January 8, 2007
Facing Problems
Running Away versus Moving Forward

There are times when change-moving to a new city or a new home, or changing careers-is the right thing at the right time. But there are also times when the urge for change is really just a desire to run away from problems that need to be faced rather than avoided. These are the kinds of problems that recur in our lives. For example, issues with coworkers that seem to arise at every job we take, or repeatedly getting into unhealthy relationships. A move might temporarily distract us, and even cure the problem for a time, simply by taking us out of the situation in which the problem fully manifested itself. However, the problem will eventually appear again in our new situation.

One way to make sure you aren't running away from your problems is to notice whether you are moving towards something that is exciting in its own right, as opposed to something that is appealing only because it is not where you are now. For example, if you are leaving a city because you feel you can't afford it, you could be reinforcing poverty consciousness, and you might find that you are unable to make ends meet in your new city as well. It would ultimately be less of an effort to stay where you are and look more deeply into your beliefs about money. You may discover that as you address these issues, you are able to make more money simply by changing your mindset. You may still decide to move, but it will be an act with a positive intention behind it and not an escape, which could make all the difference.

Any pain involved in facing our issues is well worth the effort in the end. When we face our problems instead of avoiding them, we free our energy and transform ourselves from people who run away into people who move enthusiastically forward.

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Hold the pork
Category: Parties and Nightlife

So much for my plans this morning to visit the botanical gardens and the Basilica after a long night of pain and discomfort. I managed to attract what I am guessing is "food poisoning" based on the symptoms. I've only endured this once before following a meal at Roy Rogers along the I-90 en route to the Thousand Islands for a family vacation almost 10 years ago. I thought I was going to die it was so horrible; uncontrollable vomiting, cold sweats, cramping like you wouldn't believe. I spent half that trip laid up in bed. This episode hasn't been nearly to that degree, but it's been rough to say the least. I started feeling queasy a couple hours after sitting down to dinner with my family last night. I was able to go to bed and fall asleep, but eventually I awoke in such discomfort that I opted to induce vomiting by sticking my fingers down my throat. I filled the toilet bowl three times as sweat streamed down my face. It was ghastly.

I had already taken in sustenance when I received the invitation to join my aunts, uncles and parents for a Sunday dinner. I was plenty full but figured I'd join them anyway to visit. My plate was filled with tossed salad, candied yams and half a twice-baked potato when the pork came around. I really didn't want to eat any meat but took a "no thank-you" helping anyway. And looking back I can clearly see how I gave my power away. I didn't enjoy eating it one bit, in fact, I found it to be somewhat objectionable. Yet, I forked down the two slices of tenderloin and just let it be. I declined an offering of red wine declaring that I'd already lost my taste for it from the New Year's Eve debacle the week before. And so now pork has joined the ranks of the unpalatable.

To my knowledge nobody else suffered from the meal as I haven't heard from anyone to that effect. I'm not so sure it was an entirely physical issue anyway. I think I brought it upon myself psychologically by going below the line in my thoughts and feelings. I was sitting upstairs in my soul chair meditating after saying my goodbyes to everyone following the meal. I listened as my mother and uncle discussed their fears of getting old and dying. My mother especially voiced her concerns of being a burden on anyone as she ages winding up in a nursing home to die as had my grandmother. She said something about instead doing it like the Indians used to and going out to the country to die in a snowbank. I noticed I was becoming irritated by the nature of the conversation as I judged them for unconsciously focusing on their fears. It wasn't long thereafter that I was Iming with Maranda and began to feel nauseous as the rest is history.

And so now I'm crawling back above the line on this much more wintry day as snowflakes mix with rain drops amid high gusts. Hopefully it won't amount to anything requiring us to snowplow later as I'm not sure I could handle that activity in this condition. There is enough time in the day to go visit the gardens and the church that once ranked as minor Basilica to the Vatican many decades ago. However, I'm not sure I feel up to it as I linger in reflection and recuperation. Tomorrow is another day and perhaps a better opportunity for such an outing. We'll see. Maybe I can get a cinammon muffin in my stomach washed down with some herbal tea and see if that helps the cause any. It felt good to finally evacuate my bowels as well. These are indeed most peculiar times...

One Love
Sean

This is just your friendly, annual reminder, SEAN, that things can change so very, very fast.

Passport up to date? Shot card? Bank deposit slips in your possession at all times?
You're gonna love 2007-
The Universe

January 8, 2007
Nurturing the Quiet
Libra Daily Horoscope

A relaxed and laid-back outlook can influence your decisions today, prompting you to seek opportunities to engage in calming, restful activities. You may want to consider taking a personal day so you can focus your attention wholeheartedly on those peaceful pursuits that bring you the most fulfillment. This can be a most practical choice, as your tranquil state may make focusing on your fast-paced obligations a tedious chore. However, you may simply prefer to be alone with your thoughts and retreat into your home without quite knowing why. As you indulge your need for quiet privacy today, you will likely discover that there are many ways you can ensure you remain as content as you feel in this moment.

