patriciaswisdom.com

Eating My Carrot

patricia — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:37:06 +0000

carrots

I am not following the guidelines
I have taken my carrot out to the deck
Leaving table and chair behind

I have been thinking about this crunch
All day
Fresh from the soil, washed clean;
Waiting for me.

I take small bites
Chewing 30 times

A puffy seed pod drifts around me
Monarch flits and glides in the waning sun
Though there is a breeze
Lake is still

Mountain stands royally to my east
Still holding the sun’s rays
In pinks and gold
Upon the white of glacier snow

And there before my eyes
The full moon begins its rise
From the side of that Mountain
Slowly ascends
Until it centers over top
As though an exclamation
!

Ninety minutes passed
Bats wing and dart between the light and dark
Still and breeze
Mind is fully present

Peace Fully Achieved.

Post from: www.patriciaswisdom.com

Eating My Carrot

Forward Ho!

patricia — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:37:21 +0000

Infinate Ladder

Early in the spring of 2010, Tess of The Bold Life wrote on her blog her survival solutions for this economic crisis. I copied off this blog post and tacked it to our bulletin board. When I came downstairs first thing in the morning, this post caught my eye and I read her amazing and positive words.

As I conclude my August series on personal change, I wanted to share with you this impressive list because it helped me move forward and I believe it will help others. Thank you, Tess for granting me permission to share your bold words.

I hear the same questions in many conversations, “When will the economy turn around?” Or “How are we ever going to get out of this mess?”

Usually the questions are answered with attack, criticism and condemnation. Today I am going to give you my solution.

We have to embrace infinity inside a finite body.
We have to see unity and oneness where there is prejudice and hate.
We have to believe in goodness even in the midst of distraction.
We have to believe in prosperity when the media speaks of lack and scarcity.
We have to believe in infinite opportunities when so many people are out of work.
We have to embrace appreciation and gratitude when surrounded by unpredictability.
We have to believe this is a greatest moment of our life when people are without basic needs.
We have to discover freedom when our mind wants to imprison us.
We have to believe in our worthiness while people bash and blame us.
We have to choose peace when insanity and anxiety are prevalent.
We have to maintain our sense of integrity and dignity in the time of broken promises and lack of honesty.
We have to wish for everyone what we want desperately for ourselves.
We have to be content with what we have in a world of desperation, competition and striving.
We have to see beauty where there is harshness and pain.
We have to feel safe and protected in spite of the perplexities of our times.
We have to forgive seventy times seventy in a world that is filled with hatred and cruelty.
We have to believe it’s all about love in a time of fear.

The question is no longer how or when.
The question becomes will you do your part?
Leave your thoughts and solutions below.

I have found great wisdom in Tess’s words. I have found peace in reading Tess’s words. I am hoping you will find inspiration in the sharing of her words again today.

Post from: www.patriciaswisdom.com

Forward Ho!

Peeling Onions

patricia — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:42:57 +0000

Onion

I have been very angry and outspoken about the Wall Street Boys Club fiasco and the Health Care Discussions and rhetoric by the NO CLUB. I thought I had released it and moved on, but no that was not the case. Yes, I did what I was trained to do, I researched and studied and began to formulate ways to help others who were trapped in fundlessness’ or a healthcare crisis and then began sharing the information with other community leaders and direct human resources professionals.

I had not truly dealt with the facts and feelings, that all that was happening was happening personally to me.

I left lengthy comments on MoneyNing defending myself because I wanted folks to know that I walk my talk and I truly have spent a lifetime not racking up debt or needless medical bills. I am already doing all of their suggestions and it is not relieving the pressure. The pressure is the feelings which I was not understanding and I was resisting diving deep and unpeeling the layers to get to it.

Both of my side jobs stopped producing enough funds to even pay for my cell phone.

Then I read these statements “ People who hurt others are hurting.” And, “We are all one. It is impossible to reject people unless you believe a story about them.” on Tess’ blog , also I was reading a book for review about letting go and not resisting; the layers just peeled right down to the core.

I had clarity and I had peace of mind. I no longer needed to be angry. I could see the truth.

I had not realized how dis-couraging this event was not only to me but to so many others. Courage comes from the French word for HEART. The victims had lost heart and been disheartened by these experiences, this is a form of regime cleansing. When someone attacks another’s dreams, heart endeavors and tremendous amounts of hard work, it takes time to stop feeling the need to defend or attack. For many, many of us it‘s army of recruits are words of blame. It is a resistance movement.

