Appreciate Your Inner Goodness - #37

In January I printed every blog.spot post published since 2012. Printed because I am old fashioned enough to need paper in my hands to really study something. After rereading 350 posts, I imagined inspiration waking me up in the night with a fabulous idea for a new creation.  

Let's just say this project has stalled.

Perusing posts has been gratifying (remembering connections forged, marveling at variety of subjects), shocking (not remembering what I wrote and forgetting books I quoted), and startling (some posts sound intellectual or businesslike, some not clear what I wrote or what I was quoting).  

Posts in May have focused on exploring why what is in back of us is as important as what is in front of us. This now strikes me as another occasion my unconscious was involved.

The other day, I was following behind the scene internet links and found an article by Aura Glaser that coincidentally was published in 2012. I found inspiration in this line: 

"Our capacity to turn toward whatever scares or repels us, and remain present with it, depends on our access to inner goodness."*

I am disappointed that I haven't created something new. It helps to express this. The helpful message I receive from Aura Glaser: Appreciate my effort. Appreciate my motivation. Be in contact with and appreciate my inner goodness.  

Weekly Clue for exploring your mysterious Self: Each day, appreciate an effort that you make even if you don't produce a product. Pick an effort that you often overlook that you do out of the goodness of your heart. 

Please share where you place your attention. I am notorious for dropping kleenex all over the house. When I stand up, I usually leave a crumpled one behind me. I'm going to appreciate myself every time I notice that I dropped one and actually stop and pick it up.

Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall

What Is In Back Of Our Thoughts? - #36

"It's always that space in back of you that's as important as -- or almost more important than -- the space in front of you."  

Let's look further at this idea that we played with in Post #31.

Scientists say humans have a larger brain structure than most other animals. One reason may be that we have a neocortex which is responsible for developing thoughts. (It has other functions too.) These thoughts allow us to be self reflective - to be aware of ourselves. The thoughts also help us think about the space in back of us. Humans have always been very interested in themselves.

What is in back of or behind the thoughts we have? 

Our five senses!

When we intellectualize, we are submerged in thought. When this happens, our senses are blocked out. We lose contact with our bodily feelings.

Many times it isn't easy to know what is behind our thoughts. There is a voice in our head that warns us of the dangers we will face if we discard or question our precious thoughts.  

Our bodies can help us. Our bodies are home for our five senses. Knowing what is behind your thoughts will put you in contact with your feelings and your humanness.

Clue for this week: Pay attention to your breath whenever you can this week. The breath is a built-in stress reliever. Try and feel your breath for a couple of breaths. Don't just think about your breath, feel the breath. See what happens.

If none of this makes sense to you, don't worry about it. Just use the clue and let me know what happens! If you have questions, don't hesitate to email me.

Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall

The image is one selected from my computer files. I don't remember it but but looking at it gives me a good feeling. Hope you enjoy!

 

When Exploring Mysteries We Need Clues - #35

I surprised myself yesterday.  

Leaving my analyst's office, I was greeted by a plethora of trees with pink, lavender, and white flowers. They were in front of me and in back of me and all around me. The overabundance of blossoms took my breath away.

A twinge of angst fluttered in my chest. This bodily reaction spoke  of impermanence. A part of me knew that the intense beauty would soon disappear.

Then a thought that surprised me popped into my mind. It was a thought I have never had before: Whatever happens when I die, it will have to be spectacular to beat this.

Does this have anything to do with the unconscious? I don't know but I am wondering about it.  

Maybe the thought was a clue. When we explore mysteries, like we do here every week, we need clues!  

I would like to announce, exploring the mystery, has a new feature! Each post will have a clue - an idea that you can play with all week. These clues will be designed to help you stay in the present moment which will help you live a meaningful life.

This week's clue: Each day, should you decide to participate, find a thing or person of beauty.  Something that makes you feel good. Savor it. Be grateful for it. Just make a note of it in your mind. 

I think my clue, if it was a clue, was telling me to find beauty everyday and appreciate the earth. I'm sharing with you. Let's all find beauty this week. Be sure and let me know what you are savoring. Please remember that you are in good company!

Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall

Special Surprise Suggestion - #34

I forgot to include this suggestion in Post 33.

This week, pay attention to what surprises you. Try to be aware of unpleasant or pleasant surprises. Just be aware when things don't turn out like you thought they would or how you wanted them to. You could be dealing with your unconscious or it could be another reason that only you know. We are looking for things that we weren't expecting to happen.That's the first step.

When you recognize a surprise, say to yourself: I have everything I need to handle this surprise. I have resources and I have strengths. Remind yourself of them.

Then remember that there are other exploring the mystery readers doing the same thing and rejoice in being in such good company! Let us know what surprised you, you don't have to tell us what you figured out about why you were surprised but we would love to hear that too.

Thanks for considering the suggestion! Nicky

I Wonder If It Is Really My Unconscious? - #33

The exploration of the space in back continues to fascinate me.  Surprises continue.  

Mason, my youngest son, commented he felt I was being vague about my scar when I didn't mention it directly as one of the concerns about my pink scalp.

I gasped. 

In case you are wondering, the previous sentence wasn't stolen 
from a Harlequin romance. Mason will validate that I speak the truth.

I gasped. The week I wrote about the back of my head, I didn't once think about the bumpy four inch scar from brain surgery. 

I purposefully am not writing I forgot the scar. I often reach back and feel this weird addition to my body.The scar is where I can't see it but I never forget it.

But then, why wasn't I conscious of the scar when I was writing about the back of my head?

I blame my unconscious.

Freud thought that the unconscious was a force. Perhaps the force of my unconscious interfered with my remembering the scar when I wrote about the back of my head. 

But why? 

Well, maybe my unconscious is not ready to accept that my life was saved by surgery.  Harboring a deep distrust of the current medical system, believing more in alternative medicine, how do I integrate the fact that modern medicine made it possible for me to walk again?

I certainly don't understand the unconscious but I do like being able to assign meaning when something stays out of my awareness. 

That there can be meaning in what is not in our awareness or meaning in what we forget is something to explore. Do you ever wonder why you forget something? Would your unconscious have anything to do with it? What escapes your awareness? So you even believe in the unconscious? 

Please reply to this email or go to website and comment.

Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall