I guess navigating the holiday season. Last year was kind of dicey, and I’d like to do the whole thing better. I’m lucky enough to have a few events on the schedule and I want to pass them pleasantly.
May be to be more present here and wherever i am would be of support for others as well as for me, may be. For the moment being, it is both challenge and opportunity to go to sleep, which i do now. Wishing a good rest to all.
One of my challenges is to continue to be conservative with money while I still pay my daughter’s rent. She is working more hours and also trying to pay off many things. I need to be patient as we continue to wait to see if she is elig for ss disability. We are also not very patiently waiting to see if the Health Exchange tax benefits will be extended for 2026. We hope to hear before mid December what the current Administration decides.
I join you in not patiently waiting to see if the subsidies will be extended. Our current plan is just over $100/mo for the both of us – no deductible, really low copays, plus vision and dental. Same plan in January will be about $1500/mo with a $6k deductible per person and higher charges for everything else. I’m not sure what we will do, but I am hoping and praying that it will work out for the multitude of us who need it.
I know, she has a lot of health needs though. There are Health clinics in each state that assist people and have a sliding scale so at least there is that.
At the end of every week
my mother would pile anything that was out of place
in the room I shared with my sister.
onto the floor
in front of our respective dressers.
We were told that whatever we did not put away
would be tossed in the trash.
Every Saturday
we would work like little devils
to set our room aright.
We were both creative children
and always other things we wanted to do
instead of keeping our room tidy.
Unfortunately,
my mother was unable to make us into neat little haus fraus,
and I struggle with cleaning to this day.
The challenge continues
even as I try different tactics,
and I wander off whatever plan I’ve made
almost every designated time.
balanced out by my desire to draw something,
paint something,
create something,
restore something,
or work in my gardens.
What hinders me more now,
is that my joints are not what they were,
and my back has gotten arthritic,
which is very discouraging.
I look down on myself
because of these failures,
which is of no help at all.
I might need to give mindfulness and presence
a helping hand,
give myself some visual aids like teachers do for their students,
and I might need to push myself a little harder . . .
I’ve just got to stop the ‘wandering’;
get my head out of the clouds.
I would feel much better about myself
if I can really rise to this challenge,
remembering
that the journey is the goal. ♥
I totally understand. I need to be in the mood to clean or declutter. My Mother used to make a list of chores for every every week-end. I felt like Cinderella! None of my friends had to do so many chores! Then my husband was also a neat freak. I am glad I get to do it on my own time schedule and when I feel like it. Definitely not in nice weather lol
I need to find the energy to really plan how to do the holiday season without my husband Trent … rather than just roll in and out of it without some reflection on how to honor and keep his spirit alive as we walk through Advent to Christmas Day. Grief can pull you under without some ideas to implement big or small.
That’s a hard one,
dear Carly . . .
I might sit with this for awhile,
and honor your husband’s memory
with something that feels right for you.
I hold you in my heart
with love . . . ♥
Nothing really comes to mind.
I guess at this time of the year I am usually challenged by the frenzy of the season & all the noise telling me to buy buy buy & you only have so many days left until Christmas messages. I can feel the stress building just writing it here!
Anyway my challenge is to stay centered, calm & peaceful during this beautiful time of the year.
I choose to not listen to the “noise”.
I choose peace, love & joy. ✨
🕊️♥️
PKR, it’s very easy to get caught up in materials around this time of the year. One should be grateful for quality time with each other. Not everyone can afford a gift. JOMO over FOMO has helped me with peace of mind. JOMO is joy of missing out while the other one is fear with the rest can already be filled in the blanks.
“While you might think it’s a trick, having affection for one’s goofy, crabby, annoying, lovely self is home. This has been my meager salvation.”
–Anne Lamott
Right now, I’m thinking my opportunity is acceptance. I’m not real happy with myself at this moment but its very important that I love not judge my little girl whose uneasiness is manifesting big time. We had a big snow for our area on Monday and the roads look clear enough for me to take her out today to a meeting and then the grocery store. I may only make it one place or the other but she is excited about going! Either way, I know I will be grateful.
I think that getting out of yourself,
dear Carol Ann,
will make you feel better,
as it usually does for me,
but do be careful . . .
and do be kind to yourself and to the little one
with love . . . ♥
Updating my knowledge and honing my philosophy and perspective. I burned out in my profession, and then AI came along and automated some of the tasks in which I took joy, putting the figurative nail in the coffin. I need to decide on a new direction. My opportunity is to continue to educate myself on what’s out there, and match that with my skills, talents, and motivations.
