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Rest when I need resting and mindfully focus on what’s important when I’m rested. Be light hearted and take things easy whenever possible. Don’t be too strict with self imposed rules. Experiment, improvise, learn from experience and keep the big picture in mind.
I am trying to find some things to de-stress and or give me more joy in our new area. It is a work in progress. Can’t lighten the load but definitely love my short commute to work! Tonight I saw a deer on the golf course next door- that made me happy, have also seen a bunny in our yard lately. Love this!!
My father once gave me an Apache burden basket
in which to put my troubles . . .
I always wished it really worked,
but they still remained stubbornly in my head.
A friend in Austria sent me a bag of worry dolls from Peru one Christmas,
but they didn’t help much either . . .
I seemed to lack the imagination needed to respond to the spell.
It’s apparent
that cultures all over the world
have found, made, and used
all sorts of talisman and amulets
to protect us from harm,
from anxiety and from the weight of our concerns and fears.
They may help,
or they may not,
but we have answers
right inside of ourselves
in the here and now.
We all have choices,
and it seems we’ve been talking about this a lot recently . . .
I have a choice
to bear my heavy burdens or to lighten them.
Over time,
I’ve released quite a few of my burdens and my sorrows,
some of which
I never thought I would let go of.
I think that maybe
some of them just stay
until suddenly they are ready to go,
and they just drop away.
I have had this experience many times,
and always I’ve carried them more or less willingly
until in some magical space in time
they are ready to fledge
like birds who have outgrown their nest . . .
they almost fly away on their own.
Is it because that somehow it is I who am not ready
until I’m ready?
Or is it them?
It seems like there should be a faster way to unburden ourselves
than to drag these dead bodies around for years and years,
and grow so weary
that we can barely move.
So . . .
are they birds just growing up
or are they decaying corpses tied to our backs?
It”s all a matter of perception,
I think.
I have to choose,
every day,
which burdens to carry
and which to let go of.
Right now,
I have one particular weight that is still very present
and not at all ready to go,
at least until it’s been resolved.
Lightening my life happens
when I lighten my own load . . .
the least I can do with this particular burden
is put it on the back burner
and try to live my life around it the best I can
until it’s ready to go. ♥
“I have to choose, every day, which burdens to carry and which to let go of.”
I guess it is a choice, Sparrow.
It doesn’t feel that way,
but I need to decide which burdens I am ready to let go of.
Thank you, Sparrow for the reminder that I have a say in what I hold onto
and what I let go of.
Yes,
dear Mary,
it is a choice,
a difficult choice to be sure,
and it doesn’t always feel like it,
but a choice all the same . . .
it was a hard truth for me too. ♥
Sparrow, Thanks for sharing your wisdom. It is very helpful.
So is yours,
dear Carol . . .
I come to this place
to learn
and to gain wisdom from you
and the other people who come here . . .
Thank you. ♥
It’s an interesting question as a caregiver – with my husband deep into palliative care and on the brink of hospice. I can see it all as the heavy, sad, unimaginable reality that it is. But if i’m in the right frame of mind and have had enough sleep, i can see it as a profound honor to act with love at every moment. And when i slow down and stop trying to jump through hoops to please him, i’m witness to the deepest most cherished moments. This morning as he was sharing how hard it is to see himself in the mirror. A 61 year old active father of 3. An athlete. Reduced to skin and bones. He shared that it is an extension of how he feels emotionally. Laid bare. Open, pure, raw and aware of all the beauty and love around him. Im so fortunate to accompany him on this journey and will be forever changed.
silent blessings to you both
Carly, ” And when i slow down and stop trying to jump through hoops to please him, I’m witness to the deepest most cherished moments.” Those words will stay with me forever. Thank you.
Bless him Carly. I’m so glad you are there for him and happy that you are getting rest and it a good frame of mind.
It is so interesting that when you take care of yourself and stop trying to jump through hoops to please your husband that you can do what is most important. You can be present with him.
It is so beautiful that you can see this time with your husband as a profound honor.
I hope that if this were to happen to my husband and myself
that I would have the strength and wisdom to face life in the way that you are facing it.
Your husband is fortunate to have you, Carly.
Indeed,
dear Carly,
you will be changed forever.
This bittersweet time
can be a catalyst for both you and your husband . . .
it is a great gift
that he can be open and raw to you.
You are seeing each other
as you have never seen each other before.