These perpetrators are hurting; they are not capable of listening or hearing.

I was rushing around trying to find income from new sources, dropping all the unnecessary expenses and pondering whether or not to cancel my health insurance. I was frustrated because I was doing all the right things and the financial situation was getting worse. Since we had dropped all the unnecessary expenses years and years ago, what was I to do for relief?

I needed to come to a complete halt and peel back even more layers, I found that I was upset because I could not prove to my parents that I was not lazy, I could handle and use money responsibly, and manage it well. This may sound strange because my parents are both deceased. No matter ,it was still driving me because I wanted someone outside myself to approve of all the ways I had used our funds, of all the rescues I had undertaken, and of all the knowledge and know how I had shared.

When I got to the core – I was able to release.

This is often the painful part of making change – it is human nature to just go as deep as we can remain comfortable and then attempt to quickly move on.

Denial is not just a river.

It takes a great deal of courage to see clearly and then pick yourself up and begin again.

You know what? If you can ask for assistance a kind of magic begins to happen such as: JD’s wonderful workshop on Sources of Insight , and 4 soon to be published books coming in for review, and several coaches offering insight, a resume’ writer giving you an update, another offers a spirit guide reading, and a friend offering to actively listen as you sort things out. One can take stock and see that there is food on the table and the credit card company is willing to lower the interest payment; when one is willing to clarify the emotions, the resistance – anger just melts away. Life is saucy, life is tasty and the energy is stirred up to discover what is new.

As my partner said about getting all the stitches out of his knees, “The anticipation of the pain was the worst part of the whole experience. It turned out to be only a small pinch of a feeling.”

I know I need to dig deeper when I just cannot seem to move forward, how do you know when you need to explore further? Do you attempt to hold it all in or do you need to let it out? Does something you read, like Tess’ strong words, assist you in diving deep?

SMILING ON A BEAUTIFUL MORNING

patricia — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:11:36 +0000

Parrots at tellegraph hill

Mother Theresa wrote that there was enough bread in the world but not enough love and appreciation. I just think this might be true. It makes me sad, for just as each bird has its own song, each one of us has our own talents and gifts to share.

I would like to shout out that I just received an award and I do so appreciate being appreciated:

~ One Lovely Blog Award ~

Joanna wrote on her Mid Life Journal about the 10 blogs for the artist in each of us and I was one lucky recipient. Her words are gracious and lovely and I have visited each of the 9 other recipients and rejoiced in the connections and the lovely sharing I found there. A feast indeed.

Joanna received the award from Karen at Words for Hire who is the creative and talented blogger who helped me get my resume into this century and actually usable for applications. Karen received the award from a lovely writer and introduced me to 15 new blogs with great ideas.

I have been busy reading all these new blogs. It is time for me to pass along this lovely award.

The criteria for accepting the award are as follows:
• Post it with the name of the person who granted you the award along with a link to her/his Web site.
• Pass the award on to 15 blogs that you have newly discovered (if possible).
• Contact the bloggers to notify them they have received the award.

I wanted to share some of Joanna’s lovely words from her awards post because they express so well my thoughts:

One of the things I have always enjoyed most about blogging is spotting connections, seeing how we learn from each other, how one story inspires another, how the pieces of our disparate lives seem somehow to connect, to fit together and create something new.

Spreading the word about other people’s work is one way of doing that – plus you never know quite what kind of connections or conversations this might lead to…

Here are my first 5 One Lovely Blog Award winners – yes there are only 5 because these are not new bloggers to me – that award ceremony will come soon – these are 5 bloggers who have just been strong supporters to me and I want to appreciate their words and efforts first.

SHADES OF CRIMSON – Rendering the Write Impact with Coaching & Proofreading. Shades of Crimson blogs about process. The start. The blocks. The exploration and discovery. The finish. And Davina has a “wicked” sense of humor. Her current writing challenge is bringing out the best words in so many good writers.

TALON - Poetry, short stories and photograph all created by Talon and shared with warmth and beauty for other to enjoy. Besides being a gifted artist this blogger writes absolutely the most encouraging comments and lifts one up for their efforts.

MOM GRIND OR BLOGGER FOR HIRE – Although this blogger writes on many blogs as a paid contributor, her own blog is a wealth of information about looking at the world and truly seeing. Her efforts to teach others about photo-shopped ads that are deceptive and articles about body image reflect her conscious parenting style and her hopes for new generations. Her lovely words help us all sort our own stories and find our own beauty.

