There is a big difference between giving up and letting go. Throughout my life giving up has not been something I am known for. As I have said before it could be leftover genes from my Scottish grandfather. To me giving up means there is no longer reason to hope. I am done, finished. I have exhausted all means at my disposal to accomplish what I want to happen.
Letting go to me means allowing input from another entity/source. It means trusting that what I want to happen will happen if I just let go of control. This is something I am known to have a problem with.
Sometimes I become so fixated on one idea, person or way of doing something that I overlook everything and everyone else. I learned a few days ago the value of admitting that I had a problem and asking Source for help. By this simple act I let go of control and allowed a flow of new energy into my life.
I was on the verge of giving up my writing group for kids, admitting to myself and whoever was listening that I was not inspiring them. I know in my heart that my writing talent is a gift from God and that I am supposed to share it with others. I believe sharing what we have been given is how we help each other.
Sunday morning I opened a message from the 17 year old daughter of one of my facebook friends. She explained that she loves writing fan fiction. She shared a couple of suggestions for inspiring kids to write that she and her friends had enjoyed as students. Like Mighty Mouse, Steph, saved my day and inspired me to try a new approach to inspire my writing group.
My biggest problem was that I was approaching them as a published non-fiction writer. I had forgotten the group was supposed to have fun. If I was no longer having fun how could I expect them to? It also reminded me of Super Nanny telling parents to get down on their kid's level to talk to them and play with them.
Just a couple of real life suggestions led me to see the error of my ways and inspired me to come up with a better approach of teaching kids what I know. It would not have happened if I had not let go of control- just a little.
Thanks Steph AKA:Mighty Mouse/Source
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Don't Assume It's Your Fault
I was happily walking along my path picking up knowledge from the universe. My mind went over my list of friends/family and I noticed one or two no longer communicate. My first thought was, what did I do to cause this. That's the way I used to think, but now I do not assume it is my fault.
Having a tendency to say/write what I think does occasionally piss others off. Tough! At my age I have earned the right to freely express my views.
There are many reasons why someone might cease to communicate. They could just be tied up with their own problems and don't have time for me.
I just can't assume anything about anyone else. It is often just a matter of time before the other person makes an appearance and it's even possible that they could apologize for their absence. Good! Let them take responsibility for their own actions. I am only responsible for mine.
...but then there is always the possibility that I may never hear from them again and I simply cannot assume it is my fault.
Having a tendency to say/write what I think does occasionally piss others off. Tough! At my age I have earned the right to freely express my views.
There are many reasons why someone might cease to communicate. They could just be tied up with their own problems and don't have time for me.
I just can't assume anything about anyone else. It is often just a matter of time before the other person makes an appearance and it's even possible that they could apologize for their absence. Good! Let them take responsibility for their own actions. I am only responsible for mine.
...but then there is always the possibility that I may never hear from them again and I simply cannot assume it is my fault.
Friday, March 25, 2011
High Hopes
I had really high hopes for my creative writing group, but they are slowly dwindling. I just don’t seem to be able to inspire the kids to write. Every week I start out by giving them a couple of fun things to do like a word search or unscrambling words. After all they have been in school all day.
I look for interesting writing prompts such as, What if… and funny photos. I have shared things I have written to help inspire them. The response I get in return is, “How much do we have to write?” I have searched the web for ideas and I feel I am wasting my time and theirs. Maybe if I tried lighting a fire cracker under their seats it would wake them up.
There are kids in my class who have great imaginations and occasionally display potential when the mood strikes them, which isn’t often. The fact that I am volunteering my time to try to help them only adds to my frustration.
Some things popped up online today that are leading me to believe it is time to give the group up as a bad idea. I have done my best, but it just isn’t working.
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink is an old quote, but it sure fits my current predicament.
A recent quote from Abraham/Hicks also adds to the heap. It is, "don’t go to them, let them come to you".
To point me in the right direction and remind me that you can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results was the poem There’s a Hole in my Sidewalk by Portia Nelson, which appeared on a friend's blog.
Chapter One
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost…I am helpless
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter Two
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter Three
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in…it’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter Four
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter Five
I walk down another street.
Sometimes our plans just don't work out and sometimes what seems to be a failed plan might be a stepping stone to a bigger one. Although I had high hopes for this idea when it was conceived it looks as if the universe might be sending me a message this morning.
I look for interesting writing prompts such as, What if… and funny photos. I have shared things I have written to help inspire them. The response I get in return is, “How much do we have to write?” I have searched the web for ideas and I feel I am wasting my time and theirs. Maybe if I tried lighting a fire cracker under their seats it would wake them up.
There are kids in my class who have great imaginations and occasionally display potential when the mood strikes them, which isn’t often. The fact that I am volunteering my time to try to help them only adds to my frustration.
Some things popped up online today that are leading me to believe it is time to give the group up as a bad idea. I have done my best, but it just isn’t working.
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink is an old quote, but it sure fits my current predicament.
A recent quote from Abraham/Hicks also adds to the heap. It is, "don’t go to them, let them come to you".
