Important... Taking Care Of Myself

Every now and again...
To the top of my daily priority list rises...
"You HAVE to take the time you need NOW to pay more attention to YOU!"

I had the first sty in my left eye in about February,
Then one after the other about a month apart in my right eye,
and now two simultaneously in my left eye again.

It seems the initial cortizone drops and now ointment from the opthalmologist
are not sufficient to deal with this seeming vulnerability?
I haven't had sties for many years - twenty?  thirty?.

I decided on Sunday it is now TIME to visit the Homeopath again
and have her look my whole body over.
I usually go once a year... Its eighteen months since I went last.

What is too much, or too little in my constitution?
Where might the imbalance be?
"Perhaps she will be able to identify what my physical body needs."

I went yesterday - Monday.
My left eye was almost closed it was so swollen.
I spent an hour with her.
My blood is good, numbers acceptable, eyes, ears, nose and throat good.
Heart and lungs OK.

I came away with some chewable minerals, some parasite capsules,
some eye drops and anti-bacterial pills.
And "Remember to use hot compresses on your eye..."
Here's hoping for steady improvement and No More Sties!...

Library books I am enjoying reading at present -
I am able to read in a page here and a page there...

I've just finished "The Dark Side of the Light Chasers."
I'm a Light Chaser.

Much food for thought.
Not really any concepts I am unfamiliar with.
A fresh perspective.  Fresh descriptions.
Useful questions to consider and record.

I'm busy with "The Three Promises" and "You Can Heal Your Life."
Also - not NEW to me so far, just a reminder, and... other ways
of describing constructive practices I have distilled over many years
to enjoy my every-day life, every day.

Gratitude,
prayer/meditation,
relishing nature,
cherishing being able to move,
and moving!
eating sensibly 19 out of 21 meals a week,
reducing... correlating... simplifying... enjoying... Every Day!

Glenn is reading the "Type 2 Diabetes."
He has type 2 diabetes.
I got it for myself to read...
He picked it up -
I will read the book when he is finished.

Maybe I was nudged to get it for him to read?
I didn't get it "hoping he would pick it up and read it..."
I thought if I read it I might be more understanding,
more supportive of his decisions to manage his diabetes...

I'm finding the questions in the "Come Follow Me" Individual and Family,
Sunday School and Primary curriculum deeply meaningful too.
I have to really pause and ponder them.
I write some of the questions and answers out and put them in my journal.
I love the media too...

This "Time and Space," the "Time Out Of Time" is soothing and healing.
I'm glad we accepted this "Call to Serve."

And - I am LOVING watching the Temple rise from the ground.
Many, many comforting and encouraging, and sobering, life-lessons for me...

This photo is Sunday, when my eye was less swollen...

Sunday Afternoon - April 28th 2019 - New Phone, Books I Read

Sigh… some days I think of Hilmar when he says…”What a day…”

Well, for me it’s been “What a week…”  two weeks…

sometimes these times comes upon me, sometimes it’s a result of self-imposed activity. 

I suppose a bit of both in this case.

Well, here I am on this Sunday afternoon.

We had cyclonic rain and rain and rain last Monday.  John and Brenda took us to see the amazing sight of a cave in in Seadoone.  Sobering…  Life can change in an instant – it did for “them.”

My car was parked in the basement and the rain even wet the inside part of my car! 

I’m not sure how that is possible… but it was.

I am grateful for our safety here.  And the site was unscathed.  Tender Mercies.

I am grateful Douglas and Ethan were spared harm.

I’m sorry for the van… but rather the van than them…

My phone battery has been running out and running out. 

On Monday it wouldn’t open at all.

We have been talking about what to do… when… if…

So – it was off to get a new phone for Glenn and I inherit his old one.

Hours and hours of information transfer from his old phone to his new one.

LOTS of walking from one end of Gateway shopping Mall to the other,

and then back again, and back again.

I must say I was physically tired for two days.  I was surprised.

Mind expanding learning curve in customizing his/my phone to him/me.

I’m grateful that is past… or rather… passing.

I’ve listened to 14 hours of fascinating and faith promoting podcasts called “Questioning Saints.”

