MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'courage'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:56:25 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181895&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F09%2F02%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-september-2-2011%2F It starts at a young age. Schools encourage it. Our families help define it. We begin our lives with the labels they give us like big brother, baby sister, only child. And as we get older, they just get more serious. Sometimes the way we’re perceived such as the “good one,” the “bad one,” the “troubled one,” the “drama queen,” inevitably follow us throughout the rest of our life. Sometimes these seemingly harmless labels take on a life of their own. If we don’t achieve our own sense of self, they begin to define who we are. And we grasp on tight. These lyrics from the Barenaked Ladies song What a Good Boy reminds me of the pressures they can have on us: “When I was born they looked at me and said What a good boy, what a sma... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181895 Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:04:52 +0100 5181895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182330&cid=t_129430_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fserenity-and-the-serenity-prayer%2F Alcoholics Anonymous members have made the Serenity prayer part of recovery. It asserts five basic elements of the recovery program. A belief in something other than ego-self Serenity – one of the goals of recovery Acceptance of …, e.g., loss of control Courage to make changes Wisdom of recovery that is gained from other members, Spirituality, meditation and literature God grant me the Serenity to Accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.   Whether we belong to this church or that, whether we are humanists, agnostics, or atheists, most of us have found these words a wonderful guide in getting sober, staying sober, and enjoying our sobriety. Whether we see the Serenity Prayer as an actual prayer or... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182330 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 05:21:27 +0100 5182330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130816&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2Fthe-amazing-power-of-the-placebo-effect%2F Placebo effects have been shown in many different areas in science.  Sometimes placebo effects have been shown to mimic or even exceed effects produced by active treatments (such as therapies or medications). The definition of placebo is an inert, inactive, fake, sham, dummy, non-therapeutic, pseudo, or spurious substance or procedure presented as a treatment for any of a number of conditions. In general, the placebo effect can be defined as a positive effect that occurs after receiving treatment (interaction, therapy, medication), even when the treatment is inert (inactive, fake). The placebo effect is a ubiquitous phenomenon.  We all experience some degree of the placebo effect on a regular basis. The power of the placebo effect is illustrated in the movie classic, The Wizard Of Oz. ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130816 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:31:15 +0100 5130816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028449&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F15%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-july-15-2011%2F There are some numbers I shy away from. Raise your hands if you occasionally lose your courage over scales, your inbox or the number of visitors on your blog. Anybody? For some reason, I can muster up courage to give presentations, interview people I’ve never met, but scared as heck when it comes to numbers like these. It’s probably that 5 letter word that starts with g. Guilt’s been plaguing me since I was 6 years old. One hot summer day I was on a field trip when I finally found a water fountain. I was so excited. I didn’t care that the water was warm or that I had to stand on my tippy toes to get to it. But when one of the young teachers came up next to me, all I could think of was how guilty I felt that she touched my dirty sweaty hair. It didn’t matter th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028449 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:08:34 +0100 5028449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008311&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F05%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-july-5-2011%2F Another holiday’s come and gone. Whether you celebrated Canada Day or Independence Day, you may be basking in the glory of a glorious holiday or exhausted from another family gathering of trying to keep your sanity in toll. If I’ve learned anything over the years is that you could spend years working on yourself and then poof! just like that you’re back to where you started. Maybe it’s your people-pleasing ways that return when you’re in the company of old friends who knew you way back when. Or certain relatives who trigger painful childhood memories when you are in their presence. Perhaps, the extra day of freedom could remind you just how toxic your work environment is and how much you are in need of a new job. Whatever it is, I feel you. The only thing we c... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008311 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:48:51 +0100 5008311 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952846&cid=t_129430_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-new-world-view-of-coronary-artery-disease%2F2011.06.20 In 2007, when the results were published from the COURAGE trial, all the experts agreed that this study would fundamentally change the way cardiologists managed patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).* ____ *”Stable” CAD simply means that a patient with CAD is not suffering from one of the acute coronary syndromes – ACS, an acute heart attack or unstable angina. At any given time, the large majority of patients with CAD are in a stable condition. ____ But a new study tells us that hasn’t happened. The COURAGE trial has barely budged the way cardiologists treat patients with stable CAD. Lots of people want to know why. As usual, DrRich is here to help. The COURAGE trial compared the use of stents vs. drug therapy in patients with stable CAD. Over twenty-two hundred patie... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952846 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:00:25 +0100 4952846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934340&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F11%2Fvideo-my-thoughts-on-courage%2F “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” ~ Mary Anne Radmacher That’s the gist of this video. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cEW5tl-hVM (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934340 Sat, 11 Jun 2011 20:39:22 +0100 4934340 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872162&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F27%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-may-27-2011%2F I remember the first time I ever felt in control of my life. I was about 8 or 9 years old at the time and had a reoccurring nightmare about two kids chasing me down the street. When I told my dad about it he said, “You know you can control your dreams right?” He told me all I had to do was visualize what I wanted to happen in the dream before I went to sleep. Because I had the kind of faith in magic and pure wonder that only occurs in childhood, I wholeheartedly believed him. The next morning I woke up with a smile on my face. In my dream, the two kids that were chasing me finally caught up. But in their hands were melting ice-cream cones they had been trying to give me. That dream was years ago, but I will never forget it. More than teaching me how to control my dreams, it tau... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872162 Fri, 27 May 2011 10:40:45 +0100 4872162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734048&cid=t_129430_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FEm4sS4pU8fY%2F By Neal McCluskeyYesterday, speaking at Facebook headquarters, President Obama assessed the guts of Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) and other congressional Republicans and concluded that their deficit reduction plan isn’t “particularly courageous.” That might be accurate – their plan lacks specificity and could target a lot more for elimination — but it’s pretty rich for the President to throw out such a conclusion. After all, his whole strategy appears to be the bankruptingly lame-but-safe crying of doom for cute kids and other supposedly defenseless people no matter what the size of the proposed cut to a social program or how ineffective the program has been. That, and the constant lamentation that “the rich” – a small and th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734048 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:29:35 +0100 4734048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714825&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F15%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-15-2011%2F When I reflect back on my life, when I recall the really hard times, I think about how I was mere moments away from a breakthrough. If I was worried about a lack of work, I would get an assignment a few days later. If I was feeling upset and lonely, a friend would call that I needed to talk to. Sometimes ambiguity and uncertainty were hours away from answers. I just needed the patience and faith to wait those difficult times through. Although it’s a struggle to see hope in the midst of heartache, sorrow and pain, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, I am certain you already walked through that door before. This week take some time and reflect on your darkest moments and then think about how you were able to get through it. Maybe the memory of your past struggles and ho... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4714825 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 09:57:11 +0100 4714825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4464542&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F11%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-february-11-2011%2F Everyone is looking for the holy grail of happiness. But what is happiness? Is it something that can be pursued? And is it something that can be sustained? It’s a discussion I have had with friends for decades. One that makes for an interesting debate, but does not give way to a single agreed upon answer. What do you think about it? What does happiness mean to you? We posed the question to our Facebook friends and learned that happiness is definitely subjective. But that in general, happiness to them means self-love, gratitude, presence and giving to others. Can you relate? To me, happiness means a lot of things. It means the knowledge that everything will be okay even during hardship. It is the freedom I have to make choices and the connection through receiving and giving love. It i... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4464542 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:16:42 +0100 4464542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4377615&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F14%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-january-14-2011%2F The first month of a new year is often filled with fear, anticipation and sometimes frustration. There’s a whole lot of things we didn’t yet accomplish that we often feel pressured to do this year (lose weight, make more money, find our true love). And there’s often a sense of grief associated with that as we slowly say good-bye to 2010 and reflect on what we’re proud of what what we regret. Speaking of regrets, a lot of you had very different views about this statement told to me by a relative: “You haven’t really lived, if you haven’t had regrets.” (You can read their opinions here and contribute your own on our Facebook page.) If you feel regretful and frustrated about last year, there are still lots of things you can do to remedy that. In... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4377615 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:38:52 +0100 4377615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4349544&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F14%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-january-14-2010%2F The first month of a new year is often filled with fear, anticipation and sometimes frustration. There’s a whole lot of things we didn’t yet accomplish that we often feel pressured to do this year (lose weight, make more money, find our true love). And there’s often a sense of grief associated with that as we slowly say good-bye to 2010 and reflect on what we’re proud of what what we regret. Speaking of regrets, a lot of you had very different views about this statement told to me by a relative: “You haven’t really lived, if you haven’t had regrets.” (You can read their opinions here and contribute your own on our Facebook page.) If you feel regretful and frustrated about last year, there are still lots of things you can do to remedy that. In... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4349544 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:38:52 +0100 4349544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343363&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FbCwucABdBQk%2F In most cases, having a Plan B is a good thing. It’s the fallback option for when your plans fall apart. They are life’s little safety nets and can be great to have. It’s one thing to have a Plan B for an outdoor party when it might rain. But a lot of people have their eyes on a Plan B for their lives and careers. They tell themselves that if the thing they planned to do doesn’t work out, it’s okay, they have another option. But how often does that safety net do more harm than good? How often does Plan B mean you’re not committing fully to your Plan A? Planning to fail? Some people see having a Plan B as planning for your Plan A to fail. And there very well could be some truth to this – for some people. They thrive under pressure and do a much better j... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343363 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:30:20 +0100 4343363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4331198&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fgrain-of-wheat-falling.html I wonder sometimes if God lets us waste our mistakes and screw-ups in places where they won't matter as much. Saves the good stuff until after we've figured a few things out. As a teen, I was confused about everything from who God was, to my own dreams for life, sexual orientation, and the black and white of right and wrong. When you get shot down as a kid in certain ways, these things happen. I've lived 31 years thinking maybe there wasn't any fall-out from the sins of others that spilled over on to me when I was a child. But I see it like a well-worn path through the story of  my life now. And I see the fall-out of my own sin woven right with that cord, the damages to me and others because it took so long to reach this moment of clarity.The first time Aaron held my hand, I thought f... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4331198 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:28:00 +0100 4331198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294940&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F28%2Fi-don%25e2%2580%2599t-make-new-year%25e2%2580%2599s-resolutions%2F Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. ~Hal Borland While I know zillions of folks are in the midst of their annual ponderings of “How can next year be different?” or “Oh! I want to (fill in the blank).” or “Is this year the year for (fill in the blank)?” — I am not. Resolutions — ala New Year’s Eve — are the same as sentencing yourself to Performance Prison. That place which confines you to a year sentence of constant performance. Where your value is completely based on how well you perform and achieve and run faster — and faster! Running faster and imposing unrealistic expectations in order to “be all you can be” is a dead end road. In fact, it will probably only get you as far as, o... The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294940 Tue, 28 Dec 2010 17:56:15 +0100 4294940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183593&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F11%2Fspirit%2F You’ve taken many painful lumps Survived life’s tearful turns Endured some brutal bruises, bumps, And saintly savage burnsBe grateful for the strength you’ve gained Your inner muscles bulge But lips are drained and legs are chained By fears you still indulgeYour animator kept from view Locked up inside a cell It pleads release long overdue While you secure the shellIf you should seek to sow the seed Of peace within your heart, The breathless breather must be freed No secret self apartYour essence never lacks the nerve Its power shines divine To be in spirit is to serve With courage by designSo dig your cowardice a grave And lower it to rest Your daring, dauntless dreams will save The slave still dispossessed Special discount only for StevePavlina.com readers - Get the 26-CD Enhan... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183593 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:00:01 +0100 4183593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175692&cid=t_129430_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhen-doctors-make-mistakes-about-humanness-and-perfection%2F2010.11.17 The best part of doctoring is its humanness. Machines can’t do it — not even Apple products. But that’s the worst part, too. Since humans practice medicine, there will be “medical errors.” And when doctors err, people — not spreadsheets or profits — are hurt. That’s the rub. Like any endeavor, the greater the reward the greater the risk.  Those cards were put on the table in medical school. “Don’t want mistakes? Don’t do anything. Don’t make any decisions. Don’t do any procedures. Then, there will be no errors,”  the grey-haired, Swiss-born cardiac surgeon counseled me many years ago after an imperfect ablation. The headline was about a doctor’s error. It was a doozy. But for me, the story belies t... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175692 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4175692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4176002&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F11%2Fconnecting-from-the-heart%2F How do you create a heart-centered connection with someone close to you?I think the best way to do it is to let the other person see you naked.I don’t mean this in the physical sense, but in the emotional-spiritual sense.As you converse with the other person, talk about your career; then let it go. Talk about your past; then let it go. Talk about your other relationships; then let those go as well.Keep talking and connecting without re-hashing the same subjects. Eventually you’ll come upon a thought that’s uncomfortable for you to explore. This is where you must summon the courage to delve in and share.If there’s an end goal here, it’s to reach the point where you feel so safe with each other, that you can ask absolutely anything and get an emotionally deep an... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4176002 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:00:16 +0100 4176002 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086476&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fexcuse-me.html It's one of those things you don't talk about, normally.Body odor.There, I said it! When my thyroid cancer suppression gets out of balance, it comes and goes. When there's not much going on, and I'm on the hypothyroid side of things...there's not much body odor to speak of. Or body hair, for that matter! I quit wearing deodorant, I quit shaving, I only shower about once or twice a week - and I look and smell fine. It's like my inner hippie went on vacation.  I go to the doctor and report all this, and he ups my meds to get me back to normal, and whoa, baby, that inner hippie is back with a vengeance!  My leg hair has me near tears in the shower, thinking back to the stinging bite of the words flung from the preteen boys warming the bench at Little League when I went over the clif... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086476 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:05:00 +0100 4086476 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4077320&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F17%2Flet-me-live-until-i-die-an-interview-with-thea-bowman%2F Following are excerpts from an interview with Thea Bowman, a Franciscan Sister who became a huge inspiration to black Catholic communities, and to wider circles for her joy and gratitude, her nobility of spirit, and her very real spirituality. The interview, published in Praying magazine and US Catholic, was conducted shortly before she died from cancer, in March 1990, at the age of 53. For me, she is the picture of courage and perseverance of a person living gracefully with pain. Question: What kind of changes have you had to make in your life because of the cancer? Thea Bowman: Part of my approach to my illness has been to say I want to choose life, I want to keep going, I want to live fully until I die … I don’t know what my future holds. In the meantime, I am making a cons... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4077320 Sun, 17 Oct 2010 13:21:40 +0100 4077320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4027310&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2FYiA_eaLPvqs%2F Overwhelmed by Your grace… Overwhelmed by Your steadfastness… Overwhelmed by Your sovereignty… Overwhelmed by Your faithfulness… Overwhelmed by Your abundance… Overwhelmed by Your truth… Overwhelmed by You… {won’t you join me for the rest of my post @ incourage today?} (Source: Especially Heather) Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4027310 Sun, 03 Oct 2010 11:21:05 +0100 4027310 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4003465&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38619&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FALifeCoachsBlog%2F%7E3%2FopAI-_GCPHI%2F I ‘met’ Roy Naim on Twitter about 12 months ago, maybe a tad longer now. I was immediately impressed by this guy that talked to just about everybody and anybody. It seemed that Champagne had stolen the word Bubbly off him. The more I got to know him the more I got to admire him, and that was before he became a client. Once I started working with him I was in awe. Here was a guy that had overcome all sorts of crap in his life and he was really only interested in ONE thing,  how he could help others. We only had 3 sessions together and I had to talk slowly to fill those because Roy is a human dynamo, the Energizer Bunny. Point him in the right direction and he is off on a mission and nothing can stop him, or even slow him down. I have been on his case for a while now, hassling, haran... Life Coach Blog: The Discomfort Zone : blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4003465 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:33:47 +0100 4003465 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994242&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2FVn3ZJSV9-3k%2F “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!” -Psalm 139:17-18b It is amazing to me how often we truly lose sight of Christ’s love for us. There are moments, in each of our lives, that we feel unloved, unwanted, or just invisible. We long for friendships, community and a sense of belonging and forget that He longs to be all of that for us. How that must break His heart! He has given us so many examples of His love for us, but sadly when we hit rock bottom, we rarely take the time to search out our purpose…. {continue reading @ incourage} (Source: Especially Heather) Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994242 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 04:00:03 +0100 3994242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3960082&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F09%2Fhacking-reality-subjective-objectivity%2F As my 30-day subjective reality experiment concluded last month, I shifted to a different mode of living. I finally got used to seeing the world through a dream lens. It was seriously challenging to hold that perspective at first, but after a few weeks, my subconscious took over, and I no longer had to consciously remind myself that this is a dream. Eventually the dream perspective became my default way of thinking.Freeing Mental RAMUp until that point, holding that perspective was a major cognitive burden. My mind often felt fried at the end of the day. The experiment required a serious conscious effort, a lot of dedication, and perhaps a twist of fanaticism.Holding the subjective perspective required a significant amount of mental RAM. Multiple times per hour, I had to keep refreshing t... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3960082 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:12:27 +0100 3960082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3876601&cid=t_129430_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fcharlie-chaplin-on-failure%2F Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself. - Charlie Chaplin Post from: BlissTree Charlie Chaplin on Failure (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3876601 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:00:40 +0100 3876601 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3823186&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F08%2Fsubjective-relationships%2F “What is the primary goal?” “You should know, Professor. You programmed me.” – War GamesWell… this 30-day trial of inspiration is absolutely amazing. I’m so far down the rabbit hole of subjective reality that I can perceive little else but rabbits now. And there sure are a LOT of rabbits down here!Today is technically Day 12 of this experiment. That seems ridiculous to me. How could so much have changed in only 12 days? The pacing of life has become almost unfathomable compared to what it was like before. I feel like I’ve lived through the mental and emotional equivalent of about 3 months in less than 2 weeks. Each day is like a week in terms of the density of its intensity.I know this is a long update (over 7400 words), but it still barely s... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3823186 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:06:35 +0100 3823186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808664&cid=t_129430_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-choice-of-taking-tests-in-life%2F2010.08.01 Do you remember the visceral sensations of angst over an upcoming final exam? Or the first procedure as an independent doctor? A major presentation, perhaps? Life’s exams test not only specific knowledge and skill, but one’s self esteem as well. And it’s the self esteem portion that creates the stomach churn, the palpitations, and the random thoughts of doom. The future lurks over you for weeks, like a weighty backpack, or the possibility of encountering the bully on your walk home from elementary school. (For my bony self, her name was Marilyn.) (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Dr John M* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808664 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:10:14 +0100 3808664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3807536&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FS5Eene6tDZ4%2F Photo Credit: Robert Campbell Photography Part 1: Fear is an illusive giant. What is it? What color is it? How is it shaped? Where can it be found? Fear is everywhere and no where at the same time. It has no shape, color, sound, form, or solid visibility. We can see and feel only its effects. What to do when fear is stalking? Stop. Turn around. Look at it square in the face, And what? Fear has no eyes, no face, and no form. The truth is that fear is: False Evidence Appearing Real. This step prepares you to overcome fear, and gather up the courage to write your dream plan and to build your Dream Plan Book. A wise Eddie Rickenbacker once said, “Courage is doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared.” This truth brings us straight to the condition of... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3807536 Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:10:33 +0100 3807536 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3806039&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2Finspiration-vs-expectation%2F This 30-day inspiration trial is almost too strange. I feel like a blind man excitedly examining a rainbow. There’s definitely something there, but I’m not sure I have the faculties to make sense of it. I feel a bit foolish trying to explain it. It’s tough to translate the experience into words; words alone can’t do it justice.Is it scary? Most definitely. Why is it scary? Partly because I have no idea what’s going to happen next or where this will lead, and the logical part of my mind is freaking out a bit. It’s difficult to feel grounded and secure.I have no idea where I left my comfort zone. I really can’t even see it from where I’m standing.The pace of change I’m experiencing is extremely rapid. So much has already shifted in just ... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3806039 Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:44:17 +0100 3806039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3772425&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Flife-on-beach.html It seems like such an odd place to make a home, yet there they are... thousands of blow holes in the rutted sand where the crabs make their homes deep.  The tides come in and go out, and leave patterns on the sand, yet the crabs hold on tight in the hole they've dug, eat what comes to them, and are perfectly suited to an environment of muck that would detest your average world citizen.We walked a mile or so of the beach without the children one afternoon, hand in hand.  The difficulties of the week and the friction from separation washed away slowly as the waves lapped at our feet and we padded along on the granite-hard sand, packed by wave after wave.  Kind of like trials.  Those waves reduce the sand to it's minimum volume.  Wash away the dross of whatever sand r... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3772425 Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:03:00 +0100 3772425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3764131&cid=t_129430_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fwild-bear-vs-house-cat-video-of-the-day%2F Always stand up to bullies, even if they happen to be wild bears. Actually, scratch that, but this video is still a good lesson in kitty-cat courage. Post from: BlissTree Wild Bear vs. House Cat: Video of the Day (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3764131 Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:00:29 +0100 3764131 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3710607&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F29%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-june-29-2010%2F How do you handle the daily stresses in your life? Are you a hide under the covers person, a problem-solver, or a face things head on warrior? Or maybe you’re a little of all three depending on the situation. What surprises me is that no matter how healthy we’ve become through therapy or how advanced we are as a society, there is still a lot we can do to be and do better. There are, for example, still roadblocks ahead concerning mental health stigma. On top of that there’s the economy, natural disasters, and the oil spill, oh my!  