Rose VanSickle /Peace of Body, Peace of Mind
on YouTube!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Doing Something New
“I Don’t Know How."
I wish you could hear the tone of voice I used when I said that statement this past week. Sort of bewildered, maybe confused…. with a slow but quick movement my shoulders going up & down. Somewhat unsure of myself. A bit hesitant.
We all get into situations where we’re faced with doing something new. And I mean brand new, as in ‘haven’t-got-a-clue-of-how-to’ accomplish this task.
In that case, we have choices-choices in how we think about it.
The facts (the realistic thoughts) are: there will be things we don’t know how to do. Probably for the rest of our lives. No one knows how to do absolutely everything. Another is this: If we’ve never done that certain something – of course we ‘Don’t know how’. It’s that plain and simple.
So what was the subject of my latest “I don’t know how”?
Uploading a video file to YouTube.
I had asked my webmaster if he had any experience doing it. He said no. So I decided I would learn how myself. My reasoning (thinking): Then I will know, and it'll be another "I can do that" under my belt.
I’m happy to report: Mission accomplished!!
P.S. - Now adding a link to a blog entry will be my next “Do Something New”.
Will it be 'add a video' or simply add the link and make the reader click on it??? Hmmm.
© 2010 Rose VanSickle ~ All rights reserved
“I Don’t Know How."
I wish you could hear the tone of voice I used when I said that statement this past week. Sort of bewildered, maybe confused…. with a slow but quick movement my shoulders going up & down. Somewhat unsure of myself. A bit hesitant.
We all get into situations where we’re faced with doing something new. And I mean brand new, as in ‘haven’t-got-a-clue-of-how-to’ accomplish this task.
In that case, we have choices-choices in how we think about it.
The facts (the realistic thoughts) are: there will be things we don’t know how to do. Probably for the rest of our lives. No one knows how to do absolutely everything. Another is this: If we’ve never done that certain something – of course we ‘Don’t know how’. It’s that plain and simple.
So what was the subject of my latest “I don’t know how”?
Uploading a video file to YouTube.
I had asked my webmaster if he had any experience doing it. He said no. So I decided I would learn how myself. My reasoning (thinking): Then I will know, and it'll be another "I can do that" under my belt.
I’m happy to report: Mission accomplished!!
P.S. - Now adding a link to a blog entry will be my next “Do Something New”.
Will it be 'add a video' or simply add the link and make the reader click on it??? Hmmm.
© 2010 Rose VanSickle ~ All rights reserved
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Spike Lee Says Obama Not Mad Enough
No, I did not read the entire article. Why? Because I could guess at my original response, and it wasn’t pretty (healthy for me).
But, I did calmly discuss my views of the ‘not mad enough’ regarding the oil spill with a couple of people.
So how mad IS mad enough?
Stomping to the podium?
Red in the face?
Neck veins bulging?
Eyes glaring?
Arms failing in the air?
Fists clenched so hard fingernails are cutting into the palms?
Hmmm…
Is getting ‘boiling mad’ going to take one single drop of oil out of the ocean?
Is being ‘infuriated’ going to bring an better solution, or any solution for that matter.
Is ‘throwing a fit’ going to make BP move more quickly?
Is being ‘furious’ at something in Outer Environment (OE) going to change anything in OE?
Is being ‘loud mouth and hostile’ going to solve the situation?
Is being ‘nasty’ going to prevent more oil from hitting the beaches?
Is displaying temper ‘required’ to show ‘how much’ a person cares about a topic?
Is displaying a ‘public tantrum’ going to make our President ‘more right’ and BP ‘more wrong’?
Is wildly aggressive ‘better’ than assertive? Not in my opinion. Never!
Maybe what President Obama IS demonstrating is how to be:
“At Ease & In Control”.
I applaud the man for that!
No, I did not read the entire article. Why? Because I could guess at my original response, and it wasn’t pretty (healthy for me).
But, I did calmly discuss my views of the ‘not mad enough’ regarding the oil spill with a couple of people.
So how mad IS mad enough?
Stomping to the podium?
Red in the face?
Neck veins bulging?
Eyes glaring?
Arms failing in the air?
Fists clenched so hard fingernails are cutting into the palms?
Hmmm…
Is getting ‘boiling mad’ going to take one single drop of oil out of the ocean?
Is being ‘infuriated’ going to bring an better solution, or any solution for that matter.
Is ‘throwing a fit’ going to make BP move more quickly?
Is being ‘furious’ at something in Outer Environment (OE) going to change anything in OE?
