SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY

Shadow Shot Sunday
Click the icon and visit Shadow shots from around the world.
Rae

SKY WATCH FRIDAY

Lake Arrowhead Ca. San Bernardino Mts.
Visit Sky Watch Friday to discover Skies from all over the world.
http://skyley.blogspot.com/

AUTUMNS BLUE RIBBON

SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY

Blueridge Rd in Skyforest Ca

SKY WATCH FRIDAY

View from Hiway 18, San Bernardino, Ca mountains

For beautiful pics from around the world go here: http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Thursday June 11, 2009


HARMONY

Last week, to celebrate spring, renewal, and my birthday, we purchased a juicer. The idea of having our own fresh juice appealed to us in this time of searching for ways to promote new healthy growth and harmony in our bodies. I keep my eyes and ears open to ways to optimize the remaining good health I have. And for ways to build on that health.
Other than some decrease in stamina and some shortness of breath that is more asthma than anything else, I have no obvious signs or symptoms of the battles being waged in the inside of me.

Fruit juice is heavenly tasting and I thoroughly enjoy a large glass of fresh juice, especially on a hot day. It really seems to quench my thirst better than anything else. But vegetable juice is another story. I have never liked it, having tried it many times in my life, always thinking, Its been a long time since the last foray into juice conciousness. Always, one small sip and I was done. Too, way too veggie dull broccoli tasting. And that was that.
So I plugged in my new juicer and did the oranges, apples, grapes, and a couple of small carrots as a bow to the veggies.

But I had promised my self I would do whatever it would take to improve my health. Because it was a promise to myself, I had to keep it.
I put a few handfulls of spinach leaves in the juicer, a large group of broccoli, some celery stalks, some carrots, and an apple for sweetness.The juice dripping out of the juicer spout was as green as green can be. I thought, oh yuck, why did I make that promise. Now I have to keep it. Darn!

The moment of reckoning had arrived. I dipped my spoon into the green liquid and thought about the wicked witches brews.Green dragons blood, with werewolf tears and bats eyes, and other creepy things floating around crossed my mind. I closed my eyes and took a sip. Hmmm.
I took another sip, and another and then dipped my cup into the bowl, and drank the green glop.
The creepy stuff was kinda good. Not as good as fruit juice, but OK.
What a pleasant surprise.The apple sweetened the juice so it was more palatable to my sugar jaded taste buds.
So I am geared up and healthy for my Reality Show date with the chemo brothers this week.
With Gods help, I will be the winner, the # 1 best contestant in the Reality show this week and every week.

Just call me 'Juicey.'

I am learning to accept Gods promise. He promises He will answer my prayers for a healed body

ONE PERSON

One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life®, which began in Tacoma, Washington, as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.
In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed—running marathons.

In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles. Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him. He raised $27,000 to fight cancer. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course.
While he circled the track those 24 hours, he thought about how others could take part. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Months later he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.
In 1986, 19 teams took part in the first team relay event on the track at the colorful, historical Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield.
Since that first Relay For Life® event, millions have joined the cause all over the world, making Relay the largest fundraising event in mankind’s history.
My children, ( Larry, Sherrie, and grandaughter Autumn ) have a Relay For Life team dedicated to me called Ray Of Light. That Relay race will be held in Chico, Ca. April 25-26 2009. Many other Chico teams will participate, also.
I had planned on joining them for the festivities next month, but I don't know if that will be possible this year. I am supposed to start chemotherapy at about that time in April. That is the most important activity for me right now.
So never think that because you are just one person, that your little contribution won't make a difference. Anything you can do to make the world a better place is important , from helping to clean up the oceans and beaches, to walking in Relay marathons to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
I'm sure there is a Relay For Life near you. Google it and find your town or city.

HOPE

Hope is a belief in a positive outcome. Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had, or events can turn out for the best. Hope can be passive such as a wish or a prayer. Or it can be active, as in a plan, sometimes against all popular belief, but with a persistent personal action to execute the plan. Consider a P.O.W. who never gives up hope for escape, and against all odds, plans and accomplishes his escape.
So we make our plans and say our prayers. And build our Hope.
We must, regardless of the obstacles life puts in our path, continue to bolster and encourage Hope. To make it of primary importance, and to keep Hope strong, and not let it diminish. We must make our plans for our escape from whatever demon has us by the throat, whether physical, mental, emotional or imagined.

So, day by day, say a prayer for the accomplishment of your plan for escape. Write it down on a piece of paper, and review and update it often. Have a clear plan of action, and stick to that plan of action.

Part of your plan could be to communicate more with people that are like-minded, that are uplifting and are positive thinking. People that can give you support, and caring. Friends that understand and Love you.
If your goal seems impossible, the more important it is to build on that Hope.And to build your network of caring friends.
Finding a group for survivors of your demons, is extremely beneficial, and can be a good learning experience.The support and verbal exchange is phenomenal, and would be well worth your effort.
The time you spend in prayer is of utmost importance, and the conversations with God will help save your life.

