Friday 28 June 2013

Stalled

Look at the bigger picture…
Don’t allow yourself to be stalled
 by a day that, however challenging, 
will be over with the next sunrise.  
 – Ian K. Smith

Wednesday 26 June 2013

Reduce

Reduce the complexity of life 
by eliminating the needless wants of life, 
and the labors of life reduce themselves.
 – Edwin Way Teale

Monday 24 June 2013

Time

Ask yourself: Is there joy, ease and lightness
 in what I am doing? 
If there isn't, then time is covering up 
the present moment, 
and life is perceived 
as a burden or a struggle. 
 – Eckhart Tolle

Friday 21 June 2013

June 21, 2013 Chautauqua


From the Editor's Computer
 

   Ever wish you could just drop out of your life for a time?  Escape from it all?  The stresses, the pressure, the ongoing hype and activity.

   I can tell you from recent experience, it certainly can have its advantages.  Though I haven’t really been in a position to enjoy the respite - it hasn’t been a relaxing vacation, but rather a time of convalescence.

   On one hand, priorities suddenly become crystal clear.  When you have almost no energy to do anything, you figure out quick which one thing you will expend that limited energy on, and the rest can cheerfully go by the wayside.

   I have also been extremely fortunate that I have something that will heal, and that I have had some wonderful people to help carry the slack for me.  While I may not have been present, the work and obligations have continued to be fulfilled.  So much so, that many probably haven’t even noticed my lengthy absence.

   While who we really are has no bearing whatsoever on the externals in our lives, we still, very humanly, use the externals to define ourselves.

   It is only when there is a dramatic change in one or more of those externals that we start to redefine ourselves, and step away from the previous labels.

   During this time away, I’ve experienced a few changes in the “labels” I’ve used to think of myself, mostly in relation to my health.  Past illnesses are no longer a part of my “story” as it turns out I didn’t actually experience them at all.

   Some daily routines are undergoing a slight change as I integrate new lifestyle changes into my existence.

   As well, the way I view my work is starting to change.  Priorities are becoming clearer and what is more superficial is being weeded out.  I’m revamping how I approach the various tasks I have to do.  

   This isn’t a one-time, or overnight, process, it is an ongoing evolution in my thoughts, words, and actions.  Who knows what I’ll discover about myself or my life in the days ahead.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17kZIx-Fc1yX2JQEltU_UGkbCXuosPWtv/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Hurry

There is no hurry.   
We shall get there some day.
 – A.A. Milne

Monday 17 June 2013

Friday 14 June 2013

Water

You can’t get a hold of water by clutching it.   
Let your hand relax, though, 
and then you can experience it.   
– Wayne Dyer

Wednesday 12 June 2013

Contradict

I wish to say what I think and feel today, 
with the proviso that tomorrow 
perhaps I shall contradict it all.   
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Monday 10 June 2013

Reinvention

I believe that one 
defines oneself by reinvention. 
To not be like your parents. 
To not be like your friends. 
To be yourself. 
To cut yourself out of stone.  
 - Henry Rollins

Friday 7 June 2013

June 7, 2013 Chautuaqua


From the Editor's Computer 

   A while ago I read in a management book that we humans have a tendency, when faced with a perceived problem, to latch onto the very first, obvious solution.  The trouble with that type of approach, is that rarely does the first obvious solution have anything to do with the real problem at hand, and in fact, tends to create further problems down the road, which could have been avoided with some time and careful observation.  This applies to all areas of life, not just business.

   When I was a teenager, I experienced fatigue and headaches.  The doctor ran the test for Mononucleosis (Mono).  It came back negative, yet we were told that was what I had.  Months later a specialist ran the Mono test again and the result was still negative, so we were informed I had “Chronic” Mono.  Subsequent health concerns, major and minor, were viewed through this filter of the Chronic Mono diagnosis.

   For the past few weeks I have been knocked flat (literally as I’ve been on bed rest) by a severely stressed (i.e. tired, overwhelmed) liver.  As I was lying around unable to do anything, I noticed my symptomsns were very similar to when I had Mono, so I did some investigating.

   One of the first things I discovered is that once the virus that causes Mono enters your blood, it is there forever, and no virus means no Mono.  So it is very safe to say that I have NOT had Mono in my life.

   Further reading into the function/malfunction of the liver leads me to believe that what I experienced as a teen was also a severely stressed liver.  I’m also quite certain now that I have been suffering from a mild to moderately stressed liver (variations dependent on factors such as supplements, hormones, diet and stress level at the time) for the past 25 years!  It’s amazing it isn’t diseased or damaged!  It seems that even my diagnosis of scoliosis may be incorrect as I’ve discovered my back muscles tighten and collapse when I eat something my body rebels against.

   I may never figure out what particular trigger(s) initially stressed my liver, however I do know this - Mono can’t be changed, a stressed liver can be.  Now I know the direction and changes I need to make, I will be making the absolutely necessary dietary changes so I can hopefully finally (and fully) recover.                      

Beth
 
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RQ7gAgmn4Q91GXPgUN4P0SQNjO_m-NUX/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.

Wednesday 5 June 2013

Spiritual

The fact that I can plant a seed 
and it becomes a flower, 
share a bit of knowledge 
and it becomes another's, 
smile at someone and 
receive a smile in return, 
are to me continual spiritual exercises.  
 - Leo Buscaglia

Monday 3 June 2013

Control

You never had [control] to begin with.
 – Author Unknown