Is being ‘loud mouth and hostile’ going to solve the situation?
Is being ‘nasty’ going to prevent more oil from hitting the beaches?
Is displaying temper ‘required’ to show ‘how much’ a person cares about a topic?
Is displaying a ‘public tantrum’ going to make our President ‘more right’ and BP ‘more wrong’?
Is wildly aggressive ‘better’ than assertive? Not in my opinion. Never!
Maybe what President Obama IS demonstrating is how to be:
“At Ease & In Control”.
I applaud the man for that!
© 2010 Rose VanSickle ~ All rights reserved
As I Am
One more thing I want to touch on about self-acceptance…
A couple of the popular statements ‘out there’ are: “I accept myself, just the way I am” or “I love and accept myself, just the way I am.” These may have originated with A Course In Miracles and are now an element in lots of different self-enhancement programs.
Somewhere along the years - I can’t remember exactly when it was, except that it was after I wrote Peace of Body, Peace of Mind – is when those were introduced to me. I willingly began using them. After all, I had a good background of changing thoughts – and these were statements I felt could enhance me and my life. So I used them quite consistently for a while.
To be honest, I didn’t feel any ‘big shift’ inside me. I didn’t get the results I thought I ‘should’ get. Throughout the years I would again hear some variation of the affirmation from a new speaker, new author, or in a new technique.
The last time it happened, for some reason (who knows) I took the time to ‘think’ about what I was saying. In fact, it very well could have been when I was writing the words and they were staring me in the face – when I questioned them.
All of a sudden it came to me: "just as I am" is the part that ‘got in the way’ for me. In a sense, it didn’t make sense.
Here’s my logic (my thoughts): I accept myself, ‘just’ the way I am, somehow suggested or implied there was something wrong with me.
Sort of like a computer ‘warning’ message. Defect! Defect!! Something needs to be corrected – SOON!
Just the way I am = Even though this is wrong with me, and I sure wish that was a whole lot different – I’ll accept me.
“Picky, picky, picky-Rose!!” That thought came to me too. Was I being overly sensitive? Too precise? Or was I getting some insight?
How can I accept myself–totally accept myself-if I think there’s something wrong with myself?
Yet, as I sat there and wrote:
I accept myself, just the way I am
then
I accept myself as I am
I could ‘feel’ the difference of those two statements. The first didn’t make me feel good; the second did.
Try it. which one feels better to you?
I accept myself, just the way I am.
I accept myself as I am.
It truly doesn’t matter which one appeals to you. There is no right or wrong.
Does one ‘feel’ better than the other? And if neither one does – that’s average too.
And maybe an even simpler form of the statement could be:
I accept myself!
One more thing I want to touch on about self-acceptance…
A couple of the popular statements ‘out there’ are: “I accept myself, just the way I am” or “I love and accept myself, just the way I am.” These may have originated with A Course In Miracles and are now an element in lots of different self-enhancement programs.
Somewhere along the years - I can’t remember exactly when it was, except that it was after I wrote Peace of Body, Peace of Mind – is when those were introduced to me. I willingly began using them. After all, I had a good background of changing thoughts – and these were statements I felt could enhance me and my life. So I used them quite consistently for a while.
To be honest, I didn’t feel any ‘big shift’ inside me. I didn’t get the results I thought I ‘should’ get. Throughout the years I would again hear some variation of the affirmation from a new speaker, new author, or in a new technique.
The last time it happened, for some reason (who knows) I took the time to ‘think’ about what I was saying. In fact, it very well could have been when I was writing the words and they were staring me in the face – when I questioned them.
All of a sudden it came to me: "just as I am" is the part that ‘got in the way’ for me. In a sense, it didn’t make sense.
Here’s my logic (my thoughts): I accept myself, ‘just’ the way I am, somehow suggested or implied there was something wrong with me.
Sort of like a computer ‘warning’ message. Defect! Defect!! Something needs to be corrected – SOON!
Just the way I am = Even though this is wrong with me, and I sure wish that was a whole lot different – I’ll accept me.
“Picky, picky, picky-Rose!!” That thought came to me too. Was I being overly sensitive? Too precise? Or was I getting some insight?
How can I accept myself–totally accept myself-if I think there’s something wrong with myself?
Yet, as I sat there and wrote:
I accept myself, just the way I am
then
I accept myself as I am
I could ‘feel’ the difference of those two statements. The first didn’t make me feel good; the second did.
Try it. which one feels better to you?
I accept myself, just the way I am.
I accept myself as I am.
It truly doesn’t matter which one appeals to you. There is no right or wrong.
