Comments on: The Path I Didn’t Plan on Taking http://www.abiggerpond.com/2009/11/the-path-i-didnt-plan-on-taking/ Stop Playing Small Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:26:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Jodi Hadge http://www.abiggerpond.com/2009/11/the-path-i-didnt-plan-on-taking/comment-page-1/#comment-452 Jodi Hadge Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:09:41 +0000 http://www.abiggerpond.com/?p=430#comment-452 Sancy, thank you so much for this post!! This couldn't have come on a more ironic/unpredictable day. So life threw me a bunch of curve balls this morning, then, I had my little temper tantrum...AND then took a step back and said to myself - Get over it! Things could have definitely been worse! Yes, I realize that life is not predictable and you have to take a step back and really look at the grand sceme of things. I believe that every event leads you to the next one you were meant to experience in your life. <br><br>So, with that in mind, look at all the cards you have been delt for the moment and ask yourself can you work with this hand? Do you need a few new cards to make a great hand or do you fold and just wait for the next deal or shuffle? Within one of the hands I was delt today — is that I need to serve lunch at my children's school today. This will be a tremendous challenge to complete on my lunch hour, along with all the work I have, and 2 meetings at the office today. But, I will have a Royal Flush when I see those beautiful faces at school come running with excitement to me saying, "Mommy, I am so happy to see you in the middle of the day!" Then I will know I've won this hand! So, Life - bring on the next challenge and g-d give me the strength to see the next great hand in my unpredictable deck of cards.<br><br>Thanks Sandy for all your words of inspiration and for allowing me to share my thoughts this morning :)<br><br>Have a great day!!<br>Jodi Sancy, thank you so much for this post!! This couldn't have come on a more ironic/unpredictable day. So life threw me a bunch of curve balls this morning, then, I had my little temper tantrum…AND then took a step back and said to myself – Get over it! Things could have definitely been worse! Yes, I realize that life is not predictable and you have to take a step back and really look at the grand sceme of things. I believe that every event leads you to the next one you were meant to experience in your life.

So, with that in mind, look at all the cards you have been delt for the moment and ask yourself can you work with this hand? Do you need a few new cards to make a great hand or do you fold and just wait for the next deal or shuffle? Within one of the hands I was delt today — is that I need to serve lunch at my children's school today. This will be a tremendous challenge to complete on my lunch hour, along with all the work I have, and 2 meetings at the office today. But, I will have a Royal Flush when I see those beautiful faces at school come running with excitement to me saying, “Mommy, I am so happy to see you in the middle of the day!” Then I will know I've won this hand! So, Life – bring on the next challenge and g-d give me the strength to see the next great hand in my unpredictable deck of cards.

Thanks Sandy for all your words of inspiration and for allowing me to share my thoughts this morning :)

Have a great day!!
Jodi

]]> By: Leah Virsik http://www.abiggerpond.com/2009/11/the-path-i-didnt-plan-on-taking/comment-page-1/#comment-226 Leah Virsik Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:47:55 +0000 http://www.abiggerpond.com/?p=430#comment-226 Sandy, Art and life, they are so interconnected. For me, your post brings up the intentions I have with my art and how they change either mid-way or at the end. They become something different that I intended. It's such an interesting process. Such is life. I'm learning to let go and see what life or my art wants to tell me. I know this will be a lifelong process. Leah Sandy, Art and life, they are so interconnected. For me, your post brings up the intentions I have with my art and how they change either mid-way or at the end. They become something different that I intended. It’s such an interesting process. Such is life. I’m learning to let go and see what life or my art wants to tell me. I know this will be a lifelong process.
Leah

]]> By: Ana http://www.abiggerpond.com/2009/11/the-path-i-didnt-plan-on-taking/comment-page-1/#comment-224 Ana Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:07:37 +0000 http://www.abiggerpond.com/?p=430#comment-224 Dear Sandy, Wonderful experiences there of self-discovery. I know plans never go the way they are meant to, as I never make any as if I do pre-condition my mind to something, I get frustrated and completetly forget the essence of the moment. I think life is about being in the flow of every experience no matter what it is. Even if that counts learning about yourself in a failed plan, even better, it is all art in the making of self healing. Dear Sandy,
Wonderful experiences there of self-discovery. I know plans never go the way they are meant to, as I never make any as if I do pre-condition my mind to something, I get frustrated and completetly forget the essence of the moment. I think life is about being in the flow of every experience no matter what it is. Even if that counts learning about yourself in a failed plan, even better, it is all art in the making of self healing.