I hold you both tenderly in my heart
as you complete this journey together
with love . . .
sparrow
♥
This question also gives me a better idea on how to launch my social activism project of saving the next generation. “Aid the Alpha” was the original title. That’s been changed to “Beside the Beta.” We’re now in Gen Beta and better to start fresh. Perfect timing. Goals still remain the same.
Encouraging gifted children to be themselves and grow at their own paste are the aim. Making a difference is the goal. Being a savior goes beyond my abilities. It’s how I can reduce my load and life on the activism front.
Interesting question. I can lighten my load by being more accepting of myself and the choices that I make.
Today, May 28, is my birthday.
I am 25 today. 😆
Okay, not really, I am 68 today.
When I was younger that would have sounded really old.
But I don’t feel old at all.
So 68 years young today.
Sending love to all here.
I am grateful for you and the opportunity to learn and grow in this wonderful group.
And thank you to everyone here working behind the scenes and to Betsy Rodman.
🌷🌷🌷😸😸😸😸🥰🥰🥰☀️☀️☀️😆😆😆😎😎😎
I enjoy emojis, but try not to overdo it. But, hey, today’s my birthday👹🤠👻
Much love to all!. ♥️♥️♥️
Happy Birthday, Mary! Blessings for your 68th trip around the sun!
Yes, 68 times. Hard to believe.
Thank you SunnyPatti! ☀️
Happy 68th birthday Mary. My youngest daughter’s 30th is tomorrow the 29th.
My Dad’s birthday was May 21.
Growing up, we always had strawberry short cake on our birthdays.
In season, and so delicious.
When no parents were around my younger sister
used to shoot whipped cream
from the Reddi Whip can straight into her mouth.
A favorite trick of hers. 😆 Thanks Michele!
An other 1957 model. Hope you had a good day dear Mary.
I did. Thank you, Joseph!
Happy Birthday Mary!! Another May birthday!! 🎈🎂
Thanks, Robin Ann!
Wishing you
a very happy birthday,
dear Mary . . . ♥
Thanks so much, dear Sparrow!
Happy birthday Mary ! 🥰
Thank you, Antoinette!
Happy birthday dearest Mary!
Anna! It’s good to hear from you!
Thank you!
How can I lighten my load and lighten my life? Powerful question for me these days and it is a question I have been pondering for many months. Combining it with today’s quote from Mark Nepo: “There are no wrong turns, only unexpected paths,” brings me solace. Last night was a rough night for me due to medical issues so I will just say that I am at a stage where I’m trying to understand what it would mean to lighten my load and a bit concerned about what I see as my options.
Just let me say,
dear Carol,
that I am in a similar position to yours,
with different issues of course,
and am also considering my own options.
I’m trying to keep in mind
that we do have choices,
maybe not ones we like,
but we have them.
You are not alone. ♥
Sending love to you, Carol.
Mary, thank you and Happy Birthday to you! Blessings always and all ways.
Thank you, Carol.
Blessings always and all ways to you too, Carol, as well.
Not procrastinating important but disliked tasks. It can be hard to get started on these tasks, but I feel much lighter once I get them done. If I look at it from a gratefulness perspective, Kristi Nelson’s tip from her book “Wake up Grateful” comes to my mind: instead of “I have to do _____.” frame it as “I get to do ______.” For example, right now I have some cleaning and home maintenance tasks on my plate as I prepare for guests next week. I have been procrastinating as those are not my favorite tasks, but I GET to do them because I have a home and I have these treasured guests who will be visiting.
I remember the importance of reading that in her book too.
I get to…
Wonderful, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth, I get what you mean. Once, in 2008, I played video games before doing my homework. The next day, I went to a friend’s house to hang out all day. Then, the following day, the power went out. There’s the homework waiting to be done. I had to cramb. With all that being said, the sooner we finish the boring but important tasks, not only we become closer to doing the things we like, but we get to do them more too.
Release all that does not serve me.
Stay in the love vibration & be present.
🕊️🩷
Beautiful, PKR.
“Stay in the love vibration & be present.” I really like this!
Go easy on myself today.
To remember that less is more.
So true, Yram!
My life and load is already light as it is.
I can try to keep things in perspective.
Stop worrying about things that are out of my control.
YES!
I can lighten my load by remembering to ask for help when needed – sometimes pride gets in the way…
I can lighten my life by trying not to worry as much, take each day as it comes, and remain focused on being present.
Michele, I know the disease of pride all too well. We want to take matters into our own hands, go hero mode, and do everything on our own. It all ends up backfiring.