hummingwolf | (no subject)

Preparation has a lot to do with how well one handles things. Did you do your homework? Then, ideally, you will be prepared to do well on this test. Unless you find out you picked up the wrong text at the college bookstore, you're in the wrong class and have done preparatory work that would have helped someone else but is completely and utterly useless to you.

My early life trained me well to live by directing vast amounts of energy toward intellectual pursuits, avoiding people much of the time because I'd figured out early on that most people would hurt and betray me given half a chance. Then I ended up with an illness that drains my energy, leaves me unable to concentrate on the things I trained myself to do for so long--but somehow I ended with more and more wonderful friends than I would have thought possible when I was younger. I don't have a clue how to make a life out of this. Somebody with a completely different background would have no problem with it, I'm sure.

On an unrelated note, whatever happened to Toni Childs? And why is an album called House of Hope one of the most depressing albums in my collection?

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this is by someone using the name litcritter:

6. Life is supposed to be easy. Living is an improvisational art; you've got to let it flow.

7. Life is supposed to be hard. Sometimes there is unspeakable pain. There is grief, there is loss, there is anguish and dismay. And when these bad things land on your doorstep, you either invite them in for tea and see what they have to say for themselves, or you sit inside, afraid to go out your own door. But the sooner you invite them in, the sooner you can go out to play.

8. It is not true that 'things happen for a reason.' Actually, things just happen. Our job as humans is to find a reason, or to make one. Our brains are hard-wired to see pictures in the fire, and there is no better instrument than the human soul for stitching silver linings into thunderclouds.

9. Don't let yourself be trapped into being who you used to be if that's not who you are anymore.

10. Treat every single being you encounter with respect, kindness, and compassion. Include yourself on that list.

i'm not putting those here as a way of saying 'get over it' or 'just smile' or 'don't worry,be happy'...i hope you don't take it that way.

i often feel frustrated that i can't have better answers for people...but all i've got is empathy and wisdom from others most of the time! still,i hope you accept it in the spirit it is given.

i saw a quote recently that would have fit your dilemma perfectly,but silly me didn't write it down. it's something on the idea that we go through life making it up as we go along...'winging it',so to speak. but we've got to give ourselves credit for all the improvisation we do not to mention the courage to get out of bed in the morning!

funny you should mention toni childs. just yesterday i dug up her 'union',which is an album i love. i think i bought 'house of hope' but never listened to it much. 'union' is wistful and other things,but it ends on a hopeful note with a song with lyrics i adore (and i'm not much of a lyrics person)...'where's the ocean?' do you have that cd? if not, let me know and i'll share the lyrics with you if you are interested.

i hope you have a good day and enjoy that big beautiful sun!

Thanks for commenting! I know on a rational level that we're all winging it, yet it's still frustrating when I think, "But I did everything I was supposed to do! Why doesn't it work anymore? Waaah!" And then I stand around spluttering with rage while the universe laughs at me.

I've got three Toni Childs CDs, so I know what you mean about "Where's the Ocean?" Have you heard The Woman's Boat? As far as I know, that was the last one she recorded.

It's a sunny day here--finally! We're supposed to get the rain back by Wednesday though, so the time for enjoying the big beautiful sun is limited. Still, it's good to see bright light and blue sky for a change.

(no subject)

what are those pits doing in my bowl?

Re: what are those pits doing in my bowl?