ABUNDANCE LIFE – MARELISA ONLINE – This is the fourth blog I posted into my e-reader and I have hardly missed a post in two and a half years. I go to this blogger to learn how to write an e-book and expand my creativity. I have her e-book on how to publish an e-book on my desktop. Unless there is a street fair or celebration going on, Marelisa is there and is great about answering your questions.

SILVER AND GRACE – A gracious and lovely blog which shares the wisdom of aging – moving into the days of silver and grace. Written by a lovely writer and jewelry maker, who also reads up a storm and works by day in a government office! I just love wandering over and seeing what is the new exploration of the day!

I hope you enjoy exploring each of these blogs and reading the words as much as I do. I have 10 more awards to give out in future posts; I will be picking on some new-to-me blogs.

This post was created with the assistance of my new software, iMindMapping – I have highlighted this program in my side bar and highly recommend it. It is a very visual and colorful tool for assisting the writer and I am so thrilled with it I am now going to study the children’s program to assist me in my tutoring work. Give it a try! I think you will like it.

Just say Happy Birthday Patricia – a wee party favor for you

Post from: www.patriciaswisdom.com

SMILING ON A BEAUTIFUL MORNING

Book Review: The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything ~ Sir Ken Robinson, PhD

patricia — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:23:06 +0000

Flowers Opening

I got a little afraid of spreading my wings and venturing forth after my Detox regime this past spring. I think I was a wee bit overtaken by getting exactly what I had asked for. It was not what I was expecting and that was surprising. My mind was a bit sluggish after removing all kinds of sweets or brain food from my diet.

I set out to recapture and lay claim to my creative energies and I just needed some plain old fashioned inspiration to move me forward.

Several fellow bloggers sent me the link to a TED lecture by Dr. Robinson, and I got it in my newsletter group also. I usually follow the rule of 3, so when I found this book reported on Abundance-blog Marelisa- online I tracked down my own personal copy and began.

I do very much like books about how other folks have succeeded or found their right path. This book was a nice stepping stone pace from one persons discovery to the next and it is quite a serious look at the way schools are zapping out the creativity of the students. The basics in education do not offer enough exposure to the vast array of passions one might pursue in life and can often make individuals feel inadequate, mediocre and even a produce a sense of failure.

The Element is the meeting point between natural aptitude and personal passion.
The Element has two main features, and there are two conditions for being in it. The features are aptitude and passion. The conditions are attitude and opportunity. The sequence goes something like this: I get it; I love it; I want it; Where is it?

I have often heard the Element referred to as being in the zone. I was in one of my zones when I was officiating the last wedding and I often get in zone when I am writing. My good coach thinks I must also arrive there when I am cooking and I am often there when I am teaching on the college level – almost anything.

Two important ideas that were highlighted in this book for me were that sometimes finding your tribe or a mentor is the best way to discovering one’s passion. I think this is crucial for many children and I must not be alone in this thinking because there are certainly teachers who step out of the rank and file to assist a child in finding a niche or tribe and even that something special that makes everything come alive.

The second idea I resonated with is Robinson’s concept of the PRO-AM. This is a person who has a profession and celebrates the passion with an amateur status. They treat their passion with the same respect as their profession and probably work just as hard, they just choose not to make it their vocation.

All of the stories of the big name folks and even the plainer folks were great and one could identify with each situation. I think this book can spark one’s creativity and that it would be a good book for even young adult readers to assist them in making choices that become mentoring to their passions.

I thought I would share the link to the TED video because it can intrigue a spark too.

Do you think you know your Element? How did you get there, just by accident, via a mentor or were you driven there early in life? Did someone offer you guidance that helped you take off? How do you spark your creativity?

If you like what you read here why not subscribe with RSS or Email? Thank you

Post from: www.patriciaswisdom.com

Book Review: The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything ~ Sir Ken Robinson, PhD

JOY MEDICINE

patricia — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:52:45 +0000

Jumping for Joy

Joy was not on my mind when I called to cancel my subscription to Dr. Christiane Northrup’s Newsletter. They accepted my cancellation and sent me one of her lectures, a CD called “The Power of Joy”

I am grateful for this gift.

Dr. Northrup says we do not trust JOY and that is a challenge for us mortal beings. Delight is how we exhibit JOY and if we would just change our mindset from “Something is inherently wrong with my body and my health” to fully living our moment to moments with JOY we would truly have health.

JOY is a healing substance. It changes nearly every cell in our body, changes our metabolism, ignites the healing hormones, stimulates one’s CHI, and creates success and energy. Instantly.

I have listened to this CD 2 times now and I am sure I will listen to it a number of more times, because there is so much good humor, storytelling and JOY in this lecture, it deserves more listening.

My favorite quotes from the CD:

-   “Life on earth is sexually transmitted and it is meant to be joyful.”
-   “Everyone is going to die but not everyone is going to live.”
-   “We have an addiction to suffering. If it is not fun at the beginning it only gets worse.”
-   “We are who our higher self wanted to experience.”
-   “We use the language of PAIN to describe our feelings of JOY.”

Dr. Northrup’s 10 steps to healing with JOY, without all the humorous stories and definitions attached:

#1. JOY is a deliberate choice; an inside decision

#2. JOY takes practice and discipline. This is because our entire culture is based upon fear and negativism.

#3. JOY is not about avoiding challenge, risk and problems. The contrast is necessary for JOY matches the depth of sorrow.

#4. You must follow a JOYous lifestyle in order to build up a residual of joy

#5. Choose JOYous entertainment. Lighten up what is serious.

#6. Become Media Savvy. Laugh at what is made up to play into your fear.

#7. Chose JOYous and affirming company. Like and find JOY in yourself – be your own best company.

#8. Affirm JOY with words. “Words are the most powerful medicine (drugs) used by mankind” Rudyard Kipling

#9. Let yourself be excited. Tell someone about your JOY.

#10. Cultivate a relationship with the Divine (the Source). Happiness is NOW.

Dr. Northrup’s newest newsletter is about her 84 year old Mother’s climb to the base camp of Mt. Everest and about the Dalai Lama’s questions about healing and ultimate health activating some great new research. One can find her list of speaking engagements too.

This CD has greatly enhanced my healing practices and turned up the volume of JOY for me.

JOY, is it in on your medicine shelf or hidden away in a drawer? How do you practice JOY?
Would you rather there be a magic pill than change your mind? How do we counterbalance our negative thinking with JOY? Open to all suggestions and comments and excited about what you have to say.

Post from: www.patriciaswisdom.com

JOY MEDICINE

Healthcare of the DIY Kind

patricia — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 08:28:21 +0000

Daisies

Healthcare truly is a Do It Yourself (DIY) commodity these days and a great many people do not understand this. It is truly not being taught in our schools. It is one of those home inspired lessons that are not being taught at home. Lots of folks are hanging on to their jobs which have health insurance benefits and lots of folks believe the emergency room is how you see the doctor.

Healthcare in the USA is a big business with lots of profits. The Insurance Industry decides what illnesses you can have and what illnesses they do not acknowledge. They decide who can administer their healthcare benefits and who may not.

Most families, who think of themselves as middle class are just one illness away from financial ruin. There is no middle class any more, there are those who are descending into upper levels of lower class and those who are upper middle class and believe if they play it safe they will make it thru or that they have found the magic in the system. Only 10% of the folks have all the wealth and security that brings.

Healthcare was the subject of 26 articles and blog posts I read this past week. All but 3 of the articles were fear mongering about how the new healthcare plan is already not working and how folks are being denied care – so vote for someone else, who is their suggested candidate.

Going to Fact Check and I discovered that most of this information in these articles is based on 2004 information, statistics and twisted suggestions and outcomes. This is just political ranting and raving casting out to the ignorant- the sound bite driven populace. So what’s NEW?

I have been denied healthcare coverage for the past 20 years for the malady which I contend with and am working on healing. I do not fit into any of the categories or numbered definitions available.

Our health insurance company changed the rules in 2010 and failed to notify their customers. They tell us an information booklet is coming out by the end of the year; now pay us more money.

And just wait until you turn 60. Those 6 years before you receive Medicare are quite the doozy! Don’t tell me you were not forewarned. And there is a lot of cage rattling about Medicare; please take note.

Healthcare in the USA is about taking care of yourself and learning all you can. One needs to keep learning all the time about how to eat healthfully, how to maintain the body, and when something goes wrong have some concept or idea of what your body is trying to tell you. Those 15 to 20 minutes of time with the Doctor may get you stuck in the wrong code or treatment plan, not to mention paying for a large number of tests.

