Extraordinary Mundane

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass
But rather learning to dance in the rain.

My friend and I often send each other quotes we like. They really tend to lead themselves towards the more spirtual side… and they shine a light on where our psyche is at any given moment.

Heres the one she sent me today:

Sometimes half the battle is just showing up.

Keep showing up. Even when its hard.

Sometimes God will meet you there.

Sometimes he wont.

But he gave you gifts to get you through.

Use your gifts. Use your gifts.

– Wynonna Judd

Here’s the one I sent her:

Some people are like slinkies,
They don’t really have a purpose,
But they still bring a smile to your face
When you push them down the stairs.

This is a powerful quote on marriage that I love:

I didn’t marry you because you were perfect. I didn’t even marry you because I loved you. I married you because you gave me a promise. That promise made up for your faults. And the promise I gave you made up for mine. Two imperfect people got married and it was the promise that made the marriage. And when our children were growing up, it wasn’t a house that protected them; and it wasn’t our love that protected them - it was that promise.

Thornton Wilder from the play - The Skin of Our Teeth

Life is a gift that is why we must enjoy the present.

Quick post today… it’s busy. On my way to meet a friend, then have to pick up Noah from school and meet hubby at the doctor. John might need to have sinus surgery. Actually, we are pretty sure that is going to be the treatment. But either way, I am a bit more “assertive” and “questioning” medically so I am going along to support him and make sure we at least have a plan for figuring out what is wrong. Hubby tends to not see himself as an active participant in his care. He’s not as much a control freak as I am I guess. I want our medical care to be collaborative. Doctors love me as long as we agree. When we don’t, I’m sorta viewed as a pain the ass.

Then I’ll have a wholloping hour and half of free time if I’m lucky. Maybe get the 4 loads of laundry I never folded yesterday done. Or perhaps write up the two contracts on the house I need finish. Then I have to pick up my daughter. Have an important phone call to take at 3:20 and then have to be at Brownies to collect the final cookie money at 4:10. Then I’ll come home and cook dinner.

I know lots of people really like to be busy all the time. I do not. Yesterday was really my only “free day” and I didn’t spend the time wisely. I like it when my week is loose enough that I can enjoy time with friends without feeling like I have this huge todo list looming over my head and yet I still have free time to blog, surf, read, etc. Yeah. Not many of those days lately.

However I am still meditating every morning. And I think that is centering me a lot. God knows it can’t hurt.

Ok gotta run. Random thought for the day from the Fisher King and Handless Maiden:

Thinking is that cool faculty which brings clarity and objectivity – but provides no valuing. Sensation describes the physical world- but provides no valuing. Intuition suggests a wide range of possibilities- but provides no valuing. Only feeling brings a sense of value and worth; indeed, this is its chief function. Without feeling there is no value judgment.

Two profound thoughts from the start of my meditation this morning. I need to do a blog post on meditation. It’s been a struggle for me but I am really finding it works. Anyway, these thoughts are gifted from the book: The Unmistakable Touch of Grace by Cheryl Richardson:

I believe we all have a set point — A level of success that we feel worthy of or comfortable with. For this reason, when you consider what you want in life, it’s important to think outside your comfort box– to imagine things you’ve never believed you could achieve. It’s perfectly fine to consider things that seem over the top, or out of the realm of possibility. Since you’re learning to design your own lifescape, you’ll want to train yourself to expect (and accept) the best…… So Don’t let your past determine your future. Raise your set point by allowing yourself to think big!

Next thought which is very profound for me:
How would your life change if you were as good at surrendering as you are at trying to be in control?

Also last night, I opened the book and was just reading … and there was a story about someone telling her how uncomfortable life can feel when you achieve your goals. When your “goal ceiling becomes your floor”. You have to take time to emotionally catch up. That’s where I feel like I am right now. I achieved my really big goals. Financially, retirement, adoption, weightloss, plastic surgery… I’ve hit the biggies. I don’t have some big goal to focus towards right now and it feels so strange. I don’t like it. I am just trying to learn to “be” and be happy with it. And I feel a bit like a fish out of water. I tried to find the passage this morning so I could quote it here and discuss it… but I can’t find it now. .. But it’s on my mind.

We are off to go enjoy some excercise in the fresh air and soak up some beautiful sunshine!

This quote is brought to you from pages 20 and 21 of Eve Ensler’s The Good Body. Eve is the author of the Vagina Monologues and I am reading her new book. This passage is from someone talking about their time at Fat Camp. I thought it was poignant and quite funny.

As Camryn said, “this is for all the fat girls.”

Fat is as low, disgusting, as gross as you can get. Like when I’m shopping in the regular stores they always keep the plus sizes in the back like porn. I feel like a ho trying things on and the PLUS SIZE sign is always so huge. Just ’cause I’m fat doesn’t mean I’m blind. “Excuse me, are you going to eat that? ‘Cause if not, can you give it to me? Oh…. She’s saving it for later.”

You know Eve, last night, after the counselors went to sleep, some of us fat girls, we had a wicked night. We stripped off our bathing suits and we went chunky-dunking in the pool. We jumped off the high diving board and made huge waves. Some of the beach chairs just floated away. It felt so good. We did some fat-girl water ballet. Some Swan Ass Lake. We were pointing our chubby toes and kicking our legs. We look so much better naked then in those made for skinny bitches bathing suits. I have to tell you, in the moonlight we were all round and moundy. We looked beautiful.