I grew up with doubt. Procrastinating parents. Adults at my church who were hypocrites. A society who doesn't respect women or people of color. We live doubt. So we must go forward with purpose and intention to eliminate doubt, especially in the workplace. I was in a design career where no one looked like me. Whatever one puts their mind to doing the best you can. I am lucky to have grown up with that motto always in my head. The world was limitless despite what others said. I am Thankful.
I love the image of bobbing about on the sea! Recently we had a 70's party and I was reminded of the walking and dancing of that time at least in movies and Scooby Do of a kind of bobbing, bouncing dance walking down the street. Let's bring that effortless joy back!
I feel honored to be landlocked at this time serving other landlocked aging seniors who are at the end of their journey with so much to look forward to or not. Helping them to enjoy the small things, a lollipop at my parties. Just having someone sincerely listen to real or imagined stories. I just lost a dear one who was always filming a movie, so much so someone asked "was she a filmmaker"? She just escaped reality in such a creative way always making us laugh hysterically. A few weeks ago she said "Well they already buried me and had my funeral so now I don't have to go"! Now she is with me as that energy of the cosmos and I laugh at random at her memory.
Work that returns us to ourselves! Meta cognition, moving meditation, functional mobility, a walk using all the senses, doodling or watercolor play, collaging and journaling the memorabilia kept from a trip, event or just spending time with loved ones. Indeed it all returns us to ourselves!
Working with Seniors for close to 19 years they have taught me this most valuable lesson. Each person I met has a story inside me. Now I am reaching middle age and a face or a name will spark a memory of many from my past. I regularly and sincerely ask "How are you today" and I expect a real answer. It is not easy aging in the various economic, pandemic, political and changing climates but every human has done it and will do it if you are lucky to reach old age. Watch the news and you will see those who never got the chance to slow down, be still, ponder, watch and truly enjoy this marvelous life we are granted!
I am always saddened by the many I have lost, but it IS their stories that bring a smile to my face year after year.
I have the book Kitchen Table Wisdom but have barely read it with my other books in line! I was lucky to have Grandmothers who shared their stories and now working with Seniors I invented "Common Grounds" with a monthly theme to share one's story or come and listen. It has been very powerful no matter if the room is filled or if there are 4 of us. I always leave with a list of things to research. In my conversations with residents over almost two decades I learned what a "Sleuth Box" is, introduced to Whiskey Town, CA and how a Centenarian Japanese American was grateful for the internment camps, since otherwise she would not have experienced the Sunrise and Sunset over Utah!
This reminds me of my dream that I was Trumps caretaker! I was at first appalled but then remembered I had read the NYT story about his father and how he had accounts/ businesses in baby Trumps name. It's not his fault he is who he is or the others who desire power and greed over human health and connection. I don't know how to fix it except lead by example. After an angry woman on the phone cussed and fussed about me honking my horn to make sure she was paying attention enough not to hit my car. I left a note saying "I apologize, you needed a hug not a honk". She looked like family and we all have been in a heightened emotional state on the go.
I work closely with seniors and often we have had the discussion about what animal would you come back as. Recently I was asked to go say goodbye to one passed and I didn't know she was already gone. I tearily went for my lunch walk on the roof and this butterfly was literally in my face every time I passed by one side. I had to smile and laugh saying Hi S.
I watched a disturbing yet Artistic movie, based on a play and made into a film directed by the writer. Is God Is a never before story told but inspired by relationships, violence, revenge and love/ wanting to belong to someone. A main actor in the film described it as a Greek Odyssey, Southern Gothic with twin maimed main characters orphans from New Jersey. The brilliance of bringing such things together is Art. Art is disturbing and tragic but one usually comes out the other side better. Your last line "All disciplines, emotions, cultural symbols and personal memories is powerful!" I hope we are headed in that direction.
I was lucky to be a part of a Mentally Gifted Program in Huey Elementary school in Philadelphia. Also learned Latin in our regular classroom. The whole program was to get us to think and experience outside of the box. Unfortunately, my 4 younger siblings did not get the same quality education and therefore went to lower education middle schools as I went to a magnet one cross town.
My siblings are just as intelligent and creative adults. Valuable employees that move up quickly or handle multiple departments. It is interesting how even employers treat employees like empty receptacles. Train you to recite their core values based on capitalism. Don't dare make a suggestion to HR on how to make things better as I did at my design firm as a Jr. Assistant Designer in NY. Moving to SF however our youthful input and creativity was highly valued! In fact, our boss from Ireland only hired young creative, inventors. Daily Good News and all the associated sites, Creative Spark and Memory Bridge feed my SOUL and I am so Thankful to have found you all!
