12/20/18 
​

Something a little bit different to remind us in the middle of all the commercial hype why there was a special baby born on Christmas day, who is still teaching us to care...

 To the One-Legged Homeless Woman
             in the Pouring Rain

                                                                                                                                        Teddy Macker

                                                             When I passed you on my way home
                                                       I didn't think about you
                                                       nor feel a hairs breath of sympathy.

                                                      I was talking about someone at work,
                                                      how sh'd pissed me off in an e-mail.
                                                      "She's so curt," I think I said.

                                                      It wasn't untill hours later
                                                      while looking at the sky,
                                                      a sky whose size unsteadied me,
                                                      that I started thinking of you,
                                                     you and others like you,
                                                     all the human beings on this planet
                                                     suffering simultaneously,
                                                     the hundreds, thousands, millions...
                                                     How incomprehensible, I thought,
                                                     standing there on my covered porch

                                                     while you stood on one leg
                                                     on a traffic median,
                                                     hungry and homeless
                                                     in a ruined side of Baltimore
                                                     in the pouring rain.


​                 *******************************************************************************************

​
The 10th Fact of Life that can make you a happier person is:

                   Help is only a prayer away...

Even if you are not religious, you can find comfort and perspective in the above statement. Research has shown that people who attend church on a regular basis are to a certain extent happier then those who do not. Although God already knows what is happening in you life, there can be an increase in personal peace through prayer. Try it...

I hope these areas of life that I have presented over the weeks have helped in some way.
May peace be with you...Jeanne

                                                  ***************************************************




​ Ok., the ninth fact of life that can make you a better and happy
  person is:

                 Knowing that love is an action

It is very easy to tell someone we love them. People do it all the time in a superficial and offhand way when the phrase is used as a Goodbye or as a lighthearted remark such as "Love you guys..." But real, genuine love is a verb in that there is always a way of showing love in addition to simply saying the phrase, "I love you..." To love someone is to wish and to do good for the person. It is a choice that is made to help someone grow as an individual. When love involves mostly or only feelings it is probably an infatuation.



                                                                       ***************************

​The 6th fact of life that will make you a happier person is,

       Realizing that forgiveness means letting go of pain.

We are all hurt at sometime in our lives, usually by someone we think we love or by a situation that involves unfairness of some kind. Often, if we dwell on it, we can become stuck in a very unhappy life. To forgive is to help remove the pain and begin to live again. It may take some time, but forgiving is
 almost always the best choice.


​                                                                     **********************************************

              **********************************************************


​
 Ok, the second fact of life that can make you a happier person is one of the hardest for many people to acknowledge, so take note and think about it. There is freedom behind the following statement: 

             You are not responsible for anyone else's thoughts,
                              feelings, or behaviors.

  So many people hang on to unnecessary guilt because they feel responsible for a loved one's poor choices. They think, "If only I had..." or "If I were good enough this wouldn't have happened..." You cannot change another person.You can only support and be an example for them. When you are able to understand and accept this fact, you will be free to care at a higher level.
 ---Jeanne




                                                                 *******************************************************

​
Would you go with me on another series that looks at life from a different angle?

It is from 10 facts of life that can make you a happier person. I'll try to explain a little about each one, but what they mean to you is more important....

Ok, this is the first one:  You really are unique in all the world. There will never be a person exactly like you again. No one will ever have the same physical features that you have. No one will ever look at life in the same way that you do. No one will ever have the exact same values that you do.
No one will ever have the potential for seeing, doing, and being the best you.

           Never underestimate what you can do to make the world a better place.
                                                                                                            author unknown

        Think about it...


                    *******************











​Don't know if I shared this with you, but you might enjoy seeing it...

The Symptoms of Inner Peace:

---an unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment
---a loss of interest in judging self or others ---frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation
---losing the ability to worry
​ ---contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature
              ---increased mindfulness and ability to live in the now
                                                     ---loss of interest in conflict
           ---increased ability and desire to be kind and loving



*******************************************************​

​Last question:  Please think about this seriously because it refers to the amount of personal control available to you whether you realize it or not. 

---How do I create most of my own unhappiness and disappointments in life?

Often, we self sabotage our happiness by placing unrealistic expectations on ourselves or on others. We are then disappointed when things do not work out the way we expected.

Possible action:  Consider what might happen if you stopped expecting others to read your mind, to know what you might want, to fulfill needs that you can do for yourself, etc. Consider what it would take for you to be responsible for your own happiness because you really are responsible.

Hope these 10 questions have helped create some insights for you. Please remember that the only time is now. Don't miss it...

​*********************************************************************

Week 8

​Only a few more insight questions to go. I hope at least one or two has given you a better understanding of part of life. Of course, in a real counseling session there can be many more depending on what is going on with each of us. 

