MATHEMATICS, EINSTEIN AND WAYNE DYER

Posted on October 26, 2017 by hafong

It’s another morning, another day. I’ve gotten up, dressed up in my day clothes and have I am. The mornings are still very dark at 7. There’s snow on the ground, on the spruce and on my lettuce bed. The buddhas sit unperturbed beneath their canopy. Their placidness amid all weathers is admirable. It’s what I strive for each day. I don’t always succeed but seeing them each time is a reminder. I try again and again.

Each day I get a new opportunity to try/do at what I yearn and have yet not achieved. How awesome is that? I need not dwell in the pit of self-pity and failure. Each day I can try something new, go down a different path. That’s what I have to remember. There is no point in keep doing the same thing, expecting different results. That’s wrong mathematics or insanity as Einstein and Dr. Phil would say.

I am a fan of quotes. They contain so much wisdom and truth in a sentence or two. Einstein said: “Nothing happens until something moves.” Wayne Dyer: “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” I’ve been putting these quotes into practice over the last year. Change is slow as it is difficult to be awake and conscious. I’ve been mesmerized and swept along the routine of everyday life. Sometimes I forget to stop and smell the flowers or the coffee though I love that quote. I’m trying again – stopping to notice, to smell, to document.

Now I have to move and do something else.

I’M A BIG GIRL NOW

Posted on October 2, 2017 by hafong

October 2, 2017. Cloudy, rainy and windy, the stuff of ugly autumn days. I should not put labels on the day. It is a day. The weather has changed. The ugliness is my automatic reaction to change. I struggle with it. It throws a monkey wrench into my well grooved rut. It means I have to work harder to get my brain around the change/problem. I can feel my cortisol rising, my brain fogging up. Sometimes I want to cry and have a tantrum. I know it won’t help. Nobody can/will help. It’s my problem. Everybody has their own shit. Better buckle up and suck it up, Buttercup. You are a big girl now.

I’m tapping it up, or out. I’m taking a breath in and out, calming and clearing my head. I’ve reviewed the process of problem solving. What is the problem? What is it that I want to achieve? What is it that I need to do first, next, and then. I take my own advice and do the steps. There, done! Now I wait for the resolution.

What I know for sure is that I lack patience and concentration. My mind is fractured in a million directions. It probably is contributing to my sleeping problems in the last while. I need to stay more focused and not be so distracted and distraught – wasting energy, treading water. I am going to work on staying in the present moment using Caroline Myss’ advice. I will chart my progress here.

Five Rules for Staying in Present Time

Choose something in your life that you want to change, but make it a reasonable choice. Choose something that will require daily attention, such as exercising every day or changing your nutritional program. Whatever the choice, just make sure it’s something you really can accomplish each day without having to turn your world upside down. Pay attention to every obstacle or distraction that surfaces to prevent you from accomplishing your goal. Write down the obstacles along with your impressions about why you are sabotaging your practice to keep your awareness in present time.
Two times a day, create an image and see how long you can hold that image without any distraction from your external environment. Once again, make note of what distracts you—emotional concerns, noises, bodily discomfort, traveling into your past. Every form of distraction holds a literal and symbolic meaning. It’s worth the extra step to consider the meaning of your distractions.
Pay attention to your excuses and how often you use the past to excuse something you are doing or do not want to do in the present moment, particularly if you use illness or lack of energy.
Make note of what energizes you in the present moment. What makes you feel good? And then pay attention as to whether you think, say, or do something that sabotages your joys, particularly if what you think or do is based on the past.
Develop a mantra—a special short positive thought—that brings your attention back to present time.

ALCHEMY – PROGRAMMING FOR SUCCESS

Posted on August 13, 2017 by hafong

August days can be perfect days when the sun is shining with that perfect warmth and perfect angle. It’s the sunshine lollypops and rainbows, Everything is wonderful kind of moment. I sit back, breathing in the ecstasy of this moment, holding it in my mind’s eye for future reference. The feeling lasted the whole morning. It lingers still though a siren is wailing in the distance and tools clanging and iron grinding nearby.

Perhaps this is how one should live – to take and carry that moment of ecstasy into our being and use it to transport and transform us through our days/life. It’s the perfect agent of change/alchemy. No matter where we are, what storms we’re caught in, we can go within ourselves into that magic moment and find the strength and wisdom to withstand and resolve.