My current challenges are pretty minor and are being met head on. But I will say, that practicing gratefulness and attempting to stay in the present, is a good mind state for problem solving. Offering more options and more creativity. There is almost always a third (or fourth) way.
Well I can say sweeping 🧹 anything including trauma under the rug is NOT a way forward any more than sticking a dead fish 🐠 under the rug would work!
As we maybe all know now there is a method of truly letting go that currently works well!
The meditation method along with facing what is currently coming up is the way out !
The way out is in .
There can be no causes for there to be no more conditions.
This is because that is .
Letting go 100% means there is no false self remaining!
Thank you so much universe for giving me the exact Ticket 🎫 to get out ! I’ll do my best to keep following the path to BECOMING TRUTH in this very lifetime.
Thank you so much . No mud no lotus 🪷
Have a lovely day friends .
Of course isn’t the first time. Unless conditions are completely I gone you will still have them .
This is because that is –
There is still a condition and a cause –
Impermanence arising and disappearing 24/7!
No condition- the deathless
Antoinette, this always reminds me of Paw Mu’s advice of cleaning up everything. Agendas are killers. Purity is my biggest takeway from her. She just cared for me. As I said on EJP’s post yesterday, “Incompatible differences” can be used as intimacy avoidance, excuses, and code for “Leave me alone” or “Go away.” I know too many charms for the good, bad, and evil. The more I know them, the more I try to minimize using charm on others for my own personal gain even if it’s rooted in protection. In the US, we’re using to people giving us space. In collective cultures like Vietnamese and many Asian cultures, it’s a family of families environment. People just come to us. Looking beyond and letting go of my agendas is where I’d benefit the most.
My life is currently smooth sailing in and out. I’ve overcome my string-pulling tendencies for the most part which is about the best anyone can ask for.
Yes. Challenges just come. We just enjoy the easy stretches while they last. It’s easy to overthink with these types of questions. This reminds me of Barb C before when she talked about staying away from fishing for problems in the past.
My current challenge is patiently getting through this month without feeling overwhelmed. I took on the role of studio manager, but it’s been way more hours than discussed, I’m basically “on” all the time, even on my so-called days off, and the pay balances out to pennies for what I’m doing. But we did just find out some big news – the owner of the spa & studio (which are connected) is taking over all studio operations starting in January, and my current boss, who owns her own yoga business, is stepping aside, only being a part of the studio teaching the classes that she does. This news kind of scared me, but after talking to the studio’s owner, I am happy and excited. I’m going to continue my manager role, but only work two full days a week, getting an hourly pay that is more than what I’m getting now, and a new system is being set up so that I don’t have to be the one to worry about all of the things (teachers getting sick, last-minute subs, cancelling classes, covering the desk, etc). I can’t wait for this to happen, but I have 4 weeks where I really need to tap into that space of peace, patience, and knowing.
I guess the opportunity is to really practice my yoga off of the mat.
Thanks, friends, for your kind words. The business owner does value me, which is why he offered what he did. I’ve been on a salary of sorts and look forward to that change along with similar but less responsibilities. He knows I’m working on my next certification and that teaching is really my main thing, so I appreciate him respecting my boundaries.
I was “off” yesterday and got a message from one of my coworkers asking me to reply to a student email that she was forwarding to me. I didn’t see it for a while because I was on the phone with USAA filing a claim for my SUV. When I went into the app to read the message, there was another one that just said “?” … like why had I not responded? Ah, four weeks will go by quickly 🙂
It’s an unfortunate time of year
to be over-booked,
dear SunnyPatti . . .
I hope that things settle down for you soon.
You have had a lot on your plate . . .
I don’t know how you manage it all. ♥
i have a skin challenge. I need to begin my treatment with Efudex (fluorouracil). I go yearly in August to the dermatologist. I told her I would do this more aggressive treatment in December when the daylight is shorter that the dark. The treatment sounds and looks formidable. I have been shown photos. The opportunity to move past my trepidation is draped in fog. I have picked this evening to start. Twice daily, 2/3 weeks. That is how the instructions were given me. I asked her why two to three weeks. She said two for sure, three better, but some folks can only stand two. Yikes!
Wishing you healing energy and positive results from your treatment. My dad is going to the dermatologist today – he has had many spots removed from his face/nose and now possibly his forehead.
Oh dear. Good luck, Joseph. I watch my skin closely and use sunscreen now because I’m fair-skinned and my mom had to have a cancerous spot removed from an ear, but I had years of wanting a dark tan and *not* using sunscreen on my account.
