Juxtapositions

I heard a hawk’s cry come through a starling’s beak. It was a perfect imitation. Messages come through however they can. Sometimes to break up monotony. Other times it’s a specific insight. Still other times, it’s just funny.

We need juxtaposition to mingle and jostle healthy brain activity. I think this is true but I don’t know if it’s a fact.

SELF CARE
Give your dog affirmations as you leave for the day: “You are a good dog! You are worthy! The space you fill is holy!” Immediately adapt these affirmations for yourself.

If you don’t know where to start, just shout yoga poses. CHAT-U-RANGA! NATA-RA-JASANA! SHAV-AS-ANA! This is invigorating! I do it in the kitchen while fixing healthy snacks to take to work….

Alternatively, hoot tea names, like “Assam! Darjeeling! Pu’er, Lapsang Souchong!”

Find a job that allows you to get out of earshot enough to take singing breaks.
Find someone who holds you accountable.
Determine your personal wellness goals.
Here are real ones written by others:

1. “Stop having panic attacks every living second of my life.”

2. “Lower the day-to-day pain.”

3. “Relieve pressure; restore natural flow.”

4. “I’m not sure really.”

Find interesting people to hang out with.

Relaxed in the sunshine at lunch, Ilene leaned forward and said, “I don’t know how this will sound, but I LOVE BEING ME.”
I said, “I love how it sounds. Wish more people loved being them.”

More chit-chat followed.

I told her about recently being asked to pray for someone. The person appeared to be dying. The family asked for prayers. So, I wanted to help and I figured I could pray. What’s the prayer for a most likely dying person? We are taught to hope, to pray for life.

For me, this didn’t fit this situation.

Ilene asked, “so, did you just not pray?”

No, I did, I said, “I prayed for the right outcome for her. You know, her destiny.”

Ilene (who is 87) said, “Ok, so, when I’m dying, pray for me to die.”

By the end of lunch I said to Ilene, “I LOVE BEING ME.”

She said, “It’s an audacious statement, but I like it!”

One more thing: I also recommend asking questions about what happened to other people.

The following is a brief true story:The case of the stolen catkins:

I gave fat fluffy pussy willows to
someone for someone else.
Then, that person left them on the back porch
for someone else, and before she got them, someone else stole
them.

If you remember anything, it’s this:

“You are a good dog! You are worthy! The space you fill is holy!”