WE CAN MAKE IT WORK

Posted on April 20, 2014 by hafong

I am well into this month’s challenge. Besides writing a post every day, I have incorporated some healthy habits into this challenge. It would make marking my progress and assessment easier and in writing.

I have been faithfully getting up, dressing up and showing up. I have done my qigong exercises faithfully every morning. Some mornings I am more focus and in the moment than others. But I am always here, trying. I always feel the better for it. It opens up my channels to receive the world. So why would I neglect a good thing? After awhile it is like brushing your teeth and washing your face when you get up in the morning. It is a habit. Ahhhh, it feels so good after!

Another challenge is to keep the floors reasonably clear of Sheba’s hair. She sheds a lot and I haven’t been good at housekeeping for awhile. Some days, it is light duty and when time and energy permits – a thorough vacuum. It is a surprise to find the big vacuum is not really that big. With practice and practice, I have been able to do it in a relatively short time and with ease.

These are simple challenges that I have success with. I have been consistent and persistent or you can say, I have been neurotic about it. They are good neurosis, wouldn’t you say? But I have not been successful in other areas – the area of the heart and mind. The gremlins are still rearing their ugly heads. Though it is the holy time of Easter, the demons are still tearing at me. They are not succeeding yet. I have put up my shield and sending out hot and searing flames to thwart them.

All I need is consistency and persistence and lots of heart…and a good hearted Easter bunny, and maybe an Easter basket. Well, the hot chocolate sort of helped.

THE BEST I CAN

Posted on April 19, 2014 by hafong

It’s all very well to espouse truisms when you are in elation, floating on a cloud. But when you have your feet firmly planted or mired in the mud of life, then it is another thing. I’m talking about this asinine statement, “You can’t control what others do. You can only control what you do.”

Try to control yourself in the heat of the moment, or should I say, the heat of days, weeks or even months. Not so easy, in the face of what the other person does. It is damn hard when you have no control over what he will do.

Life is hard, as M. Scott Peck said in The Road Less Travelled. And so, I put my head down, breathe to gather up muster and put one foot in front of the other. I see myself at least. Recognition can be a start. Now, I just have to take a few more breaths and another step. I am doing the best I can.

MORE OR LESS

Posted on April 18, 2014 by hafong

I woke this morning to more snow, then rain. God seemed displeased with us, shedding tears over his children.

So, how may I serve you, Father, on this Good Friday?

May I love myself more so that I can love others just as well.
May I be kinder to myself so that I can have forgiveness in my heart.
May I be more silent so that I can feel more peace in this world.
May I be less judgemental and find less fault in others.
May I have more faith in myself and less doubt of others.
May I have more patience and less anger.
May I have more wisdom and less stubbornness.

THE MEASURE OF MY SUCCESS

Posted on April 17, 2014 by hafong

How do you measure success? On this 17th day of the Ultimate Blog Challenge, I am still writing every day. There are 13 more days to go. Success in this aspect looks possible and probable. But what about my other aspirations for this month?

Have I been living according to Don Miguel Ruiz’s FOUR AGREEMENTS?

1. Be impeccable with your word.

2. Don’t take anything personally.

3. Don’t make assumptions.

4. Always do your best.

It always helps to stop and evaluate your goals and progress. Having a challenge in the framework of this month helps me to focus. True, some days are better than others and some posts are more profound than others. Sometimes I can’t help myself and my mouth runs away on me. Judgement creeps in along with assumptions on difficult days. Some days I am more perfect than others. But always, I try to be conscious. Always, I choose to do the best I can.

Today is one of those not so perfect days. But it is the best that I could do. It is a success.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Posted on April 16, 2014 by hafong

“I’m on the top of the world lookin’ down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I’ve found ever since you’ve been around
Your love’s put me at the top of the world”

Funny how photos trigger words and snatches of songs in my mind. That’s how I’m feeling looking at this picture of Sheba – on top of the world. The Carpenters got it perfectly. Sheba exemplifies perfect love.

No matter how long or short I’ve been gone, she is always exuberantly happy to see me on my return. She is never cross with me, except when I try to trim her nails, clean her ears or brush her undercarriage. But she forgets when it is over and never holds a grudge. With love like that, how can I not be on top of the world?

So what if I’m greeted by snow and grey skies first thing this morning? They will pass as all things do. So I am not feeling quite perky and ready to conquer the world but this, too shall pass. In the meantime, it makes a good excuse to cuddle up with my tea and book and just enjoy the slowness. Wars and battles can wait for another day. For today, I am happy sitting on top of my world watching Sheba play.

