101 WAYS TO COPE WITH STRESS
Courtesy of the Tripler Regional Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
Get up 15 minutes earlier
Prepare for the morning the night before
Avoid tight fitting clothes
Avoid relying on chemical aids
Set appointments ahead
Don't rely on your memory ... write it down
Practice preventive maintenance
Make duplicate keys
Say "no" more often
Set priorities in your life
Avoid negative people
Use time wisely
Simplify meal times
Always make copies of important papers
Anticipate your needs
Repair anything that doesn't work properly
Ask for help with the jobs you dislike
Break large tasks into bite size portions
Look at problems as challenges
Look at challenges differently
Unclutter your life
Smile
Be prepared for rain
Tickle a baby
Pet a friendly dog/cat
Don't know all the answers
Look for a silver lining
Say something nice to someone
Teach a kid to fly a kite
Walk in the rain
Schedule play time into every day
Take a bubble bath
Be aware of the decisions you make
Believe in yourself
Stop saying negative things to yourself
Visualize yourself winning
Develop your sense of humor
Stop thinking tomorrow will be a better today
Have goals for yourself
Dance a jig
Say "hello" to a stranger
Ask a friend for a hug
Look up at the stars
Practice breathing slowly
Learn to whistle a tune
Read a poem
Listen to a symphony
Watch a ballet
Read a story curled up in bed
Do a brand new thing
Stop a bad habit
Buy yourself a flower
Take time to small the flowers
Find support from others
Ask someone to be your "vent-partner"
Do it today
Work at being cheerful and optimistic
Put safety first
Do everything in moderation
Pay attention to your appearance
Strive for Excellence NOT perfection
Stretch your limits a little each day
Look at a work of art
Hum a jingle
Maintain your weight
Plant a tree
Feed the birds
Practice grace under pressure
Stand up and stretch
Always have a plan "B"
Learn a new doodle
Memorize a joke
Be responsible for your feelings
Learn to meet your own needs
Become a better listener
Know your limitations and let others know them, too
Tell someone to have a good day in pig Latin
Throw a paper airplane
Exercise every day
Learn the words to a new song
Get to work early
Clean out one closet
Play patty cake with a toddler
Go on a picnic
Take a different route to work
Leave work early (with permission)
Put air freshener in your car
Watch a movie and eat popcorn
Write a note to a far away friend
Go to a ball game and scream
Cook a meal and eat it by candlelight
Recognize the importance of unconditional love
Remember that stress is an attitude
Keep a journal
Practice a monster smile
Remember you always have options
Have a support network of people, places and things
Quit trying to fix other people
Get enough sleep
Talk less and listen more
Freely praise other people
BONUS: Relax, take each day at a time...you have the rest of your life to live!
25 February, 2003
"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." -- James D. Miles
1. How Do You Catch A Unique Rabbit?
Unique Up On It.
2. How Do You Catch A Tame Rabbit?
Tame Way, Unique Up On It.
3. How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest?
They Take The Psycho Path.
4. How Do You Get Holy Water?
You Boil The Hell Out Of It.
5. What Do Fish Say When They Hit A Concrete Wall?
Dam!
6. What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too Long?
Polaroids
7. What Do You Call A Boomerang That Doesn't work?
A Stick.
8. What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours?
Nacho Cheese.
9. What Do You Call Santa's Helpers?
Subordinate Clauses.
10. What Do You Call Four Bullfighters In Quicksand?
Quatro Sinko.
11. What Do You Get >From A Pampered Cow?
Spoiled Milk.
12. What Do You Get When You Cross A Snowman With A Vampire?
Frostbite.
13. What Lies At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches?
A Nervous Wreck.
14. What's The Difference Between Roast Beef And Pea Soup?
Anyone Can Roast Beef!
15. Where Do You Find A Dog With No Legs?
Right Where You Left Him.
16. Why Do Gorillas Have Big Nostrils?
Because They Have Big Fingers.
17. Why Don't Blind People Like To Sky Dive? Because It Scares The Dog.
18. What Kind Of Coffee Was Served On The Titanic?
Sanka.
19. What Is The Difference Between A Harley And A Hoover?
The Location Of The Dirt Bag.
20. Why Did Pilgrims' Pants Always Fall Down?
Because They Wore Their Belt Buckle On Their Hat.
Now, admit it. At least one of these made you smile! Have a great day!
1. How Do You Catch A Unique Rabbit?
Unique Up On It.
2. How Do You Catch A Tame Rabbit?
Tame Way, Unique Up On It.
3. How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest?
They Take The Psycho Path.
4. How Do You Get Holy Water?
You Boil The Hell Out Of It.
5. What Do Fish Say When They Hit A Concrete Wall?
Dam!
6. What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too Long?
Polaroids
7. What Do You Call A Boomerang That Doesn't work?
A Stick.
8. What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours?
Nacho Cheese.
9. What Do You Call Santa's Helpers?
Subordinate Clauses.
10. What Do You Call Four Bullfighters In Quicksand?
Quatro Sinko.
11. What Do You Get >From A Pampered Cow?
Spoiled Milk.
12. What Do You Get When You Cross A Snowman With A Vampire?
Frostbite.
13. What Lies At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches?
A Nervous Wreck.
14. What's The Difference Between Roast Beef And Pea Soup?
Anyone Can Roast Beef!
