mymindseyecafe.com

It has been an eon since I last posted.  Not good!  Although I’ve been trying to tell myself, “Everything is as it should be,”  which really helps ease the anxiety and pressure I feel.  I hope that if anyone out there is feeling the same you will take a deep breath and recite with me:  “Things are as they should be!”

I came across this exquisite blog written by a physician here in Chicago.  I have found his entries to be intelligent, thoughtful, wise and often profound.  I have added the link to his website in my blogroll.  I plan on featuring some of his entries I have found particularly interesting.  This man has a gift of insight that needs to be shared.  Having said that, the first entry I add is called:  How To Grow Up.  I hope you enjoy.

http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2011/11/06/how-to-grow-up/

Well, firstly “My”…it is my blog after all. However, the phrase “my mind’s eye,” I thought was a clever use of an old cliched phrase to refer to my thoughts, which is what this blog is mainly about. I thought about naming it “A Poke In My Mind’s Eye” referring to how we need to do that to ourselves every now and then to get us into truly beneficial thinking. Plus, I thought it was cleverly humorous. But I can’t take credit for that phrase. I originally heard it on one of my favorite episodes of Frasier called “The Ring Cycle.” It is the first episode of season 10. Niles is making a comment about his honeymoon with Daphne, that he was done packing because all he was taking was sunscreen, to which Frasier snidely responds, “I think I’ll go poke my minds eye out!”  I loved that show!

The “Cafe” part is essential. In our present culture the cafe has become the gathering place, the “hang-out.” A place for friends to casually gather over a steamy cup of joe (and I do mean coffee, girls!) and connect, discuss, laugh, commune…to share their unique gifts with one another and never be the same.

Something else very important I have learned on this road to authenticity is:  This is MY life.  I have a responsibility to be uniquely ME.  It is my gift to the world…dare I say it is God’s gift to the world.  YOU are God’s gift to the world.  Only you can love the world in your unique way and give your unique gifts.  Anything and anyone you let stand in the way of you being authentically you is you being less than what God wants of you.

So I am writing this blog to help us all be authentically us.  To give wisdom and insight from multimple sources and allow you to express your unique gifts as you share your wisdom and experience.  You are most definitely encouraged to comment!  I hope this will serve to strengthen our connection to each other and this life we share; there is way more that binds us together than separates us.  Know you are not alone and you ARE God’s gift!  Unwrap it and let it free!

Peace!

Faith

About the photo:  I took this photo on a walk in a forest preserve by my house.  It is one of my favorite places of restoration.  I took it last fall when the asters were blooming.

This is my first REAL entry.  Whoo hoo!  I’m writing this blog for me…to get my thoughts out, and for you; whoever you may be.  In my experience, others’ experiences have helped me immeasurably, whether I knew them personally or not so maybe, just maybe, I can help you, too.

I find myself in unexpected places:  48 years old (when did that happen), newly divorced after 25 years of marriage, financially iffy, (I always liked that word although, not necessarily in relation to “financially”).  I am working again after being a homemaker, wife and mother most of my adult life (not that homemaking, wife-ing and mothering aren’t “working,” mind you!).  I’m learning to sort all of this out after many years of isolation and depression and trying to find supportive friends in the process…and the list goes on.  It is all overwhelming at times!

Obviously, none of this was planned, but then what in life really happens as planned?  Remember John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”  So true!  And *poof * I’m 48!

Where are your unexpected places?

I am veraciously reading, trying to absorb and incorporate into my life the collective wisdom of so many who have gone before me.  I want the second half of my life to be more purposeful, no matter what comes my way.  One of the things I have learned on my journey thus far (Oh, good!  I have been paying attention some of the time. Whew!)  The only thing I have control over is my mind…my attitude; and let me tell you it is crucial to having a fulfilled life, great relationships, positive self-esteem, etc…  So many of us just let our minds go wherever they want to, think whatever they want to and (this is a big one) dwell on whatever they want to.  We have let our minds rule us instead of the other way around.  Our minds need discipline and to be content we must give these boundaries.  It is a matter of self-love and self-respect.  We cannot control the unexpected situations, people, and events that happen in our day to day lives, but we can control the meaning we attach to them with our minds.

Laughter and Peace!

Faith

About the photo:  I took the picture last summer on a walk around a pond by my house.  There are always fantastic birds and critters that just fill my heart with joy.  This Great Blue Heron was especially photogenic and let me get quite close…What a handsome fellow…I think I’m in love!