Right Now

I was reading something Elle shared called Middle Ground, and her reply to one of the comments really resonated with me.

"I read something the other day about how much of our unhappiness comes from not being in the moment. How we either fret about the past, or worry about the future. Something in that poked quietly at a place of understanding for me. Its something I’m musing on."

I've heard this referred to many ways, including:

• Be where your feet are.
• Be present in the moment.
• Live in the here and now.
• Live on purpose.
  

And of course several more that just flew out of my head. And they are all so true, for many reasons. Living consciously right now and right here - because we cannot fully appreciate this moment and receive all it has to offer if we don't. And because this moment will never come around again, and opportunities for growth and love and all the possibility will be gone when this moment is gone.

Of course we're always reminded that tomorrow is never promised, so we must live for today and appreciate and enjoy life while we have it. I really learned the value of that lesson when my Dad died many years ago.

All of this is so true, yet because it sounds trite, or like feel-good mumbo-jumbo we don't take it seriously and we don't really make it a priority to live in each moment. How often we discount an important truth which could have dramatic impact on our lives because it sounds too easy, or too silly.

In truth, how silly of us to not recognize that small and simple is usually best, no need for big complicated drama. How self-destructive of us not to take control of our minds and force ourselves to practice that which we know will benefit us. How arrogant of us to not realize that allowing unhappiness to rule our hearts and minds will cause damage to us physically, mentally, emotionally, and will also harm those we love.

Today, I again choose to live in the here and now. Today, and tomorrow, and the next day, I will need help to keep my focus on the present, to be mentally and emotionally where my feet are. To not live in reaction to others and their moods and foibles, but to live consciously and on purpose, actively choosing that which is best for me.

I challenge others to do the same. Because the truth is, no matter how used to the unhappiness and discomfort and pain we are, and no matter how comfy the familiar is, letting it go, living in and focusing on this moment, right now, is exponentially better and will bring so much more to life than the old comfy rags of unhappiness.

It's time.

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Happy All Saints Day Eve!

Or Happy Halloween for short!






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For PirateDaddy

Under the weight of your wings
You are a god and whatever I want you to be
And I wonder if truly you are
Nearly as beautiful as I believe



Anna Nalick, "In My Head"

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The Journey

There seems to be more and more awareness among many in the bloggy places that this is a journey with no apparent destination. By that, I mean that I am here to share my thoughts, my heart, work through the puzzles, celebrate the joys and find meaning and significance in my world. I do so by writing, sharing meaningful things that have been shared by others, and connecting with those I find here.

So it's good to know about this journey and why I'm here, and that even as I travel the path I will never actually arrive - I'm not really trying to go anywhere I'm just living. Knowing this helps me to figure out why I'm NOT here too. I'm not here to impress anyone, or be an expert, or make money. This isn't a sex blog, a BDSM handbook, a motherhood handbook, or anything else. Even if I write about these things, I'm writing from my own limited perspective, and about my own experiences and world; and I'm writing for my own benefit, enjoyment, edification, self-knowledge, and record-keeping purposes. Often this blog is a way for me to mark milestones, bookmark/note things that have touched me, or just have fun.

I've never once looked at statistics related to my blog, I don't have one of those counter thingys, and I doubt very many people even read here. This isn't the interesting stuff found in other places. And that's more than fine with me, since I feel no pressure about this place - it's just my place to share me.

And yet, I do know there are a few people who read here. Some are like-minded folks who share my propensity to find relevance. Some are friends who may not care to figure it all out but still like to keep up with me. Some are lurkers, I think (how would I know for sure? lol) And while there are some that are scattered across the globe whom I've never met in person, there may be others who live nearby and are even friends of or friendly with PirateDaddy and me.

Sometimes I may not say exactly what's in my mind, the way I want to say it, because I'm aware of the audience, however limited it is. There are quite a few who I would actually say anything and everything in front of, because there is a level of trust and awareness that you "get me" that allows me to feel comfortable. But there are times, when local references would be lost on those far away, and times when I feel that too much personal detail could pose a problem in O/our real-time social life. I mean really, all evidence to the contrary in the blog world, there is such a thing as TMI!

So it's one thing altogether to say that this is my blog, it's all about me, I write what I want, I'm not trying to impress anyone (sound childish enough for you yet?) But the reality is, I am aware of constraints, even if they are self-imposed.

