Catharthis

"I can see clearly now the rain is gone..."

If I am going to use "rain" as a metaphor for the past few weeks, it would be more appropriate to say that "I can see clearly now the terrential downpour is gone..."

The month of August was a time to face fears, be in the pain, and to truly grow. Times like these are appropriately called "growth periods." They are the times in your life when you feel like s*&% and when "thinking positive" makes you want to hit someone. These times, as hard as they are and as awful as you feel when you are in them, are the golden times for personal development... that is, if you embrace them.

It is not realistic nor is it healthy to tell yourself that "Life is fantastic" when you feel like "Life is difficult," but it is both realistic and healthy to tell yourslef that "Life is a journey, and this moment, however rough, is a part of that journey. In this difficult phase of my life, if I am aware and not attached to my pain, I can grow and I will be a more evolved person for going through this s*&%!!!

So, this past month I've learned a valuable lesson in letting go of resistance to pain and discomfort. I sat with it. Looked at it. Felt it. Learned from it. And, then.... it was gone.

Now, everything seems new and fresh. I am looking at life with more clarity and even more optimism than I already had. Catharthis is the best word to describe what it feels like to emerge from a growth period. Catharthis as defined by Merriam-Webster is "a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension."

Next time you find yourself in doosey of a growth period... think CATHARTHIS... it may help you get through it with less resistance :)

Sometimes life is full of little adventures :)

B.L.A.S.T.

Bored
Lonely
Angry
Stressed
Tired

I heard today that these are the most common ailments that face my peers. I can certainly relate. I think to that so many of them are a choice though - which is not to discount the validity of people's feeling. I just mean...I've felt all of those things -who hasn't?- but when I make a conscious and concerted effort to change my perspective those things pass away...or at least get smaller and more manageable.

But sometimes life sucks and that's real.

But it's certainly not permanent. I really believe that all of our hardships are for our good if we let them strengthen us.

So let's see what we can do to help others feel less bored, lonely, angry, stressed, or tired - because we've all been there...and hopefully in the meantime we'll feel less of those things ourselves.

Give Us This Day Our Daily Blog

Taking a break from work to contemplate the vastness of the universe...ok, I'm really just avoiding work...

Just a quick note of appreciation for all of the positive, powerful people and forces around me. I'm often amused by the fact that I can get along so with people with whom I share nothing in common but our workspace...and the fact that we spend 50+ hours a week together.

I am not naturally one of the those people who sees the best in everyone and makes friends easily. I can be shy, maybe reserved is a better word. But I'm frequently surprised by the results of my efforts when I try to get to know someone. Not when I try to let them know me, but really find out their story, where they're coming from and what motivates them. I'm surprised by the compassion and passion tucked away in so many individuals.

I have high hopes...

For lots of things. For myself, my future, friends and family, for others, for this country, for the world, for humanity. I see so much potential in everyone and sincerely believe that we're all intended for greatness if we can uncover and nurture the divinity in ourselves...and in each other.

I guess that makes me an optimist and an idealist as well.

Ok, puppies and sunshine and rainbows for all! (<---I'm being a teeny bit sarcastic)

Idealist, Optimist, Realist, Pessimist?

It has been coming up a lot lately... What does the future hold? What does the future hold for each of us personally? What does the future hold for our country? What does the future hold for the world at large? What does the future hold in terms of the universe?

I have noticed that people's responses offer a glimpse into their life perspective.

I am an optimist and an idealist. I can see the positive in mostly everything, including times of pain and upheaval. So, my response to the above questions is that we, as individuals, as a society, as a planet, and as a universe, are in constant evolution. We may go through cyclical changes, ups and downs, highs and lows, but in each transition of the pendulum we are learning and growing. And I believe that as long as we are learning and growing, we are creating the opportunity for enlightenment (whatever that means to each of us). So, the future holds wonderful possibilities!

How would you answer the above questions?

We're so on the same page...

I was totally going to write about following the Tao as well!

Life has been throwing curveballs lately. But let's be specific, we're all friends here, by curveballs I mean: my current job is all wrong, my romantic situation has become terribly, tragically disappointing, I have brilliant plans that aren't coming to fruition as quickly as I'd like, and I can't sell my SUV so am making two car payments. Ew. And I'll be honest kids, it's been getting me down.

Luckily, I've been taking a religion class and restudied Taoism at just the right moment! The real problem is that I'm not getting my way. The stubborn Universe is just not being cooperative and doing things on the schedule and in the way I've set forth and deemed best! Stinkin' Universe.

Ladies and gentlemen, it turns out that I'm not in charge of the Universe. This is good news for many reasons (largely for flying insects, bad drivers, and daytime TV, which will continue to exist depite my most fervent recommendations). But also because I am confident that God, or the Tao, or the Universe, or whatever you want to call it, is smarter than I am. Because I know that there is a path, something I'm intended for, something each of us are intended for, and I don't have to know the path for it to exist perfectly.

So as I increase my faith and trust I try to find and follow my Tao. Life is easier this way. Letting go of my impulse to control everything leaves a lot more time and energy for me to enjoy life and find my path...the one someone or something greater than I am sees from beginning to end. The natural path of my true, best self.

*sigh* Enter the easiness of the Tao....

Follow the Dao...

Our new mantra is "Follow the Dao." In Daoism, the "Dao" refers to the natural flow of the universe, or your path as it is written in heaven. Tyler and I use this mantra to help us to let go of control and release the need to impose our will upon life circumstances and the people around us. This all sounds very deep and elightening, but the truth is that this mantra is just a better alternative to "I give up." You see, "I give up" has been given a bad name. Everyone assumes you are a quitter and stresses the importance of perserverence, but sometimes giving up is necessary. Like I said before, we are talking about giving up control, giving up expectations, giving up resistance. How is that a bad thing? If you can let those things go, even just for a moment, all you have left is to be in the present. When you are in the moment.... you can find peace... and that is how you "Follow the Dao."