15. Where Do You Find A Dog With No Legs?
Right Where You Left Him.
16. Why Do Gorillas Have Big Nostrils?
Because They Have Big Fingers.
17. Why Don't Blind People Like To Sky Dive? Because It Scares The Dog.
18. What Kind Of Coffee Was Served On The Titanic?
Sanka.
19. What Is The Difference Between A Harley And A Hoover?
The Location Of The Dirt Bag.
20. Why Did Pilgrims' Pants Always Fall Down?
Because They Wore Their Belt Buckle On Their Hat.
Now, admit it. At least one of these made you smile! Have a great day!
May you find serenity and tranquility
in a world you may not always understand.
May the pain you have known
and the conflict you have experienced
give you the strength to walk through life
facing each new situation with courage and optimism.
Always know that there are those
whose love and understanding will always be there,
even when you feel most alone.
May a kind word,
a reassuring touch,
and a warm smile
be yours every day of your life,
and may you give these gifts
as well as receive them.
May the teachings of those you admire
become part of you,
so that you may call upon them.
Remember, those whose lives you have touched
and who have touched yours
are always a part of you,
even if the encounters were less than you would have wished.
It is the content of the encounter
that is more important than its form.
May you not become too concerned with material matters,
but instead place immeasurable value
on the goodness in your heart.
Find time in each day to see beauty and love
in the world around you.
Realize that what you feel you lack in one regard
you may be more than compensated for in another.
What you feel you lack in the present
may become one of your strengths in the future.
May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility.
Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.
May you find enough inner strength
to determine your own worth by yourself,
and not be dependent
on another's judgment of your accomplishments.
May you always feel loved
in a world you may not always understand.
May the pain you have known
and the conflict you have experienced
give you the strength to walk through life
facing each new situation with courage and optimism.
Always know that there are those
whose love and understanding will always be there,
even when you feel most alone.
May a kind word,
a reassuring touch,
and a warm smile
be yours every day of your life,
and may you give these gifts
as well as receive them.
May the teachings of those you admire
become part of you,
so that you may call upon them.
Remember, those whose lives you have touched
and who have touched yours
are always a part of you,
even if the encounters were less than you would have wished.
It is the content of the encounter
that is more important than its form.
May you not become too concerned with material matters,
but instead place immeasurable value
on the goodness in your heart.
Find time in each day to see beauty and love
in the world around you.
Realize that what you feel you lack in one regard
you may be more than compensated for in another.
What you feel you lack in the present
may become one of your strengths in the future.
May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility.
Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.
May you find enough inner strength
to determine your own worth by yourself,
and not be dependent
on another's judgment of your accomplishments.
May you always feel loved
the road not taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
~ Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
~ Robert Frost
======================================================================
"Thoughts"
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without spilling some
on yourself.
Some cause happiness wherever they go.
Others whenever they go.
Attitude determines your altitude.
Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others can't keep it from
themselves.
There is nothing wrong with people possessing riches.
The wrong comes when riches possess people.
The meaning of happiness is whatever you want it to be.
A true friend is one who thinks you're a good egg even though you're
half-cracked.
Even a fool knows you can't reach out and touch the stars,
but it doesn't keep wise men from trying.
The bubbling brook would lose its song if you removed the rocks.
The most tragic thing of life is not death,
it is to live without living.
"Work can wait while you show a child the rainbow.
The rainbow won't wait while you do the work."
From – Inspire Today
======================================================================
IF I CAN
If I can plant some little seed of love
That later will blossom in a smile,
It matters not however else I fail,
My life will be worthwhile.
If I can do some little kindly act
That later on may soothe some sad heart's pain,
It matters not what else I do. My life
Will not have been in vain.
- Author Unknown
From – Mr Mom’s Inspirational Mailing
======================================================================
"Thoughts"
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without spilling some
on yourself.
Some cause happiness wherever they go.
Others whenever they go.
Attitude determines your altitude.
Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others can't keep it from
themselves.
There is nothing wrong with people possessing riches.
The wrong comes when riches possess people.
The meaning of happiness is whatever you want it to be.
A true friend is one who thinks you're a good egg even though you're
half-cracked.
Even a fool knows you can't reach out and touch the stars,
but it doesn't keep wise men from trying.
The bubbling brook would lose its song if you removed the rocks.
The most tragic thing of life is not death,
it is to live without living.
"Work can wait while you show a child the rainbow.
The rainbow won't wait while you do the work."
From – Inspire Today
======================================================================
IF I CAN
If I can plant some little seed of love
That later will blossom in a smile,
It matters not however else I fail,
My life will be worthwhile.
If I can do some little kindly act
That later on may soothe some sad heart's pain,
It matters not what else I do. My life
Will not have been in vain.
- Author Unknown
From – Mr Mom’s Inspirational Mailing
======================================================================
For those who already have children past this age, this is hilarious.
For those who have children this age, this is not funny.
For those who have children nearing this age, this is a warning.
For those who have not yet had children, this is birth control.
The following came from an anonymous Mother in Austin, Texas...
Things I've learned from my children (honest & no kidding):
1. A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft.
house 4 inches deep.
2. If you spray hairspray on dust bunnies and run over them with
roller blades, they can ignite.
3. A 3-year-old's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded
restaurant.
