Don't try to save the pizza

Here's what happened.  The boys and I went to a restaurant where they served stuffed crust Chicago style pizza.  We ordered too much.  It was one of the best pizzas I've had in my life [next to Pisanello's in Mt. Pleasant, of course - one can never match that college town pizza], and I wanted to take the three pieces we couldn't eat right then.  So, they get wrapped up by the waiter, and labeled and we each put a piece in our backpacks.  Luckily, we checked on them before they leaked all over our stuff.  In the end, we threw them away, as we were too full to just eat them, and not willing to keep them and have the mess.  For me, the lesson is; if you get more than you need and can't use, let the rest go, even if it may seem like a waste.  Holding onto something that 'might be' useful at some unknown future time can backfire on you and make a mess in the present.

Listening

I find myself sitting back and listening.  When I listen I hear things that make me smile.  When I smile I feel connected with the message I am hearing.  The other thing I'm finding is that I hear beyond the words that appear in my ears, that messages about the speaker and those who respond come in at another level.  Which makes me smile more, and feel more connected.  Keep talking, people, you're making me happy!

Take a Lesson

My grandmother on my mother's side used to say this to me when I was a child.  At the time, I didn't really get the WHOLE message.  What I got was "listen to me and do what I said."  It occurs to me today that she might have really meant that there was something to learn in what had just happened; that taking a lesson meant that I could do things differently next time.  Because my grandmother used that phrase a lot, I think of it as old fashioned and almost archaic a term.  Some people feel that way about the word 'groovy'.... poor things.  Anyway, 'Take a Lesson' might just be another way to suggest that we can learn from our mistakes and faults when they are brought to our attention.  Notice everything.

Mirror mirror

There are people in our lives who are mirrors.  Whenever we talk with them, think of them or see them across the room, they have something to offer us, some sort of feedback we can use.  The things they do or say that irritate us are lessons about how we may offend others.  They can nonchalantly say things that strike at the heart of our fears and insecurities, leaving us like a puddle on the floor - and they don't even know what's happened.  Be grateful for these friends.  Thank them for their honesty and candor.  Take the lesson and understand more about yourself.  I am happy that I have a number of mirrors in my life even when they make me want to scream.  :)

Resting

There are a lot of ways to rest.  Sit still.  Close your eyes.  Imagine your breath as you breathe in; imagine seeing it leave your body when you breathe out.  Lie down, close your eyes, imagine your body completely relaxed... start with your toes and do an inventory of each muscle group til you get to the top of your head.  Imagine there is no tension anywhere in your body.  Be completely with yourself for a few moments.  Do it every day.  Sleep well.