PERSONAL ADVOCACY

"Things are never quite as scary when you have a best friend."

~Bill Watterson~

We have to be our own advocates in life, but it helps to have some additional advocates as well: those who will speak up for us, who know who we are and what matters, and who won't let us compromise ourselves beyond reason. Such advocates champion our cause and help us to protect and nurture our tender dreams.

I advocate for myself, and for others who I love.

BLESSED

"My cup runneth over."
~Psalm 23:5~

 

I am blessed with goodness and mercy, and believe that we all are. In spite of its ups, downs, twists, turns, and sideway arches; and maybe even because of them, life is a grand affair.

 

I am grateful.

THANKSGIVING

"For each new morning with its light

For rest and shelter of the night

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything thy goodness sends."

~RW Emerson~

I love Thanksgiving! What an opportunity for good food and gratitude. We have so much to be grateful for- more than we even know. Let's consider our blessings today, and acknowledge them; and fill up on family and festivity, but not over-stuff ourselves. We don't have to indulge to the point of sickness in order to express our thanks.

I keep Thanksgiving with care.

LETTING GO OF THE DETAILS

"Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind."

~Seneca~

I like adventures, and if I can let go of my need to control the details, I like them even more. Unknown, unexpected, and unusual opportunities present themselves to me when I'm on the road; and if I'm open to them, my experience can be a pure delight.

I surrender to the road I'm on.

NOT THERE YET

"The living moment is everything."

~DH Lawrence ~

It's hardest for me to be present when I have something to look forward to. Like a child on the last day of school before break, it's hard for me to concentrate and to focus.
     I am excited, and that's understandable, but I am also not quite there yet. So I need to slow down and breathe, and be where I am until it's time to be elsewhere.

I graciously accept the reality of the present moment.

JOURNEYING

"Rise up nimbly and go on your strange journey to the ocean of meanings."

~Rumi~

I used to be rather an instant gratification junkie. I was all about the quick fix and had little, if any, patience for the journeying process. I wasn't interested in journeys. I wanted to arrive.

     I understand now what I didn't then- that there are markers along the path, and moments of import; crossroads, and overnight stays. But real arrival is the end of it all. So I'm ok today with slow progress, and able to enjoy the whole ride.

 

It's ok with me that things happen in their own sweet time.

LACK OF LOGIC

"Look both ways before entering the insanity."

~ Terri Guillemets ~

In certain situations that we find ourselves, there is an utter lack of logic. We are presented with terms that are impossible-to-work-with, so there's no compromising or negotiation possible- only stalemate.
     To force logic on such situations is to engage in battle, and to fight with no hope of support or understanding. So in the long run, it may be less costly to simply accept the insanity of what we are facing and let it be what it is. We don't have to insist that it make sense. We can cut bait and walk away.

I let insanity be insanity and stop trying to straighten it out.