The gifts of therapy

Saturday, July 17, 2010

In a few weeks, actually Aug. 4th, I will be having my final visit with my therapist. We have been together, except for a six month break, for over 8 years. I am excited, elated and nervous and anxious, but I know because of the work I have done with her, I will be able to handle it all. I just came across an article in the online Yoga Journal about joy. It mentioned the four inner "Divine Abodes" of Buddhism: lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity.
I realized in an instant that is exactly what I have learned in therapy-I went looking for a way out of a well of darkness and found the light of lovingkindness. I went to find a way out of myself and found compassion for myself and others. I went from a place of despair and found joy everywhere I look. I went looking for serenity and peace and found equanimity.
I have been blessed.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JEN-TINK11 7/17/2010 3:40PM

Good for you! Report Inappropriate Comment

LESLIEJEAN43 7/17/2010 2:11PM

Beautiful!! Hugs, Leslie Report Inappropriate Comment

LADY_KATHY 7/17/2010 12:48PM

Praise the Lord!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

News about Friend

Friday, July 16, 2010

I talked with my friend yesterday and this morning. She asked the dr. for some anti-anxiety meds and they will help her get through until the anti-depressants kick in. I took her some coffee this morning and she seemed much better. She had a couple questions I could help with. I also offered quiet talks in her garden whenever she need them. All of you who commented with such compassion and excellent suggestions. I moved through my sadness and now remember how important it is just to have someone who cares and understands. I don't have to do a thing, I can't do a thing except be there for her and that I can do. Our group of four very close friends have a quick acronym we use when extraordinary things happen - ATM (Always Trust Magic.) My friend was teaching a summer class to teachers and I walked in with her coffee just as they were talking about yoga. When I left, they all asked if we had somehow set up the timing of my arrival. We looked at each other and just said ATM!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LESLIEJEAN43 7/16/2010 3:42PM

Like Pam, I did not read yesterday's blog until I read today's. I am so sorry for your friend. She is fortunate indeed to have you and the other friends in her life to help support her. I hope the anti-depressants will help too. Hugs, Leslie Report Inappropriate Comment

WORKOUTWITHPAM 7/16/2010 2:38PM

I am sorry that I did not get to read your yesterday's blog until I read your today's blog. "Being there for your friend" is probably the best thing that you can do for her. I am so sorry to hear of her loss, but I am glad that she has you and her other friends who will be there to help her get through this time. "ATM" is beautiful. HUGS Pam Report Inappropriate Comment

Sad about Best Friend

Thursday, July 15, 2010

My dearest friend has so many wonderful talents, is a terrific teacher and met the love of her life about 8 years ago. Both she and her dearest were older and had been separated for years from their spouses. They found such a spark of love in each other that it was glorious to be around them. After a couple of years when they had divorced their spouses, they made a private life-long commitment to each other. A couple year ago he was diagnosed with cancer, which spread much more rapidly than was expected. As his health declined, he insisted on a marriage ceremony which was performed by a judge in her house with the groom in a hospital bed. He was gone within a few months. The last two years she has seemed strong and shared her sense of his closeness to her with us. Her oldest daughter married a charming and wonderful man who brought the whole family closer together. What none of us realized is that she wasn't grieving and now it has come crashing down on her. She has seen a doctor is is taking meds which haven't kicked in yet. I wish there was something I could do, but I know all I can do is be there for her. It has brought back some painful memories of my early days of depression.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LADYIRISH317 7/16/2010 4:12PM

Your friend is blessed to have someone as loving and supportive as you. And please don't discount the value of "just being there," because it's the greatest gift there is. I speak from experience -- during times of grief in my life, friends who were there with hugs and an ear to listen were the best support I could have. Report Inappropriate Comment

DWDMOTHERHEN 7/16/2010 11:03AM

Your friend is very fortunate to have someone like you to support her, who understands what it is like to go through such a dark place. It isn't easy to do, but being able to use your experience to comfort her will help bring meaning to your own struggles. As someone who didin't find love until later in life myself, I can imagine how devestating it could be to have such a short time together. What I try to remember when I start to regret that I didn't meet my DH sooner, is to be grateful that I have had the chance to have love in my life at all, when so many people never do. I hope that the meds help your friend find some relief from her despair soon. Jodi Report Inappropriate Comment

