Reverb's Prompt-a-Day Blog Challenge
December 19 – Healing. What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011? (Author: Leonie Allan)
Is anyone ever completely healed? I think healing is a process. I've often thought I was healed of some emotional hurt, only to feel it reappear out of nowhere. Eastern medicine says that all emotions, from the time we are born to the present, are stored in our cells. No wonder they keep cropping up at odd times, but especially when we are in a physically weakened state.
So, while acknowledging that I am in the process of being healed, rather than healed, I would have to say that QiGong and the macrobiotic diet are the primary reasons. I've written about macrobiotics recently, so I won't repeat myself here. The QiGong practice I've been learning for the past two years is based on medical QiGong. The basic idea is that stagnant energy needs to be cleared from the body and the organs need to be toned, all on a daily basis. When energy stagnates in the body over a period of time, disease and/or disorder sets in. QiGong gets the energy moving in a very flowing, non-stressful way. I find it very meditative.
I look forward to continued healing in 2011 of body, mind, and spirit. More writing, healthy eating, QiGong practice, exercise, meditation, SoulCollage and art journaling should do it. And love. Let's not forget love.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Try
Reverb's Prompt-a-Day Blog Challenge
December 18 – Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it? (Author: Kaileen Elise)
I want to try to establish a regular art practice. I don't mean that I want to "become an artist." I simply want to practice playing with art materials. In other words, have fun making art for art's sake. I did a little bit in 2009, but put it away when I got busy with other things. Even if I set aside one day a month to make little books, or one day a week to play at art journaling in those cheap composition books, that would be enough. It feels so good to let go and mess around with paint and paper. I want to play more in 2011.
December 18 – Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it? (Author: Kaileen Elise)
I want to try to establish a regular art practice. I don't mean that I want to "become an artist." I simply want to practice playing with art materials. In other words, have fun making art for art's sake. I did a little bit in 2009, but put it away when I got busy with other things. Even if I set aside one day a month to make little books, or one day a week to play at art journaling in those cheap composition books, that would be enough. It feels so good to let go and mess around with paint and paper. I want to play more in 2011.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Lesson Learned
Reverb's Prompt-a-Day Blog Challenge
December 17 – Lesson Learned What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver)
I've learned that my body has limits and that I would do well to pay attention to them.
I've had to accept the fact that my "cast-iron" stomach "rusted" and I can no longer eat whatever I want.
I've learned that food tastes fabulous without butter after all, and that there is life without cheese.
I've learned the benefits of miso, umeboshi, quinoa, and wakame, and how to pronounce them.
I no longer live to eat. I eat to live a long, healthier life.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
December 17 – Lesson Learned What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver)
I've learned that my body has limits and that I would do well to pay attention to them.
I've had to accept the fact that my "cast-iron" stomach "rusted" and I can no longer eat whatever I want.
I've learned that food tastes fabulous without butter after all, and that there is life without cheese.
I've learned the benefits of miso, umeboshi, quinoa, and wakame, and how to pronounce them.
I no longer live to eat. I eat to live a long, healthier life.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Friendship
Reverb's Prompt-a-Day Blog Challenge
December 16 – Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst? (Author: Martha Mihalick)
I write with two groups of women who are extraordinary. Some of us have been writing with each other for 6-1/2 years. Over the years, we have peeled the layers from our selves and revealed our souls. There is no longer any shame or fear. We are who we are and can be absolutely real in each others' presence. Writing has done this, and the poetry therapy process has been the catalyst. We have met together almost weekly, setting aside one morning a week as THE time to explore our thoughts and hearts in the presence of others. We were strangers in the beginning, and the friendships grew slowly. The transition was so gradual, I didn't even notice for a while.
A large network of like-minded people has grown from the contacts in these core groups. I am amazed to watch it expand almost daily, reassuring me that there are sane, caring people all over the world, lots of them. We are beginning to find each other. The process is exciting.
December 16 – Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst? (Author: Martha Mihalick)
I write with two groups of women who are extraordinary. Some of us have been writing with each other for 6-1/2 years. Over the years, we have peeled the layers from our selves and revealed our souls. There is no longer any shame or fear. We are who we are and can be absolutely real in each others' presence. Writing has done this, and the poetry therapy process has been the catalyst. We have met together almost weekly, setting aside one morning a week as THE time to explore our thoughts and hearts in the presence of others. We were strangers in the beginning, and the friendships grew slowly. The transition was so gradual, I didn't even notice for a while.
