About Me
- SueBear
- “The moment inbetween what you once were, and who you are now becoming, is where the dance of life really takes place.” ~ Barbara De Angelis "Nothing happens without personal transformation." I decided one day I wanted to change. I wanted more from life. I realized that if you want more, YOU have to make it happen. You have to go to it and create it. The most powerful weapon against a mediocre life is practice. And just like a fire, the human spirit needs to be lit again each day.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
it's my birthday, it's my birthday...
So, I have been working really hard lately....trying to boulder more and strength train, etc. Now I'm climbing stronger than ever. I just wish I could start getting on the sharp end of things though. I'm still not there yet. Too scared. However, the more 10s I can start climbing on and start feeling more comfy on, I feel like I'll be leading soon.
As of the end of last week though, I got the flu on top of bronchitis! UGH! So, yeah, now that I kinda feel better overall, my chest is still full of that crap! I need rest. No climbing! This sux. I'm hoping though that this rest will actually help me instead of make me weaker. I hope to be back in the gym on Thursday. Keeping my fingers crossed!
I'm 35 today! Whoo-hoo! I'm not really where I thought I would be at 35. I'm not making the money nor do I have that dream job i thought I would have, but I never knew either that I would be climbing on big rocks and having awesome friends that I have! I still don't know if I will ever meet that man of my dreams, but everything happens for some kind of a reason. Life is mysterious.
As of the end of last week though, I got the flu on top of bronchitis! UGH! So, yeah, now that I kinda feel better overall, my chest is still full of that crap! I need rest. No climbing! This sux. I'm hoping though that this rest will actually help me instead of make me weaker. I hope to be back in the gym on Thursday. Keeping my fingers crossed!
I'm 35 today! Whoo-hoo! I'm not really where I thought I would be at 35. I'm not making the money nor do I have that dream job i thought I would have, but I never knew either that I would be climbing on big rocks and having awesome friends that I have! I still don't know if I will ever meet that man of my dreams, but everything happens for some kind of a reason. Life is mysterious.
Wow!
Sometimes, Sue, having more fun and being happier comes from looking for each in crazy, new places; instead of waiting for them to come from where you've found them before or where others are now finding them.
And I do mean crazy. Not just from the old standbys of travel, adventure, and romance, but from stretching, reaching, and growing. Accepting new responsibilities for your happiness, totally accepting others, and grasping even higher ideals. Philosophically taking yourself to places few have ever dared before.
Red hot smokin' love,
The Universe
There's always a higher level to go, Sue, when it comes to happiness.
And I do mean crazy. Not just from the old standbys of travel, adventure, and romance, but from stretching, reaching, and growing. Accepting new responsibilities for your happiness, totally accepting others, and grasping even higher ideals. Philosophically taking yourself to places few have ever dared before.
Red hot smokin' love,
The Universe
There's always a higher level to go, Sue, when it comes to happiness.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
a blog from another blog!
Mindfulness and Psychotherapy
Regaining Control of Your Life: Monday’s Mindful Quote with Tara Brach
Posted: 22 Feb 2010 09:24 AM PST
There is a tradition on the Mindfulness and Psychotherapy blog. Every Monday, I cite a quote or a poem that is related to mindfulness and psychotherapy in some way and then explore it a bit and how it is relevant to our lives. For me, quotes and poetry can often sink me into a state of greater understanding. So for today, here is a quote by Tara Brach:
"When we put down ideas of what life should be like, we are free to wholeheartedly say yes to our life as it is."
Well, here we are again, the “shoulds.” Or the classic saying, “I need to stop shoulding on myself.”
What should life be like anyway? Should it be like the stories and images we see in a romantic comedy? Should it be like the destruction and chaos we see in suspense or horror flick? Or maybe we should all be traveling a stream of light blissfully riding the love train.
Well, here are 3 realities of life to chew on:
Life is like this — What’s this? It is exactly whatever you are experiencing right now.
Here’s another reality, life is always changing. That means that whatever “this” is right now, will become something else.
One last truth, we are active participants in our health and well-being.
However, it takes saying “yes to our life as it is” in order to have a choice in how we want to make a change.
In other words, if we are feeling sad, it’s important acknowledge this so we know the reality of the moment and what are capabilities are. We can choose to feel the sadness or if we are really depressed and we feel the sadness will take us down a deep dark rabbit hole, maybe we can just acknowledge it, let it be, and choose to do something different in the moment.
So, I guess there’s a fourth truth: Being present to life as it is, is a prerequisite for having more choice in life.
