Category: Wisdom

Snickers doesn’t satisfy!

My buddy Jon Swanson shares this:

I used to argue strongly on behalf of Snickers as a healthy snack. After all, it has peanuts. That makes it healthier than other candy bars like 3 Musketeers that are just fluff.

I was helped in the argument by an ad campaign which affirmed that if you were looking for satisfaction, Snickers was the place to turn. I assume that they were suggesting that it was satisfying primarily for those moments when you are hungry.

What I must acknowledge, however, is that the temporary satisfaction of the hunger pain comes at a nutritional price. There are other options.There are healthier options. But when it’s so easy to go downstairs and get one and there aren’t any of the other options around, you go for the Snickers.

What is more satisfying, I am learning, is being able to buy smaller jeans.

What I am also learning is that I wasn’t just satisfying my hunger. Often, I eat because I don’t want to think. I don’t want to sit still and work through the idea or the tough email or the reflective self-examination or the quiet waiting before God.

I think it’s why God said to Isaiah,

Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

That hunger that I think is for Snickers is actually a deeper hunger, in my soul rather than my stomach. I know full well that we need food. Because we are created with taste buds, I’m pretty sure we are designed to enjoy good food well. I also know that I spend money of snacks not good, time on words that don’t feed.

But I am slowly shifting both foods.

Source: I’m gradually learning that Snickers doesn’t satisfy. | 300 words a day

It sounds like Jon and I have been on a similar path these days; learning about the benefits of exercise and healthy eating all over again…

Jon has his exercise bike and I’m using a ‘real’ bike combined with fitness walking and yoga with my wife to exercise. Jon is setting aside Snickers and I’m drinking nothing but water, tea and coffee and working to make live foods more than 75% of my diet most days. Exercising the body satisfies. Eating healthy — most times organic — foods satisfies. We both agree Jesus satisfies…

All this goodness in my life is flowing from Celebrate Recovery and healing within, fighting and sometimes defeating codependency and other unhealthy habits. I used to look for the quick fix — the silver bullet — but now I look for lasting change and it’s driven by a hunger for ‘real food’…

2

The Gift of Readiness

Melody Beattie writes:

“Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” Step Six of Al-Anon.

We progress to the Sixth Step by working diligently, to the best of our ability, on the first Five Steps. This work readies us for a change of heart, openness to becoming changed by a Power greater than ourselves – God.

The path to this willingness can be long and hard. Many of us have to struggle with a behavior or feeling before we become ready to let it go. We need to see, over and over again, that the coping device that once protected us is no longer useful.

The defects of character referred to in Step Six are old survival behaviors that once helped us cope with people, life, and ourselves. But now they are getting in our way, and it is time to be willing to have them removed.

Trust in this time. Trust that you are being readied to let go of that which is no longer useful. Trust that a change of heart is being worked out in you.

God, help me become ready to let go of my defects of character. Help me know, in my mind and soul, that I am ready to let go of my self defeating behaviors, the blocks and barriers to my life.” via 6/6 Language of Letting Go – SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information.

0

If you’re not the lead dog…

…the view never changes as they say — and sometimes, that’s OK! One of my biggest pleasures in life is watching my wife’s long lean legs as we ride and if she thinks she’s going faster than me, who am I to tell her different… :-D

What’s my point? I’m always thinking. Not always about the right things, but I’m always thinking. Yesterday, taking a bike ride with my wife, it occurred to me that having a healthy relationship is a lot like taking a bike ride with a friend…

Let me take you back a year to the first time I read “Codependent No More”. A friend had suggested I might [and that’s an understatement] suffer from codependency. As I read the book, I realized I was reading about me. I shared the book with my wife and she took her own lessons from it. As we drove to Illinois to celebrate my birthday with family and listening to some of our favorite love songs, we started to realize how deeply codependent so many love songs are and as a result, they affect our perspective of love. Here are some great examples of sappy love songs I’ve listened to for decades [sorry to pick on Bread, but they illustrate my point so well]…