Does one ‘feel’ better than the other? And if neither one does – that’s average too.
And maybe an even simpler form of the statement could be:
I accept myself!
© 2010 Rose VanSickle ~ All rights reserved
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Learn ‘n Use
This entry is prompted by an email I received regarding the 6/4/10 post which talked about being average & self-acceptance.
One of the person’s comments was: “You'd think by now I'd have learned to be average.”
As I read the sentence, the word that jumped out at me was ‘learned’. I don’t think that’s the way it works.
We learn that 2+2=4. We learn the ABC’s. We learn to read. We learn a different language. We learn how to use a computer, etc.
When I thought back, I don’t recall learning to be average. What I remember is learning new information, a new & better definition of average, then ‘accepting’ I was average. Maybe it’s all semantics, but I do think it makes a difference.
As with other concepts we learn throughout our lives, learning them-then knowing them is one thing. Using them is Step Two. In my opinion we must USE them – or else we make little or no progress.
Yes, and I still use “I am average”. Typically it’s when I’ve done something… well, let’s say, when I’ve done something unexpected. OK – it’s when I make a ‘mistake' - such as trip on a throw rug, or tip over a glass of water which sloshes over onto my computer keyboard.
The original response (and this IS what I have said out loud in a sarcastic tone of voice): “Well that was SMART, Rose.” And depending on the amount of damage, I may even throw in a: “That was REALLY smart, Rose!!”
So what comes next? OK–You guessed: yet another “I’m not wrong, I’m average”. I know I use that secure/realistic statement more than once a day – every day.
So why am I still practicing? Because. My mental health is my Supreme Goal. If I don’t, and I do know this to be the truth: then those trivial incidents, those trivial mistakes would pile up.
They’d pile up, and pile up, and pile up and pile up, and sooner or later they become ‘proof’ that something’s ‘wrong’ with me. I’d think I was un-average, below average. Tainted. Not as good as.
Nope – I don’t ‘go there’ anymore. My well-being, my inner-peace, is too precious.
Besides, I like feeling good, and I’d much rather be At Ease, and In Control.
PS: There’s more on the topic of self-acceptance. Saving that for next time.
PSS: A Big THANK YOU to the person who inspired me with their email.
As I’ve mentioned before, if I know something that’s helped me – I am certainly going to pass it along to others.
This entry is prompted by an email I received regarding the 6/4/10 post which talked about being average & self-acceptance.
One of the person’s comments was: “You'd think by now I'd have learned to be average.”
As I read the sentence, the word that jumped out at me was ‘learned’. I don’t think that’s the way it works.
We learn that 2+2=4. We learn the ABC’s. We learn to read. We learn a different language. We learn how to use a computer, etc.
When I thought back, I don’t recall learning to be average. What I remember is learning new information, a new & better definition of average, then ‘accepting’ I was average. Maybe it’s all semantics, but I do think it makes a difference.
As with other concepts we learn throughout our lives, learning them-then knowing them is one thing. Using them is Step Two. In my opinion we must USE them – or else we make little or no progress.
Yes, and I still use “I am average”. Typically it’s when I’ve done something… well, let’s say, when I’ve done something unexpected. OK – it’s when I make a ‘mistake' - such as trip on a throw rug, or tip over a glass of water which sloshes over onto my computer keyboard.
The original response (and this IS what I have said out loud in a sarcastic tone of voice): “Well that was SMART, Rose.” And depending on the amount of damage, I may even throw in a: “That was REALLY smart, Rose!!”
So what comes next? OK–You guessed: yet another “I’m not wrong, I’m average”. I know I use that secure/realistic statement more than once a day – every day.
So why am I still practicing? Because. My mental health is my Supreme Goal. If I don’t, and I do know this to be the truth: then those trivial incidents, those trivial mistakes would pile up.
They’d pile up, and pile up, and pile up and pile up, and sooner or later they become ‘proof’ that something’s ‘wrong’ with me. I’d think I was un-average, below average. Tainted. Not as good as.
Nope – I don’t ‘go there’ anymore. My well-being, my inner-peace, is too precious.
Besides, I like feeling good, and I’d much rather be At Ease, and In Control.
PS: There’s more on the topic of self-acceptance. Saving that for next time.
PSS: A Big THANK YOU to the person who inspired me with their email.
As I’ve mentioned before, if I know something that’s helped me – I am certainly going to pass it along to others.
© 2010 Rose VanSickle ~ All rights reserved
Monday, June 7, 2010
I Can or I Can’t??
If you think you can, you can.
