kimberkit | Quickie updates and thoughts

My therapist once told me that he had a friend that wouldn't ever allow him to talk about emotional pain. At first, this little tic was annoying. But over time, there came the realization: he was more cheerful around this friend than others. The lesson there was: pain always seems worse if you dwell on it.

My Shiatsu teacher told us that the secret of life was paying attention. Not rolling in emotions, but just noticing everything, without being distracted.

For me, walking and taking photos and chatting with people is a way to do all that -- not dwell, but just pay attention. Being in class, without being anxious, is another meditative form. And I'm doing a bit more of that, these days... I'm calmer.

For the curious, my brother is fine, and at my dad's place now; and I haven't really wanted to know more about my grandfather's state. I'm letting myself have enough slack to remember that not wanting to confront sadness head-on is okay. And... I'm a little tired, but mostly excited about the fact that I'm doing well in school without really having to try very hard, and so glad that massage puts me in this *zone* of just being.