A very long day. Because I had a doctor's appointment at nine this morning, I taught my early class without coffee or breakfast. Believe me, I drank a lot of water. Finally around 11:00 I ate. Rick and I noticed on the way into Birmingham that the car was driving strangely, pulling to the right, a distinct shimmy, not good stuff. We had made an appointment for new tires to be put on the car this afternoon, thank goodness we did. It seems that one of the belts on the right front tire had broken.
The tire folks were amazed that we had not had a blowout on the interstate. We picked the car up this evening and all was well. What a relief.
The best part of my day...I got to see my friend Louis. He was my chair buddy for the almost four years of treatments that I took. He has become a part of our family. We both had doctor appointments this morning so we got to visit. He has not been feeling well so it has been awhile since we saw each other. If you have a spare prayer say one for Louis please. He is one of the most gentle kind souls that I have ever known.
My hot tea is ready, my bed is ready and I am ready for both.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
True Balance
One of my students came to class early today. It had been a tough day for him. He told me that he was trying to figure out how to create boundaries in his life. One of his toughest to figure out, separating work from home life.
He is not alone, I know many ( and a lot of them are not in rehab) whose lives are all about work and nothing else. It is hard for them to understand that what they do is not who they are.
We talked about hobbies ( at least he had one, many do not) and how he needed to spend more time outdoors.
I admit his job is stressful and people's lives depend on him. But we talked about the airplane rule.
You know the one, when the air masks drop put yours on first, then help others. But it's the same in life, you have to help yourself/take care of yourself first, then be there for others. The hard part, you can't help everyone.
He loves yoga so I have encouraged him to find a class when he goes home and to continue to nurture himself. I explained to him that it is difficult for me sometimes, to leave work at work. But, I have learned for my health, happiness and personal relationships I have to set boundaries also.
Talking to me today, refreshed some good old memories for my student. He began to recall some things that he did in his youth that he loved doing. Hopefully, he will pursue those things that once brought him joy and he will understand what true balance is. After all, true balance is just that place where work, life, and relationships each have a roll in our life and that none of them take precedent over everything else.
He is not alone, I know many ( and a lot of them are not in rehab) whose lives are all about work and nothing else. It is hard for them to understand that what they do is not who they are.
We talked about hobbies ( at least he had one, many do not) and how he needed to spend more time outdoors.
I admit his job is stressful and people's lives depend on him. But we talked about the airplane rule.
You know the one, when the air masks drop put yours on first, then help others. But it's the same in life, you have to help yourself/take care of yourself first, then be there for others. The hard part, you can't help everyone.
He loves yoga so I have encouraged him to find a class when he goes home and to continue to nurture himself. I explained to him that it is difficult for me sometimes, to leave work at work. But, I have learned for my health, happiness and personal relationships I have to set boundaries also.
Talking to me today, refreshed some good old memories for my student. He began to recall some things that he did in his youth that he loved doing. Hopefully, he will pursue those things that once brought him joy and he will understand what true balance is. After all, true balance is just that place where work, life, and relationships each have a roll in our life and that none of them take precedent over everything else.
Monday, August 29, 2016
Hot
The heat and humidity continue in Alabama. Our peppers are thriving, as I wilt.
Monday is almost over, I hope your week started smoothly.
Monday is almost over, I hope your week started smoothly.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Sunday Recap
Every morning as we drink our coffee I pull up my trusty weather app and give Rick my weather report. I give him the weather in San Francisco, Ireland, Sedona, Telluride and then Alabama.
It drives him crazy, because we are still in the midst of one of our hottest summers on record and all of these places are having lovely cooler temperatures. I keep telling him we need a vacay and I try to entice him with the weather info. Sadly, it is not working. What can I do?
This has been a busy work weekend for the home. Working on the screen porch, clearing closets, and of course, washing the yoga blankets. But, Rick did a great job on the new steps and rescreening the porch. We are ready for fall breezes and coffee on the porch.
Can you believe we are at the end of August? Summer is almost gone and before we know it 2016 will be too. This is looking to be a very busy week for me. My day planner is jammed for the next few days. I will have to remind myself to breathe.
Hoping we all have a smooth transition into September this week. New moon brings new opportunities. May we all have peace.
It drives him crazy, because we are still in the midst of one of our hottest summers on record and all of these places are having lovely cooler temperatures. I keep telling him we need a vacay and I try to entice him with the weather info. Sadly, it is not working. What can I do?
This has been a busy work weekend for the home. Working on the screen porch, clearing closets, and of course, washing the yoga blankets. But, Rick did a great job on the new steps and rescreening the porch. We are ready for fall breezes and coffee on the porch.