4. If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not
strong enough to rotate a 42 pound boy wearing Batman underwear and
a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint, can
spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.
5. You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on.
When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a
few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a
long way.
6. The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball
hit by a ceiling fan.
7. When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh," it's
already too late.
8. Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.
9. A six-year old can start a fire with a flint rock even though a
36-year-old man says they can only do it in the movies.
10. Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year-
old.
11. Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.
12. Superglue is forever.
13. No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still
can't walk on water.
14. Pool filters do not like Jell-O.
15. VCR's do not eject PB&J sandwiches even though TV commercials
show they do.
16. Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.
17. Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.
18. You probably do not want to know what that odour is.
19. Always look in the oven before you turn it on. Plastic toys do
not like ovens.
20. The fire department in Austin, TX has a 5-minute response time
to my house.
21. The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms
dizzy.
22. It will, however, make cats dizzy.
23. Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.
24. The mind of a 6-year old is wonderful. First grade... True story:
One day the first grade teacher was reading the story of the Three
Little Pigs to her class. She came to the part of the story where
the First pig was trying to accumulate the building materials for his
home.
She read, "...And so the pig went up to the man with the wheelbarrow
full of straw and said, 'Pardon me sir, but may I have some of that
straw to build my house?'" The teacher paused then asked the
class, "And what do you think that man said?" One little boy raised
his hand and said, "I think he said... 'Holy Sh*t, a talking pig!'"
The teacher was unable to teach for the next 10 minutes.
Four-Letter Words
A young couple got married and left on their honeymoon. When they
got back, the bride immediately called her mother. Her mother
asked, "How was the honeymoon?"
"Oh, mama," she replied, "the honeymoon was wonderful! So
romantic..."
Suddenly she burst out crying. "But, mama, as soon as we returned
Sam started using the most horrible language...things I'd never
heard before! I mean, all these awful 4-letter words! You've got
to come get me and take me home.... Please mama!"
"Sarah, Sarah," her mother said, "calm down! Tell me, what could
be so awful? What 4-letter words?"
"Please don't make me tell you, mama," wept the daughter, "I'm so
embarrassed they're just too awful! Come get me, please!"
"Darling, baby, you must tell me what has you so upset. Tell your
mother these horrible 4-letter words!"
Still sobbing, the bride said, "Oh, mama...words like DUST, WASH,
IRON, COOK...!"
For those who have children this age, this is not funny.
For those who have children nearing this age, this is a warning.
For those who have not yet had children, this is birth control.
The following came from an anonymous Mother in Austin, Texas...
Things I've learned from my children (honest & no kidding):
1. A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft.
house 4 inches deep.
2. If you spray hairspray on dust bunnies and run over them with
roller blades, they can ignite.
3. A 3-year-old's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded
restaurant.
4. If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not
strong enough to rotate a 42 pound boy wearing Batman underwear and
a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint, can
spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.
5. You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on.
When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a
few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a
long way.
6. The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball
hit by a ceiling fan.
7. When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh," it's
already too late.
8. Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.
9. A six-year old can start a fire with a flint rock even though a
36-year-old man says they can only do it in the movies.
10. Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year-
old.
11. Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.
12. Superglue is forever.
13. No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still
can't walk on water.
14. Pool filters do not like Jell-O.
15. VCR's do not eject PB&J sandwiches even though TV commercials
show they do.
16. Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.
17. Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.
18. You probably do not want to know what that odour is.
19. Always look in the oven before you turn it on. Plastic toys do
not like ovens.
20. The fire department in Austin, TX has a 5-minute response time
to my house.
21. The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms
dizzy.
22. It will, however, make cats dizzy.
23. Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.
24. The mind of a 6-year old is wonderful. First grade... True story:
One day the first grade teacher was reading the story of the Three
Little Pigs to her class. She came to the part of the story where
the First pig was trying to accumulate the building materials for his
home.
She read, "...And so the pig went up to the man with the wheelbarrow
full of straw and said, 'Pardon me sir, but may I have some of that
straw to build my house?'" The teacher paused then asked the
class, "And what do you think that man said?" One little boy raised
his hand and said, "I think he said... 'Holy Sh*t, a talking pig!'"
The teacher was unable to teach for the next 10 minutes.
Four-Letter Words
A young couple got married and left on their honeymoon. When they
got back, the bride immediately called her mother. Her mother
asked, "How was the honeymoon?"
"Oh, mama," she replied, "the honeymoon was wonderful! So
romantic..."
Suddenly she burst out crying. "But, mama, as soon as we returned
Sam started using the most horrible language...things I'd never
heard before! I mean, all these awful 4-letter words! You've got
to come get me and take me home.... Please mama!"
"Sarah, Sarah," her mother said, "calm down! Tell me, what could
be so awful? What 4-letter words?"
"Please don't make me tell you, mama," wept the daughter, "I'm so
embarrassed they're just too awful! Come get me, please!"
"Darling, baby, you must tell me what has you so upset. Tell your
mother these horrible 4-letter words!"
Still sobbing, the bride said, "Oh, mama...words like DUST, WASH,
IRON, COOK...!"
11 February, 2003
You Know You're An UnReasonable Woman When...
You are allergic to tyranny.
No one tells you what to do.
You are tired of being part of tedious goodhearted groups devoted to biodiversity, yet whose message is, "come join us and conform."
You eat pretense for lunch (long burrrp).
You are willing to experiment with the great magic of synchronicity that results.
You feel kinship, hence support with the Fierce Dakinis who "dance and laugh as they feast on the painful negativity that the unenlightened take to be demons."
You are cool headed, warm-hearted, allowing us to enter hot situations as transformers of poison.
You quiver in your cells with the beauty and fecundity of the natural world, and know you are kin with all of it.
Your heart feels the plight of a child or mother in a foreign land, and you know that they are us and we are them.
The behavior of the white guys in Washington strikes you as fully insane, and you know theirs is not the world you want to live in.
You know that you feel called to take a stand to protect life.
You feel the healing of reciprocal mentorship with another woman/person.
The love you feel for/with your women friends makes you stronger.
You trust that relearning and practicing relationship, with each other and the land, is the most important thing there is.
You know this is not the world we want to leave our kids.
You trust you can be vulnerable and fierce at the same time.
You remember that beauty is a powerful force for good.
You are committed to finding ways to turn hate into love.
Every action gets you arrested.
Your mother cries everytime you enter the house.
The butcher man in the grocery store asks you what kind of flowers you want for your casket.
Your fingerprints are on FBI/Secret Service files.
You get on plane and your name is on a permanent list to be searched.
The cops take a picture of you.
Your child wakes up singing "Heck, no, we won't go [to war], we won't fight for Texaco!"
You insist on speaking a true "mother tongue"--the language of song and stories, of collaboration and spirit.
You see injustice around you and are compelled to act.
You can imagine being a part of a million women naked march because you know that real obscenity is in the systems promoted around us.
You are willing to stand for an issue that may not be "yours" because you understand the connection between poverty, racism, corporate power, environmental degradation and fear.
You are proud to be wearing hot pink underwear.
Your political life and spiritual life are inextricably linked together.
You not only question, but you defy, any authority that advocates violence.
You speak with, and on the behalf, of trees, whales, children, old people, birds and rocks.
You hear the word "environmentalist" you actually hear the words "sane reverent person."
You have your own probation officer because of engaging in civil disobedience.
You say that justice actually includes justice for the poor, the oppressed, the detained, the prisoner of war.
You believe that the words of Jesus, Ghandi and Martin Luther King should actually be lived out in the world.
You think that feeding the world means all species and all humans, regardless of their ability to pay.
You don't believe gasoline is a good enough reason to go to war. To be honest, you can't think of a good enough reason to go to war.
You think that if reason got us in this mess there has to be a better way out. Perhaps poetry or dance.
Your love for the earth and all its creatures is not an abstraction.
You look up the word "unreasonable" in the dictionary and you find your name there!
Corporate polluters call you "the housewife from Hell".
Your other UnReasonable Women friends understand when they send you a gift and it's 3 months before your write a "thank you" note, because they know you are busy with other important work!
You'd rather be at an environmental/social justice action than to be playing tennis at some country club.
You spend your "free time" working on environmental/social justice issues.
You find it difficult to socialize (communicate with) people who are not involved in the environmental/social justice movement (and you can't understand why they're not involved.)
The Governor of the neighboring state calls you an "Outside Agitator".
You've been arrested inside the White House.
Your "resume" lists your number of arrests and jail time (for peaceful, non-violent direct actions.)
You tell your husband you'll be away for a few days to participate in a protest, and the next day he learns from the local newspaper that you're in jail.
Senators and Congressman --- and even the president of the United States --- knows your name --- and it's not because you contribute big bucks!
At press conferences about toxic polluters, you wear a hot pink button that says, "SO SUE ME".
The polluter you are protesting files a million dollar SLAPP suit against you.
Your most vivid memories of a city include what the inside of their jail is like.
You force the Governor to leave his own press conference by waving a "weenie" (hot dog) at him.
Your family puts up the tree on Christmas Eve, just before picking you up from a 10-day jail stay.
You're arrested for contempt when you violate a court-ordered injunction meant to prevent you from protesting at the site of a toxic polluter.
Your other UnReasonable Women friends understand when you can't participate in everything they're doing because they know you're busy with other important work they believe in.
You are not afraid to cry because it is the only rational reaction
Intuition is valued, listened to and revered as much as intellectual activity
You know listening is an art that deserves cultivation
Forgiveness for our humaneness is never out of reach
You sweep past the petty to what really matters most
You live your mission and know it is bigger than all of us
All of your upbringing says you can't do it but you do it anyway
You give yourself permission to care for yourself
Actions stem from love and not fear.
You speak your truth, in spite of and because of the consequences.
You are undomescitated,and fully present in your body.
You stand up for your sisters and walk your talk.
You aren't willing to shut up when things are happening that you experience as unjust.
You experience your body as a beautiful sensual gift.
You accept the power of the heart.
You consider vcompassion to be strength.
You experience your heart as the center of your intelligence.
You start talking to trees.
Ttrees speak to you.
You take beauty seriously.
You think life is more important than money.
You don't see why weapons should cost more than schools.
You don't see the reason for funding prisons and not hospitals.
You don't understand the reasons for war against Iraq.
There are many times you can't tell the difference between terorrism and the war on terrorism.
You fail to see any good reason for rape or bombs, terror or poverty.
You think freedom from violence of any kind is a human right.
You cannot remain politely silent if you hear a racist remark.
