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More musings, but from an upright position......
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<blockquote data-quote="HeadlightsMom" data-source="post: 646449" data-attributes="member: 18284"><p>RE -- Nailed it! Beautiful post! I tell ya, I think you and I are in sync this week. First, I've been battling the crud (officially diagnosis'd as viral laryngitis......no voice, oh, the horror! LOL!). Second, on your China trip...........WOW! Take it, take it, take it! Aaaaaand why do I say this (said the woman who just returned from Disneyland)? Because......wait for it..........wait for it.......... We just booked a trip to Rome last night! No kidding! husband is masterful at finding the cheap deal (how we go most everywhere....standby, the cheap deal, haggling, etc.....because our plan is to go everywhere that's not war-torn or ebola-ridden). We booked Rome for April and are going to use our tax return and save our pennies. We've always wanted to go to Rome and, well, like you said........ </p><p></p><p>Life is for living!</p><p></p><p>I love your Seinfeld bits, always. I just discovered "Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee" about a month ago. Watched a handful of episodes online and enjoyed them immensely. I enjoy Jerry's insights. I heard recently that he attributed many of his insights to feeling certain he was on the autism spectrum to some degree, in being more observant of the micro than the macro. He took that uniqueness and developed it into a talent. I believe all of us have our own mix of uniqueness which we can blend into our own talents. The world is not only a better place for our diversity, it needs our diversity. Diversity also offers infinite combinations for appreciation, enjoyment and fun!</p><p></p><p>Life is for living!</p><p></p><p>I once mentioned some months ago that I had cancer (concluded tx in May, 2012). Yes, the news was scary at first. Yes, surgery, radiation were no fun (although, they were quite doable and if it ever returned, I'd gladly do it with gusto all over again). But what began as a struggle, emerged as one of the most beautiful experiences I ever had. Why? Because I DETERMINED to give everything I had to my health and my happiness. At the time I was taking care of my 84-yo father (assisted living) and difficult child was 21 and, well, you know, being difficult child. He wasn't living with us, but, well, you know.... I told my brother he was in charge of Dad for the next 3 months and I told difficult child he was completely on his own for 3 months (no contact). I took the advice of others I knew who'd emerged from their cancer treatments. One of the best piece of advice one gave me was, "ALWAYS, without fail, make time to laugh EVERY day." I took at her word. I scheduled in time to watch: I Love Lucy, The Big Bang Theory, Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, and every great comedy movie I could find (Galaxy Quest, Austin Powers, Mel Brooks' films, etc). Easy to schedule that down time post surgery........ 'cause, you know, you have lie around a lot. But there's always a way to make that into an enjoyable time! And I ate all the tasty food I wanted (my cousin from SC sent me chocolate-covered strawberries to die for!).</p><p></p><p>Life is for living!</p><p></p><p>What I concluded about my cancer time was this............. Because the diagnosis was so intense, my quest for health and happiness was so intense. When I truly sought it, I found it. The surprise was in the abundance in which I found it. My father and my son both gladly respected me. I was filled with an outpouring of love from so many I value so deeply. And I accepted it ALL. I did not question how much they should give or how much I should accept. I just accepted it ALL...........completely in the moment. I savored those moments. I took time to give gratitude for all of the wondrous things I'd experienced in my life! How I scored marrying husband! How we, who are not wealthy, have found a way to travel so many places (travel adventures with husband are the best!), and how I, who'd had miscarriages, was blessed with difficult child. Yes..........BLESSED WITH difficult child. Even when I was at my wits' end and difficult child was a swirling vortex of mayhem, I'm still grateful for the opportunity to be a mother. His mother. And I'm still grateful to be his mother -- with boundaries. Boundaries make it better. Boundaries are not the enemy. Boundaries are our friends -- some things only mix so well in certain scenarios for so long. That's not harsh. It's making the most out of when it DOES work --- even if those are only for minutes at a time, those minutes are sacred.</p><p></p><p>Life is for living!