The End is Near….

I’m nearing the end of my time away from the world of Facebook…Sunday will be the first day that I consider myself “eligible” to log on to the website again.   There was a point that I considered not returning, but I’m thinking along the lines of changing the way I look at the site that seemed to take up so much of my time.

I wish I could say that I’ve had some great epiphany during the time away, but it doesn’t appear that’s going to be the case.  Of course, it could be only after my return that I learn what the true lessons were for the time I spent away.

And yes, there’s a part of me that feels somewhat ridiculous for even speaking about a social media website in such a way.  I think we can tend to make it out to be a lot more than it really is.  But there are some distinct advantages it offers that make my return imminent.

Facebook pluses…..

  • It gives me a chance to share the two daily readings I share each day:  “Twenty-Four Hours a Day” and “Language of Letting Go.”  I have had people share that they got a lot of insights from those readings and I consider it to be a service to continue to share those on a daily basis.
  • It gives me a chance to share the many photographs that I take.  I was looking back over the pictures that I’ve taken since I’ve been away, trying to decide which ones to share when I return.  I’ve shared on Instagram and my WordPress blog, but I think a lot more people get to view them while on FB.
  • I can keep up to date with what’s going on in the community a lot easier.  There are many events that I would learn about only through FB.  And it also afforded an opportunity to both share what events I attended and see what others saw when they went to events I didn’t attend.
  • The FB messenger is one of the fastest, easiest ways to stay in communication with friends….I’ve lost contact with several friends while I’ve been away.  I tried alternate ways to communicate, but the FB messenger was always the fastest and easiest way to stay in touch.
  • I also can share bits and pieces of what’s going on in my life with others….since I’ve been off FB, I’ve acquired two part-time jobs that I would like for others to know about….FB was always a convenient way to let others know what I’m up to….my #workflow pictures were always one of my favorites.

Facebook Minuses…..

  • First and foremost, and I accept responsibility in this area, I spend WAY too much time on FB.  It seemed that it had become an hourly ritual to check to see what others were posting or whether or not I had notifications and messages.  Since I’ve been away, I’ve noticed moreso when others are doing that.  When I do return, I plan on limiting the amount of time I spend on the website.
  • There does tend to be quite a bit of negativity associated with many people’s posts…whether it’s politics or religion or trash-talking someone else’s favorite team, it’s been nice not to have to see that on a daily basis.  Of course, I did learn that I could “unfollow” certain people, so there is an easy remedy to that issue.
  • I think I probably could stand to get out and about more and actually have face-to-face contact with others and not use FB as a substitute for that…having said that, it does give me a feeling of connection with others and especially in the evening hours, makes me feel less alone

And so that’s my condensed take on the all of it…I haven’t decided whether to return on Sunday or Monday of next week.  I’m planning on attending church services and spending time with the family, so perhaps Sunday evening would be the most opportune time to log back on and see what’s transpired.

**** I will have to confess that I accidently did log into FB one time over the period of Lent.  There was an article in the local paper that several people had made comments about.  When I clicked on one persons comment, it did redirect to FB world…I realized what it had done and immediately shut down the page.

David Lee

Extra Reading for Today…Obsessions and Attachment (#14)

14-Hungry-Ghost-r

#14 – THE HUNGRY GHOSTS

OBSESSIONS, SCARCITY CONSCIOUSNESS, ATTACHMENT

CHALLENGER

When the Hungry Ghosts come to challenge, it’s a sign that you’ve succumbed to the fear of lack, which is whispering in your ear that you’ll fail. Whatever it is you’ve intended, you’ve stayed too long in the desiring stage. Longing and yearning have become your constant state of mind. Are you comparing your experience with others? Do you envy their success? Do you judge yourself only on your material accomplishments? Are you afraid that there will never be enough of anything and none of your dreams will be there upon awaking in reality? Perhaps you’ve turned to compulsive eating, shopping, working, or drinking to distract yourself. Let go of the illusion of lack, and accept things as they are: perfect, abundant, meaningful expressions of the Divine. There will never be enough for the Hungry Ghosts that challenge you, for the only experience they know is scarcity. It’s not your job to feed them. They will lose their power to haunt you. Trust in the abundance of Spirit.

Big Wave Dave’s “Spin of the Day” for Saturday, April 15, 2017

“Fireflies”

You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep
‘Cause they’d fill the open air
And leave tear drops everywhere
You’d think me rude
But I would just stand and stare

I’d like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay awake when I’m asleep
‘Cause everything is never as it seems

‘Cause I’d get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance
A foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
The disco ball is just hanging by a thread
(Thread, thread…)

I’d like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay awake when I’m asleep
‘Cause everything is never as it seems
(When I fall asleep)

Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
‘Cause I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep?
(Please take me away from here)
When I’m far too tired to fall asleep
(Ha-ha)

To ten million fireflies
I’m weird ’cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell
(Said farewell)
But I’ll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
‘Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar
(Jar, jar, jar…)

[2x]
I’d like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay awake when I’m asleep
‘Cause everything is never as it seems
(When I fall asleep)

I’d like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay awake when I’m asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams

 

#38 – Forgiveness….Heal the Ouch

38-heal-the-ouch

#38 – HEAL THE “OUCH”

“FORGIVENESS IS THE HEALER OF THE SOUL.”

UPRIGHT

This is a time for great soothing of the heart, body, soul, and mind, as this card indicates that healing will be prevalent in your life now. If you feel drawn to study the healing arts, you’ll be successful in developing your natural capacity to restore others to wellness. However, the message may be that you’re being called to change your behaviors in order to heal the earth. Perhaps you’ll switch to a cruelty-free diet, eating less meat; or perhaps you’ll pay more attention to how much water or electricity you use. You’re asked to be conscious of your footprint on the sacred earth and all of life and to commit to the healing path. The Heal the “Ouch” card may also be an indicator of old wounds and broken bonds being mended. Reconciliations are possible now. Let bygones be bygones.

Communication – Shared reading from “Language of Letting Go”

Communication

Part of owning our power is learning to communicate clearly, directly, and assertively. We don’t have to beat around the bush in our conversations to control the reactions of others. Guilt-producing comments only produce guilt. We don’t have to fix or take care of people with our words; we can’t expect others to take care of us with words either. We can settle for being heard and accepted. And we can respectfully listen to what others have to say.

Hinting at what we need doesn’t work. Others can’t read our mind, and they’re likely to resent our indirectness. The best way to take responsibility for what we want is to ask for it directly. And, we can insist on directness from others. If we need to say no to a particular request, we can. If someone is trying to control us through a conversation, we can refuse to participate.

Acknowledging feelings such as disappointment or anger directly, instead of making others guess at our feelings or having our feelings come out in other ways, is part of responsible communication. If we don’t know what we want to say, we can say that too.

We can ask for information and use words to forge a closer connection, but we don’t have to take people around the block with our conversations. We don’t have to listen to, or participate in, nonsense. We can say what we want and stop when we’re done.

Today, I will communicate clearly and directly in my conversations with others. I will strive to avoid manipulative, indirect, or guilt producing statements. I can be tactful and gentle whenever possible. And I can be assertive if necessary.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie