My own response to my blog from the night before

This is my own response to my blog from last night.

I woke up this morning and read a newsletter that I receive from EFT World Center (Emotional Freedom Techniques) and the gratitude exercise below was listed: (I've seen this before and it always helps me put things into perspective)

I choose to be grateful...
For my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
For the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means I can hear.
For the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.
For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been capable of working hard.
For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means I am alive.
And finally, for too much e-mail because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.
~ Author Unknown

May the day have gentle reminders that your life is abundant
~ Col

I'm in love with Eat Pray Love!

Two words; LOVE IT!

~ I gotta tell ya, at first, I couldn't get into this book. I liked the way she wrote, funny; easy going but I just couldn't get into it. Perhaps reading late at night, just before bed and about halfway through my 2nd glass of red wine (love that time of day) wasn't the best time to be reading this one. Anyway, just about 1/3 way through the book when she was just about all the way through Italy (she is traveling; don't worry you know this from reading the back cover) she wrote about how she arrived in Italy, both physically and emotionally and how she was now leaving Italy both physically and emotionally; and in those few words, that is when it happened, I fell in love with her and the book! Fantastic. Did I say, I loved it? Ok, just want to make sure.

If you don't' know this, again, you can read the back cover: Liz (the author) goes on a spiritually journey to three countries; Italy (eat), India (pray) and Indonesia (love). I loved India the most. As I talked to others who had read the book, and yes they loved it too, it was interesting to see what part/place they liked best. Not everyone loved India as much as I did, in fact, a young co-worker of mine was bored by her travels there. I had not yet read that part and didn't give it much thought. This co-worker of mine just adored Lis's travels and experiences through Italy and Indonesia. After reading it myself, I thought, hmmmm...there it is again, that perspective thing. If we are open to it, we will realize so much not only how we see things but also how others see things. Being open to others' perspective teaches us (or at least me) so much about myself and the those that I share space with, both personally and professionally.

Okay, back to the book. For me, India was such a wonderful journey that I just might have to re-read it. I am having a book club planning meeting with my wonderful group (love those ladies) and I am going to suggest that we read this one. I have so many of the pages folded down to go back and re-read. One of my favorite parts is what she says about her Nephew and God. As I am on my own spiritual journey, that was such a powerful moment for me as I felt like; AHHHHH, yes, this is God; I get it! (and yes, I cried)

L-O-V-E this book for all of the delightful gifts it gave me. I hope you read it, love it, but mostly, I hope that you find eye opening AH-HA moments in it and are inspired by the many wonderful messages that are sprinkled throughout the book.

~ Happy reading
and enjoy the journey,
Col

Just as I am

Today I read an article in Body and Soul Magazine; an article on overcoming shyness. Well, those of you who personally know me, might wonder, "what the hell do you need to overcome shyness for?" Well, you are right; I have no trouble with shyness, however the article did mention a concept that I am going to adopt for myself and apply it in other areas of how I care for myself emotionally as I am the only one who can.

The article advised trying to observe negative self talk or so called short comings (I'm shy, I wish I were more talk-a-tive, I wish I were funny) with a little compassion. "By bringing loving attention to the very moments you wish you were different, you will eventually free yourself to actually be different."

Interesting; don't you think?

I'm constantly saying I wish I were more confident in public speaking (for work), or wish I could be more courageous and dance like I do alone in the basement (hint on that story), or I wish I weren't so talkative and less interrupting when others are talking or I wish I were thinner.

But instead of focusing on those things that I wish I were or weren't, I am going to love myself more compassionately, celebrating the wonderfulness of me, just as I am. (at least for this moment)

Yes, I know; lets get real. We all know, sooner or later, I'll fret over ALL of the areas that I want to improve, things I want to learn and do, fears I want to overcome, but for right now, today, in this very moment, I will just accept me just as I am! Grateful for all that I am.

May you love yourself with compassion and kindness;
having gratitude for yourself as you are.
~ Col