Day 2817: All of the steps

Today’s post title is brought to you by the Daily Bitch Calendar.

I am taking all of the steps to admitting I have a problem with:

• USA leadership,
• cruelty,
• greed,
• ignorance,
• rigidity, and
• divisiveness.

Admitting you have a problem is the first step, but not all of the steps. One of the steps HAS to include exercising your right to vote.

I didn’t photograph all of the steps I took yesterday, but here are some of them:

I’ve been taking all of the steps to heal from the loss of our wonderful kitty Oscar (not pictured) and I noticed Oscar’s name when I was taking some of my steps yesterday.

All of the steps are easier when you are not alone, and I am obviously not alone in loving an Oscar.

Today I am taking all of the steps to facilitate a Zoom-like group for staff where I work. I’m looking forward to all of us taking steps towards coping and healing.

As we get steps closer to November, here’s “One Step Closer” by INTERSECTION …

… by Linkin Park …

… and by the Doobie Brothers:

Now I have to take all of the steps to publish this post, but not before I thank all of the people who help me blog every day, including YOU.

Day 2394: That’s it.

Yesterday, when I saw this in a supermarket …

… I thought, “That’s it.  That’s the name of tomorrow’s blog.”

“That’s it” reminds me of this dialogue from one of my favorite movies, The Producers:

Leo: I feel so strange.

Max: Maybe you’re happy.

Leo:  That’s it. I’m happy.

That’s it.   Three wonderful lines of dialogue.  As Film Quotations: 11,000 Lines Spoken On Screen, Arranged by Subject and Indexed describes that interchange: “Accountant Gene Wilder needs Broadway Producer Zero Mostel‘s help in identifying a feeling that is rare for him. ”

That’s it. My life’s work involves helping people in identifying feelings.

That’s it. It’s time for my other photos from yesterday.

 

 

 

That’s it for my photos of a local supermarket, food, sunsets, and Harley (for now). And that’s it for the latest U.S. heat wave.

Here‘s “That’s It!” by Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

That’s it for today’s blog post, except for my thanks to all who helped me create today’s post and — of course! — to YOU.

 

 

 

Day 2316: How to get ready

Two nights ago, I sang my original song “I Left the House Before I Felt Ready” (and if you’re ready to see that Open Mic performance, it’s in yesterday’s post).

As I was getting ready to write today’s blog post, I thought it might be useful to share some ideas about how to get ready (even when you don’t FEEL ready).

• Look up, look down, look all around.

 

Notice any possible danger in your immediate vicinity and “look for the helpers” (thanks to Mr. Rogers).

Take a couple of precious moments, here and there, to reflect.

 

• Take your personal medicine, as prescribed.

 

• Remember that you can always take a rest, if you need one.

 

• When you’re in the dark, reach out for somebody.

 

• Remember that there are always new prizes to win and if you miss out on one, don’t have a cow.

 

• Take the next achievable step, even in the midst of uncertainty.

 

• Recognize  your options, even when it looks like curtains.

 

• Remember that new and unforeseen things are around every corner. If you’re ready to play with them,  maybe they’ll even be fun!

 

• Read what you need to get ready.

 

• Keep in touch with your inner child but also remember you can throw an F-bomb, when appropriate.

 

• Remember that you’re the expert on when you’re ready.
• Hydrate.

 

Ready for a song about getting ready?

 

Now I’m going to get ready to leave the house and see Avengers: Endgame. No matter how and when I’m ready, that movie will be playing somewhere, nearby.

How to get ready to leave a comment for this blog?  Just do it!

Ready for some gratitude?  Thanks to all who helped me create today’s post and — of course! — to YOU.

Day 2281: Signs of spring

I’m often looking for signs, including signs of the advent of spring (my favorite season).

The “sign” post I  just linked to in that signature opening paragraph — Day 1319: Subtle signs — has subtle signs that I wrote that blog post shortly before two major life signposts: my open heart surgery at the Mayo Clinic and the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States.

Since the 2016 election, I’ve noticed signs that I — and the United States — have somehow changed.  I see signs of that in every blog post I’ve written since then.  Of course, everything changes and everything changes us, although this saying

The more things change, the more they stay the same

is a sign that perhaps I should change my mind about that, also.

Here are some other signs on my mind:

• The tears in my eyes, as I write this, are signs of some unresolved grief about past events.
• Older people often look for the signs of dementia in themselves and others.
• When I procrastinate doing something — like writing a Letter from the President for a newsletter — that’s a sign that I need more information or need to resolve some fear about the outcome.
• We tend to look for signs, in the present, that replicate our experiences as children, sometimes ignoring richer, more diverse signs of a wider range of possibilities.
• I am making a concerted effort to be open to signs that conflict with my expectations.
• I’ve dealt with signs that I’m catastrophizing more than most people by writing a song about that (included in yesterday’s blog post, here).
• I went looking for actual signs of spring, yesterday.

Signs of spring remind me that I’ll be seeing Pat Metheny in concert this spring. Here‘s “Spring Ain’t Here” by the Pat Metheny Group.

 

I’ll be looking for signs of your reactions to this post in the comments section, below.

No matter what the season, you’ll always find signs of my gratitude — for those who help me write this daily blog and for readers like YOU — at the end of every post.

Day 1972: What other people say

“What other people say” is a topic that often comes up in my therapy groups.  What other people say may

• distress,
• reassure,
• anger,
• change,
• frighten,
• move,
• disappoint,
• gladden,
• worry,
• inspire,
• confuse,
• enlighten,
• disgust,
• support,
• frustrate,
• encourage,
• shame,
• enliven,
• disrespect,
• respect,
• betray,
• promote,
• enrage,
• surprise,
• concern,
• recognize,
• humble,
• condemn,
• accept,
• disconnect,
• connect,
• disorient,
• illuminate,
• silence,
• judge,
• forgive,
• blame,
• uplift,
• sadden,
• madden,
• touch,
• hurt,
• heal,
• condemn,
• save,
• annoy,
• soothe, and/or
• inform.

I wonder what other people would say about that list and about yesterday’s photos.

What other people say includes praise, F-bombs, and everything in between.  What’s more important is what we say or don’t say in return.

Here’s “People Say” by Don Diablo featuring Paije.

No matter what other people say, I always end with gratitude.