Category: Uncategorized

Dance it out

by worrylessjourney, posted in aggravations, anxiety, celebrate, coping, dance, emotions, fun, Laugh, Uncategorized

dance-1.jpgMy granddaughter has had me watching some episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. Usually not my thing. However, one episode really struck me. Two of the main characters have a way of dealing with stress that I found interesting. They “dance it out,” That idea doesn’t sound so silly to me. Making yourself put on some happy, butt moving music and just dancing however you want is not a bad idea. Especially if you can do it with someone else.

most-funny-workout-quotes-when-in-doubt-dance-it-out-❤️Maybe we all need to find someone that we can do this with. If there is no one just do it by yourself. I would really like to try it. I know that when I am cleaning house if I put on some dancing music I tend to get more done and I also feel good.

Let’s all get some happy dancing music and “dance it out.”

Dread du jour — Eric Tonningsen’s Awakening to Awareness – great post

by worrylessjourney, posted in Uncategorized

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important.” ~ Ambrose Redmoon I went online today to do some research. I figured mainstream news feeds might have the data I sought. What an ugly mistake. For readers unaware, I don’t watch television/cable, nor do I read newspapers […]

via Dread du jour — Eric Tonningsen’s Awakening to Awareness

Shorter days and darkness

by worrylessjourney, posted in anxiety, calm, consequences, coping, darkness, depression, Uncategorized

HibernateThis morning I had to get up in the dark. My husband had an appointment for surgery to change out his pacemaker. I do not like to get up in the dark. My husband has and expression for getting up in the dark. He says it is “0 dark 30.” I do not do early. I am attached to sunlight. In the summer I can get up early because the sun is up.

The days are growing shorter (not cooler here) and anything before seven is dark. I get up after seven. The joys of being retired.

When we lived in upstate New York I discovered that I was depressed during the winter and realized that I have SAD. Now I know that I am dependent on light for well being. Fortunately I live where the winters are not so long and I can manage the winter. However, it would be nice if we could get some cooler weather. The 90’s are getting old.

sunshineI know a number of people suffer with this problem and that it can make winters miserable. In the north I spent a lot of time in a glassed in sun porch that got lots of light during the day. I think this is what saved me.

It is difficult to look forward when the days are getting shorter if you have this problem. It makes it hard to enjoy some of the holidays that come up during this season. I hope that you can find ways to get the light you need whether from artificial lights or whatever you find that helps. It does help to get some sun when you can.

I hope fall and winter are kind to us all.

Laugh!

by worrylessjourney, posted in balance, coping, emotions, fun!, funny, healing, Laugh, Uncategorized

mignon-mclaughlin-humor-quotes-a-sense-of-humor-is-a-major-defense

I was thinking about what is one of the traits that has been most helpful over the years and I have decided that it is a sense of humor. There have been so many things in my life that I either would have to laugh or cry. For most of them I have been able to laugh.

The ability to see the humor in a situation even when it is smacking you between the eyes has really helped me. I have almost always been able to laugh at myself. I know some people who can’t do that at all and when something happens they really lose it.

My father-in-law was one of those people. He and my brother-in-law were painting the outside of their house when Harry,( f-i-l) spilled some paint on a bush. As they came around the house with the second coat my Dave (b-i-l) asked his father if he wanted to put a second coat on the bush. That did not go over well.

There are so many situations that we encounter in life that test our ability to see ourselves in a humorous light. If we can do that it can save us a lot of pain in the long run.

Laugh!laugh2

No comparisons!

by worrylessjourney, posted in aggravations, belief, celebrate, comparisons, coping, freedom, Uncategorized

We are Unique. Each of us is a separate creation and important. A number of years ago I wrote this poem about comparisons.

I wonder if the rose

compares itself to all other roses

and thus negates its beauty to itself

by comparison

 

I suppose the rose

would find this idea silly

and wonder why anything

would want to do this

 

I would imagine

that the rose

simply delights in its own

uniqueness

and never worries about

comparisons

At-Night-We-Make-No-Comparisons-Between-Right-And-Wrong-Stars-Nor-Between-Well-And-Badly-Arranged-Constellations (1)

Never spend time comparing yourself to others. It can be self destructive. Remember your own uniqueness and cherish it!

