Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt
and dance like no body's looking

~

I found that quote on a blog and had to post it here. It is so cute, and so true. As I was writing, I felt a very strong earthquake. We do not normally feel them on this side of the island, so i can just imagine the reaction of many people. Particularly as yesterday it rained almost all day.

The Christmas season is bringing out a lot of thoughts about the year and about making peace with myself and others.

It is a time for reflection, and for making plans. It is really wonderful to be able to do any of that.
My friend is better, her son is here and his wife shall be coming in a few days, so they shall have a little romantic time.

I feel optimistic about my work and my plans, and I feel really good about things for myself and for those I love and know.

A few days ago I saw an image of myself on a student's cd. I looked bloated in the stomach, and I was alarmed at my silhouette. But the oddest thing happened. I was surprised, and then I instantly realized that I had to give thanks for even thinking of myself from the point of aesthetic beauty. i am fine, I live, I breathe, I impart information. Yes, I need to cut back on fructose and bread. But I am fine. I have nothing to be upset about. So what if I look less than my sexy best!
I thought of Britney Spears in front of the whole world being ripped to shreds on her body this year.
The perspective came home to me quickly.
I know what I can do to look my best, and it isn't difficult to do.

I think that what is helpful is the feeling better about myself and cultivating positivity in myself and feeling it from others that can guide you.

All is well.

"When you come to the end of all the light you know, and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: Either you will be given something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly."
-Edward Teller

~

That is so beautiful. I have been meaning to post it.
last night I had a good lime with some old friends and I was able to talk about the latest news about me. When I visit this particular friend, I realise just how far I have come in such a short space of time. Particularly when she asks me certain things that I recall as vexing, but can discuss with aplomb.
Not that the composure is one of steely superiority.
On the contrary, it is something better. What I see is the progression and even more, the trajectory forward for myself.

~

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." . . . You must do the thing you think you cannot do."
-Eleanor Roosevelt
~

My friend had another friend, someone I do not know, visit her. This person had gone through a divorce when her girls were seven and three. She had alot to tell me. What was very good was that she was not speaking from a place of victimhood. She has been able to be financially independent of her ex ever since they divorced.
It was good talking with her, and we all plan to meet before the end of the year for another get together.

~

"Smiling is very important. If we are not able to smile, then the world will not have peace. It is not by going out for a demonstration against nuclear missiles that we can bring about peace. It is with our capacity of smiling, breathing, and being peace that we can make peace.” Thich Nhat Hahn.

~

When your smiling the whole world does smile with you

Having been closed off from intimacy for so long, now that I am being impacted with it in writing by an interest so far away, I feel an opening up for myself.
I have a private smile, a bouncier step. There is something to be said for joy. This brings me a pleasure that is unexpected, and such a buzz. I find that thinking on this has done so much for me in the last few weeks. It has helped tremendously to take my mind away from the trivial nonsense of the day and the absurdity of my ex.
Where this shall lead I do not know. All I can say or know is that it feels wonderful to smile and have a private knowing.