Same sex love sounds like love to you.
You think you should be paid as much as the guy working next to you.
You don't volunteer to make the coffee.
You question company policy.
You develop the habit of questionning authority.
You are bored by dogma of any kind.
You refuse to cooperate with voice mail.
You begin to see the reason behind emotion and the emotion behind reason.
You think clean air and clean water are human rights.
You don't like chemicals in your food.
You like your food fresh and grown near where you live.
You take music seriously.
You don't always take the words "it's not possible" seriously.
You respect the intelligence of the earth.
You think beauty is a human right.
You know no title, black robe or uniform has the power to make a person any smarter than you are.
You love the naked truth.
You love life too much to tune out.
You realize silence does not always bring tranquility.
You love life so much you are are willing to take risks and be disobedient.
Standing up for justice seems like a great way to spend your day.
You'd rather make love than obey, make war, go along with the program.
You know every woman is powerful and many women together are too powerful to resist.
You know you are not alone.
Waterfalls and conifers are included the circle of friends and lovers you actively care for.
Your community doesn't treat you like a traitor when you take much needed rest.
Experiences of passionate enlightenment continually juice up your contributions to social transformation
Internalizedschisms no longer run your personal or community actions.
Cycles of restoration are built into how your community respects each other and the work that calls you together.
Your intergenerational relationships help quiet your fears of dying before "the work" is done.
You stop thinking, talking, and acting as though human beings exist apart from nature.
You put your body where your mouth is, e.g. your personal life reflects the sustainable principals you urge corporations and governments to adopt.
The polyrhythmic thumping in your stomach in response to systemic social/environmental challenges makes you dance life into creative alternatives instead of running away.
You have the respect of those you respect
You make a stand and don't mind finding yourself standing alone
You value the beauty of your life more than anything the world that calls itself the world can offer you
Joy pours through you as easily as grief and you act knowing both
You break laws knowing there are more reasonable ones you follow
You feel in your heart that you can say what you mean and mean what you say.
You look at or listen to another woman and identify with her life's journey.
You know it is safe to be vulnerable and share your story with other women.
You are allergic to tyranny.
No one tells you what to do.
You are tired of being part of tedious goodhearted groups devoted to biodiversity, yet whose message is, "come join us and conform."
You eat pretense for lunch (long burrrp).
You are willing to experiment with the great magic of synchronicity that results.
You feel kinship, hence support with the Fierce Dakinis who "dance and laugh as they feast on the painful negativity that the unenlightened take to be demons."
You are cool headed, warm-hearted, allowing us to enter hot situations as transformers of poison.
You quiver in your cells with the beauty and fecundity of the natural world, and know you are kin with all of it.
Your heart feels the plight of a child or mother in a foreign land, and you know that they are us and we are them.
The behavior of the white guys in Washington strikes you as fully insane, and you know theirs is not the world you want to live in.
You know that you feel called to take a stand to protect life.
You feel the healing of reciprocal mentorship with another woman/person.
The love you feel for/with your women friends makes you stronger.
You trust that relearning and practicing relationship, with each other and the land, is the most important thing there is.
You know this is not the world we want to leave our kids.
You trust you can be vulnerable and fierce at the same time.
You remember that beauty is a powerful force for good.
You are committed to finding ways to turn hate into love.
Every action gets you arrested.
Your mother cries everytime you enter the house.
The butcher man in the grocery store asks you what kind of flowers you want for your casket.
Your fingerprints are on FBI/Secret Service files.
You get on plane and your name is on a permanent list to be searched.
The cops take a picture of you.
Your child wakes up singing "Heck, no, we won't go [to war], we won't fight for Texaco!"
You insist on speaking a true "mother tongue"--the language of song and stories, of collaboration and spirit.
You see injustice around you and are compelled to act.
You can imagine being a part of a million women naked march because you know that real obscenity is in the systems promoted around us.
You are willing to stand for an issue that may not be "yours" because you understand the connection between poverty, racism, corporate power, environmental degradation and fear.
You are proud to be wearing hot pink underwear.
Your political life and spiritual life are inextricably linked together.
You not only question, but you defy, any authority that advocates violence.
You speak with, and on the behalf, of trees, whales, children, old people, birds and rocks.
You hear the word "environmentalist" you actually hear the words "sane reverent person."
You have your own probation officer because of engaging in civil disobedience.
You say that justice actually includes justice for the poor, the oppressed, the detained, the prisoner of war.
You believe that the words of Jesus, Ghandi and Martin Luther King should actually be lived out in the world.
You think that feeding the world means all species and all humans, regardless of their ability to pay.
You don't believe gasoline is a good enough reason to go to war. To be honest, you can't think of a good enough reason to go to war.
You think that if reason got us in this mess there has to be a better way out. Perhaps poetry or dance.
Your love for the earth and all its creatures is not an abstraction.
You look up the word "unreasonable" in the dictionary and you find your name there!
Corporate polluters call you "the housewife from Hell".
Your other UnReasonable Women friends understand when they send you a gift and it's 3 months before your write a "thank you" note, because they know you are busy with other important work!
You'd rather be at an environmental/social justice action than to be playing tennis at some country club.
You spend your "free time" working on environmental/social justice issues.
You find it difficult to socialize (communicate with) people who are not involved in the environmental/social justice movement (and you can't understand why they're not involved.)
