Growing and Healing Everyday

I was at a retreat this weekend with my Codependent support group.

Two good sessions Saturday morning. One on meditation. The other o
n family of origin.

I was walking at the beach Saturday afternoon, and took this picture ... I was hoping to figure out how to post a blog article on the fly, but it did not work the way I thought it would ... Good thing I was able to save it, then edit and  transfer it when I got home!  I think this method needs some further research and practice!

At the beach, and at the entire retreat, I was taking it all in. Waiting for my "Ah! Ha!" moment. Listening to the waves against the rocks, the wind, a plane overhead. Feeling the autumn sun on my skin as the breeze lifted my hair.  I did have a couple of self-revelations ... one is regarding my fierce need to be strong, and not seen as weak.  The other is in regard to looking forward in my life ... My recovery lies in my future, not in my past!

The ocean (or in this case the salt water of Puget Sound) is a hypnotic and meditative place for me.  A gull glides on the unseen current of the moving air so effortlessly. Unconstrained by any other schedule than the seasons. Unaffected by human emotions. Free from the anxieties of acceptance. Living and welcoming every moment and experience that God grants.


Saturday night, I built a fire, and we wrote on paper, things that we want and need to release from our lives.  We read them out loud,a nd crumpled them up and threw them in the fire! GONE ... Burned up ... Carried away in the smoke, to the heavens!

And this piece of metal in the picture I took at the beach... It drew me. It appeals to me. It is more than it appears ... With its batina rubbed away in some areas, there is a hint of hidden beauty ... Which in and of itself us beautiful to me, and reminds me what a subjective thing it is to ...

Live Well!

Love as always,
Suzi-Q

Share your thoughts and comments below if you please!

Down the Road a Piece

Small Steps Strung Together Make the Journey.  The journey of growing as a woman and human, is a lifetime process, it is a constant lifestyle change, it is explored and discovered one step at a time.  Some steps are small baby steps; some are stepping back; some a steady stride forward; and some are huge leaps, of faith perhaps, or epiphany.

My life time of baby steps, in regard to my health and fitness and weight issues, were dramatically propelled forward in 2005 when I made a major life decision that severely reduced the level of controllable stress in my life.  It was with that decision that I discovered how stress causes me to gain weight, no matter how well I am eating or how much I am moving!  Since that initial 30 pounds dropped off, I have never looked back, and have been on a lovely path of learning and discovering how my body responds to various situations and foods and activities. Six years later, and I can share that I have lost almost 60 pounds, and kept it off.  It has been a slow and constant process of changing my life style; so much so that I have difficulty recalling specific turning points, and specific key elements.  Because I have chosen this slow methodical lifestyle change process, I know that I will be able to keep the weight off, and will continue to improve my health, weight and fitness.

Similarly goes my process of healing heart and mind.  It seems the more I heal and grow, the more I understand about what I need to focus on to continue to heal and grow.  Much like the layers of an onion, the removal of one layer reveals the next, and often prompts the shedding of tears.  With the guidance and comfort of God above, and a support system of friends, family, counselor and support group, I move forward a little more each day.  They are there for me, but only when I pursue and enlist their connection.

I find that my logical side is much more on board with this process, and that my heart/emotional side still holds some scared and hesitant postures.  Baby steps again.  My logical side reassures that timid side of my self, that painful as it maybe, it is necessary to face some things, and that once through the pain, we will be more whole, and more actualized.  I have discovered in my self that the more uncomfortable something is to face, the more important it usually is.

Everyday I try to make choices and decisions that best help me to move forward with my life and healing.  Healing my heart.  Healing my body.  Being WHOLE and being authentic.  Some days it just happens easily and naturally, and other days it is a very methodical and conscience behavior that I have to monitor, other days it is a train wreck, to learn from.  It is a lifestyle choice to be whole, to be in tune with one self, there for it is a journey, not a destination.

It is the process itself that helps us to be whole and ...

Live Well!
Love,
Suzi~Q

Waiting for Time to Go By

I am waiting.

I am waiting for other people to do what they are supposed to do, so I can do what I want to do with the next season of my life.

I am waiting for my plans to start to fall into place.

I am waiting for time to go by.