]]> By: Leah http://www.abiggerpond.com/2009/11/the-path-i-didnt-plan-on-taking/comment-page-1/#comment-213 Leah Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:10:25 +0000 http://www.abiggerpond.com/?p=430#comment-213 Life is certainly unpredictable! I think the best thing to do when things aren't going your way, is to let go of your expectations and go with the flow. I also like Julie's tip on breathing! :-) Keep on keepin' on, Sandy. You're doing great! Life is certainly unpredictable! I think the best thing to do when things aren’t going your way, is to let go of your expectations and go with the flow. I also like Julie’s tip on breathing! :-)

Keep on keepin’ on, Sandy. You’re doing great!

]]> By: Sandy Weiner http://www.abiggerpond.com/2009/11/the-path-i-didnt-plan-on-taking/comment-page-1/#comment-212 Sandy Weiner Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:04:53 +0000 http://www.abiggerpond.com/?p=430#comment-212 Wow, Sharyn, sounds like you said a loud YES to Sharyn today and everyone will benefit. Good for you! Life threw a curve ball and you threw it right back. Keep on pitching, Sharyn. Your aim is right on target! Love Sandy Wow, Sharyn, sounds like you said a loud YES to Sharyn today and everyone will benefit. Good for you! Life threw a curve ball and you threw it right back. Keep on pitching, Sharyn. Your aim is right on target!
Love
Sandy

]]> By: Sharyn Baer http://www.abiggerpond.com/2009/11/the-path-i-didnt-plan-on-taking/comment-page-1/#comment-211 Sharyn Baer Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:57:04 +0000 http://www.abiggerpond.com/?p=430#comment-211 Sandy, Facing my very busy day, going from Greenwich to Norwalk, to Mamaroneck, back to Norwalk then to Greenwich. Having my Granddaughter asking me at the last minute to take her back to Mamaroneck at 6:00p.m. tonight and trying to figure out when I am going to have time for me. I have made a committment to myself to go to the gym 6 times a week. When will that happen today? Sitting in the car, before going home after my first trip to Greenwich, I decided I had to give up one thing (that I was doing for someone else) and think about how I could do for me. this is what I did. I cancelled my granddaughter's afternoon Norwalk trip, made her Greenwich trip later in the day, sent my daughter to pick my granddaughter up for my 1:00 mamaroneck trip and I am about to go to the gym. I got my father started on a project that will take him a few weeks to do and he is very excited about it. It will turn out to be a Chanukah present for all the Kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, using a talent he loves. So now I can do my thing and not stress out. I will tell my granddaughter she can not go back to Mamaroneck tonight period. I have been saying yes to many things lately, but this last minute request will just have to be a no and she will have to deal with it. I would say I made some positive decisions today! Thanks for your great column and inspiration. With love and appreciation, Sharyn Sandy,
Facing my very busy day, going from Greenwich to Norwalk, to Mamaroneck, back to Norwalk then to Greenwich. Having my Granddaughter asking me at the last minute to take her back to Mamaroneck at 6:00p.m. tonight and trying to figure out when I am going to have time for me. I have made a committment to myself to go to the gym 6 times a week. When will that happen today?
Sitting in the car, before going home after my first trip to Greenwich, I decided I had to give up one thing (that I was doing for someone else) and think about how I could do for me. this is what I did.
I cancelled my granddaughter’s afternoon Norwalk trip, made her Greenwich trip later in the day, sent my daughter to pick my granddaughter up for my 1:00 mamaroneck trip and I am about to go to the gym. I got my father started on a project that will take him a few weeks to do and he is very excited about it. It will turn out to be a Chanukah present for all the Kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, using a talent he loves.
So now I can do my thing and not stress out. I will tell my granddaughter she can not go back to Mamaroneck tonight period. I have been saying yes to many things lately, but this last minute request will just have to be a no and she will have to deal with it.
I would say I made some positive decisions today! Thanks for your great column and inspiration.
With love and appreciation,
Sharyn