I am just at the beginning of this journey. I am seeing and experiencing some of the power of this process. It’s really programming myself for success, changing and doing what works. It’s long overdue. Now I know and understand nature and myself better, I’m doing better. I’m feeling better, resting better. I’m leaving behind other people’s stuff and messes. I’m dealing with my stuff and clearing my messes. I have more space and peace in my heart.

COMING HOME -beginning a year of…

Posted on July 23, 2016 by hafong

I can’t believe that I’ve been away since May 11th. Coming back, sitting here, tentatively tapping at the keyboard is both exhilarating and uncomfortable. The familiar sound and rhythm are soothing. I am stretching to find the words. I am starting a new project.

I haven’t been happy lately with how life and the world have unfolded. I would hazard a guess that I have a lot of company in that respect. I am disappointed with how I am unfolding. I am not living up to my own standards. See what I mean? I am beating on myself again – repeating past history. I want to change. If I change my actions, maybe I can change my brain. My brain is hardwired to my habits – or is it the other way around?

I Dare Our world is dark and gloomy but magic still resides. Merlin is listening, waiting with his abrahcadabra! After I expressed my wish for change, I found Luann Cahn’s book, I Dare Me among my bag of library books. The wish was already in me and the Universe knew.

So here I am, embarking on this new venture – a year of consciously doing something new. I can do it. This confidence and optimism is new. I CAN DO IT.

I will not be bungee jumping off a tall building in Las Vegas. Or sky diving or mountain climbing. But then I don’t know where this project will take me. For now, the challenge of change and writing about it every day will be exciting enough.

To mark this special occasion of change/transformation, I have clipped my hair. It’s like popping that champaign bottle for me. Here I am post clipping, fresh from the shower, no mousse. Not short/daring enough. Next time. I see I could use some makeup. That would be something new for me – makeup every day. I do hate those girls who takes such lovely selfies. Another first – expressing my envy!

THE ‘HOOD

Posted on May 23, 2014 by hafong

It is morning again, already! The sun is shining right in my eyes. I am tired. My fingers are stiff, the knuckles swollen and sore. Too much work in the garden yesterday.

I have lost my words for a few days. Once lost, it takes some work to coax them back. So I am limbering up these tired old fingers. I’m pecking away on the keyboard, one word at a time, one slow thought at a time.

Our raised beds are all built, lined and filled with topsoil – all four of them. Two of them are planted. Two more to go. They are looking quite handsome but I am sure some irate neighbour will find some fault even though it is on our property. Such is my neighbourhood. I am so envious of hearing others talk about their neighbours and a sense of community.

Not that my neighbours are such terrible people. But I have not felt a sense of community amid them for a long time. I hear their sad stories about their troubled teens, ugly husbands, messy divorces. I tolerate their shouting matches and loud music. They complain about my dog. Sometimes they make more noise than Sheba.

But I feel a change in the air. The ‘hood is changing. Or maybe it is I who is changing.

WORDS INTO ACTION

Posted on April 4, 2014 by hafong

Now that I have committed myself on paper, it is time to turn the words into action.

I rose and shone this morning, stretched and moved. It wasn’t easy and I wasn’t pretty about it. Nonetheless, I did it.

Nothing has to be perfect. And life certainly isn’t. I love Regina Brett’s phrase, Get up, dress up, and show up. That is big – showing up. You are the star of your life. If you don’t show up, well there is no show.

I have learned from past failures on what not to do if I want to make progress. I can’t keep doing the same things if I want to get different results. Change is necessary for change. I can’t take giant leaps ahead before I have the muscles. Otherwise I will probably stumble and fall. My head has finally stopped throbbing from its crack on the ice. Do I want more unnecessary pain? Absolutely not.

Baby steps are okay, but at some point you have to let go. You have to take a chance and stride forward into action – first one step, then another. Now I’m doing a slow jog down life’s lane – a few steps at a time. Then I slow down and let Sheba dawdle and sniff the grass. I let the sun shine on my face and breathe in the fresh air. Enough sniffing! Time to jog again.

I’m learning to be more fluid and flexible. It is okay to let go a little, relax and have fun. You can’t go at it hard. It’s not about all or nothing. There’s in betweens, greys and even paler shades of white. “It’s all about balance”, is not just an inane phrase. It is the truth.