So, here is question 8:

    Over what do I really have control in a particular situation that is bothering me?
   
     We can expend a considerable amount of energy worrying and attempting to control things when, in reality, we have no control over them. This has a terrible draining effect on our ability to deal with life in a positive way.
Possible action:  Ask yourself, “Am I responsible for anything in this situation?” If yes, do your best to solve, to help, etc. If no, let go and trust in God’s providence.




                                                        ************************************************************

​​
Week 7

---What do I most need to learn in my life right now?

We all have learning needs at various points in life. New learning can help keep us alive and growing. However, we need to trust in God’s love in order to be open to making positive changes based on what insights we might gain.

 What particular situation might be teaching you that can be useful down the road. What positive insights can I gain from an otherwise difficult experience?


           *********************************************************************************************8

Week 6

​How is it going so far? Are you starting to get a better perspective on life? 

​Have you ever given yourself “peace time,” filled with no demands?  Have you ever carefully eliminated all the things you should have done or had to do and replaced them only with what you wanted to do?  It’s amazing how much can be accomplished by trying not to accomplish anything.  It can feel a little like a grazing horse in a pasture as you smoothly flow from one experience to another, gently chomping off small shoots of fresh living. 
 Once all of the pressure of striving to finish something is removed, it is much easier to take things one-step at a time. Instead of procrastinating and consequently getting little accomplished, you can be able to simply flow smoothly from one adventure to another. And looking at the day this way can allow you to live in the present, moment by moment. Somehow awareness of good things is amplified when you do this, and you may discover that you have been tripping over happiness in your rush to find the perfect life.

Week 6 Question:---Where in my daily life do I find the greatest sense of peace?
Possible action:  Go there…more often! 




***************************************************************************************



Week # 5
---#5   For which of God’s gifts am I most grateful?

   So many things in daily life seem important but are not. In one of my books I refer to them as the 'urgent unnecessary'. For example, we might think that attending a particular party or meeting or social event is vital to our life at the moment, but what is really needed might be time spent with another individual or alone.

By asking this question we are forced to look at what is most important in our lives. This is essential for putting things into perspective and out of this order peace will come. Also, gratitude is vital for true inner peace.

​                                                          ***********************************************************

Week #4
How are you doing so far? If you are seriously considering the questions, then they may be helping you to grow in your relationships and personal understanding. Following is the fourth question:

#4--What is my hidden expectation in a particular situation or relationship?
Many times we allow others to unintentionally hurt us by having unexpressed or unrealistic expectations of them that they are unaware of or unable to fulfill.

Possible action:  Next time let someone know what you want or need directly. Realize that as much as someone may love you, no one can read you mind or your heart. 
                                                                             

                                                        *****************************************************
                                                                                   

                     OK, this week we have question #3 of our free "therapy" questions. I hope you are seriously       considering these...

---#3  Of what am I really afraid?

Many times when we are angry, upset, or indecisive, it is because of some hidden fear:  e.g. the fear of losing something or someone.

Possible actions:  Next time you are experiencing negative feelings, look at what is happening in the situation or relationship. Remind yourself that the phrase “Be not afraid” is expressed 365 times in the Bible.

                                                                        *************************

Below is question #2 in my series of how to feel better and find the happiness that is hidden in plain sight in your life. Together these are the "therapy" questions designed to help put your life in perspective:

---#2  When was the last time I really enjoyed myself?
​
When we haven’t been taking care of ourselves we can begin to lose touch with positive feelings. It is important to know what we find enjoyable and fun.
Possible action:  Picture the last time you were totally absorbed in an enjoyable activity.  What did it feel like? Promise to do something good for yourself today. 


                                                                                ************************************************

​

     Due to a medical emergency and subsequent surgeries, I have been unable to update my website and blog.

​    Hopefully, I am on the mend but it is going to take awhile to find "me" again. I never dreamed that I would be out of commission for this length of time. Please keep me in your prayers and check back. Thanks for your patience...Jeanne

 
   Many children remember being sent to the corner or to their room to experience quiet time in order to, hopefully, make different choices about their erratic and unacceptable behavior.
   As adults, sometimes we desperately need a timeout from life in order to make better choices. We need to get in the habit of stepping aside, standing back, slowing down, and listening within. That is how we can discover if we are living with integrity.
   I wonder what would result if each of us could have a quiet room in our homes for spending time alone at least once a day in order to diffuse our stressed filled lives. Sitting in silence for awhile can be one of the best ways to find peace within ourselves.

   They say that God speaks to us in the quiet of our hearts and the finest prayer is one where we simply listen without asking for anything.

