Well a few weeks ago I was at work and one of our subs who used to teach in the district and I got to talking. He mentioned Byron Katie. I've heard of her before, but this time I decided to get a few of her books from my library. I'll be honest--some of her wording is really hard to grasp, almost how I feel when reading Eckhart Tolle, but the underlying meaning is starting to really resonate with me:
When I accept things, even the "bad" things, I will be happier. Period. Wow. Tough work though, really tough work. I'm so used to thinking "why me?" or "why not me?" so this is definitely going to be a work in progress, but I'm pretty sure work worth doing.
I wonder if you have any tips or mantras that help you accept those things that either go wrong or don't happen the way you'd like them?
If it's something I have no control over my mantra is, "what is, is." You HAVE to accept it, because there is no other choice. If I DO have some control, then I have to choose to either accept it, or do the work necessary to change it. Sometimes the work is just more than I can handle, other times I can. That's what I'm dealing with in regards to this business/no business thing...I have SOME control - just don't know if it's worth the work.
ReplyDeleteI know, Janet-I've been saying "it is what it is" lately to help myself remember that there are some things I can't control.
DeleteJill
I know how you feel. Accepting things and going with the flow is tough but it can make things feel so much better. Or, it makes the feeling better come along faster. Just keep doing your art. Art is an amazing and healing thing. You have some control over it but sometimes, when you let the art take over, you get wonderful and amazing surprises.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice Lynda--especially about the art--I am also learning there to let it go and flow and I tend to make things that are more "me"!
DeleteJill
Hi Jill-I truly can relate to how you feel. I am human, I accept that I will get down in the dumps. Thru the years I have learned to FEEL MY FEELINGS, (I call this the ebb in life) sometimes that takes a moment, sometimes it takes a little longer. If don't feel them they will crop up somewhere else unexpected. I journal to help me understand why I even feel the way I do. After that time is over I purposely start the motion to get myself back in the flow of life. I agree with Lynda Metcalf that art heals! I'm still dreaming of my month long retreat, somewhere warm, and near water-when I get there do you want to come and share the expense? :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Teresa! I so agree with feeling the feelings--I really do that and I encourage my daughter to as well because I wasn't as a child--I had to ignore them or deny them. I now know it's okay to feel sad, mad, worried, disappointed. And YES-I would love to go somewhere warm for a month, especially near the water--my dream!!!!
DeleteJill
Hi Jill. I agree with you working on self is our life's work. It can be tough. Have you thought of listening to audio books of these two authors. Sometimes it helps me to listen to what they say instead of reading. Maybe it can help you too. I agree with Teresa, writing has literally changed me. I journal everyday. I learned of the morning pages and at first did not like it but now there is not a day that goes by that I don't do it simply because it helps me to organize those thoughts I need to accept and cannot change. I hope you will continue with your dreams you are a beautiful woman! xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Sofia! Writing does help. I've been journaling then painting over it in my True Free Spirit class from Mindy Lacefield and it's amazing what I can write when I know I'm going to paint over it! No censoring--just truth! I used to do morning pages, on and off through the years but never consistently enough to stick with it. I know they are a big benefit. And, yes, I am continuing with my dreams for sure!
DeleteJill