Since I am working from home today and can take breaks on my personal laptop, I thought I would get a head-start on this project for the day, while everything is fresh on my mind
2 pleasurable experiences
1.) I know it sounds weird, but paying off bills. Trying to keep track of unpaid paper bills is difficult and it takes up brain cycles. Now I can breathe a sigh of relief on at least one of those.
2.) Taking care of errands that I've been putting off. Once again, something I have been putting off that I think of often, but never take the time to do. Now my mind is free to deal with other problems OR to think of new opportunities.
Relishing a Normal Everyday experience:
Writing! I am writing daily! That is a great feeling. It's what I have wanted to do for sometime and I can't believe I can actually say that I am doing it!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Living in the Now: 8/14/2012
This is becoming difficult. I think I will have to start reminding myself "This is a pleasurable experience" rather than trying to reflect the following day. From what I remember:
1.) Cleaning and tossing. I started cleaning yesterday evening. Major cleaning. I've felt like I was living in a huge laundry pile for the past few weeks. And starting Monday, with the big Wii give-away, I began the process of sorting through what I really need. Last night I realized that a few things that were unnecessary. I threw out some things and set others aside to give-away. All aspects of my house look better and I feel so much more peaceful in my house
2.) While I was cleaning, I ran across some important journals from my time when I was speaking with a therapist and life-coach. It was insightful and fun to read what was important to me 5 years ago. Some of these items are still important to me. A few of the items that made me smile:
1.) become a dog handler (check)
2.) teach Trinity to be more social. It was always a work in progress :)
Savoring a normal experience:
Sitting on the floor with the dogs. When I came to their level, they automatically started interacting with me. Before they were sleeping. Kahlan came over and jammed her head into the space between my armpit and where I was sitting on the carpet. She flipped herself over and enjoyed being petted. Mira brought me a peace offering in the form of a ball.
Also, looking at the statistics for my blog, I am especially happy by the "repeat visits" that I occassionally see in the logs. While I don't know their origin, Council Bluffs Iowa, Dayton, Ohio, Boulder, Colorado, and California come to mind. I appreciate your anonymous browsing.
1.) Cleaning and tossing. I started cleaning yesterday evening. Major cleaning. I've felt like I was living in a huge laundry pile for the past few weeks. And starting Monday, with the big Wii give-away, I began the process of sorting through what I really need. Last night I realized that a few things that were unnecessary. I threw out some things and set others aside to give-away. All aspects of my house look better and I feel so much more peaceful in my house
2.) While I was cleaning, I ran across some important journals from my time when I was speaking with a therapist and life-coach. It was insightful and fun to read what was important to me 5 years ago. Some of these items are still important to me. A few of the items that made me smile:
1.) become a dog handler (check)
2.) teach Trinity to be more social. It was always a work in progress :)
Savoring a normal experience:
Sitting on the floor with the dogs. When I came to their level, they automatically started interacting with me. Before they were sleeping. Kahlan came over and jammed her head into the space between my armpit and where I was sitting on the carpet. She flipped herself over and enjoyed being petted. Mira brought me a peace offering in the form of a ball.
Also, looking at the statistics for my blog, I am especially happy by the "repeat visits" that I occassionally see in the logs. While I don't know their origin, Council Bluffs Iowa, Dayton, Ohio, Boulder, Colorado, and California come to mind. I appreciate your anonymous browsing.
Living in the Now 8/13/2012
Monday was a good day from a giving perspective
2 pleasurable experiences
1.) Gave a friend my Wii console and all associated gear. I had tried selling it on craigslist and my price kept dropping. It kept dropping to the point where I would rather give it to someone than go through the trouble of dealing with craigslist. The console is still a lot of fun and she was so excited to play it.
2.) Earned my NRA basic pistol course certificate. That felt good. Learning about guns was not something that came easily to me. I was actually worried about the test, especially after I did not prep well.
Relished one normal experience:
I enjoyed the drive down to Chatfield for the pistol class. I normally drive to that area to see Jon. After a long day of work, it was nice to feel like I was getting away.
2 pleasurable experiences
1.) Gave a friend my Wii console and all associated gear. I had tried selling it on craigslist and my price kept dropping. It kept dropping to the point where I would rather give it to someone than go through the trouble of dealing with craigslist. The console is still a lot of fun and she was so excited to play it.
2.) Earned my NRA basic pistol course certificate. That felt good. Learning about guns was not something that came easily to me. I was actually worried about the test, especially after I did not prep well.
Relished one normal experience:
I enjoyed the drive down to Chatfield for the pistol class. I normally drive to that area to see Jon. After a long day of work, it was nice to feel like I was getting away.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Living in the Now: 8/12/2012
Sundays can be the best day or the worst. When I block out that my weekend is coming to an end, it is the best. Today, I was able to do that.
Pleasurable Experiences:
1.) Dipping in and out of the cool waters of the swimming pool and the warm temperatures of the hot tub at my condo complex. Most of the time, summer days in Colorado are very hot. The pool waters always feel good, but the opportunity to put that together with some nice dips in the hot tub felt really good.
2.) Walking through Heritage square on my way to church. I always think of my nieces and nephews or having kids of my own and how much they would enjoy riding the rides. I also think of how much I would enjoy experiencing it with them. I also looked at the ski lifts. That looks like fun to ride sometime!
Enjoying a normal experience:
Eating a frozen pizza this evening. Red Baron makes a mean pizza. It was tasty. Hey...it was small, but honest.
Pleasurable Experiences:
1.) Dipping in and out of the cool waters of the swimming pool and the warm temperatures of the hot tub at my condo complex. Most of the time, summer days in Colorado are very hot. The pool waters always feel good, but the opportunity to put that together with some nice dips in the hot tub felt really good.
2.) Walking through Heritage square on my way to church. I always think of my nieces and nephews or having kids of my own and how much they would enjoy riding the rides. I also think of how much I would enjoy experiencing it with them. I also looked at the ski lifts. That looks like fun to ride sometime!
Enjoying a normal experience:
Eating a frozen pizza this evening. Red Baron makes a mean pizza. It was tasty. Hey...it was small, but honest.
08/11/2012
Okay, so I missed a day. Rather than disingenuously making something up, I'll move forward with a reflection up yesterday.
Day 5:
Pleasurable Experiences
1.) Dressing up for my evening in Boulder. I found a cute little sundress in my closet that I haven't worn yet. It was perfect for the occasion. It had that "free spirited" look. Set the clock back a few years.
2.) Browsing in the Boulder Booksotre. I found more than a few books that I could have taken home. But for the most part, I prefer collecting at the library and then returning my finds.
Living in the Moment:
I remember walking down the mall. A fresh rain had fallen. Conversations were taking place all around me in cute little restaurants with open fronts, so that their patrons could sit on patios or just on the cusp of the activity outside. Community was taking place.
Day 5:
Pleasurable Experiences
1.) Dressing up for my evening in Boulder. I found a cute little sundress in my closet that I haven't worn yet. It was perfect for the occasion. It had that "free spirited" look. Set the clock back a few years.
2.) Browsing in the Boulder Booksotre. I found more than a few books that I could have taken home. But for the most part, I prefer collecting at the library and then returning my finds.
Living in the Moment:
I remember walking down the mall. A fresh rain had fallen. Conversations were taking place all around me in cute little restaurants with open fronts, so that their patrons could sit on patios or just on the cusp of the activity outside. Community was taking place.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Living in the Now 8/9/2012
Day 4:
Yesterday was a tough one. I am starting to feel sick again. I had some vertigo. Vertigo triggered panic attacks. I am glad I have this exercise to help me remember that there are happy moments in my life.
Pleasurable Experiences:
1.) I talked to a co-workers about India. We were relating stories to one another about our international friends and also discussing personal aspirations. It felt good to get out of my cube and connect with someone else.