To point me in the right direction and remind me that you can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results was the poem There’s a Hole in my Sidewalk by Portia Nelson, which appeared on a friend's blog.
Chapter One
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost…I am helpless
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter Two
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter Three
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in…it’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter Four
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter Five
I walk down another street.
Sometimes our plans just don't work out and sometimes what seems to be a failed plan might be a stepping stone to a bigger one. Although I had high hopes for this idea when it was conceived it looks as if the universe might be sending me a message this morning.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Spring Break
This has been an interesting week. Every morning starts with my grandson opening my front door around 7:15 am, announcing his arrival with, "Hi grandma!" Then we go to Futures so I can exercise and we just hang out for the rest of the morning. After lunch we head back to Futures for the Spring Break activities. He plays and I volunteer to help out.
I have learned some useful information this week. First I discovered that dominoes is really a game and not just lining the pieces up to fall on each other. It is actually fun and doesn't require electricity. I ended up buying a game for Colin to take home to teach his mother how to play. I also learned how to make individual pizza's from a can of biscuit dough. All you need is a rolling pin, sauce and toppings of your choice. They are very tasty without the fuss of making the dough.
I also learned that you don't need a beach to play beach volleyball, ice to play hockey and you can have a ping pong tournament using tennis balls.
A very important lesson I learned for my own future use is: do not mix 1st and 2nd graders with teenagers, put them in a room and expect to keep them all interested in writing projects for 1 1/2 hours. I am happy to report we all survived yesterday and moved on to the next planned activity.
I believe the most important thing I am learning this week is I no longer want to work- period. I love being retired and not having to do anything I don't want to do fits me just fine. A couple of days ago I was given an opportunity for a possible part time job and actually came close to accepting. After weighing the pros and cons I decided that although a little extra money would be nice, money isn't everything. At this time in my life freedom is worth more.
This Spring Break has been very educational in ways I could never have taken a class for.
I have learned some useful information this week. First I discovered that dominoes is really a game and not just lining the pieces up to fall on each other. It is actually fun and doesn't require electricity. I ended up buying a game for Colin to take home to teach his mother how to play. I also learned how to make individual pizza's from a can of biscuit dough. All you need is a rolling pin, sauce and toppings of your choice. They are very tasty without the fuss of making the dough.
I also learned that you don't need a beach to play beach volleyball, ice to play hockey and you can have a ping pong tournament using tennis balls.
A very important lesson I learned for my own future use is: do not mix 1st and 2nd graders with teenagers, put them in a room and expect to keep them all interested in writing projects for 1 1/2 hours. I am happy to report we all survived yesterday and moved on to the next planned activity.
I believe the most important thing I am learning this week is I no longer want to work- period. I love being retired and not having to do anything I don't want to do fits me just fine. A couple of days ago I was given an opportunity for a possible part time job and actually came close to accepting. After weighing the pros and cons I decided that although a little extra money would be nice, money isn't everything. At this time in my life freedom is worth more.
This Spring Break has been very educational in ways I could never have taken a class for.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
What's New?
My life seems to be getting around to getting new lately. I suppose that's good, but it requires a new attitude. I can do anything I set my mind to.
For instance I have qwest and they are in the process of changing email use. I had the option of waiting until June to let them make the change or switching myself. Not being particularly computer literate I was afraid to try it myself. This morning I decided to just do it. The instructions were not that hard to follow, but it completely changed what I am used to viewing when I access my email account.
It probably is a good idea that I made the change now. It will give me plenty of time to adjust before the mandatory June deadline. I am actually proud of myself that I successfully made the transition without help. Many people my age can't even turn on a computer, let alone learn how to use it and intelligently write a blog. Yea for me!!
During Spring Break 2008, as part of the Foster Grandparent Program I was assigned to Future Foundations, our family center, to keep an eye on the kids. That is pretty much all I did. I walked around or sat in a chair and was bored to tears for an entire week. I resigned from the program as soon as school was out that year. Although I learned a lot in my short stint it wasn't for me.
This Spring Break is going to be different. I am now a volunteer at "Futures" because I have been offering a Creative Writing Group since January. This activity was included as part of what is being offered to keep the kids busy. I will be instructing 20-24 students instead of my usual 5-8. I am looking forward to the challenge and perhaps I can inspire a few new students to join our regular writing group. I am also going to be around all week to help out with the other activities that have been planned.
For some reason new has always been a better fit for me than old. Who wants to be old? That's for old people, which I no doubt will never be!
For instance I have qwest and they are in the process of changing email use. I had the option of waiting until June to let them make the change or switching myself. Not being particularly computer literate I was afraid to try it myself. This morning I decided to just do it. The instructions were not that hard to follow, but it completely changed what I am used to viewing when I access my email account.
It probably is a good idea that I made the change now. It will give me plenty of time to adjust before the mandatory June deadline. I am actually proud of myself that I successfully made the transition without help. Many people my age can't even turn on a computer, let alone learn how to use it and intelligently write a blog. Yea for me!!
During Spring Break 2008, as part of the Foster Grandparent Program I was assigned to Future Foundations, our family center, to keep an eye on the kids. That is pretty much all I did. I walked around or sat in a chair and was bored to tears for an entire week. I resigned from the program as soon as school was out that year. Although I learned a lot in my short stint it wasn't for me.