I am wishing you complete healing. My husband did a blue light treatment. It doesn’t sound as harsh as yours. The anticipation was worse than the treatment.. A day at a time. Blessings
Yikes, indeed!
I hope you don’t suffer the serious side effects of the fluorouracil,
dear Joseph.
I have significant sun damage,
and have had two squamous cell cancers removed.
I also use a cream on the rest of my body,
but it is not at all invasive like what you are taking,
and can be bought over the counter.
I wish you patience and endurance
as you go through this treatment plan in the weeks ahead.
I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my neck end of August by out patient surgery. I have had pre cancerous spots frozen off since the late 90’s. Too much vitamin D. Just as sadness and joy, the sun gives life and can harm life. Thank you all for the good vibes.
My current challenge is being overextended and a wee bit scattered. I am working on this. I am grateful for the oppportunity to learn what to do and what to set aside. Someone once said, “time is the only real asset.” I don’t fully agree; however, I do want to think about what is important and what I want to spend my time working towards or letting go of.
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I guess navigating the holiday season. Last year was kind of dicey, and I’d like to do the whole thing better. I’m lucky enough to have a few events on the schedule and I want to pass them pleasantly.
May be to be more present here and wherever i am would be of support for others as well as for me, may be. For the moment being, it is both challenge and opportunity to go to sleep, which i do now. Wishing a good rest to all.
One of my challenges is to continue to be conservative with money while I still pay my daughter’s rent. She is working more hours and also trying to pay off many things. I need to be patient as we continue to wait to see if she is elig for ss disability. We are also not very patiently waiting to see if the Health Exchange tax benefits will be extended for 2026. We hope to hear before mid December what the current Administration decides.
I join you in not patiently waiting to see if the subsidies will be extended. Our current plan is just over $100/mo for the both of us – no deductible, really low copays, plus vision and dental. Same plan in January will be about $1500/mo with a $6k deductible per person and higher charges for everything else. I’m not sure what we will do, but I am hoping and praying that it will work out for the multitude of us who need it.
I heard today that they will try to make decision by 12/18 and a plan needs to be picked by 12/15!
Those damn subsidies! I wish someone would take action!
My heart is with you.
Waiting for the government in this day and age,
dear Robin,
requires an extreme amount of fortitude
and patience.
Bless you,
dear Robin Ann. ♥
I know, she has a lot of health needs though. There are Health clinics in each state that assist people and have a sliding scale so at least there is that.
At the end of every week
my mother would pile anything that was out of place
in the room I shared with my sister.
onto the floor
in front of our respective dressers.
We were told that whatever we did not put away
would be tossed in the trash.
Every Saturday
we would work like little devils
to set our room aright.
We were both creative children
and always other things we wanted to do
instead of keeping our room tidy.
Unfortunately,
my mother was unable to make us into neat little haus fraus,
and I struggle with cleaning to this day.
The challenge continues
even as I try different tactics,
and I wander off whatever plan I’ve made
almost every designated time.
balanced out by my desire to draw something,
paint something,
create something,
restore something,
or work in my gardens.
What hinders me more now,
is that my joints are not what they were,
and my back has gotten arthritic,
which is very discouraging.
I look down on myself
because of these failures,
which is of no help at all.
I might need to give mindfulness and presence
a helping hand,
give myself some visual aids like teachers do for their students,
and I might need to push myself a little harder . . .
I’ve just got to stop the ‘wandering’;
get my head out of the clouds.
I would feel much better about myself
if I can really rise to this challenge,
remembering
that the journey is the goal. ♥
I totally understand. I need to be in the mood to clean or declutter. My Mother used to make a list of chores for every every week-end. I felt like Cinderella! None of my friends had to do so many chores! Then my husband was also a neat freak. I am glad I get to do it on my own time schedule and when I feel like it. Definitely not in nice weather lol
Thank you for getting it,
dear Robin Ann. ♥
Just doing the damn thing! I am an over-thinker and my negative thoughts hold me back. What if I just took the plunge anyway, despite the fear?
I need to find the energy to really plan how to do the holiday season without my husband Trent … rather than just roll in and out of it without some reflection on how to honor and keep his spirit alive as we walk through Advent to Christmas Day. Grief can pull you under without some ideas to implement big or small.
Loving kindness to you Carly.
May you find peace during this time of grief, Carly 🙏🏼
Sending you positive energy Carly J
May you find solace Carly J. Peace & Love.
Nice that you are thinking of ways to honor your husband 💕
That’s a hard one,
dear Carly . . .