I thing I would have called it Exploring or Searching Saints or something like that.

Anyway – I am one who questions…

Paul said “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thes 5:21

I do.

It gave me much food for thought and I’m glad I took the time to listen and learn.

I’ve also loved the books I have been reading.

I treasure this time out of time to serve the Lord and because I am away from

all things ‘home’ I have more time to read.  I love that.

This time is very precious to me.

You are all much on my mind as I go forward and backward doing the things that are

mine to do at this time and in these weeks.

I have felt like I was on a treadmill.

And I knew I couldn’t keep up the pace – something had to slow down.

Part conscious effort… part “this time” passing…

Now I need to balance some and take some time out…

I hope you speed up or slow down as you need to!

Our own lives… a privilege, an opportunity and a responsibility to make the most of them!

I love the phrase of Judge Judy (Scheindler)

“It’s your life!  Live it well!”

I try to remember that.

Mom/Judy

I took this photo on my/our birthday and wedding anniversary.

Thank you for all your good wishes…

Do you remember the three red bags I made for you Angela, Dianne and Gillian?

I’m glad to have them here!  I use all three and think of you with me when I use one or the other.

My car rained on in the inside of the parking garage!

The books I recently returned to the library

and the new ones I took out and am reading - 

A paragraph here and there, sometimes a page or two.

Granny Vi’s healing arm

Just one spot still to close.

The great cave-in at Seadoone.  Sobering…

About 3-5? Km from where John and Brenda live.

Three cars have been removed from the scene.

One and a half houses gone.

Two houses on either side of the one gone damaged.

A whole swimming pool somewhere in that rubble.

Many other houses damaged and washed away. 

Many people homeless.

Sunday Afternoon - April 7th and 14th - Health

A few days until Glenn is 70 and I am 74.  Sobering…

Interesting – I don’t feel old.  But my mother at my age was old.

To what do I attribute feeling well and healthy – most of the time…

There is a young sister in our Ward who interests me.

This morning I said to her “I’m curious… What are you studying?”

“Physiotherapy.” She said “If you have any problems come and see me…”

Quick as a wink I said “Actually… I don’t have physical problems…”

”How do you do that?” she asked.

“I’ve changed my diet, and I do Tai Chi.” I replied.

“Ah… you live healthily…” she replied with a smile.

Afterwards I thought “And I’ve discovered Kinesiology and aromatherapy massage.”

When I need to surrender my body to the ministrations of another I ponder on

what I need and give it to myself.

It works for me, I am thankful to say…

Gillian sent me some info about the FODMAPS perspective.

I briefly looked into it – we had a visitor this afternoon.

I will look at it more carefully when I am able.

So much is available to us these days!

I love living now!

I try to live physically healthily.

I feel better when I do.

Actually… when Weightwatchers ceased to be here in South Africa, I thought

“I can do this on my own…”  I’ve been a WeightWwatcher for… very long.

In a matter of two months I realized “I don’t want to do this on my own…”

I found out where WeighLess classes are – not far from where we stay.

I went and joined.

Very good for me to co-operate in that responsibility with

people who are on the same road as I am on, wanting what I want.

I weigh-in once a week on Thursday mornings at 8:30am.

It helps me.

I try to live mentally healthily too.

I have the Addiction Recovery Programme book next to my bed.

Each night I read a paragraph or two before I go to bed.

It helps me keep my head straight in that regard.

I try to live spiritually healthily too.

Every morning I read Old Testament (at the moment) and

Book of Mormon scripture.

Then I read something from the Ensign, New Era and Friend.

That sets me in a good frame of mind for the day.

Now to Music and the Spoken Word and then the

Sunday morning session of General Conference…

14^th April

It’s been a whirl of a week!  At work and at home!

And Sunday afternoon again!

I do the best I can and am grateful to go to bed each evening…

The weather is perfect…

I feel very blessed to still be here, though I miss being with you all very much!

Times and seasons.

I’m glad for the times we have spent together in the past.

They help to sustain me for now.

I trust you all have received sufficient foundational nurturing to

go forward with courage and basic wisdom on which you are building every day.

Do what needs doing… and Give yourself what you need.