The Governor of the neighboring state calls you an "Outside Agitator".
You've been arrested inside the White House.
Your "resume" lists your number of arrests and jail time (for peaceful, non-violent direct actions.)
You tell your husband you'll be away for a few days to participate in a protest, and the next day he learns from the local newspaper that you're in jail.
Senators and Congressman --- and even the president of the United States --- knows your name --- and it's not because you contribute big bucks!
At press conferences about toxic polluters, you wear a hot pink button that says, "SO SUE ME".
The polluter you are protesting files a million dollar SLAPP suit against you.
Your most vivid memories of a city include what the inside of their jail is like.
You force the Governor to leave his own press conference by waving a "weenie" (hot dog) at him.
Your family puts up the tree on Christmas Eve, just before picking you up from a 10-day jail stay.
You're arrested for contempt when you violate a court-ordered injunction meant to prevent you from protesting at the site of a toxic polluter.
Your other UnReasonable Women friends understand when you can't participate in everything they're doing because they know you're busy with other important work they believe in.
You are not afraid to cry because it is the only rational reaction
Intuition is valued, listened to and revered as much as intellectual activity
You know listening is an art that deserves cultivation
Forgiveness for our humaneness is never out of reach
You sweep past the petty to what really matters most
You live your mission and know it is bigger than all of us
All of your upbringing says you can't do it but you do it anyway
You give yourself permission to care for yourself
Actions stem from love and not fear.
You speak your truth, in spite of and because of the consequences.
You are undomescitated,and fully present in your body.
You stand up for your sisters and walk your talk.
You aren't willing to shut up when things are happening that you experience as unjust.
You experience your body as a beautiful sensual gift.
You accept the power of the heart.
You consider vcompassion to be strength.
You experience your heart as the center of your intelligence.
You start talking to trees.
Ttrees speak to you.
You take beauty seriously.
You think life is more important than money.
You don't see why weapons should cost more than schools.
You don't see the reason for funding prisons and not hospitals.
You don't understand the reasons for war against Iraq.
There are many times you can't tell the difference between terorrism and the war on terrorism.
You fail to see any good reason for rape or bombs, terror or poverty.
You think freedom from violence of any kind is a human right.
You cannot remain politely silent if you hear a racist remark.
Same sex love sounds like love to you.
You think you should be paid as much as the guy working next to you.
You don't volunteer to make the coffee.
You question company policy.
You develop the habit of questionning authority.
You are bored by dogma of any kind.
You refuse to cooperate with voice mail.
You begin to see the reason behind emotion and the emotion behind reason.
You think clean air and clean water are human rights.
You don't like chemicals in your food.
You like your food fresh and grown near where you live.
You take music seriously.
You don't always take the words "it's not possible" seriously.
You respect the intelligence of the earth.
You think beauty is a human right.
You know no title, black robe or uniform has the power to make a person any smarter than you are.
You love the naked truth.
You love life too much to tune out.
You realize silence does not always bring tranquility.
You love life so much you are are willing to take risks and be disobedient.
Standing up for justice seems like a great way to spend your day.
You'd rather make love than obey, make war, go along with the program.
You know every woman is powerful and many women together are too powerful to resist.
You know you are not alone.
Waterfalls and conifers are included the circle of friends and lovers you actively care for.
Your community doesn't treat you like a traitor when you take much needed rest.
Experiences of passionate enlightenment continually juice up your contributions to social transformation
Internalizedschisms no longer run your personal or community actions.
Cycles of restoration are built into how your community respects each other and the work that calls you together.
Your intergenerational relationships help quiet your fears of dying before "the work" is done.
You stop thinking, talking, and acting as though human beings exist apart from nature.
You put your body where your mouth is, e.g. your personal life reflects the sustainable principals you urge corporations and governments to adopt.
The polyrhythmic thumping in your stomach in response to systemic social/environmental challenges makes you dance life into creative alternatives instead of running away.
You have the respect of those you respect
You make a stand and don't mind finding yourself standing alone
You value the beauty of your life more than anything the world that calls itself the world can offer you
Joy pours through you as easily as grief and you act knowing both
You break laws knowing there are more reasonable ones you follow
You feel in your heart that you can say what you mean and mean what you say.
You look at or listen to another woman and identify with her life's journey.
You know it is safe to be vulnerable and share your story with other women.
Mother Nature
I once read a book about the secret of things,
only to start wondering about truth & meanings.
It was a vision of life that came from within,
and it filled me with destiny about the world we live in.
It was written in symbols, in numbers and forms,
the nature of perfection, from the seed to reborn.
All the aspects of life you must discover in self,
and rise to accomplish all you hope to yourself.
But the path to the answer is traveled within,
revealed to the mind by a study of Yin...
The Yang is the outer and a view of contradictions,
you're fighting & struggling all of life's oppositions.
Yin power is quiet & peaceful and still,
and your mind is in focus to understand ...and it will.
I once read a book about the secret of things,
only to start wondering about truth & meanings.
It was a vision of life that came from within,
and it filled me with destiny about the world we live in.
It was written in symbols, in numbers and forms,
the nature of perfection, from the seed to reborn.
All the aspects of life you must discover in self,
and rise to accomplish all you hope to yourself.
But the path to the answer is traveled within,
revealed to the mind by a study of Yin...
