Hi, Paul. You nailed it again today for me...our Universes must be running in sync. My depletions come from the news, the health situations of people I care about, never ending to be done list and my seemingly inability to have any control. So, I do similar to you: walk the dog, do some exercising, find one thing that is niggling at me and get it done instead of procrastinating and take "ME" breaks (good cup of tea, mindless tv, sewing) or just staring out at the beauty of the mountains that surround me. It's getting harder and harder, but finding the smiles in things and a good belly laugh whenever I can. Take care, Paul. You do more than you know for many of us.
Thanks for taking a moment to lighten my day - We do seem to be on the same page often... hang in there with me - getting a fes things done today will help us both! <3 P
Thanks for your note Ron. reaching out like you did with this note makes a connection and whenever I do that - I feel a bit better. I hope knowing that I hear you and understand how you are feeling gives you a smile and a glimmer of hope to add to the good stuff already around you today. I had some nice connections at the Genreral Store this morning - even exchanging smiles with strangers help! All good vibes and a hug, P
Thanks for sharing Karen - I am still working on shaking this off... But the notes here help and your note means a lot. Hope you are moving, even if it's slowly towards a more typical day for you! All good vibes and a hug! I sense we are walking together... Paul
Thank you for this post! I see many of your followers are feeling like you about current events. Self care is so important during times like these as well as hope for a better future. More and more people are standing up for what is right so that gives me hope. Glad your dog walk, gym session and trip to the local store helped you! 🩷
The constant stream of news depletes me quickly. I want to stay up with what’s happening, but I feel bombarded by it too often. I get to the point that I just delete everything that is a repeat of a different news source and just read my favorites. Then I turn off my computer and take care of something else. Having my granddaughter to spend time with helps a lot, as she is so joyful and loves to play.
Good Advice. I haven't watched the news on TV since the election - I read the news to stay current now. It's easier to read it than hear it! And yor granddaughter sounds like a wonderful part of your life! Big hug and thanks for being here. P
My son visited this morning and we both feel the same way. You do speak to me most days. He said the daily grind with news is exhausting. We also are dealing with the loss of his Dad and my sweet husband almost a year ago. Health issues and just keeping up with the daily grind demands you take time for yourself. I have no dog to walk but I do have a silly cat that demands my attention. I do believe the majority of this nation feels as you do. Supporting each other is a very important part of getting by. Thank you for helping me every day. May your day only improve. Happy Valentines Day.
I so appreciate your thoughtful note and please let your son know I understand how you are feeling. Loosing a love creates a depth of feelings and emotions that don't just go away... they may soften in time but a year is not a very long time to manage this kind of sadness and loss. Hang in there and enjoy your cat, give eack other an extra hug and remember how blessed you and your son are to have the kind of relationships that let you share these kinds of feelings. Sending you both a hug. Paul
Feeling this way today and scrolling back through your posts for inspiration only to find this one. The constant pressure of meeting tight deadlines, the expectation to put everything on hold to put this fire out but not fall behind on anything else… and yes, current events. I find myself binging re-runs of 80’s sit coms to avoid the noise. They made some good shows back then. I can’t wait for the time change and spring so outdoor time is more doable. Thank you for your constant inspiration.
Thanks again Paul! I think underneath it all there’s a grief we are feeling as the old familiar ways of dominance & control are in the process of dying a painful death before new, healthier ways are born. We are in the uncertain, uncomfortable “in-between” time of change.
I just read a post “When Trust Collapses, Grieving illusion in a world that is waking up all at once” written by Tending The In-Between on Substack. I’d like to hear what you think of it.
For me personally, walking the dog helps, the beauty of Nature and smalls things like hot cocoa, talking with friends, doing my Qi Gong meditative exercises helps, writing, painting, and watching movies with kind, humorous, resilient characters that survive the challenges of life together with their community. All these things help me.
I’m also starting my days like the Buddhist walking monk’s leader recently recommended in his final speech in DC. He said this is very important to do everyday: When you wake up in the morning, do not look at your phone. Go to the bathroom, make your bed and with a pen and paper write these words: “Today is going to be my peaceful day.”
Then read it several times and then say it out loud.
This is how it will be imbedded in your mind, a mind that wants to focus on fears and negativity in its attempt to protect us from harm.
If we want peace on earth & peace in our communities we must become that peace within ourselves. It’s a daily practice to train our minds just like exercising the body. Right now it is crucial we do our best to develop inner peace, like the calm at the center of the hurricane. 🌀
The Vietnamese monk, Thich Nhat Hanh once said that when he & others were in small boats escaping the communists after the war, it was very scary, but just one calm person in the boat would help the whole boat.
Hi, Paul. You nailed it again today for me...our Universes must be running in sync. My depletions come from the news, the health situations of people I care about, never ending to be done list and my seemingly inability to have any control. So, I do similar to you: walk the dog, do some exercising, find one thing that is niggling at me and get it done instead of procrastinating and take "ME" breaks (good cup of tea, mindless tv, sewing) or just staring out at the beauty of the mountains that surround me. It's getting harder and harder, but finding the smiles in things and a good belly laugh whenever I can. Take care, Paul. You do more than you know for many of us.