So what’s the answer? For me it’s the analogy of the bicycle ride and this gets back to what I was saying about thinking too much some times and looking for lessons. The thought came upon me that love is less like walking hand in hand sometimes and more like taking a bike ride together. When you ride together, each person is responsible for their own equipment [oil your chain, inflate your tires, select your own gear] and their own ‘balance’ — you have to make sure you don’t fall off your own bike! You can’t hold up your partner and ride at the same time…

When my wife and I ride, we choose a general route or direction, but I can’t pedal her bike for her. We each have a different strategy for hills, etc. — sometimes I like to kick them in the butt by charging breathlessly up them; sometimes I drop into first gear and crawl up them — but the point is I have to drag my own butt up the hill and she has to get up there by herself. I do my work, she does hers and when you get to the top of the hill and pull out the water bottle it’s sweet to be together again…

Reading this you now know why I don’t write my own material often but this is a deep lesson for me that I wanted to document for myself…

Related articles

0

Knowledge and Wisdom

0

Attack shame!

Melody Beattie writes:

“Shame can hold us back, hold us down, and keep us staring at our feet.” Beyond Codependency

Watch out for shame.

Many systems and people reek of shame.  They are controlled by shame and may want us to play their game with them.  They may be hoping to hook us and control us through shame.

We dont have to fall into their shame.  Instead, we’ll take the good feelings self, acceptance, love, and nurturing.

Compulsive behaviors, sexually addictive behaviors, overeating, chemical abuse, and addictive gambling are shame-based behaviors.  If we participate in them, we will feel ashamed.  Its inevitable.  We need to watch out for addictive and other compulsive behaviors because those will immerse us in shame.

Our past, and the brainwashing we may have had that imposed original shame upon us, may try to put shame on us.  This can happen when were all alone, walking through the grocery store or just quietly going about living our life.  Dont think.  Dont feel.  Dont grow or change.  Dont be alive.  Dont live life.  Be ashamed!

Be done with shame.  Attack shame.  Go to war with it.  Learn to recognize it and avoid it like the plague.

Today, I will deliberately refuse to get caught up in the shame floating around in the world.  If I cannot resist it, I will feel it, accept it, then be done with it as quickly as possible.  God, help me know that its OK to love myself and help me refuse to submit to shame.  If I get off course, help me learn to change shame into guilt, correct the behavior, and move forward with my life in immediate self-love.” via Adult Children Anonymous.

Related articles
2

Honesty

Melody Beattie writes:

“Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.” Step Five of Al Anon

Talking openly and honestly to another person about our­selves, in an attitude that reflects self-responsibility, is critical to recovery.

It’s important to admit what we have done wrong to others and to ourselves. Verbalize our beliefs and our behaviors. Get our resentments and fears out in the open.

That’s how we release our pain. That’s how we release old beliefs and feelings. That’s how we are set free. The more clear and specific we can be with our Higher Power, our­selves, and another person, the more quickly we will experience that freedom.

Step Five is an important part of the recovery process. For those of us who have learned to keep secrets from ourselves and others, it is not just a step — it is a leap toward becom­ing healthy.

Today I will remember that it’s okay to talk about the issues that bother me. It is by sharing my issues that I will grow beyond them. I will also remember that it’s okay to be selective about those in whom I confide. I can trust my instincts and choose someone who will not use my disclosures against me, and who will give me healthy feedback.” via June 5: Honesty.

0

For the Next 24 Hours…

Melody Beattie writes:

For the next twenty-four hours…

In recovery, we live life one day at a time, an idea requiring an enormous amount of faith. We refuse to look back—unless healing from the past is part of today’s work. We look ahead only to make plans. We focus on this day’s activity, living it to the best of our ability. If we do that long enough, we’ll have enough connected days of healthy living to make something valuable of our life.

…I pray for knowledge of Your will for me only,…

We surrender to God’s will. We stop trying to control, and we settle for a life that is manageable. We trust our Higher Power’s will for us—that it’s good, generous, and with direction. We’re learning, through trial and error, to separate our will from God’s will. We’re learning that God’s will is not offensive. We’ve learned that sometimes there’s a difference between what others want us to do and God’s will. We’re also learning that God did not intend for us to be codependent, to be martyrs, to control or caretake. We’re learning to trust ourselves.

