I would say it is English. As I currently live in the U.S., being unable to fully understand English is a source of struggle. There are many people who choose to live in towns where they can stay within their community to minimize the challenges of English. But for me, I am aware that I am still young and capable of learning. I decided to live in a town where I must “force” myself to develop my English. Five years have passed. Even though I have not yet become super fluent in English, I can see that I am much better than my previous self. Therefore, I have learned that identifying what I am struggling with and building my ability from it is the key to expanding both my skills and experiences.
My everyday life in many ways has been a struggle for many months. The need to accept that there are so many things I can no longer physically do. I think the biggest opportunity and challenge being offered to me right now is literally to “BE HERE NOW.” The importance of PRESENCE is being brought home to me in every moment, every breath, every relationship.
A stomach issue that I had dismissed for years has turned out to important. Instead of brushing off the pain, I need to pay careful attention to what causes it. Instead of overriding my gut, I need to listen to it. I suppose I thought I was the master of my pain. That hasn’t worked. My gut is a part of me whose health and functionality I took for granted for too long.
Really, I need to rebuild the relationship between mind and gut. Because gut is mind … but some of us are taught to ignore our gut, or to abuse it. As a first step towards healing our relationship, I am going to issue my gut an apology.
I’m sorry, dear gut, I didn’t know to listen to your pain. You told me quietly, then loudly, and now we have damage. I should have listened to you sooner, but I was naive. Please forgive me. I’m going to do better now.
Ngoc and I have finally returned to our normal love life. Struggles are in the rear view mirror for now. Prioritizing collectivism over individualism without personal agendas is the main lesson I learned. Having my emotions overread by my root people made me uncomfortable that I used collectivism to push to do things and receive care my ways through backstage politics.
I am struggling with a situation that involves staying or going. Sometimes the answer is so clear my chest lightens but there are depths to the situation that alter those feelings. I’ve given it to God over and over but the mind keeps taking it back and tangling me up.
I have been in similar situations,
dear Deann,
at several points in my life . . .
the last time,
I decided I couldn’t keep doing what I was doing,
making the same mistakes over and over again.
I was tired,
worn out,
but made a concrete decision,
an iron-fisted choice
and after a very painful period of time,
I planted my feet
and have never looked back.
Sometimes it takes being sick and tired
for change/or not
to occur.
You can do what is right for you,
dear one. ♥
Deann, I learned many years ago that I am a compulsive doubter. Even when I make a decision and actually take a direction, I continue to question that decision. I’ve learned that I am going to go through a period of gnawing doubt even when a decision has been made. I accept that it is part of my process. I watch it but I don’t buy in to it. I don’t beat myself up about itI just proceed with the decision I’ve made.
Also, for many years I sponsored several women in a twelve step group who were struggling with whether they should stay or leave their alcoholic husbands. I urged them to make a decision just for that one day. Will I stay today or will I go? They seem to find that helpful. It put them in the present moment and they could proceed accordingly.
Most recently my complications and challenges are minor and need only to be reframed. Do I have a problem right now? Most of the time the answer is no. If it is not, acceptance of the situation helps out. Then look for a work around . . . . a solution if you will. Many times the solution requires not only acceptance but compromise. A week ago I had a basal cell carcinoma cut off my neck. The opportunity to grow can come from small and large challenges. The first good thing for me is that I do not imbibe when facing complications and challenges, for sometime now. Each time I do not imbibe, I grow internally a bit more. On a more pleasant note we ate our first corn on the cob last night. All seeds planted have now nourished us from this year edition of the vegetable garden. Peace and love.
All good things,
dear Joseph . . .
basal cell carcinoma cut out,
decision not to drink,
and your first corn on the cob from your garden!
May the blessings continue . . . ♥
Good morning Carla🌞 I feel your pain.
A struggle that has opportunities to grow for me is attempting to come out of my aloneness and grow in mutuality with others. Sometimes my psyche responds with a resounding “No!” to opportunities for community. I can’t do it. Real growth would be finding my way with this practice, getting out of my own way and reaching comfort and union with others.
Christina, wishing you growth in building community. From a parts work perspective, I wonder what your psyche is protecting–not all communities are created equal so I suppose I can understand some fear around new ones! Any case, cheering you on as you work on this.
Today’s photo was jarring, broken window panes, too similar to bullet ridden stain glass windows of Annunciation Church here in Minneapolis, MInnesota. This is my own current trauma to walk through. Being faithful to meditation / quiet time, cautiously talking to compassionate people versus those at a distance wanting more voyeured stories. Knowing I’m not alone lifting the children, families, emotionally wounded, and first responders in prayer to the Divine Healer. Having faith knowing “broken crayons still color.” Grateful for this page to express myself. 🌻☮️ Gentle upcoming weekend to alll.
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I would say it is English. As I currently live in the U.S., being unable to fully understand English is a source of struggle. There are many people who choose to live in towns where they can stay within their community to minimize the challenges of English. But for me, I am aware that I am still young and capable of learning. I decided to live in a town where I must “force” myself to develop my English. Five years have passed. Even though I have not yet become super fluent in English, I can see that I am much better than my previous self. Therefore, I have learned that identifying what I am struggling with and building my ability from it is the key to expanding both my skills and experiences.
I could certainly use some growth in the “staying in the present” department.
Relationships are a struggle for me. They offer me the opportunity to find the truth and examine who I am.
My everyday life in many ways has been a struggle for many months. The need to accept that there are so many things I can no longer physically do. I think the biggest opportunity and challenge being offered to me right now is literally to “BE HERE NOW.” The importance of PRESENCE is being brought home to me in every moment, every breath, every relationship.