As a kid I remember asking questions in Sunday School. I was not received well. I learned early that adults don't always have the answers', yet they would rather make up an answer. On the flip side a lovely great cousin would ask "A penny for your thoughts". To me this was the beginning of freedom. What are you little one thinking of? How are you enjoying life without someone telling you what, when and how to live? A daydreaming, dressing up, playful, creative, imaginative, relaxed, effortless mind is freedom. An inner Smile exuding equanimity, compassion and connection.
I always think back to animals and children. We literally can be in agony coming into this world, our mothers and us...the tearing and tearing or real cries. The cold air, the extreme heat of labor, pushing and breathing. Truly if one were to describe this life-giving experience one would not choose it. I was NOT going to become a mother because of it. Then you have our ending, often pain, disease, humans missing humans but it all must end/ evolve to a less tangible connection. Everything in-between has to relate to Falling Apart and Coming Back on repeat. The leaves, the oceans drops, the air and cloud vapors and the stars where we are said to begin.
I suffered from anxiety at night during the pandemic until 2 seniors told me that I needed to meditate. When I finally did, I got a restful night's sleep. I then practiced moving meditation Healing Qi Gong and later I Liq Chuan Tai Chi. I have never heard the saying that Meditation is Going Home, but alas it truly IS!
Born an African Methodist Episcopalian but actually Muslim parents who were not allowed to raise us Muslim. Grandparents and Great Grandparents lived, preached and worshipped among the German Mennonite's and Quakers of Pennsylvania. I love the book and movie Life of Pi! I related to the main character's love of God when I read it. Have had the best Jewish teachers, mentors and friends. Buddhism brought me light that Christianity darkened. Finally read/ learned WE are the LIGHT! The spiritual lives within us. Moving meditation/ Healing Qi Gong helped me to not only feel this but be a part of a whole cosmos through Awaken Call 100 Day Qi Gong during the pandemic. Continued with Tai Chi and regular practice of Qi Gong. Diversity and an Open Mind can often fuel your conviction of connectedness. I admit I was afraid to let go, get lost from my heritage but the music still moves me and I appreciate the strength it gave my ancestors for me to exist.
Yes Sadhguru, Osho and Tolle! Born a Christian but actually Muslim parents who were not allowed to raise us Muslim. I love the book and movie Life of Pi! I related to the main character's love of God when I read it. Have had the best Jewish teachers, mentors and friends. Buddhism brought me light that Christianity darkened. Finally read/ learned WE are the LIGHT! The spiritual lives within us. Moving meditation helped me to not only feel this but be a part of a whole cosmos!
I am sorry that happened to you and am in agreement that people take advantage of others. I have seen that in my partners siblings calling with a sad story over and over expecting a bank. However I think the point is to only give when your heart is aligned with it. Don't enable people but only strengthen their resolve to get back on their feet. My Mom had a choice to go on welfare but I cried and told her no because I only knew those who stayed on it and didn't attempt to do better. I have a Master's Degree and $75,000 debt but I love my job a Not-for profit where I would have been forgiven in 2 years. I will die with debt but I was given an opportunity that in turn helps others on a daily basis.
I was recently surprisedly stung on the lip by a bee and had severe pain spreading through my face and jaw. It caught me off guard, all of it as I was outdoors having a great exercise session, feeling strong and young again. My face, lip, gums and jaw swelled bigger the morning after and continued to worsen every morning than the night before when I thought things were getting better. I had things to do, to go out in public, go to work etc. I am not vain but the looks one gets from a swollen face are interesting. Like I am contagious or a battered woman. 10 days later was when I felt no residual toxins in my face. I did not initially see a Dr as a I knew they could not help me but only prescribe something for the next time. People thought they knew the answer, but I had to ride through it. Continue my regular routine of sleep, water, exercise and nutrition. No quick fix.
I am fortunate to need my imagination for helping seniors to have a pleasant day no matter the impairment they are dealing with. I literally couldn't do my job otherwise.
When the pandemic started and I had already seen the report years earlier about IT being a matter of WHEN, I took to the streets of my neighborhood as an essential worker that worked every day. I looked at every tree on the walk I had taken for years, almost a decade. I noted the differences and took pictures with hope to one day draw each of them. Some have them have been cut down and no longer exist, but I continue to notice the trees and the shadows they grace us with.
As a minority I felt outside but with my families diverse religious & musical connections inside. Then add art, in my family an outsider yet in my Art & Performing Arts schools and colleges inside. Then I went into design as a minority and again an outsider. Now I work with Seniors and We are ALL and Everything. Qi Gong and the Pandemic fixed it ALL.