And if you think you can't, you're right.
~ Henry Ford (also attributed to Mary Kay Ash)
He is able who thinks he is able.
~ Buddha
Simple phrases with deep truth within them.
When we think we can’t, we can’t. That’s it. The end!
We won’t even make an attempt.
The door is closed on any possibility.
When we think we can...
Ahh, that’s a totally different point-of-view (thought).
Even if we’re not 100% sure we can – it’s better than an “I can’t.”
The door may not be wide open, but it’s not slammed shut.
At least there is some possibility -
a possibility that with effort & practice
can advance from a possibility to a probability,
and then on to a success.
An “I did it”. Maybe even a "YEAH! I did it".
If you think you can, you can.
And if you think you can't, you're right.
~ Henry Ford (also attributed to Mary Kay Ash)
He is able who thinks he is able.
~ Buddha
Simple phrases with deep truth within them.
When we think we can’t, we can’t. That’s it. The end!
We won’t even make an attempt.
The door is closed on any possibility.
When we think we can...
Ahh, that’s a totally different point-of-view (thought).
Even if we’re not 100% sure we can – it’s better than an “I can’t.”
The door may not be wide open, but it’s not slammed shut.
At least there is some possibility -
a possibility that with effort & practice
can advance from a possibility to a probability,
and then on to a success.
An “I did it”. Maybe even a "YEAH! I did it".
© 2010 Rose VanSickle ~ All rights reserved
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Am I Ready For This??
This post somewhat related to the last one…
When can I tell “I’m ready to take on more” – ‘more’ meaning “should I go back to school, get a job?” Take a leap?
For me that translated into: “Am I well enough to handle it?"
In fact, the question boiled down to: Am I ‘willing’ to bear the discomfort of something new, even when I don’t know what it will be like? Am I ‘willing’ to go ‘through’ the discomfort?
Deciding “I am ready” is a very personal decision, one we can’t ever make for someone else. We can encourage the person. We can tell them we think they’re doing well, well enough to ‘make it’. We can cheer them on from the sidelines.
We can remind them that the same mental fitness tools that got them to this point, will carry them through whatever they choose. It’s always the individual’s own decision, and from personal experience I know -the more firm the decision, the better.
For me when I really, really, really, really did take the ceiling off the amount of discomfort I was willing to bear, life got easier. Easier? Yes, in the sense that I wasn’t always afraid there was there’s some kind of discomfort lurking around the corner.
Does that mean there was no discomfort? That it suddenly and totally disappeared? Heavens no. It didn’t totally disappear at first, but it did diminish. The intensity was not as great. The duration of the symptoms/discomfort was lessened.
For me and thousands of others too over the last 70+ years, no longer fearing discomfort, brought comfort.
Not waiting until we felt comfortable, but doing the things we feared or cared not to do (sometimes over, and over and over again) eventually brought the comfort.
Deliberate practice brought comfort, plus many, many gains.
In a very real sense, it brought us back to Life.
A good, average Life.
This post somewhat related to the last one…
When can I tell “I’m ready to take on more” – ‘more’ meaning “should I go back to school, get a job?” Take a leap?
For me that translated into: “Am I well enough to handle it?"
In fact, the question boiled down to: Am I ‘willing’ to bear the discomfort of something new, even when I don’t know what it will be like? Am I ‘willing’ to go ‘through’ the discomfort?
Deciding “I am ready” is a very personal decision, one we can’t ever make for someone else. We can encourage the person. We can tell them we think they’re doing well, well enough to ‘make it’. We can cheer them on from the sidelines.
We can remind them that the same mental fitness tools that got them to this point, will carry them through whatever they choose. It’s always the individual’s own decision, and from personal experience I know -the more firm the decision, the better.
For me when I really, really, really, really did take the ceiling off the amount of discomfort I was willing to bear, life got easier. Easier? Yes, in the sense that I wasn’t always afraid there was there’s some kind of discomfort lurking around the corner.
Does that mean there was no discomfort? That it suddenly and totally disappeared? Heavens no. It didn’t totally disappear at first, but it did diminish. The intensity was not as great. The duration of the symptoms/discomfort was lessened.
For me and thousands of others too over the last 70+ years, no longer fearing discomfort, brought comfort.
Not waiting until we felt comfortable, but doing the things we feared or cared not to do (sometimes over, and over and over again) eventually brought the comfort.
Deliberate practice brought comfort, plus many, many gains.
In a very real sense, it brought us back to Life.
A good, average Life.
© 2010 Rose VanSickle ~ All rights reserved
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
