exploring the mystery wants to help you discover how to be the person you want to be. Often posts concern the importance of maturing. I have written in the past how to raise our level of consciousness. Do those ideas explain why you read these posts?
Sometimes an analogy can worm its way into our brain and help us feel things that are difficult to put into words. I owe my inspiration for this post to Tagore, a Bengali polymath. My rendition may not capture the excitement I felt when initially reading but I trust you will at least find comfort or wisdom.
Think of a plum hanging on a tree. The plum clings tightly to the tree branch. The outer skin of the plum molds itself tightly against the plum's flesh. The flesh snugs itself against the seed. The plum is hard.
Because of its condition, it is not wise to separate the plum from the tree or try to separate the skin from the flesh. There is no benefit to be gained from prying the tough flesh from the seed.
As time passes, the plum lets go of its hold on the branch. The plum ripens, the skin gradually becomes softer and stops clinging to the flesh so tightly. The flesh softens around the seed.
Do you sense the vital need to embrace the spirit of letting go as you age? Can you think of other examples in Nature that would give this message? Let me know what you think, I really would like to know. Hit reply to the email or go to the comments section.
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
I'm excited to report that I have finished reading blog posts from 2012 - 2015. Now on to year 2016. Some of you have been regular contributors and I want to express my gratitude for your faithfulness to exploring the mystery.
The word mystery implies, I've been told, something spiritual. I remember when I sat down with a man from Adel to develop my blog. One of the first questions he asked me: What do you want to name it?
I still wonder where the title came from. It seemed to just flow out of my mouth: exploring the mystery. I've liked the freedom that the name has given me though I often stumble when asked what mysteries are explored.
In the next three months, my focus will be on developing a clear focus for this blog. I would love it if you emailed me a word or two that you think describes what we do here.
I've read that the memory of spiritual intensity in childhood is a yardstick for measuring spiritual experiences for the rest of our lives.
It's interesting to ponder this today, the day my Aunt emailed me the news that her father's, who was my grandfather, birthday is today. He would be 124. Grandpa and Grandma were responsible for initiating my interest in spirituality. They picked me up on the farm and gave me a ride into town where we all attended the Methodist Church.
I remember one of the Sunday School teachers convincing me to persuade my parents to attend church. This was undoubtedly the birth of my missionary self.
Do you have a memory of spiritual intensity from your childhood that has influenced how spirituality played out in your life? Would you please share it with us?
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
Retiring from your life's work is a huge step. For me it has taken time to let go of my role as a therapist and to let go of knowing what is happening in the lives of people I cared about. Time to remember that I no longer have to position my calendar so no one can see what's written in it. Time to get used to no checks to deposit.
I think it makes sense that when people retire, they might be susceptible to a reality distortion field. See post #25 for reference.
As you will see if you look at the comments related to #25, the meaning of reality distortion field is still somewhat mysterious. But one thing I'm certain of is that it isn't a field of dreams. Staying out of it seems a good move.
But how?
It occured to me that if I was clear about my purpose in life, it might be easier to stay non-distorted. The following statement speaks to NOW and will, like everything, change:
"In my former life as a psychotherapist, I listened to client stories.
Now I will write my own. A life focused
on writing will contain daily journal entries, work on creating “product” from body
of work, and frequent documentation of
personal analysis to discern if desire to create memoir is
sustainable. Weekly blog posts and frequent instagram offerings will be creative outlets and provide opportunities for staying connected to
friends, family, and writing community."
I'm sharing this with you because composing it, which took lots more time than you would think, helped me feel more grounded. I thought you might like to write up your own purpose statement, even if you aren't retired, and send it for us to see or tell us if it had any effect on your life.
Thanks for reading and remaining a part of this evolving community.
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
exploring the mystery post, published on March 9, 2012, contains a phrase that still intrigues me. Extra points if you remember the phrase, or for that matter, anything from such an ancient post. How's your long term memory?
The phrase: "reality distortion field." I had discovered this phrase while reading Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs in 2012. At that time, I described the phrase as similar to how anxiety affects our views.
Today I might define a reality distortion field as an internal pattern with a defensive nature.
Here's an example: If my fear is that when another person is upset with me I won't be able to handle it, I may look out at the world from behind a reality distortion field that makes it seem as if everyone is mad at me. Isn't it weird how we always seem to focus on the negative?
With reality distorted, when I hear an unusual tone in the other person's voice, I will be certain I have done something to upset them. The reality distortion field has worked.
Can you think of an example of a positive reality distortion field?
I want to but have spent an inordinate amount of time on this post so I need to stop. (Pun intended - I need to stop.)
And in closing - would you believe that I put a little bit of sucanat (sugar) on my oatmeal this morning? Well, I did. I woke up missing the sweet taste so I figured I would try a little bit. Then today I received a lovely comment from Connie extolling the virtues of moderation which seemed to affirm my decision.
And just between us, thank heavens it didn't taste as good as I thought it would though initially it was disappointing that it wasn't wonderful but now that I write about it, I think it was a good result.
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
My latest adventure - a new account on Instagram!
In keeping with our theme exploring the mystery, I will be posting images of things that are difficult for us to see.
In the image above you will have to look closely to see the sign on the bicycle that says "can't stop." This photo, from a sidewalk-cafe window in Amsterdam aroused my curiosity. I wanted to ask the owner what they couldn't stop. Since I didn't see the rider I will ask you:
What is it that you can't stop?
I want to stop feeling so addicted to sugar. I find it nearly impossible, once my sweet tooth is activated, to say no. My usual breakfast is a bowl of organic steel cut oatmeal. My habit has been to top this with a teaspoon of sucanat (whole cane sugar with molasses).
One morning about a week ago, I decided that if I was serious about managing my addictive feelings toward sugar, eliminating this spoonful in the morning was a place to start.
The first few days without succanaut were pretty rough. The oatmeal tasted flat and dull. It took nearly a week before I didn't crave that sugar taste. This morning I hardly noticed it wasn't there. It helped to pour on ground flax seed, chia seeds, walnuts, pomegranate powder, and cacao nibs.
We went out to lunch today at one of our favorite restaurants, Table 128. When you walk out the door there is a plateful of free chocolate chip cookies. I didn't take one.
I don't want to stop eating sugar forever. I just want to be able to stop when I want to stop.
What is it that you can't stop? Maybe you can tell us something good for yourself that you can't stop doing! For me right now, I can't stop buying books!
How do you get yourself to stop when you want to? Is there anything that you want to stop? What is it that you can't stop?
I'll explain more next time the thinking behind my Instagram adventure. In the meantime, if you have an Instagram account, please email me your address! I'd love to see it. I made my account a private account so you will have to request to follow me and I sincerely hope you do!
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
