These past weeks have definitely been a roller coaster of emotions played out in the arena of life.
A dear friend was married back home. While another was buried.
Beloved friends were over looking for their prodigal son. Glad to report all's well that ended very well.
I flew cross country on a hellacious 12 hour adventure with consequences I will only hear from in 30 days.
All this and more and I am back home - in love and loving my life as it unfolds as it was meant to - with purpose and direction.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
achievement & fulfillment
All done with the first four chapters of my ARP - already I feel like a champion!
This action research project is the second to last class of my master in adult education and training.
I had to write four chapters of research based on over 25 literature reviews.
Creating the charts, graphs and tables to substantiate this just about drove me to destruction!
In the final class (which begins next week) we write the fifth and final chapter and publish the approved paper online.
puff! PUFF!!! final home stretch - four more weeks and I am done and graduated. . . .on to bigger and better stuff! ! ! the real thing
This action research project is the second to last class of my master in adult education and training.
I had to write four chapters of research based on over 25 literature reviews.
Creating the charts, graphs and tables to substantiate this just about drove me to destruction!
In the final class (which begins next week) we write the fifth and final chapter and publish the approved paper online.
puff! PUFF!!! final home stretch - four more weeks and I am done and graduated. . . .on to bigger and better stuff! ! ! the real thing
Sunday, July 17, 2011
wild & vulnerable
I listened to the Eurithmics song, 17 Again. Love that Annie Lennox!
The YouTube video reminded me that yup! those times where like negotiating thru a war zone and mine field of an untamed heart and primal instincts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k-hU_YPL7o&feature=related
Today I am comforted by the wisdom in Rumi's ecstatic poetry. . . .
Oh, my friend, all that you see of me
Mawlana Jalal Al-Din Al-Rumi
Philosopher, Sage & Sufi Saint
The YouTube video reminded me that yup! those times where like negotiating thru a war zone and mine field of an untamed heart and primal instincts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k-hU_YPL7o&feature=related
Today I am comforted by the wisdom in Rumi's ecstatic poetry. . . .
Love came, and became like blood in my body.
It rushed through my veins and encircled my heart.
Everywhere I looked, I saw one thing.
Love's name written. . . .
on my limbs, on my left palm, on my forehead,
on the back of my neck, on my right big toe. . . .
is just a shell, and the rest belongs to love. . . .
Philosopher, Sage & Sufi Saint
Thursday, July 14, 2011
I'm back. . . .
I
Time to reflect and recollect - especially on the blessings and challenges in our lives. Seasons and occasions have an energy and a feeling to them and whether we realize it or not, we too are affected by this.
We celebrate and prepare for birthdays and holidays in different ways. Birthdays are occasion to celebrate new things, new beginnings, birth and rebirth - promise come to fruition. . . .or not.
Half a year has gone by since my surgery and at 55 I can gratefully laugh that other than this I am in perfect health. Yet my body has changed dramatically. One thing I noticed is that my processing, though more heightened in sensitivity, is slower and less efficient in unfolding - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
All too often in the daily grind of our lives we forget ourselves. We are so immersed in the mundane world - doing our lives as ordinary human beings - we have become so removed from the fact that we are all spiritual beings having a human experience.
This world that we think of as so real and tangible is in fact transitory and an illusion of our own creation.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
21 days to a new you
Research states that it takes about 21 days to develop a habit. What follows is a list of new habits you could develop into your daily life. Start by picking your favorite one and see how that encourages you on to the next one.
1. Read for at least 15 minutes daily from a positive or inspirational book.
2. Listen for at least 15 minutes daily to a positive or inspirational CD.
3. Write in a journal for at least 15 minutes daily, noting what you have done to progress toward your goal and what you need to do in the days ahead.
4. Meditate for at least 15 minutes daily. Meditation is the art of doing nothing. Close your eyes and let go. When thoughts creep in your mind, simply acknowledge them and quickly let them pass.
5. Eliminate negatives from your day. As soon as a negative thought or word creeps in, acknowledge it and let it pass. Replace it quickly with a positive thought or word.
6. Be in good company. Hang around those who are where you want to be in life. Surround yourself with positive, goal-oriented people.
Learn from your experience each day, whether you are having a good day or not. Stay in the game no matter how challenging the next 21 days turn out. Success belongs to those who do not quit.
If you experience a setback, pause and take a deep breath. Start again. If you are struggling, keep pressing on. Every experience is an opportunity to learn more about yourself – get excited and remain eager!
Excerpted from Preston Pratt Jr. and his blog, theunstucklife.com - an inspirational and practical roadmap to a happier, more peaceful and fulfilling life with greater possibilities.
1. Read for at least 15 minutes daily from a positive or inspirational book.
2. Listen for at least 15 minutes daily to a positive or inspirational CD.
3. Write in a journal for at least 15 minutes daily, noting what you have done to progress toward your goal and what you need to do in the days ahead.
4. Meditate for at least 15 minutes daily. Meditation is the art of doing nothing. Close your eyes and let go. When thoughts creep in your mind, simply acknowledge them and quickly let them pass.
5. Eliminate negatives from your day. As soon as a negative thought or word creeps in, acknowledge it and let it pass. Replace it quickly with a positive thought or word.
6. Be in good company. Hang around those who are where you want to be in life. Surround yourself with positive, goal-oriented people.
Learn from your experience each day, whether you are having a good day or not. Stay in the game no matter how challenging the next 21 days turn out. Success belongs to those who do not quit.
If you experience a setback, pause and take a deep breath. Start again. If you are struggling, keep pressing on. Every experience is an opportunity to learn more about yourself – get excited and remain eager!
Excerpted from Preston Pratt Jr. and his blog, theunstucklife.com - an inspirational and practical roadmap to a happier, more peaceful and fulfilling life with greater possibilities.
