Dear Readers,
I am reading a book by Toni Bernhard, called, How to be Sick; A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers.
I am reading this book as a way to continue on my path of healing with the loss of hearing music and being able to play my guitar and piano. It is also helping me with how I approach my body as I get older. My body is hurting a lot these days. And it is keeping me from doing some of the things I love. But I am understanding this is part of life. I can do other things! I am adaptable.
I am also learning it’s not all or nothing.
Maybe I can’t play a whole game of golf, but I can play for some of the holes!
Today I am living life softly.
I would ruminate for hours.
My feelings would get hurt very easily.
I would over-react to things and events.
I was very hard on myself, and that sometimes made me hard on other people.
One of the great things I have learned in AA meetings and the steps is how to stop thinking only about myself and my problems. I am learning to let go of being so self-centered.
I am learning to live a little bit easier, and let other people live a little bit easier.
I don’t know if I could have learned these things while drinking, as it would have kept me in the “poor me” loop.
To live a life of ease means I stop and think.
I breathe.
I think through what I want to say.
I keep letting go of all the things I have no control over.
Sometimes when I wake up in the morning I just pray a simple prayer:
“May I live this day with ease, peace and joy. May I be the best person I can today.
May I spread this day with happiness.”
With Much love,
On Day 616,
Wendy
Untipsyteacher 
This sounds like a beautiful and healthy way to live. Thank you for sharing.
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I can't imagine not being able to listen to music. Sometimes when I'm down, I play loud music and it lifts me up (can't do this at the moment because our CD player is broken!) so I really feel for you. I like the idea of living life softly and with ease. We all try and do too much and feel bad when we can't do it all. Easing off is a great idea. Hope you have a wonderful day and congrats on day 616! A x
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I do like the Buddhist concept of non attachment. I follow A Course in Miracles, and my thought for the day was: I will not value what is valueless. So essentially, anything that doesn't last, like health. (Kind of a difficult task, don't you think?) But it has helped me to steer away from \”stuff\” today and focus on friends and family. Love lasts. I need that reminder. I hope you feel better. ; )
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It's a work in progress!xo
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Some days, even if I have to push myself a little? I am trying to do it with love.xo
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I will have to check into that.I have heard of it, but never explored it!xo
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What a beautiful post:… softly, I'm going to think on this and apply it. Grace is such a wonderful gift. It's free, it's releasing, and it brings peace.
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Beautiful post Un-Tipsy. Just beautiful. You seem so filled with joy, in spite of your physical struggles. You are an inspiration to me!!! xo
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Thank you, Cricket!xo
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It's still a learning process for me!But it such a lovely way of living!xo
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This is lovely, Wendy. I am so happy for you to have stopped drinking because it seems like you have grown so much and are really finding peace with yourself and the world. I'm really sorry to learn about your health struggles. Is there anything percussion-wise you might be able to possibly play, something where you can feel vibrations? I'm not sure if/how you would be able to connect with others but I am just wondering if there is something out there that would enable you to still make music and be a part of that. Just curious. Maybe you can invent something!:) Happy 617 to you today and much love!<3
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Amen Sister 🙂 xx
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Dear CWD,If you want to, see my post from August 2015, called \”Something Lost, Something Gained\”. It explains my cochlear implant!I was going to sign up for drum lessons but my procrastination got in the way!xo
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Hugs!xo
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This is beautiful, Wendy. I know I never would have escaped that \”poor me\” loop if I hadn't stopped drinking. The book sounds interesting, and the prayer is lovely! xx
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Your morning prayer is much like my own. How fortunate we are to now be able to strive toward fulfilling those prayers of ours, to be our best selves, to spread happiness-an impossible dream when we drank. I so admire you, my friend.
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The book is awesome, especially for people living with chronic pain or a loss.Thank you, Lori!xo
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Thank you so much Kary May!Some days I do better than other days, but now I have a chance.When I was drinking in my later years, I was spreading pain for my dear hubs. xo
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What lovely thoughts to welcome in the day! Thank-you!
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Hello Wendy, what beautiful, inspiring sentiments – and so softly written! I loved your post so much, I'm going to re-read it, right now. Love to you from over here xx.
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Thank you OIM,I hope you are well! xo
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I can feel the love!!xo
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Beautiful.
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Thank you, Lia!xo
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What a great post, thanks for sharing this, you are moving forward all the time. Day 616 wow!
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Dear PDTG,Thank you! xo
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Hi Wendy, not seen your name around the blogs for a day or so (maybe just missed it as you follow so many) hope you are ok. Thinking of you.
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Hi Ginger!Thank you so much for contacting me!I am okay. I wrote a quick post to tell people I am helping my mom recover from a fall.It's been a little bit crazy here!xoWendy
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