NEW MANTRAS TO LIVE

by Shirley M. Carolan, ATM-G
Maybe I’m waxing philosophical as I age because through some unlikely and unsolicited sources I came across some sentences recently whose meanings literally resonated with me. Words are so powerful; they conjure up a variety of emotions and moods. Hence, it’s wonderful when bon mots cause you to stop and think about how you are living your life and see if that’s in accord with your master plan. 

I want to share these wonderful words with you now because they may spur you on to do a quick analysis of your life today and see if It t is in sync with your vision.

The first came from Maria Mar’s newsletter (Maria@shamansdance.com) and was part of some promo material for Ted Karam’s new book “Jumping on Water:” ‘Do not give your power away to your circumstances.’ These words literally stopped me dead in my tracks as I reflected on how disappointed and angry I’ve been at myself for not being able to recover from my illness as quickly as I would like. However, I had no idea how debilitating shingles can be. My doctor told me my condition had to do with the “elephant in the room!” When I asked him what that was, he said, “Well, you’ve got to remember you’re not 24 any more. It takes longer for older folks to recover.” H’m, that surely didn’t apply to me,  did it?

I never think of my age as a detriment to anything! But, I had wasted an inordinate amount of time and energy bemoaning my poor health. And, sometimes I was aware of that and other times not. I had to admit finally that I had “given my power away (many times) to my circumstances” and that had to stop. I’m not an invalid after all!
On the bright side, however, I congratulated myself for buying a four-wheel walker, with folding seat, lightweight and extremely serviceable, on January 29, 2010. I also bought a nice basket that attaches to the walker and holds my oxygen tank.  This may not seem like a big deal to some, but for me it’s better than buying a new car! I was shopping at my favorite thrift shop and spotted it. I decided to take a stroll with it around the store. I was amazed at how much more territory I covered without the usual huffing and puffing when I used the cane. H’m. Next, I thought about shopping in the supermarket and how I get around so well with the shopping cart to help me keep my balance and keep moving. 

Then I knew, I had to buy the walker! I said to myself this could mean more freedom for me. Right now I can’t even walk my dog a block with my cane without huffing and puffing and having to return home. Now, Krissy, my little Shih-Tzu, enjoys a ride on the seat the last block before arriving home. As of today, I’m excited to be walking all around my neighborhood. I am up to walking up to a mile a day with my walker and without the oxygen tank! My short term goal is to walk 2 miles a day with the walker, and, without any oxygen. My long term goal is to walk 2 miles daily, as I did before, eventually without the walker or oxygen!
The beauty is that I bought this walker for a song and it’s given me a new lease on life and new found freedom! I can’t help wondering, though,  if the doctors had advised me last year, when I first got out of the hospital, to buy a walker would I have done so? Methinks not. Regardless, I am now a master of my destiny instead of a victim of my history!

The other bon mots I feel worth sharing with you came in an e-mail message from a friend with a cartoon. Unfortunately, I am unable to upload the cartoon. Here it is: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain!” Isn’t that beautiful! I was absolutely tickled by it. It conjured up memories of Gene Kelln ey in the movie,“Singing in the Rain.” Regardless of what’s going on in life at any moment, if we can learn to “dance and sing in the rain,” I think we stand a good chance of surviving the worst case scenario. It’s a premise truly worth thinking about!

As you’ve probably guessed, I’ve enlarged both of these wonderful sayings and have posted them near my computer, in my bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, etc. I feel they are great new mantras to live by. Do let me know what you think!
Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Writer Speaker Artist
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663

 
 
 

 

Copyright© 2010 by Shirley M. Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any part of this article simply contact Shirley Carolan at artistwithaflair@att.net. Thank you 
 
 
 

 

 

Posted: February 28th, 2010 under Artists, Baby Boomers, Inspirational, Pearls of Wisdom, Physically challenged, Speakers, Writers.
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