Friday, November 12, 2010
be a happiness projector!
some simple mood boosters
contributed by Issa Urra - http://bhakticd.org & http://changewarrior.blogspot.com/
Let us admit it – no matter how many things we have to be grateful for, there are just some things in life that can really get us down. So here are a few simple ways to snap out of it!
1. Take a break. Get quiet and focus on some simple task – like listen to a favorite song, watch a show, take a walk, bake a cake or have a nap. Do whatever it takes to interrupt your negative thinking or bad mood.
2. Be grateful. Take a moment to appreciate things. Count your blessings – my health, my husband, my sense of humor, my garden. It puts things in perspective.
3. Play. Be childlike and not childish – enjoy, have fun and be delighted. Incorporate play into your daily routine and have a good belly laugh as often as you can.
4. Pray. There are those times in life when I need to call on a higher power. Prayer works – keep your faith. And trust divine guidance to help you with the problem you are facing.
http://www.happiness-project.com/ - THE HAPPINESS PROJECT, is a memoir of the year I spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happy--from Aristotle to Martin Seligman to Thoreau to Oprah.
THE HAPPINESS PROJECT hit the shelves in December 2009 (Harper) and, happily, was a #1 New York Times bestseller. As one of the hundreds of happiness experiments I conducted during the research and writing of the book, I started this blog. Here, I recount my daily adventures in pursuit of happiness. – GRETCHEN RUBIN
contributed by Issa Urra - http://bhakticd.org & http://changewarrior.blogspot.com/
Let us admit it – no matter how many things we have to be grateful for, there are just some things in life that can really get us down. So here are a few simple ways to snap out of it!
1. Take a break. Get quiet and focus on some simple task – like listen to a favorite song, watch a show, take a walk, bake a cake or have a nap. Do whatever it takes to interrupt your negative thinking or bad mood.
2. Be grateful. Take a moment to appreciate things. Count your blessings – my health, my husband, my sense of humor, my garden. It puts things in perspective.
3. Play. Be childlike and not childish – enjoy, have fun and be delighted. Incorporate play into your daily routine and have a good belly laugh as often as you can.
4. Pray. There are those times in life when I need to call on a higher power. Prayer works – keep your faith. And trust divine guidance to help you with the problem you are facing.
http://www.happiness-project.com/ - THE HAPPINESS PROJECT, is a memoir of the year I spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happy--from Aristotle to Martin Seligman to Thoreau to Oprah.
THE HAPPINESS PROJECT hit the shelves in December 2009 (Harper) and, happily, was a #1 New York Times bestseller. As one of the hundreds of happiness experiments I conducted during the research and writing of the book, I started this blog. Here, I recount my daily adventures in pursuit of happiness. – GRETCHEN RUBIN
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
don’t just strive or survive. . . .THRIVE!
FLOURISH! embrace life & attract abundance
Human intellect is a collection of abilities that the mind possesses. The intellect is comprised of several facets. When developed, each possesses a different and powerful potential.
1. Perception. Be a lifelong learner, continuing to grow in awareness of your potential and to envision different perspectives and approaches. The ability to quickly grasp another point of view is a powerful tool - in life, at work and for understanding our relationships better.
2. Reason. The ability to manage our thoughts. The more empowered our reasoning the less we are adversely affected by things over which we have no control – like other opinions or outside circumstances.
3. Memory. We all have good and bad memories from our past. Although we cannot change our past, we can change how we feel about it today. Choose to learn from your past and do not let it hold you back from what you can achieve today.
4. Will is not force but intent. A weak will leads to an undeveloped purpose in life. A strong will provides perseverance and persistence - a key characteristic for success.
5. Intuition. It is a developed feel about something and not to be confused with an emotional response. It is an inner knowing. Most of us question our intuition or ignore it altogether. Consider that intuition is our connection to Source. Wayne Dyer says that, “If prayer is when we talk to God, then intuition is how we hear God's answer.”
6. Imagination. The faculty, process or action to form images or concepts in our mind. The creative thinking or expressive process that develops the ability to conceive solutions, surpass challenges or solve problems.
Find ways to nurture, nourish and develop your intellect. Be tireless and vigilant about the pursuit of your ongoing expansion!
excerpted from Q3 Masterminds: http://leslieflowersmasterminds.eventbrite.com/
Human intellect is a collection of abilities that the mind possesses. The intellect is comprised of several facets. When developed, each possesses a different and powerful potential.
1. Perception. Be a lifelong learner, continuing to grow in awareness of your potential and to envision different perspectives and approaches. The ability to quickly grasp another point of view is a powerful tool - in life, at work and for understanding our relationships better.
2. Reason. The ability to manage our thoughts. The more empowered our reasoning the less we are adversely affected by things over which we have no control – like other opinions or outside circumstances.
3. Memory. We all have good and bad memories from our past. Although we cannot change our past, we can change how we feel about it today. Choose to learn from your past and do not let it hold you back from what you can achieve today.
4. Will is not force but intent. A weak will leads to an undeveloped purpose in life. A strong will provides perseverance and persistence - a key characteristic for success.
5. Intuition. It is a developed feel about something and not to be confused with an emotional response. It is an inner knowing. Most of us question our intuition or ignore it altogether. Consider that intuition is our connection to Source. Wayne Dyer says that, “If prayer is when we talk to God, then intuition is how we hear God's answer.”
6. Imagination. The faculty, process or action to form images or concepts in our mind. The creative thinking or expressive process that develops the ability to conceive solutions, surpass challenges or solve problems.
Find ways to nurture, nourish and develop your intellect. Be tireless and vigilant about the pursuit of your ongoing expansion!
excerpted from Q3 Masterminds: http://leslieflowersmasterminds.eventbrite.com/
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