With the weight of the world on our shoulders adding significant baggage to our already piled up plate of worries, perhaps now more than ever, quoting the title of the 1965 Beatles song, “What the World Needs Now is Love.” Yes we de... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3710607 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:25:40 +0100 3710607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3701792&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fonly-child.html The month of May: 25,112 visits to my blog from 71 countries.  I am deep in Jeremiah again and as I shrink back in abject terror from the numbers pouring in, I remember God's words there..."Ah, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord. (1:6-7)This is way bigger than my cancer, or Amelia's illness, or my faltering faith. I've prayed for weeks that God would give some sign that something big is going on, to comfort my aching heart.  Trust Him to speak through statistics, my favorite language. (Source: Turquoise Gates) Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3701792 Sat, 26 Jun 2010 17:53:00 +0100 3701792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3679796&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F20%2Fin-celebration-of-fathers-2010%2F Happy Father’s Day! Dads sometimes get a bum rap as simple bread winners who occasionally are called upon to wield a hammer to hang a picture. They play ball (or, more likely, video games) with the kids, and leave the heavy lifting of child rearing and such to the moms. But fathers are, of course, so much more. They teach us about the wisdom of consideration, courage and honor. They know it is better to command respect than fear, to cultivate friendships rather than enemies, and to find something you love to do, and then build your career around it. Perhaps they aren’t always as “involved” in things as moms seem to be, but they so often seem to provide the rock of stability in a family that is often under-appreciated. Dads are increasingly feeling just as stressed ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3679796 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 11:52:17 +0100 3679796 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648737&cid=t_129430_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FJdYztRwBiCw%2Fmy-first-red-rider-experience.php A couple weeks back I mentioned that I signed up for the 2010 Tour de Cure, and just this week posted a very quick blurb about the Red Rider dinner that I attended the night before the ride.  The ride and the dinner have come and gone, and they were both incredible for me.  I'm trying really hard to come up with a post that does it all justice, but I'll tell you right now it is going to be really hard.  There were some really special guests at the dinner that made it well worth the drive during rush-hour traffic.We heard from Angela Past, a Team Type 1 triathlete, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the early 70's.  She talked about not exercising until she was 35, mostly because she worried about experiencing low blood sugars.  Not much exercise before age 3... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648737 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 05:32:57 +0100 3648737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3629911&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F06%2Fsuspending-judgment%2F It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so. – Mark TwainWhenever I write about certain topics, especially those that seem contrary to mainstream conditioning, some people voice very strong opinions. They communicate their thoughts with a high degree of certainty, as if adopting the posture of an expert.However, upon further inspection it becomes readily apparent that most of these people have little or no direct experience upon which to base their opinions. Their knowledge of such subjects can hardly be classified as knowledge at all, since it’s derived largely from non-primary sources like media conditioning, third-party rumors, and supposition.Erroneous KnowledgeOf course the problem with acq... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3629911 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:02:10 +0100 3629911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3625742&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fdisappearing-country-kid.html I remember them - us - vividly: dust-covered, clothes worn for 3 or 4 days at a time, no shoes, white teeth flashing in smiles cracking through the brown skin, grass stains and scratches like sunlight in the garden. I remember long days with only moments spent indoors. I remember baseball games attended in your play clothes so you could get dirty. I remember a distinct notion of difference between "good clothes" and "play clothes", and I remember the list of activities we had sorted in our childish brains...with all the "fun" stuff in the column under "play clothes".I remember the way the metal playground slide burned your thighs in the brief moment before you went whizzing down. I remember the rust on the bolts, and the creak of the swings, and the worn dirt tracks around the equipment wh... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3625742 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:17:00 +0100 3625742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3621988&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F06%2Fludicrous-results%2F When an idea is first conceived, it’s very easy to idealize it and see only the good aspects. In your imagination, anything is possible. But when ideas are implemented under real-world conditions, the results may not be what you’d expect. In fact, sometimes the results will be completely ludicrous.The Idea-Implementation GapDuring the 1980s, my younger brother and I saw a TV ad for a device called The Clapper. You could hook up The Clapper to an electrical outlet, and it would allow you to turn the power on or off by clapping loudly a couple times. Perhaps the most common use for the device was to turn the lights on and off. So you could be lying in bed reading, and when you were ready to go to sleep, just clap your hands to turn the lights off. Clap again to turn the lights ba... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3621988 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:16:13 +0100 3621988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595542&cid=t_129430_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fanais-nin-on-courage-quote-of-the-day%2F Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. – Anaïs Nin Post from: BlissTree Anaïs Nin on Courage: Quote of the Day (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595542 Tue, 25 May 2010 12:00:58 +0100 3595542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581883&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F05%2Fforming-intentions%2F Hold your breath and put your head underwater. Notice that a clear intention begins to form within a matter of seconds.Now take a nice big bite of a habanero pepper and begin chewing it. Again, notice that a clear intention forms within seconds.When you are sick, notice that you gain clarity in your health intentions. When you lose your job, notice that your financial intentions become more clear.If you want to bring more clarity to your intentions, get off the sidelines of life, and get onto the field. The field is scarier. The sidelines are safer.Go immerse yourself in something you fear. A new intention will quickly form.A low-contrast life has very little power to form intentions. Such lives maintain that safety is a higher priority than growth. However, those who subscribe to such a p... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581883 Wed, 19 May 2010 17:17:45 +0100 3581883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3566811&cid=t_129430_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2Ftr3_N4_CUzA%2F Alcoholics Anonymous members have made the Serenity prayer part of recovery. It asserts five basic elements of the recovery program. A belief in something other than ego-self Serenity – one of the goals of recovery Acceptance of …, e.g., loss of control Courage to make changes Wisdom of recovery that is gained from other members, Spirituality, meditation and literature God grant me the Serenity to Accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.   Whether we belong to this church or that, whether we are humanists, agnostics, or atheists, most of us have found these words a wonderful guide in getting sober, staying sober, and enjoying our sobriety. Whether we see the Serenity Prayer as an actual prayer or... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3566811 Fri, 14 May 2010 20:19:44 +0100 3566811 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3552522&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fgolden-ticket.html The devil, who has for the most part ignored you up to that point since you weren't a threat, starts to take notice. And so do other people. Believers and unbelievers alike may become your adversaries. Remember what happened to the boy David when he decided to fight Goliath? His brother attacked him angrily. Then Saul, the king, challenged him, "You're just a boy." Then Goliath himself mocked David. In that moment, David had no supporters except the Lord. Get in the battle and see what happens. ~Tim Haring, April 30th devotional for Faithwalkers journal, available in it's entirety hereThis has definitely been my experience. At certain points along this difficult road, as I follow God like a blind woman down a path I didn't choose that leads to a destination I am totally unsure of, I have f... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3552522 Mon, 10 May 2010 17:35:00 +0100 3552522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526921&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fmid-night-journal.html Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ~ Philippians 4:6This verse is an oldie, but goody (my brother Daniel used to say that as a small boy, and it still tickles me deep within to say it). Tonight I am up as the first pink glaze of sun appears in the pines out my bedroom window, heralding the end of night and beginning of another morn...up all night trying hard to put actions to this verse. It has been a night of prayer, a night of reading, a night of closing my eyes in near delirium and still the prayers flow and the sleep does not come.How many times had patients sat there waiting for her to announce her decision after a similar moment of respite? Invariably the decision was based on science and s... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526921 Mon, 03 May 2010 08:58:00 +0100 3526921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3524433&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fin-drifts-of-soul.html And maybe the answer is that, whether we realize it or not, every moment is our testimony before a world who has Christ on trial. (Ann Voskamp of Holy Experience)I don't have energy for every moment being a testimony. I am picking a dried-up soul up off the floor today, dragging it around to do dishes, sort winter and summer clothes, tidy up the house. Trying to find something edible for dinner. Why, why, why, Father? The world is bursting with the green that comes after the storm. And my heart is still cold, in the drifts, the pale yellow of last summer's dried husks like the memory of a different life that swells within.Read Psalm 22 today and felt a bit better. I wonder if it is coincidence that Psalm 22 is followed by Psalm 23? According to the Jewish oral/textual tradition, both the o... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3524433 Sat, 01 May 2010 16:40:00 +0100 3524433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3435216&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fhmmmi-wonder.html Curiosity is the character trait for which I am most often thankful. Without it, I probably wouldn't be married; I certainly wouldn't have children; and I definitely wouldn't be a grad student. Curiosity is probably what motivates me to follow God down mysterious paths that I never would have considered on my own. Without it, I could easily see myself working as a single staff nurse for an entire lifetime...and probably being quite happy. Yet once I learned my job and became comfortable in it, I became restless. Lots of questions popped up. And God handed me answers: in the form of my dear, handsome husband; in the little bodies of the babes that came completely by surprise; in the grad school opportunity that presented itself out of a random Google search and a pie-in-the-sky e-mail to a ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3435216 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:27:00 +0100 3435216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3433201&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F04%2Fleadership%2F When you’re on a path of personal growth, inevitably you’re going to encounter some social resistance as you grow and change.For example, suppose you make major progress in improving your diet. Maybe you go vegetarian or vegan or raw. Or perhaps you find another path that generates positive results for you. And suppose most of your family and friends still eat something close to the Standard American Diet (SAD), with lots of animal products and processed foods. Your way of eating falls out of sync with theirs, and everyone can’t help but notice. Now you’re in the minority — you no longer quite fit in.Or suppose you decide to give up alcohol, and most of your friends are still social drinkers. Maybe they invite you to go out and drink with them, but this is a l... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3433201 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:43:23 +0100 3433201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3307133&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F02%2Fregistration-opens-for-3-more-2010-workshops%2F I’m happy to announce that we’ve finalized the bookings for the remaining 2010 Conscious Growth Workshops. Registration is now officially open for all 3 of them. These workshops will be held at the Flamingo Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip on the following dates: May 14-16, 2010 (Fri-Sun) Jul 16-18, 2010 (Fri-Sun) Oct 29-31, 2010 (Fri-Sun) Feedback was so positive on the first two CGWs that it made sense to commit to doing many more of them. On a scale of 1-10, the average rating from CGW graduates was about a 9. Social Abundance One of the primary strengths of CGW is the social element. I’m still impressed by how much CGW alumni are keeping in touch with each other, both online and in person. Week after week I’m seeing CGWers encouraging each other, supporting each oth... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3307133 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:26:39 +0100 3307133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269898&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F02%2Fbroadcast-your-desires%2F Do you hide your true desires from the world? Do you pretend you want one thing while silently desiring something else? For example, do you desire a new lover or playmate while giving potential partners the impression that you’d like to date them first? Do you want to be earning a lot more money while broadcasting that you’re satisfied with your current career? Are you making your true desires abundantly clear, or are you holding them inside while broadcasting an entirely different message to the world? Are you engaging in false advertising, either by broadcasting a false desire or by failing to broadcast your true desire? Consequences of broadcasting your desires Don’t just write down a list of goals for yourself. Share your key goals with others. Let your friends and as... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269898 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:45:49 +0100 3269898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3236137&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F02%2Fhow-you-give-your-power-away%2F One of the themes that repeatedly came up at the last Conscious Growth Workshop was the problem of giving your power away. Instead of focusing on your true desires, you erect false structures in front of your desires and then feed your power to those structures as a delay tactic. Here are some typical scenarios of how people give away their power in different areas of their lives: Relationships Let’s say that your true desire is to be in love. You want a relationship with someone special. You want someone that you can smooch, cuddle, play with, and make love to. You want to be with someone who totally loves you just the way you are. But instead of focusing your power on creating that, here’s what you do instead. You decide that before you can attract a new relationship, you nee... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3236137 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:38:13 +0100 3236137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3236104&cid=t_129430_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FFQgee-9Gc10%2F Alcoholics Anonymous members have made the Serenity prayer part of recovery. It asserts five basic elements of the recovery program. A belief in something other than ego-self Serenity – one of the goals of recovery Acceptance of …, e.g., loss of control Courage to make changes Wisdom of recovery that is gained from other members, Spirituality, meditation and literature God grant me the Serenity to Accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference. Whether we belong to this church or that, whether we are humanists, agnostics, or atheists, most of us have found these words a wonderful guide in getting sober, staying sober, and enjoying our sobriety. Whether we see the Serenity Prayer as an actual prayer or just as a ferven... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3236104 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:53:01 +0100 3236104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3189455&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F01%2Fhow-to-build-a-stronger-ego%2F There’s a notion that’s been spread around the spiritual side of the self-help field that suggests one of our primary aims in life should be ego-less enlightenment, a state where we achieve near-perfect inner peace, where we’re one with everything but attached to nothing, and where nothing in the physical world can knock us off balance. This creates some personal challenges for me because whenever I write about anything remotely spiritual in nature (and sometimes even when I don’t), some readers assume I’m one of the guys promoting this same sort of ideal. Then they question why my behavior doesn’t seem consistent with it. My behavior isn’t consistent with the pursuit of ego-less enlightenment because I have no interest in that path. If other peopl... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3189455 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:30:51 +0100 3189455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3185635&cid=t_129430_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fadmit-it%2F The power of the first step to recovery; ‘We admitted …’ Admit to being frightened, and your courage will grow. Admit to not knowing, and you will learn. Admit your weaknesses, and you’ll become stronger. Admit your mistakes, and you’ll begin to move past them. Admit you don’t know what to say, and you’ll have said just the right thing. Admit that you’re confused, and you’ll begin to understand. Admit that you’re hurting, and you’ll begin to heal. Admit that you care, and the things that truly matter will grow stronger. Admit to being powerless and your power will grow. Being honest with yourself, with others, with life, can often be difficult and intimidating. Yet honesty is always the most reliable, the most direct route to truly at... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3185635 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:23:24 +0100 3185635 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149020&cid=t_129430_87_f&fid=36069&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffrankiespeakingfrankly.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fdoes-global-warming-really-exist-my.html My local MP (member of parliament, for those of you reading not in the UK), Gary Streeter, recently confessed in our local newspaper (‘Plymptom, Plymstock and Ivybridge News’, Friday 18th December) and on his blog that he his sceptical of global warming. He agrees that the climate is changing, but questions whether it is us that are causing it or whether it is happening naturally.He says ‘I have a confession, which will disappoint some. I have tried really heard to buy into the hard-core green agenda over the past few years but something inside prevents me from going the whole way. I realise that pumping carbon into our atmosphere can hardly be a good thing, but is it really causing a change in weather patterns of this awesome globe on which we live? I want to believe and yet…’Ga... Frankie Speaking Frankly blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149020 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:11:00 +0100 3149020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3136747&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F01%2F2010-focus%2F Happy New Year! Around this time of year, I like to decide upon a primary focus for the upcoming year. I’ve held to this practice for several years now, and it’s never failed to stimulate major breakthroughs within the area of focus. I like to blog about my annual focus publicly because it helps solidify my commitment, and I’ve also learned that many of my readers enjoy having a preview of things to come. In 2008 my focus was health, and I became a raw foodist that year, which has yielded many benefits. I can’t even remember the last time I’ve had so much as a cold now; eating raw certainly does wonders for the immune system. I still eat cooked food on occasion, mainly for social convenience, but I keep returning to raw foods as my default. Although it was a s... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3136747 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 12:17:25 +0100 3136747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3100932&cid=t_129430_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fmr-scrooge-be-gone-and-take-the-grinch-with-you%2F Really! Don’t you know it’s Christmas? Yet, here you are, bringing it on. Your “bah humbug” presence is trying to louse up the happiest time of the year.  I know your type.  You’re the grouch at every family gathering; the insensitive friend who has no comprehension of chronic pain and no respect for the courage it takes to live this way. You’re that individual who cannot see life beyond yourself. How tragic is that? You’re missing so much. But I don’t really want to convert you; that’s Tiny Tim’s job. I just want you to be gone. The problem with you is you take many forms. Isn’t life difficult enough without all the struggles you throw our way, compounding our predicament with further complications? Life hands us disease and you hand us discouragement. Life assault... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3100932 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:37:58 +0100 3100932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089611&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2Fsave-100-on-cgw-through-december-15th%2F The $100 early registration discount for the next Conscious Growth Workshop expires at midnight on December 15th. This workshop will be held January 15-17, 2010 at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. Dozens of people have already registered, including many return attendees from the previous CGW, so it’s great to know that we’ll have another amazing international group. At the first CGW, about 1/3 of the participants came from outside the USA. Workshop Details All the workshop details can be found on the Conscious Growth Workshop page, including the specific topics we’ll be covering each day. This will be a very holistic workshop, blending high-level ideas with practical application. We’re going to cover career development, money, health, skill building, habits, productivity,... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089611 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:43:11 +0100 3089611 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3063433&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2Fx7uI1x6k4wg%2F “Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” Picks of Hope: My daughter. Need I say more Hope Untethered: Michelle has been my very dear & best friend for the last 3 years. She has walked with me through my cancer journey & I cannot thank her enough for her amazing friendship. My 3 Boybarians: AMAZING DESIGNER. She and I became close friends while designing my blog. We are going to meet in real life this Friday when she is going to be taking pictures of my family! I am so excited to actually meet her and hug her neck! simplyHIS Lisa was my room mate at SheSpeaks (and my sponsor, sorta!) She encouraged me to go sans wig through out the conference and I havent put my w... Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3063433 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:24:51 +0100 3063433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3061528&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2FyodOW2tM8II%2F “I can count a million times people asking me how I can praise You with all that I’ve gone through. The question just amazes me, can circumstances possibly change who I forever am in You?” -MercyMe That is Emma’s hand catching rain. This pictures really touches my heart because it captures perfectly how our family chooses to accept the “rain” instead of run from it. So many times people approach us and tell us how strong we are… how brave we must be to take on all that we have, including my cancer and a daughter with special needs. I never really thought we were brave, and most of the time we are not strong. What options do we have? We could either wallow in the heartache or we can praise Him through the storms…. {continue reading at incourag... Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3061528 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:00:30 +0100 3061528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3003990&cid=t_129430_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fwayback-wednesday-what-makes-you-think-im-brave.html Courage and diabetes. This seemed an excellent topic to revisit on the second-to-last Wednesday of Diabetes Awareness Month. (Not to mention that I saw Wicked over the weekend with my oldest daughter ) Other than that I believe this post, from early 2007, needs no special intro: What Makes You Think I’m Brave? It’s happened many times [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3003990 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:15 +0100 3003990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993913&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2FY6hmGDM1VVI%2F Stop. That is what my heart is telling me to do. Stop. Stop being so negative. Stop trusting what the doctors say to be 110% accurate. Stop moping around, thinking about death and dying, and start living. That, of course is what I have told myself from day one of my brain cancer diagnosis, and somehow I have gotten away from that mindset. Because the truth is, Cancer can’t be trusted. I had no symptoms, no warning. It hit out of nowhere and completely blindsided me and my family. Isn’t that just like life? It hits you without any warning, blindsiding your faith and trust.. {continued @ incourage..} (Source: Especially Heather) Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993913 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:00:09 +0100 2993913 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2967565&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F11%2Fcreating-abundance-video%2F Yesterday morning I woke up with the idea of recording a video blog on the topic of creating abundance. A little later I checked our forums and saw a request for me to post something more comprehensive on the topic of abundance. Well, I thought… that’s a pretty blatant synchronicity! Is it possible to use the Law of Attraction to manifest true abundance in your life, including financial abundance, social abundance, and more? Absolutely, it is. In this 35-minute video (split into 4 individual clips for posting on YouTube), I explain why people so often fail in this area, and I give you a simple two-part method to make it work for you. I also share some stories and examples from my own life to help you internalize these ideas so you can apply them successfully. There are severa... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2967565 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:35:59 +0100 2967565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2912571&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2Fconscious-growth-workshop-2-registration-opens%2F I’m delighted to announce that we’re now accepting registrations for the second Conscious Growth Workshop, January 15-17, 2010 at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. In fact, we already received the first registration while I was still editing the workshop pages. The first Conscious Growth Workshop earlier this month was such an unqualified success that I started the process of booking another event less than 48 hours after it ended. It took a little while to select the meeting room and get the paperwork signed, but we’re good to go now. Workshop Details All the workshop details can be found on the Conscious Growth Workshop page, including the specific topics we’ll be covering each day. This will be a very holistic workshop, blending high-level ideas with practical appli... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2912571 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:53:33 +0100 2912571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904927&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2F19%2Ften-more-ways-to-lower-anxiety%2F This article was originally published on Explore What’s Next. For more on anxiety read: 10 Steps to Lower Anxiety and Find Empowerment What Is Anxiety? Understanding the Anxious Mind (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904927 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:57:02 +0100 2904927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2891035&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2Fyou-vs-the-cubicle%2F Ah, the cubicle. The beige cage. The cubicle is the antithesis of doing work you love. Virtually no one pictures a cubicle when they think about doing what they most love. The cubicle is where you end up when you fall out of harmony with what you love. The only way you can be stuck in a cubicle is by giving your power away to it. A cubicle has no power over you. You can empower the cubicle, but it can’t empower itself. To complain about a job you dislike is an act of giving your power away. You chose the job, and you can just as easily choose to stop showing up. Think of it this way: If you and your cubicle got in a fight, who would win? Still not sure? How about this: You plus a chainsaw vs. the cubicle plus a chainsaw. Who’d win? If you decide to leave the cubicle, it is po... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2891035 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:24:31 +0100 2891035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2879855&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2Fspeedhugging-how-to-go-from-zero-to-hugs-in-under-60-seconds%2F At the Conscious Growth Workshop last weekend, there were some social courage challenges designed to get people out of their comfort zones. One exercise involved going outside the workshop room and saying something silly to a stranger, such as “Can you tell me what year it is?” or “Which planet is this?” The sharing of results after this exercise was hysterical, and it really raised the energy of the room and got people realizing that there’s no good reason to fear approaching people. When you hand your power over to fear of rejection or embarrassment, you miss so many opportunities to connect and have fun. For those who were already getting pretty good at it, I offered an additional challenge: Meet a stranger and share a hug in less than 5 minutes. One pe... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2879855 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:35:02 +0100 2879855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2814652&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2FiUMuTX57RRU%2F I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope. -Lamentations 3:19 As I was sitting over my newborn daughter in ICU, I prayed for a miracle. I prayed that God would save her from imminent death and give her a new heart quickly. I prayed for the donor family, that they would know the thankfulness of my heart for giving my daughter a new life in the moment of their grief. I prayed for strength, and there were many times that I was so angry at God that I couldnt utter a prayer….(Read more at {in}courage.) (Source: Especially Heather) Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2814652 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:29:55 +0100 2814652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2804270&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2Fman-transformation-how-to-attract-and-enjoy-a-fulfilling-relationship%2F A few months ago I mentioned in our forums, on Facebook, and on Twitter that I was evaluating several relationship courses from David DeAngelo. If you aren’t familiar with his work, David DeAngelo is the pen-name of Eben Pagan, a man who achieved tremendous success creating and selling various courses (ebooks, DVDs, etc) about dating and relationships. His most popular item is an e-book called Double Your Dating. Since these courses tend to be fairly involved, I decided to ask for feedback from people who’d already gone through some of them to see if they’d be worth my time to evaluate. To be honest I was partly hoping that people would trash them because that would save me a lot of time. However, the feedback I received about David’s work was very positive overal... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2804270 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:46:51 +0100 2804270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782073&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F10%2Freflections-on-my-birthday%2F Yesterday, I did my civic duty and served on jury duty. It’s a reluctant responsibility many citizens in the U.S. serve, me among them. As luck would have it, I wasn’t called to actually sit on a jury, so Providence must have been shining on me a bit. An early birthday present, if you will. It also reminded me that living in a country such as the United States is a privilege, one that was earned on the backs and lives of millions of Americans who came before me. I am grateful for the opportunity offered me because of what my great grandparents decided to do — to immigrate to America with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Because of their courage, I’m here today, doing what I do. On events like my birthday, I get reflective and appreciative. I have a lot to be ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782073 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:53:14 +0100 2782073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2778655&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbreast-cancer-wall-of-honor-post-your-thoughts-and-memorials-here%2F Beneath every breast cancer diagnosis is a beating courageous heart. Breast cancer has proven it does not discriminate based on race, class, intelligence, beauty or even gender. It strikes at our home, our community and doesn’t spare our loved ones. Whether ourselves, a friend, a colleague or family member, we feel the heartache and pain that comes with the disease. As often as breast cancer wields its hideous reality in someone’s life, just as often that person rises to the challenge and inspires us beyond the heartache. There are over 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in America. Women who have fought the good fight and have won. There are precious souls too who have fought the battle and have lost but they are no less special in the memories of those who loved them. In tru... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2778655 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:08:21 +0100 2778655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2727377&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2FUPh73QiikMQ%2F I have to admit that ending chemo was probably one of the hardest things I have had to do in my life. Not because I don’t trust that God is still God. Not because I don’t believe that He is still able to do what He says he will do; but merely because I am [...] (Source: Especially Heather) Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2727377 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:00:52 +0100 2727377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2695579&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F11%2Fstarting-at-the-wrong-end-of-the-process%2F No Finish Line Do your goals, hope and dreams have finish lines? Or do you fall into the trap of meandering within the distance between “Start” and “Finish”? Being driven by perfection, and the vain hope to do {it} perfectly. Waiting endlessly for the perfect start, the perfect way, the perfect time — the perfect inspiration. We all have dreamed, wished or longed for specific goals. We begin progressing in the direction of said goals, and then we stall out due to discouragement or a loss of vision and energy. After a proper mourning time — and a measure or two of self-loathing — we take our goals back to the drawing board. Once there, a certain amount of time passes as we become overwhelmed with the amount of calendar space we believe it will take to accomplis... The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2695579 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:06:27 +0100 2695579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528228&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F06%2Fyour-wealthy-avatar%2F There was a recent discussion in our forums about the contrast between playing an online computer game (MMORPG) and, over a period of weeks or months, acquiring a substantial amount of gold for your character (avatar) versus experiencing the opposite situation of financial scarcity in real life. The question posed was: What’s it like to enjoy financial abundance in real life? Honestly it’s pretty much the same thing you’d experience in a virtual game world when your character has a lot of gold. When you have an abundance of gold, the nature of the game changes, doesn’t it? First, the price of items becomes less important because you can afford anything you want. You’re less likely to whine, “I can’t afford that!” If you have a million gold pi... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528228 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:28:25 +0100 2528228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442581&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Frunning-from-chemotherapy%2F Remember those days when you woke up and realized that it was the day you had been dreading? The day when you had to go for chemotherapy? Well then, you probably remember once or twice wondering what would happen if you just didn’t show up. You knew the doctor might call you and maybe family and friends would offer to take you so you didn’t have to go alone, but beyond that it really was your will that got you to go for your treatments. Imagine then if you decided not to go for chemotherapy and the police showed up to take you. That’s the startling reality for Daniel Hauser, the young 13-year-old boy who ran away recently with his mother to avoid having chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Those of us that have been through chemotherapy can imagine the desperate hope of that boy to... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442581 Fri, 29 May 2009 21:11:50 +0100 2442581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442542&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F27%2Fdancing-to-new-rhythms%2F Photo Credit: sjb5 Dancer. Red. Joy. These words describe what is in my heart … Change can have its moments of outrageous joy … and sheer terror! Although we learn to dance to the jazzy beats of new rhythms — said dance routines are not without their tumbles and bruises. Notes of change played together to form new compositions and routines. Even as we fumble about sometimes until — with time and practice — we refine our days and learn how to maintain order in the midst of creatively managing our days. I have been jotting down some final notes of my latest composition. It incorporates notes and patterns I have danced to in the past; but this one is more refined and easier to dance to. Which is a good thing, since it is an extremely lively beat of sweet sixteenth notes! ... The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442542 Wed, 27 May 2009 10:18:44 +0100 2442542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2382555&cid=t_129430_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F02%2Fvideo-on-courage%2F “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” –Mary Anne Radmacher That’s the gist of this video. Click through to watch. (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2382555 Sat, 02 May 2009 10:12:04 +0100 2382555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2463423&cid=t_129430_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F05%2Fabuse-of-power%2F Do you ever mistakenly use your own power against yourself? Instead of focusing your creative energies to fulfill your desires, do you channel those energies into negative thoughts, feelings, and visualizations? If so then you’re succumbing to an abuse of your own power. Here are some common patterns that involve using your power against yourself as well as suggestions for how to stop yourself and make corrective adjustments. Complaining When you complain, you’re using your power to reinforce and magnify whatever you’re complaining about. Why on earth would you want to feed more energy into something you don’t want? The more you complain, the more you’ll continue to attract and create similar negative circumstances, and the more you’ll have to compl... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2463423 Sat, 02 May 2009 06:45:12 +0100 2463423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376644&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F26%2Flife-in-a-box%2F Mac and cheese and I are old friends. I have graduated from the blue box stuff (from my college days) to the healthier version, but I still see it has one of life’s staples. Sort of like “instant comfort” in a box! And that is about all I have today. Well, that, and this miscellaneous ponderings from Desserts Past. Which is where — in the 39 drafts of The Dessert Years — I found this image of my son’s favorite mac and cheese. So, this is Day 3 (or 4 … I forget …) of topics-to-blog popping around in my mind. Ideas that seem to stall once I begin to write. These ideas start in full composition. However, this composition is occurring while I dig in the dirt of my gardens! Thus, since I do not have an assistant — equipped with a laptop! — with me... The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376644 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 20:56:11 +0100 2376644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376603&cid=t_129430_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FGSsPIs9MJVo%2F29-years-today.php I finally received my discharge records, and now have "My Date".  Saturday, April 26, 1980.  That makes today my 29th year of living with type 1 diabetes.First and foremost, I want to thank my dad, who picked up the ball for me.  In my search for my discharge records, I got frustrated from running into dead end after dead end.  He picked up the phone and started making some calls,... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376603 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:00:00 +0100 2376603 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364954&cid=t_129430_87_f&fid=36069&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffrankiespeakingfrankly.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Finnocent-man-in-guantanamo.html I'm currently reading Five Years of My Life: An Innocent Man in Guantanamo, by Murat Kurnaz. I pick up random books to read from my local library, but almost always true stories, preferably autobiographies. Reason being I realised as a teenager that life was short, and interesting, and I had a lot to learn. Since time was limited, I had better learn about truth rather than spend my days dreaming about fiction - I had read plenty of fiction as a child; I then took the decision to try to spend every minute of my life as effectively as I could, learning from others who had succeeded in life as much as I could.I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this book since I knew it would be pretty grim and depressing. But since the guy had come out the other end and had found the strength to write about hi... Frankie Speaking Frankly blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364954 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:51:00 +0100 2364954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349485&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F20%2Fmanaging-overwhelm%2F Photo Source Can this be accomplished? Managing overwhelm?? Isn’t the lack of control the very essence of overwhelm? Maybe not. Overwhelm is like a giant wave of tasks, situations and.or emotions that momentarily threatens to envelop us. It can paralyze us. Unless we grab a surfboard; a surfboard called Cope! What? Go surfing? Learning to cope with the sweeping waves of Life is part of living. We all have “bad” days when we simply wash onto shore — water-logged and exhausted. However, experience and practice enables any surfer — and those of us who merely “surf” the wild waves of Life — to ride to the shore on even the largest of waves! My “surfboard” of choice at the moment is: One Step at a Time and {Master Lists}. And … I get ... The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349485 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:49:31 +0100 2349485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349172&cid=t_129430_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fit-takes-true-grit-to-live-a-life-with-chronic-pain%2F You don’t have to be John Wayne, although I would guess he exhibited a great deal of courage and grit when he battled cancer.  I believe we all have the ability to display true grit, courage and unbelievable valor. When you’re faced with a life that has changed, morphed or seemingly left you behind, you find out a great deal about yourself. I guess our grandparents would say, “Well, it shows what you’re made of.” Let’s see, what am I made of besides bad cartilage, a questionable rhythm in my heart, a bad sitter, crumbling ankles and skin that breaks out in the mildest display of sunshine. Surely I’m more than that. Aren’t I? I think most of us go through a state of shock, denial and anger. It depends entirely on us and the internal courage we can muster as to how long this... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349172 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:10:46 +0100 2349172 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2326596&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F10%2Farriving-at-amazing-by-way-of-goals-part-3%2F The Land of Amazing is often discovered after wandering around … somewhere over the rainbow. Most who are searching already have what they are looking for — or at least a mental map to it — even if they don’t realize it. It is the “doing” which propels us — fuels us — to our destinations. Changing the way we move through Life most frequently occurs a degree at a time. But then there is this tipping point, where it all comes together. There is a shift in the way we react to situations, our thought patterns and the order of our days. We have the ability to guide this process when we invest a bit of time and focus to: Determine goals (How you want your days to be?) Develop a plan — a strategy. And work the plan! Set a deadline. Deadlines develop habits and protec... The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2326596 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:23:56 +0100 2326596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2326598&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F08%2Farriving-at-amazing-by-way-of-goals-part-2%2F What are your Goals? Where do you want to go from here? Today awaits your choice to be present. And by the way, you will have to check the baggage of yesterday at the door. As difficult as it is sometimes to keep moving, to take the next step, to forgive (self and others), to let go and just be fully present in this moment — it is possible! In order to do so, see your life on a continuum — see yourself in-motion, living a life that is in-progress. It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had. ~Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Begin to think about a sequence of events — a strategy — that has a beginning, a middle and... The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2326598 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:40:57 +0100 2326598 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2325112&cid=t_129430_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F7DQ1CF_UdI8%2Funraveling-and-reravaling.php I was recently talking (well, tweeting) with my friend Karen about some of the tough days we all have.  Everyone has tough days, but we were specifically talking about how dealing with diabetes can swoop out of nowhere and turn a perfectly good day to crap.  The words that Karen used, which I just loved, were "I just wish non diabetics, understood and realized how strong we have to be... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2325112 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:00:39 +0100 2325112 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2326600&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F06%2Farriving-at-amazing-by-way-of-goals-part-1%2F Photo Credit So, raise your hand if your life feels like a Three-Ring Circus. It goes something like you swinging by the seat of your pants — three rings of multi-tasking, with a crowd of people watching while you work away. And there are lions and tigers and bears! Oh, my! Most of us assume the role of Ring Master for years until we realize how close that keeps us to absolute chaos. This realization is likely repeated during said years — until one day (as you pull your head out of the lion’s mouth one last time …) you make the connection! You realize you have never really been in control. You have been lost in a maze of dictated “must’s, should’s and shall’s” … And you are tired. Very tired. And probably angry. Very angry? You have been running around �... The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2326600 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:01:35 +0100 2326600 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2299038&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F30%2Fgoals-and-clarity%2F Photo Credit For the past three months I have wondered if I would ever move past the baseline of my Life-Plan. I had what I needed to move forward: Goals (my plans, my notes and tons of research) — as well as the ever-necessary dash of CreAtive inspiration! And I had Clarity. Clarity is the proverbial tugboat that maneuvers Goals to their final destination. It has the ability to push or pull a Goal through a difficult phase. The “difficult phase” for my Goals has been my roller-coaster-wellness. (And although I am “more well” — the adventure continues …) Despite these physical challenges, my ability to nurture and focus upon the vision regarding my Goals remains constant. Um, ‘cept for those darn periodic black-outs and power surges. Last week I ... The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2299038 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:15:35 +0100 2299038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2299039&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F27%2Fsimple-delights%2F Life is full of simple delights … Pleasures within our days that we, all too often, zoom past without notice. These pleasures inspire thoughts, enable us to exhale just a little more completely and provide proverbial pieces to the multiple life-puzzles in our mind and memory. Cloud formations are a common simple pleasure for me. Especially when framed by the lens of my camera … Each afternoon,  my canine grrls and I enjoy a “recess” … We walk around our little country acreage, exploring this and that — enjoying the fresh air, the busyness of birds and squirrels and the big, ever-changing country sky! One afternoon, camera in-hand — clicking away the images of the day — I spotted this view! It proved to be a visual solution to the random, undefined... The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2299039 Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:12:51 +0100 2299039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2268010&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F16%2Fwhat-is-your-guide-word-for-this-week%2F If you could select a theme, an adjective, a mood to be your guide word for this week … What would it be? Life is about attitude. Attitudes are determined by what we focus upon. What has your focus? Your attention? Your time? Who — or what — is guiding your life? Are your intentions guiding your life? Or [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2268010 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:37:09 +0100 2268010 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2260473&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Ffear-of-breast-cancer-and-the-courage-to-fight-it%2F I was in Virginia this past week on a ski vacation and somehow ended up at the top of the longest and most difficult hill for my first run. The bright orange signs lining the entrance to the ski lift that said “experts only” should have been my first clue. I am not an overconfident skier, I am a beginner. My husband however who has extensive experience skiing thought that my overcautious approach and slower pace would allow me to handle this ski hill just fine. Once I got to the top of the hill, I learned quickly the difference between being fearless and being courageous. I had to get to the bottom of the hill, but it wasn’t going to be without great fear and trepidation. I was courageous enough however to suck it up and show great spirit in taking the initiative to get down. I later... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2260473 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:10:09 +0100 2260473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2249375&cid=t_129430_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2FDUV4gyksZDg%2F And ours too… From the current online Grapevine issue - “A Child of Woodstock”, additional validation of many years of my adult life. Similar thoughts had been expressed to me well after the divorce when I had seen my ex for the first time in many months. She didn’t appear to be the person I had known and I brought it to my sponsor. His explanation was quite close; “What is relevant here, as I began to realize slowly in AA, is that it was alcohol that made our marriage possible for all the years we stayed together. We drank as our parents did, and liquor flowed into the fissures between us. It erased our reality. It cloaked our deep estrangement from each other and ourselves. It made deception and inauthenticity livable.” My wife rarely drank and didn&#8... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2249375 Sun, 08 Mar 2009 03:47:41 +0100 2249375 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2236122&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F03%2Fgot-pruners%2F We can’t do everything … But we can prune back! I confess. (In the event you don’t already know …) I am a dreamer. Pruning is not something that comes naturally for me — by any stretch of the imagination! However, I am ever-so slowly learning to prune back the distractions and errant limbs [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2236122 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:33:44 +0100 2236122 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2227516&cid=t_129430_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2FCj75FOQRqvY%2F Anger is another topic that has received little play in meetings in this locale in recent memory. A lot can be written and said about anger by alcoholics. I am in full agreement with Mel B.; “What really is behind a temper outburst? A temper explosion is not something that just blows up out of nowhere, a storm without a cause. It is actually a surface manifestation of inner hostility, of the emotions we often call ‘resentments’ in AA. I’ve learned that I am subject to moments of rage only if I allow myself to wallow around in a swamp of resentful, self-pitying thoughts. It is easy to become outwardly angry, for example, when I have spent several hours thinking about past mistakes, or going over how badly someone treated me in the past. I can also become angry over r... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2227516 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 04:07:41 +0100 2227516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2222653&cid=t_129430_134_f&fid=35165&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdearada.typepad.com%2Fgrace%2F2009%2F02%2F487i-have-a-disease-when-i-was-first-diagnosed-my-numbers-were-in-the-high-300s-something-was-obviously-wrong-with-me-giv.html   487.It proves I have a disease. When I was first diagnosed, my blood sugar numbers were in the high 300's. Something was obviously wrong with me given all the weight loss, the incessant thirst, the need to pee all the time. It took one blood test to know what it was. One number and it was clear that I had diabetes. That blood test was the day my life changed forever. One way of living ended and a new way, one filled with numbers and calculations, physical ups and downs, psychological challenges and trials began. That day I started to live my life in small increments punctuated by blood and numbers. An hour here, stop and test and decide. 3 hours later, do the same. 5, 7, 10 times a day. From then on, until now. When I look back on all the days preceding this moment ... aiming for grace blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2222653 Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:25:06 +0100 2222653 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2207532&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F23%2Fintuition%2F Truly successful decision making relies on a balance between deliberate and instinctive thinking. ~Malcolm Gladwell, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2207532 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:08:50 +0100 2207532 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2207533&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F23%2Fmake-the-choice-the-hard-choice%2F We all face The Hard Choice. The Hard Choice to pull off the layers of complaint, of self-loathing, of disdain for everyone else and the overall sense of discontent, emptiness and a sorrow that goes beyond words. To get-real. To put aside what we are feeling and to ask God, “What are You doing?” and “What [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2207533 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:38:28 +0100 2207533 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2196346&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F18%2Frhythms-of-grace-how-to-avoid-crashing-waves-and-other-adventures%2F Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2196346 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:03:30 +0100 2196346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2192507&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F16%2Fare-you-a-people-pleaser%2F Ever have shining moments of blinding revelation? I had one this morning. Said revelation actually started dawning on me last summer … It had to do with a comment made to me by a close friend. Her exact words escape me at the moment — probably because I was in a state of semi-shock when she [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2192507 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:05:16 +0100 2192507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2190700&cid=t_129430_134_f&fid=35165&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdearada.typepad.com%2Fgrace%2F2009%2F02%2Ffor-a-long-time-ive-been-thinking-about-how-i-like-to-have-a-way-to-acknowledge-all-the-small-milestones-of-living-with-this.html  Recognize Victories. Consider Lightness. Celebrate Courage. Embrace Kindness. Aim for Grace. For quite a long time I've been thinking about how I'd like to have a way to acknowledge all the small milestones of living with this disease. Little markers, badges if you will, that are earned every day, every hour, every minute, by countless people living with chronic illness. Merit badges to acknowledge all the grace in light of struggle, the courage in light of unending challenge, the everyday victories people with chronic illness have every day. The older I get the more I'm convinced of the importance of celebrating and marking them in some small way. Because of my love for all things girl scout, what came to mind was a token, a kind of merit badge for all the small m... aiming for grace blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2190700 Sun, 15 Feb 2009 18:22:09 +0100 2190700 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2188148&cid=t_129430_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2FJjENi4n7J6o%2F Most of us don’t realize to what extent we are defiant. I first published this two years ago and I’d like to refer to it again. It feels very appropriate considering some of the folks who’ve displayed their own recently… **************************************** It surprised me when I discovered how defiant I had been toward God in my drinking days and for quite some time after He helped me sober up. Small, simple things like, “no, I’ll do it my way, thank you.” Do you have any idea how often and to what degree we do this? There’s an old “story” I wish I could relate about someone demanding a sign from God while they’re standing in the middle of a field. They dismiss a soft breeze, a butterfly and a couple of other signs because they misperceive them ... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2188148 Sat, 14 Feb 2009 13:03:45 +0100 2188148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2185033&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F13%2Fyou-have-today-what-will-you-do-with-it%2F So many times we get caught up in the notion that we don’t have time. A odd notion that somehow we have time to worry about the time we don’t have — instead of merely doing something with the time we have! You have today. What will you do with it? I know from my [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2185033 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:05:35 +0100 2185033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2167841&cid=t_129430_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2FoC2sU98kWpI%2F And thereby making defeat rightly accepted needing not to be a disaster… From The Language of the Heart, page 270; “It is always worthwhile to consider how grossly that good word acceptance can be misused. It can be warped to justify nearly every brand of weakness, nonsense, and folly. For instance, we can ‘accept’ failure as a chronic condition, forever without profit or remedy. We can ‘accept’ worldly success pridefully, as something wholly of our own making. We can also ‘accept’ illness and death as certain evidence of a hostile and godless universe. With these twistings of acceptance, we AAs have had vast experience. Hence we constantly try to remind ourselves that these perversions of acceptance are just gimmicks for excuse-making: a los... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2167841 Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:34:05 +0100 2167841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2158083&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F03%2Fgratitude-is-a-many-splendored-thing%2F splen´dor n.    —    Great brightness; brilliant luster; brilliancy; as, the splendor of the sun. Right up front, let me be clear: I am writing this more as a reminder to myself more than a proclamation. Because I am so-o not feelin’ it right now! And while it is accurate to see gratitude as a [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2158083 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:38:21 +0100 2158083 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2153742&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F02%2Fstill-miss-you-friend%2F Every day. But I celebrate that you are free: “Wish You Were Here“        (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2153742 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:38:22 +0100 2153742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2145391&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F30%2Fhello-fear%2F You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along. …You must do the thing you think you cannot do. ~Eleanor Roosevelt        [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2145391 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:16:41 +0100 2145391 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2115888&cid=t_129430_134_f&fid=35165&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdearada.typepad.com%2Fgrace%2F2009%2F01%2Fup-and-down.html   I'm really trying to not let my diabetes be an excuse for feeling sad or down. In truth, it is a real source of ongoing challenge and fatigue. Because of this fact, I've worked hard to give myself the space and permission to take the time I need to replenish and recover from all that diabetes demands. I've worked hard at letting it count and be seen for what it really is, by others, but more importantly, by myself. I've worked hard at cutting myself some slack about sometimes feeling the blues just because I have diabetes. On the other hand, I also don't want diabetes to get into the way of living the most vibrant, engaged, full life that's possible. I don't want it to be an excuse for not leaning into life. I struggle with this still. I'm stru... aiming for grace blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2115888 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:42:45 +0100 2115888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2107833&cid=t_129430_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2Fvk2uhIl1vF0%2F Avail us nothing… I first published this last year. It remains true. January 7th’s Reflection speaks of turning points. Sometimes they are beginnings and sometimes they are endings. I can understand that. I don’t like it but, then again, it doesn’t matter whether I like them or not, everything will unfold the way it was meant to. Thy Will, Not Mine Be Done My shortcomings also tempt me daily; therefore I also have the same opportunities as the reflections’ writer to become aware of them. In one form or another - self-condemnation will rear its ugly head. I make a mistake and the very first thought is “You stupid A**.” Anger seemingly always jumps up to be recognized. It is self-delusional for me to continue to regret the past and what happened wit... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2107833 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 04:42:50 +0100 2107833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2090857&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F08%2Fconnect-the-dots%2F The necessity of bed-rest and sleep for the past four days has granted me a lot of time to “connect the dots” — to draw lines between the points on the page of my Life Plan. Said points (and squiggles and visual cues) include: Securing a work-from-home, part-time, paid staff position Continuing to work freelance and to [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2090857 Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:15:26 +0100 2090857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2077160&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F03%2Fthree-hershey-bars-three-words-inspired%2F Yesterday was a cold, colorless, cloudy day here. Blah! Double blah! Just the sort of day that beckons you to curl up with a cozy down comforter and simply nap through the hours. Except even that didn’t even sound appealing! Actually — nothing seemed appealing! So … I did what any women does in the [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2077160 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:46:57 +0100 2077160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2077161&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F01%2Fa-boarding-pass-for-2009%2F I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. ~Thomas Alva Edison I remember the first time I flew on an airplane. It was a gloomy, rainy, cloudy day. I boarded, found my seat and prepared for take-off. As the plane ascended through the clouds … the bright rays of the sun filled [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2077161 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:50:26 +0100 2077161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2077162&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F31%2Fdealing-with-overwhelm%2F As I ponder the possibilities for 2009 — I rejoice! And, I rejoice for the first time in a very long time. I am usually kicking the “old year” out the door and urging the “new year” to come in quickly! Assuming that surely a bright, shiny new year has to be better than an [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2077162 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:26:56 +0100 2077162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074616&cid=t_129430_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2Fz4zmH7OSphI%2F We sit in meetings, we offer others our experience, strength and hope, we share the stories of our lives. Why? I think the last paragraph of the preface of the Fourth Edition says it well; “All changes made over the years in the Big Book (A.A. members’ fond nickname for this volume) have had the same purpose: to represent the current membership of Alcoholics Anonymous more accurately, and thereby to reach more alcoholics. If you have a drinking problem, we hope that you may pause in reading one of the forty-two personal stories and think: “Yes, that happened to me”; or, more important, “Yes, I’ve felt like that”; or, most important, “Yes, I believe this program can work for me too.” We’ll be waiting for you… Share This (Sour... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074616 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:14:01 +0100 2074616 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2077164&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F28%2Fpondering-my-branches%2F Seeds of inspiration fall into my pocket when I breath in the fresh country air and soak in the warmth from the sun as it shines over my gardens. These seeds — various and a sundry — take root in my heart as I tend to them with the fertilizer of commitment and sprinklings of [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2077164 Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:16:45 +0100 2077164 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2066309&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F25%2Fits-a-wonderful-life%2F Admittedly, going into this Christmas season, I have been somewhat in need of my own Clarence — my own guardian angel to remind me what is truly important. And she would have most certainly earned her wings last night! Actually, I have several precious guardian angels. Every day they remind me what is important and are ever-faithful [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2066309 Thu, 25 Dec 2008 15:03:38 +0100 2066309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2063229&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F24%2Fdreaming%2F Becoming mature means learning to accept what you cannot change, facing unresolved sorrows and learning to love life as it really happens, not as you would have it happen. When someone attaches unkindness to criticism, she’s angry. Angry people need to criticize as an outlet for their anger. That’s why you must reject unkind criticism. [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2063229 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:16:00 +0100 2063229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056759&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F21%2Fcold-december%2F The colors of the sky seem so much more vivid in the winter. All of my very favorite photos of the sky — sunrises, sunsets, clouds — are from cold December days. I wonder if this reflects nature or the nature of the observer. Perhaps a little of both? December is the month when I dream of walking [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056759 Sun, 21 Dec 2008 13:42:56 +0100 2056759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2054836&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F19%2Fnew-day%2F Ever carry baggage from the previous day with you into the “today”? As I sip on my mug of café mocha (will post some recipes later …) I am pondering this about myself. Why do we do that? Why do we insist of beating ourselves over yesterday? Today has quite enough worries and anxieties of [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2054836 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:04:30 +0100 2054836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2043238&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F17%2Fmy-life-in-flair%2F For as long as I can remember I have believed I had too many words. I viewed it as some sort of curse because no matter what, I seemed to experience life verbally — way verbally! To this day, it is as though every situation has at least 12,000 words to offer me. And [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2043238 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:55:42 +0100 2043238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2036246&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F15%2Fwe-cant-do-everything-but-we-can-set-priorities%2F Winter Sky During the past couple of months, I have challenged myself to live up to my bio. What does that mean? Well, if I say I am a gardener, that means I enjoy time in my gardens. Other selected habits in my bio: writing; photography; beading; collage art; various activity and miscellany regarding social entrepreneurism. That [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2036246 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:10:27 +0100 2036246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2029607&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F09%2Feverything-is-amazing-and-nobody-is-happy%2F So, tell me … Are you happy? Or does the evening news create feelings of unrest, doubt and … yes, fear. Could it be you are simply a junkie, on the hunt for your next fix of “amazing” … even as you take it for granted. Happiness depends on what happens; joy does not.  ~Oswald Chambers        [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2029607 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:18:44 +0100 2029607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027235&cid=t_129430_134_f&fid=35165&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdearada.typepad.com%2Fgrace%2F2008%2F12%2Fthere-are-days-when-i-feel-so-battered-by-diabetes-both-physically-and-emotionally-this-last-couple-of-weeks-have-been-toug.html   There are days when I feel just battered by diabetes. Both physically and emotionally. These last couple of weeks have been tough, dealing with routine changes from holidays, "celebratory" meals outside my usual diet, challenging medical procedures as well as the standard ups and downs of life with diabetes. I've had a couple of highs and lows that were off the chart, particularly hard on my body as well as my spirit. This morning as I lay in bed before I started my day, I realized how emotionally worn out I am by all this physical challenge. I'm tired to my heart of having to constantly deal with this disease. I know that this feeling will pass as my day takes on momentum and I get on with my regular life, but for now, at this very moment, I need to acknowledge h... aiming for grace blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027235 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:33:39 +0100 2027235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2008293&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F03%2Ffirst-days%2F Today is the first day of the rest of your life. I have always liked that saying. It inspires me to consider new beginnings, letting go, moving on … New directions! What will you do with today? Pursuing one’s dreams — making little micromovements — too often begins “someday” or tomorrow. Got dreams? Why not [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2008293 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:18:27 +0100 2008293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1999215&cid=t_129430_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F8bYhyjHky04%2F The last couple of days I’ve reprinted “How To Listen To God” written by John E. Batterson and reproduced at Barefoot Bill’s web site here. It was long enough I had to break it down into three parts. This is the last - the last few suggestions then the results. “How To Listen To God” Suggestions and results… 6. TEST When the flow of thoughts slows down, stop. Take a good look at what you have written. Not every thought we have comes from God. So we need to test our thoughts. Here is where the written record helps us to be able to look at them. a) Are these thoughts completely honest, pure, unselfish and loving? b) Are these thoughts in line with our duties to our family - to our country? c) Are these thoughts in line with our understanding of the t... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1999215 Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:00:01 +0100 1999215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996560&cid=t_129430_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2FxfNxhfy1ZGA%2F Yesterday I duplicated the beginnings of “How To Listen To God” written by John E. Batterson and reproduced at Barefoot Bill’s web site here. It is still my opinion it is worth it to repeat and pass it along far and wide. “How To Listen To God” Specific suggestions… With the basic elements as a background, here are specific suggestions on How to Listen to God: 1. TAKE TIME Find some place and time where you can be alone, quiet and undisturbed. Most people have found that the early morning is the best time. Have with you some paper and pen or pencil. 