Life in balance

by worrylessjourney, posted in aggravations, balance, choices, coping, enlightening, expectations, frustration, perspective, Uncategorized, viewpoint

Expectations. Something that can really send us  into a tail spin. It seems that there are always people expecting things of us. We can spend our whole lives trying to live up to someone’s expectations.

expectations-heyokyay

Too often those expectations are not appropriate. Sometimes they are actually too low because we are thought to be damaged because of mental health issues. That prejudice can make us feel “less than” and sets us up for problems with self esteem. Labels can be so damaging.

The other side is when expectations are too high. They may not be logical or reasonable. We are set up for failure and again threatened with low self esteem.

their way

Challenging expectations that are too high may require discussion regarding what is appropriate. Too often anyone can find themselves pushed by overwhelming expectations. It is part of the society we live in. Sometimes it’s hard to bring it up, as for some, jobs could be on the line. The most important part is to recognize when it is not your issue but someone else’s. Don’t let the situation affect your own sense of self worth.

Somehow we need to find a path down the middle. There may not be anything that can be done about other people who give us labels. Until things change just consider the source and move on. If it is just an education problem that can be solved. Continuing to work within your own abilities solves many issues.

life in the balance

Watch out for people who want you to fail or who want to put you down. These people are toxic and need to be avoided.

We also have to be careful in setting our own expectations. Setting them too high or too low can make us feel inadequate. We have to find a reasonable path.

 

Remember you count! Your life matters too! Seek the place where you can find success and self affirmation.

The sea and me

by worrylessjourney, posted in change, consequences, coping, darkness, emotions, feelings, light, Uncategorized

Tonight I offer this….my connection with the sea.

Image result for the sea

Changing

What are the thughts of the sea

As it rolls In and out

Over and over

 

The wind gently blows my hair

Across my face

Always moving

 

The sand is pulled out

With each wave

And tossed carelessly back

 

The light is gentle

Translucent, glass like

And hovers over the sea

 

Night is falling

The gloaming fades

And grey shrouds the sea

 

The dull, colorless sea

Reflects the drab thoughts

Encompassing my mind

 

I am reminded

That with the dawn

The sea will change

 

Becoming many hued

With laughing waves

Foam topped and spritely

 

So also my life

Can be painted

With new color

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is your blankie

by worrylessjourney, posted in aggravations, anxiety, choices, coping, frustration, habits, needs, safety, Uncategorized

Today has been a good day. Physical therapy for my husband went well and he is just tired. I continue to be tired but seem to be recovering.

FH6KWHIt is so easy when you don’t feel well to get down in the dumps and let everything bother you. It’s also easy to know that’s the problem and still not be able to get past it. One thing I have learned in my life is that a messy house means a messed up me. for some reason neatness matters. I am not OCD about it and you can’t eat off my floors but I do feel better when things are in place.

I never could be a hoarder. I do have too much stuff and need to pare down but I can’t imagine living like that. Unfortunately it is another mental disorder that most people don’t understand. Those things somehow connect the person with fulfillment and safety. Do you ever wonder if there are things that do the same thing for you?

We traveled for 20 years in the Army and I learned that I can be at home anywhere and pretty quickly. I can’t think of any specific object that means home to me but it is somehow connected with things being put away. It is like a child’s “blankie.” If you could see my house now you would wonder how that could be. Maybe that is part of my current stress. My office is a wreck and that’s where I spend a lot of time.

cbhappy

I think that each of us has something that helps us to feel comfortable and peaceful. Do you know what does it for you?

