Staying Alive

"Whatever happens, stay alive.

Don't die before you are dead."

Virginia Woolf

We can either let life happen to us or we can take charge and create better scenarios. It is easy to detect our discontent, but difficult to resolve if we remain stuck in our thoughts.When we hold our lovely selves accountable, options can be chosen. Perhaps none of them are ideal, but it is the movement forward that counts.

Feelings of stagnation keep us paralyzed in disappointment and fear. When we consider new choices to best meet our own needs, a shift occurs. (Questions to be asked: what do I want; what do I need; and what steps can begin my journey?) Stop thinking of all the reasons why we cannot change and gather plausible alternatives.

Cut out pictures from magazines and make a collage as a visual reminder of benefits from change. The longer corrective images are held in the mind, the greater the chance of attracting vibrant opportunities. There is choice to either die a slow death of boredom, depression, and inactivity or rebirth and renew a life aligned with our dreams come true.

Remade Continually

"I am made, and remade continually.  Different

people draw different words from me."

Virginia Woolf

From the most insignificant gesture to a grand stand outburst, there is something for me to experience.  I am impacted by those I come in contact with as I am an observer, seeking insight from the diverse natures of humans.

I hope to project an openness willing to listen without judgment.  I will ask questions, not to challenge, but to discover deeper meaning. Even when I do not agree, there will be wisdom buried and hidden in the stringing of words.

We may bear resemblance of who we were when we first met, but neither of us will be the same.  We will be using different words stemming from updated thoughts and colored by inspirations.  Hopefully, all exchanges will be laced with integrity, honorably reflecting our  authentic natures.

Wading in the Water

"Now begins to rise in me the familiar rhythm;

words that have lain dormant now lift,

now toss their crests, and fall and rise,

and falls again."

Virginia Woolf

When we do not address our uneasiness, it is stashed in a pile with other unresolved feelings.  This pattern can be compared to waves in the water.   As we are mindlessly wading, the water builds, and the churning water turns into an overwhelming wave.

We wade through the shallowness of the water, feeling our problems like pebbles in the sand beneath our feet.  We are convinced we are in control and in time we will dive into the water and sort everything out.

Unfortunately, prior to focusing on deliberate resolution, our unaddressed feelings take the shape of a giant wave and wash over us, sometimes knocking us down or out.  If we ignore our emotions, they will only grow stronger and become more difficult to untangle.

Whimsical Illusion

"I am rooted, but I flow."

Virginia Woolf

Know there are strong winds of opposition, storms of emotions, and the pull of the moon, but with bravery and extended roots, we can face the wear and tear of time.   When we proceed with feet deliberately placed, the warmth of the sun on our face and the wind to our back, we gain momentum into discovery.

It is harmful to navigate out into the world without first knowing who we are deep down inside.  How can we gather what is important if we don't know what supports our character? We can experience the unknown, but without roots, we can be swept away with any one's whimsical illusion.   

Through inner exploration, listen for wisdom and see glimpses of desires.  Notice what stirs inner creativity and where fear resides.  Weed out what no longer serves a purpose and  plant seeds with visions of insightful adventure.