Lightarted Living: Everything Seemingly Good or Bad Works in Our Favor

Lightarted Living: Everything Seemingly Good or Bad Works in Our Favor:  

Everything Seemingly Good or Bad Works in Our Favor

 

It's All Good

'When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.' Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sometimes life throws us a curve ball we didn't see coming that overwhelms us on impact. In that moment--when we need time to garner our inner strength and resources before meeting a situation head on--a shroud of denial envelopes us.

Too often we think of tension, stress and denial as bad,  and relaxation, calm and consciousness as good. The truth is, used properly, they're all good.

It's All Good

For Everything there is a Season

Being in denial isn't a bad thing. Denial is a wonderful coping mechanism, born out of the body's wisdom, designed to protect us when we're overwhelmed and frightened.

Sometimes we just need to 'turn the world off' and pull the covers over our head. Denial is an effective survival mechanism that has served humanity for thousands of years.

But being stressed or experiencing the associated tension isn't a bad thing either. It is the stress response that provides us the momentum to actively deal with the challenges of life when we're ready--and it is the tension that creates our readiness. 

'Sometimes we need to go on high alert and be nudged into taking action. Like denial, the body's stress response is another effective survival mechanism that has served us for thousands of years.'

Stress, Tension and Denial Guide us through Life

Think of stress, tension and denial as the three physical states working in tandem to successfully nudge us through life's challenges.

Denial provides a soft cushion 

Denial provides us a soft cushion against the onslaught of the harsh realities of life and gives us time to wrap our minds around something we just aren't ready to deal with. 

Stress is our noble warrior and

Tension arms us with courage and focus 

Our stress is our noble warrior preparing us to do battle with those harsh realities of life, while our tension keeps us focused and uncomfortable until we're forced to act in ways that brings our values and beliefs in alignment with our actions--and then it gives us the courage to act.   

A Good and Worthy Battle for Balance

We all wage private battles to bring together where we currently are with where we want ourselves to be.

Sometimes we just aren't ready to speak up or we're too anxious about the consequences of taking the next step so an inner battle rages between denial, stress and tension.

As uncomfortable as this battle is, it is a good and worthy one. It's what helps you take suitable action by choosing what to do in your own time.'

So let the balance battle rage. Sit in denial awhile as your brain works off-line preparing you to come to terms with what's caught your attention--raising your heart rate and blood pressure. And be still, letting the tension rise while you're discovering what you're going to do about it if you're to move on with your life.

The time you sit in denial does not weaken you. You are merely idling while you're feeling vulnerable and afraid. Your strength and courage are still there ready to emerge when the time is right for you to competently handle the issues that initially overwhelmed you. When the time is right, you will act in ways that are right for you. It's all good!

'This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.'  Ralph Waldo Emerson

It's All Good

💙  'Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.'  Ralph Waldo Emerson

💙  'Even in the mud and scum of things, something always, always sings.'   Ralph Waldo Emerson

Everything Seemingly Good or Bad Works in Our Favor

 

It's All Good

'When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.' Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sometimes life throws us a curve ball we didn't see coming that overwhelms us on impact. In that moment--when we need time to garner our inner strength and resources before meeting a situation head on--a shroud of denial envelopes us.

Too often we think of tension, stress and denial as bad,  and relaxation, calm and consciousness as good. The truth is, used properly, they're all good.

It's All Good

For Everything there is a Season

Being in denial isn't a bad thing. Denial is a wonderful coping mechanism, born out of the body's wisdom, designed to protect us when we're overwhelmed and frightened.

Sometimes we just need to 'turn the world off' and pull the covers over our head. Denial is an effective survival mechanism that has served humanity for thousands of years.

But being stressed or experiencing the associated tension isn't a bad thing either. It is the stress response that provides us the momentum to actively deal with the challenges of life when we're ready--and it is the tension that creates our readiness. 

'Sometimes we need to go on high alert and be nudged into taking action. Like denial, the body's stress response is another effective survival mechanism that has served us for thousands of years.'

Stress, Tension and Denial Guide us through Life

Think of stress, tension and denial as the three physical states working in tandem to successfully nudge us through life's challenges.

Denial provides a soft cushion 

Denial provides us a soft cushion against the onslaught of the harsh realities of life and gives us time to wrap our minds around something we just aren't ready to deal with. 

Stress is our noble warrior and

Tension arms us with courage and focus 

Our stress is our noble warrior preparing us to do battle with those harsh realities of life, while our tension keeps us focused and uncomfortable until we're forced to act in ways that brings our values and beliefs in alignment with our actions--and then it gives us the courage to act.   

A Good and Worthy Battle for Balance

We all wage private battles to bring together where we currently are with where we want ourselves to be.

Sometimes we just aren't ready to speak up or we're too anxious about the consequences of taking the next step so an inner battle rages between denial, stress and tension.

As uncomfortable as this battle is, it is a good and worthy one. It's what helps you take suitable action by choosing what to do in your own time.'

So let the balance battle rage. Sit in denial awhile as your brain works off-line preparing you to come to terms with what's caught your attention--raising your heart rate and blood pressure. And be still, letting the tension rise while you're discovering what you're going to do about it if you're to move on with your life.

The time you sit in denial does not weaken you. You are merely idling while you're feeling vulnerable and afraid. Your strength and courage are still there ready to emerge when the time is right for you to competently handle the issues that initially overwhelmed you. When the time is right, you will act in ways that are right for you. It's all good!

'This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.'  Ralph Waldo Emerson

It's All Good

💙  'Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.'  Ralph Waldo Emerson

💙  'Even in the mud and scum of things, something always, always sings.'   Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lightarted Living: Let it Come, as it Will, and Don’t be Afraid

Lightarted Living: Let it Come, as it Will, and Don’t be Afraid:   

Let it Come, as it Will, and Don’t be Afraid

 

"Let it come, as it will, and don’t be afraid."  