Go forward steadfastly one day at a time.

Love

Mom / Judy

Vi's arm still healing - one spot still to close.

Sunday Afternoon - 17th February - Books I am Reading

For the Record...

Vincent (on mission in Spain) sends a letter each week with a photo of himself.

I like receiving his letters.  I will try it too.  Perhaps I will like doing it.

Actually, I only do things I like to do – as much as possible.

“Happiness is loving what you have to do.”  As well as loving what you LOVE to do!

Monday to Thursday this week - scheduled load-shedding stages two three or four, meaning –

two, three or four two-hour periods of no electricity in 24 hours, one while we are asleep.  With consulting the schedule on our door and some pre-planning, no big deal for me…  What I did enjoy was the q-u-i-e-t… and the enforced change of pace.

This week I want to share what I am reading at present -  I read a bit each day from all of these -  

(All that I read is interesting and useful to me – If it isn’t, I stop.   I love and need to read each day to be happy and to keep learning – which is essential to me.)

The Bible - Old Testament at the moment (Jeremiah)

and Book of Mormon (3^rd Nephi)

Ensign, New Era, Friend - February 2019.

These 4 books from the La Lucia library -  

I finished today the 1970’s book

“The Helper” by Catherine Marshall.  On the library sale table for R10.  Her thoughts and understanding of the Holy Ghost.  Her sharing useful for me to consider as I ponder and pray about my own experiences.

“Happiness by Design - finding pleasure and purpose in everyday life.”  By behavioral science Professor Paul Dolan.  I love it!  I am learning lots about balancing pleasure and purpose every day, and being happy (happier – I am content and happy most days.)   I used to listen as much at home as I could to 12 minutes each weekday to Joyce Meyer on Radio Pulpit (AM-657) “Enjoying Everyday Life.”  I learnt a lot!  This book by Paul Dolan adds to that solid foundation.  (Radio Pulpit is not available here on radio, but I have found it on my tablet on Tune-In Radio!  I listen when I remember – about quarter past eight Monday to Friday.)

“The Suitcase Stories” is a beautifully designed and illustrated book by Glynis Clatcherty about refugee children from various African countries in the grip of war and horror.  Heart-wrenching.  It’s about children, some children as young as 7, who find their way to Hillbrow, Johannesburg.   Some social workers created the “Suitcase Project” to perhaps help them remember through paint and drawing their stories on and in their chosen and decorated suitcases - an effort to help them along in their healing and reclaiming their identities.  Very sobering to think about those young ones who might look ‘together’ who have experienced what children ought not to have to.

My fourth (library) book is “Ethical Ambition” by Derrick Bell – civil rights activist and law professor.  Sometimes I get tired of black (or any other impassioned) activism argument. I hear so much on the radio (SAFM.)  My heart sank when I realized his initial acts of opposition and what I might be in for.  As I read more and more of the book, he broadens his material to where it might be useful to me too.  Lots to think about anyway. 

(I once heard a quote many years ago on Radio South Africa or its predecessor “Women who believe they are equal demand equal treatment.  Women who know they are, don’t.” I haven’t been able to find the quote on the internet – I have it in one of my notebooks at home.  When I go home I might remember to look for it.  (I would recognize her voice if I heard it again…  She was a regular presenter.)  I remember straightening my resolve then to not protest and demand, but to proceed with confidence that I am equal to any and all other God’s children.  It has stood me in good stead. 

I remind myself – When we all get out of bed in the morning, our sheets are crumpled. We all need to go to the toilet.  We all get sick on occasion.  We all have access to the beautiful skies, the sun, moon and stars, the clouds, rain, and storms…, gorgeous colours! Light, dusk, dawn and darkness.

So – that’s my reading for now, and some thoughts from me.  Nice to spend some time with you!  What are you doing?  Reading?  Thinking about?  I love you!  I love hearing from you!

Enjoy your week!   Judy

(Wearing mascara again!  Hooray!)

Pink hard hat – I chose it – I like it.

Soft hat – sun and glare protection.  I like my hat.

Scarf – gold for ‘virtue’ reminder,

and quick nose and mouth protection in dusty, and fumy, areas.

