Deep Breath and Prayer

I spent some time on Google searching "healthy" (in association with what I have been learning in class) and what I found was healthy choices, healthy decisions, healthy thoughts, healthy living, healthy boundaries, and many more healthy [enter noun here], yet I never seemed to find a definition of what is meant by "healthy" itself in this context. Of course when you look up the definition of healthy, you may be overwhelmed to find out that it simply means, "of good health." Yes, this helps tremendously. And just to take another step, the definition of health is, "the state of being free from illness or injury." Well, that gets us a little closer. Therefore, my deductive reasoning skills (oh my college professors would be so proud of me) are going to conclude that "healthy" as in the example of "healthy reaction" would define as "choosing a reaction that does not cause illness or injury." Next search, this time for ...

Growing up we spent a lot of time at my grandparent's house. It was like a second home. So many warm and comforting memories from those days. My grandmother did puzzles and as long as there was not a holiday dinner coming up, there was always one in progress on the dining room table. These were not the easy 100 piece puzzles, they were the 500-1000 pieces. If we were good and would "be careful" my brother and I were allowed to go in and work on the puzzle. I remember many hours sitting there placing pieces. What a joy it was to place the final piece. I often wonder if grandma just left those last few pieces just for us kids to do. Even after grandpa passed and she moved to a small apartment, there was always a puzzle in progress. I still have a love for puzzles. When I was having my neurological problems, I was always looking for ways to stay ahead of the effects it had on me. My hands continually shook  and many days my motor skills were impaired at a level where I strug...

Class is moving along quickly. Its not easy. You have to want to change, want to better yourself. Every week in class (and through the week when practicing) over and over again you are faced with the choice to change. Of course that choice is completely yours. As I have said before, I am loving it. Even in its difficulty, there is power in realizing a behavior is hurting you, owing up to it, telling yourself it can no longer be an option, then letting it go. The beauty of what we are learning in class is that there are so many healthy things available to fill the void. It is like throwing out the old ratty sheet and getting a big warm comforter in its place. And it's not just "a" comforter it's reversible, microfiber, and machine washable! There might even be matching pillow cases. One thing I am learning is that if I can just trust and let go of the bad, there is generally a whole abundance of good waiting in its place. So, I've been filling the emotional dumpst...

Have you ever been trying to fix something that is broken and each time you think you have got it, you find another crack, break, or defect. You dab on more glue or add more tape. You might add something to support it until it dries. A few years ago a friend mailed me a handmade bell of decent size that she had made and fired. She had sent me photos and I was so exited to have a piece of her art. Sadly, despite all the "fragile" stickers on the box, bubble wrap in the box, and stuffing in the bell, it did not arrive in one piece. My heart sank. I took the bell and began to put the pieces back together, dry-fitting them so I would be sure I had each piece in the correct place as to show the amazing design etched in the pottery. I researched the best solution to adhere the pieces back together. I glued the pieces together gently as not to cause more damage. I placed masking tape across the sections to hold the shape and support, then I let it sit and cure. I had done all I coul...