July 29, 2012

So What's For Dinner?

Today I told someone that when others view my life they could come to some black and white judgments. But my truth is in shades of grey. Many shades of grey. And I bet yours is as well.

Then it occurred to me that my concern over judgment (no matter what color) was really about me judging me. (I progress a few steps than slink back a few.) It is pretty sobering to realize how conditioned I have become. To think my life has to be a certain way.

Do you expect my life to be a certain way? Do you even have expectations for my life? I'm going to bet you are so immersed in your life you do not have time to contemplate mine. So the only thoughts that affect my life come from within me. I want to contemplate some good. Because I know it is there. Somewhere.

1) spent time with my BFF today and gave her the gift of my full attention and active listening.
2) began thinking about a situation that I can't control and when I realized this I told myself to let it go and for once I listened to myself and felt that blessed sense of peace that comes from acceptance of what is.
3) The universe is supporting me with messages of: you do not need to know what will happen. And remembrances of times I've been supported. Which is timely as I feel the stirrings of panic in my psyche.
4) I am making a good dinner tonight.
5) I introduced some nice people to each other on Twitter.
6) I sent love and healing thoughts to an older woman.
7) I spent time being creative instead of in more practical work (which will get done eventually)
8) I was flexible about today's schedule. (Flexible and me-not soul mates)
9) I smiled and enjoyed a movie on television that I had been wanting to watch but just stumbled on to today.
10) I took time to write this blog post to aid myself mostly but maybe someone else too.

All this before dinner time. There is good in me. I just need to spend more time contemplating the good and less in judgment. I'd like to invite you to do the same.