The black alice-bandy thing on top of my scarf –

quick ear protection in noisy areas.

I always wear black T shirt and trousers – I like black.

I don’t have to think about “What am I going to wear today…”

I decided once – for work.  (I still decide at other times…)

Black T shirt is sensible when editing photos –

no patterned reflection on my glossy laptop screen.

Book: Half of Life is "IF"

I took this book out of the library because the title intrigued me.
I think it was not well edited (not that I really know much about these things - just my gut feel.)
I was disappointed, and I also appreciated reading it.
It is basically a collection of quotes from here and there - some not attributed that I could determine...

Some quotes I collected:

"Rebellion against your handicaps gets you nowhere.  Self pity gets you no where.  One must be adventurous and daring and accept oneself as a bundle of possibilities and undertake the most interesting game in the world - making the most of one's best."  Henry Emerson Fosdick p ?

"If you know your enemy and you know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." Sun Tzu 500BC p 80

"So why let yourself get angry?  The minute you get angry, you lose.  The action you take is not going to be as smart or appropriate as it would have been if you kept your cool." p118

"... don't get mad, get curious."

"Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of others, but from doing something worthwhile."  Sir Richard Grenfell p 125

"Be happy with your lot - not only in terms of quality, not only with what you have, but for as long as you have it.  Be happy with your future here and now - whatever it may be."  Ben Zomo p 160

"A wise man is one who can learn from every experience.  The rich man is one who knows how to be happy with whatever he has.  The power of the truly strong (person) is that he can exercize self-control."  p160

Book: Morrie: in His Own Words

Deeply worthwhile book about learning to die and learning to live.

At present I read in little snatches of time - but read I must for my mental health.

Some quotes I wrote down from this little gem:

"I let the tears flow until they dry up.  And then I   start to think about what I am crying about."  p30

"Dealing bravely with physical pain or accidents takes one kind of courage.  Facing life as it is, and accepting it takes another."  p107

Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live."

Book - Finding Your Way in a Wild New World

Pocket of time today - I am waiting for a contractor to come and attend to our centre-island kitchen countertop which is not attached and can tilt dangerously

So I thought I'd record one of the books I recently read.

I have enjoyed everything I have read written by Martha Beck.
I don't always agree with her views.
I find great value in the way she writes and what she proposes.

I enjoyed this book.


Some quotes I took from it:

"For wayfinders, skilful being must precede all doing." p xxv

"Playing to the point of enchantment is necessary medicine."  p29

"... learn to play like you mean it."  p29

"When did you stop feeling spontaneous joy? stop singing, stop dreaming?" p29

"Play can help our bodies and minds.... when I'm in pain, the way back to health is either deep rest or deep play."  p30

"When you want to dance, lying down is stress and dancing is stress release."  p30

"Determine your own play profiles, and then get busy playing, a lot."

"Death is the stripping away of all which is not you."  Eckhart Tolle

"Death is not the real terror, but (living) life - magically - is" Ben Okri p48

"Things once in contact remain in contact through all space and time."  Lynne McTaggart p59

"Maybe there's a simple, elegant, low-tech way to do something I've been doing in complicated ways."  p184

"All menders need mending."  p194

"By the end of the adventure (life) heroes can live in any combination of worlds, old or new, tamed or wild, combining the best aspects of both into one bountiful life." p203

"The road of trials leads to a life where all trials become blessings."  p203

Book - The Tipping Point

"A fascinating book that makes you see the world in a different way."  Fortune

When we came back from England, one of the first things I did was go to the library and choose a book to read.  It usually takes me the whole of the time allocated until return or renewal of the book.  This one I finished a little learly - it is due back on the 10th.

I enjoyed contemplating his proposals of the social dynamics that cause rapid change.

The Law of the Few - The few people in all groups who are influential - Connectors (they know a lot of people), Mavens (they have a lot of knowledge), Salesmen (the ones who effectively persuade people).

The Stickiness Factor - How memorable is the message?  How motivational is the message?

