RE:Re: Freedom Guide ... My own prison

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wonderful posts by both susandespo and thresa. :-)@ susandespo i especially love these<<accept that I am lacking in some areas of my life and instead of being ashamed of this, rejoice that I have much to learn>><<progress that seems insignificant is actually stepping stones>>>@theresa. i find this post of urs , as well as all ur other posts very interesting. the points u always bring up, always make me ponder<<..questions we could simply sit with and choose to not answer. ..not getting lost in formulas, instead using our expereince as our guide to freedomopening up to whatever it is in that moment, and be willing to not always know the answers. ...>>>>very interesting way of viewing life and the pain that it inevitable brings with it.wasalaam:-)-K Designs."" Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.

That way, when you criticize them, you're already a mile away AND you have their

shoes." ~ a very pious intellectualTo: ACT_for_the_Public From: theresa.linder@...Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2011 16:37:38 +0000Subject: Re: Freedom Guide ... My own prison

That's quite a full list. What a lovely path you're on. Looking to answer "why now and not earlier" is really one those great questions to sit with and deliberately not answer. Let your heart and experience be your freedom guide. I get too mindy with looking for formulas. Practicing self-kindness/ acceptance is one of those biggies for me, opening up to what that looks like and being willing more of the time to just be confused and not know. Noticing too it's not only about the obvious self-comfort moves and more about taking risks that support values and goals which invariably involve discomfort. Writing this now is a bit uncomfortable because I don't know I completely understand what you're looking for and I fear this will not help you at all. And making space for that. Best to you with your practice!

>

> Yesterday while talking to my ACT therapist, I had the opportunity to walk through my experiences at the prison and afterwards.

> I mentioned that many areas of my life seem to be coming together.

> I asked why this was the case as I have struggled for so long in so many areas and now I am seeing progress.

> I asked her why she thought this was and she in turned asked me.

> I choose to answer this at our next session as I still need to think it through.

>

> Here's my thoughts so far;

>

> - realize that I am tired of living my life the way I had been

> - accept that I am lacking in some areas of my life and instead of being ashamed of this, rejoice that I have much to learn

> - realize that there are others who are willing to be supportive if I seek them out

> - lessen the turning and tossing of things around in my mind

> - accepting my fear of failure

> - acknowledge what I don't have while understanding that what I do have is valuable

> - facing my pain, not ignoring/fighting or being overwhelmed by it

> - be willing to do things I normally would avoid

> - my past is my past, at last!

> - accept my worth while not comparing myself to others

> - realize that while knowledge is invaluable, action is the key

> - progress that seems insignificant is actually stepping stones

> - practicing kindness towards myself (way difficult!)

> - understand that we all struggle

> - know that there is compassion in the world

> - accept that things will ebb and flow and still I will try

> - have hope

>

> What do others see as things that have helped them?

> I know we can all also list things that have hindered them but perhaps we focus on the positives for now.

>

>

> Blessings!

>

>

> Values + committed action = joy!

>

>