   How about taking time out each day to just be? You might discover peace…

                                                                                                                  ©Jeanne Adams

  The leaves outside my window look tired. They have given up fighting with the
wind, heat, sudden cold, and other types of over stimulation.

  I am tired also...I am so tired of the chaos and degrading insults to the American public that have been hoisted upon us in the name of politics. No, it really hasn't been politics as usual, but that doesn't make it a good thing.

  And when I listen to the media, I wonder, once again why they persist in promoting and in many cases glorifying negativity and hate. Much of what is presented is just wrong and some is "much ado about nothing." Meanwhile, politics and the creative use of consistent lies and projection onto the other candidate become the new norm. And other serious issues that should be dealt with, (e.g, the rights of Native Americans vs. corporate power), are ignored.

   I can see how those seeking power can win...because we, the real silent majority, remain silent.
I think we are tired--just like those leaves outside my window. But I hope you are not too tired to VOTE, even if you feel it is the lesser of two evils.
         "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to remain silent."

 ​May you be at peace in your heart...
Jeanne
                                                                                                                

​     Recently I’ve been wondering how so many people connected with a seemingly high level of spiritual development can be blind to things and to people who are so obviously the opposite.
     I scroll through places like Facebook and feel as if we are losing all that is positive. Everyone seems to be looking for and expecting signs of disrespect. The political environment has become a serious version of “I’m okay because I declare that you’re not.” We are not stupid people, but we act like it when we function at and accept such low levels of moral development as if this is the way to be now.
    Why are many of us so insecure? Why is the media fixated on glorifying negativity? And why are we letting any type of evil transpire?
    It is so frightening and frustrating to realize that there is immeasurable beauty and goodness in the world, but many people are choosing to accept destructive, degrading, and demoralizing messages, behavior, etc.
 
    I hope that someday soon we will base our choices on things like equality of human rights, respect for others, justice for all, etc., because that is the higher level of moral development that will bring us gratitude and happiness. And that is the only way to
true personal power.
 
   

 
    I’m sitting here looking at one of my favorite gifts. It is a pewter statue of a mare and colt. The mare seems to be saying to the newborn colt, “Ok, it’s time for you to get up and try to walk. But remember, when you do, you are committed for life.”
 
    The mare seems to be giving this wisdom in a gentle way and the colt is listening intently. The title in the front of the statue is “Love is gentle.”
 
    I sometimes wonder if we are ever committed for life. Oh sure, we think that we have made life commitments, maybe in relationships, religious beliefs, or life goals, etc. But how many stay the course? How many actually develop even better relationships or actually grow closer to God’s message of love, or continue to work on those life goals?
 
    In reality we are almost constantly distracted by so much overload that there is no time to step back and put priorities in order. It seems there is little time for finding a sense of personal peace. And this is what is needed most for developing the really good things in life like compassion, understanding, simplicity, gratitude, love, and gentleness.
 
    Most people make the mistake of thinking that if only they had enough of something or were in the right situation, then they could be at peace. But it appears to be the other way around—it is when we are personally at peace that we are most capable of being our best or truest self. It is when we are at peace that we are most likely to have our priorities in order and are able to more easily follow our commitments to quality living.
 
    And a quality life journey has nothing to do with accumulating things or being overly busy with urgent unimportant things that distract, and overwhelm us. The real priorities may lie with spending time (perhaps in prayer or meditation, etc.), in order to find the simplicity and direction of personal peace. Then everything else falls into place and we can get up and successfully continue to walk on our committed life journey, remembering that love is gentle.
    

  
    Have you ever noticed how much can be accomplished in your head before getting up in the morning? It seems to be an easy time when I can create and cross off a myriad of items on a mental “To Do” list.
    I feel like someone with boundless energy and rock hard resolve as I imagine myself doing leaps and bounds of positive productivity during the upcoming day.
    It can be a time of hope and promise… Or it can be the last thing I complete.
     I guess there can be many reasons for this. Maybe hope is somehow connected with energy level and as energy fades during the day so does hope. Maybe the element of procrastination sets in and little is actually accomplished.
​
    But wait…Maybe I could turn it into one of my putter days. One of the best ways I know to really accomplish more than I think I can is to putter or graze like a horse.
    When I putter, I gradually go from one minor thing to another and complete a small organizational task that has been delayed and frequently forgotten and then remembered time and again. These somehow serve as little mini-stresses that are left in the back of my mind.
    The freedom of a putter day is wonderful because there are no explicit demands. And after grazing through my day, it seems that all of the mini-bonfires of stress have been doused with cool, refreshing water and I am free to breathe.
    Problems are seen as challenges; beauty is recognized along the way; tension is reduced; it’s time to relax…