]]> By: Sandy Weiner http://www.abiggerpond.com/2009/11/the-path-i-didnt-plan-on-taking/comment-page-1/#comment-210 Sandy Weiner Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:04:48 +0000 http://www.abiggerpond.com/?p=430#comment-210 Jodi- I love your analogy of the Royal Flush. Guaranteed that life will not go as planned. Good idea to focus on the values that are most important, i.e., your beautiful twins. I am betting that your lunch visit will fuel the rest of your busy crazy day. Thanks for sharing from your heart. Julie- Having a child on the autistic spectrum certainly leads to a lack of predictability in life. Thanks for the reminders to breathe and to express gratitude. Both invaluable life skills. My firstborn son was afflicted with a severe genetic disease that led to his ultimate untimely death at age five, and I learned to be in the moment and to breath and express gratitude as well. My heart is with you, as a fellow mom of a child who experienced life's great challenges, and as a fellow artist and participant in AEDM. Thanks for taking the time to share on my blog. Kathy- Love the alliteration about feelings. So important to remember to feel fully! And thanks for the important reminders to experience nature's beauty, so healing, as is journaling (and blogging!). Chanting works, which reminds me of prayer that works for so many. Surrender is so crucial. You are a wise woman and I appreciate your inspiring comments! Love, Sandy Jodi-
I love your analogy of the Royal Flush. Guaranteed that life will not go as planned. Good idea to focus on the values that are most important, i.e., your beautiful twins. I am betting that your lunch visit will fuel the rest of your busy crazy day. Thanks for sharing from your heart.

Julie-
Having a child on the autistic spectrum certainly leads to a lack of predictability in life. Thanks for the reminders to breathe and to express gratitude. Both invaluable life skills. My firstborn son was afflicted with a severe genetic disease that led to his ultimate untimely death at age five, and I learned to be in the moment and to breath and express gratitude as well. My heart is with you, as a fellow mom of a child who experienced life’s great challenges, and as a fellow artist and participant in AEDM. Thanks for taking the time to share on my blog.

Kathy-
Love the alliteration about feelings. So important to remember to feel fully! And thanks for the important reminders to experience nature’s beauty, so healing, as is journaling (and blogging!). Chanting works, which reminds me of prayer that works for so many. Surrender is so crucial. You are a wise woman and I appreciate your inspiring comments!

Love,
Sandy

]]> By: Kathy http://www.abiggerpond.com/2009/11/the-path-i-didnt-plan-on-taking/comment-page-1/#comment-209 Kathy Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:54:56 +0000 http://www.abiggerpond.com/?p=430#comment-209 When life takes unexpected turns I usually feel my feelings first and fully. (ooh lots of alliteration there); whether it's anger, sadness, whatever. If it's something that requires immediate action, I wait and feel the feelings later, usually that night. I rebalance my energies by taking a walk in the woods and/or journaling. Both bring me back center. Sometimes I chant. Surrender comes to mind. Like when I sprained my ankle. Just surrender to what I can't control and feel the feelings, find my center and move (or stay still) from there. When life takes unexpected turns I usually feel my feelings first and fully. (ooh lots of alliteration there); whether it’s anger, sadness, whatever. If it’s something that requires immediate action, I wait and feel the feelings later, usually that night.
I rebalance my energies by taking a walk in the woods and/or journaling. Both bring me back center. Sometimes I chant.
Surrender comes to mind. Like when I sprained my ankle. Just surrender to what I can’t control and feel the feelings, find my center and move (or stay still) from there.