The Power of Context -   In what conditions will an idea/activity tip and spread?  What circumstances will facilitate a tip and an 'epidemic' (good or bad, helpful or harmful, positive or negative)?  When is the most favourable time for an idea to tip and flood?  What are the places that will advantage an idea/behaviour to tip and catch 'fire'?  The importance of groups smaller than 150 for the tip to be able to happen.

I enjoyed learning how to articulate concepts in my head along with my reading:

Those who take up a new idea in the beginning are the visionaries - the Innovators, and the Early Adapters.  Following the first two groups to change are the Early Majority and the Late Majority, followed by the final group he calls the Laggards.  This part answered some questions I have long been puzzling about.

Towards the end of the book I learnt more about the process of addiction from Casual to Regular use - about three years.  I call this the frolic, fun and dabbling time. Exit during this time is fairly easy, fairly painless and fairly possible.  During the next five years casual use gradually escalates until at some unpredictable time a 'line' is crossed and the addiction is entrenched and very difficult to leave without significant cost, pain and suffering - if it is possible to let go.  I call this the deepening and hooked time.  Sobering.

I also learnt that the ..."urge among teens to try something dangerous is pretty nearly universal."  Also interesting to me was "Teens are always going to be fascinated by (daring and immature people) and they should be fascinated by people like that, if only to get past the fantasy that to be rebellious and truculent and irresponsible is a good way to spend your life."

Tipping Point -"the magic moment when ideas, trends and social behaviour cross a threshold, tip, and spread like wildfire."

A worthwhile way to spend the time I allocate for reading.

Excellent Resource for Dealing with Stress...

Yesterday I was browsing through my "Gospel Tools" down-loading anything new.

In the Missionary section I saw an additional resource - "Adjusting to Missionary Life"
I downloaded it and took a look into this new booklet.

It is excellent!
Sound counsel for any of us who might be heading for stressful times or who are stressed,or who need to manage physical, emotional, social and/or spiritual demands.

I recommend it for anyone needing encouragement and general principles to guide their life and living as steadily as possible in demanding times.

I will dip into it myself every now and again to remind myself how to better manage when I feel stressed.

I love how we are blessed with brilliant eternal truth - for our 'asking' and fairly easy 'finding' which we can adapt to our particular circumstances.

Take a look!
May it bless you too...

PS... "A Missioariy's MTC" resource and "Missionary Preparation" are also lovely.

The Busy Last Week...

Tulip decided Glenn was "The Man..."

This is the book I am reading at Hilmar and Dianne...

A great book!

I read the part just before we left about the three realities he identifies:

God's reality

Our circumstantial reality

Our personal reality...

Interesting to contemplate.

We started our epic journey which turned out to be unusual!

We started on the X26 (express bus to Heathrow) after our train ride to East Croydon station.

At one of the stops another bus crashed into our bus.

All off - with transfer tickets.

Which bus to take now!

We found the 111 to Heathrow Central.

A stop at every stop on it's circuitous route...

A little later it was all off again!  I had no idea why!

A porter came and grabbed my bag and off he went.

I was torn between Glenn on the one side getting off our bus with 

our two small bags and his big bag

and the porter striding off with my big bag.

All the passengers from our 111 bus were heading to this other bus.

We got on.

On the way I wondered if we were on a bus to Heathrow.

I tapped on the driver's window.

He said we would be there eventually.

Later on on the indoor display I saw that this was also a 111 to Heathrow Central...

Then Glenn said "I wonder whether we will get there in time for our coach?"

Oh my... another concern as to what we do IF...

These are two artists blocking out their design on this green-grocer's kiosk.

I loved watching them while we waited for the X26 at East Croydon.

Some scenes along the first part of our journey...

I was really taken with these murals.

I wonder what they signify?!

And now we are on the coach from Heathrow to Bridgwater...

This is a solar cell farm.

We saw a couple of them on our journey.

I was interested in the beige fields after harvesting the crop.

I always think of England as green... it isn't all the time I realise now. 

Three pictures of Mike, Jodi, Daniel, Ethan and Emily 

at Jane's birthday party.

And birthday scenes.

The birthday girl!

Reading stories to grandchildren.

The four Sommer men.

More birthday celebration scenes.

And a gorgeous sunset through the lounge window.