2. RELAX Sit in a comfortable position. Consciously relax all your muscles. Be loose. There is no hurry. There needs to be no strain during these minutes. God cannot get through to us if we are tense and anxi... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996560 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:20:02 +0100 1996560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996561&cid=t_129430_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2FnRl5w7fhMmA%2F John E. Batterson wrote this and Barefoot Bill has reproduced it at his web site here. It is simply my opinion it is worth it to repeat it and pass it along far and wide. “How To Listen To God” Preparations and conditions… These are a few simple suggestions for people who are willing to make an experiment. You can discover for yourself the most important and practical thing any human being can ever learn - how to be in touch with God. All that is needed is the willingness to try it honestly. Every person who has done this consistently and sincerely has found that it really works. Before you begin, look over these fundamental points. They are true and are based on the experience of thousands of people. 1. God is alive. He always has been and He always will be. 2. God knows... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996561 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:03:43 +0100 1996561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964994&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F17%2Fitsy-bitsy-spider%2F So, I am a nature nut … Spiders in my gardens are a blessing since they help with unwanted insects. Besides they are fascinating! This particular spider was spinning away at the intricate lines of his web one morning while I was nearby planting pansies in my garden. The very same morning I had just reached [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964994 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:24:02 +0100 1964994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1956573&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F12%2Fgoing-off-grid%2F There are times when one is completely tapped; nothing more to offer … Barely able to close the window blinds, unplug the phone and turn off all things plugged-in, in order to achieve off-grid status. Going off-grid. That is how I moved through this past Sunday and Monday. Too much information being processed and running faster [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1956573 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:07:02 +0100 1956573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1941065&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F06%2Fsit-down-shut-up-and-enjoy-the-ride%2F I learned countless life-lessons while mothering and caring for my three children. And honestly, the long-term value of said education makes my “official lesson-learnin’” seem like kindergarten! One such lesson was: Sit down. Shut up. And enjoy the ride. This means: quit spinning, stop muttering and get on with It. (Whatever It is …) In the [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1941065 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:33:39 +0100 1941065 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1873893&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F14%2Fsomeday-now-%25e2%2580%2594-part-1%2F My son and I drove to Colorado last month. We decided upon a return route that took us back into our great state by way of New Mexico’s state highway 456. If you have never personally traveled the stretch of this highway from Raton, New Mexico into the panhandle of Oklahoma, you have missed an [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1873893 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:54:39 +0100 1873893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1873119&cid=t_129430_134_f&fid=35165&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdearada.typepad.com%2Fgrace%2F2008%2F10%2Fi-had-an-interesting-conversation-with-an-old-friend-the-other-day-my-friend-has-a-son-who-has-many-severe-health-issues-of.html   I had an interesting conversation with an old friend of mine the other day. My friend's son has many severe health issues which she has attended to on an ongoing basis since the day he was born. Surgeries, infections, daily management of the most basic of physical functions. A lot of very tough, unrelenting issues, not the least of which has been having to watch her child struggle and suffer with persistent physical and emotional challenges. She does all this with remarkable grace and courage and has so for the last 16 years. Every single day. She's done so without really noticing that she's doing it and consequently, hasn't given herself much credit for all that she does in the process. I shared with my friend that what I've come to learn through writing this b... aiming for grace blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1873119 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:14:44 +0100 1873119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1871494&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F13%2Fdirection-of-my-dreams%2F If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. ~Thoreau After my first chemotherapy treatment I became physically limited. To this day there is no clear explanation of what actually occurred to restrict movement and [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1871494 Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:42:00 +0100 1871494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1857426&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F07%2Fbegin-today%2F There is something absolutely inspiring about watching clouds. A storm front moved through last evening. It came around the time for the sun to set on the horizon. This allowed for wonderful shades of orange and blue with the natural beauty of trees to frame the dramatic changes … It’s time to start living the life you’ve [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1857426 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:56:51 +0100 1857426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1849028&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F03%2Fim-not-dreaming-i-am-planning%2F Clouds in the awesome blue of an Autumn Oklahoma Sky Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning. ~Gloria Steinem If you have been convinced that you are merely a legend in your own mind … You live with your head in the clouds … [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1849028 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:45:49 +0100 1849028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1842049&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F01%2Fcant-walk-and-chew-gum-at-the-same-time%2F Sunflower Crop — Seiling, Oklahoma Well, I have to admit that it appears futile for me to consider blogging and “doing” at the same time. Recent “doings” include: completing the redesign and declutter of both my studio (de creativity) and my chamber (de restore); final notes regarding high school transcript for my (rejoicing to see the [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1842049 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:36:42 +0100 1842049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1827262&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F25%2Fseriously%2F The conclusion of the day when I realized … It’s time to start living the life you’ve imagined ~Henry James        (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1827262 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:03:38 +0100 1827262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1827263&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F24%2Fstrength-%25e2%2580%2594-in-good-times-and-bad%2F Goldilocks napping in the place of “Just Right” This morning as I sipped on my extra chocolaty café mocha — in not-so Autumn-like temperatures (::pout::) and steadily moving toward The Whiney Place — I had an epiphany! While we would simply prefer fair weather and good times — easy times, times without struggle — [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1827263 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:44:58 +0100 1827263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1818952&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F23%2Fcome-hell-or-high-water%2F Life is the art of drawing without an eraser. ~John W. Gardner The truth is more important than the facts. ~Frank Lloyd Wright Somewhere in my personal history I came to know about this phrase. I can hear my maternal grandmother’s distinct, and rather loud, voice broadcasting these words. Perhaps this is the personal origin for [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1818952 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:33:59 +0100 1818952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1813232&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F22%2Fthe-key%2F Well I know it wasn’t you who held me downHeaven knows it wasn’t you who set me freeSo often times it happens that we live our lives in chainsAnd we never even know we have the key ~The Eagles, Already Gone Vision is not enough; it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1813232 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:20:14 +0100 1813232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1811689&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2008%2F09%2F21%2Fcancer-is-so-limited-i-beg-to-differ%2F If you’ve ever googled cancer poems, you’ve come across this: What Cancer Can Not Do by Anonymous Cancer is so limited… It cannot cripple love It cannot shatter hope It cannot corrode faith It cannot destroy peace It cannot kill friendship(s) It cannot suppress memories It cannot silence courage It cannot invade the soul It cannot steal eternal life It cannot conquer the spirit.   Ya gotta love the attention to detail on “friendship(s).” A copyeditor must have shown up somewhere on the Internet daisy-chain. Cancer is so limited? What bullshit! Miss Anonymous, I want to have cancer on your planet. On my planet, cancer acts like a serial killer who’s got plenty of ammo and is just getting started. It cannot cripple love. Tell that to the woman whose boyfr... Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1811689 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:29:29 +0100 1811689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1807414&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F19%2Fassessing-in-order-to-progress%2F Apparently, I am completely unable (unwilling?) to sort my proverbial To-Do without blogging it here. I have been pondering the realities of the universe — especially my universe — for most of two hours now and … Well, I simply must blog to think sometimes! So … here we go! First of all, [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1807414 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:07:09 +0100 1807414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1803911&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F18%2Falarm-clocks-habits-and-life-unscripted%2F Seeing “home” with new eyes can be a bit disconcerting. Because there are scenes which occur daily and yet are unscripted. They just happen because these scenes have become familiar. Said scenes are habits. Yes, habits: an acquired-over-time pattern of behavior which occurs automatically. Habits occur without even a moment of thought or consideration regarding what [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1803911 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:43:23 +0100 1803911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1783926&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F11%2Flocked-in-the-loop%2F What a visual for the process of determining Life Choices to ensure the current destination! Honestly, using a map is not one of my strengths. I am more of an On-Star gal; better yet just provide me with a personal driving assistant! However, out of necessity (as I am somewhat of a spur-of-the-moment road-tripper!) [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1783926 Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:04:10 +0100 1783926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1750374&cid=t_129430_129_f&fid=35709&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FUniqueButNotAlone%2F%7E3%2F379695709%2Ffinding-courage-through-sharing.html This month, Childlife, has a new topic for the Finding Courage Through Sharing blog carnival. The topic for this month is memories and memory markers. Share about something that trips a memory in... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] (Source: Unique But Not Alone) Unique But Not Alone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1750374 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 14:33:00 +0100 1750374 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1728181&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F23%2Fcourageous-patience%2F USS Missouri docked at Pearl Harbor — Oahu, Hawaii “Good ideas are not adopted automatically. They must be driven into practice with courageous patience.” ~ Admiral Hyman Rickover (About) Patience is not one of my favorite subjects. And yet, let me tell ya’, I have endured lots (and LOTS!) of instruction regarding the Lessons of Patience! [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1728181 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:11:32 +0100 1728181 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1728183&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F19%2Fgot-my-mud-runners-on%2F With regard to this video … I am not sure what is more notable: Me actually knowing what a mud runner is or someone taking this video or the fact that 996,981people have watched it! Well, Happy Tuesday, ya’ll! For the record, I am past the tears, the gritting-of-teeth and the katie-bar-the-door screamin’ [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1728183 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:59:01 +0100 1728183 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1728184&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F18%2Faction-within-the-glory-and-the-minutiae%2F I watched very little of the Olympics due to a variety of circumstances and priorities of the past days. However, one particular Olympian caught my eye early on: Michael Phelps. For this reason, articles and commentaries about his road to his record-breaking performance in Beijing certainly captured my attention. One of the opportunities he had to [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1728184 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:39:24 +0100 1728184 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1728185&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F17%2Fgood-bye-yellow-brick-road%2F Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit. ~Conrad Hilton Farewell to the road of yellow bricks that merely takes me back to where I came from (and never want to return). Mentally revisiting my roots (beginnings; things familiar; experience) merely as a springboard [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1728185 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:54:24 +0100 1728185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1728186&cid=t_129430_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F13%2Fropes-and-bombs%2F Okay … My thoughts for this post began with this quote: Heroism consists of hanging on one minute longer. ~Norwegian Proverb Then I thought, “Ah, end of rope … tie a knot …” Then I thought, “This is the last day of ‘this’… “ Then I thought, “Ah, ‘last day’ means tomorrow is a new day — a new [...] (Source: The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel)) The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1728186 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:39:33 +0100 1728186