feelings

Valentine’s Day Thought

Backstory

It’s Valentine’s Day so of course, my thoughts are of love. This story is a dramatic celebration of love. The words started flowing as I began exploring this elusive emotion and what it feels like and who has it. Clearly stream of consciousness. I hope it brings you joy.

Valentine’s Day Thought

I’ve been trying to grab the feeling of being in love and loved. It’s something so ethereal as to defy description. It makes the very air I breathe sweeter, safer, more nourishing. Look at it from a practical standpoint. If I did not love someone so much and he did not love me, I would still have my same body, my same mind. I would still have the same values to build on and the same education, and age, and looks. But somehow they are all better because I love, and am loved.

You know what amazes me the most? All I have to do to deserve all this love is to be; to exist. To live one day after the other. Just by doing so, I seem to earn his love and devotion.

Am I being silly? Is – is this something unique to me? Or – what a wonderful thought – are there hundreds, thousands, millions of people out there who are as loved as you are, and I am?

Well, my goodness. I think that’s the case. Millions of people are loved and in love. We all experience this wonderment of the soul. I want to meet them all. I want to shake their hands and congratulate them and share their joy. And if you are one of them; oh my, but we are the lucky ones.

P.S. You may have noticed that I never know what to do with the punctuation in our stories – especially since thoughts are often not full sentences. At least my shortcomings don’t show if you are listening to the weekly story or hear it on the radio.

[Show #381]

When Christmas Is Sad

Backstory

On my sad Christmases, I would write. The keys on my computer would fly. It might be spilling all my sorrow, putting my anger into words, shouting out the injustice of my circumstance. Others shed tears to cope. Some go away, avoiding the setting of their last happy holiday. Others return to that special place. Some folks are lost, seeking a means to calm the hurt.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Christmas Sad – #123

There are times when Christmas is sad. You may be missing a loved one, or you may be far away from home, on your own, or you may be the one left behind with your loved one serving of a battlefield halfway across the world. Sometimes it helps to remember not only this sad Christmas, but all of them, stacked up in a row from childhood until now.

Considering all of the holidays in our lifetime, some are bound to be better than others. But, ah, the good ones were really fine. Think about them and you’ll simply HAVE to smile as you remember words and actions, laughter and love.

Take out photos and relive those times, so warm and loving. No one can take those precious memories away. They may be the greatest gift we were given. Once a good thing happens, it can always be conjured up again in your mind. It can always make you smile as you remember, relive and enjoy it all over again.

So this Christmas, whether it’s one of your best or not, may you have the comfort of memories of Christmases past and may you smile and enjoy them all over again.

Wishing you a Christmas with a peaceful heart.

P.S.

It’s so easy to become sour when holiday plans go awry or you are sad. You want to blame someone or take it out on somebody. Instead, do something for someone else – or a lot of elses.

Take over someone’s job so they can be home with family on Christmas.
Serve at a soup kitchen – dressed up nicely for the holiday.
Sit with someone who is ill, so the caregiver can be with family.

As the holidays rush upon us, don’t become the Grinch who stole Christmas. Help bring peace on earth to your little corner of the world, no matter what.

[Show #123]

When Things Go Wrong

A few shows ago, we talked about what to do when something goes wrong.

Regina shared how she handles righting a wrong. She said, “I get silent and listen. I take in as much data as I can. I consider all the consequences of my actions and those of others. I consider all the different ways I can react to it.”

“I try each reaction on like a coat. Does it feel right in my gut? If not, I try another coat and another.”

“I don’t rush it. It may take days. I may ask for advice. I may journal. I may sleep on it or dwell on it for days. I consider whether I can go on without resentment over what was done wrong. I come to the best conclusion and I act.”

“But I have trouble swallowing the resentment. That takes much longer. It does ease, with time. I mature . . . I grow and eventually, I let it go and forgive.”

She points out that – “Forgiveness is like ocean waves. At first you try to forgive and move on, but the waves are so big they take you down with them. You struggle to stand up and forgive again, again you fall.”

“Over the years, the waves get smaller and you learn to step over them. In time they are but a ripple tickling your toes and you enjoy the peace of the ocean once again and you forgive and are at peace.”

[Show #432]