Making Peace With Your Mum

Angela Simon lent me her book for my travels.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

 

I realise I have done a LOT of work on my relationship with my Mother.

 

This was helpful to me to realise how far I have come.

 

 

I found this diagram from the book useful.

I will be using it when I need to.

 

 

 

 



Book - Mending the Broken Bond

I got this book in 2010.

I read a little and got distracted.

 

I picked it up a few months ago and read it thoroughly.

I recommend it - even if the bonds are not broken yet.

Prevention and maintenance is very important.

Some quotes I liked from the book:

"You do not have to be perfect.  You only have to give it your best effort."

"...our greatest hope for long-term survival as a species lies in cooperation between individuals."

"As a parent your job is not to vent; it is to teach your child how to respond to adversity in a positive manner."

"... encourage your child's creativity and individuality."

"...even the most talented and brilliant people need to work with others to get the most out of their labours."

"... adults reduce the symptoms of stress (in their children) by singing and humming."

"The best way to calm a child... the child should be instructed to focus on her body by slowing breathing patterns, stretching, and relaxing the legs, arms and hands.  Relax the body first, the mind will follow."

"... you must teach your child to manage both high and low energy levels in a constructive manner."

"... your self-control.  Parents teach mostly by example, whether they are aware of the process or not... learning self-control is a life-long process for most people..."

"... learn to pick up on not just what is said but also subtle cues including tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions."

"Confused emotions lead to confused behaviour."

"... resist all parental impulses to try and 'fix' the situation."

"... the important thing is that you are relating to your child instead of dictating."

"Children are mysteries, just as we all are."

"... what can be done to restore calm and security."

"It just doesn't dawn on many parents that they are playing with the minds and emotions of their children when they withhold approval."

""Too many parent-child relationships suffer from a lack of loving bonds.  Practicing forgiveness can build and heal those bonds.  It starts with the parent modelling benevolence and generosity of spirit."

"Forgiveness is the removal of fear and anger around the injury... It is not a lobotomy.  The memory remains."

"The teen years bring challenges and stresses that test the strongest, most loving family relationships."

"Parents need to understand that teens are often highly emotional, not because they are bad kids or hyperactive but because their hormones are in an uproar."

"... (in teens) there is the volatile blend of inflated levels of self-confidence and poor risk-assessment capability."

"Don't overreact, scream or moralize
  Don't excuse or condone...
  Don't blame yourself or let your child blame you
  Don't strike deals or bribe...
  Don't accept the excuse that 'they all do it'
  Don't make threats you don't intend to carry out"

"...create a relaxed environment..."

"...look your teen in the eye..."

"Your teen will make mistakes and misjudgements.  Count on it.  Know it is coming.  Guide them.  Love them.  Listen to them.  Support them.  Forgive them.  And encourage them."

"The human spirit has incredible self-healing powers.  I have seen people rally and recover..."


Thanks Frank Lawlis - I closed the book feeling  comforted, encouraged and determined to carry on my part of the work of mending my strained and broken bonds with added clarity and purposefulness.

I'm So Glad You Told Me

One of my clients gave me this book to read a couple of years ago.

I read about a third of it.

Life and distractions happened.

 

The other night in my awake state I picked it up again.

I read and read.

 

I was comforted, I laughed and I cried.

Some quotes:

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.
Remember every cloud has a silver lining... and sometimes a bolt of lightning.
Time wounds all heels.
There is always a bright side.  It may hide, but you WILL find it.
... sharing your grief is an essential step towards healing.
Where there's no control there's no responsibility.
Life is an adventure.  Hang onto your hat and scream for all you are worth.

If you ever need a dose of humour mixed with timeless wisdom - this will do nicely!

Steering By Starlight

I first read this in 2010 and

have just finished re-reading it in bits and pieces over the last 6 weeks or so,

- a paragraph or a page at a time.

 

I find her perspectives interesting -

I sense her depth of understanding relayed to

those of us less interested in depth as such,

but interested in living a better life.

 

I love the way she uses words.

 

If you want a good read about steering your life

when the course before you is not clear, and all you can see does not feel 'right'

this is likely to be a useful resource.

