Morning Experiment

For quite some time now (years, actually), I have been listening to a talk radio station when I drive to and from work. When I'm working on a show, I listen to the show, of course, but otherwise, I usually listen to politics. No, I'm not going to share my political perspectives or thoughts here.

When Roby first got sick, I remember hearing an ad for an Oprah episode with Marianne Williamson as the guest. At the time, I didn't know who she was - the ad just resonated with me. After that, I read her book, "A Woman's Worth" and I listened to a couple of her lectures. Some of those lectures helped me avoid panic and abject fear in those days.

So, fast forward to 2012. I've felt this underlying stress that comes from not taking a vacation and really *unplugging* for quite some time. A friend of mine started subscribing to Marianne Williamson's Facebook and hence, quotes from her keep popping up on my news feed. Last week, I decided that I would try listening to her lectures in the morning as I drive to work instead of listening to the news and politics and see if it helps at all.

I have only been doing this for a couple of days, but I have to say that I do think it makes a difference to start the day off with something positive and hopeful and thoughtful. Politics are important, especially in an election year, but I know that this will go on for months and months. For now, I have found a little bit of peace each day and I think it will change the trajectory of my mornings. Stay tuned! I will keep you posted on this topic.

It's the Journey, not the Destination

I have been thinking a lot about choices and happiness. I know there is a Happiness Flow Chart somewhere in my archives. I will look for it...

I just know allowing joy and happiness in, even when things are terrible, is a choice that can get you through the day. I'm incredibly lucky to have seen that in my time with Roby and after he died. To know laughter when your heart is broken is about HOPE. I could have shut that door, but I knew that wasn't right. So, I try to leave it open. Sometimes, it is just a crack, sometimes it is wide open. I'm lucky that I got to learn that lesson a long time ago.

I don't know why, but I've been trying to remember a quote from Marianne Williamson about "minor existential pain"...

Ahh, it wasn't quite what I was thinking, but I still think it is a great and appropriate quote for this post: “The experience of love is a choice we make, a mental decision to see love as the only real purpose and value in any situation. Until we make that choice, we keep striving for results that we think would make us happy. But we’ve all gotten things that we thought would make us happy, only to find that they didn’t. This external searching—looking to anything other than love to complete us and to be the source of our happiness—is the meaning of idolatry. Money, sex, power, or any other worldly satisfaction offers just temporary relief for minor existential pain” (Return to Love, page 57).