Often, the easiest way to maintain a mood of contentment defined by blissful serenity is to retreat from our worldly concerns in order to nurture those parts of ourselves that are responsible for this gift of peace. Contrary to what many may believe, it is entirely possible for tranquility to exist in an environment wherein chaos reigns supreme. We need only, through focused reflection, to determine from where our inner quietude stems. Relaxed as we are, there is little that can come between us and contentment. Because we understand its source and how to access it, we gain the ability to conjure feelings of serenity no matter what the nature is of the circumstances that are unfolding around us. You will attain a lasting ability to call forth calm today when you use your time alone wisely.

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Daily Quotation
If we were standing in your physical shoes, that would be our dominant quest: Entertaining Yourself, pleasing Yourself, connecting with Yourself, being Yourself, enjoying Yourself, loving Yourself. Some say, "Well, Abraham you teach selfishness. And we say, yes we do, yes we do, yes we do, because unless you are selfish enough to reach for that connection, you don't have anything to give anyone, anyway. And when you are selfish enough to make that connection -- you have an enormous gift that you give everywhere you are. --- Abraham



One Love
Sean

    

Cabin Boy
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

It's a beautiful sunny Sunday morning and I actually put a couple of my houseplants out on the porch to soak up some rays, but not for long cuz I know their tender tropical shoots prefer temps much warmer. I've become quite the cabin boy of late venturing out only for work-related tasks and basic errands pertaining to the necessary maintenance functions. My brother-in-law sent me a couple texts wondering if I'd be joining the gang at the man-a-torium to watch the Sabres' game. Instead I opted to stay home and watch the game solo while I produced my first article for a website that I hope will find its way to the top of Google's page rankings. My partner and web guru Uwe just emailed me with positive feedback on the keyword-saturated content that is essential to gain free traffic in the natural listings. He appears to have come across quite a niche in the weight gain/ appetite enhancer market.

If I'm able to effectively improve our page ranking with my creations I can expect a slice of residual cashflow that could lead to financial freedom, which is a goal I've had for nearly 4 years now. I've been imagining what that would feel like and I must say I like it very much. It would enable me to explore new professional and personal frontiers, including perhaps freelance travel writing and photography. There's a seminar next month in Ft. Lauderdale that sounds really incredible; however I will still be on call for snowplowing at that point, not to mention it would require a substantial charge to my American Express card. I just got an email from the same organization hosting the weekend training. They're offering a tele-seminar in a couple weeks for $30 on the topic of how to avoid six fatal mistakes when starting out in the business. I intend to be there with bells on!

So now I just got an IM from Queen Sarah, an alleged arts dealer who is currently somewhere overseas on business, in Nigeria I think she said. She contacted me via one of the many social networking sites where I'm registered. We exchanged emails and now she's got me on the yahoo IM telling me she misses me. Gosh, I'm flattered dolling, but we haven't even met! She says she lives in Cleveland. She sent me a few pics and I must say, ooh-la-la! She looks like she posed in the SI swimsuit edition recently. But for all I know those pics are from some SI and she, or he's really this gay 50 something fella hoping to get me to swing from the other side of the plate. Maybe we'll meet for karaoke?

So tomorrow the weather forecast looks bleak with rain and snow mix. I have on my list of things-to-do this week a visit to the botanical gardens and the Basilica in south Buffalo to breathe in the floral beauty at the former and meditate with the angels in the latter. Tomorrow looks to be a fine day to embark upon such an outing. In the meantime, today looks to be a fine day to get outside and enjoy the blue skies...

One Love
Sean

Are you underweight?

    

High on Gratitude!
Category: Life

I don't what's up but I have this incessant urge to smile this morning, along with a total euphoric sensation, particularly from about my heart chakra on up to the crown. I am so connected to the Source it is nearly bringing tears to my eyes. I'm getting high on gratitude and I must tell you it's better than any weed I've smoked! I first noticed it while sipping coffee and reading the newspaper at Wegman's a short while ago. Despite the usual tragic news reports of murder, controversy and scandal it was as if water off a duck. I feel like I could walk into Beirut or Baghdad yet remain completely above the line in peace and joy. Outside it is what some might label "dreary" as rain showers continue. I see it as utter beauty and give thanks for the abundance that rain brings to the landscape. Well, not much else to report here. I'm heading up the reservation to join some friends for the full moon sweat lodge. They should be going in soon to the lodge if not already. The sweat is mainly a purification ceremony that helps people practice gratitude. I don't know that I could possibly be anymore grateful right now without blasting out of my body into the cosmos. I look forward to visiting and partaking in the potluck meal with people I so dearly love. Nya-weh!

One Love
Sean

"I want to thank you for giving me the best day of my life..." Dido Thank You