Tuesday, October 8, 2024

3 Keys to Thriving After a Life-Shattering Crisis

 



Accept What Is
Release What Was
Create What Must Be

Andrea Balt




Accept What IS

Acceptance

Learning to thrive again after we experience a life-shattering crisis requires us to get to a place where we can accept the truth of our reality today. This does not happen right away as we need lots of time to honor and grieve what we've lost. 

Sit in it

In the aftermath of your crisis, allow yourself to sit in your grief or anger for as long as you need to. Then, only after you're ready, accept the reality of your situation as it is today. 



Release What Was

Let Go

Whether good or bad, we must let go of what was. This is a process of healing. Initially we want to revisit our past experience many times, and that's okay. 

Allow yourself to consciously sit in your thoughts until you're ready to release them once more.

Telescopes and Hot Air Balloons

To put bad experiences away, try viewing the situation through the wrong end of a telescope to gain distance from them. 

To tuck thoughts of nasty people away after you're done revisiting them, visualize putting them into a hot air balloon and watching them fly far, far away. Then notice how blue and open the sky is above you. Feel the moment of unencumbered freedom settle into your bones.





Create What Must Be

Yes, it Takes Time to Rebuild Your Life

When we're in the immediate aftermath of a life-shattering crisis, it's hard to see our way through the fog of emotion. But every time we take one step towards dealing with the situation we strengthen ourselves to take another. 

Initially keep your eyes on your present needs, and take small daily steps to reset your life. Re-energize yourself by eating, sleeping and resting regularly. If you can, take 5 minutes walks throughout the day to help regulate your body and give your mind a rest from thinking. You are strong and resilient, but you must help yourself find that strength and resilience by taking care of yourself in these little, daily ways.

Small Daily Decisions Over a Lifetime Add Up

When we accept what IS and release what Was, we free ourselves up to Create What must Be. This is a process of resetting our thoughts, visions and actions one step at a time.

Small daily decisions over a lifetime add up. We can create what must be through those small daily decisions. When you look back five years down the road after making small daily decisions to take small daily steps, you'll be amazed by how far you've come and how strong you've shown yourself to be.

Stay strong. Be Brave. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. 


We carry our burden on and on,
until one day, suddenly,
we laugh and set it down.

Muriel Strode

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Lightarted Living: Ralph Waldo Emerson-The Dog-Shares Wisdom for Dog ...

Lightarted Living: Ralph Waldo Emerson-The Dog-Shares Wisdom for Dog ...:  
 

Ralph Waldo Emerson-The Dog-Shares Wisdom for Dog Lovers

 


Sir Walter Comes Home

Sir Walter, my sweet one, 
You're as rascally as can be;
When I called for you to find me, 
said Kelly, you came immediately.

Funny and energetic,
You're delightful and great company.

I love you Sir Walter
Thank you for blessing me!



Wisdom from Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Dog, for Dog Lovers



(Especially the dog!)




(Come on, let's play)




(What a great decision Kelly made to bring Sir Walter home!)




(The best kind of human to accompany!)

 



(Need I say more?)




Sir Walter

Sir Walter, a Portuguese Water Dog,  came to Kelly Cruser after her beloved and longtime companion dog crossed over the rainbow bridge. Kelly gets high marks from Ralph Waldo Emerson, the dog, for being the type of human who has a soft heart, a grateful and silly nature, and a love of dogs.

Ralph Waldo Emerson is a real dog. He is big and wise. Yes he co-opted Ralph Waldo Emerson's words to apply to the dog world. He's so smart, don't you think?

Ralph Waldo Emerson-The Dog-Shares Wisdom for Dog Lovers

 


Sir Walter Comes Home

Sir Walter, my sweet one, 
You're as rascally as can be;
When I called for you to find me, 
said Kelly, you came immediately.

Funny and energetic,
You're delightful and great company.

I love you Sir Walter
Thank you for blessing me!



Wisdom from Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Dog, for Dog Lovers



(Especially the dog!)




(Come on, let's play)




(What a great decision Kelly made to bring Sir Walter home!)




(The best kind of human to accompany!)

 



(Need I say more?)




Sir Walter

Sir Walter, a Portuguese Water Dog,  came to Kelly Cruser after her beloved and longtime companion dog crossed over the rainbow bridge. Kelly gets high marks from Ralph Waldo Emerson, the dog, for being the type of human who has a soft heart, a grateful and silly nature, and a love of dogs.

