• About
  • Contact

Deep Blonde Thoughts

~ Emitting thoughts, tongue-in-cheek observations on life and lifestyles

Deep Blonde Thoughts

Category Archives: therapy

Impermanence

23 Saturday May 2020

Posted by shewrite63 in Art, Health, philosophy, photography, therapy

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

buddha board, COVID-19, drawing, impermanence, meditation, therapy

It’s the weekend. At least I think it is.

It’s a good thing I write these things down, making short lists of tasks for each day on scraps of paper.

I was moving slowly this morning, emerging from the fog and deep in thought. Like many of you, I was wondering when this pandemic would pass and we could spend time closer with family and friends again, when we could do a stress-free trip to the grocery store, and when we could go back to the workplace.

I was feeling thankful for the opportunity to work from the home office these past ten weeks and not have to wait for – nor venture onto – crowded buses in to the city.

What could describe this feeling about something that will not last long? Itching to express, I sought out my Buddha Board. 

Buddha Board Impermanence

Impermanence

It demanded patience to stand in the same spot and take a picture every few minutes as the water evaporated off the drawing surface.

I present to you a time-lapsed photo project called “Impermanence”.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

Thanks for dropping by. Stay well. Stay safe. This too shall pass.

T

Spring vacation 2020

03 Sunday May 2020

Posted by shewrite63 in community, Health, philosophy, reading, therapy, writing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

pandemic, spring, vacation plans, writing

It’s not like I was planning on traveling far during this long-anticipated vacation.

I wasn’t planning on flying anywhere, not even taking a train. I am usually satisfied with doing things around town like lunching with friends, visiting art galleries, museums and local parks.

Oh… shit.

We can’t do any of that anymore except through video conferencing platforms, virtual gallery tours and… walking through parks without stopping to smell the flowers or sit on a bench. Geesh!

I am disappointed that the COVID-19 pandemic has cancelled a visit from one of my sisters. Mellowing out on Friday, I made my list of vacation week activities, many  which can be accomplished while isolated at home. I even separated activities into “Fun and Creative” and “Responsible and Healthy”.

written list of thing to do during pandemic vacation

Spring vacation 2020 list of planned activities

I make efforts to write in my wellness journal and my diary, recording how I am feeling, what I have been doing to cope, who I have been communicating with, and any deeper thoughts. Apparently, this activity is encouraged by historians and psychologists.

I already got in a bit of writing on the blog where the Tabby Cat rules, encouraging others with poetic tendencies to contribute too.

So…What are you doing for your spring vacation?

Thanks for stopping by. Stay home. Stay safe. Get outdoors while doing that physical distancing thing. Take care of yourself and each other.

T

 

Maintaining calm during uncertain times

25 Wednesday Mar 2020

Posted by shewrite63 in community, Health, pets, therapy, Warm fuzzy, writing

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

COVID-19, family, health, isolation, kindness, pandemic, sanity, self-care

I dusted off and opened my New Testament bible to a section referred to by the Pope in one of his Sunday Tweets.

Like you, I am looking for solace and comfort during the COVID-19 pandemic while practicing physical distancing and frequent hand-washing. I look for simple ways to keep my body active with gentle exercise. I remind myself to eat healthy and replenish bodily fluids throughout the day.

My employer made arrangements for us to work remotely two weeks ago. I was so relieved and happy to avoid the daily stresses of public transit. I embraced the opportunity for performing my work from home, to take little breaks to stretch, do housework and maintain contact with family and friends.

I was happy to be alone in my home with a stocked pantry and contented Tabby Cat. I promised myself to keep the news watching to a minimum and only with trusted sources.

bored tabby cat

The Tabby Cat is either meditating or bored

Thursday night, a dark cloud descended when I received a call from one of my adult offspring, heart broken and just tired of all the hurdles thrown in front of his path. My Motherly instincts immediately caused me to invite him back home. I moved my computer equipment from the guest room desk to the dining table before his arrival.

I adapted for someone I love.

PC screen with soup cans and cell phone

My gentle weights for frequent stretches and workouts

I found ways to maintain my physical and mental health with gentle exercise reminders and ten-minute meditation breaks through the day.

I was not able to perform my weekend volunteer activity due to the public libraries and used bookshops being closed for a few weeks during the pandemic. This affected my sense of purpose as I was missing the social interaction with staff and patrons.

On the Sunday, I invited another adult offspring to join us for the isolation period. I gave up my bedroom for him and fashioned a desk setup for his computer and other devices. I found ways to accommodate his smoking habit.

He helped me pull out of storage, a smaller bed –  the shikibuton (a roll-up futon mattress) so I could set up my sleeping area in the living room.

I adapted for someone I love.

Yesterday, we agreed on a list of provisions to obtain “out there”. I coached him on procedures, safety measures to follow when venturing out for groceries. Upon arriving home, he laid the bags down, used the hand sanitizer at the front door, and proceeded to wash his hands. As far as I know, we were successful with preventative measures. I don’t want to obsess over the what-ifs.

We now have ample fresh produce, meat and dairy for the next few days.

This morning, I woke before the Zen Alarm clock. I kept with the basic morning routine of saying a prayer of thanks, having my instant coffee, checking email from family, feeding and administering Insulin to the diabetic cat.

I showered then rolled out the dusty yoga mat with plans for stretches and salute to the sun my daughter taught me years ago. I found space in the small living room of our crowded but love-filled apartment.

The cat joined me, more as an attention-starved hindrance than motivation.

Tabby Cat on my yoga mat

Practicing patience, tolerating the Tabby before Salute to the Sun

I allowed a few seconds to adapt for someone I love, then started to roll up the towel to make her move. She was not pleased, grumbling as she stomped away. I succeeded in performing about 20 minutes of uninterrupted stretches and breathing. I feel better for it.

During a lull from IT support requests, I decided to satisfy my desire to write, to express my feelings during this challenging time.

I feel better for it and hope that I reached blog followers who can relate plus agree to keep on keeping on with self care and kindness to others.

Thanks for dropping by and maintaining “physical distance”.

Namaste

T

 

← Older posts
Newer posts →

Recent Posts

  • Home Phone
  • Dilemmas and distractions
  • Family reunion word fun in our virtual new world
  • Winter nesting during the pandemic
  • Using art therapy to enhance staycation activities

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 124 other followers

Follow Flo on Twitter

My Tweets

Blogroll

  • Learn WordPress.com
  • WordPress Planet
  • WordPress.com News

Links

  • Deep Blonde Thoughts – the other blog
  • Deep Blonde Thoughts Domain
  • Where the Tabby Cat rules

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • September 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • October 2019
  • July 2019
  • December 2018
  • October 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • April 2018
  • February 2018
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • September 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Recent Posts

  • Home Phone
  • Dilemmas and distractions
  • Family reunion word fun in our virtual new world
  • Winter nesting during the pandemic
  • Using art therapy to enhance staycation activities

Categories

  • activism
  • Art
  • community
  • education
  • Food and Cooking
  • Health
  • libraries
  • Mythology
  • pets
  • philosophy
  • photography
  • reading
  • therapy
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Warm fuzzy
  • writing

Category Cloud

Art community Health pets philosophy photography reading therapy Travel Uncategorized Warm fuzzy writing

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy