Fortune Cookies

Often cliches and sayings we've heard a million times seem trite but hold wisdom if you look past the surface.  It is not unusual for me to throw in a cliche or two in a session if the situation warrants.  In fact it kind of normalizes a lot of situations.  If there is a cliche it must have been true for tons of other people.

Randomly, I also like fortune cookies.  (Which is not the same thing at all but tend to be one line sayings that can actually be kind of hopeful and motivating.)

In fact I like the fortune much more than the cookie.  In my searching of the internet I found a site where I could look up fortunes all day long if I were to choose. (I don't choose to though.)

Looking for that one line wisdom?  Look no further than the here.

Testing the link right now I got "patience is the key to joy" and maybe it is.  Something for me to think about.

Mind over Matter

I really love "stumbleupon.com" and I find the absolute most interesting web pages.

I'm not sure if I want to believe this or not but it is a great example of how our beliefs affect our feelings and actions.

You know what though?  I still would like to believe when I push the close sign in the elevator that it makes the door close faster.


Placebo Buttons

Rules of Life

This article cracked me up.

Things You Should Know

I am always using little sayings and metaphors so articles like this are perfect for me.
Today (and my thoughts might change tomorrow) I fully agree with points 1,3,4,6,9.

I don't like the way 7 is stated but I do believe that a person can be miserable in a situation that would be embraced by another.

That is all.  :~)

Change

“Habit is a man’s sole comfort.  We dislike doing without even unpleasant things to which we have become accustomed.”  ~ Goethe

Why is it sometimes hard to change?  I think the above quote sums it up.  To grow, to fully experience perhaps it would be helpful to step outside of the lines and are comfort zone.

“They Came First for the Communists,

            And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.

Then They Came for the Jews,

            And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.

Then They Came for the Catholics,

            And I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then They Came for me,

            And by that time no one was left to speak up.”

Pastor Martin Niemöller

The quote above has been presented to me several times over the years in different contexts and different educational situations.  Reading some of the information in the news today it is just scary.  It is scary when there are people are trying to enact laws saying I am unable to speak my mind.  It is scary when we don’t stand up for others.  How often have you said “I don’t care what “they” do, it doesn’t affect me.”  By saying that we are often trying to be tolerant of others but are we ever doing more harm by not advocating for other's rights instead of just "tolerating" them. 

It can be a tiresome path standing up for others but it is essential to ensure freedom – freedom of speech, freedom of choosing the path that best suits me to name a couple of freedoms I don’t want to do without. 

I hope I am able to speak up when necessary and hope that others can find the courage  do the same.

Being Kind to Ourselves

This article reminded me  http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/28/go-easy-on-yourself-a-new-wave-of-research-urges/?src=me&ref=homepage that when I said be kind in an earlier post,  I also want you to be kind to yourself.

Giving ourselves a break or having compassion for ourselves is very hard.  Often we have expectations of perfection.  Sometimes we measure ourselves against the perceived awesomeness of those around us.  Let's make a deal.  I'll try if you do too.  Next time you get down on yourself for not being better, not doing better, for not meeting your expectations - stop.  Ask yourself if you would have compassion for another in this situation.  Support and motivate yourself.   Accept the shortcomings in order to soar even higher.

Random Thoughts

This blog post I stumbled upon this blog post about Charlie Sheen’s situation http://spiritscraps.blogspot.com/2011/03/no-longer-laughing-at-charlie-sheen.html
and it prompted me to write a couple of thoughts. 

I don’t know him, I can’t diagnose him but there is so obviously pain there.    The things coming out of his moth are utterly ridiculous so they amuse us and we laugh.  It just seems that the way we as a society exploit him is kind of sad.  Let us make sure to get him on every interview show so we can crack up at what he says.

Maybe I am sensitive because one of my parents was bipolar and I lived through mania episodes that were fun and funny and progressed to scary, angry, exhausting and painful for both my parent and family.  I get why it is funny,  I still laugh at some of the things my parent did and said in a manic stage.   It is like what the person says and does is so off the wall insane. The person believes it so completly and thinks you are a bit nuts for not getting it.  It can lead to situations that seem very amusing.    However, I can’t imagine what these episodes would have been like watching them on a national stage – with everyone laughing at someone I loved. 

I feel for Charlie Sheen’s family and friends because I fully believe that one of the most difficult things for any of us to do is to watch someone we love be in pain and not be able to do much of anything to alleviate that pain.  For family and friends there is often a mixture of emotions dealing with someone’s mental illness including anger, embarrassment, sadness, pain, guilt, resentment, love and hurt. (To name a few - see why it is complicated!)

I also feel for Charlie Sheen because there is so much pain and inevitably it will likely be worse before and if it gets better.

Just be aware that this is not just funny – this is what pain looks like too.