I budgeted $20,000 for our healthcare needs for 2010. It is the 8th month and we have already used all of those funds. Those dollars are just for premiums, co-pays and deductibles. We eat very healthily and exercise well – and we never stop learning and researching.

The real reason healthcare is on my mind is because we are having an election, our state primary is next week. I am working on my knowledge base, questioning and teaching what I know, but I do not have something to advocate for – to promote, except Healthcare DIY.

One voice plus one voice plus one voice = This can change the world.

How do you do your healthcare? If you live in a country that provides healthcare, how do you advocate for yourself and keep yourself healthy? Are there voices in your area advocating new definitions of health and health care? Do you pay your taxes and your insurance premiums? How should we pay for the poor, and the middle class?

Looking forward to your great comments:

Post from: www.patriciaswisdom.com

Healthcare of the DIY Kind

Beats for Beets

patricia — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:49:14 +0000

4 kinds of beets and broccoli

Beats me why I am writing a post about beets; it’s just that there are so many beets in my Community Supported Agriculture box (CSA). I truly enjoy eating beets and I have now learned that there are many different colors to beets.

Can you beat that? I am beating a tattoo with my wooden spoon while awaiting the steaming of my beets.

Here are some new ideas I have learned by working with a CSA:

I enjoy discovering all the different veggies in my box each week. Sometimes I have to guess what they are.
Supporting a local farming family is great in and of itself, but actually knowing those folks is delight full.
Lots of my neighbors truly care about what they eat and how they feed their families.
Collard Greens raw make the best sandwich wraps and when fresh they look like big green beaver tails. (vs. wilted and unappetizing)
If your partner grew up in the desert and spies a dusty patch in the dirt of your yard; will water until there is mud.
One may not be able to save any money on the water bill if their partner grew up in the desert.
If you have not eaten any sugar including honey and corn syrup – even ice cream – for 3 months straight, it is absolutely breathtaking how sweet a carrot is fresh out of the dirt.
Beet greens are better raw in a salad than cooked – to me and my taste buds; my partner cannot be fooled chard does not taste anything like spinach which he loves.
It is good to be early to the pickup spot because then you have your choice from the trade box, which later in the day is filled with collard greens.
When you pay for your box during the winter, you will have food for your table all summer and from your freezer or canning all winter – My box is so full of goodness each and every week.

Can you beat that?

My box comes with a nice newsletter and recipes too. Thought I would share this new favorite.

Rosie’s Beet Wrap Filling
Ingredients: beets, carrots, raisins, cumin, and olive oil
How to: just grate the roots and add the other things to taste.

The first time I made this I added my 6 raw walnuts because I had not had my serving for the day – that was good too.

It is “fair heavenly” as my mum would say and I enjoyed it wrapped in butter leaf lettuce leaves.

I think I learned to love beets, cauliflower and broccoli because my siblings thought they were not tasty. Though I truly do not like peas except when I am shelling them and they are raw fresh from the garden – I eat a couple of pods worth.

Do you have vegetables that you just do not like – no matter how you try fixing them? I make stock when we have leftovers of something and freeze it for winter soups and stir fry, what do you do when you have too much? Do you like surprises on your grocery list or does that overwhelm or disappoint you?

Looking forward to your lovely additions to this post….

Beats hoping into the car and going to the grocery store on a beautiful afternoon. ; now can you beat that?

Other Reading you may enjoy:
Harvest Potluck Cookbook
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
Carrots

The Power of a Smile

Post from: www.patriciaswisdom.com

Beats for Beets

The Wedding

patricia — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:27:42 +0000

Garter Snake

This past weekend was the huge wedding of Chelsea Clinton, daughter of the Current Secretary of State and a former President of the United States. The newscasters are celebrating with flair and the little town in New York State is apparently delighted with all the congestion and publicity surrounding the event.

Our small city had a lovely, intimate and beautiful wedding too – without all the fanfare and whoopla.

It was a beautiful event that displayed a great deal of planning, care and love which had been extended to even the smallest of details. The sun burned off the marine cloud layer and it was warm but not hot, and the tide came in so the view beyond the trees was stunning.

150 guests came from all around the world including Paris, London and Tokyo. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and so many college friends/ work friends all turned out in their finery. It was a formal wedding in a lovely terraced setting.

Officiating the wedding was a pure pleasure. Although the bride and groom are living in New York City, the internet made our pre –wedding conferencing easy and actually by writing things down I was provided a great deal of clarity. The bride wanted her theme to be elegant and for everyone to enjoy the time together. The groom wanted the event to emphasize family and connections. We wrote that all into the ceremony and they were able to edit and approve, rewrite and revise to their hearts content.

