by Shirley M. Carolan, ATM-G
Don’t know if I’m waxing philosophical as I age but through some unlikely and unsolicited sources I came across some sentences whose meanings literally resonated with me. Words are so powerful; they conjure up a variety of emotions and moods. Hence, it’s wonderful when bon mots cause you to stop and think about how you are living your life and if that’s in accord with your master plan.
I want to share these wonderful words with you now because they may spur you on to do a quick analysis of your life today and see if It is in sync with your vision.
The first came from Maria Mar’s newsletter, see www.catchthedreamexpress.com/newsletter/february2010.htm and was part of some promo material for Ted Karam’s new book “Jumping on Water:” ‘Do not give your power away to your circumstances.’ It stopped me dead in my tracks as I reflected on how disappointed and angry I’ve been at myself for not being able to recover my health quicker. However, I had no idea how debilitating shingles can be. My doctor told me it had to do with the “elephant in the room!” When I asked him what that was he said “Well, you’ve got to remember you’re not 24 any more. It takes longer for older folks to recover.” H’m, that surely didn’t apply to me did it?
I never think of my age as a detriment to anything! But, I had wasted an inordinate amount of time and energy bemoaning my poor health. And, sometimes I was aware of that and other times not. I had to admit finally that I had “given my power away (many times) to my circumstances” and that had to stop. I’m not an invalid after all!
On the bright side, however, I congratulated myself for buying a 4-wheel walker, with folding seat, lightweight and extremely serviceable, on January 29, 2010. This may not seem like a big deal to some, but for me it’s better than buying a new car! I was shopping at my favorite Thrift Shop and spotted it. I decided to take a stroll with it around the store. I was amazed at how much more territory I covered without the usual huffing and puffing when I used the cane. H’m. Next, I thought about shopping in the supermarket and how I get around so well with the shopping cart to help me keep my balance and keep moving. I also purchased a nice basket that attaches to the walker and holds my oxygen tank.
Then I knew, I had to buy the walker! I said to myself this could mean more freedom for me. Right now I can’t even walk my dog a block with my cane without huffing and puffing and having to return home. Even Krissy, my little Shih-Tzu, enjoys a ride on the seat the last block before arriving home. As of today, I’m excited to be walking all around my neighborhood. I am up to walking a mile a day with my walker and without the oxygen tank! My short term goal is to walk 2 miles a day with the walker, and, without any oxygen. My long term goal is to walk 2 miles daily, as I did before, eventually without the walker or oxygen!
The beauty is that I bought this walker for a song and it’s given me a new lease on life and new found freedom! I can’t help wondering though if the doctors had advised me last year, when I first got out of the hospital to buy a walker would I have done so? Methinks not. Regardless, I am now a master of my destiny instead of a victim of my history!
The other bon mots I feel worth sharing with you came in an email from a friend with a cartoon. Unfortunately, I am unable to upload the cartoon. Here it is: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain!” Isn’t that beautiful! I was absolutely tickled by it. It conjured up memories of Gene Kelley in the movie “Dancing in the Rain.” Regardless of what’s going on in life at any moment, if we can learn to “dance in the rain,” I think we stand a good chance of surviving the worst case scenario. It’s truly worth thinking about.
As you’ve probably guessed, I’ve blown up both these wonderful sayings and have posted them near my computer, in my bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, etc. I feel they are great new mantras to live by. Do let me know what you think!
Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Writer ● Speaker ● Artist
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
http://www.shirleycarolan.com
http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com
http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com
Copyright© 2010 by Shirley M. Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any part of this article simply contact Shirley Carolan at artistwithaflair@att.net. Thank you
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
ANNIVERSARY REFLECTIONS
by Shirley M. Carolan, ATM-G
I’m fast coming up on the anniversary of my bout with pneumonia which escalated into complications and an emergency trip to Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas, where I remained for 10 days.