The beauty of this is that we can actually cultivate the ability to become more present to our lives by practicing mindfulness.
(Here is a short video to practice right now – you may have already viewed this, but even so, one practice in mindfulness is to bring a beginner’s mind to any practice, as if it was for the first time).
So at the end of the day, there are some things we can’t choose (i.e. our genetics, our biological or inherited families, some life events), but in being present we can choose how we want to relate to them and that can make all the difference.
To hear more about Tara Brach, you may want to check out interviews with her on 5 Keys to Emotional Freedom and Radical Acceptance.
As always, please share your thoughts, stories and questions below. Your interaction provides a living wisdom for us all to benefit from.
Regaining Control of Your Life: Monday’s Mindful Quote with Tara Brach
Posted: 22 Feb 2010 09:24 AM PST
There is a tradition on the Mindfulness and Psychotherapy blog. Every Monday, I cite a quote or a poem that is related to mindfulness and psychotherapy in some way and then explore it a bit and how it is relevant to our lives. For me, quotes and poetry can often sink me into a state of greater understanding. So for today, here is a quote by Tara Brach:
"When we put down ideas of what life should be like, we are free to wholeheartedly say yes to our life as it is."
Well, here we are again, the “shoulds.” Or the classic saying, “I need to stop shoulding on myself.”
What should life be like anyway? Should it be like the stories and images we see in a romantic comedy? Should it be like the destruction and chaos we see in suspense or horror flick? Or maybe we should all be traveling a stream of light blissfully riding the love train.
Well, here are 3 realities of life to chew on:
Life is like this — What’s this? It is exactly whatever you are experiencing right now.
Here’s another reality, life is always changing. That means that whatever “this” is right now, will become something else.
One last truth, we are active participants in our health and well-being.
However, it takes saying “yes to our life as it is” in order to have a choice in how we want to make a change.
In other words, if we are feeling sad, it’s important acknowledge this so we know the reality of the moment and what are capabilities are. We can choose to feel the sadness or if we are really depressed and we feel the sadness will take us down a deep dark rabbit hole, maybe we can just acknowledge it, let it be, and choose to do something different in the moment.
So, I guess there’s a fourth truth: Being present to life as it is, is a prerequisite for having more choice in life.
The beauty of this is that we can actually cultivate the ability to become more present to our lives by practicing mindfulness.
(Here is a short video to practice right now – you may have already viewed this, but even so, one practice in mindfulness is to bring a beginner’s mind to any practice, as if it was for the first time).
So at the end of the day, there are some things we can’t choose (i.e. our genetics, our biological or inherited families, some life events), but in being present we can choose how we want to relate to them and that can make all the difference.
To hear more about Tara Brach, you may want to check out interviews with her on 5 Keys to Emotional Freedom and Radical Acceptance.
As always, please share your thoughts, stories and questions below. Your interaction provides a living wisdom for us all to benefit from.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
interestingly enough....
I checked my TUT message this morning, and guess what? It is so dead on! Lately, it really has. Crazy!
It totally applies to several things that have been going on my life lately....how could it know this? ;)
Sometimes, Sue, when things take longer than you thought they would, it's just a gentle reminder from your greater self (me), that you have more time than you thought, and that there's a journey to enjoy.
Yeah, like all the time in the world.
The Universe
***Besides, Sue, just because it's taking longer than you thought it would, doesn't mean stuff isn't happening, even as you read these words.
It totally applies to several things that have been going on my life lately....how could it know this? ;)
Sometimes, Sue, when things take longer than you thought they would, it's just a gentle reminder from your greater self (me), that you have more time than you thought, and that there's a journey to enjoy.
Yeah, like all the time in the world.
The Universe
***Besides, Sue, just because it's taking longer than you thought it would, doesn't mean stuff isn't happening, even as you read these words.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
to each his own...
You're right, Sue; too much self-discipline will discourage your playful, wandering imagination. It'll snuff out the flames of inspiration and creativity. And it'll weigh you down with routines and logic. It simply isn't "spiritual."
But, then, neither is too little.
Tallyho,
The Universe
***Just think what you know to think, say what you know to say, and do what you know to do, Sue. Every day, lots and lots.
But, then, neither is too little.
Tallyho,
The Universe
***Just think what you know to think, say what you know to say, and do what you know to do, Sue. Every day, lots and lots.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
took the words right out of my mouth!!!
You might call it spiritual logistics, Sue, but sometimes you have to move away, to get closer.
