I love how you have made “TORTOISE” and “HARE” - FOCUSED action words in this Substack!
I also love your writing here:
We have to remind ourselves that our loved ones would want us to be happy and that sentencing ourselves to a life of misery not only does nothing to improve the lives of others, it may even render us less able to be useful in that regard.
Tortoising is my way of life at this point. I have to learn to balance this NEW reality. Most of the time I stay in my shell. Thinking “Let the Hares have it”. I realize that my shell is here for protection and I must continue to progress (slowly).
Thank you so much, Eric! Your encouragement means more than I can say. I love how you are NOTICING the details, and I especially love the last insight you shared about learning to balance this new reality by using your shell for protection yet also continuing to make (slow) progress.
The idea that we can start to tortoise anytime reminds me of my early experiences of meditation. I can always return to the breath. I can always choose a tortoise-like approach. Thank you for that idea!
What a wonderful post, Lenora! I experienced parts as having hare energy, yet the governor of a tortoise to establish an even and logical (I’d expect the logic…every time) flow of your ideas.
Beth and I participate almost every evening with a guide who focuses on ways to be centered, minding our breath, and gratitude. Often no more than 10 minutes and still able to shift out of our hectic days consistently.
The challenge to live with equanimity during the ugliness of our entire Federal Government is not easy. One action I can take is to leave the “urgent” reporting in the electrons. I’ve also found people with kind, helpful messages. Still others that tour the world and share images and videos of their adventures. I can say with certainty that emailing your posts to my wife affords us excellent discussion topics. And for all you do, I am indebted to you. Thank you so much, Lenora.
Thanks so much, Gary. You always bring such great observations. Yes, I definitely still have both yin and yang going on. For me, that’s part of the ongoing balancing act. As you said, learning to live with equanimity is a real challenge right now.
I’m so honored that you and Beth found some things to discuss in my post(s)! And I love your evening practice with its focus on centering, minding your breath, and gratitude. I need to get more consistent with my meditation practice again, so it’s a helpful reminder for me.
Thank you for your always encouraging presence here, Gary! ❤️
Good morning, Lenora. I’m grateful for your reply. Sometimes, as I read your posts, “Systems Analyst” comes to mind. I offer that with admiration, and work experience as a Systems Analyst in the late 70’s. My work was to develop precise specifications for the State Bureau of Recruitment and Examination in which I worked, with the goal of a computerized process.
Know that my eager anticipation and reading of your posts will continue, Lenora. ❤️
I remember ,a number of years ago, standing on the small deck off my bedroom, in the treetops ,and feeling that my life with all the roles I had to play was exhausting and unmanageable. I stood muttering "My life s#cks" over and over. I suddenly realized I was being watched. Not 5 feet away from me, sitting on the railing was a small Eastern Screech Owl! I turned to her and quietly said,"Thank you". A gift. An affirmation. A moment to recognise all I had/have. Since that moment, there have been many more to acknowledge the everyday sacred.
Lenora
I love how you have made “TORTOISE” and “HARE” - FOCUSED action words in this Substack!
I also love your writing here:
We have to remind ourselves that our loved ones would want us to be happy and that sentencing ourselves to a life of misery not only does nothing to improve the lives of others, it may even render us less able to be useful in that regard.
Tortoising is my way of life at this point. I have to learn to balance this NEW reality. Most of the time I stay in my shell. Thinking “Let the Hares have it”. I realize that my shell is here for protection and I must continue to progress (slowly).
Eric
Thank you so much, Eric! Your encouragement means more than I can say. I love how you are NOTICING the details, and I especially love the last insight you shared about learning to balance this new reality by using your shell for protection yet also continuing to make (slow) progress.
Really good stuff. ❤️
The idea that we can start to tortoise anytime reminds me of my early experiences of meditation. I can always return to the breath. I can always choose a tortoise-like approach. Thank you for that idea!
Thank you for sharing that connection! ❤️
What a wonderful post, Lenora! I experienced parts as having hare energy, yet the governor of a tortoise to establish an even and logical (I’d expect the logic…every time) flow of your ideas.
Beth and I participate almost every evening with a guide who focuses on ways to be centered, minding our breath, and gratitude. Often no more than 10 minutes and still able to shift out of our hectic days consistently.
The challenge to live with equanimity during the ugliness of our entire Federal Government is not easy. One action I can take is to leave the “urgent” reporting in the electrons. I’ve also found people with kind, helpful messages. Still others that tour the world and share images and videos of their adventures. I can say with certainty that emailing your posts to my wife affords us excellent discussion topics. And for all you do, I am indebted to you. Thank you so much, Lenora.
Thanks so much, Gary. You always bring such great observations. Yes, I definitely still have both yin and yang going on. For me, that’s part of the ongoing balancing act. As you said, learning to live with equanimity is a real challenge right now.
I’m so honored that you and Beth found some things to discuss in my post(s)! And I love your evening practice with its focus on centering, minding your breath, and gratitude. I need to get more consistent with my meditation practice again, so it’s a helpful reminder for me.
Thank you for your always encouraging presence here, Gary! ❤️
Good morning, Lenora. I’m grateful for your reply. Sometimes, as I read your posts, “Systems Analyst” comes to mind. I offer that with admiration, and work experience as a Systems Analyst in the late 70’s. My work was to develop precise specifications for the State Bureau of Recruitment and Examination in which I worked, with the goal of a computerized process.
Know that my eager anticipation and reading of your posts will continue, Lenora. ❤️
Hmmmm… “systems analyst.” I kinda like that! I may have to update my resumé! 😊
I remember ,a number of years ago, standing on the small deck off my bedroom, in the treetops ,and feeling that my life with all the roles I had to play was exhausting and unmanageable. I stood muttering "My life s#cks" over and over. I suddenly realized I was being watched. Not 5 feet away from me, sitting on the railing was a small Eastern Screech Owl! I turned to her and quietly said,"Thank you". A gift. An affirmation. A moment to recognise all I had/have. Since that moment, there have been many more to acknowledge the everyday sacred.
Thanks so much for sharing this experience, Susan. I’ll think of it now, whenever I see a little screech owl! 🦉
Wow. What a wonderful gift, Susan! Thank you for sharing it.