After 34 years of participating and writing these original weddings I have to tell you that the words do not truly matter to the bride and groom – this couple wrote stunning vows and memorized them just for each other to hear.

The words matter to the Fathers and Mothers and the people gathered. They appreciate the beauty of the setting and the lovely well heeled style of the bridal party, but it is the people gathered who want the words.

I gave them beautiful words and spoke to those who were truly listening. There were lots and lots of tears, hand squeezes and hugs. 7 of the attendants asked me how I came up with the ceremony. A couple from New England asked me if I travelled to do ceremonies because their daughter was getting married next year. The musicians complimented me on the experience, and I was greeted and acknowledged by nearly every guest present.

I am the Vera Wang of wedding ceremonies; I speak the truth to you in love.

And now my favorite moment of this wedding:

The two nieces of the groom were set to be flower girls in the procession. As we began the rehearsal, this dynamic duo stopped twirling their sundresses and began tapping their new white shoes down the steps to the lower grassy terrace. On the way down was encountered a lovely garter snake enjoying the rays of sunshine. Immediately two little girls squatted to observe and enjoy this new found discovery. Nothing quite like it at home!

The Mother of the bride in her past life was a teacher and those instincts just kicked in; watching three students discuss and enjoy that critter – undisturbed focus – was a moment full of delight. I knew that Mother was remembering those treasured moments with her own daughter and all the effort, preparation and exhaustion just slid away in that clarity only the heart knows.

Too soon the snake s-curved away and the legions of participants arrived; the rehearsal commenced.

Who do you think the words are for at a wedding? Do you have a favorite moment from weddings you have attended? Have you experienced a time when you and your skill/talent was greatly appreciated?

Looking forward to your very much appreciated comments.

I have failed

patricia — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:11:27 +0000

Hummingbird

I have failed to choose the correct path to heal our financial situation. I am making peace with that, and I am letting the tears just run down my cheeks to release the tension and frustration.

I am not a failure.

I feel sad because my children will see my vulnerability and that I am not so potent with my magic wand. They keep reminding me that I have always pulled it off before – I have always been able to figure it out.

Well, I have it figured out. I know what I did wrong and I know exactly how I have arrived at this failed accomplishment. The strategies that worked in other famines worked because I was able to remedy them within six months and they were not accompanied by a National/ Global Economic Depression.

I failed to get a position that would pay for our health insurance and I did not set aside enough money from my inheritance to cover more than 6 months. I knew it would get expensive but I did not understand how expensive it would become.

Previously, I had more options: I physically could take on a house cleaning job, or seasonally work for a store or stock shelves all night long; I could make and sell my organic applesauce….this year the trees did not set very many apples – I have none to eat.

My counseling credentials and registration have been canceled because I failed to get another Master’s Degree in an area that the State has approved. My Ethics Standards have been upgraded and I have completed the necessary course work, this was not enough.

Book reviews are no longer paid for unless someone purchases a brand new paperback/hard-copy book. And no one is purchasing the Eat to Health and Eat to Live programs off my website.

I could blame.

I could make excuses.

Instead I find myself in a state of deep Gratitude for all the folks who have shared with me and guided me on their blogs, with their comments and with their offers of insight and assistance.

I have tried to say thank you at A Devine Listener and here at Toadly Tickling my Funny Bone

I will add Karen Swim for showing me how to update my resume and make it powerful and current.

I feel a tremendous freedom to begin again to discover and explore a new dream and fill it with my passion and zest.

I never said that change was a linear process or that it was a smooth ride.

I chose a path that I thought would work as it had in the past. This choice failed so it is time for a new direction.

A wee postscript: I am being open to signs that appear in my life – here are two that have just been revealed to me. After my walk, I was showering and thinking about canceling my dental insurance and about writing about this failure – uncertain as to whether or not I should do either one. I was rinsing my hair and as I stepped away from the flow of water and opened my eyes there on the wall was a quarter sized giant house spider. Spiders are the totem for writing and I figured I should write about failure for sure.
Before I began the postscript, I looked out the window to the sunshine breaking through the morning marine layer of clouds and there looking back at me and hovering was a hummingbird. Hummingbird is the totem for JOY.

How do you handle the situation when something fails? What are things that work for you for letting the emotions out and making progress? Know of any job openings?