NEDYFAY 7/16/2010 10:29AM

All you can do is be there for her. I understand the frustration of not being able to fix it for her, but we have to fight out own battles. My heart went out to your friend when I read this. All my best to the both of you. Report Inappropriate Comment

BRANDNEWBUFFY 7/16/2010 10:10AM

That is really hard when you want to help someone and 'fix' it and you can't. You are so right, all you can do is be there for her. Grieving is hard and to lose someone that means that much to you is devastating. If she hasn't allowed herself to feel any of those feelings until now, she is going to need you. If for nothing more then a shoulder to cry on, she is going to need your support. Good luck and lots of hugs for you Report Inappropriate Comment

IAFARMERWIFE 7/16/2010 9:20AM

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JOYCEMARIE9 7/16/2010 9:15AM

All you can do is be there for her stand strong she will need you I will keep her in my prayers. It is sad to find something so late there is little time to enjoy it but it is better than never having found it. Report Inappropriate Comment

WANAKA 7/16/2010 9:08AM

Oh my gosh, my heart went out to your friend as I read your blog. I hope and pray that she finds peace and that she does NOT go into a depression. *huggzz* Report Inappropriate Comment

LINDABEAR3 7/16/2010 6:47AM

I'm sorry about your dear friend, I'll pray for the both of you. take care now. linda Report Inappropriate Comment

Yin Yoga

Monday, July 12, 2010

After an incredibly active weekend with 10 hours of Anusara yoga (very physical, taxing on body and brain as you work to inward spiral and pull back your thighs while outward spiraling and pulling your shins together while rooting down from your waist, lengthening your side body while putting your shoulder blades on your back to puff up your heart... all this before you even begin a pose), teaching yin yoga this morning was a blessing to me and my back. In yin all the poses are seated or supine and meant to stretch the connective tissue not the muscles. The poses are held for three to five minutes. Even so i did find myself adding some strategies from the weekend to the descriptions of the poses. I love teaching yin because everyone feels challenged and yet completely serene at the end. Try it sometime.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KKLENNERT809 7/12/2010 8:49PM

I would love to try it, I practice yoga but have not tried that kind. Report Inappropriate Comment

MOMOFEZRA 7/12/2010 8:47PM

I love yin yoga, it's so soothing! Report Inappropriate Comment

RISSASPIECES 7/12/2010 8:15PM

I am so lucky that I started my true yoga adventure at an Anusara studio. Inner and outer spiral are second nature to me. :-) I always pay attention to kidney loop too! LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

LESLIEJEAN43 7/12/2010 8:06PM

I would love to try it, but am not sure of the style of yoga that is taught here in my town. It sounds like just what I need. Hugs, Leslie Report Inappropriate Comment

JEN-TINK1 7/12/2010 7:48PM

That is cool! Report Inappropriate Comment

Yoga Weekend

Sunday, July 11, 2010

When I signed up for the weekend of yoga with Desiree Rimbaugh, I noticed that each of the four sessions were 2. 5 hours long I figured, well, since these are called workshops, there would be a combination of instruction, discussion and practice. I would guess that practice took up 90-95% of the time That means I did close to 9-9.5 hours of yoga between Friday evening and Sunday morning It was work, hard work at times, almost always challenging. I am so glad I did it, but I am still integrating into my mind, body and spirit exactly all that I did and how it affected me and my practice. I am looking forward to teaching my quiet yin class tomorrow.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LESLIEJEAN43 7/11/2010 7:15PM

Sounds like a busy weekend, filled with yoga! I"m glad you're glad you did it!! Enjoy your quiet class tomorrow. Hugs, Leslie Report Inappropriate Comment

WORKOUTWITHPAM 7/11/2010 5:26PM

Sounds like a yoga-filled weekend to me. Although challenging, it must have been a wonderful learning experience! HUGS Pam Report Inappropriate Comment