Today’s blessing: beautiful weather

The Sunshine Blogger Award

by worrylessjourney, posted in Uncategorized

I was surprised and honored to be nominated Lynda Estacio. Thank you Lynda, If you haven’t read her blog please check it out. https://writingoutmystorms.com/

  • Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their blog.
  • Display the Sunshine Blogger Logo in your post or on your blog.
  • List the rules in your blog post.
  • Answer the 11 questions that are provided to you by the blogger who nominated you.
  • Nominate 11 bloggers.
  • Provide your nominees with 11 questions (different from the ones you answered).

Here are my nominees:

https://godshapedheart.wordpress.com

https://purrpale.com

 https://eclipsedwords.com

https://myloudbipolarwhispers.com

https://faithandbooks.com

https://acoupleofstarsandahappyface.wordpress.com

https://freetheanger.com

https://normalintraining.com

https://momlifewithchiari.com

https://dancingafterjesus.wordpress.com

https://introspectivesalon.wordpress.com

Here are my answers to her questions.

  1. What’s your favorite type of weather?

For outside – sunny breezy, to watch from inside thunder storms.

  1. How many books are you reading right now, and what are they?
  1. Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith (love these–full of wisdom but fun);
  2. Traitorous Toysby Mildred Abbott (fun, silly mystery;
  3. Falling Upward by Richard Rohr (theology);
  4. Poems by Emily Dickinson – Three Series – Complete;
  5. Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber (religion);
  6. When Women were Priests by Karen Jo Torjessen (history of women in the church). I read various ones in spurts
  1. How do you unwind/destress?

Reading, stupid TV shows like baking stuff. Sitting on the porch and just being.

  1. If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, but you could not choose the season, where would you go?

New Zealand

  1. What is one dish you wish you had the time or talent to make yourself?

I am a really good cook and can make almost anything, but I can’t make biscuits. Oh, how I wish I could. I have tried so often but they come out like hockey pucks.

  1. If all the barriers were taken away (financial/stress/etc), would you want to go back o school to study anything? If so, what?

Psychology, psychiatry

  1. Do you have a favorite exercise/physical activity? What is it?

Walking the dogs and gardening. The gardening I do is strenuous work.

  1. Where is your “happy place”?

Home

  1. What dreams or goals do you have for your blog?

I just want it to help those who read it and hope to share some wisdom from my 77 years.

  1. What led you to starting a blog?

My job as a Parish Nurse was ended abruptly and I needed to express myself in some way.

  1. What is your favorite quote right now?

“Toward all that is unsolved in your heart be patient. Try to love the questions. Do not seek the answers which cannot be given; you would not be able to live them. Live everything. Live the questions now; you will then gradually without noticing it live into the answers some distant day.”  Ranier Maria Rilke

Now here are my questions.

(by the way, I had trouble thinking of them…so answer if you want.)

  1. If you could be any age what age would you be and why?
  2. Where is your “sacred space?” The place where you feel centered/at peace.
  3. Are you growing emotionally/intellectually or are you stuck?
  4. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
  5. Who is your favorite writer?
  6. What was your childhood like? Good, bad, indifferent?
  7. What is your favorite thing to do?
  8. What is your favorite type of music?
  9. If you could meet and talk with someone living or dead who would it be?
  10. How would you describe yourself in one word?
  11. Have you always lived in one place?…town, city, country?

Flash Fiction Challenge –the Mirror

by worrylessjourney, posted in fiction story, Uncategorized

Challenge from the Fractured Faith Blog.

The window of the train reflects my image like a mirror. It is not the same image I saw before I left home. This image is distorted and out of focus. So is my life. Yesterday was the end of “me.” I have no framework for my life now. It all ended in the mirror. I watched it break as my husband shattered it with his hand. He missed me and hit the mirror. The shock of it make him back away and look at his hand. Blood was seeping from the small cuts. He turned, walked from the room. I heard the creak on the stairs as he headed downstairs and out the door. My shock over the last few moments left me sitting just staring at the mirror. The reflection in the glass was as broken as was my life. I knew it was over and moving on was my only choice. Now I look out the window on the train and know that the distortion is my life now. I drop the train ticket from my hand. It’s over.