Happy New Year

I am hiding out in the Desert, awaiting the arrival of the new computer. This one is being cleaned up. One advantage (notice that perspective) of having it go down -- 3 times at least -- is that I got to see my emails for the last few years! Everything came out of it's folder (imagine if it were paper!) and I am getting to sort through it. It is an interesting experience -- deciding what to save and what to keep. My cousins-- first, second, third and beyond (no exaggeration) -kpp- and I correspond, and I like to keep emails.

It is nice to have so many relatives. I have discovered them 10 minutes from the house and across the country. I'm sure if I looked, I would discover them in other countries, as well....I am grateful for all my relatives. And my husband's family, as well. Have a great week! Where are you Cherrie? pk

From our friends at The First 30 Days

According to the venerable C.S. Lewis, there are four kinds of love—Affection, Friendship, Eros and Agape. We all understand the ins and outs of most of these loves well. Affection is what we feel for family, mostly. Friendship is perhaps the best kind of love...next to Eros, of course, which we all hope for! And Agape is Big Love—the kind reserved for you and a higher power, an unending and boundless love that takes time and practice to learn.
--From The First 30 Days

It's Been a Month

I haven't been posting in a while. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and a Happy New Year! So much has happened this year. Many teachers, many lessons! In Coaching, there are many questions. So, mine to you is, "Where are you going now from here?" As we bring in a New Year of new beginnings, "What are you intending to do. And how?" I have been studying the sacred, the inner meaning of things. What are the choices you are making saying about what you really believe? Just some thoughts! The best to you. Paula

Welcome Barbara!

Thank you for becoming a follower and supporting my blog. I hadn't thought lately about zrizus, or taking action with, according to the dictionary, "cheerful alacrity." I needed the reminder.

Marie Jahoda

In 1958 she developed the theory of Ideal Mental Health. Through her work Jahoda identified five categories which she said were vital to feelings of well-being (1982, 87). These were:

Time structure
Social contact
Collective effort or purpose
Social identity or status
Regular activity

This was subsequent to a study of unemployed people and deals with the realm of work. Not included are ideas relative to the importance of love, community or spirituality. But it is very interesting to note that work was found to contribute to "Ideal Mental Health," Jahoda's paradigm, based not on "success," productivity, accomplishment or compensation, but rather on having a time structure, a regular activity to do, social contact, i.e. being with others, social identity or status, that is belonging, and being "someone," and a collective effort or purpose -- work as a vehicle to give meaning. Today we may take these ideas for granted, but in 1958, this may have been a new way of looking at the value, and personal meaning, of work

Chana Weisberg for Chabad on Scary Shadows

http://www.chabad.org/blogs/blog_cdo/aid/697471/jewish/Scary-Shadows.htm

This is a very powerful, thought-provoking piece on the place of perspective as we grapple with the shadows of our lives. Through the eyes of her young daughter, Chana sees a metaphor for growth opportunities in the darkness. The short video is beautifully shot and edited and rang true for me. I hope you enjoy it and that your days are filled with light. And if you are in the shadows of darkness, may you trust Hashem to see you through.

Gratitude

Find something to be grateful for. When I drive to work, I drive along the beach and in the mountains and I am awestruck each day anew by the beauty! Wow! And I am grateful! Find the things you are grateful for and make them your mantra. The beauty you see is the beauty you carry inside yourself every day! Have a beautiful, loving and grateful day! And, Cherrie, a special hi to you today!