Thursday, May 24, 2012

1 of 10

Mission read 10 books from my shelves by the end of the year is officially underway! I have completed the first of the 10. Yes, it was another of the Alex Delaware series, but I promise it was the last one for a while. I (currently) have no more Jonathan Kellerman books on my shelf. And the goal was to get through books I currently own and not buy more until I made a dent in what I have.

So?! What was it? Glad you asked. "Self-Defense" was about Alex helping a patient gain clarity about a recurring dream. A dream that just happened to be a suppressed childhood memory about the death of a young woman. Sorry if that was a spoiler, but if you've been reading any of Kellerman's Delaware series, that was pretty much a given. There were a few twists and turns, but this was the most predictable of the series. Maybe it is time for a break from him....

Monday, May 21, 2012

May 21

From "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young

I, the Creator of the Universe, am with you and for you. What more could you need? When you feel some lack, it is because you are not connecting with Me at a deep level. I offer abundant Life; your part is to trust Me, refusing to worry about anything

It is not so much adverse events that make you anxious as it is your thoughts about those events. Your mind engages in efforts to take control of a situation, to bring about the result you desire. Your thoughts close in on the problem like ravenous wolves. Determined to make things go your way, you forget that I am in charge of your life. The only remedy is to switch your focus from the problem to my Presence. Stop all your sticking, and watch to see what I will do. I am the Lord!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Balance

It's all about balance in life. Everything comes back to balance. Www.dictionary.com defines balance as "a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc." And further defines balance as "mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgement, etc."

If you are like me, you don't even think about. Until things are out of balance. Then you pay attention.

I've been thinking about balance lately. Balancing being an individual, a wife, a mother, a counselor. Balance between work and home. Balance within the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of myself. How is it that one finds oneself out of balance? How does one reset the scales and regain the all important balance? With my magic wand (STILL) in the repair shop, I must look elsewhere to restore equilibrium in my life.

Like the cliche, I think acknowledging the imbalance is the first step. Admitting something is "off." Then seeking to take steps to realign life in a more harmonious way. And then there is the realization that life is fluid and balance now does not equate balance in 10 years, 10 months, 10 weeks, or even 10 days. But I begin my quest to recapture my zen.

Oh and by the way, equipoise is a great new word...

Monday, May 14, 2012

Devil's Waltz, Bad Love, and Self-Defense

I can't seem to keep up with my blogging. Good thing it's not my job, I'd be fired for sure. I finished Devil's Waltz (another Alex Delaware novel by Jonathan Kellerman). Followed that one up with Bad Love (Mr. Kellerman an Alex). And have moved on to Self-Defense which just happens to be (you guessed it! A Jonathan Kellerman novel) #9 in the Alex Delaware series.I am approximately halfway through this one. I am always amazed at how quickly I can get through a novel- provided Punky goes to bed at a decent hour! The other seven books I'm reading aren't going so quickly. But this is the last of the Kellerman books I currently own, so perhaps I will make some progress on those other books... I set a goal for myself to finish 10 of the 35+ unread books on my shelf by the end of 2013. I think I'll count the ones I have started as 7 of the 10. That seems reasonable. Then I won't feel as guilty when I ask for more books for Christmas! If I can just keep myself from ordering any new Kellerman on my Nook, we'll be in good shape!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Taking my own advice

I don't know how many times I've encouraged clients to "get their feelings out" through talking with me and/or someone else, through journaling, through art, song, poetry, whatever. Keeping it all inside, stuffing it, ignoring it, denying it doesn't help. I haven't always followed my own advice, but I am trying to do so.

The last year has been full of exciting and stressful events. Pregnancy, buying a house, fixing it up, moving, having the baby, just to name some of the bigger things. And while it was all very exciting it was also very stressful. Raising a child while working is proving more difficult than anticipated. Add to that mix various illnesses and ongoing health conditions. Changes at work add to the pile of stress. It certainly hasn't been easy. Some days get the better of me. Days when, if it weren't for the huz's understanding and baby's smiles I'm not sure what I'd do. Days when I am frustrated to tears and see no end in sight. But talking through things is helping. Slowly. I think. The bad days still come too often, but I hope that they will bother me less and I'll learn how to live with all that life is throwing at me.