I am not liking these feelings of having to wait at the leisure of some one who is certainly not making his own decisions future mindfully.  I do not like this feeling that my life is put on hold because of the actions (or lack of action) of another, and am finding that I am feeling trapped and that decisions about what I want to do with my life are not being respected by a certain person in my world.

That person is trying to manipulate me, and is trying to tell me that he is the one being manipulated.  I realize this is not unusual behavior for a teenage boy, but it is causing me some serious triggering!  Then I find myself feeling very tense, and either withdrawing in flight mode, or going into fight mode!  Neither are healthy options.  I find myself questioning my options and my general abilities to parent this particular human being.

I am working through the process of this season of change.  It is not happening to my liking, or in my time frame, and I am excited to get along to the next part of things for all of us!  But again in my life, someone else's poor and selfish decisions are ending up costing me.

They are costing me my time, my life energy, my emotional security, my freedom.

It is just another season in my life.  I am shifting gears, and working on using this time to work on some of my other areas of growth, like asking for help, seeking counsel from certain responsible and loving people, while trying not to feel foolish for not just knowing what I am supposed to do with this parenting situation (especially since my logical side knows that is not true!).

I am trying not to live in the feelings of abandonment that have been a part of my for so long I am not exactly sure of their origin at this time.  I am trying to not let my false feelings of anxiety and inadequacy have any foot hold, I just recognize their presence, and ask them to go sit quietly in the corner since they seem to have no intention of leaving at this time, or providing reasonable assistance.

I am trying to keep going about the business of my life.  Doing my household chores, and going to the gym, and taking photographs, and going to work, and eating healthy food, and planning my next season.  Organizing my space so it feels safe and comfortable for me.

And I wait.  I wait for options to become clear to me.  I wait for the stars to align in a syzygy.  I wait for other people to take the necessary actions ...  I know that all of this season of lesson learning, waiting and growing ... as long as I do not allow anger and bitterness and resentment to take up lodging, will all propel me forward in the next season of my life and provide additional foundations for me to deeply and openly ...

Live well!
Love
Suzi~Q

In My Space

I made a map today. A map of my apartment, according to the most basic Feng Shui grid principals as shared in this article.

I am happy to report that without even knowing it, I feel certain energies I am already utilizing many of my spaces somewhat correctly. Please keep in mind that I previously knew nothing about what energies belong in what quadrants.  I only understood that the living space is divided into 9 equal spaces, and each one represents a different element.

First, my bedroom occupies the relationship/romance quadrant of the grid!

Second, the room I am intending to turn into a little photography studio/office is in the wealth quadrant!

Third, there is a nice area in the living room that is the knowledge quadrant. I already have a William Shakespeare print on that wall!  I have always envisioned that space as my "library", and while I have not used it that way for a couple of years, I was thinking of moving my bookshelves back over there.  Now I know for sure that I will!

Fourth: I don't use the space off my kitchen as a dining room, but I really like to be in that space!  It where I go when I am writing my blog, or working with my photos, or planning things.  As it turns out, this space (fittingly) is the helpful people/travel quadrant. No wonder I feel so comfortable there!  Travel is SUCH a desire for my life!

There are many quadrants that will really need some focus.

I think most glaringly, my career quadrant needs some major attention!! This space also happens to be where my front door is (but we never use the front door because the building lists and the door sticks and is a major pain to open) hm ... telling isn't it???  And that space is where the cat box currently is, because I don't use that entry way, so the box is out of the way, and I don't have to interact with the mess constantly.

But now I know what directions I want and need to go with those spaces and activities =)  Now I need to start rolling up my sleeves, and getting busy, and just focusing on one space at a time.

I am interested in how these changes will help to me continue to grow and ...

Live Well!!
Love as Always,
Suzi~Q

A Taste of My Childhood Summers

	Sunday afternoon I picked almost four cups of the huckleberries and tiny strawberries that grow wild around my better-half's home on five wooded acres. Monday I made a big bowl of oatmeal and put some of those fresh berries on it for my breakfast! The rest got nibbled away! One of my favorite tastes of summer. JQ's youngest son helps me pick the wild berries that grow everywhere, salmon berries, huckle berries, strawberries, blackberries, and pie cherries. We have a lot of fun putting together yummy things to eat. Pies, jam, on ice cream, just to eat, with cream cheese on a bagle. Life tastes good in the summer! Reminds me that I an every season ... LIVING WELL! Love, SuziQ