'With God all things are possible.' Matthew 19:26

ZEN-ZAGGING THROUGH LIFE

My posting is a comment about Roz Savages latest blog entry. Her article titled, "The Ocean-Rowers 5 step Programme to Zen Acceptance" provoked my interest.

Here I quote Rozs' 5 steps:
1. Indignation that "it shouldn't be this way!"
2. Frustration and anger as fight against reality escalates
3. Crisis and catharsis (yell therapy is good for this - and in the middle of the ocean, nobody can hear you scream...)
4. Grudging acceptance
5. Recognition that there is something positive to be found in every situation, and that the greater the suffering, the greater the learning. To grow you have to get outside your comfort zone, and getting outside your comfort zone is (duh!) UNCOMFORTABLE!

And that invaluable sixth stage.... telling the story over a pint of beer afterwards - which we can call celebrating one's achievements, and saying, "Well, hey, haven't I come a long way."

Read her article first, then come back to this page for my comments.
http://rozsavage.blogspot.com/
The Ocean-Rowers 5 Step Programme to Zen Acceptance


My comments:

ZEN-ZAGGING THROUGH LIFE

Hi Roz, I just read your 5 steps to Zen acceptance, and was really struck by how those ideas fit into my life and learning right now. Thought provoking to say the least. I am a cancer survivor, although I recently discovered I have lung metastasis. So acceptance is a BIG part of life right now.
Lets see how the 5 steps fit in my life:

1.Indignation: it shouldn't be this way. I should NOT have cancer because I don't deserve it!

2.Frustration and anger as fight against reality escalates: I have not noticed a lot of anger. Doesn't mean its not there; I just haven't noticed it. Yet. But I have a great deal of frustration. Frustration with the medical system. Frustration with myself for being 'ill.' Frustration with cancer, frustration with the waiting game...etc.

3.Crisis and catharsis: I have had several 'meltdowns' and did some screaming and yelling. Some crying too. It seems to help at the time, but right around the corner, there is always a new level of crisis and a new challenge to work through.

4.Grudging acceptance: I love this phrase. It describes me and my attitude after a yelling/crying session. I feel it doesn't matter if its done grudgingly.' Acceptance is acceptance and will carry you safely through to the next crisis.The grudging part moderates some with time and becomes acceptance.This is where I can begin to look at the positives.

5.Recognition that there is something positive to be found in every situation, and that the greater the suffering, the greater the learning. To grow you have to get outside your comfort zone, and getting outside your comfort zone is (duh!) UNCOMFORTABLE: Is it ever, makes me antsy and squirrely and sometimes stubborn as a mule( I WILL do it MY way). I will, with Gods help, find a way to live and thrive and share my story.Looking forward to chemotherapy will start the whole process over again.

6.Celebration: YES!I've made it this far(14 months after diagnosis)so I will continue to 'make it.'

Thanks Roz, for these ideas. They are a concise view of the process we all go through at some time or other. If our most important thing in life is inner growth, then this road map will help us stay on the path.

Sunset in the San Bernardino mountains

I am a sucker for a sunset picture.

HAPPINESS BARRIER #6: NAVEL-GAZING

SOLUTION:CONNECT WITH OTHERS

From WEBMD.com

How important are social networks to your happiness? Perhaps even more important than you realized. A recent 20-year study of more than 4,000 people showed that happiness is influenced not just by your immediate friends and family. The happiness of a friend of a friend of a friend -- someone you’ve never even met -- can also influence your happiness. It turns out that happiness can spread through social networks, like a virus.

Unfortunately, many people spend so much time by themselves navel gazing, they don’t benefit from this positive “contagion.”
The more self-absorbed you are, the more your world closes in, and the less realistic you become, all of which produces a vicious circle. “You become oblivious to the needs of others, and the world shrinks still more, making you less able to see outside yourself.” If asked, ‘Why are your problems so special?” says Jinpa, you might respond, “Because they’re mine!”
“If you have such a huge ego, you’re setting yourself up as a huge target, which can easily get hit,” Jinpa says. But using a “wide-angle lens” instead helps you see connections you wouldn’t otherwise see, such as the universality of suffering. All it may take is having a loved one diagnosed with a serious disease to realize how many people are grappling with similar challenges. Feeling joined by others on this journey provides some comfort and happiness.
The straightest path to making connections like these? Compassion and caring for others.
Even primates seem to understand this, says Robert M. Sapolsky, PhD, author of Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers and research associate with the Institute of Primate Research at the National Museum of Kenya. Primates that groom each other after a stressful event experience a reduction in blood pressure. The clincher? Grooming others has a greater impact than getting groomed, says Sapolsky.
Compassion engages us with others, removes isolation, builds resilience, and leads to deep fulfillment, says Doty. “Without compassion, happiness is simply short-lived pleasure.”
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, may have said it best: “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion; if you want to be happy, practice compassion.”