A large network of like-minded people has grown from the contacts in these core groups. I am amazed to watch it expand almost daily, reassuring me that there are sane, caring people all over the world, lots of them. We are beginning to find each other. The process is exciting.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
5 Minutes
Reverb's Prompt-a-Day Blog Challenge
December 15 – 5 Minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)
8 Eastern Bluebirds on the birdbath at the same time, on a snowy January day.
20 Goldfinches on the thistle feeder, with 20 more on the ground below.
Hearing my brother's voice for the first time after his brain bleed, two months later.
Watching a coyote stroll through the backyard.
Started a novel. Why, I don't know.
Listened to Joy Harjo read her poetry, in person.
After the devastating flood in May, everyone pitched in to help those in need.
Lost 40 pounds without trying, all because of acid reflux.
Learned what "macrobiotics" means.
Began doing QiGong exercise routine on my own, on a regular basis.
Bought a frame drum, started learning to play.
Watched a hummingbird taking a bath in the birdbath, skimming across the surface like a hovercraft.
The moon. Always the moon.
Okay, so I cheated. This took longer than 5 minutes. It was really cool, though, because I got to see the advantage of keeping my "sum up the day in as few words as possible" journal. I made the list by skimming through the short entries. It was easy to catch the highlights.
December 15 – 5 Minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)
8 Eastern Bluebirds on the birdbath at the same time, on a snowy January day.
20 Goldfinches on the thistle feeder, with 20 more on the ground below.
Hearing my brother's voice for the first time after his brain bleed, two months later.
Watching a coyote stroll through the backyard.
Started a novel. Why, I don't know.
Listened to Joy Harjo read her poetry, in person.
After the devastating flood in May, everyone pitched in to help those in need.
Lost 40 pounds without trying, all because of acid reflux.
Learned what "macrobiotics" means.
Began doing QiGong exercise routine on my own, on a regular basis.
Bought a frame drum, started learning to play.
Watched a hummingbird taking a bath in the birdbath, skimming across the surface like a hovercraft.
The moon. Always the moon.
Okay, so I cheated. This took longer than 5 minutes. It was really cool, though, because I got to see the advantage of keeping my "sum up the day in as few words as possible" journal. I made the list by skimming through the short entries. It was easy to catch the highlights.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Appreciate
Reverb's Prompt-a-Day Blog Challenge
December 14 – Appreciate What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)
Haha! Umeboshi plums. These little suckers are life savers when I'm stricken with an attack of gastric reflux. When my esophagus starts throbbing--which thankfully doesn't happen often anymore, since I'm following a macrobiotic diet most of the time--I head for the refrigerator and reach for those beautiful, orange, pickled plums. Just a pinch is all it takes, usually, and soon the acid calms down and my esophagus is safe. And if I'm not at home, I use those tiny little Umeboshi Plum Balls in the pocket dispenser. Thanks to my friend Ginger for giving me a box of those.
This year I'm singing the praises of Umeboshi plums. Maybe I'll write an ode...
December 14 – Appreciate What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)
Haha! Umeboshi plums. These little suckers are life savers when I'm stricken with an attack of gastric reflux. When my esophagus starts throbbing--which thankfully doesn't happen often anymore, since I'm following a macrobiotic diet most of the time--I head for the refrigerator and reach for those beautiful, orange, pickled plums. Just a pinch is all it takes, usually, and soon the acid calms down and my esophagus is safe. And if I'm not at home, I use those tiny little Umeboshi Plum Balls in the pocket dispenser. Thanks to my friend Ginger for giving me a box of those.
This year I'm singing the praises of Umeboshi plums. Maybe I'll write an ode...
Monday, December 13, 2010
Action
Reverb's Prompt-a-Day Blog Challenge
December 13 – Action. When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)
Well, my first step (sorry, Scott) is to step aside for awhile. I've been on a fast track for the past four years, and have been doing some things because I had to, then when I no longer had to, I kept doing them, because. Because? So I'm stopping for a few months. Spending time reassessing. Sitting down and watching the river flow beneath the bridge. Maybe a game or three of Poohsticks. Some serious writing time for sure. Though it doesn't look like much action is involved, there really is. It's just evolving. Slowly. But first I need to go look at the moon. Have you seen it tonight?
December 13 – Action. When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)
Well, my first step (sorry, Scott) is to step aside for awhile. I've been on a fast track for the past four years, and have been doing some things because I had to, then when I no longer had to, I kept doing them, because. Because? So I'm stopping for a few months. Spending time reassessing. Sitting down and watching the river flow beneath the bridge. Maybe a game or three of Poohsticks. Some serious writing time for sure. Though it doesn't look like much action is involved, there really is. It's just evolving. Slowly. But first I need to go look at the moon. Have you seen it tonight?
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