Ralph Waldo Emerson is a real dog. He is big and wise. Yes he co-opted Ralph Waldo Emerson's words to apply to the dog world. He's so smart, don't you think?


Saturday, October 5, 2024

Lightarted Living: Unlocking the Key to a Perfect Inner Life

Lightarted Living: Unlocking the Key to a Perfect Inner Life:  

Unlocking the Key to a Perfect Inner Life

 


Perfection

"When you realize 
how perfect everything is 
you'll tilt your head back 
and laugh at the sky."

The Buddha


Unlocking the Key Within

As you wake 
and your day unfolds
Look for the sweet-spot
to uplift and guide you
despite difficulties you may behold.

You hold the key
to getting through life strong
with your daily vision of life
and how you're getting along.

Each day practice looking within you
until you find that perspective or mantra 
that allows you to reach through the difficulties 
to see how perfect everything is--
allowing you to tilt your head back 
and laugh at the sky!



All is well



All my needs and desires
are met before I even ask



Each moment of my life
is new, fresh and vital



I am blessed beyond
my wildest dreams




I love myself
My future 
is bright, joyful and secure





Original Flower Art Photo by Colleen McGinn

Unlocking the Key to a Perfect Inner Life

 


Perfection

"When you realize 
how perfect everything is 
you'll tilt your head back 
and laugh at the sky."

The Buddha


Unlocking the Key Within

As you wake 
and your day unfolds
Look for the sweet-spot
to uplift and guide you
despite difficulties you may behold.

You hold the key
to getting through life strong
with your daily vision of life
and how you're getting along.

Each day practice looking within you
until you find that perspective or mantra 
that allows you to reach through the difficulties 
to see how perfect everything is--
allowing you to tilt your head back 
and laugh at the sky!



All is well



All my needs and desires
are met before I even ask



Each moment of my life
is new, fresh and vital



I am blessed beyond
my wildest dreams




I love myself
My future 
is bright, joyful and secure





Original Flower Art Photo by Colleen McGinn


Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Lightarted Living: The Seduction of Life

Lightarted Living: The Seduction of Life:   

The Seduction of Life

 


The Seduction of Life

Life's flirtatious nature
coaxes us to engage;
We breathe deep
It's intoxication.

The daily seduction 
begins when we wake,
luring us to take the bait.

Whether you face 
challenges and struggles,
or you face days of ease, 
no matter.

Each day,
Life sweet-talks us 
into fully participating 
in exploring the depths 
of it's beauty and charm~ 
even in the darkest of days.

And then the seduction 
begins all over again
with the dawn of a new day.

"Step in, step in! 
You've got this!"

Go on

Take the Bait

Bite into Life



Original Flower Photo by Diane Offenbacher

The Seduction of Life

 


The Seduction of Life

Life's flirtatious nature
coaxes us to engage;
We breathe deep
It's intoxication.

The daily seduction 
begins when we wake,
luring us to take the bait.

Whether you face 
challenges and struggles,
or you face days of ease, 
no matter.

Each day,
Life sweet-talks us 
into fully participating 
in exploring the depths 
of it's beauty and charm~ 
even in the darkest of days.

And then the seduction 
begins all over again
with the dawn of a new day.

"Step in, step in! 
You've got this!"

Go on

Take the Bait

Bite into Life



Original Flower Photo by Diane Offenbacher

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Lightarted Living: Every Morning Goodness Bursts Forth

Lightarted Living: Every Morning Goodness Bursts Forth:  

Every Morning Goodness Bursts Forth

 


Every Morning Goodness Bursts Forth

Every morning
goodness bursts forth
Ready to feed your body and soul.
Slice open a papaya
Crack open an egg
Goodness spills out 
To feed the day.

Every morning
goodness bursts forth
Ready to feed others bodies and souls.
Open a slice of your heart
Crack open a smile
Let your goodness spill out
To feed others today.


Original Papaya Photo by Colleen McGinn. So yummy!
So very Georgia O'Keeffe!

Every Morning Goodness Bursts Forth

 


Every Morning Goodness Bursts Forth

Every morning
goodness bursts forth
Ready to feed your body and soul.
Slice open a papaya
Crack open an egg
Goodness spills out 
To feed the day.

Every morning
goodness bursts forth
Ready to feed others bodies and souls.
Open a slice of your heart
Crack open a smile
Let your goodness spill out
To feed others today.


Original Papaya Photo by Colleen McGinn. So yummy!
So very Georgia O'Keeffe!