It's good sometimes to take a step back from our own purpose to help others. It's easy to be consumed by the responsibilities we have to ourselves; and yet there is little greater thing we can do for our own cause than to serve someone else's.
We are capable of making a difference. It may seem sometimes that we can only accomplish so much; and yet what may seem a small or insignificant gesture of goodwill can have a tremendous impact on another person. It is often not the act its self that is significant but the demonstration of compassion. When you show someone else you care you bring them happiness. This is a wonderful gift to bear.
I have in a frame a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. It says something along the lines that you can not help someone else without helping yourself. I think this is so. And I believe that when we help another person we remind ourselves of something deep down inside that unites everyone. When we can see clearly that we are not alone we can know we have a purpose.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Public Assistance
I live off of public assistance. I collect food stamps and social security. I also have medicaid and medicare for health insurance. And I'm on a waiting list for subsidized housing. I have to be careful about having an income because I do stand to lose some of my benefits if I make money.
If I had a part time job making minimum wage I would actually be worse off than if I did nothing. This puts me in a tricky situation. As I am trying to begin a new career as a peer specialist; I am currently looking to speak at events as well as facilitate groups and write. I may have to do all of this for free at least until I get full time work with benefits.
I know there are worse situations I could be in. I am however, a little deterred from pursuits I would otherwise tackle. I could be making some money from this blog for instance and I choose to not. The problem isn't so much about money. I could live off of what I have currently for the rest of my life and be happy. It is about being free and uninhibited.
If I had a part time job making minimum wage I would actually be worse off than if I did nothing. This puts me in a tricky situation. As I am trying to begin a new career as a peer specialist; I am currently looking to speak at events as well as facilitate groups and write. I may have to do all of this for free at least until I get full time work with benefits.
I know there are worse situations I could be in. I am however, a little deterred from pursuits I would otherwise tackle. I could be making some money from this blog for instance and I choose to not. The problem isn't so much about money. I could live off of what I have currently for the rest of my life and be happy. It is about being free and uninhibited.
Have Love
To have love in your heart is its own success
Allow your life to be an expression of your love
Cultivate your relationships and be yourself
Be in love with yourself and be free
Free of expectations or materialism
These things can never take the place of compassion and purpose
Our hearts are an expression of all that is good in us
Be trustful of your heart
Embrace life
It will return the gesture
Allow inspiration to fill you life
Extend the soulful expression of who you are throughout creation with acts of kindness
Know that you are blessed just to be as you are
Be true to your heart
And no matter what !!believe!!
Without belief we can not create our own destiny as we see fit
Allow your life to be an expression of your love
Cultivate your relationships and be yourself
Be in love with yourself and be free
Free of expectations or materialism
These things can never take the place of compassion and purpose
Our hearts are an expression of all that is good in us
Be trustful of your heart
Embrace life
It will return the gesture
Allow inspiration to fill you life
Extend the soulful expression of who you are throughout creation with acts of kindness
Know that you are blessed just to be as you are
Be true to your heart
And no matter what !!believe!!
Without belief we can not create our own destiny as we see fit
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Complications
How do things get to be so complicated. I started this blog to share with others, my experiences. I continue to write because I have found I like writing. As well as because of all the great feedback I've received from my readers.
I have recently been trying to promote the blog as well as myself for financial gain. I would have promoted myself with either a book or youtube channel. It is fun and exciting to see my work is reaching people. And I am justified in wanting a financial return on the work I do. I do not however, want to lose sight of what is really important.
I have to feel good about what I am doing. If I write because I like writing this this is good. I may not make a living as a writer but few do. I am making a difference and I can be proud of that. The whole idea of turning my writing into something profitable is stifling.
I have recently been trying to promote the blog as well as myself for financial gain. I would have promoted myself with either a book or youtube channel. It is fun and exciting to see my work is reaching people. And I am justified in wanting a financial return on the work I do. I do not however, want to lose sight of what is really important.
I have to feel good about what I am doing. If I write because I like writing this this is good. I may not make a living as a writer but few do. I am making a difference and I can be proud of that. The whole idea of turning my writing into something profitable is stifling.
Dig Deep
At one point I had the idea to print some small books. I wanted to be able to sell the books for a dollar a piece. The idea was to have a self sustaining means to promote my blog. I thought this would be feasible because I have a friend who is a publisher.
