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My Grandmother and my Mom had a saying about "not making rash promises". I am a month into this year and I already feel behind.
Ring out the old! Ring in the new! I've begun to wonder about that notion in light of the world in which I live. I attempt to be grateful as I acknowledge that it is because of the old that any of the new could be born.
I confess I am just grateful to be on this side of 2005. Being in 2006 feels like something has been overcome. It's an interesting feeling.
It's interesting to me (especially at this time in my life) that some people (often people I hardly even know!) seem to have absolutely no hesitation about telling me what I ought to be doing; what I haven't done and what they think about what I am doing (without my ever having solicited their opinion!). I suspect my late Mother would tell me that that is part of the price I pay for having chosen to be a 'public' person. Hmmm!
As I enter this year, however, I am grateful there are people in my life on whom I can count. I am grateful for people who actually know who I am and care about who I am. And, at the end of the day, I guess I'm simply grateful.
All of the years of my living have shaped the rest of my living. Two artificial knees have practically eliminated the increasing joint pain I'd experienced for the last nine years. Finally being 'old enough' to have surgery was a blessing. Having a surgeon who was willing to replace both knees at the same time was a wondrous gift for me and the people in my life. I wish for each of you a year of reflection and renewal, companionship and the love of family and friends, good health and laughter, music and meaningful work, money to pay your bills with a lightness of heart, adequate housing and warmth, clothing that fits and socks without holes, time for exercise each day, a great hat and comfortable shoes, eyes to behold what is mysterious and ears to hear, a tongue that is willing to have at least one taste adventure this year and a nose that knows it knows something smells absolutely wonderful.
Have the very best year you can.
Lovingly,
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Thanksgiving is early in Canada - according to those who live in the lower 48. I like to think that giving thanks is something to do without having to have a particular day to celebrate it. Thanks and heartfelt gratitude are things to celebrate every day.
 What do you think?
For what are you thankful?
How are you doing?
The month of September has been, perhaps, the most exciting month of the year for me for nearly sixty years. School starts. New clothes are purchased. New school supplies must be had. Choirs start afresh with wonderfully exciting plans and music designed to excite singers all over the world. There is a crisp freshness about the air in North America
As with almost every new relationship - in September everything is possible. It just seems to take forever to get started.Happy New Year!
How is it for you?
I am now beginning to wonder what I'm to learn from the challenges with which life presents me. Just when I thought I'd done most of the personal emotional and spiritual work required by the universe to live the rest of my life in relative physical, emotional and spiritual comfort, I realize the entire landscape of my life is changing.
Osteoarthritis and severe joint pain have become my daily and constant companions.
Just when I thought my greatest search would be in finding that perfect quiet place for a holiday with my partner, I find my great search is in trying to find a pain medication that actually deals with pain without eating away my stomach so I can simply go for a walk with my partner.
My aching joints make me almost as accurate at predicting the weather as any meteorologist.
And did I ask for all of this hair under my chin?
Sometimes 'thank you' is the most challenging word I utter each day.
How are you doing?
Inconsistencies precede and follow me. It seems it's always been that way with me. I do something just fine (in my opinion) one day and exhibit 'out to lunch' behaviour towards the same thing on another. Am I just annoyed with being human or is there something I should examine?
I've been wondering why I can be so present to others while often ignoring my own needs. Since I know talking to someone whose only interest is to assist me to get greater clarity in my life is one of the most important things I can do, I made an appointment and saw my therapist today. The words of wisdom I bring from my session are 'you must care for yourself Louise, before you are able to care for others'. Sounds so simple. It's the doing of it that challenges me.
For the rest of my life, I shall be deliberately exploring what I think, how I feel and what I am doing. What matters most is how I feel about myself. If others like that, then life is fine. If, for some reason, they think and/or feel otherwise, life is also fine.
In the context of the life you are living, what does it mean to you to be fully human?
When I think about what it means to me to be fully human, I often think about who other people believe I am because of what may have been written and/or spoken of me.
As I tried to play the piano today, I looked, perhaps for the first time, at hands that have aged and are still strong, skin blessed with good genes, a heart that is strong and generous, a depth of talent often envied, I'm wondering why I'm wondering about what it means to be fully human.
Today I am challenged to say 'thank you'. It is today that I must utter those most important words. How are you doing? |
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