Reaching for Relief

It’s been a couple of weeks since you’ve heard from me. During that time I’ve had several blog posts in mind. But each time, as I got ready to write, my thoughts shifted or life shifted…and well…nothing ever made it to “paper”. Sometimes that’s a good thing. Or, in the spirit of being non-judgmental, it is neither good nor bad…it simply is what it is…which leads me to the thoughts I’d like to share with you today. 

Although many of my posts are focused on the positive – awareness of, and appreciation for, blessings; finding joy in the moment; attracting the reality we desire through the deliberate focus of our thoughts; releasing resistance to what is, and attachment to the outcomes we seek – this one feels like it needs to include something a little different.

In fact, I feel even more strongly about that statement now, than when I wrote that first paragraph almost a week ago. Since then, my hometown and the entire region where I live, has been devastated by flooding of historic magnitude as a result of Tropical Storm Lee. And, I’ve found myself wondering how to be positive in light of so much loss and suffering. Should I even try? 

Here’s the only conclusion I’ve come to so far…While I know, without a doubt, there will be blessings that unfold as a result of this situation, the pain and reality is just too raw right now to allow all but the most obvious to be visible.

So…in the spirit of finding relief in any thought that feels even slightly better than where I am at right now (Step One for Deliberate Creators)… I am thankful for those most obvious of blessings:

• My daughter and I, as well as my parents a few streets over, are high and dry, safe at home. We have enough food and water to sustain us through this. We have power and cable/Internet – luxuries compared to many right now. In this moment, all is well. 
• There hasn’t been a massive loss of life. Material things have been taken from many – in fact, countless thousands have lost virtually EVERYTHING they possess – but, they still have their lives, their loved ones, and a chance to rebuild, start over.
• It cannot rain forever. Eventually the sun will come out again. Of this, I am sure.
• Disasters bring out the best in communities. Already people are reaching out to each other, helping in any way that they are able. Lasting bonds are being formed.
• I got a few extra days with my daughter ;)…extended summer break with school being closed.
• The inability to get out and about has led to an extended period of “downtime” to really go within – to think about my priorities, the journey ahead, and any necessary course corrections I need to make in my life’s path. 

Interestingly enough…I could go on! And that’s exactly what happens when you actively LOOK for blessings and intentionally APPRECIATE them. More appear and then still more. It works in reverse too. Look for the pain, the hardships, the tragedies…trust me, you’ll find them…and more where they came from too.

For now I'll take a balanced approach and accept that the pain of all that is occurring and all that is about to occur, as well as the overwhelm I’m experiencing every now and again as a result, is simply a part of the process. Contrast in its truest, harshest form. But, I will also actively reach for whatever relief in the form of blessings I can find and appreciate that with all my might. Savoring every last drop of pleasure I can find in the present moment, and the next one, and the one after that…until there are more pleasures and blessings than there are heartaches and challenges. Until I find EASE again – however long that takes – and I encourage you to do the same.

Monday (Sep 12) will be surgery day for me once again. A vascular surgeon will place a port in my chest, connecting catheters into the large vein leading to my heart. It’s through that “port” that I’ll receive my chemo treatments – beginning Wednesday the 14th. I am thankful that the hospital is still standing, and that the flood of 2006 led them to build massive flood walls to protect the hospital from events such as this, and that those flood walls appear to have done their job.

Flowing blessings and appreciation to each and every one of you my dear friends and family!

Love,
Lisa