My publisher friend told me he could publish my book for the cost of paper and ink. It turns out that I did not clearly understand that he thought or would recommend that I have a local print shop do the actual printing. I believed he would do the printing himself.
The print shop I would have used charges 10 cents a page. I have seen poetry books written by a friend of mine for $7.50. They were about 29 pages long. I am not however, going to charge that much money for something that is already available for free on the internet.
I was pretty apprehensive about this publishing project last night. I felt uneasy but had not yet clearly identified what was making me feel that way. I spent a lot of time thinking on the matter. I was in fact thinking on it more then I feel was necessary. This was the most anxious I had felt since I first considered leaving my former group home (Meadowview.)
In the instance of leaving Meadowview my feelings and anxiety were self created. I was able to work through those feelings I had. I sought out support from others. I made the move into my current living situation and am happy I have. In this instance of publishing I again sought support and found that my feelings were justified.
It can be hard to say if our anxiety has a sound basis or not. We can only carefully weigh out what is causing us stress. In an instance in which you are stressed allow yourself the time needed to make the right decision; and talk to people about your feelings. Hearing our own word can helps us to dig down and find the root of our problem.
My publisher friend told me he could publish my book for the cost of paper and ink. It turns out that I did not clearly understand that he thought or would recommend that I have a local print shop do the actual printing. I believed he would do the printing himself.
The print shop I would have used charges 10 cents a page. I have seen poetry books written by a friend of mine for $7.50. They were about 29 pages long. I am not however, going to charge that much money for something that is already available for free on the internet.
I was pretty apprehensive about this publishing project last night. I felt uneasy but had not yet clearly identified what was making me feel that way. I spent a lot of time thinking on the matter. I was in fact thinking on it more then I feel was necessary. This was the most anxious I had felt since I first considered leaving my former group home (Meadowview.)
In the instance of leaving Meadowview my feelings and anxiety were self created. I was able to work through those feelings I had. I sought out support from others. I made the move into my current living situation and am happy I have. In this instance of publishing I again sought support and found that my feelings were justified.
It can be hard to say if our anxiety has a sound basis or not. We can only carefully weigh out what is causing us stress. In an instance in which you are stressed allow yourself the time needed to make the right decision; and talk to people about your feelings. Hearing our own word can helps us to dig down and find the root of our problem.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Just Believe
This morning I woke up very excited about a particular project I'm working on. This project is a writing support group. I am currently working on a proposal that will be seen by a select board. In addition to the writing support group I'm working on promoting my upcoming book. I am looking to do book readings for mental health professionals and consumers.
My work as a peer in the recovery community is beginning to expand. The root of my work is in writing. This root has now sprouted. Offshoots of my advocacy work have emerged and I believe this work will eventually be in full bloom.
The hope I have for my future is growing stronger by the day. I think I am capable of living an inspired and productive life. I have always dreamed of being a public speaker and now this is close at hand. We all have a purpose in this world and if we don't give up this purpose will be fulfilled. Just believe.
My work as a peer in the recovery community is beginning to expand. The root of my work is in writing. This root has now sprouted. Offshoots of my advocacy work have emerged and I believe this work will eventually be in full bloom.
The hope I have for my future is growing stronger by the day. I think I am capable of living an inspired and productive life. I have always dreamed of being a public speaker and now this is close at hand. We all have a purpose in this world and if we don't give up this purpose will be fulfilled. Just believe.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Television
I currently do not own a television. I am finding that I am using my time better without a t.v. than I would with one. This is not my first time living without a television. I was without one at times in my early twenties as well. In those times I can remember reading a lot. I feel as though they were times that I have mostly fond memories of.
I think the good of not having a t.v. outweighs the bad. I know others who don't own televisions and I think they are smarter for it. I am now thinking that in the future I may remain without television. Whereas right now I don't have one for financial reasons.
There are many great ways to spend your time not watching t.v. in addition to reading. I have been regularly going on hikes with one of my friends. I of course spend time writing and I exercise too. I'm happy with how my days are being spent. I feel thankful that I am not dependent on the television to pass the time.
I think the good of not having a t.v. outweighs the bad. I know others who don't own televisions and I think they are smarter for it. I am now thinking that in the future I may remain without television. Whereas right now I don't have one for financial reasons.
There are many great ways to spend your time not watching t.v. in addition to reading. I have been regularly going on hikes with one of my friends. I of course spend time writing and I exercise too. I'm happy with how my days are being spent. I feel thankful that I am not dependent on the television to pass the time.
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