Hard to believe a year has almost passed and my life has changed so much. Prior to this my health was never a problem. I thought I was invincible! After all I’d done four (4) Firewalks with Tony Robbins in the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s and had a lot of tools to work with. Still taking risks in my mid ‘60s and moving from my beloved San Francisco to North San Diego county, sight unseen, no job, and no friends yet.
But, I knew I had a multitude of skills to fall back on. The only problem was I hated marketing myself and I took to using my office/administrative skills, landing me back in the “secretarial ghetto” which I’d struggled most my life to escape! When folks asked me what I could do, I’d proudly announce that I could and have done everything but dig ditches! Yes, I could paper the wall with all the State licenses, certificates, diplomas and education I’d worked so hard to achieve. But, something was always missing… I think I’ve got a handle on that now.
I’ve reinforced some positive beliefs about what my life is about today and I’ve let go of the anger, resentments and disappointments of bygone days replacing them with gratitude and forgiveness, particularly of myself! My mother used to tell me as a child growing up in England “how much she and Dad had sacrificed to give me the finest education money can buy.” I no longer have to feel or prove that I am worthy of something I could never repay, no matter how hard I tried...
This past year has been quite a learning curve since I am still somewhat limited in my physical activities. And, coming down with Shingles last August which still affects me, was the icing on the cake. Patience was never my strong suit but I’ve had multiple lessons this past year to get on top of that, including another emergency visit to Scripps Memorial Hospital last month.
Today, I don’t take myself, or any of my possessions, so seriously that I can’t enjoy what’s going on in my life on a daily basis! Now, that’s progress, at least for me! Now I can work on some other bad habits that only I can change. Even if I have to wait awhile for some lesson to surface, I’m ready for the challenge!
Bon jour!
Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Writer●Speaker●Artist
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
http://www.shirleycarolan.com
http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com
http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com
Copyright© 2010 by Shirley M. Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any part of this article simply contact Shirley Carolan at artistwithaflair@att.net. Thank you
I’m fast coming up on the anniversary of my bout with pneumonia which escalated into complications and an emergency trip to Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas, where I remained for 10 days.
Hard to believe a year has almost passed and my life has changed so much. Prior to this my health was never a problem. I thought I was invincible! After all I’d done four (4) Firewalks with Tony Robbins in the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s and had a lot of tools to work with. Still taking risks in my mid ‘60s and moving from my beloved San Francisco to North San Diego county, sight unseen, no job, and no friends yet.
But, I knew I had a multitude of skills to fall back on. The only problem was I hated marketing myself and I took to using my office/administrative skills, landing me back in the “secretarial ghetto” which I’d struggled most my life to escape! When folks asked me what I could do, I’d proudly announce that I could and have done everything but dig ditches! Yes, I could paper the wall with all the State licenses, certificates, diplomas and education I’d worked so hard to achieve. But, something was always missing… I think I’ve got a handle on that now.
I’ve reinforced some positive beliefs about what my life is about today and I’ve let go of the anger, resentments and disappointments of bygone days replacing them with gratitude and forgiveness, particularly of myself! My mother used to tell me as a child growing up in England “how much she and Dad had sacrificed to give me the finest education money can buy.” I no longer have to feel or prove that I am worthy of something I could never repay, no matter how hard I tried...
This past year has been quite a learning curve since I am still somewhat limited in my physical activities. And, coming down with Shingles last August which still affects me, was the icing on the cake. Patience was never my strong suit but I’ve had multiple lessons this past year to get on top of that, including another emergency visit to Scripps Memorial Hospital last month.
Today, I don’t take myself, or any of my possessions, so seriously that I can’t enjoy what’s going on in my life on a daily basis! Now, that’s progress, at least for me! Now I can work on some other bad habits that only I can change. Even if I have to wait awhile for some lesson to surface, I’m ready for the challenge!
Bon jour!
Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Writer●Speaker●Artist
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
http://www.shirleycarolan.com
http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com
http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com
Copyright© 2010 by Shirley M. Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any part of this article simply contact Shirley Carolan at artistwithaflair@att.net. Thank you
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