I’m not Marie Kondo, and my laundry basket would back me up on that. I’m not into cleaning, running around with a dust cloth in one hand and a bottle of disinfectant spray in the other. Sometimes you have become comfortable with a bit of disorder (check out my laundry basket or my bathroom countertop) because that’s the way life is. It’s not always orderly. Planes don’t always leave and arrive on time. I’ll pick a ripe watermelon and find out a bit later it’s not ripe. I think being comfortable with disorder makes a sunrise and sunset more beautiful. The contrast with my life is obvious to even a casual observer. Don’t get overly excited if you have a bad hair day, you forgot to floss that piece of spinach out of your teeth after lunch, or your puppy thought the living room rug was the backyard. It’s all part of life. Chill and enjoy.
metaphor
From Drought to Downpour: Holding On Through Life’s Dry Seasons
Since August, we’ve had just over 5 inches of rain. That’s not just weather—it’s a mirror of what life feels like sometimes. It is the third lowest rain total for that period since readings have been recorded. No question, we are in a severe drought. One day the drought will end and in Texas style we will get an over abundance of rain in a brief period. It’s a good metaphor for life. Each of us goes through drought periods where we wonder if anything good will come our way again. Sometimes our droughts can appear to be endless. Hang in there, your drought, like my South Texas drought, will end. Maybe you’ll have a Texas sized downpour of good news coming at you all at once. Never quit.
From Coastal Storms to Emotional Clarity: Understanding Grief’s Dense Fog ~ Episode 96
In this episode of “Journey from Grief to Healing,” we explore the metaphor of fog to describe the disorienting journey through grief. Drawing parallels between the thick fogs of the Massachusetts coast and the mental fog of grieving, we delve into how both limit visibility and challenge our sense of direction. Grieving, much like navigating a dense fog, requires us to slow down, simplifying our actions and thoughts, fostering patience, and cultivating compassion towards ourselves and others. We discuss how the prefrontal cortex’s reaction to intense emotional stress mirrors the physical sensation of being enveloped by fog, making decision-making and emotional regulation challenging. Inspired by poets and philosophers like Sara Teasdale, Joseph Conrad, and Lao Tzu, we learn that through simplicity, patience, and compassion, we can find our way through the fog of grief, holding onto the hope that the sun will shine again, promising a clearer tomorrow. Join us as we discuss finding our path through the disorienting yet transformative process of grieving.
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Climbing the Mountain of Grief: Insights from a Solo Journey | Episode 95
In Episode 95 of “Journey from Grief to Healing,” Dr. Ray Calabrese explores the solitary nature of grieving through a powerful metaphor of climbing a mountain. The episode opens with reflections on how grieving, though often shared in groups or with friends, remains a profoundly personal journey. It also touches on the frustration with political actions, like a bill being sidetracked, which brings personal grief back into sharp focus, especially regarding lost loved ones like “Babe,” who battled glioblastoma.
Dr. Ray draws parallels between his physical journey climbing in the Rocky Mountain National Park and his emotional journey through grief. The narrative weaves together themes of isolation, the unending nature of grief, and the unexpected camaraderie found with fellow travelers—both on the hiking trail and in life. The episode concludes with a philosophical reflection inspired by Bear Grylls and Sir Edmund Hillary on drawing strength from the mountain, emphasizing resilience and the transformative power of enduring life’s toughest climbs.
You can listen to Episode 95 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 95
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Today’s Thought: Changing Bed Sheets
Today’s the day I change my bed sheets. It’s part of my weekly routine. The bed sheets I took off the bed are in the washer and soon will be in the dryer. Changing sheets is a healthy thing. Throughout the week, bed sheets can accumulate sweat, skin cells, oils, and hair. These can serve as a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, which may lead to skin irritations or infections. Changing sheets is a metaphor we can apply to our lives. Set aside a few minutes for reflection. Are there any things you need to change to help you become more physically and emotionally healthy? Pick one thing and then substitute something healthy for it. Amaze yourself!
Gathering Leaves: A Poem by Robert Frost
Gathering Leaves
Robert Frost
Spades take up leaves
No better than spoons,
And bags full of leaves
Are light as balloons.
I make a great noise
Of rustling all day
Like rabbit and deer
Running away.
But the mountains I raise
Elude my embrace,
Flowing over my arms
And into my face.
I may load and unload
Again and again
Till I fill the whole shed,
And what have I then?
Next to nothing for weight,
And since they grew duller
From contact with earth,
Next to nothing for color.
Next to nothing for use,
But a crop is a crop,
And who’s to say where
The harvest shall stop?
Today’s Good Word ~ Participate
When I was growing up I played sports. It didn’t matter the season, I enjoyed playing. I didn’t like sitting on the bench. I wanted to play. For me, engaging ins sports is a metaphor for life. If you want to enjoy the game, you have to participate. If you want to enjoy life, you have to participate. Sitting on the sidelines lets the game and life slip by. Before you know it, it’s all over. What have you got to lose? Join in the game. Participate.
Today’s Good Word ~ Rain
I live in drought stricken Texas. We need rain. It will come. When it comes to Texas, it will come Texas style. We’ll get nearly a year’s average rainfall in a day or two. When the soaking rain comes, I’ll go out and dance in it. I’ll let it soak me through to the skin. Rain provides me with the metaphoric feeling of being cleansed of all the things weighing on my mind.
Today’s Good Word ~ Camera
If you’re like me, you use your smart phone’s camera a lot. A camera can be a metaphor for life. When we use our smart phone camera we take selfies, photos of friends, and important moments. Like our camera, we can try to capture the good times, smiles, laughter, and joy. If things are not working out, we can stop, adjust, adapt, and change our focus to what is joyful, good, and makes us a better person.
Thought for Today
Life is like a cup of tea. It’s all in how you make it. ~ Irish saying