I might sit with this for awhile,
and honor your husband’s memory
with something that feels right for you.
I hold you in my heart
with love . . . ♥
Sending you love Carly J 🧡
Nothing really comes to mind.
I guess at this time of the year I am usually challenged by the frenzy of the season & all the noise telling me to buy buy buy & you only have so many days left until Christmas messages. I can feel the stress building just writing it here!
Anyway my challenge is to stay centered, calm & peaceful during this beautiful time of the year.
I choose to not listen to the “noise”.
I choose peace, love & joy. ✨
🕊️♥️
PKR, it’s very easy to get caught up in materials around this time of the year. One should be grateful for quality time with each other. Not everyone can afford a gift. JOMO over FOMO has helped me with peace of mind. JOMO is joy of missing out while the other one is fear with the rest can already be filled in the blanks.
“While you might think it’s a trick, having affection for one’s goofy, crabby, annoying, lovely self is home. This has been my meager salvation.”
–Anne Lamott
Right now, I’m thinking my opportunity is acceptance. I’m not real happy with myself at this moment but its very important that I love not judge my little girl whose uneasiness is manifesting big time. We had a big snow for our area on Monday and the roads look clear enough for me to take her out today to a meeting and then the grocery store. I may only make it one place or the other but she is excited about going! Either way, I know I will be grateful.
you’ve got this!
❤️
I think that getting out of yourself,
dear Carol Ann,
will make you feel better,
as it usually does for me,
but do be careful . . .
and do be kind to yourself and to the little one
with love . . . ♥
Carol Ann, sending you a 🤗 & love.
Be gentle with yourself……. ♥️
Updating my knowledge and honing my philosophy and perspective. I burned out in my profession, and then AI came along and automated some of the tasks in which I took joy, putting the figurative nail in the coffin. I need to decide on a new direction. My opportunity is to continue to educate myself on what’s out there, and match that with my skills, talents, and motivations.
I think
that you are more resourceful than AI,
dear Drea,
and that you will prevail. ♥
Thank you dear Sparrow. I’m far from the first human to see automation chip away at craft, and will not be the last … we adjust, it’s what we do.
My current challenges are pretty minor and are being met head on. But I will say, that practicing gratefulness and attempting to stay in the present, is a good mind state for problem solving. Offering more options and more creativity. There is almost always a third (or fourth) way.
True Charlie, so true.
Totally agree, Charlie. The less we think, the more solutions come. The more we search for them, the more our mind gets cluttered up.
Well I can say sweeping 🧹 anything including trauma under the rug is NOT a way forward any more than sticking a dead fish 🐠 under the rug would work!
As we maybe all know now there is a method of truly letting go that currently works well!
The meditation method along with facing what is currently coming up is the way out !
The way out is in .
There can be no causes for there to be no more conditions.
This is because that is .
Letting go 100% means there is no false self remaining!
Thank you so much universe for giving me the exact Ticket 🎫 to get out ! I’ll do my best to keep following the path to BECOMING TRUTH in this very lifetime.
Thank you so much . No mud no lotus 🪷
Have a lovely day friends .
You can do this,
dear Antoinette,
for you truly understand
‘no mud, not lotus’ ♥
Of course isn’t the first time. Unless conditions are completely I gone you will still have them .
This is because that is –
There is still a condition and a cause –
Impermanence arising and disappearing 24/7!
No condition- the deathless
“No mud. No Lotus.” Amen
Antoinette, this always reminds me of Paw Mu’s advice of cleaning up everything. Agendas are killers. Purity is my biggest takeway from her. She just cared for me. As I said on EJP’s post yesterday, “Incompatible differences” can be used as intimacy avoidance, excuses, and code for “Leave me alone” or “Go away.” I know too many charms for the good, bad, and evil. The more I know them, the more I try to minimize using charm on others for my own personal gain even if it’s rooted in protection. In the US, we’re using to people giving us space. In collective cultures like Vietnamese and many Asian cultures, it’s a family of families environment. People just come to us. Looking beyond and letting go of my agendas is where I’d benefit the most.
Let go of everything!
My life is currently smooth sailing in and out. I’ve overcome my string-pulling tendencies for the most part which is about the best anyone can ask for.
Maybe maybe not – are you sure ?
Yes. Challenges just come. We just enjoy the easy stretches while they last. It’s easy to overthink with these types of questions. This reminds me of Barb C before when she talked about staying away from fishing for problems in the past.
