With the crazy pace of the first month of 2014, I figured that a day spent clearing my plate was definitely in order.  By the time I’d paid bills and did a bit of financial planning (which could all go out the window tomorrow, depending on what email, telephone and some websites might bring), watched a couple of videos for my class, did a little more work with Kabbalah and gave the cats some attention, it was time for the Beatles’ tribute show and a little of the Olympics. 

But I feel like I did get much of what I’d planned on done this weekend, and will finish the last of it tomorrow so that, by Tuesday, I should be ready for whatever life throws me, or I’ll have a few days free to finish the homework that’s due next weekend.

Either way, I win! 

Last night, while dancing, I had a tough time sealing my field again, and little things were annoying me.  I found myself having unkind thoughts, then chastising myself for them.  Eventually, I got my field sealed and had a fantastic time (if my swollen knee and sore feet are any indication!)  I slept like a baby and woke up to a productive day, albeit spent in my pajamas!  (sometimes, getting dressed is the very lowest of priorities, especially on these chilly, winter days when jammies feel so much better!)

I knew that there was an Archangel or two I could call upon to help me hold the kind thoughts, even when sorely tried (as I work on remembering that I can’t control other peoples’ actions, but I can control my own re-actions!).  I woke this morning to the perfect post from my friend, Liz, so I want to share it for those who may face a similar struggle. 

What I learned from this is that even when you don’t know who to ask or where to turn for help in overcoming something, if you put it out there, the answer will come to you!  (OK, so I knew this, but clearly forgot that it worked when you need help getting help too!)

Of course, Liz seems to pop up with exactly what I need awfully frequently lately, which tells me that, at one time or another, she faced similar struggles.  And thus, I’m again reminded to share my own struggles, solutions, guides and inspirations because someone out there is at a place in their path where what I’ve learned might help them.  Even better is the reminder that sometimes, just knowing that you’re not alone in your struggles and crooked, winding path, makes that path seem less daunting.

Like most people, some lessons come easily to me while others (like, for example, patience), are a lifelong pattern of two steps forward and one step back.  Though I’m forever reminding myself to just relax and cha cha, I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t allow at least a little frustration to creep into my heart at times. 

Whether that frustration is with myself for failure to learn something quickly enough, or with someone else for their behavior which makes me frustrated with my own reaction…OK, so the frustration is always with myself, in one way or another, but sometimes I wish people wouldn’t need to be so nasty! (and then I remember that I can make a difference by being an example of kindness….right?)

Anyway, I think I’ve made my point, and I’m just dying to say a few words about the 50 year anniversary tribute to the Beatles.  Yes, I’m old enough to have watched them on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, and yes, I have to say that their songs had a strong influence on my life!  Though I was surprised to learn that the “mother Mary” in “Let it Be” was Paul’s mother who died when he was 15, not the Mary of “Jesus, Mary and Joseph” fame.    I found myself singing along once Ringo and Paul took the stage, and, of course had to hit those crazy high notes, thereby traumatizing my cats.  It didn’t stop Toby from crawling into my lap and burying his head in my arm, in the middle of my sing-along.  Though I have to admit that he tried to dig his claws into my arm and his teeth into my hand a time or two.   His ears were nearly flattened to his head when I hit the high notes on “She Loves You (yeah, yeah, yeah)” but he was a trooper and hung in through Sergeant Pepper and Hey Jude!   (Clearly, a warm lap and skritching fingers trumps a badly sung C above middle C any day from his standpoint!)  Dylan just lay on his back in the middle of the room, resigned to the fact that, like it or not, I was going to sing.  Scooby lay on the blanket atop the other sofa, giving a fairly good example of Yoko Ono’s disgruntled look while everyone except Paul and Ringo were performing.  And Snoopy, aka Snowball was just into everything as usual!   Only the girls were smart enough to hide out at the rear of the house until the squawky serenade was over! 

However, I’m feeling very joyful right now, so as far as I’m concerned, it was a good time had by all!

My gratitudes tonight are:
1. I am grateful to the Universe for sending me friends with answers, just for the asking.
2. I am grateful for reminders to improve upon myself if I want to make a difference in the behavior of others.
3. I am grateful for reminders to perform random acts of kindness…just because I can.
4. I am grateful for tolerant furry children who still love me, no matter how weird I might be.
5. I am grateful for the plate clearing I did today as I suspect it will have been done none too soon.

Love and light.