chugga chugga chug . . . one step at a time . . . this has been my motto going on a year now. Life went from quiet to chaos seemingly overnight. Have you noticed how it has a way doing that?!
I was so sad when my sons moved 1,000 miles west. I was happy for them, but It was so quiet! Gradually, I began to settle into a quiet routine, albeit a bit boring at times!
The quiet afforded me much wanted reading and writing time. Slowly I began to fall in love with the freedom I had. We talked about moving west too, especially when they fell in love and it looked as if they were settling in for the duration. For some reason it just didn’t feel “right” to move and even as they kept urging us to do so, we dragged our feet. In the meantime we enjoyed our visits there and theirs here.
FROM QUIET TO CHAOS
Then little Emmett burst on the scene and like a stack of cards everyone’s life shifted. It’s been a steady unfolding, but in short, they all moved back here! First my oldest with wife and baby sold their home and moved in with us at Thanksgiving. They moved into their own home the first of the years. Now my youngest and his wife have landed here. They’ve sold their home and will be with us until they can find a new place to live. Did I say “chaos”?
RUNNING ON EMPTY
So, I’ve been running as fast as I can to keep up and my life is no longer quiet! I love having them close by. It is also challenging us to readjust our relationships a bit. For me, I came to enjoy being the “visitor” or “host”. Getting together was special, an occasion. Now, we’re doing life together. For my sons it means updating childhood tapes. They are adults now and they no longer apply. I’ve also discovered that I’m being drawn into old patterns of behavior, especially the desire to “take care” of them. Now, however, the number of children has gone from two to five! Clearly this isn’t going to work for any of us. I have other things to do, and they no longer need a mother.
So. . .. I’ve been listening to Abraham Hicks. In spite of people talking about it and prodding me to look into it, I’ve avoided it like the plague. I may be drawn to spirituality of all kinds, but I’m a very rational person and hugely skeptical when it comes to over-the-top woo woo stuff. Still and all, I’m also immensely curious, and after receiving a final nudge from a person I respect, I jumped in.
If you know anything about The Hicks and The Law of Attraction you know what I’m talking about. It’s a channeling arrangement. Esther channels Abraham, a voice from the non-physical dimension. Jerry Hicks is Esther’s husband and an integral part of the equation. Together they have been teaching everyone who is drawn to them, The Law of Attraction. So, don’t run away. I’m still in limbo about the whole channeling thing, but they have something to say! To my way of thinking truth is truth regardless of how it is delivered.
‘SEGMENT INTENDING”
They have some very valuable things to say, but today I’m just going to tell you about what they call “segment intending” – because it’s been keeping going these last few weeks and I’m rather liking the whole concept.
According to Abraham it is of value to view our lives in segments. When we tune in and pay attention we will notice that there are beginnings throughout our day. For example, we wake up in the morning and we begin a segment. That segment may be getting up and showering. Another segment might be getting dressed and making coffee. And another, having breakfast. When we pause before each segment and ask “what do I want from this segment?” we will begin the creative process of turning our wants into reality.
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
In that brief segment before getting up and showering, we might close our eyes and reflect for a moment on what we want that experience to be. We may want to breathe deeply and relax into the process, while enjoying the experience of showering and preparing for the day. When dressing and making coffee we might wish to practice mindfulness and focus on each tiny step of the process. In the segment “preparing breakfast” we might pause and realize we want to enjoy and really taste the food we prepare.
“Segment intending” teaches us to take one thought from the thousands of thoughts we think and give it our full attention. If you’re like me, your brain goes into overdrive and thoughts rain down flooding me with things I want to do. This flood leads to confusion and less focused action. At the end of the day I’m never sure I’m really getting where I want to go.
I have found segment intending to be very helpful, but definitely requires ongoing practice. There is much more to their teaching and I hope to continue writing about it here from time to time. You may also want to order your own copy of the audio or listen to some of their teachings on YouTube.com. Of course their website has all the details.
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Hi Dorothy- we seem to be living slightly parallel lives these days, at least in some ways! As you know, we still haven’t sold our NY home but my Raleigh “kids” sold their townhouse in one day and are closing on their new Wake Forest area home as we speak! Talk about chaos! But at the same time, it has been a loving, respectful transition amongst the craziness of them packing up and the whole moving process. I am headed home to NY this weekend for three weeks and am definitely looking forward to spending time with John and also hoping our new realtor gets things going for us. This has been a year of so much change and many adjustments. I am just now starting to find a bit more “zen” inside myself and it is helping me accept what cannot be changed and also accept the decisions we made that put us in this situation and not beat myself up in particular over it. I am so happy your family is all together again and you continue to navigate your new normal!! Let’s try to get together when I return from NY! xxxooo
You’ve been on my mind often these last few months. We are living through a similar chaotic period in our lives! Wow! Even remembering what “zen” feels like is a challenge on most days lately. The weight of an unsold home must be so difficult. I’m glad you are choosing not to question your decision. There really is no way of knowing and we all are doing the best that we can. I’ve made some decisions through this process I wish I could take back, too! The Spring season is the best time of year to sell, I’m sure you know and I too hope it will go real soon. Does this mean you will be moving to Wake Forest? Enjoy your time with John – I can’t imagine how hard it has been for you guys to be apart for so long. It’s a definite “yes” on getting together when you return.
Lovely post Dorothy. You sound like your hands are definitely full but a blessing at the same time. I love Ester and Jerry Hicks. That’s my bible – The Laws of the Universe. I think it’s time to pick it up again. Thanks 🙂 x
That must be why you are doing so well! I haven’t reached that point, yet. Not even close! 🙂 Thanks for dropping in! Your copy of my book will be in the mail by Monday. I had to do a re-print and so there has been a bit of a delay. :/
Oh, thanks so much again Dorothy, no worries. Looking forward to my copy. <3