…and the power to carry that through.

Some of recovery is accepting powerlessness. An important part of recovery is claiming the power to take care of ourselves. Sometimes, we need to do things that are frightening or painful. Sometimes, we need to step out, step back, or step forward. We need to call on the help of a Power greater than ourselves to do that. We will never be called upon to do anything that we won’t be empowered to do.

Today, I can call upon an energizing Power Source to help me. That Power is God. I will ask for what I need.

Beattie, Melody (2009-12-15). The Language of Letting Go (Hazelden Meditation Series) (pp. 122-123). Hazelden. Kindle Edition.

Related articles
0

Letting Go of Being Right

Happy

“How many times have you heard the question, “would you rather be right, or happy?”

It’s always made me a little nuts. Because quite frankly, most times I say, “right, please.” I’ve recently had a change of heart in this matter and hope you will oblige me in exploring the idea of choosing happiness.

Isn’t that funny, I actually have to try to choose happiness.

I used to believe that “right” was an irrefutable fact, thereby making everything and everyone else “wrong.” It seemed to me that “happy” went hand-in-hand with “ignorance is bliss,” and I was not about to wear the dunce cap. So, with my talons firmly embedded in whatever position or idea I was holding, I stood my ground.

In hindsight, I can see that I was simply engaged in black-and-white thinking.

I often encourage my clients in psychotherapy to try to live in the gray. There are a million shades of gray on the spectrum of white to black, and each provides a much richer telling of a story that is hardly ever as clear as this or that. So, when I looked a bit more closely, I saw that “right vs. happy” wasn’t so much about getting crowned the winner or loser, a genius or fool; it was more about my flawed thinking and my desire to feel like I was in control. Yes, that illusion that so many of us want to sink our talons into: Control.

As I reframe the debate of “right vs. happy” to “the illusion of control vs. acceptance / surrender / taking it all a little less seriously,” I can start to see the value in choosing the latter.

Ken Wilber said, “Sometimes you need to allow things to hurt you more, but bother you less.”

Let’s unpack that a little. Why would we want to choose “hurt?” Well, if we are letting go of being right, hurt might mean that we have to grieve. Maybe it’s grieving the idea that we have control and facing our vulnerability. Maybe it’s grieving the dream that never had a chance to be, our attachment to it, and all that we thought it would afford. In this case, we weren’t actually right in the moment, we wanted to eventually be right. It was more of an, “I’ll show you” kind of right.

When we engage in the grieving process—in letting go, the loss no longer has such a tight grip. We can move into the cyclical process of death and rebirth. We can open up to new ideas and experiences. Once this occurs, we are certainly “bothered less.” The unmetabolized grief isn’t gnawing on you like a monkey on your back, and you’re not working so hard to deny its existence. You’ve faced it, taken away its power, and given yourself some choices. And at this point, you are probably a little more “happy.”

Let’s take a moment to define happy in this context. I’m not talking about winning-the-lottery happy, or people-doing-what-you-want-them–to-do happy. Those are external things that we can’t do much about. I’m talking about acceptance happy—where we aren’t in opposition to our own lives. I’m talking about contentment happy. I know, it’s not as flashy as winning the lottery, but trust me, it’s much more attainable and sustainable.

So, the next time your talons are firmly embedded in the position you are holding, see how much grief it is causing you and consider letting it go. Think of it as a social experiment. Perhaps you’ll start with something small, like where to meet your friend for lunch. You may know for certain that the best deli is on the corner of Smith Street, but do you really want to argue that point? I imagine that connecting with a friend about what really matters is much more enjoyable, and far more important.

And when it comes to the bigger stuff, know that you are not alone in having a hard time letting go. We all struggle in this regard. Perhaps you can start with a simple intention to do it differently, knowing that is enough to start the process of moving towards less rigidity, more flow, and ultimately more “happy.” via A Million Shades of Gray: Letting Go of Being Right « Positively Positive.

Related articles
2

Perfection

Melody Beattie writes:

Many of us picked on ourselves unmercifully before recov­ery. We may also have a tendency to pick on ourselves after we begin recovery.

“If I was really recovering, I wouldn’t be doing that again…:’ “I should be further along than I am:’ These are statements that we indulge in when were feeling shame. We don’t need to treat ourselves that way. There is no benefit.

Remember, shame blocks us. But self-love and acceptance enable us to grow and change. If we truly have done some­thing we feel guilty about, we can correct it with an amend and an attitude of self-acceptance and love.

Even if we slip back to our old, codependent ways of think­ing, feeling, and behaving, we do not need to be ashamed. We all regress from time to time. That’s how we learn and grow. Relapse, or recycling, is an important and necessary part of recovery. And the way out of recycling is not by sham­ing ourselves. That leads us deeper into codependency.

Much pain comes from trying to be perfect. Perfection is impossible unless we think of it in a new way: Perfection is being who and where we are today; it’s accepting and lov­ing ourselves just as we are. We are each right where we need to be in our recovery.

Today, I will love and accept myself for who I am and where I am in my recovery process. I am right where I need to be to get to where I’m going tomorrow.” via June 2: Perfection | Language of Letting Go.

0

Don’t Look Back In Anger!

The Daily Love via Visual Inspiration: Don’t Look Back In Anger!.

1

The Accidental Asshole

The Accidental Asshole: Pinpoint How You're Annoying People and Do Something About It

Pinpoint How You’re Annoying People and Do Something About It!

We all have our pet peeves. But have you ever wondered about the annoying things you do that your friends, family, and strangers are too polite to tell you about? I do, and I decided to do something about it.

It’s easy to talk about self improvement, but in reality we’re not that adept at seeing our own faults. The problem is that most people aren’t going to tell you when you’re doing something wrong until it gets to a point where they don’t want to hang around you anymore. I’m the type who’s easily annoyed, so I assume most of my friends and family are as well. It’s also no secret that humans as a race have a lot of pet peeves, whether it’s at the office, on a mobile phone, or in a restaurant.

To find out how I may be annoying the people around me, I wanted to open up a dialogue where friends and strangers could give me a performance review to help me pinpoint when I’m being an asshole and actually do something about it. Here’s how I did it, and how you can do the same.” Get more here: The Accidental Asshole: Pinpoint How You’re Annoying People and Do Something About It.

1

Happiness Tip

notsalmon via Happiness Tips via Bhutan and Bentham.

0

Just in case you missed this for 5/30/2012

  1. Todd’s tweets…

  2. toddlohenry
    Best Money Tips: Easy Ways to Save Money This Summer http://bit.ly/Kc3wlW

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 08:20:05

  3. toddlohenry
    May 30 http://bit.ly/L4Ifq7

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 08:10:04

  4. toddlohenry
    When Other People Won’t Change http://bit.ly/JUAQHV

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 08:00:11

  5. toddlohenry
    Are You Making Someone Else Your Higher Power? http://bit.ly/JPgotH

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 07:50:04

  6. toddlohenry
    San Francisco throws a party for Golden Gate Bridge’s 75th birthday http://fb.me/1G2hIbQdo

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 07:47:18

  7. toddlohenry
    Life Lessons from Solitaire http://bit.ly/JPebi8

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 07:40:03

  8. toddlohenry
    3 Simple Ways to Follow Your Bliss http://bit.ly/KbQMLu

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 07:30:31

  9. toddlohenry
    Is Fear of Success Limiting Your Productivity? http://bit.ly/JtzxjD

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 07:20:06

  10. toddlohenry
    Love Defines You! http://bit.ly/JtzwMC

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 07:10:12

  11. toddlohenry
    Keep It Glassy: Say Goodbye to Plastic http://bit.ly/JPc7Xt

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 07:00:36

  12. toddlohenry
    Stop Blaming Your Parents. Give It Up. Stop. Let It Go! http://bit.ly/LGYZX9