Thanks for taking a moment to lighten my day - We do seem to be on the same page often... hang in there with me - getting a fes things done today will help us both! <3 P
Major life events and news reports had worn me down. Watching the Monks Walk for Peace filled me with renewed hope and joy
I need to find the latest news on the monks. Thanks for that Janet. <3 P
Hello Paul!
Thank you for all your very creative scribing.
I lost my wife of 53 years to the nasty Alzheimer’s Dementia disease on October 29 of last year.
I am definitely feeling depleted in many ways; especially on this Valentine’s Day.
I prayerfully wish you all things well as your steps proceed through each day.
Ron B.
Thanks for your note Ron. reaching out like you did with this note makes a connection and whenever I do that - I feel a bit better. I hope knowing that I hear you and understand how you are feeling gives you a smile and a glimmer of hope to add to the good stuff already around you today. I had some nice connections at the Genreral Store this morning - even exchanging smiles with strangers help! All good vibes and a hug, P
Thanks for this thoughtful piece, Paul. I want to apologize for being part of your feeling of depletion. You are doing enough, and I appreciate you.
Thanks Ginny - You are not a depleter - You are a glimpse of light and I appreciate you too1 Big hug, P
This is exactly how I woke up today. Your words helped to define it and point me in the right direction. Thank you. Happy Hearts Day today ❤️
Thanks for sharing Karen - I am still working on shaking this off... But the notes here help and your note means a lot. Hope you are moving, even if it's slowly towards a more typical day for you! All good vibes and a hug! I sense we are walking together... Paul
Thank you for this post! I see many of your followers are feeling like you about current events. Self care is so important during times like these as well as hope for a better future. More and more people are standing up for what is right so that gives me hope. Glad your dog walk, gym session and trip to the local store helped you! 🩷
Thanks Susan - I appreciate your note and a, grateful you are here walking this path with me. All good vibes and a hug.
The constant stream of news depletes me quickly. I want to stay up with what’s happening, but I feel bombarded by it too often. I get to the point that I just delete everything that is a repeat of a different news source and just read my favorites. Then I turn off my computer and take care of something else. Having my granddaughter to spend time with helps a lot, as she is so joyful and loves to play.
Good Advice. I haven't watched the news on TV since the election - I read the news to stay current now. It's easier to read it than hear it! And yor granddaughter sounds like a wonderful part of your life! Big hug and thanks for being here. P
My son visited this morning and we both feel the same way. You do speak to me most days. He said the daily grind with news is exhausting. We also are dealing with the loss of his Dad and my sweet husband almost a year ago. Health issues and just keeping up with the daily grind demands you take time for yourself. I have no dog to walk but I do have a silly cat that demands my attention. I do believe the majority of this nation feels as you do. Supporting each other is a very important part of getting by. Thank you for helping me every day. May your day only improve. Happy Valentines Day.
I so appreciate your thoughtful note and please let your son know I understand how you are feeling. Loosing a love creates a depth of feelings and emotions that don't just go away... they may soften in time but a year is not a very long time to manage this kind of sadness and loss. Hang in there and enjoy your cat, give eack other an extra hug and remember how blessed you and your son are to have the kind of relationships that let you share these kinds of feelings. Sending you both a hug. Paul
I appreciate everything you do. Take time and energy to care for yourself.
And I appreciate your note and for being here too! Thanks for sharing, Paul
Me too, Paul. I have turned it around by pausing and doing in-and-out flow work with my breath. Back to center and back to fun!
I know this... and just need to do it! Thanks for sharing and for being here... deep breath in... Big hug too! P
🙏🏼☮️💝❤️🩹🙏🏼☮️❤️
Feeling this way today and scrolling back through your posts for inspiration only to find this one. The constant pressure of meeting tight deadlines, the expectation to put everything on hold to put this fire out but not fall behind on anything else… and yes, current events. I find myself binging re-runs of 80’s sit coms to avoid the noise. They made some good shows back then. I can’t wait for the time change and spring so outdoor time is more doable. Thank you for your constant inspiration.
Thanks again Paul! I think underneath it all there’s a grief we are feeling as the old familiar ways of dominance & control are in the process of dying a painful death before new, healthier ways are born. We are in the uncertain, uncomfortable “in-between” time of change.
I just read a post “When Trust Collapses, Grieving illusion in a world that is waking up all at once” written by Tending The In-Between on Substack. I’d like to hear what you think of it.
For me personally, walking the dog helps, the beauty of Nature and smalls things like hot cocoa, talking with friends, doing my Qi Gong meditative exercises helps, writing, painting, and watching movies with kind, humorous, resilient characters that survive the challenges of life together with their community. All these things help me.
I’m also starting my days like the Buddhist walking monk’s leader recently recommended in his final speech in DC. He said this is very important to do everyday: When you wake up in the morning, do not look at your phone. Go to the bathroom, make your bed and with a pen and paper write these words: “Today is going to be my peaceful day.”
Then read it several times and then say it out loud.
This is how it will be imbedded in your mind, a mind that wants to focus on fears and negativity in its attempt to protect us from harm.
If we want peace on earth & peace in our communities we must become that peace within ourselves. It’s a daily practice to train our minds just like exercising the body. Right now it is crucial we do our best to develop inner peace, like the calm at the center of the hurricane. 🌀
The Vietnamese monk, Thich Nhat Hanh once said that when he & others were in small boats escaping the communists after the war, it was very scary, but just one calm person in the boat would help the whole boat.