</p><p></p><p>So, I view life as a combo classroom and cosmic Disneyland of sorts. Yes, there are lessons which can be very difficult. But there's also a new spectacle and thrill ride (the fun kind, not the hair-raising kind! LOL!) around every corner. I don't want to miss any of it. It's all part of the package. </p><p></p><p>When I was in college, I made a point of taking Tues/Thurs classes later in the morning (10 a.m. or later, as opposed to 8 a.m. on M, W, F). I intentionally left an hour early and walked to class (rather than ride my bike in 10-min, like M., W, F)............s-l-o-w-l-y and very mindfully. At first, I was doing it to just slow my life pace. But that first day, I saw a cat sitting on the hood of a car and I stopped to pet him. He purred. I purred. I felt soothed and invigorated concurrently (I'm a big fan of animals). And then I realized, "Ya know, my life should never be so harried and hurried that I don't have time to stop and pet a cat." I still try to live by that. And, fortunately, I every time I see a cat (and the world is loaded with cats, mind you!), I am reminded to re-center, touch that which is warm, fuzzy and fun, and always say THANK YOU for having the opportunity.</p><p></p><p>Life is for living!</p><p></p><p>Lastly, when I have difficult moments which devour me from the inside out (it happens....less often than it used to, but it still happens periodically) and I have trouble appreciating the moment I'm in.... Well, I create something enjoyable in my mind and my life which is right around the bend. Last night, that was booking tickets to Rome! I am grateful for this opportunity! And when I don't have that opportunity, we do exactly what you do, dstc_99.........point the car in any direction and just drive a bit for fun!</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>dstc_99 ---- Fantastic! I love what you're doing to get away in the car, impromptu, no rules, just live by the moment, take some "you" time and have some fun with your husband! That's good livin', girl!</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Tanya M ---- It is an odd feeling at first, isn't it? But then, it was an odd feeling when we first started down immersing ourselves (comes with the parenting territory). But you're so right. Again, fantastic taking those impromptu road trips and explore WITHOUT being immersed in difficult child-dom (even in conversation). My husband had to teach me that because he knew better when to stop discussing difficult child. I did not. But I learned!</p><p></p><p>It's so easy for us to lose ourselves in our difficult child's drama. But at a certain point, we can only do what we can do for them. It is what it is. But we can also do what we can do for ourselves! Our Free Will is what it is, too! Our lives matter, too. They matter to us and to all those who love us and grace our lives with abundant joy!</p><p></p><p>Life is for living! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="HeadlightsMom, post: 646449, member: 18284"] RE -- Nailed it! Beautiful post! I tell ya, I think you and I are in sync this week. First, I've been battling the crud (officially diagnosis'd as viral laryngitis......no voice, oh, the horror! LOL!). Second, on your China trip...........WOW! Take it, take it, take it! Aaaaaand why do I say this (said the woman who just returned from Disneyland)? Because......wait for it..........wait for it.......... We just booked a trip to Rome last night! No kidding! husband is masterful at finding the cheap deal (how we go most everywhere....standby, the cheap deal, haggling, etc.....because our plan is to go everywhere that's not war-torn or ebola-ridden). We booked Rome for April and are going to use our tax return and save our pennies. We've always wanted to go to Rome and, well, like you said........ Life is for living! I love your Seinfeld bits, always. I just discovered "Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee" about a month ago. Watched a handful of episodes online and enjoyed them immensely. I enjoy Jerry's insights. I heard recently that he attributed many of his insights to feeling certain he was on the autism spectrum to some degree, in being more observant of the micro than the macro. He took that uniqueness and developed it into a talent. I believe all of us have our own mix of uniqueness which we can blend into our own talents. The world is not only a better place for our diversity, it needs our diversity. Diversity also offers infinite combinations for appreciation, enjoyment and fun! Life is for living! I once mentioned some months ago that I had cancer (concluded tx in May, 2012). Yes, the news was scary at first. Yes, surgery, radiation were no fun (although, they were quite doable and if it ever returned, I'd gladly do it with gusto all over again). But what began as a struggle, emerged as one of the most beautiful experiences I ever had. Why? Because I DETERMINED to give everything I had to my health and my happiness. At the time I was taking care of my 84-yo father (assisted living) and difficult child was 21 and, well, you know, being difficult child. He wasn't living with us, but, well, you know.... I told my brother he was in charge of Dad for the next 3 months and I told difficult child he was completely on his own for 3 months (no contact). I took the advice of others I knew who'd emerged from their cancer treatments. One of the best piece of advice one gave me was, "ALWAYS, without fail, make time to laugh EVERY day." I took at her word. I scheduled in time to watch: I Love Lucy, The Big Bang Theory, Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, and every great comedy movie I could find (Galaxy Quest, Austin Powers, Mel Brooks' films, etc). Easy to schedule that down time post surgery........ 