Jane Kenyon

Whatever it is you're dealing with,

let it come as it will.

Don't resist.

Don't fight.

Don't be afraid.

Move in the direction it's going.

 

Open the door to your day

and welcome in all the possibilities 

for good outcomes to arrive

without worry.

Take the first steps necessary to: 

💗get help

💗get answers

💗get relief

💗get healthy

💗get started

💗get out

💗move on

Release Inner Turmoil 

Harness your positive energy for the work ahead.

Allow your attention to flow in the direction of

healing, peace, and resolution.

"Let it come, as it will, and don’t be afraid."  

Jane Kenyon

Let it Come, as it Will, and Don’t be Afraid

 

"Let it come, as it will, and don’t be afraid."  

Jane Kenyon

Whatever it is you're dealing with,

let it come as it will.

Don't resist.

Don't fight.

Don't be afraid.

Move in the direction it's going.

 

Open the door to your day

and welcome in all the possibilities 

for good outcomes to arrive

without worry.

Take the first steps necessary to: 

💗get help

💗get answers

💗get relief

💗get healthy

💗get started

💗get out

💗move on

Release Inner Turmoil 

Harness your positive energy for the work ahead.

Allow your attention to flow in the direction of

healing, peace, and resolution.

"Let it come, as it will, and don’t be afraid."  

Jane Kenyon

Lightarted Living: Dealing with a Chronic Condition Requiring Lifelon...

Lightarted Living: Dealing with a Chronic Condition Requiring Lifelon...:   

Dealing with a Chronic Condition Requiring Lifelong Treatment

 

AMKA "The friendly spirit"

A Very Brave Girl

When leaving the dog groomer's after getting Amka's nails trimmed today I smiled at my dog, who hates to have her nails trimmed, and told her she was a very brave girl. She jumped up into the car with her tail wagging and all unpleasantness was forgotten.

I realized, if I thought about it, I could say Amka is dealing with a chronic condition that requires regular lifelong treatment. She may not like getting the treatments, but they're necessary to her enjoying a high quality of life. 

There's no need for me to have long conversations with her about the nail trims beforehand. We simply need to walk into the groomers, get the nails cut, and get on with life. It is an ordinary part of life and must be dealt with as such.

Accept What IS as an Ordinary Part of Life

This perspective came to me as I have just been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer-- a chronic condition requiring lifelong treatment. And this week I'll be brave, like Amka, as I meet with my healthcare team to lay out an updated treatment plan.

Getting My Nails Trimmed

I've decided to see my treatment as my 'nail trimmings'.  Like Amka, I may not like it, but it is just something that must be done to enjoy a higher quality of life. And like Amka, I will do what must be done, not talk about it beforehand, and just get on with living.

All Is Well

The goal is to have as good a life as we can, and to do everything we can to be as healthy and upbeat as we can despite challenges, like cancer, popping up. 

As Mark Nepo said, "We must endure what we cannot escape." Let us find a balance between enduring and enjoying each moment, each day.

Dealing with a Chronic Condition Requiring Lifelong Treatment

 

AMKA "The friendly spirit"

A Very Brave Girl

When leaving the dog groomer's after getting Amka's nails trimmed today I smiled at my dog, who hates to have her nails trimmed, and told her she was a very brave girl. She jumped up into the car with her tail wagging and all unpleasantness was forgotten.

I realized, if I thought about it, I could say Amka is dealing with a chronic condition that requires regular lifelong treatment. She may not like getting the treatments, but they're necessary to her enjoying a high quality of life. 

There's no need for me to have long conversations with her about the nail trims beforehand. We simply need to walk into the groomers, get the nails cut, and get on with life. It is an ordinary part of life and must be dealt with as such.

Accept What IS as an Ordinary Part of Life

This perspective came to me as I have just been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer-- a chronic condition requiring lifelong treatment. And this week I'll be brave, like Amka, as I meet with my healthcare team to lay out an updated treatment plan.

Getting My Nails Trimmed

I've decided to see my treatment as my 'nail trimmings'.  Like Amka, I may not like it, but it is just something that must be done to enjoy a higher quality of life. And like Amka, I will do what must be done, not talk about it beforehand, and just get on with living.

All Is Well

The goal is to have as good a life as we can, and to do everything we can to be as healthy and upbeat as we can despite challenges, like cancer, popping up. 

As Mark Nepo said, "We must endure what we cannot escape." Let us find a balance between enduring and enjoying each moment, each day.

Lightarted Living: Accepting Life as it IS

Lightarted Living: Accepting Life as it IS:   

Accepting Life as it IS

 

Life is much easier when we 

go with the flow life sets before us.

Accepting life as it is--

with all of it's challenges and blemishes.

Meeting life head on 

with courage and grit.

Showing ourselves to be forces of nature

able to maneuver the challenges put before us.

Letting go of what was;

accepting what is;

creating what must be.

 

Choosing to extract joy each day

despite the challenges, turmoil, and disappointments.

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.

Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart.

Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow."

Mary Jean Iron

Thank you to Stefanie Oogawa for the quote from Mary Jean Iron

Accepting Life as it IS

 

Life is much easier when we 

go with the flow life sets before us.

Accepting life as it is--

with all of it's challenges and blemishes.

Meeting life head on 

with courage and grit.

Showing ourselves to be forces of nature

able to maneuver the challenges put before us.

Letting go of what was;

accepting what is;

creating what must be.

 

Choosing to extract joy each day

despite the challenges, turmoil, and disappointments.

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.

Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart.

Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow."

Mary Jean Iron

Thank you to Stefanie Oogawa for the quote from Mary Jean Iron