Mining Nuggets

In treatment ...

Quote of the day:

The Book of Love by Peter Gabriel

Last week my therapist suggested that as things are happening, or during interactions with others, I might try asking myself a simple question:

"How does that make me feel?"

I have been trying it out. 

It is not easy for me. I first have to get over a couple of hurdles: 

• First, the feelings are valid, but more importantly, 
• it is safe to feel them at all.

It is a struggle ...

I find myself changing the subject, or eating half a loaf of bread before I have time to realize I am feeling angry, jealous, disappointed, lonely, unworthy, excluded - whatever! 

The therapist is relentless. He brings me back to this issue over and over again, whether I want to go there or not. I really adore the challenge of it. Mostly I want to go there with him. After all, I returned to therapy after a break of almost 6 years. I knew I had reached some kind of space that seemed too uncomfortable to proceed. And, now, here I am, ready to push through. 

This is a big one for me. 

It is at the core of my authenticity.

And so, I am grateful not only that he gives me a safe space to work this out, but that he coaxes and prods me to connect with the feelings right then and there - at the very moment they are happening.

For, as difficult as it is for me, I notice that feelings are stirring. I am slowly allowing them to seep out and up into my consciousness, and bit by bit hold still with the fear and discomfort that accompanies them. 

A year ago at Mining Nuggets: Pre and Se ... quels ...

An orchid a day ...

Quote of the day:

Patience and a mulberry leaf will make a silk gown. Chinese Proverb [From CCIE]

 

Yesterday I received my third ever orchid. How exciting for me!

But a little sobering too. For, my first ever early childhood cohort at Rider is graduating and moving on, out and up into the world of work - reality? Yes indeed, it has been four years already. My, how the time is flying by!

What can I say?

I will miss these humorous, loving, question-posing, compassionate, creative young women. Very much.

But, at least, I will be able to watch the orchid grow and bloom, reminding me of them day by day, and wishing them well with productive, fulfilling, and happy days ahead!

I must admit ... it's getting better ... (Update)

   

Mother's Day came early for me ... 

   

And, look! I had my hair cut - again - for the occasion:

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 My ... how I've changed ... in just one year ... 

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Life just gets better and better.

Happy Mother's Day weekend to all those mothers, young and old, out there!

Update - dedicated to Claude!

   

A year ago at Mining Nuggets: Keep it real

Right here, right now

Found at The Obvious.

Blog-hopping

Quote of the day:

I try to be cynical, but its hard to keep up. Lily Tomlin famously said (in Jane Wagner's The Search For Intelligent Life In The Universe ... ) From an email exchange with a colleague today.

Check out three blog posts that I enjoyed reading today:

1. At The Huffington Post,

2. At The Obvious, and

3. At How to Find Real Food.

A year ago at Mining Nuggets: Giving it all away

Excuses, excuses

Rain is falling in bucket loads. Storming and battering, splashing and pounding.

I start to giggle. No four-mile walk for me today. Instead, I have time to write a blog-post before setting out to work. 

How strange to look for excuses not to exercise. However, some days I am unable to find time to fit in all the things I love doing. 

I remember a story that my mother told me about when I was a pre-toddler - fifteen to eighteen months or so. At night, after I was put to bed, instead of going to sleep, I would stand up in my crib and strain to see what was going on in the living room, and call out to be included. It seemed that I have always wanted to be part of the action! 

I have always wanted to do and see it all.

Well, I suppose I could jump in the car and speed off to the gym on my way to work. 

But I just wanted to touch base with my blog first. 

Because, it seems that so often Twitter, Facebook, four-mile walks, yoga, reading, and writing other stuff (other than my blog - I mean) - oh yes, and even working: teaching, meetings, committees, presenting, traveling - get in the way of blogging.

Or, are all those ... just excuses, excuses ... ?