THE THOUGHT-COLLECTOR - 361/365

 

the subtle sound of the truth
can be overpowered by 
the hypnotic repetition of our own thoughts

THE PRIVATE EYES - 346-349/365

the truth isn't always found
just because someone is looking for it

THE EYEWITTNESS - 327/365

......BE AWARE.....
the brain's interpretation of what the eye sees
can change the picture of the truth

THE TRUTH-FINDER - 314/365

exploring the truth

requires

letting go

trusting the answer will come

and having the courage

to believe it when it arrives

THE TRAITOR - 310/365

is it necessary or wise to deceive

the cause one is committed to

in order to pledge allegiance to another?

THE LITIGATOR - 300/365

to focus on

just one side of an issue

one must be ready

to absorb the consequences

of manipulating the truth

THE INQUIRER - 287/365

when we're afraid

to know the answer

is when we most need

to ask the question

THE HUNTER - 271/365

it helps to be clear whether or not

it is the "truth" you seek

or the excitement of the hunt

THE ACCUSER - 270/365

beware

an accusation

can slam the door

on the truth

THE TRUTH SEEKER - 232/365

truth is not 'found';

it is recognized

with unbiased eyes

THE REPEATER -137/365

repeated thoughts create new truths

Question:

What new truths are you manifesting?

Clay Ingredients:

Sculpey Translucent

Holtz Distress powder (aged mahogany)

THE FIXER - 127/365

"I like putting things back together especially people. People are my specialty. If you're falling apart come to me - I'll put you back together again seamlessly. Of course I don't repair internal damage...that's up to you."

My Reflection:

I'm learning that sometimes what appears to be broken isn't and what needs to be fixed shouldn't.

Question:

What or who do you find yourself "fixing?"

Clay Ingredients:

Scupley Translucent

Holtz Distress powder (black soot)

Herbs - Dill

THE CHEATER - 95/365

"My eyes are closed...I can't see a thing...promise. No, really - I'm not looking...I wouldn't do that...I swear!"

My Reflection:

While I'm not a "cheater," I suppose there are times when I cheat myself. "Oops...where did the time go...just can't make it to the gym today."

While this isn't going to kill me, the fact that I'm pretending I don't know any better eats away at the fabric of my integrity leaving me with a sense of uneasiness and mistrust.

Perhaps the next time I try and fool myself or let "time slip away", I'll remember that to build "trust" requires a willingness to tell the "truth" and that one can't exist without the other.

Question:

How do you "cheat" yourself?

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 EAVESDROPPER - 64/365

"I've got my antenna up so I can hear EVERY word!

Sh...if you keep talking to me, I might miss something important - some tidbit of information that I can collect and use later on.

Besides, if I don't listen in, how will I know what people REALLY think? No one ever tells the truth - and I need to know the TRUTH."

My Reflection:

I often wonder, what is the "truth?" Is it information based on "facts" or information based on my assessment of the facts?

I've noticed that when I jump to a conclusion that I "know" the truth, the less likely it is to be "the truth." On the other hand, the more questions I ask, the more facts I uncover, the closer I come to an accurate assessment of the situation which allows me to create a truth that is right for me.

I've learned that the "truth" doesn't reside in one location - it hides in many different places at the same time and only reveals itself when it is genuinely pursued.

Question:

How do you pursue the truth?

THE CHOOSER - 61/365

"Either I'm happy or you're happy and since I can't make YOU happy, I'm choosing to make MYSELF happy. Why not? You're not going to choose ME so I'm going to do it.

You don’t have to be mad at me for choosing myself. Why don't you just choose YOURSELF and then we'll BOTH be happy....sort of.”

My Reflection:

Choosing what I want to do is not always easy. Why is that? Am I so conditioned to please others that I’d rather disappoint myself instead?

Perhaps taking responsibility for my own happiness, involves the willingness to disappoint others without blaming them for my decision.

Question:

How willing are you to disappoint someone?

THE PRETENDER - 59/365

"I'll just close my eyes and pretend I didn't see that. If I pretend like I didn't see you do that, then maybe I won't have to respond to it and the situation will just go away.

NO...NO...NO...don't do it AGAIN! If you keep doing that, I'm not going to be able to pretend like you didn't... and then what will I do?"

My Reflection:

Pretending certain things don't bother me or that they never occurred, NEVER works. Like a pink elephant walking into the room, the situation screams to be acknowledged. When I fail to do so, not only does it not go away, but the elephant seems to get larger and larger until there's no room for anything else.

Perhaps situations and feelings, like people, simply need some attention. Once they've been acknowledged, the need to "act out" in order to get noticed, will no longer be necessary.

Question:

How willing are you to confront a situation?

THE VILLAN - 54/365

"Why am I always the "bad guy?" I'm just telling the truth you know - people don't want to hear the truth but someone's got to tell it - I guess it might as well be me.

So, go ahead, call me the "bad guy" - I can take it. Besides, isn't there always supposed to be a "bad guy?"

My Reflection:

It takes a certain amount of courage to tell the truth. The fear that someone might not like me or be angry can stop me cold.

When that happens, I don't feel very good about myself and I wonder if the loss of my own integrity is worth the approval of others.

Maybe the focus should be on HOW I "tell the truth" not IF I should tell it. Perhaps one's ability to digest the truth, depends on the degree in which it is "respectively" given.

Question:

How do you tell the truth?

THE HERSHEY KISSER - 44/365

"I'm not one for showering affection on others - a little peck on the cheek or an "air smooch" is about as far as I'm willing to go. What's with all the "touchy/feely" stuff anyway? What's wrong with a wave of the hand or a nod of the head? Not good enough? Do we have to make contact in order show people we care? Well...I'm done with all of the physical stuff...especially with the swine flu situation. I'm starting a new fad...how do you like my "hershey hat?" One look and consider yourself kissed."

My Reflection:

Sometimes I want to move in close and sometimes I need my distance. Can't a smile (as long as it's genuine) be enough? Some people are really good huggers and others just hug heads - from the shoulders down they're about ten feet apart.

And then there's the question about hugging strangers - people you meet for the first time. Sometimes I get the urge to hug someone and then I feel kind of embarrassed because I don't really know them but I've just made physical contact with them.

I think it would be easier if we all had some kind of tattoo that identified our physical contact tolerance - like a blue ice cube for a cold fish, a warm sun for a contact giver/receiver and a red hot poker for...well..you know.

Question:

What's your tolerance for contact?

THE BEHIND KISSER - 33/365

"I like to make people feel good about themselves. Plus, if I make them feel good they might feel good about me. Really, it's all about me but they don't know that.

I'm generally well liked and fairly popular because most people feel pretty crappy about themselves so they need people like me to help make them feel better. Of course there are those who don't like me - don't care for my compliments and generally run the other way when they see me coming. They're usually the ones who don't need my services because they feel wonderful about themselves already - in fact, a little too wonderful if you ask me."

My Reflection:

What if we all had to tell the truth? What if we couldn't say what we thought someone wanted to hear but rather what we thought was the absolute truth? Would it be a good thing or do you think it would start WW III?

In some ways I think it would be good - once we got over the shock that is. I've often thought that if I knew what people REALLY thought of me I'd never leave the house. Well, that might be the case in the beginning - but after a while, I'd have to adjust and let the truth wash over me in a way that was useful instead of devastating. Plus, I guess I'd be returning the favor wouldn't I? Hmmm.....food for thought.

Question:

Are you a "kisser" or do you liked to be "kissed?"