2.) Reading The Law of Happiness and being reminded that working for money is not who we are created to be. We are also called to use our gifts and talents to contribute to the world. And this leads to happiness. I was reminded of the parable of the man who stored up his riches to make himself feel secure with his future. In the middle of the night, his life was ended. I guess he didn't need that safety net. I am trying to create a safety net, and it isn't leading to happiness. In fact, the more money I try to accumulate for safety, the more I feel like I am just working for the buck and not contributing to my happiness, nor those around me.
Appreciating a normal everyday moment:
Crawling into bed at night with my pups. Kahlan curling up in a little ball like a baby deer and staring at me with these big doey eyes. She is in season and seemed to be saying "Mommy, help..."
Yesterday was a tough one. I am starting to feel sick again. I had some vertigo. Vertigo triggered panic attacks. I am glad I have this exercise to help me remember that there are happy moments in my life.
Pleasurable Experiences:
1.) I talked to a co-workers about India. We were relating stories to one another about our international friends and also discussing personal aspirations. It felt good to get out of my cube and connect with someone else.
2.) Reading The Law of Happiness and being reminded that working for money is not who we are created to be. We are also called to use our gifts and talents to contribute to the world. And this leads to happiness. I was reminded of the parable of the man who stored up his riches to make himself feel secure with his future. In the middle of the night, his life was ended. I guess he didn't need that safety net. I am trying to create a safety net, and it isn't leading to happiness. In fact, the more money I try to accumulate for safety, the more I feel like I am just working for the buck and not contributing to my happiness, nor those around me.
Appreciating a normal everyday moment:
Crawling into bed at night with my pups. Kahlan curling up in a little ball like a baby deer and staring at me with these big doey eyes. She is in season and seemed to be saying "Mommy, help..."
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Living in the Now 08/08/2012
Day 3:
Pleasurable Experiences:
1.) One of the guys at work told me about a camping trip he was taking with friends and family. He told me how they were going to Estes Park. That he would take his kids to this mini-fun center to play minature golf and race down the burlap bag slide. He and his friends were going to camp somewhere in Rocky Mountain National Park. That sounded like a lot of fun. On top of it, he included me and wanted to know if I wanted to go. It was nice to feel included in something.
2.) An accomplishment at work. I nailed the solution to a problem I have been chasing for days. That felt pretty darn good.
Appreciating a normal everyday moment:
I took a moment out of my day to go outside and sit under the trees. I love doing this because it allows my imagination to roam. Like what's going on at that building next door? Do the landscapers love their jobs? It seems like a good gig to me; working outside. Who is that getting in their car and what is their life like?
Pleasurable Experiences:
1.) One of the guys at work told me about a camping trip he was taking with friends and family. He told me how they were going to Estes Park. That he would take his kids to this mini-fun center to play minature golf and race down the burlap bag slide. He and his friends were going to camp somewhere in Rocky Mountain National Park. That sounded like a lot of fun. On top of it, he included me and wanted to know if I wanted to go. It was nice to feel included in something.
2.) An accomplishment at work. I nailed the solution to a problem I have been chasing for days. That felt pretty darn good.
Appreciating a normal everyday moment:
I took a moment out of my day to go outside and sit under the trees. I love doing this because it allows my imagination to roam. Like what's going on at that building next door? Do the landscapers love their jobs? It seems like a good gig to me; working outside. Who is that getting in their car and what is their life like?
Living in the Now 08/07/2012
I want this exercise to become ingrained in my head. Ingrained, so that I don't have to blog about it, but rather live it. I want to appreciate each day, whether it went my way or didn't. It seems when things are going really well or the bottom has dropped out of my life, I am able to refocus and see what is important. Since I am in the "in between" I do not recognize it and can actually feel as though I am unhappy.
So here it goes. Day 2.
Pleasurable Experiences:
1.) Reading bits and pieces of my "therapy" book by Henry cloud while soaking in a hot bath. I feel like I will make progress toward my goal if I continue to put forth effort.
