Reflections

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  1. Patti
    sunnypatti
    15 minutes ago

    Settling into a new place is calling for my compassion and understanding. I am happy to be where I am. It’s what I wanted (as well as my husband), and the home we’re in is nicer with friendly neighbors who speak to each other, quieter, close to the beach, and close enough to all of the amenities we like. The dogs are happy. I’ve surfed a lot, found a yoga studio already, and am generally getting around the area with ease.

    But it’s still stressful settling into a new place. I have no routine. I miss teaching and I miss my students and friends from Charlotte. I have to remind myself that I didn’t have a routine in Charlotte for about 6 months, and it took almost that long to get to know people and really start to make friends. I’m grateful that technology makes it easier to stay in touch with people. I trust and know that it will all work out. I just have to be patient and keep my focus on the path in front of me.

    As I end this, I’m looking into the backyard, watching our dog, Ruger, bouncing around with a toy in his mouth showing his fierce self to something in a tree. It’s really cute, and he and his sister, Reese, are enjoying having a yard they can run around in. It’s a good 10-12 times bigger than what we had.

  2. Michele
    Michele
    3 hours ago

    Patience. I leave tomorrow from my Pennsylvania trip and I am patiently monitoring the Hurricane Isaiah and I’m really hoping it’s not gonna affect my flight.

    1. Patti
      sunnypatti
      6 minutes ago

      I hope you’ll be able to leave when you’re scheduled to.

  3. Carol Ann Conner
    Carol Ann Conner
    3 hours ago

    Mother Earth and how I need to relate to her. There is a beautiful and inspiring meditation included in Richard Rohr’s post today.

    https://cac.org/daily-meditations/francis-and-the-natural-world-weekly-summary/

    1. Patti
      sunnypatti
      32 minutes ago

      A nice reminder that we are in relationship to not just each other, but all of creation.

  4. Kathy29496
    Katrina
    4 hours ago

    I have come across a three or four persons this week who have expressed the need to “share” their personal trials, concerns, frustrations. I have done my best to listen without too much comment or advice – only prayer, and acceptance of where they are and a word of gratitude for them and their sharing. I am honored people feel they can talk to me like this. But this has also been a very challenging week for me personally, in my family and just being able to face life itself. So I’m finding that I need to offer myself some compassion and understanding as well, and also some accountability. It’s easy for me to throw myself a pity party. Sometimes compassion and understanding looks like getting up and taking care of things.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      46 minutes ago

      May what you are learning from those ‘persons’
      help to heal you
      for what you must face in your personal life
      as well,
      dear Katrina . . . ♥

    2. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol Ann Conner
      3 hours ago

      Katrina, I had not heard anyone use the term “pitty-party ” for many, many years. I first heard it at the first meeting I attended for the families and friends of alcoholics (Alanon). It creates such a powerful image of exactly what we can do to ourselves. May this day be uplifting and helpful to you.

  5. D
    Drea
    4 hours ago

    I’ve developed some kind of post-viral stomach dyspepsia. Any number of foods–even otherwise healthy ones–can set off pain, and it’s important that I eat a strict diet. However, I’m still figuring out exactly what that diet is. I write down everything I eat and create lists of yes/no foods. Eating the wrong thing results in pain that doesn’t go away for days. Recently, after two pain-free days, then inadvertently eating another wrong thing, I got so frustrated, with myself and with this slow, plodding process. I need to be understanding and compassionate with myself, an imperfect human, and with my tricky condition.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      44 minutes ago

      I deal with something similar,
      dear Drea,
      but with no pain . . .
      it’s hard enough without the pain,
      but your issue
      makes it exponentially more difficult.
      I hold you
      (and your insides)
      in my heart
      with love. ((( ♥ )))

    2. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol Ann Conner
      3 hours ago

      Drea, May you find nourishment today that lifts your spirits.

    3. Kathy29496
      Katrina
      4 hours ago

      Living with a picky and unpredictable dietary condition is so frustrating. Yes, be patient and compassionate with yourself, and find joy where you can.

  6. Mary
    M2
    6 hours ago

    Our Dear Friends, whose son has been incarcerated for 8 months, are continually in my heart and often on my mind. To be available to their needs and well-being as best I can, to understand where they are coming from on any given day, is important. To be compassionately honest when it is helpful. It seems to have become a practice within itself. One I can offer to anyone in need.🧡

  7. Rita Sowinski
    RL
    6 hours ago

    I was once told this, with acceptance comes peace and at the same time acceptance does not mean I have to like it. My feelings good or bad does not change reality. My feeling can signal that I need to pause and process and look again. In the pause, I choosing to accept reality as it is and therefore let go. With this practic, applied to people and circumstances I am able to move from struggle to peace. Putting me on the road, to being a move loving being. I find many oppertunities to practice being loving.
    Amen

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      41 minutes ago

      You are walking a difficult balance,
      dear RL,
      but are wise
      to see it so clearly. ♥

    2. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol Ann Conner
      3 hours ago

      So true

    3. Kathy29496
      Katrina
      4 hours ago

      Good words to ponder.

  8. Ngoc Nguyen
    Ngoc Nguyen
    6 hours ago

    I think there are people who have a different mindset from me. The lack of common sense makes it really challenging for me to understand them. Therefore, compassion can be beneficial here. It doesn’t help to clear the differences, but it helps me be open to their points of view.

  9. L
    Louise
    7 hours ago

    I guess these selfish and closed off people that I work with. They are only products of this terrible inhumane system we are all in. I imagine they are all struggling and unable to be friendly or offer help. I’m not sure what it is.

  10. Joseph
    Joseph McCann
    7 hours ago

    From the small spot of the world in which I dwell, to the world at large. Both ring out for compassion and understanding.
    Peace, Love & Light.

  11. L
    Loc Tran
    7 hours ago

    Collectivism is calling out for my understanding as I continue to navigate this family of families Tampa trip. So far, I’ve done well with receiving protective care. Of course, I still have my independent ambitions. I’m able to recognize that those come from a good place just like with my root people’s protective care for me.
    Individual impowerment is where I ultimately keep circling back to. I have a firm belief that each person should be able to have the freedom to be themselves without being under another’s shadow. On the other hand, our desires will turn into “Empty desires” is we’re blinded by our ambitions that we can’t receive protective care.
    My “Empty desires” phrase comes from NBA players who put up monster stats to chase that bag whether it’s money, fame, politics, or business ventures. Team results are worse when one guy’s above the rest. That’s where the “Empty stats” label comes in. Empty desires come from that, because it’s chasing. A cann of worms opens up when force is prioritized over flow.

    1. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol Ann Conner
      3 hours ago

      Go with the flow.

    2. Mary
      M2
      6 hours ago

      You have shared many pearls of wisdom in your reflection this morning, Loc Tran. Thank you.🧡

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