We’re both so *fond* of having our picture taken that this was the only one I could find of us… and it’s old… and we are a motley crew, that…

I love you lady and I hope you’ve found peace.

(I am in white and Willa is next to me in red.)

Current Mood: Devestated

Before offering criticism, consider your intentions. It’s easy for ulterior motives to color the feedback you give. How are you entering the conversation? With judgement? A desire to control? Are you hoping to intimidate–or to encourage? The Buddha said to ask yourself three questions before speaking: Is it true, is it necessary, and is it kind? [my emphasis] I interpret kindness in this case as constructiveness. If your heart is in the right place and you actually do want to shed light on something to help the other person grow or improve, then that’s the right reason. The truth can hurt–but sometimes the most wise, loving act is to let him feel the sting rather than avoid it. When you speak from a compassionate, non-attacking position, you’re on the right track. And the less it’s about you, the better. Lastly, realize that you can give the best, kindest feedback in the world and have it rejected. That’s OK. You give what you can, give it with love, and the rest is up to the recipient.

Matousek, Mark, Jodi Glickman, and Marion Roach Smith. “In Balance – Uncommon Wisdom / Insight Rountable – Everyone’s a Critic.” Whole Living Feb. 2012: 116. Print.
http://wholeliving.com

For more information on what Buddha was teaching investigate Right Speech in the Eight-fold Path.

Current Mood: Hey there! & Thinking!

I can just feel it in the bottom of my stomach that I won’t be sleeping well tonight. I’ve actually felt kind of down and like crying for a few days now. I get that way when I don’t quite know what to do or think about a situation. (Purposely being vague.) I know who the people are that I’d like to commisserate with and who of those I don’t want to be around. I know what it is I think I need and what it is I probably actually need. I know that I am already tired of being tired about being tired. So… what to do? I suppose I’ll do what I always do. In fact, the same thing I’ve been doing since I was a kid and nightmares kept me up. Though I won’t arrange the stuffed animals around me in a circle like an audience… yeah I don’t do that part anymore.  But I’m sure I will lay there either staring at the ceiling or with my face in the pillow talking myself to sleep.  Telling a little story of how if could or should or would be.  It doesn’t work so well as it used to.

What will it be then…. go back to the good old bad days when I used sit in some gawd-awful chat room until the wee hours?  Or stare at the ceiling and pray for peace??  Maybe I should have a poll and let me readers decide… lol.

Current Mood: Crying! & Depressed & Sad & Stressed out & Tired

Friendship ~ None of that Sissy Shit

Are you tired of those sissy ‘friendship’ poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality?

Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship.

You will see no cute little smiley faces on this ~Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.

• When you are sad ~ I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you sad.

• When you are blue ~ I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

• When you smile ~ I will know you are thinking of something that I would probably want to be involved in.

• When you are scared ~ I will rag on you about it every chance I get until you’re NOT.

• When you are worried ~ I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.

• When you are confused ~ I will try to use only little words.

• When you are sick ~ Stay the hell away from me until you are well again. I don’t want whatever you have.

• When you fall ~ I will laugh at your clumsy ass, but I’ll help you up.

This is my oath ….. I pledge it to the end. ‘Why?’ you may ask ~ because you are my friend.

Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth.

Send this to 10 of your closest friends (including the one who sent it to you).

Then get depressed because you can only think of 4.

Current Mood: *Wink* & Amused & Mischievous & Weird

Current Mood: Thinking! & Proud