I recently read a great quote attributed to Winston Churchill: "Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." I have yet to meet anyone either "in the rooms," or outside of them who doesn't fret about failure. Somewhere in our past, perhaps at the dinner table when we were young or in the many classrooms that demanded our attention over the years, we got the idea that failure was a bad thing, a shameful thing. That it would define us. That it determined whether or not we would ever amount to anything. Our worthiness as huma[...]
0 Perhaps this seems like an odd topic for a post, but sorting through the "stuff" of my life has garnered my attention since returning from Naples. And it feels good. I think approaching 76 has given me reason to pause. What more do I need to do? How do I best continue to fulfill the Will of God? What truly calls to me now? I am actually thrilled to be sitting in my study, going through my library, reading a bit, choosing which books to pass on to the thrift store, and in the process, revisiting some spiritual ideas that I hunger for once again. THE[...]
The last three weeks have flown by. That seems to be the case when aging is factored in. And I have become more aware of aging since my recent trip to Annapolis, MD. I suppose some of you saw my Facebook post about my excursion and subsequent fall in that fair city. It wasn't a pretty experience. I can't even say it was educational. Picking up my feet more intentionally would not have saved me from that particular fall. I wish I could say otherwise. However, I simply fell forward. With no warning. My nose hitting the pavement was my first aware[...]
About a month ago i was scheduled to do a women's retreat in Mount Pocono, PA. It was a group I had done retreats for a few other times. I was looking forward to the experience, as is true of every retreat or workshop experience I contract to do. Leading a group of women who are hungry for continued spiritual growth is what my calling is all about I believe. I love the interactions with the women. I love preparing my presentations, and I love making them. Speaking and writing simply make my heart sing with joy. And I am fortunate to be invited to do[...]
How very sorry I am that I have been away so long from blogging. I periodically get caught up in other avenues of my life and let this connection with you slide. It's not because I don't care about this activity. I love writing, of all kinds, in all settings. In fact, I have just recently finished another book. It's soon to go to the printer. This one is being published by Conari, the same publisher I have used for the last few books. Having a great relationship with a publisher, when you are a writer, is so important. I've been extremely lucky to[...]
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WOW!
"Wow!" supposedly was the final utterance of Steve Jobs, Apple's founder, according to his wife. Whether that's true or not, I choose to believe it. The affirmation that there is something beyond this world, something worthy of a wow, pleases me. I already believed it but we seldom get a message that so clearly affirms that there is something more. I hope that when I pass over, I'm just as inclined to say wow. But it's this life that needs our "Wows" now. And there are myriad situations every day that are worthy of a wow. The "accidental" meeting of[...]
Karen's Musings, Reflections in the Mirror - You and Yourself, What I Believe - You and Your Higher Power
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Reviewing the “old tricks.”
A funk had settled over me. I wasn't hopping out of bed with much enthusiasm. The dread of old had settled in. Again. For how long this time, I wondered. This experience isn't new. It's a common theme for me, actually. Sometimes it feels like I pay more than an occasional "visit" to this site. I nestle in, in fact. And then the fear of how long it will last creeps in. It wouldn't be such a big deal but it changes my behavior toward others. Those I love the most become my central focus and placing them under the microscope doesn't add peace t[...]
I am often not who I want to be in the relationship that is the dearest to me. And it's a pattern I am struggling to change. At last night's AA meeting we discussed "taking it home," meaning being as kind at home to our loved ones as we are to those who are dear to our hearts in 12 step rooms. I have said for years that I am aware of my failure in this respect. And I have repeatedly said I want to change this. But wanting to doesn't complete the job. I have written multiple books about this topic, some aspect of this topic. Our relationships are why[...]
How little I understood the concept of "letting go" when I first saw the slogan: Let Go, Let God, on the wall of an Al-Anon meeting nearly forty years ago. It sounded so simple. I didn't consider myself "attached" to any one or any thing. In reality, my feelings, thus often my actions, were attached to the behavior of everyone. Absolutely everyone! I was so enmeshed in who ever was present that I couldn't even recognize it. Whatever any one did or said had an impact on me. And the closer they were to me, the greater the impact. I had been introduc[...]
Circle of Family and Friends - You and Your Personal Community, What I Believe - You and Your Higher Power
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“I am here only to be truly helpful . . .”
This is the first line of a prayer that I say every morning. And I use this line as a "stand alone" throughout the day when I feel uncertain about the situation I am faced with. I believe, completely, that each person on the planet is here to be only helpful, helpful to every other person who is encountered throughout the day. How simple this makes our "assignment." How manageable this makes the experiences we get to have every day. The prayer offers me instant relief, actually. And everyone of us deserves a life that is free from angst and fear and u[...]