The Guest House

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

Be grateful for whoever comes, 
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice
meet them at the door laughing
and invite them in.

Hafiz 

shared by Kifah

Law and Disorder

I recently read a book titled Law and Disorder by John Douglas.  Very interesting book, especially the early chapters and his comparison with the Salem Witch trials.  He has a thoughtful, mature approach to striving for justice in an imperfect world and also honors victims in a way that moved me.

Thoughtful, mature, definitely worth a look.

Tara and Angie- Doing good to their enemy

Yesterday at Together with Friends Day Camp in Taylors Falls, I was the Bible lesson teacher.  Our story was about a Roman centurion who asked Jesus to heal his slave (Matthew 8 and Luke 7).  This centurion was an enemy, part of the system which enslaved the Jews and yet the he was also respectful and kind.  Jesus healed his servant and praised his faith. 

I tell you who hear me:
Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
           Jesus, Luke 6:27-28

I began my story this way: 
"I wish I could say that I was the hero of this story but I can't.  I was the enemy...."

I went on to tell how I had been sick and uncoordinated and no one knew why or how to help me.  How I'd become jealous of athletic people, especially pretty, thin, athletic girls. 
So hurt and so jealous that I came to hate them.  I never said, "I'm your enemy."  But I was.
Enter the hero- Tara- a pretty, athletic lady who helped me come all the way back for myself.
And after she left, God sent Angie, my physical therapist who is helping me release my old pain and coordinate all my parts.  Of course, she's a beautiful, athletic dancer.

God never sends me the ugly old healers.
Nope.
God always sends the pretty, athletic ones for me.
Because as much as my legs and back need help,
my heart needs to heal, too.

The goodness of my enemies has changed my life and my heart, I said.

"Let's give a round of applause to Tara and Angie- the pretty, athletic girls!"
And we all clapped while I cheered.

Rise

Get quote from a Will Dailey song:

Just like when you were fallen down
I will be there when you rise


This is my prayer for myself today that I will live to see my days renewed, will be able to release my fallen down state, and be truly present for my rise.

Choosing presence in happiness is a discipline just as surely as choosing presence in suffering is.

Safe People

My new counselor, Karen, recommended a book by Cloud and Townsend, Safe People.  I've spent the last 6 weeks reading and digesting it.

A couple great quotes to share:

...[W]e can't let go of anyone until we can feel what is called ambivalence- good and bad feelings- toward them.  That's what letting go and forgiveness are all about.  (Chapter 8)

We are limited to giving what we have received, and no more.  Remember the widow's mite.  There will be needs you can't meet in your safe people, and places they need to go spiritually where you haven't yet set foot.  God has someone else ready to help them. (Chapter 12)


I have also been pondering how both of these quotes apply to my relationship with myself.  I just feel both good and bad feelings toward myself and I am foolish to ask people to give me what they haven't received.

Very good book.

John Adams

Just finished an HBO mini series, John Adams.  Excellent movie.  A love story.  A political drama.  A story of enduring friendship and personal growth.

My quote of the day is this, excerpted from a letter to John Adams on the death of his wife.

My dear friend,
Tried myself in the school of human affliction, I know well and feel what you have lost, what you have suffered, are suffering and have yet to endure.  These same trials have taught me that for ills so immeasurable, time and silence are the only medicines.  It is of some comfort to us both that the term is not very distant at which we are to deposit our sorrows and suffering bodies, and to ascend to an ecstatic meeting with the friends we have loved and lost and whom we shall still love and never lose again.
God support you under your heavy affliction.
Your friend,
Thomas Jefferson

This quote impresses me even more because now I know a little of their friendship, their political rivalry, and their personal journeys to these words. 

I was inspired by how these men continued to grow and mature throughout their lives.  I hope I can learn the things most difficult to me as John Adams learned simple pleasures and forgiveness in his 70's and 80's.

Good reads

I've got two books to recommend:  Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine, PhD and The Art and Science of Resilience: Surviving Survival by Laurence Gonzales. 

I've only read the first few chapters of Waking the Tiger and it's due back at the library.  I'll recheck it out.  It has, from what I've seen so far, some activities for physically releasing traumatic experiences.  Haven't tried many but I intend to circle back and try.

Surviving Survival is one of those books I've been talking about with everyone the last couple weeks.  Great case studies and even better neuroscience plus practical suggestions without candy coating.  Very well done.

Quote I want to remember from Surviving is:
As my father used to say of certain aircraft that had been distressed by long overuse, the brain is a collection of spare parts flying in close formation.