mind tricks and retreats

 

When reality bites then you virtually facepalm at the fact that your mind’s deception was stringing you along. On the topic of being deceived, we had just seen the film “Operation Mincemeat” which was based on a true story about an outrageous (and slightly funny) stratagem of deception during WWII that became a significant event leading to the success of the Allied forces. Espionage and subterfuge in a low-tech world. Circling back to the initial statement of this post…I only have myself to blame. I should invest my attention to what is essential. Ouch. In other news, oh boy, it’s unfortunate that the bird app was acquired by a figure that I’m not fond of. I admit to being judgmental, but I do feel a sense of liberation in knowing that I’m nobody and I can, ever so slowly, slip away from that platform (probably not, because I get my real-time news there) or just be a silent user/observer/consumer and block or mute the unpalatable and noncredible. It really depends on how tolerable the vitriol is going to be—much like the other popular app that I left a few years ago. No need to expose myself to unnecessary negative stimuli especially within the realm of “opinion”. If pandemonium ensues, there’s AM/FM radio. Back to reality. Bittersweet symphony, that’s life…I’m a million different people…as the Verve once sang: https://youtu.be/1lyu1KKwC74

the quiet choice

 

I have resumed my amateur knitting activities and other related efforts to quiet the mind including herbal tea and inspirational yet light podcasts. In terms of aural stimuli, I’ve been listening to instrumental autumn and holiday music for relaxation. This nice playlist called “cozy autumn jazz” (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4uH9UCYfISeE7IV4cQr8cM?si=0NslxiWUQ7--_SMfiL0m3g) was prefaced with “ bake cookies, carve a pumpkin, take a walk, or just curl up in your favorite blanket…” It’s been on loop for me these past few weeks. Sharing it here in case it’s something you might enjoy as well.

tapping

 I recently learned about this self-soothing technique where you hug yourself and then start to gently tap both arms while taking deep breaths. Another quick tool I found on the interwebs is a tactile version of deep breathing where you spread the fingers of one hand and then with the pointer finger of the other hand, you slowly trace the other hand from the bottom of the thumb going up while breathing in at the same time and then when tracing downward towards the junction between the thumb and next finger, you simultaneously   breathes out…breathing in while tracing up and breathing down when tracing downward. Fun in a random almost juvenile way yet undeniably helpful nd calming. In the same manner as when one looks at a peaceful painting or picture or any visual stimulus that leads to a smile. And I am smiling.

merienda

 

Photo by Rachel Claire

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Same here. But you know, it means that we're valued, right? I'd like to reframe it that way as opposed to negative alternatives. There's just no time. My to-do list is becoming a living creature...or a bottomless drink that refills while one consumes. Anyway, I have a choice. We all have a choice. Let's monitor, evaluate, and then see what we can do. So corporate-y, work-ey, circle-back-ey. Cheers.

flew by

Recently completed a trip around the sun. I think the past year was a proper transition between life chapters. I know that sounds obvious, but I think that in my past, there has been a succession of years which felt like a loop. This past year was like a rollercoaster that didn’t end where it began. Like different rollercoaster rides that are connected and you can’t predict where one ride ends and another begins. One ride is red and twisty like a screw then the next one is white with just loops and then the next one is blue and plain like a train…I like the blue train-like variety. I previously mentioned my preference for the uneventful, but such is life: you either dwell on the anticipation or just surrender and go with the flow. On the topic of annual cycles, I had a simple celebration and it included a variety of cake slices from a Cheesecake Factory concessionaire. I was once asked what my favourite dessert was, and while I can think of a lot of traditional sweets from my home country, I blurted out “cheesecake.” What kind? I actually like a plain cheesecake with a graham crust. I could say blueberry or strawberry or chocolate depending on my mood—but I guess I remember coffee nights out with my late father and I would get a slice of plain cheesecake with my coffee…Here’s a virtual toast to another year. Glad to be in the same general milieu as you cyberfolk even if it’s not the usual shake-your-hand-nice-to-meet-you circumstances.