2.) Working in my office with the window open. I felt like I was included in the outside world. Two people were standing on the sidewalk outside talking.
Relishing a normal experience:
Walking out of work, I enjoyed the sun on my face. It was a relief to leave. It was also a relief to know that I had solved a huge problem that I had been struggling with for days. Solving a huge problem is not always a normal experience.
So here it goes. Day 2.
Pleasurable Experiences:
1.) Reading bits and pieces of my "therapy" book by Henry cloud while soaking in a hot bath. I feel like I will make progress toward my goal if I continue to put forth effort.
2.) Working in my office with the window open. I felt like I was included in the outside world. Two people were standing on the sidewalk outside talking.
Relishing a normal experience:
Walking out of work, I enjoyed the sun on my face. It was a relief to leave. It was also a relief to know that I had solved a huge problem that I had been struggling with for days. Solving a huge problem is not always a normal experience.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Living in the Now 08/06/2012
I am reading a book by Dr. Henry Cloud called The Law of Happiness: How Spiritual Wisdom and Modern Science Can Change Your Life. An exercise that he reccomends is savor two pleasurable experiences each day and take a few moments to relish a normal experience.
Yesterday was a hard day. It was filled with anger and doubt. Anger with myself for standing still for so long. Doubt on how to move forward, even though I know what part of it is. And I know that it will probably cause me pain.
But in my quest for a Happy life, which I am decidedly not living at the moment, I want to begin these exercises. I have hope that it can change the way that I think.
Pleasurable Experiences:
1.) Geocaching. This was fun because it made me excited about where I am. I was happy and content to explore the area that I had chosen. I investigated new places that I wouldn't have otherwise. For instance, I took some time to walk around a chapel that I had seen from the highway for years.
2.) The sound of a high school marching band in the distance. It gave me this picture of community, and how the students were practicing together for a common goal. How their participation in this group hopefully led to greater satisfaction at school, since they would find friends within this group.
Oh look at this! I am recalling a third memorable pleasurable experience. I didn't even know there was one.
3.) The sound of children screaming and playing on a playground in the distance. In the dusky light, I could see them swinging high on the swing set. So high that they were screaming in delight or fear. I am not sure which. It was a powerful emotion either way. In my mind's eye, I could see them gathering. Sitting around shooting the bull. Or chasing each other on the equipment. I imagined many of them.
Relishing a normal experience:
In retrospect I am relishing this. Petting my dog mira as we lay on the bed ready for sleep. She is so sweet and looks at me with the most sorrowful and trusting eyes.
Yesterday was a hard day. It was filled with anger and doubt. Anger with myself for standing still for so long. Doubt on how to move forward, even though I know what part of it is. And I know that it will probably cause me pain.
But in my quest for a Happy life, which I am decidedly not living at the moment, I want to begin these exercises. I have hope that it can change the way that I think.
Pleasurable Experiences:
1.) Geocaching. This was fun because it made me excited about where I am. I was happy and content to explore the area that I had chosen. I investigated new places that I wouldn't have otherwise. For instance, I took some time to walk around a chapel that I had seen from the highway for years.
2.) The sound of a high school marching band in the distance. It gave me this picture of community, and how the students were practicing together for a common goal. How their participation in this group hopefully led to greater satisfaction at school, since they would find friends within this group.
Oh look at this! I am recalling a third memorable pleasurable experience. I didn't even know there was one.
3.) The sound of children screaming and playing on a playground in the distance. In the dusky light, I could see them swinging high on the swing set. So high that they were screaming in delight or fear. I am not sure which. It was a powerful emotion either way. In my mind's eye, I could see them gathering. Sitting around shooting the bull. Or chasing each other on the equipment. I imagined many of them.
Relishing a normal experience:
In retrospect I am relishing this. Petting my dog mira as we lay on the bed ready for sleep. She is so sweet and looks at me with the most sorrowful and trusting eyes.
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