gotohealth's Blog

The Seattle Rep Theater lost 17 salaried positions so they are not able to help us share our stories this year.

 

Omoide started in my kitchen over 30 years ago. Here we are, another year of meeting once a month, giving ourselves a deadline so we get our stories down on paper. Then we get together for sharing, editing and taking breaks for yummy treats. 

 

More and more research from places like Harvard and Stanford is saying that story sharing and writing is one of the activities that bring "happiness and fulfillment". 

 

It makes me smile!!!

Today, I'm listening to a good friend, Andrew, talk about 'fingerprints'.  In his home remodeling business, he makes sure the chrome and mirrors of the home are wiped clean as they leave each job. It's a fun party game to randomly discuss and analyze the various interpretations. But the most important part of the discussion about 'fingerprints' is that each of us have a unque set. 

 

It's becoming 'the thing' to work on finding the story of who we are as we listen to speakers and lecturers around the country. I work to avoid falling into popular ideas, heroes of the month and such, but I'm interested in finding and writing down what I decide is the real me. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I've enrolled in a class by Dr. Margot McKinnon DOMINANCE THEORY.  I'm having a good time answering her questions to determine my own scale of the five personality types she describes. I'm learning that I am very purpose driven.

 

When my husband, Sam, was alive; we decided the most important purpose in our lives was to leave a legacy for our great grandchildren. Therefore, that purpose has culminated into several books we have written. 

 

Since my husband has been gone, I find myself on a new path of learning. It still includes leaving a legacy. But I'm open to including more learning and finding new aspects of that legacy!!

 

Andrew messages me his Monday Morning thoughts and I'm passing some of it on with this blog. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE WHORLS? How can I benefit others by sharing what I learn? It's also researched and proven that giving service with our purpose leads to being HAPPY. It's a lot of fun to explore how all this fits into who I am and how all this translates into how I live this human life?!? 

 

Thank you Andrew.

 

 

 

 

TC has been a close friend for years. He got his family out yesterday and he left this morning.  The news is now personal and devastating!

 

Our prayers are with all involved!!!

For seven years, since Sam passed on December 31, 2017,  I've called myself "lonely". Today, I'm listening again to Jordan Peterson talk about the value of "SOLITUDE", and how valueable a time that can be for anyone. I've heard it put another way. "Loniliness" is a time for the most freedom one can have.  My hours and calendar is not filled with "have tos" and "social commitments". 

 

"If you stare into the dark, you begin to see the light" - Balancing the light and dark! This is another way I'm learning to look at life if there is darkness.

 

 

 

 

I'm listening to a Chris Williamson podcast where he is interviewing Joe Hudson, an executive trainer and teacher, about how we can accomplish more by learning to let go. Williamson quotes a Hudson tweet: "Letting go doesn't happen when when you tell yourself to 'let go', letting go happens when it is ready."

 

Next, Hudson suggests an exercise for understanding "letting go".  I put my hands together in front of my face. 

 

Next Hudson suggests separating my pinky fingers - consciously putting effort into separating the fingers without actually doing it. NOTICING THE ENERGY I'M EXERTING, I feel sensations in my arms, shoulders and neck. THE MORE I THINK ABOUT IT, I feel my chest tightening and I'm holding my breath - MOSTLY FUELED BY THE CRITICA. VOICE IN MY HEAD.

 

Then Hudson suggests: "Now think about the opposit of that and notice the difference!!" 

 

So I am used to thinking of the need to put effort into, for instance, figuring out how I can can be a better writer. There is a another way of "surrender" that is a lot more effective than effort sometime?? THIS LEAVES ROOM FOR ENJOYMENT.

 

A lot to learn in life?

 

 

Now that I will be 86-years-of age, I am finding myself on a new "Life Path". I have been learning with podcast listening, especially with the covid issues, and decided to take this course by Dr. Margot McKinnon. I heard her interviewed and then see a recommendation by Michael Gelb. 

 

Gelb suggest that one of Da Vinci's suggestions is to work on sharpening each of our 5 senses! What a good idea! I've constantly added that I am not good with smell and taste; therefore, "I'm just a salt and pepper cook." I never thought of perhaps working on learning more about smell and taste. 

 

I've had a pretty good memory and have enjoyed my Master's in Psychosocial NursingI. It might be fun to consider this my next degree.

 

I grew up in a household with a father who was a fundamental Christian. I still pray daily to GOD, but my definition of God keeps growing! I enjoy learning about other areas of spirituality.

 

I am more and more clear about the different dimensions of my soul and will continue to learn.

 

I consider "oneness", connecting with others here on earth and my human life.  Each of us have a story and sharing verbally is a first step. Research is confirming this leads to "fulfillment". A next step is to write and share.

 

I'm smiling as I write. This is fun!!

 

 

My son-in-law is in charge of a lot of the advertisement for Disney films. I got a short walking tour of the all the campus where most of the Disney films were and are being made. What fun to see all the original cameras and original drawings on the hallways of the Walt Disney Archives.

 

Wish Sam could have been with us (maybe he was???). One time when we were first married, we adopeted our first dog, Sonsie a beagle pup. We confined her to our bedroom of our first apartment and we went to work.

 

When we got home, we found Sam's book about Walt Disney, pulled out of the bookshelf. Sonsie evidently smelled Sam's having read about his favorite mentor. The edges of the book were chewed!

 

I spent 2024 Thanksgiving this last week with the family of our older daughter in Burbank and also went to, mostly Kelly's but also my presentation, of SEATTLE SAMURAI book talk at the Japanese American National Museum last Sunday.

 

The Disney Studio tour highlights Sam's cartoons. Sam had a comic book of the Walt Disney cartoon of Snow White that he got from his Uncle Sutt in 1941. Sam traced this comic book!

This is Thanksgiving week and I'm with my older daughter's Tamusaitis family here in Burbank for Thanksgiving. The best part of Thanksgiving is that Zachary and Avery drove to their parent's apartment for the holiday and have taken over the tradition of making Pierogies. 

 

These Polish perogies are made with a homemade dough recipe and filled with potatoes and cheese for delicious dumplings. They are also called "Three Corners".

 

Their great grandma was Polish and was the pierogie maker for most of the 100 years she lived. My daughter learned from her and was the official family maker of holiday pierogies for several years. Now daughter Lynette and her husband Joe make sure they buy all the ingredients and have turned the tradition over to their children.

 

So pleased to see the commitments to family and traditions,

Grandma Dee