RENEWAL - It Really is Spring in Here

I love spring in Eugene. Am equally enamored of spring inside of me. It goes on for months and brings a whole new view of my life - the possibilities.

New camera (still learning to use it). New dedication to practice - both meditation and writing. Am finding both to be quite wonderful. Relaxing and easing up on the issues around food. Stress and a heavy handed approach don't help at all - I just end up wanting to eat more.

Am cautiously allowing the word "meaning" to take a central place in my thoughts, reflections, and writing after months of starkly feeling the emptiness of insufficient meaning. This process of confronting is like opening the cage door of a wild and dangerous animal but failing to address the lack of meaning is worse - a walking death that daily becomes more unbearable.

Writing Daily - So gratifying and also terrifying

PRACTICE

Walking, writing, smiling, meditation... each of these simple acts seem so beautiful as I am coming out of depression.

Sad to see that the blog 'A Life in Wales' hasn't had an update for one year. I wish her well and hope to see a post some day.

Susan Piver's newest book is looking awesome. I requested that our excellent library purchase a copy as I am unable to do so at present.

Decided to twitter again but there is some kind of technical problem so I can't begin yet.

Life is good.

ACTUALLY LEFT THE HOUSE...

... and it wasn't to get junk food. Yay!! I walked to a very cool coffeehouse and created my own drink. A spicy chai tea latte. No sugar as it is not boxed like Oregon Chai and other premade chai teas that are beyond my tolerance for sweet drinks. Yummy and I get to decide whether to put 1/8 or 1/4 teaspoon of raw sugar into the cup.

Haven't written in months. Haven't been checking my email. Haven't been on facebook more than a couple of times. Quit twittering altogether. Have not been following my favorite bloggers. Manic depression took over my daily life once again and I am just now coming out of the cloud of depression and experiencing some enthusiasm for people, for weather and walking, for writing and drinking a tea latte.

Can actually say that I am happy to be alive today. Excited & inspired - oh yeah!