HUMOUR IS THE BEST MEDICINE

Posted on April 15, 2014 by hafong

Humour is the best medicine. How often have you heard that expression? When I’m drowning in my quagmire of angsts, I do not want to hear mention of it. I’m liable to wack you one if you suggest that.

However, if you are clever enough or clownish enough and can cause me to break out in uproarious, heehawing, guffawing laughter, it would probably disrupt my brain waves and bust me out of my misdemeanor. Is that the right word? No matter! It has the right sound.

Lacking humour and laughter, I’m having to resort to tapping out my mean and unrighteous feelings. Oh, how can people do such things? Oh, HOW could they? Have they no conscious? WHERE are their morals?

You know what? This is working! The demons in me are leaving through my fingerstips with each tap, tap on the keyboard. Hallelujah!

HOW WELL DOES MY GARDEN GROW

Posted on April 14, 2014 by hafong

Today is full of sunshine and promise of things to come. It looks like spring could spring into action any day now! It is time to think about my garden. How well it grows depends very much on how I tend it.

Will I have the patience and the consistency of maintaining it regularly – the watering, fertilizing and weeding throughout the season? Will I succumb to the setback of cooler than usual temperatures, bugs, and weeds? It’s a challenge all right.

Last year’s garden started out on a bright and green foot as you can tell by the picture. In the end, it was not so great. We got little for our harvest in the fall. But still – we had some fresh vegetables for the table.

It does no good to be discouraged. One has to have heart in life. I will tend to my thoughts as I will for the garden. I will be conscious of those nettles in the brain as well as those in the vegetable patch. They can take over if you don’t pay attention. Learn from the past mistakes and move on. Harvest and be thankful for whatever you can reap.

A DAY OF REST

Posted on April 13, 2014 by hafong

Sunday evening and I’m sitting here with a glass of wine, not one thought in my head, no idea at all for this post. Some days can be like that and it’s all good. Today after all is a day of rest.

It started out so full of promise and sunshine. I rejoiced and smiled. I settled myself in the love seat in the sunroom. I read a couple of chapters from a new romance. Oh, such luxury and indulgence, reading for just pure leisure. I sipped my tea. Life is good.

Sheba and I headed out for our gentle jog. We stopped at my mother’s along the way. Sheba thought that was great because she knows that she will get lots of attention and treats. We always had a good time at mom’s.

It started snowing on the way home – big fluffy flakes. The sun disappeared. It was not what we want but it was a pretty scene.

Life can be like that – unpredictable and disappointing at times. But still there is beauty and goodness in it. You have to roll along with the clouds and be ready to shine when the sun comes out.

WHEN THE GOING IS TOUGH

Posted on April 12, 2014 by hafong

The weather has not been kind in April. Once again, today is cold and grey with snow flurries in the morning. It’s another tough one.

But I got up, dressed up, fixed my bed head and showed up. I breathed and moved through my qigong routine, ate breakfast and cleaned up. Now what? How should I proceed?

Since it did not look pleasant outside, I decide maybe I should tackle the most difficult job first. It would not be easy or fun walking Sheba on leash in the cold and wind. So off to the park we drove. It was smaller but closer than our regular haunt. And it wasn’t pretty.

I’m sure Sheba did not care. It was some place where she can run free, romp and sniff her own kind.

When the going is tough, I have learned to be smarter and more flexible. Why set myself up for failure when an easier avenue is open? So here I am! I still have words and sun is shining. And my seedlings are transplanted, sitting under their sunlamp.

SMELLING THE FLOWERS

Posted on April 11, 2014 by hafong

As always a death announcement always makes one do a retake of one’s own life. This is especially when the deceased had just resigned from a job three or so weeks ago – James Flaherty, our former finance minister, age 64.

It’s a reminder for me that life is not forever and we have to live each and every day. We don’t have to wait till…it’s the right time, till we have enough money, till we retire. The right time is now. There are so many wonderful sweet things in life to explore and enjoy. They are right here, if we can open our eyes and see. Sometimes I get wrapped up in the worries and cares and forget the joys of doing.

Even though spring is late, the sky is grey and the way strewn with many a thorn, let me leap forward with joy and anticipation of what the day can bring. I can choose my actions and sometimes that can bring the emotions. Fake it till you make it! We’re talking about putting one foot in front of the other and walking the talk. Darn! I do talk too much. It still happens even when I vowed to do otherwise. Well, I am doing the best I can. And that is all I can ask of myself.

It is the 11th day of the challenge. I’m still here, writing, doodling, filling my page with words and pictures. Eleven days feel like a very l-o-n-g time. Maybe I shouldn’t count.

onethousandandtwo

Looking at Infinity

Monthly Archives: April 2014