Can you believe we are at the end of August? Summer is almost gone and before we know it 2016 will be too. This is looking to be a very busy week for me. My day planner is jammed for the next few days. I will have to remind myself to breathe.
Hoping we all have a smooth transition into September this week. New moon brings new opportunities. May we all have peace.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Reflection
August has been a month of reflection, regroup, home maintenance and thinking about where we are and maybe where we are going. Because of the heat and the fact that both of us just cant take it like we use too, we don't book any gigs for August. I miss playing this month, but loading and unloading equipment, setting up and then performing is brutal in the August heat and humidity. I know, we are just whinny babies. :)
But, the gigs are coming , booking for the fall and that is not easy, living in the football capital of the free world. We have come to accept that football rules the southeast and that includes high school and college and that music plays second fiddle to pigskin. :(
We have figured out the title of our next cd and most of the songs that will be on it. Can't wait to get started on recording with our buddy Fred, the amazing sound/producer guy.
I watched the PBS special tonight, The Highway Men concert that took place in Long Island in 1990.
Waylon, Willie, Kris and Johnny, those guys wrote the songs that made me love country music.
It is a wonderful show. If your public television station airs it, be sure to watch.
Enjoy your Sunday, as always I hope it is filled with peace.
But, the gigs are coming , booking for the fall and that is not easy, living in the football capital of the free world. We have come to accept that football rules the southeast and that includes high school and college and that music plays second fiddle to pigskin. :(
We have figured out the title of our next cd and most of the songs that will be on it. Can't wait to get started on recording with our buddy Fred, the amazing sound/producer guy.
I watched the PBS special tonight, The Highway Men concert that took place in Long Island in 1990.
Waylon, Willie, Kris and Johnny, those guys wrote the songs that made me love country music.
It is a wonderful show. If your public television station airs it, be sure to watch.
Enjoy your Sunday, as always I hope it is filled with peace.
Friday, August 26, 2016
Yin and Yang Walk
There are always surprises when you walk our trails through the woods. Some of them are scary, BIG spiders and their webs, the occasional poisonous snake, etc. but then most are quite beautiful.
Today I got the spider web in the face, but then I saw the first beauty berries of the fall season.
It was a yin and yang kind of walk.
Today I got the spider web in the face, but then I saw the first beauty berries of the fall season.
It was a yin and yang kind of walk.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Today
A day of hellos and goodbyes, students leaving and entering, emotions run deep on these days.
The fear, sadness, excitement, joy, anger, guilt...every emotion you can imagine I saw on faces today.
For the most part hellos work out well, the goodbyes are difficult. You want them to go and live the life they were born to live, to carry their peace and joy and hope with them. But you know there is fear. We talk about the fact that the bad times will still come but hopefully they will be faced with confidence and knowledge. Life is different sober, sometimes you lose friends, people you love, jobs, sometimes you lose everything and you start from the bottom. If you are lucky, you have a support group, not enablers but those who love you and can be strong. You learn the true meaning of one day at a time, one breath at at time.
During the last ten years I have taught thousands. I wake up sometimes in the middle of the night and see someone's face. I might not remember their name, but I know their face and I say a prayer for them and hope that life is treating them kind.
One of my students told me today that every time he came to my class he brought the whole day with him. I told him I knew and that everyone else did the same thing. I laughed and told him I was a tough old bird, I could take it. I learn a lot from my students and I am grateful.
Blessings of peace to all tonight, don't forget to breathe.
The fear, sadness, excitement, joy, anger, guilt...every emotion you can imagine I saw on faces today.
For the most part hellos work out well, the goodbyes are difficult. You want them to go and live the life they were born to live, to carry their peace and joy and hope with them. But you know there is fear. We talk about the fact that the bad times will still come but hopefully they will be faced with confidence and knowledge. Life is different sober, sometimes you lose friends, people you love, jobs, sometimes you lose everything and you start from the bottom. If you are lucky, you have a support group, not enablers but those who love you and can be strong. You learn the true meaning of one day at a time, one breath at at time.
During the last ten years I have taught thousands. I wake up sometimes in the middle of the night and see someone's face. I might not remember their name, but I know their face and I say a prayer for them and hope that life is treating them kind.
One of my students told me today that every time he came to my class he brought the whole day with him. I told him I knew and that everyone else did the same thing. I laughed and told him I was a tough old bird, I could take it. I learn a lot from my students and I am grateful.
Blessings of peace to all tonight, don't forget to breathe.
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