A Happy, Well-Fed, Reflective Autumn Sunday!

I know I wrote earlier today, I think I named the post wrong "Love, Peace & Hope" isn't really what the previous entry was about. It was more about accountability and lessening anger, but I was feeling love, peace and hope when I wrote it so perhaps that's what I was thinking when I called it that.

Anyway, after that post, I ate breakfast and cleaned up the house a little. I then took a long, leisurely shower and went to meditation class--it was my second. I go every Sunday, and I really like it.

I'm not turning my back on my Christian Faith, but I'm finding this Meditation Class a nice addition to it. I think that clearing the mind and focusing on ONE thing at a time, and being AWARE of your breath, posture, speech and just overall surroundings is so key to a happier, less stressful life--and who doesn't need that?

I'm learning so much from these classes and I really enjoy them. I did mean to go to church this morning, but I didn't wake up in time, I felt bad, but at least, I'm doing SOMETHING spiritual on Sundays, you know!

To be honest, I enjoyed last week's class better than today's class--last week taught us a bit of Tai Chi (which I tried when I was 14, but was too "in a hurry" to really do it well!) and how speech can either bring joy and hope or misery and pain. So, this week, again, I'm going to try and focus on my how my speech can help bring joy and hope to others, rather than misery and pain. I don't want to spread that around, there's enough of that in the world already.

Speaking of misery and pain--Colin is watching the movie "2012", and I have to say, I have NO desire to watch it. I KNOW 2012 is only a little over a year away, and that the possibly end of the world as we know it is looming--duh--look around! But, I don't want to see a movie about it, I'm very selective about what I watch and it's rare that I ever forget what I do watch so I try really hard not to watch things that might scare me, leave too much of a negative impression on me or scar me for life. I've heard that the movie is fantastic, with great special effects, and I do like John Cusack (he plays in 2012), but still, it's just not my kind of movie. I'm glad, though, that others found it entertaining.

So, tomorrow is my procedure, (endoscopy) and I'm pretty okay with it at this point. I mean, I'm not still in love with the idea of having to have this done, but oh well, I'll get a good, cozy nap out of it! And I KNOW all will be well in the end. I am scared, a bit, and nervous too, but it's nothing I haven't done before and nothing I cannot handle. Right now, I'm in my room typing this entry and that's really all that matters!

Speaking of things that matter, I have 3 and 1/2 hours to stuff my face--no food or drinks after midnight--especially since what I'm having done is an endoscopy (a scope of the esophagus). So far, tonight, I've had Goulash (a yummy almost stew-like concoction my mom makes--it has hamburger, corn, pasta, tomatoes, garlic and onions it and it is sooo good!). For dessert I had caramelized fruit (nectarines & pineapple) with freshly whipped whipped cream--YUM! Oh, and of course I had a salad w/ arugula and my lemon dressing--all so delicious!

All and all, this has been a wonderful Autumn Sunday! It's officially Autumn because I ate goulash! Thanks, mom, by the way, for cooking for me all day--I didn't even mind doing the dishes and hey, doesn't most everyone love their mama's cooking?!

Oh, I almost forgot, tomorrow is "Music Monday" and the song I want to share is one that came to mind today, Garth Brooks' "The River," it's about 20 years old now--an oldie but a goodie! The LYRICS are amazing--"trying to learn from what's behind you and never knowing what's in store, makes each day a constant battle, just to stay between the shores....so don't you sit upon the shoreline, and say you're satisfied, choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tide.....there's bound to rough waters and I know I'll take a fall, but with the Good Lord as my Captain, I can make it through them all." I signed--yes as in sign language--this song in a dance class when I was 7 years old, it was great then, it's a classic today! Here it is:



So, I hope you all have a great week! Today was a really, really good day! I'm all soft and clean (long leisurely showers are really a wonderful luxury in life) well-fed, and happy with my life. Here's hoping everything goes well tomorrow, and that nothing is seriously wrong. I don't think there will be, but positive energy never hurt anyone! :)

Please, Lord, watch over me, the Dr.'s, the nurses and the surgical team. Please let it all go well and surround me with Your angels and Your love.

Thank You for a wonderful Autumn Sunday!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)

Love, Peace & Hope--Happy Sunday!

I knew today would be a better day! I just knew it!

Like I said yesterday, I felt lousy yesterday, I was not the nicest person yesterday--I was tired and drowsy and down. I'm not even sure why, I just was.

But, sometimes, you gotta just go with that. Sometimes, when you feel like that, instead of fighting it, you just have to take a "day-off" as I call it. Perhaps not a literal day off, but just a day when you admit you can't handle a lot more stress, aren't being the person you want to be acting like and just say "today kinda sucks, but tomorrow will better."

And sure enough, tomorrow usually is better!

For starters, I got REALLY GOOD sleep last night and sleep ALWAYS helps EVERYTHING!

Secondly, I woke up to the smell of breakfast being made by my mother, yummy! Fried potatoes and onions--mmmm--so delicious!

Thirdly, I have meditation class today--I'm so excited and I know I need it!

Fourthly, being angry at people doesn't get me anywhere, except sick--literally. It's okay, and natural and even normal at times, to be angry when certain things happen in life--but that doesn't it's okay to take it to a destructive level or shower everyone around you with it. Anger spreads and it spreads fast--and will cause disease--literal DIS-ease. It just isn't worth it. I don't want to be an angry person with a short fuse, and I don't have to be that person.

I do need to meditate, a lot, though--every day. When I do that and I do Tai Chi--I feel better and I AM better.

I do need to continue setting healthy bounduries with people--because a lot of times my anger comes from when I feel like I'm being taken advantage of. People aren't mind readers, and I can't expect them to be.

I also need to continue accepting what I just cannot change. I may never change certain peoples' perception of me. There are people who will always, always want to change me--and yes, people who I--in a perfect world--would like to change also. But neither of that is going to happen. And the last thing I'm going to do is apologize for being who I am, and who I want to be.

I need to sleep, too, and I need to depend on myself. I need to let people make their own choices and face their own consequences, I cannot control what anyone else does. I cannot expect to influence anyone in a positive way by coming at them with anger or disgust.

I'm really good at looking for the positive, counting my blessings and being thankful for the small miracles each and every day, but the above are the things I need to work on--and work on them I will.

Today is a new day--I get to see Miss Claudia in 10 days and Miss Tessa in a little over 20 and it's October--which means it's one of my favorite months of the year! I LOVE October! I always have! I don't like Halloween so much, not my thing, but October itself--it's lovely! It's also cloudy here today so that's awesome! What a relief to not have the sun blarring in my face today!! Wow! Awesome! I love it when it's cloudy!

Oh, and Happy Anniversary to the President & Mrs. Obama today!!! I don't care if you agree with his Presidency or politics or not, keeping a marriage together--especially in the White House--takes guts and skill and love. So, I'm sending them happy marital blessings today!

Thank You, Lord for accountability, cloudy days, introspection, honesty and good home cookin'!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)