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 06:50:08

  13. toddlohenry
    Every Day Is A Rite Of Passage! http://bit.ly/LGYY5i

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 06:40:03

  14. toddlohenry
    “If You’re Happy and You Know It: 6 Ways to Grow Your Child’s Emotional Literacy” http://bit.ly/KbWsWy

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 06:34:04

  15. toddlohenry
    5 Life Lessons from Solitaire http://bit.ly/LGYYST

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 06:30:18

  16. toddlohenry
    8 Life Lessons From Yoga Workshop http://bit.ly/KbVt90 @jackiedumaine

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 06:25:16

  17. toddlohenry
    #014: Building Your Platform, Part 2 [Podcast] http://bit.ly/LFMjeX

    Todd Lohenry

    Wed, May 30 2012 06:20:02

  18. toddlohenry
    If you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree… http://bit.ly/JT6Bkz

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 20:40:03

  19. toddlohenry
    Facebook drop reaches 10%, below $29 http://cnnmon.ie/N8k5Nb

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 20:30:10

  20. toddlohenry
    I’m at Lakeside Community Church (Algoma, WI) http://4sq.com/M4iXNN

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 20:29:51

  21. toddlohenry
    Our World Needs More Whimsy, Part 2 http://bit.ly/N8k7Vq

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 20:20:03

  22. toddlohenry
    Irish Fest brings music to the marina http://bit.ly/N8k4bZ

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 20:10:06

  23. toddlohenry
    Donald Driver says he’s headed back to Packers – NFL News http://bit.ly/KatJBo

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 20:00:05

  24. toddlohenry
    What is Pillow Talk and How to Make It Better? http://bit.ly/KatGpr

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 19:50:08

  25. toddlohenry
    Rural Tourism is More Than Just Agritourism http://bit.ly/N8jTh5

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 19:40:02

  26. toddlohenry
    A wedding announcement guaranteed to make a white supremacist’s head explode. http://bit.ly/KatG8G

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 19:30:24

  27. toddlohenry
    Justin Bieber tops cheesiest celeb poll http://bit.ly/N8jOd9

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 19:20:02

  28. toddlohenry
    The craziest Unhinged Badger http://bit.ly/KatEOh

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 19:10:05

  29. toddlohenry
    Donald Driver Set To Restructure Deal, Re-Join Packers http://bit.ly/KatExD

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 19:00:40

  30. toddlohenry
    The wide open future of the art museum: Q&A with William Noel http://bit.ly/KatEhf

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 18:50:06

  31. toddlohenry
    Soft Drinks http://bit.ly/N8jJGe

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 18:40:05

  32. toddlohenry
    The Chatter: Did Walker or Barrett Win Debate? http://bit.ly/KatBlD

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 18:30:26

  33. toddlohenry
    Power to the Pews: Internal Marketing http://bit.ly/KrIP3Y

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 18:20:04

  34. toddlohenry
    Dry erase paint turns any wall into fun space http://bit.ly/LELTWa

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 18:10:13

  35. toddlohenry
    On being connected… http://bit.ly/JSU2FV

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 18:00:12

  36. toddlohenry
    What do I do… http://bit.ly/LEE0jD

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 17:50:02

  37. toddlohenry
    I’m at Caffé Tlazo (Algoma, WI) http://4sq.com/Lcpcdi

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 17:44:44

  38. toddlohenry
    The best time to start positively changing your life… http://bit.ly/KEIXM3

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 17:40:04

  39. toddlohenry
    Be faithful in small things http://bit.ly/LCZmlq

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 17:30:25

  40. toddlohenry
    The Tiny Guide to Creating the Flossing Habit http://bit.ly/K9a6Ji

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 17:20:13

  41. toddlohenry
    Pigeon of Discontent: “I Envy My Friends.” http://bit.ly/L1LgaN

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 17:10:11

0

Rethinking social networking

1

Let go and let God

Melody Beattie writes:

A friend was experiencing some financial difficulties. He was getting to the point of despair. “I don’t know what to do,” he said.