Some quotes I selected:

"When we learn to watch our fears without believing them, we can burst out of a fearful universe into a totally safe one in an abrupt, irrevocable flash of insight..."

"Liberation is the ability to see multiple options."

"The raw material for joy is sorrow; the raw material for compassion is anger; the raw material for fearlessness is fear."

"We burn, burn, burn until our attachment to whatever we have lost is completely incinerated."

"The alchemy of the Stargazer transmutes psychological lead into gold.  Pain becomes joy.  Fear becomes peace.  Anger becomes absolute compassion."

"The general rule to remember is that when we're scared, we're scary, and when we're scary, we're usually scared."

"In real life, people who perpetrate evil virtually always see themselves as victims, forced by circumstances to "defend themselves" by attacking others."

"... lead the relationship by sustaining calm, fearless affection."

"If you keep breathing deeply, feeling peaceful, and offering reassurance, you'll defuse arguments that could become endless, before they even begin."

"... a commitment to handle change with creativity and negotiation."

"... when we're calm, we're calming."

"If someone else freaks out, you must get even calmer. ... It works with almost everyone."

"Recognise... a Dark Arts Practitioner."

"...the dominant emotional state of someone who practices the Dark Arts is a baseline state of boredom, marked by swelling, repetitive waves of self-pity."

"Test (all they say) against the facts, against your sense of truth. ... Question every thought that causes suffering and test it against your own sense of truth."

"'When two great forces collide, the victory will go to the one who knows how to yield.'" Lao-Tzu

"... living this way... you'll learn and benefit immeasurably from your friends, but even more from your enemies."

She finishes this book with this favourite poem of one of her African guides read by him "as the sunlight faded and the moon cleared the horizon"...

“Live while you are alive …

Learn to be what you are in the seed of your spirit

Learn to free yourself from all things that have molded you

And which limit your secret and undiscovered road …

Never forget that love

Requires that you be

The greatest person you are capable of being,

Self-generating and strong and gentle -

Your own hero and star …

Be grateful for life as you live it,

And may a wonderful light

Always guide you along the unfolding road.”

 

"A New Earth"

 

Wow!  This book by Eckhart Tolle took me the last two days of our holiday to read.  I haven't been able to do that for years!

I knew my magazine and my book I took with me on holiday would be finished before the holiday was so I browsed in a second-hand book shop in Seadoone for something pleasing to read. 
I was drawn to this book.  I remember it was quite the talk a few years ago.

I found it interesting with familiar ideas clothed in fresh words.

These are the quotes I wrote down.

"To sin means to miss the mark... miss the point of human existence... to live unskilfully, blindly and thus to suffer and cause suffering." p 9
"You do not become good by trying to be good, but by finding the goodness that is already within you and allowing that goodness to emerge.  But it can only emerge if something fundamental changes in your state of consciousness." p 13
"If you can recognise illusion as illusion, it dissolves."  p 28
"In the seeing of who you are not, the reality of who you are emerges." p 28
"Non reaction is not weakness but strength.  Another word for non reaction is forgiveness." p 63
"To forgive is to overlook, or rather to look through... to the sanity that is in every human being as his or her essence."  p 63
"You are most powerful, most effective, when you are completely yourself." p 108
"It is always the case that both victim and perpetrator suffer the consequences of any act of violence, oppression or brutality." p 159
"Being present is infinitely more powerful than anything one can say or do..." p 176
"Knowing the oneness of yourself and the other is true love, true care, true compassion." p 177
"... whatever you think the world is withholding from you, you are withholding from the world."  p 190
"You cannot receive what you don't give.  What can I give here; how can I be of service to this person, this situation?" p 191
"... everywhere new life grows out of rotting and decaying matter." p 195
"What pollution is on the outer level, is negativity on the inner." p 213
"You are never more essentially, more deeply yourself, than when you are still." p 256
"... the more spiritually ignorant you are, the more you suffer." p 284
"Enthusiasm 'wants' nothing because it lacks nothing."  p 303
Live in these:  "Acceptance." p 296  "Enjoyment."  p 297  "Enthusiasm." p 301