The Yang is the outer and a view of contradictions,
you're fighting & struggling all of life's oppositions.
Yin power is quiet & peaceful and still,
and your mind is in focus to understand ...and it will.
The world as we view it is much like a dance,
you can take what is coming and live it by chance...
Or seek answers to questions and live it by choice,
just follow your heart and answer its voice.
Chance brings that karmic phenomenon,
manifested reactions from what you have done.
Look for a place that’s hidden within,
search for the message, that’s where to begin.
Talk to yourself, have conversation inside,
it’s a matter of choice, create from the mind.
Picture yourself in a world all your own,
then bring it to life from the seed to the sown.
Search & discover the source of white light,
don’t settle for anything, reach for the heights.
Your goals are the answer to what you achieve,
and it’s almost like magic when you start to believe.
Truth & intuition ...bring gifts to rejoice,
go it by chance or live it by choice!
you can take what is coming and live it by chance...
Or seek answers to questions and live it by choice,
just follow your heart and answer its voice.
Chance brings that karmic phenomenon,
manifested reactions from what you have done.
Look for a place that’s hidden within,
search for the message, that’s where to begin.
Talk to yourself, have conversation inside,
it’s a matter of choice, create from the mind.
Picture yourself in a world all your own,
then bring it to life from the seed to the sown.
Search & discover the source of white light,
don’t settle for anything, reach for the heights.
Your goals are the answer to what you achieve,
and it’s almost like magic when you start to believe.
Truth & intuition ...bring gifts to rejoice,
go it by chance or live it by choice!
THE THINGS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN DONE BEFORE
The things that haven't been done before,
Those are the things to try;
Columbus dreamed of an unknown shore
At the rim of the far-flung sky,
And his heart was bold and his faith was strong
As he ventured in dangers new,
And he paid no heed to the jeering throng
Or the fears of the doubting crew.
The many will follow the beaten track
With guideposts on the way,
They live and have lived for ages back
With a chart for every day.
Someone has told them it's safe to go
On the road he has traveled o'er.
And all that they ever strive to know
Are the things that were known before.
A few strike out, without map or chart,
Where never a man has been,
From the beaten paths they draw apart
To see what no man has seen.
There are deeds they hunger alone to do;
Though battered and bruised and sore,
They blaze the path for the many, who
Do nothing not done before.
The things that haven't been done before,
Are the tasks worth while to-day;
Are you one of the flock that follows, or
Are you one that shall lead the way?
Are you one of the timid souls that quail
At the jeers of a doubting crew,
Or dare you, whether you win or fail,
Strike out for a goal that's new?
-- Edgar A. Guest
Found in – The Good Stuff
TGSnewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
======================================================================
The things that haven't been done before,
Those are the things to try;
Columbus dreamed of an unknown shore
At the rim of the far-flung sky,
And his heart was bold and his faith was strong
As he ventured in dangers new,
And he paid no heed to the jeering throng
Or the fears of the doubting crew.
The many will follow the beaten track
With guideposts on the way,
They live and have lived for ages back
With a chart for every day.
Someone has told them it's safe to go
On the road he has traveled o'er.
And all that they ever strive to know
Are the things that were known before.
A few strike out, without map or chart,
Where never a man has been,
From the beaten paths they draw apart
To see what no man has seen.
There are deeds they hunger alone to do;
Though battered and bruised and sore,
They blaze the path for the many, who
Do nothing not done before.
The things that haven't been done before,
Are the tasks worth while to-day;
Are you one of the flock that follows, or
Are you one that shall lead the way?
Are you one of the timid souls that quail
At the jeers of a doubting crew,
Or dare you, whether you win or fail,
Strike out for a goal that's new?
-- Edgar A. Guest
Found in – The Good Stuff
TGSnewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
======================================================================
"The Size of Your Heart"
It isn't the size of your house as such that matters so much at
all.
It's the gentle hand and its loving touch that make it great or
small.
The friends who come and the hour they who out of your house
depart,
Will judge it not by the style you show but rather by the size of
your heart.
It isn't the size of your head so much; it isn't the wealth you
found.
That will make you happy; it's how you touch the lives that are all
around.
For making money is not hard; to live life well is an art;
How people love you, how they regard, is all in the size of your
heart.
~Author Unknown~
It isn't the size of your house as such that matters so much at
all.
It's the gentle hand and its loving touch that make it great or
small.
The friends who come and the hour they who out of your house
depart,
Will judge it not by the style you show but rather by the size of
your heart.
It isn't the size of your head so much; it isn't the wealth you
found.
That will make you happy; it's how you touch the lives that are all
around.
For making money is not hard; to live life well is an art;
How people love you, how they regard, is all in the size of your
heart.
~Author Unknown~
BLIND
"Show me your God!" the doubter cries.
I point him to the smiling skies.
I show him all the woodland greens;
I show him peaceful sylvan scenes;
I show him winter snows and frost;
I show him waters tempest-tossed;
I show him hills rock-ribbed and strong;
I bid him hear the thrush's song;
I show him flowers in the close-
The lily, violet and rose;
I show him rivers, babbling streams;
I show him youthful hopes and dreams;
I show him maids and eager hearts;
I show him toilers in the mart;
I show him stars, the moon, the sun;
I show him deeds of kindness done;
I show him joy; I show him care,
And still he holds his doubting air,
And faithless goes his way, for he
Is blind of soul, and cannot see!
