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The Art of Living

2/27/2016

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 "The art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go      and holding on." - Havelock Ellis

I recently had lunch with one of my closest friends who is a knowledgable and respected counselor. Our discussions are always stimulating and inspirational, as is our friendship and kinship in Christ.

Part of our recent discussion was focused on new research that my friend has come across that shows that the affects of PTSD on soldiers can be effectively treated and cured, if these courageous warrior-heroes can learn to focus on living in the present selectively holding on to the hope of healing peace.

This research is also showing a high percentage of healing and recovery for other maladies such as addictions and unresolved pain and sufferings. 

I am not surprised to learn that there is success in treating PTSD and addictions by encouraging those suffering to transform their thinking and focus on being fuilly present in the here and now. The premise of living "in the moment, one day at a time" is truly freeing.


Do you know the story in the Bible about Lot's wife?  This story means a lot to me and it has served me well throughout my life.  When Sodom and Gomorrah were gonig to be destroyed by God, because of the overwhelming evil and there was not a single righteous person in either of these cities, Lot (Abraham's nephew) was told to leave the cities and to not "look back." This was to be true for Lot and his family, but as they were leaving, Lot's wife looked back and she was turned to "stone."

If I were to focus on looking back in my life, I know that I would surely be like stone, too. As one of my best friends says,
"We aren't looking back, because we're not going that way!"

I absolutely agree that the "art of living" is to possess the ability to live and appreciate the moment, creating beauty along the way.  Can we imagine a world (our world)  where we are consciously focused on "letting go and holding on" to what matters most. This has been my focus since the loss of our son, Kevin, his death has been instrumental in setting me on the path that leads me to the here and now, embracing what is and letting go of what is no longer.This new way of living is definitely an art form that must be embraced, cultivated and a conscious and constant choice.

Are you living artfully?  I would enjoy hearing and sharing how you have become skilled in the "art of living."  And, if you need some help with your artistry, I'm always here to help fellow artisans.

Focused on Living Artfully,
Angie "a mom like you"
www.amotherlikeme.info
amotherlikeme@gmamil.com

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"Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys"

2/23/2016

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June 2015 marked 50 years, since I graduated from High School.
In August, I worked with a team of classmates to host a Reunion weekend in our hometowns of Torrance, Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach, California.

Reconnecting with classmates/friends, I was taken back to a time, when it was easy to be "pulled into other people's nonsense," because we were young, inmature and inexperienced in learning how to best relate to others.

There was a lot of drama in High School and though I tried hard to not be "pulled in," it was almost impossible.

In my younger years, I was primarily others focused - a real people pleaser. and it was easy to become a part of other people's drama.

One of my best friends and I often talk about how much drama we created or participated in. and we always have a good laugh about it, especially when it involved boys - HA!

Going back to my childhood hometowns helped me to realize just how much I have changed and though I am still  "others focused," I have much better boundaries and am no longer a part of anyone's "nonsense."

Setting healthy boundaries for myself, limiting the time I spend with people who create unnecessary drama is so freeing. Growing up and maturing in Christ has set me on a path of peace and contentment, and I am thankful that I am no longer "pulled into other people's nonsense" and that a life of simplicity and peace is a very special life indeed. 

Are you a person who creates drama and pulls others in?  If so, repeat these words after me
​"Not my circus, not my monkeys!" I say this all the time and it works.

Enjoying Peace,
Angie "a mom like you"
www.amotherlikeme.info
​amotherlikeme@gmail.com





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The Dash

2/7/2016

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As my husband, Bob, and I considered what would be etched in our son, Kevin's, headstone, we took our time. We wanted to be sure that what would be permanently written was what we really wanted to say in remembrance of him.

As we roughed out the verbage, I spent hours and days reflecting on Kevin's life from the day of his birth to the day of his passing, so this quote seems very appropriate to me right now, especially because my mother's 94 year old sister, my Aunt Geneva, was born October  17, 1921 and passed from this life on January 31, 2016 and I wish that we had lived closer to one another so that we could have shared in one another's "dash" more than we did.


As we all know, our lives here on Earth definitely have a beginning and ending date, which we have no control over, But what happens between these dates is up to us, isn't it?


One thing I have learned about death is that it calls our attention to the reality that we all have a beginning and an ending date and it makes us more aware that one day our recorded history will include the two dates with little mention of the "dash" between these two dates.
​
There's a commercial that most of us are probably familiar with that ends with the phrase "What's in your wallet." Everytime I see or hear this commercial now, I think about "What's in your DASH?"

As Bob and I continue to be blessed with aging together (and boy are we aging), we are both aware that there probably isn't that much more time to "make the most of the dash," with all that we hope to experience and leave behind as our unspoken legacy.

Until that day when the beginning and ending dates of our life are etched in stone, we are doing all that we can to make the most of  our "dash."

How about you?  "What's in your dash?" 

With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com
www.amotherlikeme.info

​
 



 

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    These blog pages are written by and for moms who have suffered the loss of a child.

    May the reflections and expressions of mothers' hearts be a source of comfort, help and encouragement and may you, like these moms, accept God's great exchange as "He gives beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, praise for the spirit of heaviness . . " Isaiah 61:3

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