Doing the Right Thing

One of the comments that I often hear is something to the effect that we humans, usually know the right thing to do - we just choose not to do it.  I often observe this also and notice the tendency in myself.  The fact is that there is, usually, some alternative behavior that looks like more “fun” and/or results in short term gain.  That choice looks attractive but is often hollow.  At this point in my life, I tend to do the “right thing” since doing it generally leads to a strong and enduring sense of fulfillment.  Doing the right thing also nourishes the God seed or love part of me, something I wish to do.

Spiritual Arrogance

The topic for today’s recovery meeting was “spiritual arrogance”, a subject I consider very important.  I have a strong program of recovery and I am proud and pleased with the person I have become, in the process.  I also have a strong spiritual connection and usually have a pretty good idea of the right path to take - for me.  When I decide that I know what is right for someone else it usually means that I need to spend more time on self-care and focusing on myself.  I am frequently in a position to advise other people.  It is important for me to remember that I can offer advice, which frequently does not even come from me, and then what others do with that is not up to me.

A Decision

We just got two estimates to do some needed repairs on our roof.  One estimate would be for minimal repairs to a problem section, leaving the rest of the roof as someone else’s eventual problem, assuming we move within the next few years.  The other estimate was for a complete roof job and was about four times the money.  The full roof job “increases the integrity of the universe”, while the partial job does not.  It felt good to go with the full job.  They begin next week.

R. & R.

A good and simple sort of day with minimal heavy and meaningful interaction.  I enjoyed doing a lot of exercising, cooking, resting and eating.  I particularly enjoyed going to my recovery meeting and then going to lunch with another recovering person.  Today was sort of like a very welcome break in my normal activities of intense interaction and a focus on spiritual connection.  I suspect that I needed a break.

Grief

Once again today the theme was death, dying and loss.  As expected, I have been reflecting on the many losses that I have experienced in recent years; grandfather, parents, sister and several mentors.  The feelings and grief process for each loss were different, and what comes to mind is the importance of being open to whatever feeling arises.  I have found it helpful to carry out various activities in order to bring out the feelings. Journaling, talking, writing letters that I burned and various grief ceremonies all helped.

The Whole Picture

This morning, at the Friend’s meeting, people spoke of death, dying, loss and the destruction of our planet, all very real and good reason for concern.  I suggested that they also consider that every thought and behavior also teaches about love and God, bringing us closer to that reality.  I suggested that they look at the whole picture and consider what I call the “empty fullness” of life on this planet.  As many people have pointed out - the purpose of living is learning and growing about love.

Focus

This morning, while leaving the meeting, a friend came up alongside and spoke to me and I stumbled a bit.  He had disrupted my focus on walking.  A fact that I have been very aware of today is that, because of my disability, I need to focus on anything I say or do.  If I lose focus when I walk, I stumble, when I eat, I bite myself, when performing some detailed activity with my hands, I fumble, etc.  This fact of life is a mixed blessing, like many things in life.  It keeps me in the present, but can also be inconvenient, at times.

Being Right Sized

Today I have been contemplating on the need to stay “right sized”, to be aware of my gifts, talents and also my limitations.  If I am overly proud, I tend to not be open to the information contained in the comments of the other people I contact.  On the other hand, if I am overly self-critical, I tend to hold myself back from moving forward.  I was pleased to note that I changed my website in response to the criticism of one of my clients, meaning I listened to his comments, integrated them and acted accordingly, without pride or ego interference.

Growth

We had our monthly men’s meeting tonight and I was reminded of how important it is to have a loving, compassionate and respectful connection with others.  That connection is a beautiful thing to be part of, a definite win-win situation.  It’s wonderful to see the members of the group grow.  It has been my experience that things like guilt and shame do not promote growth and that love does.

Holistic Healing

I went to the healer I go to once a month, a hands on medical intuitive.  He uses “healing touch”, similar to what I use on myself, though my focus is more on the power of love, while his on physical healing.  I have also been reflecting on a phrase I learned early in my scientific education from a bit of a rebel, old-time scientist; “treasure your exceptions, since that is where the learning is”.  I am an exception, as are the many others who have used healing touch or other “alternative” modalities to heal physical conditions.  The impact of those techniques is very real, though it has not yet been verified by the scientific method and, perhaps, will never be.