Monday, October 17, 2005
"Ecological" thinking and the road to enlightenment
The only reason we don't open our hearts and minds to other people is that they trigger confusion in us that we don't feel brave enough or sane enough to deal with. To the degree that we look clearly and compassionately at ourselves, we feel confident and fearless about looking into someone else's eyes.
~Pema Chodron (A recent post from a friend reminded me of this)
I recently commented on my mother wanting me to get evaluated and be medicated again. Not one of my better conversations with her to say in the least. I have gotten some feedback on it, not too badly stated from some pretty decent friends of mine. My friend in Chicago stated “I think that you have to work with your body to figure out how things need to be addressed. Yes, there are sometimes "ecological" solutions to the problems. Better diet, better sleep pattern, change in lifestyle (or a move to Chicago... hint hint...) can all help to reduce the problems. "Ecological" just means that you figure out a way to make improvements in a broad way. “On the other hand, imbalances are imbalances. It is just my opinion, but I think it is a good idea to work with the people that are trying to help. Once we figure out how to make the important and necessary changes in our lives, we can find a harmony that makes us happy. :) ” (Sorry, Monseiur Jimmy, but you get picked on today! MUAH!!!)
I think he makes a very good point for all of us, not just me and my current situations. For me, the sleep patterns have always been point of turmoil…I am usually pretty lucky to get more than 3-4 hours a night. And the usual manners of getting that much don’t exactly correspond into something that I care to repeat every night. Alcohol is good, and sex is even better, but my liver can only take so much after my binging and alcohol sickness days of my youth. And my ass needs to keep in shape! Okay, probably too much info, but I am not a shy person, in case anyone hasn’t figured that out by now. Meds leave me too groggy feeling in the morning. I am working on changes in lifestyle, but that is also a little difficult at the moment with working two jobs and sorting through the stress. But I think, overall, I have actually started doing a lot better than I had a six months to a year ago. One of my friends here stated that he has seen me actually trying to do something with my life. In a recent email, he stated “I think you're working hard trying to address some legitimate and significant issues in your life. It's not like you're stirring up drama for the sake of drama.
These same issues are faced by most of people, but you have the balls to face them head on and the confidence and ability to come out of the experience ahead.
I have to resist the urge (like so many others) to paint your picture my way... to make "suggestions" and recommendations that may not apply to you. I trust your outlook and vision of things, and I trust that you'll make good decisions and work hard. That's all that anyone should expect from you.” That makes me feel good that it is obvious that I am working on things…it is hard when you can’t see the results yourself.
Thank you, all of my friends out there who have helped provide the support unknowningly when I couldn’t find it within myself.
“The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible -- and achieve it, generation after generation.”
“If you haven't wept deeply, you haven't begun to meditate.”
~Ajhan Chah
“The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.”
¶ 10/17/2005 04:25:00 AM
~Pema Chodron (A recent post from a friend reminded me of this)
I recently commented on my mother wanting me to get evaluated and be medicated again. Not one of my better conversations with her to say in the least. I have gotten some feedback on it, not too badly stated from some pretty decent friends of mine. My friend in Chicago stated “I think that you have to work with your body to figure out how things need to be addressed. Yes, there are sometimes "ecological" solutions to the problems. Better diet, better sleep pattern, change in lifestyle (or a move to Chicago... hint hint...) can all help to reduce the problems. "Ecological" just means that you figure out a way to make improvements in a broad way. “On the other hand, imbalances are imbalances. It is just my opinion, but I think it is a good idea to work with the people that are trying to help. Once we figure out how to make the important and necessary changes in our lives, we can find a harmony that makes us happy. :) ” (Sorry, Monseiur Jimmy, but you get picked on today! MUAH!!!)
I think he makes a very good point for all of us, not just me and my current situations. For me, the sleep patterns have always been point of turmoil…I am usually pretty lucky to get more than 3-4 hours a night. And the usual manners of getting that much don’t exactly correspond into something that I care to repeat every night. Alcohol is good, and sex is even better, but my liver can only take so much after my binging and alcohol sickness days of my youth. And my ass needs to keep in shape! Okay, probably too much info, but I am not a shy person, in case anyone hasn’t figured that out by now. Meds leave me too groggy feeling in the morning. I am working on changes in lifestyle, but that is also a little difficult at the moment with working two jobs and sorting through the stress. But I think, overall, I have actually started doing a lot better than I had a six months to a year ago. One of my friends here stated that he has seen me actually trying to do something with my life. In a recent email, he stated “I think you're working hard trying to address some legitimate and significant issues in your life. It's not like you're stirring up drama for the sake of drama.
These same issues are faced by most of people, but you have the balls to face them head on and the confidence and ability to come out of the experience ahead.
I have to resist the urge (like so many others) to paint your picture my way... to make "suggestions" and recommendations that may not apply to you. I trust your outlook and vision of things, and I trust that you'll make good decisions and work hard. That's all that anyone should expect from you.” That makes me feel good that it is obvious that I am working on things…it is hard when you can’t see the results yourself.
Thank you, all of my friends out there who have helped provide the support unknowningly when I couldn’t find it within myself.
“The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible -- and achieve it, generation after generation.”
- Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973) American Writer
“If you haven't wept deeply, you haven't begun to meditate.”
~Ajhan Chah
“The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.”
- Chinese proverb
¶ 10/17/2005 04:25:00 AM
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