"Making Progress!"

Slowly, and although I would not say 'surely', I will at least say, tentatively....making progress that is.

For example....

Today I spoke to one of my children about some challenges he is facing.  I listened, told him that I thought he could handle it, and then got off the phone....without offering any advice.  After all, that's his business, not mine, and he was only telling me so that I knew. And better yet, when I got off the phone I felt grateful for his challenges.  I'm willing to bet that it works out to be a blessing!

Switching gears though...

You know what's weird?  It probably says more about me than anyone I may refer to, but I dislike every self help guru that I have ever seen in a video or on television.  I don't know why, but they always seem so pompous.  Like I said, maybe it's just me, as I find most television to be artificial.  Probably it has to be to get watched eh?  And it's not about the whole racket in general, as certainly I have read some great self help books on every topic from mental health, to addiction, to worry, to depression, etc

I think it's just the media.  When I read printed words I can just absorb the writers thoughts without layering my own bias over them.  And I admit I have lots of them, around gender, age, looks, etc.

What reminded me of this was looking up a few online videos of my favourite new author, Byron Katie. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that I would have rejected any advice from her if that had been my first exposure to her.  Her style just turns me right off.

Thankfully I suppose, that wasn't the case because I never heard her talk until after having read her book of quotes, because I can tell you that I think she's brilliant.  There were so many statements that she made that absolutely floored me, and I wish to share a few of them.  I chose never to become a disciple of any one person, but this lady is definitely on my list.

Hmmmm.....forget that!

I just spent the last hour transcribing a whole bunch of stuff from her book, and for some reason got more and more uncomfortable about it as I went on.  While I was halfway through the 13th quote, I deleted them all!!  I can't even say for sure why, because I certainly credited her.

I will leave you with this instead.  This book really affected me.  More I'm sure than anything I have ever read!  If you want a copy send me your address and I will send you one!  I promise!  

That will be a much better way to share her wisdom, and one I am more comfortable with.  After all, there's still a bit of the conservative in me, and I think it's okay if she gets paid a few bucks for her ideas  :)

And don't forget to think about me tomorrow.  Ten kilometre trail run!!  What ever happens, I will be happy with it.  Another promise!

"When I walk into a room I know that everyone in there loves me.  I just don't expect them to realize it yet"---Byron Katie

Love

Peter