TOO MANY UNNATURAL DISTRACTIONS & DETAILS! (is my take).

Go 'back in time' and imagine a Native American/Canadian Indian tribe/village and put yourself into their daily life & routine. POOF - it all disappears (except for that which is truly important in life).

- stop stressing over the unnatural & unnecessary details (that we think we need, but don't need at all!)
- focus & contemplate with the title of a great book, "What You Think Of Me Is None Of My Business"
- imagine yourself at 70 or 80, sitting leisurely in a rocking chair on a "country front porch" overlooking your tranquil flower garden, and reviewing your life. What REALLY mattered? What really counted? What do you regret? What makes you proud?

Yep, it really is simple...but we totally overcomplicate it all.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it :)

Uny

I don't know much about your back story, but logic would say that there is some history of trauma (absolutely nothing to be ashamed about if there is!). I could also be WAY off.

If it does exist, are you trying to parse that along with the physical health hurdles? I do know that they ignite each other and pretty soon, it's like two wildfires that meet in the middle, and you're overwhelmed. I would be happy to offer any support or humor I could if you want to PM me.

Have you seen that film, 'The Full Monty'? It's a cute British comedy - you'd love it. I'm gonna start callin' ya Monty. It's cute and sassy, like you, and I like it better. ;)

Check out a book called 'When Things Fall Apart' by Pema Chodron. It's a brilliant read, not more than a hundred pages or so and really helped me out. It occurs to me that I should pick it up and read it again. A few months ago, when I was in a slump, a cz'er reminded me to pick up the book 'The Four Agreements'. I got it back out of the book case. I've been rereading pages over and over while I do my coffee enema every day. It's simply written, philosophical understandings from ancient Toltec wisdom (super old Mexican culture). It's very...accessible, very genuine, very simple, very concise - like the Mexican culture. I grew up with Mexican culture, maybe that's why the way it's written comforts me. Mexican culture is so intense and so beautiful but they're very 'no fluff' people in the way they describe things.

But like Uny said, keeping it simple - that's why I appreciate the way this book is written. I bet ya could pick up a used copy on Amazon for a couple bucks.

From page 83:
God is life. God is life in action. The best way to say, "I love you, God,' is to live your life doing your best. The best way to say, "Thank you, God," is by letting go of the past and living in the present moment, right here and now. Whatever life takes away from you, let it go. When you surrender and let go of the past, you allow yourself to be fully alive in the moment. Letting go of the past means you can enjoy the dream that is happening right now.

If you live in a past dream, you don't enjoy what is happening right now because you will always wish it to be different than it is. There is no time to miss anyone or anything because you are alive. Not enjoying what is happening right now is living in the past and being only half alive. This leads to pity, suffering and tears.

You were born with the right to be happy. You were born with the right to love, to enjoy and to share your love. You are alive, so take your life and enjoy it. Don't resist life passing through you, because that is God passing through you. Just your existence proves the existence of God. Your existence proves the existence of life and energy.

We don't need to know or prove anything. Just to be, to take a risk and enjoy y our life, is all that matters. Say no when you want to say no, and yes when you want to say yes. You have the right to be you.

**and it goes on - but these are the words I wanted to share most - they're so accessible and concise - love it!