Day 2509: Transformation

When I search my old blog posts for “transformation,” I immediately find this:

Day 2359: Self-Transformation

When I wrote that post last June, I was definitely performing some self-transformation, as I often do with this blog.  That day, I was transforming the sadness, anger, and shock I felt about somebody’s behaviors into a positive and upbeat blog post.  I left some subtle clues about that transformation in my photos of book titles (which include lots of “f-cks,” one “sh-t”, and a “You Can’t Hurt Me”).  That behind-the-scenes transformation helped me cheer up, move on, and face another day.

Today, I want to share transformation of a different kind.  Yesterday, my Coping and Healing group transformed our roving thoughts into focused mindfulness by using the angel cards which a past transforming group member left me years ago.  One of the members chose this card:

I chose this card  …

… which was one of the few blank cards in the pack.  When I focused on that card during the mindfulness exercise, I noticed a transformation.  Somebody had tried to write something on that card, with a pen that had no ink.  Can you see it?

I tilted the card into the light, to try to discover the hidden markings.

At first, I thought the hidden word (which definitely started with a “T”) was “Thankfulness” ( probably because I find thankfulness so transformative). After many moments of mindful scrutiny, I finally discovered what somebody had tried to write on that angel card, years ago.

Transformation

Then, when it was my turn to check in, I shared that transformation with the rest of the group.

Do you see transformation in any of my other recent photos?

One of the group members yesterday asked the rest of us how we would transform ourselves, if transformation was possible.   Somehow, that transformed into a conversation about ducks, including

• how some of us are ducks — calm on the surface with lots of action below,
• the transforming coping strategy of letting things roll off one’s back, like a duck, and
• how to duck other people’s negativity.

Here‘s “Vital Transformation” by John McLaughlin and The Mahavishnu Orchestra, which I experienced as very transformative during the 1970s.

Now it’s time for another transformation — I shall transform this blog post into a guessing game!  Last night, Michael chose this classic Tom Jones song for us to dance to after dinner:

Michael told me that the young guitarist playing on that track later transformed into one of the most famous guitarists in rock and roll.  After I guessed Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and others, I finally came up with the right answer.  Can you?

Feel free to transform your thoughts and feelings into a comment, below.

As always, I end these posts with a transformation of thankfulness for all who help me create this daily blog, including YOU!

Day 1009: On Fire

Yesterday, I was on fire,  taking photos for today’s blog.

For those of you not familiar with the idiom “on fire” —  I wasn’t actually engulfed in flames;  I was inspired by the visuals around me and I captured them with enthusiasm.

I was also on fire listening to lots of music I love, as I went through my day.

As usual, I was on fire with many ideas about

1. what title to use for this blog post,
2. what topics to include,
3. which pictures to choose, and
4. what music I might share.

Yesterday, after work — when I was on fire trying my hardest to solve my current blogging problem of transferring photos from my iPhone to my laptop — I came up with today’s title.

Much earlier in the day, I was on fire with the idea of naming this post “People You Can Count On.”

Are you on fire to learn more about my process of being on fire throughout the day?

    

After looking at that last photo — which includes water, fire’s natural enemy — I am now on fire to share these thoughts with you:

• Michael, my boyfriend,  takes control of the laundry here, and I’m happily on fire about that.
• When I can’t control things in my environment — like transferring photos from my phone to my laptop, which SHOULD be easy —  I am sometimes on fire with frustration and anger.
• I was on fire yesterday, at work, helping other people identify, express,  and let go of frustration and anger.
• I refuse to duck my responsibility, today, to link to this list of cognitive distortions like SHOULDs and this list of ways to let go of unhelpful thoughts.

What music am I on fire about sharing with you now?

When I was in my 20s, I was on fire with admiration for John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra,  and I loved listening to his album, Inner Mounting Flame.

Yesterday, I heard this on-fire tune, in which John McLaughlin‘s guitar-playing is ON FIRE:

That On-Fire tune is called “Vital Transformation.”  I was also on fire, this morning, when I discovered this string quartet version of John McLaughlin’s transforming music:

Am I on fire with anything else I want to share with you today? I do like this “On Fire” Garry Shandling joke, even though I’ve already included it in this previous post about “I-Statements.”

I met a new girl at a barbecue, actually, a very pretty girl. Blonde, I think. I’m not sure. Her hair was on fire. And all she talked about was herself. You know those kind of girls – “I’m hot. I’m on fire!” You know,”Me, me me!” “Help me! Put me out!” Jesus. Some sort of Hollywood chick.

Are you on fire with any thoughts or feelings about this post?  Leaving a comment might help you put that fire out.

Thanks to everybody who helped me be on fire, today, creating this blog post and thanks to you — of course! — for heating things up here with your support.