“Why don’t you ask God?” I said.

“I couldn’t do that. I’ve already asked God too many times to bail me out.”

“I don’t mean ask God to bail you out,” I said. “Ask God to show you what to do.”

“I never thought of that,” he said.

We all have access to the greatest resource in the world. We don’t have to sign up, register, or pay dues. Wherever we are, whatever we’re facing, all we need to do is ask our Higher Power what to do next. Why is it that the simplest things in life can be the hardest things to do?

Application: Got financial problems? Relationship problems? Facing a quandary in life? Stepping into the vast wilderness called the unknown? If we’ve run out of our own answers, it is time to ask for guidance. Or better yet, we can ask for guidance before running out of our own resources. Asking for guidance—for knowledge of God’s Will for us and the power to carry that out—is a good thing to do as needed and each day.” via May 30.

1

Affirm Yourself…

Cover of "The Language of Letting Go (Haz...

Melody Beattie writes:

Who or what do you want to become? A good parent? A sober, recovering person? A good girlfriend, boyfriend, or spouse? Do you want to become happy, peaceful, tolerant? Don’t wait until you’re successful to tell yourself you’re that. Start now by saying you are what you want to become instead of reinforcing the words I’m not. Yes, you have much to learn. Yes, there’s a ways to go on that path. And you may not be proficient at it, or an expert, yet. But you don’t have to be to say those two little words I am.

Help create the new part of your personality by using and affirming those powerful words I am. Then watch as a new part of yourself emerges.

God, help me use my creative powers to create a better, more fulfill­ing life. Help me use the words I am to create who you and I want me to be…

via April 23: Affirm Yourself | Language of Letting Go.

Related articles
9

Are You Making Someone Else Your Higher Power?

Mastin Kipp writes:

A definition of interdependence is: “a reciprocal relation between interdependent entities.”

The key word here is: “reciprocal”. Interdependence can be thought of as a relationship where each party gives and receives from his or her own internal overflow. This is TOTALLY different than “codependence” which can be thought of as being “addicted to someone”.

Another way to look at it, spiritually, is this:

A codependent person makes someone else his or her Higher Power. An interdependent person knows that The Uni-verse is their Higher Power and keeps their focus on that, while choosing to be in a relationship with someone else who is also looking to The Uni-verse to fulfill them.” Get more here: Are You Making Someone Else Your Higher Power?.

If any of this gives you pause to think, you might want to take a look at Melody Beattie‘s book Codependent No More — it’s full of pratical thoughts, tools and tactics for taking codependency head on. You can download a free sample here. I first became aware of this issue in my life about a year ago but this book, the accompanying workbook and her meditation book “Language of Letting Go” have been helpful to me in overcoming codependency and having better relationships…

6

On being connected…

LOL. ‘Make me one with everything’…

What did the Buddhist monk say to the hot-dog vendor? Can you make me one with everything?

I was buckling my seat belt in the little Cessna one day, get­ting ready for flight training, when my instructor Rob turned to me.

“I just take a second when I strap myself in and tell myself I’m becoming one with the plane as I do,” Rob said. “It really helped me in the beginning when I was nervous and felt so separate from the airplane.”

What a great idea, I thought. That day turned into one of my most comfortable flying sessions. It reminded me of a lesson I had learned a while back.

For most of my life, I felt disconnected from things: from myself, from other people, from life. That feeling of separate­ness haunted me. It explains why I tried so desperately to attach myself codependently to people, places, and things.

Over the years, I began to see that my separateness was an illusion. The same energy, the same life force, that runs through all the universe runs through you and me, too.

We’re connected, whether we know it or not.

Nobody has to make you one with everything. You already are.

Let go of your illusion of separateness.

Connect yourself.

God, help me know my oneness with the world. Help me know how connected I really am so I don’t have to connect in ways that don’t work.

via April 15: Connect Yourself | Language of Letting Go.

