My Sunday List
July 02, 2023
Quote
Think of the soul as source and created things as springs. While the source exists, the springs continually flow. —Rumi
Song
Life According to Raechel — Spotify Singles by Madison Cunningham.
This woman blows me away.
I watched
The Bear on Hulu.
Goodness gracious, this is the best show I’ve seen in eons. I want to go back and watch it again from Season one, Episode one. It’s just such fine storytelling. It isn’t good for my panic disorder — these are some seriously stressed out folks — but it is astoundingly well done. We finished season two last night.
Book
I read at a lot of different things. Here’s a stack that’s major inspiration for my artwork.
Thing
This aquarium I’m setting up in the library for John Henry. He’s a typical teen in that he spends a lot of time in his bedroom these days. I wanted something to draw him into the community areas of the house, and I think this might do the trick. It’s a work in progress at the moment — and I hope it’s a long term fun project for us. This aquarium, by BiOrb, is so beautiful and has such a zen vibe. I’m going to add our greenery and things today, and then the last step will be the fish, which we’ll get when we return from adventure camp and other travels in mid-August.
Favorite Photo I Took This Week
Prayer
Thank you, Great Spirit, for the blessings you allow my family and me. Please keep your hand on us as we travel this week and allow us joyous adventures and safe landings.
Intention for the week to come
May I flow.
Something I’m thinking about:
How stillness feels like movement.
As I learn to recognize what allows me to feel grounded, I’m discovering how much I dig the feeling. I told my EMDR therapist the other day that the only way I could really describe it with a word would be to call it, simply, trippy. When I’m able to achieve the feeling I’m looking for, it feels like the world is moving instead of me. In those moments, I can feel the connectedness of everything and can simply observe the wonder.
Trippy, indeed. Listen to this and think on it.
Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. — Buddha
Habit
Taking time to clear emotional energy and not letting channels become blocked with anger and resentment. Which means, for me, to stop and process what’s going on when I feel discomfort rise before I take anything up with anyone but myself and my higher power. This boundary is a gift to myself — I’m learning to give myself space to feel without involving anyone else. It gives me the gift of autonomy.
One of my goals for myself in this second half of life is to become a person who responds rather than reacts. I’m starting to notice that I react less and less these days, and it’s becoming possible to sit with something uncomfortable that rises in me instead of always feeling an unbearable urgency to do something about it so I can get it dealt with and over as soon as possible. Allowing my feelings is something I never learned to do — no one taught me how to handle them, so all I know about them is that they overwhelm me and are therefore dangerous and must be projected or blamed on someone. Life doesn’t always have to be so heavy, even when serious stuff is going down. It really is all in how you see a thing. I have a long way to go, of course, but I have hope that I can one day become someone who can always be counted on to be rational, measured, and still passionate.
Wishes
That I find ways to bring joy and beauty to every day.
That I take good care of my son, nurture my family and home, make good art, and keep myself clear of negative emotions.
That I meet others with love, even when I know I’m dealing with their trauma and not the real them.
That you will forward this to one person and that person becomes a subscriber too.
Have a wonderful, peaceful, joyous week. And thank you for supporting my work here at The Autotelic.
Lots of love,
Allison
Your growth mindset is admirable, no matter what the outcome. I’m striving to achieve “neutral thinking” for balance and a more rational approach to life challenges and decision-making. You always manage to find beauty around you and continue to create. That’s a gift in itself.
Hi Allison. I look forward to your Sunday post. I know I will learn something new. Hear a new artist. Reflect on where I’m at growth wise from the valuable insights you share. And so much more. I actually prepare myself for Sunday. I want to be relaxed and have an open mind so that I can fully receive what you are sharing. So many good things today. I reread several times to make sure I’m getting all the benefits of your wise words. And I have today. I love the music choice. Emotional. I see why you chose M. Cunningham. She is now on my follow list.
I don’t want to write too much, but suffice to say Im finding my center and breathing through things rather than reacting. No one ever taught me either. My growing up was kinda high strung.
Going back to read this post again. I like to read each word carefully.
Love the aquarium. Beautiful shape to it. I bet JH will find it fascinating, and have lots of fun picking out the fish!
Thank so much Allison
xoxo
PS I read my Practicing Peace book to my dog. She’s a good listener 😊