So what have I learned and what does this change? Nothing really. I'm still in service to PirateDaddy, and the mother of an 18 year old son. I still work full time outside the home, and do my best inside the home with whats left of my resources. I still try to learn and grow and figure out what serving Him means on a daily basis (it's not always very clear to me, and daily life being what it is, He isn't always 'splaining.) More and more I realize that W/we are just 2 people making their way in the world. W/we find ourselves at home and comfortable in a power-exchange type of relationship, and are very much the sadist and masochist as well. (These things really do not always exist together. Submission does not equal masochism you know.) And often that is all secondary to living in this world, working, interacting with family, caring for parents and children and pets, and the myriad details of all lives, not just BDSM lives.

So it's really a boring place, but it's my place. Am I able to share all my thoughts here? For the most part yes, except for the self-censored bits that I'm more comfortable sharing in private.

It's my little journey, down a path with no specific destination, and I won't ever actually arrive. There may be twists and turns in the path, and I just follow where they lead. It's very fluid and flexible. And that line just got me - because I realize that it's what I strive to be. Fluid and flexible. This blog helps me do that. And I'm grateful.

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H1N1 Paranoia Has Gone Too Far!

Daily Om Again

I can't help it, I just love the Daily Om that arrives in my email inbox each morning.

Here's the one for yesterday, and it's right up the alley I'm traveling at this point in my life. My, how the Universe aligns to help us meet our declared intention!

September 29, 2009
Getting Back to Wellness
Seven Quick Fixes To Feel Better

The signals our bodies use to tell us we need to cleanse ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally are multifaceted and often mirror symptoms we associate with illness. If we heed these signs, we not only feel better quickly but also stave off poor health before it can start. These quick fixes for common ailments can get you started.

1. Applying pressure to the acupressure point between the thumb and forefinger can release blockages causing pain, tension, and fatigue. You can relieve a headache naturally by squeezing for 20 seconds and releasing for 10 seconds, without letting go, four times.

2. To breathe freely, irrigate your nasal passages with a neti pot and warm salt water. As you clear and soothe the sinuses, congestion associated with allergies or infection will gradually disappear.

3. Apple cider vinegar is a powerful purifying and detoxifying agent. Soaking for 20 minutes in a warm bath infused with two cups of apple cider vinegar pulls toxins from the body and can clear blocked energy.

4. The foods you eat can have a profound impact on your outlook and mood. Eating a small yet satisfying meal rich in complex carbohydrates can lift your spirit and help you let go of feelings of anger, irritability, and depression.

5. Anxiety and fear dissipate quickly when countered with conscious breathing because concentrating on the breath enables you to refocus your attention inward. You can ground yourself and regain your usual calm by taking a series of deep belly breaths as you visualize your feet growing roots that stretch miles down into the earth.

6. Though tuning out can seem counterproductive, a few minutes spent lost in daydreams or listening to soothing music can help you see your circumstances from a new angle when you feel frustrated.

7. If you feel ill health coming on, brew a wellness elixir. Simmer three sliced lemons, one teaspoon freshly grated ginger, one clove freshly minced garlic, and one quarter teaspoon cayenne pepper in five cups water until the lemons are soft and pale. Strain a portion into a mug and add honey by tablespoons until you can tolerate the taste. Drinking this potent mixture of antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal ingredients three times each day can ensure your symptoms never progress into a full-blown illness.

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Keeping Body and Soul Together

Too much healthy is still too much. (The Leader of my WW group said that this past week.)

If we can remember that our physical reality is most often the result of our inner thoughts and beliefs, we can make changes more easily by going inward. By creating a mental vision of the changes we want to make in our lives, we begin shifting our belief system to more closely fit with the reality we want to create externally. (my Daily Om last Friday.)

Catching up on the past 2 weeks of "Sunday Morning" (CBS) I realize I want to visit more National Parks. I've been to some, am happy to return to them, and would like to visit parks I've never been to before. Just "being" in nature is powerful for our total health I believe.

And another segment on "Sunday Morning" about Steinway and Sons pianos brought tears to my eyes and goosebumps to my skin. I love the sound of a piano. Always have.

Finding the things that feed me is worth the effort. Good food feeds my body, movement and activity energizes my body (I refuse to call it exercise - negative connotation.) But what feeds my soul? What energizes my mind? What fills my heart?

Taking the time to prepare and eat good food is important. So is taking the time to prepare for and engage in more activity and movement. But that's only part of the story, for if I don't take time to prepare for and engage in those things which stimulate my heart, soul, and mind then I'm not whole nor complete.

I'm working on finding more wholeness.

What about you? What "feeds" you?

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