Something else I like about Melody Beattie — she’s a pilot, or at least a student pilot…

Related articles
0

Be the Hero of Your Own Life

“Many of us look outside of ourselves for our heroes, our inspiration. But what does it look like to look inwards…and discover the hero that’s been there all along.” Be the Hero of Your Own Life via Be the Hero of Your Own Life « Positively Positive.

0

Twenty years from now…

Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain via Quote of the Day.

3

Just in case you missed this for 5/29/2012

  1. “I really, deeply believe that dreams do come true. Often, they might not come when you want them. They come in their own time.”

    – Diana Ross

    Today’s Quotes: BEYOND The Dark Night!

    Tue, May 29 2012 06:52:39

  2. Inspirational poster

    toddlohenry

    Thu, Dec 03 2009 19:00:00

  3. Todd’s tweets…

  4. toddlohenry
    Be the Hero of Your Own Life http://bit.ly/JLiR8E

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 08:10:06

  5. toddlohenry
    3 Steps for Riding the Waves of Anger http://bit.ly/JLiQkU

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 08:00:16

  6. toddlohenry
    May 29 http://bit.ly/JLiOtm

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 07:50:02

  7. toddlohenry
    Are You Letting Yourself Be Drained By An Emotional Vampire? http://bit.ly/JLiOd4

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 07:40:02

  8. toddlohenry
    Your Dreams Are Making You Smarter http://bit.ly/JKr1CK

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 07:30:03

  9. toddlohenry
    Are You Using Coffee As A Crutch For Happiness? http://bit.ly/JLiMBS

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 07:20:01

  10. toddlohenry
    How to Say No When You Feel Pressured to Say Yes http://bit.ly/JKr15O

    Todd Lohenry

    Tue, May 29 2012 07:10:09

  11. toddlohenry
    Supergirl Photo Op http://chzb.gr/MTSrWs

    Todd Lohenry

    Mon, May 28 2012 20:30:03

  12. toddlohenry
    Ocean Inspired: Bringing the Beach Inside http://bit.ly/JQHY89

    Todd Lohenry

    Mon, May 28 2012 20:20:02

  13. toddlohenry
    Does Optimism Make You Live Longer? http://huff.to/LBn0eb

    Todd Lohenry

    Mon, May 28 2012 20:10:06

  14. toddlohenry
    Quote of the Day; Memorial Day http://bit.ly/KRdi6C

    Todd Lohenry

    Mon, May 28 2012 20:00:34

  15. toddlohenry
    San Francisco throws a party for Golden Gate Bridge’s 75th birthday http://bit.ly/Klql51

    Todd Lohenry

    Mon, May 28 2012 19:50:05

  16. toddlohenry
    Dear Monday… http://bit.ly/KRdeE0

    Todd Lohenry

    Mon, May 28 2012 19:40:02

  17. toddlohenry
    12 “song of the summer” contenders http://bit.ly/L8WFoT

    Todd Lohenry

    Mon, May 28 2012 19:30:17

  18. toddlohenry
    San Francisco throws a party for Golden Gate Bridge’s 75th birthday http://bit.ly/KlpTUq

    Todd Lohenry

    Mon, May 28 2012 19:20:05

  19. toddlohenry
    Best review of Twilight ever written… http://bit.ly/JxjVjS

    Todd Lohenry

    Mon, May 28 2012 19:10:05

  20. toddlohenry
    The truth about common sense… http://bit.ly/KRbgmQ

    Todd Lohenry

    Mon, May 28 2012 19:00:05

  21. toddlohenry
    Axl Rose releases a new single… http://bit.ly/JxjV3d

    Todd Lohenry

    Mon, May 28 2012 18:50:03

  22. toddlohenry
    Review: Will Brain Trainer iPhone App Make You Smarter? http://bit.ly/KRbgTS

    Todd Lohenry

    Mon, May 28 2012 18:40:03

  23. toddlohenry
    The Commoditization of Expertise and Why You Should Never Trust a Guru http://bit.ly/JxjSnY

    Todd Lohenry

    Mon, May 28 2012 18:30:22

  24. a picture for you

    toddlohenry

    Mon, Sep 20 2010 20:00:00

1

Start a Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