This Spring Break is going to be different. I am now a volunteer at "Futures" because I have been offering a Creative Writing Group since January. This activity was included as part of what is being offered to keep the kids busy. I will be instructing 20-24 students instead of my usual 5-8. I am looking forward to the challenge and perhaps I can inspire a few new students to join our regular writing group. I am also going to be around all week to help out with the other activities that have been planned.
For some reason new has always been a better fit for me than old. Who wants to be old? That's for old people, which I no doubt will never be!
Friday, March 18, 2011
A Forever Hug
Everyone dreams and sometimes we wake up remembering the dream. I am aware that dreams help us live our lives. It is a time when our conscious mind rests so that our sub-conscious can receive instructions from the universe. It is a rare experience for me to remember a dream, but it happened last night.
Lately I have been feeling a little detached and wondering if what I am doing is what I am supposed to do. At the same time I have verbalized to God/Source that I am now willing to stop resisting whatever my role is in the current transition movement. It left me feeling somewhat ungrounded and in serious need of a hug.
Last night I dreamt that a male guide came to untangle the dilemma I had created for myself. Although I did not see his face I was aware of a very strong protective presence that had been sent to assure me that all is well and going exactly as planned. The details of the dream are sketchy, much like the way I write, simple and to the point.
In one scene we were at a gathering of some sort. My guide and I were sitting on a couch, his arm protectively around my shoulder, listening to several people who were saying unkind things about me. In another I thought I recognized one of my new spiritual friends, but later realized that she just symbolized the group of people I now associate with.
The last scene took place in a huge stadium of some sort filled with hundreds of people I didn’t know. My guide moved toward me and gave me the warmest most loving hug I have ever experienced. Without warning, he was gone. I was briefly startled and fearful of what was to come next.
When I woke up I remembered the love I had felt from the universal hug. I thought about the dream for a long time before getting up. I knew all I had to do was remember the love and I would never feel alone or fearful again. The hug was meant to last forever.
Lately I have been feeling a little detached and wondering if what I am doing is what I am supposed to do. At the same time I have verbalized to God/Source that I am now willing to stop resisting whatever my role is in the current transition movement. It left me feeling somewhat ungrounded and in serious need of a hug.
Last night I dreamt that a male guide came to untangle the dilemma I had created for myself. Although I did not see his face I was aware of a very strong protective presence that had been sent to assure me that all is well and going exactly as planned. The details of the dream are sketchy, much like the way I write, simple and to the point.
In one scene we were at a gathering of some sort. My guide and I were sitting on a couch, his arm protectively around my shoulder, listening to several people who were saying unkind things about me. In another I thought I recognized one of my new spiritual friends, but later realized that she just symbolized the group of people I now associate with.
The last scene took place in a huge stadium of some sort filled with hundreds of people I didn’t know. My guide moved toward me and gave me the warmest most loving hug I have ever experienced. Without warning, he was gone. I was briefly startled and fearful of what was to come next.
When I woke up I remembered the love I had felt from the universal hug. I thought about the dream for a long time before getting up. I knew all I had to do was remember the love and I would never feel alone or fearful again. The hug was meant to last forever.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Copy Cats
Yesterday I had a small number of kids in my creative writing group. I had one 6th grader and three in 3rd grade. Spring break starts Monday and I don't think their minds were on writing. I pretty much just let them have fun with the assignments I offered.
Previously, I had a problem with them copying from each other. Yesterday I just ignored the tendency to see what would happen. I noticed while they were doing a word search paper that they were helping each other find the words. I even participated, assisting the younger ones with their struggle. When everyone was finished they all felt good about their personal contribution to the whole.
There is a lesson to share here teacher!
Wouldn't it be great if the entire world worked like this? Everyone sharing their little bit of knowledge with everyone else, making the planet a more loving place to inhabit for all.
One would have to live in a cave not to see that the universe is changing and the goal is to really get the fact that we are one. We all came from the same place and have something valuable to contribute, but not everyone will be willing to listen and allow the message to sink in.
For some reason and I'm blaming it on my muse, the words to the song "the more we get together the happier we'll be" just popped into my mind!
Keep sharing keep helping, 'cause every little bit counts!
Previously, I had a problem with them copying from each other. Yesterday I just ignored the tendency to see what would happen. I noticed while they were doing a word search paper that they were helping each other find the words. I even participated, assisting the younger ones with their struggle. When everyone was finished they all felt good about their personal contribution to the whole.
There is a lesson to share here teacher!
Wouldn't it be great if the entire world worked like this? Everyone sharing their little bit of knowledge with everyone else, making the planet a more loving place to inhabit for all.
One would have to live in a cave not to see that the universe is changing and the goal is to really get the fact that we are one. We all came from the same place and have something valuable to contribute, but not everyone will be willing to listen and allow the message to sink in.
For some reason and I'm blaming it on my muse, the words to the song "the more we get together the happier we'll be" just popped into my mind!
Keep sharing keep helping, 'cause every little bit counts!
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