I’ve definitely know what the feeling of fatigue is and lately I’ve been experiencing it more.  I’m basically healthy for an older adult so I know this tiredness is caused by other than sickness.  To be on the safe side, I did check out my fatigue with my doctor to insure that there were no physical causes that was generating this tiredness.

I’m reading a book that resided on my bookshelf for a while – “A Pace of Grace:  The Virtues of a Sustainable Life” by Linda Kavelin Popov.   I like to wander over to my bookshelves to see what book talks to me.   I saw this book, but didn’t pick it up and instead starting reading another one.  I wasn’t satisfied with the book as this book kept calling me back, and now I know why.   The book covers many topics that make up a sustainable life, but the topic around ‘set clear boundaries’ strongly resonated with me.

As you know from a previous post, I’m an avid book reader…actually book junkie.    I usually have open several books at a time and I love doing this.    Last week on my bookshelf, I picked up this great ‘feel good’ book:   “Happy for No Reason:  7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out” by Marci Shimoff with Carol Kline.  I just finished reading the chapter Live a Life Inspired by Purpose.

When was the last time you forgave someone? It’s not a common word in our vocabulary. I wonder why! I ask myself, how often have I forgiven another or myself and let go of the negative thoughts. As I grow older, I see the value of forgiveness. In my emotional suitcase are many past hurts, misunderstandings, and archaic beliefs that are just weighing me down.

I have to put myself on an emotional diet and weigh in with forgiveness as my tool.

In 2004, I was exposed to Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) at a retreat in Santa Fe.   What fascinated me about this technique was that I could use it on any negative thought, at any time and it didn’t cost me money. That’s empowering!  

What’s Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)?  
EFT is based on acupuncture, without the needles.   A self-help technique that works on bringing relief to the intensity of our emotions, as well as increasing our physical wellbeing.    When using this technique you tap on different areas of your face and upper body.

I don’t usually embark on the official spring-cleaning effort, but there are times when I have an urge to clean.  Lately I’ve been thinking about the clutter in my home, how it is blocking my energy and wellbeing.  I believe that things have energy to them and if I’m not interacting in a positive manner with my things, I am creating negative energy. 

I decided to create a laundry list of things to go:

• get rid of the clothes that were never right, or were right at one time, but no longer fit

Today is an important day in the US – September 11th.  I remembered seven years ago being on Broadway and 21st Street in New York City standing in one place watching the bellowing smoke coming from the Towers.   Everyone around me was so quiet!   When I looked around, I saw the dazed looks on everyone’s faces.  No one knew just how historic this moment would be in each of our lives and the lives of those directly impacted by this horrific act. 

How often I have said to myself “let it go Pat” when I was agitated or upset about something.  I’ve also said “let go” to others when they were holding on to a negative thought.    How does one “let go?”   We are attached to our emotional stuff and don’t always know how to release the emotions and free ourselves.

My niece had a boy….beautiful baby.   Yesterday, we all gathered for the Jewish ‘bris’ which occurs on the 8th day of a boy’s birth to bond him within Judaism and to celebrate the naming of this beautiful child.   As I reflect on the experience for me and for those around me, I realized every situation has room to learn about loving ourselves.