Odyssey to Wholeness

10/25/2022

The healing power of friends...
How do your friends facilitate healing?

So much has happened the last few years that have placed distance of miles and experiences between us.

Even with our closest friends we don't always know what is happening. Sometimes we know what's happening but don't know how to be there for our friend.

One of my closest friends just lost her daughter. She doesn't even know what she needs from people as the loss is so new. I accidently discovered one think I could do for her -- clean the litter box. I'll sneak over and do that while she's at work.

One close friend, who happens to be my sister, lost her husband to Covid. His one year anniversary is next week. His death rocked all our words, but especially those of my sister and nephews.

We have to allow people the space they need. Sometimes, when we need them and they don't have the energy to be there for us, go back in time and immerse yourself in a memory of love and support. Let that love fill you. See yourself sending that love back to them, embracing them.

What's happened to your friendships in the last few years? How have you been able to support others? How have they been able to support you?

Bring each of your friends to mind and send them a smile and hug. Feel them return it.

10/24/2022

Taking time for yourself is crucial to your mental and physical health.

Some people can take 30 minutes a day, others 30 minutes a week. Then there are those who only have 5-minutes a day.

The time factor depends upon what's happening in your life. Are you caring for young children, elderly parents, or someone ill? The time you have available depends upon your responsibilities.

If you can take a few hours for your own joy, once a month, you'll help yourself more than you can imagine.

If you can take 5-minutes a day to focus on your heart, imagine energy coming into the top of your head, go down your spine deep into the earth, then breathe deeply in and out, you'll give yourself strength to make it through the day, and perhaps to that once a month.

10/23/2022

When you break your leg, the doctor can give you an excellent approximation of how long you'll be in a cast, how long PT will take, and about when you may be "back to normal".

When your heart is broken, an expert can give you an approximate time based upon the average for people, but has no idea how long it will take for your broken heart to heal.

An average time is found by taking those who heal the fastest all the way through to those who may seem to never heal. There is nothing wrong with you if it takes years upon years to heal. There's also nothing wrong with you if you heal faster than most. Usually, you'll heal somewhere in between fastest and slowest.

So many factors enter into how long it takes for the heart to heal:
What the hurt is.
How many hurts you've had.
How many hurts of the same kind you've had.
The intensity of the pain.
Your own hormonal and neurotransmitter make-up.
Your personal resiliency.
And so much more.

Accept where you are, look for the next step in getting better, and shed the tears you need to shed.

07/09/2020

07/04/2020

06/24/2020

06/17/2020

05/20/2020

02/20/2020

Guess what keeps people happy and healthy? This is from a longitudinal study spanning 75 years. There are still people in the study. I encourage you to listen. It's a little more than 12 minutes.

Relationship is the key. Listen the types of relationships. Lonliness is devestating to health and that includes loss of memory.

What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it's fame and money, you're not alone – but, according to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, ...

12/12/2019

I talked to a woman who killed herself. This is what I learned.

11/16/2019

My sister shared this quote during her acceptance speech for be declared the Nonprofit Employee of the Year in San Antonio. Almost all her adult life was spent in the non-profit world.

This quote reminds me of all the people in my life, most of whom I don't know, who make my life what it is. I don't know the farmers and fishers who bring me food. I send a prayer of thanksgiving for you.

I don't know the laborers who made my clothes, my housing, electronics and more. I send a prayer of thanksgiving for your.

So many I don't know.

Who I am as a person is the result of all the people in my life: my parents, grandparents, aunt, great-aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, my Dominican community where I lived and served for 20 years, those who took me into their homes, those who loved me, those who support me emotionally, my business mentors and those who give me the opportunity to do the work I have been called by God to do. I thank God for all of you.

Take a moment to think of what your life would be like without the unknown and known people who have made your life and you, who you are.