John Kendrick Bangs
Wisdom
I am not wiser
than anyone.
I am only
and always
your equal:
I am you.
You are
my wisdom.
- Tykal
"Show me your God!" the doubter cries.
I point him to the smiling skies.
I show him all the woodland greens;
I show him peaceful sylvan scenes;
I show him winter snows and frost;
I show him waters tempest-tossed;
I show him hills rock-ribbed and strong;
I bid him hear the thrush's song;
I show him flowers in the close-
The lily, violet and rose;
I show him rivers, babbling streams;
I show him youthful hopes and dreams;
I show him maids and eager hearts;
I show him toilers in the mart;
I show him stars, the moon, the sun;
I show him deeds of kindness done;
I show him joy; I show him care,
And still he holds his doubting air,
And faithless goes his way, for he
Is blind of soul, and cannot see!
John Kendrick Bangs
Wisdom
I am not wiser
than anyone.
I am only
and always
your equal:
I am you.
You are
my wisdom.
- Tykal
04 February, 2003
*** BEGINNING TODAY ***
Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday.
It is in the past and the past will never change.
Only I can change by choosing to do so.
Beginning today I will no longer worry about tomorrow.
Tomorrow will always be there,
waiting for me to make the most of it.
But I cannot make the most of tomorrow
without first making the most of today.
Beginning today I will look in the mirror
and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration.
This capable person looking back at me
is someone I enjoy spending time with
and someone I would like to get to know better.
Beginning today I will cherish each moment of my life.
I value this gift bestowed upon me in this world and
I will unselfishly share this gift with others.
I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others.
Beginning today I will take a moment to step off the beaten path
and to revel in the mysteries I encounter.
I will face challenges with courage and determination.
I will overcome whatever barriers there may be
which hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement.
Beginning today I will take life
one day at a time, one step at a time.
Discouragement will not be allowed to taint
my positive self-image, my desire to succeed
or my capacity to love.
Beginning today I walk with renewed faith in human kindness.
Regardless of what has gone before,
I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future.
Beginning today I will open my mind and my heart.
I will welcome new experiences.
I will meet new people.
I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else:
perfection does not exist in an imperfect world.
But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.
Beginning today I am responsible for my own happiness
and I will do things that make me happy:
admire the beautiful wonders of nature,
listen to my favorite music,
pet a kitten or a puppy,
soak in a bubble bath...
Pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.
Beginning today I will learn something new;
I will try something different;
I will savor all the various flavors life has to offer.
I will change what I can and the rest I will let go.
I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be.
Beginning today.
And every day.
Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday.
It is in the past and the past will never change.
Only I can change by choosing to do so.
Beginning today I will no longer worry about tomorrow.
Tomorrow will always be there,
waiting for me to make the most of it.
But I cannot make the most of tomorrow
without first making the most of today.
Beginning today I will look in the mirror
and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration.
This capable person looking back at me
is someone I enjoy spending time with
and someone I would like to get to know better.
Beginning today I will cherish each moment of my life.
I value this gift bestowed upon me in this world and
I will unselfishly share this gift with others.
I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others.
Beginning today I will take a moment to step off the beaten path
and to revel in the mysteries I encounter.
I will face challenges with courage and determination.
I will overcome whatever barriers there may be
which hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement.
Beginning today I will take life
one day at a time, one step at a time.
Discouragement will not be allowed to taint
my positive self-image, my desire to succeed
or my capacity to love.
Beginning today I walk with renewed faith in human kindness.
Regardless of what has gone before,
I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future.
Beginning today I will open my mind and my heart.
I will welcome new experiences.
I will meet new people.
I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else:
perfection does not exist in an imperfect world.
But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.
Beginning today I am responsible for my own happiness
and I will do things that make me happy:
admire the beautiful wonders of nature,
listen to my favorite music,
pet a kitten or a puppy,
soak in a bubble bath...
Pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.
Beginning today I will learn something new;
I will try something different;
I will savor all the various flavors life has to offer.
I will change what I can and the rest I will let go.
I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be.
Beginning today.
And every day.
Do you ever have those songs....? You can't stand them, practically dive for the damn radio when you hear the first few notes start.... then one day you're not paying attention and you realise you're singing along, blissfully car-dancing... you reach for the dial but it's too late- the song's got you..... you like it. You can't help yourself. Damn, thwarted again by the damnable pop music machine!!
"I Am Not Yours"
by Sarah Teasdale
I am not yours, not lost in you,
Not lost, although I long to be
Lost as a candle lit at noon,
Lost as a snowflake in the sea.
You love me, and I find you still
A spirit beautiful and bright,
Yet I am I, who long to be
Lost as a light is lost in light.
Oh plunge me deep in love -- put out
My senses, leave me deaf and blind,
Swept by the tempest of your love,
A taper in a rushing wind.
by Sarah Teasdale
I am not yours, not lost in you,
Not lost, although I long to be
Lost as a candle lit at noon,
Lost as a snowflake in the sea.
You love me, and I find you still
A spirit beautiful and bright,
Yet I am I, who long to be
Lost as a light is lost in light.
Oh plunge me deep in love -- put out
My senses, leave me deaf and blind,
Swept by the tempest of your love,
A taper in a rushing wind.
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