I’m losing my doldrums already. It feels good to have something to strive for. My endorphins are rising in me. Goodness gracious, great balls of fire! I better stop here. Tomorrow is another day. Yes Scarlett, there is tomorrow.

TRUE CONFESSIONS

Posted on July 15, 2013 by hafong

I have to confess that I am having a difficult time with everything lately. Perhaps it is because I am right on the cusp of RETIREMENT. My life is going to change. The word CHANGE is enough to scare the beejees out of anyone. Maybe I need to change the way I talk to myself….the things I tell myself, the words I use.

Then, there is the weather. I am sure that I can feel every drop in the atmospheric pressure. I feel every shadow of each cloud as they pass over the sun. It is no fun to feel your heart in your mouth. I think I would prefer my foot. Well, I can still joke. That is something.

So this guy suggest that I surround myself with white light. Then I could enjoy whatever energy is around. That is a lovely thought…to enjoy whatever there is. It is what I try to do when I embrace heavenly chi. I hold this protective shield around me. Seeing it in my mind’s eye makes me feel better already. Letting the words fall from my fingers eases the fear. Sometimes I drop out and nap like Sheba if I can. Escapism is not a bad thing.

Vulnerability is not a bad thing either. How else can God know what you need if you don’t tell? I know he is all knowing and all that, but he is a busy fellow. He has a large flock. Sometimes all he needs is a whisper. Other times you have to scream. OVER HERE, GOD!

Screaming definitely makes me feel better, even if it is only in print. It releases my stagnant chi. My chest is relaxed and I can breathe. Maybe now I can find that notice to renew my license plate. It is due tomorrow. I will find it. I am not behind. I have time. Sit, stay and dine. Everything is copacetic.

ORDER AND PATIENCE

Posted on June 9, 2013 by hafong

It is six o’clock in the morning. The sun is out and shining bright. Sheba is fed, watered and satisfied. The world is still quiet. There is order and I am learning to be patient. Nothing is permanent. Everything passes. That is the nature of the universe.

I shall not be afraid of the universe. I shall not be afraid of my own nature. There is reason. There is order. I shall go forth to greet all there is and learn from the experience. Rumi’s Guest House is my favourite poem and it says it all.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi

BROKEN YOLKS

Posted on October 1, 2012 by hafong

I suppose by now everyone knows that life is hard. Nothing is easy. Nothing is free. Nothing is perfect. You can’t even count on perfect fried eggs every morning. Sometimes a yolk will break. It happens. Life happens. That’s the way it is.
And we really should appreciate what is, because that’s all we have. Right at this moment, I get it. I’m feeling the moment, the flow of it. I’m savoring the sweetness of the now. I know that this moment will evaporate soon enough and I will once again be restless with dissatisfaction and distress. That is also how it is sometimes. It is all right. That is how I can change.

Change is really difficult….even in the direction of my daily walk with Sheba. I always turn right at the end of our back alley. When I make a conscious effort to go left, I feel the resistance in my body. I feel discomfort. I feel torture. I feel PAIN! Weird, huh? I am such a creature of habit.

Today, I tidied up one shelf in the closet. I found three pairs of pants bought some years ago. Bought but never shortened nor worn. One still had tags on it. I’ve almost shortened two. I will have a nice pair to wear to see David Suzuki tomorrow night. Change can happen. I have changed…a little at a time.

MORNING HAS BROKEN

Posted on September 8, 2012 by hafong

Morning has broken in Saskatoon. It is beautiful just like that first morning. The sun is out, glistening upon the fountainhead. A chickadee is drinking from its base and then it is gone. The morning air is cool and crisp – only 3 degrees. Sheba steams as she relieves herself on the grass.

This is the part of the day that I love the most. The world is still quiet, just stirring itself. The frenzy has not yet started. I can still think. I can still breathe. It is Saturday. I hear the traffic slowly start along Preston Avenue. Soon this madness called living will begin.

Now is the time to plan my day and not let it fall into willy nilly. It is very cool to be a free spirit but unstructured has never worked for me. So to keep doing the same and expecting different results would be insanity, as Dr. Phil would say. I am making a change today. I am going to make a to do list. That is my first change. It is a very small step, but a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. (from my venerable ancestor, Lao Tzu)

onethousandandtwo

Looking at Infinity

Tag Archives: change