Viva la Résistance!

All week long I've had ideas about topics I'd like to write about. I had three ideas alone just driving over to the coffee shop this afternoon. And yet...

 

There's that pesky resistance, digging its heels in and crossing its arms.

 

I'm perplexed. I LIKE writing! Why avoid it? Well, let's see:

• I’m no expert - plenty of folks out there know more than I.
• I had an idea, then read about it on another blog.
• Why would talking about myself appeal to others? Seriously, how many people are reading this blog?

You get the idea. I'm sure I'm not alone in doing this - do you judge yourself into paralysis? The best way to tame my monster is to answer these questions.

 

There is so much to write about! And who's more knowledgeable than myself about fear and love, stumbling and learning? We all have expertise in that. I write about my journey through life as I peel away my layers of fear to expose, and live within, my authentic heart. I have to believe there’s some authority in that.

 

Oh man! Someone else just wrote about "my" idea - That's OK, I can take it and run with it anyway. I can use their material (with links and credit of course) to springboard my own thoughts on the subject. Sharing my love of learning includes connecting my readers with other experiences that help peel the fear away, help them live authentically. I remind myself that my input is about perception and not perfection.

 

This last one is always a tough one. Who cares? I care. I yearn to help others as much as myself. Sometimes helping myself IS helping others. Living by example - and failing and living some more by example - I hope to help others recognize their own sacred humanity as I recognize my own. Selfish? Maybe. I hope not. I find it scary, but good, right, and gratifying.

 

Finally, Gentle Reader, this is where I expose my soft, vulnerable, squirmy inner self: What do YOU get from my blog? I’d really like to read your comments on this.

Lord, thank you for courage. Thank you for friends. Thank you for the ability to self-reflect. Thank you for the hand that reaches out to grasp tightly during moments of vulnerability and uncertainty. Thank you for knowledge.

Majeeda Rosa

How's Your Bubble?

How's your "life bubble" - that comfortable space consisting of practices, people, and opinions that form your reality? We all live in one. It's comfortable. Familiar. Expected: if THIS, then THAT...knowable. We're experts, anthropologists of our own bubble world.

Or are we?

Like any good scientist, this anthropologist needs to conduct some observations. Maybe run some experiments. The native is restless.

Hmmm...do I detect a loss of territory? Have my experiences to date led me to limiting beliefs? Are there concepts and opinions that have become "facts" within my bubble world? Do I discount any challenges to my facts as exceptions to the rule? How about "can't" and "won't" - have they grown like invasive Kudzu? Why "can't" I?

It's hard to challenge reality, uncover the uncomfortable.

The thing I'm most scared of is that there's no such thing as a little change. What if my bubble bursts? Everything expected and knowable is gone. How do you get comfortable with that?

God, in your unfathomable expansiveness, open my mind. Let me gather my thoughts and conclusions not as flowers to collect, but seeds to plant so that they continue to grow. Bless me with foresight learned from experience and judgment that expands with perspective. Help me be comfortable with not knowing and experience the moment for what is rather than what I want it to be. Amen.

Resistance is Futile

This has been a week of grinching, gnashing teeth and banging head. Bad things have happened. Sad things have happened. Misunderstandings and resistance seem to be the actions of the day. Polarization of thought, both in politics and personal life, has occurred repeatedly.

And amongst all this… a simple kindness.

The power of a simple kindness is amazing. At work, my cube mate brought us pretty little flowers. I’ve been so cheered every time I look at them. They calm me down. I’m reminded that nothing is so frantic or important that a simple cup of cheer – whether tea or flowers – shouldn’t be enjoyed. A little touch of grace amidst the chaos.

They remind me to be kind to myself as well as others.

I took a moment to enjoy the flowers. I began to actually notice little scraps of quotes and prayer I keep pinned to my wall, the rosary I made with rose petal beads for my mother many years ago, the cinnamon and checkered tail feather of a flicker I found on a walk. Among the pinnings, I have a card I bought in Glastonbury many years ago; it says:

Just BE

One of the shortest and most profound prayers I can follow.

Take care my friends, and remember the little kindnesses.

Majeeda Rosa