In the process of planning a cross-country move, simplicity soon became a major theme. Extreme simplicity. As you get quotes for the cost of shipping your stuff, it is easy to begin to question how much you really need it. Like is it $3,400-shipping-cost worthy?
I had been itching for a new wordpress theme and this one seemed to fit nicely with my focus on simplifying. It is also netbook friendly which is important to me since I transitioned to a netbook.
This was actually part of the seeds of my simplicity quest. I love the idea of affordable, mobile technology. I have Linux (Ubuntu) installed on my netbook but have thus far been only booting the Windows XP which involves no learning curve. But just using XP is a simplification from my miserable Vista laptop. It’s funny how the 15 inch laptop now seems humongous compared to my 10 inch netbook.
Speaking of mobile technology, this seems like a win-win trend: Mobile gadgets threaten in-flight entertainment.
Posted in Uncategorized |
Since I’m having trouble posting regularly lately, I realized that I should occasionally share what I’m writing in my online class discussions. We recently discussed mourning as a spiritual process of “letting go” and this was my response:
Much of my concept of “letting go” and grieving comes from the health crisis which ended my life as I knew it. Not only did work and school come to an abrupt halt, but I lost my ability to function on a daily basis becoming dependent on my husband for things you take for granted. (Try to pay attention to how often you use your hands.) I became focused on finding meaning in the crisis in spiritual terms. I saw the losses as deaths, and an overall death of my identity. Everything that comprised my self-concept was gone.
I came to see losses as a natural part of the cycle of life that create space and opportunity for something new to grow. Everything I was became fertile ground for the growth or rebirth of my self. It was not ultimately truly lost, but transformed. Perhaps like the butterfly, we must be willing to let go of ourselves, trusting that is a necessary part of making way for the new life to come. I see life as a process of allowing parts of our lives to die, to make way for the new. I think that if we are stuck holding on to and maintaining what is, we become rigid and closed to the unknown miracles life has to offer. Even in our breathing, we must release the air with our out breath trusting that more will come in the next breath in.
Posted in chronic pain/illness, spirituality |
I knew that my first year in seminary would be a challenging transition, but my personal life became unexpectedly complicated. The overwhelm I have felt hasn’t been that unique though. It is a common topic of discussion among students that resurfaces throughout the year. A recent point of extreme overwhelm became the catalyst for me to “get organized.”
Besides clearing my desk, I finally instituted some organizing tools I had found that are designed for “pilers” or those with a more visual style of organizing. I also returned to the Zen Habits blog which I discovered while reading Getting Things Done by David Allen. I like the ZTD spin on the GTD system. I also found a few blogs discussing the topic of organization and seminary:
Of course, I recently posted to my Twitter that I couldn’t find something because it was exactly where it should be in the new system. Oh well, it’s a journey.
| Tagged Seminary |
Seminary studies and life have kept me busy and I have found it hard to “indulge” in blogging. How can I justify taking the time when there is so much to do! Also, much of where my heart is right now relates to my concerns about my elderly parents (at almost 82, I think my mom still doesn’t appreciate being labeled as elderly). If you’ve read my blog in the past, you know that my mom reads it. I haven’t been sure how to venture into this subject area without being overly concerned about offending her.
Tonight thanks to my husband (aka great spiritual teacher), I came face-to-face with the fact that I possess the same trait that is driving me crazy in my mom. He offered to head off to the laundromat by himself with our laundry while I stayed home and studied. Rather than happily accepting his generous offer, I was plagued with both guilt and “but you won’t do it like I do” thoughts. I was the only one who was surprised by this. He took my feeble protests in stride and didn’t have too big a smile when I admitted my wrong thinking. (I did remind him not to get on a high horse, that he isn’t perfect either.) So he’s off doing the laundry and I’m realizing that even if something comes back a tiny version of itself, it is well worth the gift I have received. Amen.
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Lately I have been feeling grateful for how effortless my exercise habits have become. They are purposefully modest ones. My focus has been on making exercise pleasurable and doable. Now it is usually a matter of when, rather than if, I’m going to exercise. I’m especially happy that when I get stressed out my reaction is to want to get outside and go for a walk. I still dream of consistently attending dance classes or doing one of my longer DVD’s, but most days I manage to do the AM workout from 7 Minutes of Magic in addition to my walk.
Although I’m usually looking forward to my walks, I still have days that I struggle with resistance. Yesterday was one of those days. I just did not want to go and an internal conversation ensued. “I don’t want to go.” “Walking is good for you.” “Missing one day is no big deal.” “You know you’ll feel better once you get out there.” “It’s cold.” “Dress warm, besides walking will warm you up.” “I don’t know.” “Just go!” In the end I went because over time, I had developed faith in my walking practice. That I would feel better after I got out there.
Continue reading “Fitness Faith & Practice”
Posted in exercise, goals, stress management |
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