'cause, you know, you have lie around a lot. But there's always a way to make that into an enjoyable time! And I ate all the tasty food I wanted (my cousin from SC sent me chocolate-covered strawberries to die for!). Life is for living! What I concluded about my cancer time was this............. Because the diagnosis was so intense, my quest for health and happiness was so intense. When I truly sought it, I found it. The surprise was in the abundance in which I found it. My father and my son both gladly respected me. I was filled with an outpouring of love from so many I value so deeply. And I accepted it ALL. I did not question how much they should give or how much I should accept. I just accepted it ALL...........completely in the moment. I savored those moments. I took time to give gratitude for all of the wondrous things I'd experienced in my life! How I scored marrying husband! How we, who are not wealthy, have found a way to travel so many places (travel adventures with husband are the best!), and how I, who'd had miscarriages, was blessed with difficult child. Yes..........BLESSED WITH difficult child. Even when I was at my wits' end and difficult child was a swirling vortex of mayhem, I'm still grateful for the opportunity to be a mother. His mother. And I'm still grateful to be his mother -- with boundaries. Boundaries make it better. Boundaries are not the enemy. Boundaries are our friends -- some things only mix so well in certain scenarios for so long. That's not harsh. It's making the most out of when it DOES work --- even if those are only for minutes at a time, those minutes are sacred. Life is for living! So, I view life as a combo classroom and cosmic Disneyland of sorts. Yes, there are lessons which can be very difficult. But there's also a new spectacle and thrill ride (the fun kind, not the hair-raising kind! LOL!) around every corner. I don't want to miss any of it. It's all part of the package. When I was in college, I made a point of taking Tues/Thurs classes later in the morning (10 a.m. or later, as opposed to 8 a.m. on M, W, F). I intentionally left an hour early and walked to class (rather than ride my bike in 10-min, like M., W, F)............s-l-o-w-l-y and very mindfully. At first, I was doing it to just slow my life pace. But that first day, I saw a cat sitting on the hood of a car and I stopped to pet him. He purred. I purred. I felt soothed and invigorated concurrently (I'm a big fan of animals). And then I realized, "Ya know, my life should never be so harried and hurried that I don't have time to stop and pet a cat." I still try to live by that. And, fortunately, I every time I see a cat (and the world is loaded with cats, mind you!), I am reminded to re-center, touch that which is warm, fuzzy and fun, and always say THANK YOU for having the opportunity. Life is for living! Lastly, when I have difficult moments which devour me from the inside out (it happens....less often than it used to, but it still happens periodically) and I have trouble appreciating the moment I'm in.... Well, I create something enjoyable in my mind and my life which is right around the bend. Last night, that was booking tickets to Rome! I am grateful for this opportunity! And when I don't have that opportunity, we do exactly what you do, dstc_99.........point the car in any direction and just drive a bit for fun! dstc_99 ---- Fantastic! I love what you're doing to get away in the car, impromptu, no rules, just live by the moment, take some "you" time and have some fun with your husband! That's good livin', girl! Tanya M ---- It is an odd feeling at first, isn't it? But then, it was an odd feeling when we first started down immersing ourselves (comes with the parenting territory). But you're so right. Again, fantastic taking those impromptu road trips and explore WITHOUT being immersed in difficult child-dom (even in conversation). My husband had to teach me that because he knew better when to stop discussing difficult child. I did not. But I learned! It's so easy for us to lose ourselves in our difficult child's drama. But at a certain point, we can only do what we can do for them. It is what it is. But we can also do what we can do for ourselves! Our Free Will is what it is, too! Our lives matter, too. They matter to us and to all those who love us and grace our lives with abundant joy! Life is for living! :D [/QUOTE]
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