I found Richard Rohr’s meditation today quite meaningful for today’s question. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/offering-our-presence/
What a beautiful meditation,
dear Carol Ann,
that you offer us this morning . . .
thank you. ♥
Ohh Alexis Pauline Gumbs is a luminary. Thanks for sharing.
A stomach issue that I had dismissed for years has turned out to important. Instead of brushing off the pain, I need to pay careful attention to what causes it. Instead of overriding my gut, I need to listen to it. I suppose I thought I was the master of my pain. That hasn’t worked. My gut is a part of me whose health and functionality I took for granted for too long.
Really, I need to rebuild the relationship between mind and gut. Because gut is mind … but some of us are taught to ignore our gut, or to abuse it. As a first step towards healing our relationship, I am going to issue my gut an apology.
I’m sorry, dear gut, I didn’t know to listen to your pain. You told me quietly, then loudly, and now we have damage. I should have listened to you sooner, but I was naive. Please forgive me. I’m going to do better now.
Drea, I relate. And I agree that our gut tells us a lot about our mind and how it works!
It really does! It has its own language, spoken in small sensations and inner movements. I’m definitely becoming a student of my gut.
Drea, I’ve heard before that the gut is right 9 out of every 10 times. I find that to be true, and it’s a very high probability.
Ngoc and I have finally returned to our normal love life. Struggles are in the rear view mirror for now. Prioritizing collectivism over individualism without personal agendas is the main lesson I learned. Having my emotions overread by my root people made me uncomfortable that I used collectivism to push to do things and receive care my ways through backstage politics.
I am struggling with a situation that involves staying or going. Sometimes the answer is so clear my chest lightens but there are depths to the situation that alter those feelings. I’ve given it to God over and over but the mind keeps taking it back and tangling me up.
I have been in similar situations,
dear Deann,
at several points in my life . . .
the last time,
I decided I couldn’t keep doing what I was doing,
making the same mistakes over and over again.
I was tired,
worn out,
but made a concrete decision,
an iron-fisted choice
and after a very painful period of time,
I planted my feet
and have never looked back.
Sometimes it takes being sick and tired
for change/or not
to occur.
You can do what is right for you,
dear one. ♥
Deann, I learned many years ago that I am a compulsive doubter. Even when I make a decision and actually take a direction, I continue to question that decision. I’ve learned that I am going to go through a period of gnawing doubt even when a decision has been made. I accept that it is part of my process. I watch it but I don’t buy in to it. I don’t beat myself up about itI just proceed with the decision I’ve made.
Also, for many years I sponsored several women in a twelve step group who were struggling with whether they should stay or leave their alcoholic husbands. I urged them to make a decision just for that one day. Will I stay today or will I go? They seem to find that helpful. It put them in the present moment and they could proceed accordingly.
Wishing you courage, Deann. It seems like you care deeply.
My struggles are small, but each has some opportunity in it for me to grow into a better version of myself. Life is full of lessons ~ always!
Very true, Sunnypatti!
There is always something new to learn each and everyday.
TGIF! 🙂
https://nationaltoday.com/today/
May all days
be International Charity Day,
dear Michele. ♥
Most recently my complications and challenges are minor and need only to be reframed. Do I have a problem right now? Most of the time the answer is no. If it is not, acceptance of the situation helps out. Then look for a work around . . . . a solution if you will. Many times the solution requires not only acceptance but compromise. A week ago I had a basal cell carcinoma cut off my neck. The opportunity to grow can come from small and large challenges. The first good thing for me is that I do not imbibe when facing complications and challenges, for sometime now. Each time I do not imbibe, I grow internally a bit more. On a more pleasant note we ate our first corn on the cob last night. All seeds planted have now nourished us from this year edition of the vegetable garden. Peace and love.
All good things,
dear Joseph . . .
basal cell carcinoma cut out,
decision not to drink,
and your first corn on the cob from your garden!
May the blessings continue . . . ♥
Joseph, congratulations and well done: “Each time I do not imbibe, I grow internally a bit more.”
mmm love corn on the cob 🙂
Challenging relationships offer opportunities to be outside of my comfort zone and grow from within.
Good morning Carla🌞 I feel your pain.
A struggle that has opportunities to grow for me is attempting to come out of my aloneness and grow in mutuality with others. Sometimes my psyche responds with a resounding “No!” to opportunities for community. I can’t do it. Real growth would be finding my way with this practice, getting out of my own way and reaching comfort and union with others.
Christina, wishing you growth in building community. From a parts work perspective, I wonder what your psyche is protecting–not all communities are created equal so I suppose I can understand some fear around new ones! Any case, cheering you on as you work on this.
Today’s photo was jarring, broken window panes, too similar to bullet ridden stain glass windows of Annunciation Church here in Minneapolis, MInnesota. This is my own current trauma to walk through. Being faithful to meditation / quiet time, cautiously talking to compassionate people versus those at a distance wanting more voyeured stories. Knowing I’m not alone lifting the children, families, emotionally wounded, and first responders in prayer to the Divine Healer. Having faith knowing “broken crayons still color.” Grateful for this page to express myself. 🌻☮️ Gentle upcoming weekend to alll.
“Broken crayons still color.”
Healing prayers
offered up to you,
dear Carla,
and to all who have felt the impact
of this terrible tragedy. ♥
Carla, do you know someone directly affected by the tragedy? I have a few MN connections and my heart goes out also.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Carla, Sending loving energy to you.