DISQUS

Alana Sheeren · 2 months ago

So many thoughts about this I can't even get one out coherently. Perhaps rest would help. Will be pondering the Merton quote for some time. Glad you're feeling better.

dyanavalentine · 2 months ago

Alana: please share some of those thoughts, once they get coherent. I think rest really is the thing. What's happening good over at WholeSelf?

Traci · 2 months ago

I'm so happy you're back, and I hope you're feeling great (if not yet, then very very soon)! I think it's a delicate thing to learn how to tell your instinct (busy=best) to shut up so you can hear your intuition (hmmm...something's not quite right). I struggle with it constantly.

dyanavalentine · 2 months ago

Hmm, I wonder what the difference would be if I treated myself delicately--even if only on occasion. Something is definitely NOT right on the viral side. Working delicately today, thanks to you. How do you learn to listen, Traci? What are your best practices?

CindyMorefield · 2 months ago

Flu is no fun, for sure, and I'm glad you're on the upswing. Still, what great learnings! Or beginnings of learnings, anyway - action will continue the learning, right? Seems quite fitting with your whole quest, really. This project has bumped you into a whole range of body awareness, and that's very cool!

dyanavalentine · 2 months ago

Thanks, Cindy: yes, action is the only way. You are RIGHT! This speed bump is a gift--thank you for raising my eye to this level of positivity. I needed that! What are you learning about right now?

CindyMorefield · 2 months ago

You're quite welcome. What am I learning about? Well, it is finally starting to sink in - or perhaps I'm learning from the experience of action! - that when I prioritize the big stuff (the strengthening, inspiring, this-is-what-I-really-want stuff), other things fit themselves in, if they are important. That doesn't mean everthing gets done, but I'm so much more energized and satisfied by what IS accomplished. Thanks for asking!

dyanavalentine · 2 months ago

YESSS! and yes again, in a calmer voice. This is super exciting. You know what I'm learning from you, right now? Maybe everything doesn't need doing. That's some serious rocket science for me. I like it a lot. I'm focusing tonight's dreams on "this-is-really-what-I-want stuff." Thank you.

CindyMorefield · 2 months ago

Having to do everything is a mighty big burden! Not to mention impossible. ;) But even if narrowed to the subset of things you want to do or things it would be "good" to do, it's still unmanageable, especially for folks, such as yourself, who are gifted at ideation! Just way too many good ideas for all of them to be actionable. So I think choosing becomes important.

I'll be interested to hear what you gleaned from the dream focusing.

dyanavalentine · 1 month ago

Cindy: thank you for being kind and so generous with your support an insights. I love the perspective on what's good and "could" happen, versus what is really important. I used your litmus test today and eliminated the "good to dos" felt amazing and got superb work done.

CindyMorefield · 1 month ago

Glad it was useful, and that you were able to work well. Good work feels so good, eh? (appropos of your most recent post!)
So are you truly feeling well now? I hope so!

Bneato · 2 months ago

Get better soon!!

dyanavalentine · 2 months ago

Thank you, Beth and Melissa: your wishes to my immune system's ears. Send good thoughts to Adam, too, Beth. I'm taking all the good wishes in.

Melissa Kelly · 2 months ago

Sorry you're down with the flu dear. TAKE IT EASY. Sending you lots of love.

emilysarah · 2 months ago

My 5-year-old son recently had the H1N1 flu (and two different docs said anyone who has the flu right now DOES have that strain), which wasn't beyond awful ... but the resulting pneumonia was scary! Thankfully he's was quite better by Sunday (although his lungs won't be 100% clear for a few weeks), and of course during his illness I got run down so finally the germs jumped on me. Flu bites!

I'm starting to feel better and I'm glad you're on the mend as well. Germs just don't respect schedules and plans and goals at all, do they?! And as you say in your post (re: frolicking while healthy), being sick a few days definitely makes one more appreciative for all the healthy days.

With my son especially, his sickness (and reading too many Google-searched articles of possible death for his age group) made me slow down and feel more. And then when it was my turn for a mild flu version, I just curled up and thought, prayed, and drifted to sleep, knowing that work and laundry and all the other to-do's would wait for me to return.

Here's to wellness and to frolicking more fully and deliberately -- with gratitude and gusto!

dyanavalentine · 2 months ago

Three cheers to GUSTO, EmilySarah: please take care of yourself while you are caring for him. Did you learn anything from your son in the process? I always find that kids have the most glorious perspective, even when down. Praying certainly is something I haven't explored during this bout. I am starting now: I pray that this momentary hobbling allows me to rest and open up my mind to what needs doing and what wants doing and the insight to tell them apart. Thank you!

emilysarah · 2 months ago

Good advice for all of us whether sick or well (re: what needs doing vs. wants doing and recognizing the difference). You're so right (re: children's good perspective)! Daken was perfectly consistent with that five-year-old "in the moment" big-picture contentment. He said it was fun being with me (we cuddled for large chunks of several days). He missed the hyped-up Grandparents' Day special lunch at his school but was totally unmoved about it. After all, they have lunch at his school every day, he reminded me, and his grandparents can come another day. Not only that, but maybe them coming on a day when other children's grandparents weren't there would make HIS being there even more special.

Well, geesh, all of that is so true. (I was lamenting -- but not him. He effortlessly elevated that "missed opportunity" into something that will be eventually more special.)

If only I could so easily adapt my preconceived notions and plans. :-)

dyanavalentine · 2 months ago

This makes me feel so "possible," you know? Just the idea that you can be so centered, like Daken, and simply not be bothered by speedbumps--or perceived bumps. I love it. Plus, grandparents are ALWAYS special. Let's all have a Daken Day tomorrow--just roll with it and say what he'd say, instead of getting a sticky in our talk.

emilysarah · 2 months ago

I told Daken before he went to preK. He feels very special now. :-) I pray you feel uber possible and explode with possibilities! Here's to Daken Day -- and as you said, here's to adopting that youthful roll-with-it attitude!

dyanavalentine · 1 month ago

I can't wait to hear what more we can learn from Daken! Please share stories, as they come! I'm feeling back to 95% now--fyew! Tough one. Glad to be out of the house again.

CindyMorefield · 2 months ago

Three cheers for Daken's perspective, and thanks for sharing it. Priceless.