My current challenge is patiently getting through this month without feeling overwhelmed. I took on the role of studio manager, but it’s been way more hours than discussed, I’m basically “on” all the time, even on my so-called days off, and the pay balances out to pennies for what I’m doing. But we did just find out some big news – the owner of the spa & studio (which are connected) is taking over all studio operations starting in January, and my current boss, who owns her own yoga business, is stepping aside, only being a part of the studio teaching the classes that she does. This news kind of scared me, but after talking to the studio’s owner, I am happy and excited. I’m going to continue my manager role, but only work two full days a week, getting an hourly pay that is more than what I’m getting now, and a new system is being set up so that I don’t have to be the one to worry about all of the things (teachers getting sick, last-minute subs, cancelling classes, covering the desk, etc). I can’t wait for this to happen, but I have 4 weeks where I really need to tap into that space of peace, patience, and knowing.
I guess the opportunity is to really practice my yoga off of the mat.
schedule yourself a nice massage – I just had my monthly one last night, sooo relaxing and needed, esp this mth. 🙂
Thanks, friends, for your kind words. The business owner does value me, which is why he offered what he did. I’ve been on a salary of sorts and look forward to that change along with similar but less responsibilities. He knows I’m working on my next certification and that teaching is really my main thing, so I appreciate him respecting my boundaries.
I was “off” yesterday and got a message from one of my coworkers asking me to reply to a student email that she was forwarding to me. I didn’t see it for a while because I was on the phone with USAA filing a claim for my SUV. When I went into the app to read the message, there was another one that just said “?” … like why had I not responded? Ah, four weeks will go by quickly 🙂
Nice to know relief is on the way!
Patti Today is the only day…sending loving energy your way. Picturing sunshine on your shoulders!
The two days a week sounds ideal, nice work getting a workable setup in the future. Hang in there. You’re obviously very competent and valued.
Sunnypatti, sounds like your hands are full! Good luck on your job duties and I hope you can find to let go. Take care . 💓
It’s an unfortunate time of year
to be over-booked,
dear SunnyPatti . . .
I hope that things settle down for you soon.
You have had a lot on your plate . . .
I don’t know how you manage it all. ♥
i have a skin challenge. I need to begin my treatment with Efudex (fluorouracil). I go yearly in August to the dermatologist. I told her I would do this more aggressive treatment in December when the daylight is shorter that the dark. The treatment sounds and looks formidable. I have been shown photos. The opportunity to move past my trepidation is draped in fog. I have picked this evening to start. Twice daily, 2/3 weeks. That is how the instructions were given me. I asked her why two to three weeks. She said two for sure, three better, but some folks can only stand two. Yikes!
Wishing you healing energy and positive results from your treatment. My dad is going to the dermatologist today – he has had many spots removed from his face/nose and now possibly his forehead.
Oh my, yes a challenge indeed – hang in there! My Dad has had skin cancer on his face 3x
Oh, dear Joseph, one day at a time…be patient with yourself…sending loving energy your way.
Oh dear. Good luck, Joseph. I watch my skin closely and use sunscreen now because I’m fair-skinned and my mom had to have a cancerous spot removed from an ear, but I had years of wanting a dark tan and *not* using sunscreen on my account.
Good luck, Joseph. I hope your body reacts well to the treatment.
I am wishing you complete healing. My husband did a blue light treatment. It doesn’t sound as harsh as yours. The anticipation was worse than the treatment.. A day at a time. Blessings
Yikes, indeed!
I hope you don’t suffer the serious side effects of the fluorouracil,
dear Joseph.
I have significant sun damage,
and have had two squamous cell cancers removed.
I also use a cream on the rest of my body,
but it is not at all invasive like what you are taking,
and can be bought over the counter.
I wish you patience and endurance
as you go through this treatment plan in the weeks ahead.
I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my neck end of August by out patient surgery. I have had pre cancerous spots frozen off since the late 90’s. Too much vitamin D. Just as sadness and joy, the sun gives life and can harm life. Thank you all for the good vibes.
Both sides of the same coin,
dear Joseph . . .
I’ve always been a sun lover,
consequences or not. ♥
My current challenge is being overextended and a wee bit scattered. I am working on this. I am grateful for the oppportunity to learn what to do and what to set aside. Someone once said, “time is the only real asset.” I don’t fully agree; however, I do want to think about what is important and what I want to spend my time working towards or letting go of.
Don’t forget to be kind to yourself,
dear Avril . . .
I think you have very high expectancies
of what you can manage on your own. ♥
Avril, May you be calm and patient with yourself.
Thank you Carol