The Power of Perspective

Perspective.  Point of view.  Outlook.  Angle.  Attitude.  Position.  Frame of reference.  Interpretation.

Whatever you call it, it is the most powerful tool available to you for the practice of relentless gratitude.

A Helping Hand

Yesterday was my last day at work before a much-needed two week break.  I had spent a lot of time over the week wrapping up loose ends so I could mentally leave the job and enjoy the time off.

The last task on my to-do list was a visit to our local mega-home improvement retailer.  I needed to buy paint.  Large quantities in big, heavy buckets.  At 4:00.  On a hot, sunny Saturday afternoon.

Yeah......

4:04 AM

A few years ago, during a time of extreme, extended personal stress, my internal clock broke.

It still keeps time, but it also has a mind of it's own.  It insists, consistently,  that I wake up at stupid o'clock in the morning.  Every morning.

Roses and Rain

**********  If you are in a relationship, of any kind,  where you are being physically or emotionally abused, please do NOT read this post.  You are in a dangerous place, and I strongly urge you to get out, now.  *************




I keep seeing "words of wisdom" that advise that, in order to get what you want in this life, you should ditch what you don't want.  Again and again. 

I'll admit that, on the surface, this is a seductive concept.

Blackberries

This morning I took a short stroll around the 'hood, partially to get my head in the game after coming out the other side of a crushing three-day headache, but mostly to pop across the street to pick up some cigarettes (I know, I know....)

I live in an industrial park.  Along a major trucking route.  Across the street from a heavy equipment yard.  Exhaust, dust and noise are an integral part of my life.  It's not perfect, but it is where I am at this point in my life.

We're All Just Walking Each Other Home

Ram Dass said it.

Hold the door.

Let the person with only a couple things in their cart go first.

Smile.

Shit Happens

Some days you step in a pile of crap. 

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things....

Big, warm hugs from people I love.

That first glorious sip of coffee at 5 AM.

Sunrise.....and sunset.

Feel all the Feels

The past few days I have been miserable.  Feeling miserable, behaving miserably to the people around me (in spite of being abundantly aware of my miserable self).

Pissy.  Short tempered.  Impatient.

Not a whole lot of fun for anyone in my world, me included.

So, like anyone, I've been trying to figure out WHY my mood is so effing gross.

Look It in the Eye

Some days you just have to look it in the eye.  
Acknowledge it for what it is. 
Absorb the 'new' reality. 
Let the air rush out of your lungs while the fist of fate is buried deeply in your gut. 
Let the tears flow. 
Feel the ground literally shift under your feet.

Allow yourself to feel however it is that you feel.

Momma Needs a New Pair of Shoes

Gratitude check: overdue catch-up chats with people who matter; a day to embrace my inner sloth; black-eyed susans making a surprise appearance after two years off.


I am a truly dull shoe person.  Although I have lots to choose from, I tend to wear only one (maybe two) pair(s) on a regular basis.

Oh Canada!

Gratitude check: 

Timmy's coffee when I'm oot and aboot; 

Water I can drink right out of the tap, soil I can coax food out of, and clean air to breathe;

Quality education and healthcare, free for the asking; 

Rain forest, boreal forest, coast, plains, tundra and mountains (all without leaving your borders); 

Equality, diversity, and the evolving mindset of acknowledgement, apology and improvement.




No place is perfect, my country included.