Saturday, February 14, 2015

Saying Hard and Loving Things

I am aware of always taking one of two types of action.  I can “comfort the afflicted”, which is generally pleasant for the recipient or I can “afflict the comfortable”, which is frequently not enjoyed by the recipient.  Today I did a lot of the latter, meaning I brought up things that people did not want to talk about, something I find difficult to do but also important, in the situation where someone has asked for my input.  I try to speak in such a way that it “increases the integrity of the universe” or is loving and constructive.  It helps to get my own ego out of the way and to not listen to the internal voice that says “they are not going to like this”.  My immediate assumption, if I listen, is that they won’t like me.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Ego

As I said yesterday, the topic of grief came up in our men’s group, a topic I am quite familiar with.  During the meeting I directed what were supposed to be some helpful comments to one of the other members.  Since that time I have realized that I included several parts of my own story/history that were not really necessary in order to help the other member.  I have realized that I included those parts of my story for my own ego gratification, stroking my own ego, rather than being helpful.  I am not inclined to be critical of myself, but to be aware, and not do that in the future.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Grief

The topic of grief after the death of a loved one was one of the topics brought up in our monthly men’s meeting tonight, a subject which has changed a lot for me over time.  I have been near death three times and had a “near death experience” one of those times.  I have also been part of the death of numerous people.  Thanks, in part, to the near death experience, I know that physical death is nothing to be feared.  I know death as a spiritual transition.  I thought, wrongly, that my knowledge and experience would free me from the very human grief process.  I now realize that grieving is part of continuing with life while others pass on.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Humility

I lead a life of service, with my main purpose being to help other people come to a sense of harmony and becoming “all they can be”, according to their own wishes.  Love in action.  My role frequently requires that I keep my own ego in check and “out of the way”.  However, I do find a lot of pleasure in watching others grow, and I usually grow in the process, as long as I stay humble.  As I commented during my meeting today; “It is important that I realize that I am only the actor, doing what I am told”.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Being Open

Today I sent off the edited and reviewed copy of my manuscript back to Dorrance Publishing Co.  I have been reviewing the copy that they edited for the last week.  This has been quite a process for me!  I have watched my brain travel off into many projections and fantasies, some enjoyable & many not.  I have also encountered a lot of fear and doubt.  Overall, the process has been very engrossing and I am glad that most of the intensity has passed.  I am pleased that I have been open to the emotional ups and downs of the process, something I would not have been in the past.  Being open to it and feeling it, lets it pass.

Monday, February 9, 2015

Acceptance

Part of me would like to be better or different than what I am - a silly attitude that causes stress.  With that attitude, I can question what I say and do, judge myself or project all sorts of potential problems.  On the other hand, just being present, grateful and humble works for me and creates a feeling of peace.  I am a unique and special human and just like everyone else, at the same time, just another “bozo on the bus”.  I am a really fine example of what it is to be Charlie - I think it best to leave my attitude there.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Difficulties

I have several people in my life right now who are having very difficult times, for a variety of reasons, many are in the process of dying, some older some younger than me.  I have a lot of gratitude that my life is relatively pleasant right now.  I am also aware that working through difficult times is a large part of the reason that we are having this physical experience.  Working through difficulties is how we learn about the importance of things like inclusiveness, connection and love.  Focusing on the problem often obscures the gift. Using the short term, earthly perspective, difficult times can be very unpleasant.