THE MINIMIZER - 94/365

"Ohhhhhh...I'm FINE...really I am...no need to worry about me...no need at all. Yes, it's true I may never walk again but I'm feeling much better and I'm sure that any day now the little toes growing on the bottom of my feet are going to just fall off and I'll be as good as new."

My Reflection:

Sometimes I like to think that something will just go away if I pretend it's not bothering me. Like thinking the music has stopped playing because I inserted earplugs or that the elephant has left the room because I put a bag over my head.

But I'm learning that when I ignore my feelings, to get my attention, the music plays louder and the elephant becomes destructive. Perhaps the key to living in "peace" is to simply allow my feelings to become "music to my ears."

Question:

How do you deal with the elephant in the room?

THE MASQUERADER 86/365

"We've already met - I'm the guy next door. You probably don't recognize me because this is my REAL face - the one you saw last week was a mask."

My Reflection:

I suppose, like everyone else, there are certain thoughts and feelings I try to keep to myself. But that's usually when my face takes on a "mask-like" quality...like an itchy wool sweater I'm not comfortable wearing but would feel even less comfortable going without.

Inevitably, wearing the sweater becomes unbearable and that's usually when I find "unmasking" myself to be a welcome relief from the strain of pretense.

I'm learning that for me, "courage" comes from the willingness to reveal what is hidden and the "confidence" to accept it as it is.

Question:

How do you "unmask" yourself?

THE DAY DREAMER - 25/365

"Can't you see I'm busy? I don't have time to do anything right now - you'll just have to wait. And please don't talk either because you're interrupting my story. What you mean..."what story?" The one that's going on in my head. It's a really good one too - I'm getting everything I want... fame, fortune, time and lots of friends.

I told you...I can't help you out right now...I'M BUSY. Ask one of your other friends...I'm sure they have nothing better to do."

My Reflection:

Life would be a lot easier if I could just live inside my head - if I could create a world where I was always organized - I never had to look at the clock and my hair looked exactly the way I wanted it to. That way, I wouldn't have to spend hours "trying" to get organized - I would BE organized and I wouldn't have to worry about having enough time to do the things I want to do - I'd have that and then some. I won't get into the hair thing.

But the truth is, day dreaming is no more than "wishful thinking" and the more time I spend "wishing" something were true the less likely it will ever become a reality. Maybe if I envision what I want with open eyes, I'll be in a better position to actually make it happen.

Question:

What do you "dream" about?