]]> By: Julie Jordan Scott http://www.abiggerpond.com/2009/11/the-path-i-didnt-plan-on-taking/comment-page-1/#comment-208 Julie Jordan Scott Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:36:03 +0000 http://www.abiggerpond.com/?p=430#comment-208 Our themes for Day 4 are similar. I have had several YEARS where life took a different turn and I have learned the best thing to do is just go-with-the-flow. My son is on the autistic spectrum and the best life skill I have taught him is the only thing you can really ever expect is the unexpected. It's like the John Lennon quote, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." Specific tips? Breathe, deeply, when you feel yourself getting upset by factors you can't control, anyway. If you feel breathing isn't doing the trick, add gratitude. Open your eyes and look around for gratitude. Simple gratitude. If that doesn't do it, think about who and what you love. List them in your mind and breathe them into your heart. By now, suddenly the life happening unexpectedly should begin to feel better. :-) Thanks for the inspiration. Our themes for Day 4 are similar.

I have had several YEARS where life took a different turn and I have learned the best thing to do is just go-with-the-flow. My son is on the autistic spectrum and the best life skill I have taught him is the only thing you can really ever expect is the unexpected. It’s like the John Lennon quote, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”

Specific tips?

Breathe, deeply, when you feel yourself getting upset by factors you can’t control, anyway. If you feel breathing isn’t doing the trick, add gratitude. Open your eyes and look around for gratitude. Simple gratitude. If that doesn’t do it, think about who and what you love. List them in your mind and breathe them into your heart.

By now, suddenly the life happening unexpectedly should begin to feel better.

:-)

Thanks for the inspiration.

]]> By: Jodi Hadge http://www.abiggerpond.com/2009/11/the-path-i-didnt-plan-on-taking/comment-page-1/#comment-207 Jodi Hadge Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:29:03 +0000 http://www.abiggerpond.com/?p=430#comment-207 Sancy, thank you so much for this post!! This couldn't have come on a more ironic/unpredictable day. So life threw me a bunch of curve balls this morning, then, I had my little temper tantrum...AND then took a step back and said to myself - Get over it! Things could have definitely been worse! Yes, I realize that life is not predictable and you have to take a step back and really look at the grand sceme of things. I believe that every event leads you to the next one you were meant to experience in your life. So, with that in mind, look at all the cards you have been delt for the moment and ask yourself can you work with this hand? Do you need a few new cards to make a great hand or do you fold and just wait for the next deal or shuffle? Within one of the hands I was delt today — is that I need to serve lunch at my children's school today. This will be a tremendous challenge to complete on my lunch hour, along with all the work I have, and 2 meetings at the office today. But, I will have a Royal Flush when I see those beautiful faces at school come running with excitement to me saying, "Mommy, I am so happy to see you in the middle of the day!" Then I will know I've won this hand! So, Life - bring on the next challenge and g-d give me the strength to see the next great hand in my unpredictable deck of cards. Thanks Sandy for all your words of inspiration and for allowing me to share my thoughts this morning :) Have a great day!! Jodi Sancy, thank you so much for this post!! This couldn’t have come on a more ironic/unpredictable day. So life threw me a bunch of curve balls this morning, then, I had my little temper tantrum…AND then took a step back and said to myself – Get over it! Things could have definitely been worse! Yes, I realize that life is not predictable and you have to take a step back and really look at the grand sceme of things. I believe that every event leads you to the next one you were meant to experience in your life.

So, with that in mind, look at all the cards you have been delt for the moment and ask yourself can you work with this hand? Do you need a few new cards to make a great hand or do you fold and just wait for the next deal or shuffle? Within one of the hands I was delt today — is that I need to serve lunch at my children’s school today. This will be a tremendous challenge to complete on my lunch hour, along with all the work I have, and 2 meetings at the office today. But, I will have a Royal Flush when I see those beautiful faces at school come running with excitement to me saying, “Mommy, I am so happy to see you in the middle of the day!” Then I will know I’ve won this hand! So, Life – bring on the next challenge and g-d give me the strength to see the next great hand in my unpredictable deck of cards.

Thanks Sandy for all your words of inspiration and for allowing me to share my thoughts this morning :)

Have a great day!!
Jodi

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