Or you might just call it weird.
Either way, it helps to remember it from time to time.
Tallyho,
The Universe
***And while we're at it, Sue, sometimes you have to let go, to stake your claim. Be still, to move forward. Give, to receive. Cry, to feel the joy. Pretend, to make it real. Fake it, before you make it. And sometimes, oddly enough, you must first decide to feel their love, to find it was there all along.
Or you might just call it weird.
Either way, it helps to remember it from time to time.
Tallyho,
The Universe
***And while we're at it, Sue, sometimes you have to let go, to stake your claim. Be still, to move forward. Give, to receive. Cry, to feel the joy. Pretend, to make it real. Fake it, before you make it. And sometimes, oddly enough, you must first decide to feel their love, to find it was there all along.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Quote for the day!
“The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.”
~ Pema Chödrön
~ Pema Chödrön
from a friend
Dear Friend,
Despite the high opinion
I have of you
I know that you’ve been feeling down lately
And for you have touched my heart
In so many ways
I hope that the words reaching you
This very moment
Don’t lose any of the love they were written with
For they certainly don’t lose any truth:
No matter how hard it might rain,
The sun will always shine again.
Despite the high opinion
I have of you
I know that you’ve been feeling down lately
And for you have touched my heart
In so many ways
I hope that the words reaching you
This very moment
Don’t lose any of the love they were written with
For they certainly don’t lose any truth:
No matter how hard it might rain,
The sun will always shine again.
Monday, February 8, 2010
thawing out
In hot yoga Friday night, we talked about how everything is thawing out for spring. All of the snow and ice storms have come, and now spring is around the corner. Things will start thawing out soon.
Our hearts can now thaw out for another year to evolve and grow. Everyone changes each year, hopefully they do! We talked about our hearts and about how much we will give this year and how much we will open ourselves up...what shape our hearts will be in this year.
I look forward to every spring and to every new year. Especially since I started climbing.
Now, for some reason, I am not. I have no clue what shape my heart will be in after it thaws.
I think it has been frozen in denial for quite some time. Like when your toes are frozen (or they feel like they are frozen...b/c they are numb). With the thawing, comes the feeling...the numbness wears off and then you feel pain.....my heart is starting to really see the reality of this 'thaw'.
I thought about it on my mat during class. I felt sad. I have no idea what i will be able to give this year. Do i run and hide or just throw myself out there and see what happens? I'm afraid. Most people run as soon as they start to feel something....something they are afraid of. I don't really want to be one of those people.
If thawing out brings pain, then the tears just mean that you are really strong. Those who can't show emotion...those who can't be vulnerable at all are not strong. Feelings and emotions are not a sign of weakness. It shows strength. I guess there is truth to my favorite quote, "Courage is being scared to death...and saddling up anyway." Well, I'm scared to death...
Maybe this spring means mingling in a different light? New connections?
Will I still saddle up?
Our hearts can now thaw out for another year to evolve and grow. Everyone changes each year, hopefully they do! We talked about our hearts and about how much we will give this year and how much we will open ourselves up...what shape our hearts will be in this year.
I look forward to every spring and to every new year. Especially since I started climbing.
Now, for some reason, I am not. I have no clue what shape my heart will be in after it thaws.
I think it has been frozen in denial for quite some time. Like when your toes are frozen (or they feel like they are frozen...b/c they are numb). With the thawing, comes the feeling...the numbness wears off and then you feel pain.....my heart is starting to really see the reality of this 'thaw'.
I thought about it on my mat during class. I felt sad. I have no idea what i will be able to give this year. Do i run and hide or just throw myself out there and see what happens? I'm afraid. Most people run as soon as they start to feel something....something they are afraid of. I don't really want to be one of those people.
If thawing out brings pain, then the tears just mean that you are really strong. Those who can't show emotion...those who can't be vulnerable at all are not strong. Feelings and emotions are not a sign of weakness. It shows strength. I guess there is truth to my favorite quote, "Courage is being scared to death...and saddling up anyway." Well, I'm scared to death...
Maybe this spring means mingling in a different light? New connections?
Will I still saddle up?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
And I'll say it again!
"When you let your own light shine, you unconsciously give others permission to do the same."
Friday, January 29, 2010
The Final Analysis
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is all between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.
- -Mother Theresa-
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is all between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.
- -Mother Theresa-
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Another TUT Message
People who do all they can, with what they've got, from where they are, Sue, no matter how puny their actions, how tiny their steps, or how futile it may seem, simply have more fun.
Way.
Of course, to the uninitiated it doesn't appear that way. To them it appears as if only those taking gigantic leaps, who drive cars with fancy wheels, have loads of friends, perfect bodies, and fly around the world in First Class Sleeper Seats, are having fun. But what they don't realize is that we're often talking about the very same folks, just at different points in their journey.
Coffee, tea, or a brand new Bentley?
The Universe
Monday, January 25, 2010
Lighten Up!
One of my goals for my life is to be more mindful...meaning being in the present moment more.
At age 25, I was diagnosed with a disabling, chronic pain syndrome called Fibromyalgia. There has been a ton of new research, and there is a lot more information out there about this disease than there used to be. Before that, I never really understood what was wrong with me. I just knew that if I did certain activities, I would hurt...and I hurt if I didn't do anything at all...or I just knew that I was afraid to participate in certain activities for fear of hurting...or rather that I could not do certain things at all. I felt like a 25 year old women trapped inside of an eighty something's body...except that body looked 25!
I'm sure other chronic pain sufferers know what I'm talking about...regardless of what causes your chronic pain...fortunately, mine is non-degenerative.
I never really got answers for my pain. I thought I was going crazy at times. Why do I hurt like this when there is nothing 'wrong' (according to x-rays and blood tests)? So I kind of let it take over my being.......it was my past and present and going to be my future! Pain was who I was...pain kept me on the couch...a lot. I never knew back then what I could be capable of doing today!
I've never really been a quitter though either.
All of these years, I did my own research on FMS (Fibromyalgia). I learned a lot. I have met others who have it. Talking about it with others who have it helps. I have made certain changes in my lifestyle too. And now my doc has found out I have a low thyroid. I'm excited to see how my new thyroid medicine will help me. Even though the symptoms of low thyroid mimic those of FMS, I still don't think I'm completely out of the woods on Fibromyalgia just yet. It will take some time to really adjust to the thyroid meds and see if they are working.
Anyway, I'm just writing about this I guess, to say that I can still do anything i want, even with chronic pain. If I just live in the present moment....all I have to get through is that moment...I don't have get through to that night or to the next morning yet...just that one moment.
Does this make sense?
I read an article about being mindful and in the present moment for chronic pain sufferers and how it helps with chronic pain. It made sense to me. Instead of being afraid or giving up...now, i just keep pushing on...all i have to make it through is this present moment. I'll just do my best. I know it will be different each day, but I will always try and give it my best.
"Come on Sue, you got this....you can do this!"
At age 25, I was diagnosed with a disabling, chronic pain syndrome called Fibromyalgia. There has been a ton of new research, and there is a lot more information out there about this disease than there used to be. Before that, I never really understood what was wrong with me. I just knew that if I did certain activities, I would hurt...and I hurt if I didn't do anything at all...or I just knew that I was afraid to participate in certain activities for fear of hurting...or rather that I could not do certain things at all. I felt like a 25 year old women trapped inside of an eighty something's body...except that body looked 25!
I'm sure other chronic pain sufferers know what I'm talking about...regardless of what causes your chronic pain...fortunately, mine is non-degenerative.
I never really got answers for my pain. I thought I was going crazy at times. Why do I hurt like this when there is nothing 'wrong' (according to x-rays and blood tests)? So I kind of let it take over my being.......it was my past and present and going to be my future! Pain was who I was...pain kept me on the couch...a lot. I never knew back then what I could be capable of doing today!
I've never really been a quitter though either.
All of these years, I did my own research on FMS (Fibromyalgia). I learned a lot. I have met others who have it. Talking about it with others who have it helps. I have made certain changes in my lifestyle too. And now my doc has found out I have a low thyroid. I'm excited to see how my new thyroid medicine will help me. Even though the symptoms of low thyroid mimic those of FMS, I still don't think I'm completely out of the woods on Fibromyalgia just yet. It will take some time to really adjust to the thyroid meds and see if they are working.
Anyway, I'm just writing about this I guess, to say that I can still do anything i want, even with chronic pain. If I just live in the present moment....all I have to get through is that moment...I don't have get through to that night or to the next morning yet...just that one moment.
Does this make sense?
I read an article about being mindful and in the present moment for chronic pain sufferers and how it helps with chronic pain. It made sense to me. Instead of being afraid or giving up...now, i just keep pushing on...all i have to make it through is this present moment. I'll just do my best. I know it will be different each day, but I will always try and give it my best.
"Come on Sue, you got this....you can do this!"
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