Pseudo-Zen, and My Choice to Embrace What Is

I call it, "pseudo-Zen."

A Bittersweet Break for a Day

        Hello my friends.  I'm just taking a moment to think out a few things, so I hope you don't mind if I take you with me?  Well, I suppose if you do, you can just stop reading, and no harm done!

Positive Spins and Nudgings of Change

        A couple of weeks ago I pinned an archived post to the top of the PB Facebook Community Page, again, and the experience I had while searching for it had me thinking of something which I ended up sharing along with the actual, shared link.  After typing out that whole thing, I realized it would just as well work for a blog post, but I was too tired to try to make that work right then, so I decided to just copy it, paste it into a new post on the blog, wiggle around with it, and ta da!  New post! Then last week happened, and I pushed it off again, and this week I'm just gonna do it!  With slight apologies to those who might remember much of it.  Here's how it went:

A Letter to a Grieving Friend

        I had another post ready for this week, but then my feeds became inundated with grieving friends and notifications of great amounts of loss in the world, and so things changed regarding my plans for this week, and you get this, instead.

Endure to Enlighten the Shadows We Traverse...Someday

       I know, I've been a little dry on the posts, lately.  My apologies, but life happens, and sometimes we just don't have it in us to maintain the steady rhythm, you know?  Since the PB Project has been all about trying to help us all know that we are not alone in what we face, even if what we each face is not the same, I'm just going to let you know that part of that has been about trying to find ways to give self-care during a rather rough patch, these past months.  I've explained that on the PB Community Facebook Page, but not as much for you.  So there you go.

“We Apologize for the Inconvenience.”

        I've been a little lax in writing the past, few weeks, because a friend of mine came into the country for a visit, and so we've been busy.  But there have been a few things I've noticed while exploring my world with them which I've noticed elsewhere at other times, but at times like these they stand out so sharply I just want to squeak!  There are other posts I've made which touch on a similar vein of this topic*, so clearly this is something that I feel needs to be addressed once in a while.

My Friend, I Just Want You to Know...

Dear Friend,

        I know you're going through a tough time, right now, but I just want you to know...

Calm in "The Diagnosis Vortex of Doom"

        Last week, I shared a link to an article by Michelle Auerbach which resonated with a lot of people who are struggling with illnesses which either cannot be, or simply haven't yet been diagnosed, and an adequate treatment program begun.  The fact that so many agreed it was an issue of importance, both in public and in private, has had me thinking about my own situation, and so, here we go again!  Something a little unusual, but hopefully of value to someone, as well as doing right by Ms Auerbach and her article.

Bringing to Life a Survivor's Spirit

        This week, my friends, we're going to delve into something I happen to find a huge part of my life, in various ways, and hopefully by my sharing that, you'll benefit in some way.  I know I pretty much say that every week, but that just means that the intent is still there.  So there.

Excitement, Commitment, and Infinite Potential!

        Hey, look!  It's a post!  I've something to share, for once!  Let's hope it's something worthy of reading.  I know it's something I've found worthy of contemplating, this week, and I can't help but think I'm not the only person who ever has this experience, so hopefully we can all be better, for the sharing, hmm?

"...I'm not going anywhere."

        A couple of weeks ago, I said I wanted to be braver than I have been, and work on "standing up to be counted."  So... given I happen to have a rather strong force of ethics, I feel I need to start doing things which follow through, toward that goal.

        Here we go.  Pardon me for linking elsewhere more than usual, but I want to make sure that you can have a better perspective on the backdrop of this post, if desired.

Happy or Not, Here We Are!

Okay... so... here we are.

Some are thrilled that this week has finally arrived...

...some can't wait for it to be over.

Some have been enjoying the sights, sounds and wonders of the season...

...some have just been gritting their teeth and muddling through, best they can.

Some have been waiting all year for this...

...some already dread there being another, next year.

Some want to sing it from the rooftops...

...some wouldn't mind knocking them off.

Some are looking to the new year as a wonderful way to begin again and look to a brighter tomorrow...

...some are just feeling the phrase:

"Next verse, same as the first, a little bit louder, and a little bit worse!'

        And this is what I, personally, have to say about the whole lot of it.

Revisiting That Special Request

        My friends, I have to admit, the response to that last, blog post was absolutely phenomenal, and unexpected!  I had no idea so many people would respond in such powerful, positive and understanding ways, publicly and privately!

        When I discussed the post with the friend who originally inspired it, they had some comments which, when combined with some I received from others, made me realize a follow-up post needed to be made.  This made deciding on a post topic for this week rather simple, even if the composing of the post has not been so easy!  Once again, I hope I do justice to those whose lives and hearts were touched by the things covered in that last post.

A Very Special Request

I'll warn you, now... this post will cover a rather serious, mental health topic, but one which is evidently, very much needed, and often gets overlooked, but this post may not be suitable for every reader.

For those who are struggling, right now, there may be some triggers for you, and you may want to consider giving yourself some time before reading it, if you read it at all, hopefully in a time it won't be so difficult.

For those who love someone who has struggled, whether or not they are in some semblance of recovery, you may want to seriously consider reading it as a way to possibly find some answers.  I don't promise you'll find the ones you need, but it might open you to some ideas, anyway.

Permission to Take Care

        This week I've had to face a decision that I'd hoped I'd never have to make, and I've struggled with making it.  Not a major one, but one that has brought some annoyance, frustration and disappointment to me.  I'm sure it is the best choice, that I will be grateful I made it, and that while it isn't the first time, it probably won't be the last time I'll have to choose it.  Sharing this with you is my attempt at letting you know that I really do understand the realities of life, in my own way, and that I do understand the value of making choices that can be difficult, but are the best direction to follow.

Conquering Opposition while Illustrating with Charm!

        Ever meet someone who just "rubs you the wrong way"?  They might seem rude, or mean.  Maybe they intimidate or scare you.  Perhaps you just don't see eye to eye, and you don't like their perspective.  Whatever the reason, it seems like they get on your nerves and sometimes you don't even care why; you just don't like them and don't like having them around!

        Yeah, I've never had that happen either.  Ahem.

I Think We Can... I Think We Can... Just Don't Stop!

        This post has had a bit of a slow start.  I normally have the majority of the thing done by Sunday, but honestly, I guess this week has been listening to the chosen quote, because while I've worked on it, I've had to restart more than once, and I've just not felt that what I've tried to say was "right".  So... here we go again.  Let's hope it's a bit more fitting than I've felt, up til now!

Silence that Voice, and Get Busy!

Today's message brought to you by PB,

Vincent Van Gogh,

the internet,

electricity,

a bunch of other people,

and your ability to read.

Thank a teacher.

The Enlightening Answers in the Question

        I found another, thought-provoking quote to share, this week.

        Well, it might not be all that thought-provoking to you, but it has had me thinking, so maybe it can get you thinking, through me...which might be saying I'm the thought-provoker...

        Never mind.  Let's just get on with it, shall we?

To Gain Within Surrender, and Persevere

        This week's topic is a bit awkward for me.  I really squirm and hesitate to talk about some things, because I have emotional quirks, like everyone else, and this one has been with me a lifetime; so while I'm well-acquainted with it, I'm in the process of overcoming my fears of things (hence beginning the PB Project to begin with).  Therefore, this topic in my list of potentials happens to be one I'm ready to stare down and hope not to stumble in the process!

        Just know: this is a lot of my head bumbling about, this week, so no promises of eloquence, clarity nor entertainment value.  My only goal in the Project is to help connect with those who need it in a way that is hopefully healthy and uplifting.  My apologies if I kinda fall flat, this time.