Saturday, January 22, 2005

A Lesson In Receiving

 Cat's Whiskers!

     Slightly embarrassed but not going to apologize for my last entry. It seems that the combination of the DSL stress, the empty nest syndrome, my drastic schedule change, irregular sleep patterns and yes ... a slight case PMS did have me a little out of sorts.

     I found myself laughing out loud as I was reading some of your kind words of concern and suggestions that were left in the comment section of that entry. Thank you very much for leaving them there, they helped.

     Maybe it was the dark photo that caused some of you to worry so. Would help to know that I really like that photo? This <-- click this is the night that I took it, what a great time that was!

     I'll admit I'm not always comfortable (or even very good) at expressing feelings of being overwhelmed or vulnerable. In my line of work as well as in my roll as Mom the appearance of strength and control is just part of the job description (at least it's always felt like that to me). 

     Through some of my experiences here in J-Land I am getting a lesson in becoming a better receiver.  I am starting to learn what a gift it is to allow other people the occasional opportunity to be the ones offering the kindness and support. It takes practice to learn how to be a gracious receiver and I know that I'm not the only one learning that here. 

    I think that most of us go through life being either a giver or a taker ... either predominantly the Ying or predominantly the Yang of our own world.   Here in J-Land we have a unique opportunity to interactively share very intimate parts of the lives of so many different kinds of people.

     If you take a look around as you are journal hopping you'll probably also notice that many of the most grandiose and self absorbed personalities here (and you know who you are) are also getting a lesson in giving, supporting and in being a friend. I love this place:-)

     BTW ... special thanks to Suzypwr for suggesting chocolate, you're my kind of friend ... also thanks to lifewrites for being such an awesome cheerleader from the other side of the continent, welcome to J-Land!

                                       Have a good weekend all

                                                *** Coy ***

 

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amen to that. I learned a lot from the J community and I appreciate the J Landers' concern when I am pitiful. http://journals.aol.com/dcmeyer420/DearDiary/  

Anonymous said...

J-land is awesome at learning things about ourselves we didn't intend to learn when we first started.  
I am learning to do both of ying AND yang.
I learned since childhood to be self-contained, needing no one too much kept me safe, and giving myself away was definately a no-no.  
So, yes, j-land has been great for me. :)
...hey, are you calling me self-absorbed. hrrmpth!  the idea!!!   well, I never!
lol.

take care coy.
you put warm happy sun in my life, just thought you would like to know. :D

Anonymous said...

So glad your back. A little "downer" never hurt anyone. J-Land is a wonderful place, isn't it? rich

Anonymous said...

So glad you are feeling better and more your old self. xxxxx

Anonymous said...

so much fun on such dark water! LOL!
Marti

Anonymous said...

Wow, I went back and read your comments from yesterday.  You got life covered with so many friends and so many suggestions and ideas!!!  LOL!
Hope things are looking up and the DSL is working.  
Take care.
Sonya

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you are a bit more chipper. Getting enough sleep goes a LONG way toward restoring my moods. LOL

Anonymous said...

Sleep patterns are weird, lol. But chocolate cures a lot!
xoxo

Anonymous said...

I'M VERY HAPPY YOU ARE FEELING BETTER. I REMEMBER THOSE PMS DAYS. AND THAT PIC IN THAT ENTRY SAYS IT ALL. THANK GOD I HAD A HYSTERECTOMY. ALTHOUGH RIGHT NOW i'M ON THE LOW END OF MY HORMONE SHOT EVEN SO IT'S A 100 TIMES BETTER THAN PMS. THAT TRIP LOOKED GREAT. I WENT WITH MY FAVORITE PERSON TO BE WITH ON A PADDLEWHEEL RIVER BOAT CRUISE FOR MY B-DAY FROM MEMPHIS TO NEW ORLEANS DOWN THE MISS. RIVER IT WAS WONDERFUL ALSO. I WORK AT A VERY BUSY CASINO SO THE RELAXATION WAS PERFECT FOR ME. LOOKS LIKE YOU HAD AN AWESOME TIME TOO. YOU GO GIRL!!!! YOUR RIGHT ABOUT BEING WITH THE PERSON YOU ENJOY THERE IS NOTHING MORE PLEASING TO ME I DON'T CARE WHAT WE'RE DOING IT'S GREAT.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Suzy.  Chocolate cures so many problems!
Lovish!
Connie

Anonymous said...

Yep, chocolate heals all emotional wounds!

Deb

Anonymous said...

WENT TO THE FRONT PAGE OF JOURNALS AND IT'S REALLY CHANGED AND SO HAVE I TO A NEW JOURNAL OVER HERE FROM ME. JUDY PEARL
I DON'T KNOW IF I LIKE THE NEW MESSAGE BOARD??? MUCH DIFFERENT.
http://journals.aol.com/judypearllove/GardenofJudyPearl/

Anonymous said...

Glad you are feeling better.  I turned by alerts off last week and am doing it the old fashioned way (in my favorites). It was too overwhelming sometimes after a week end away.  Glad you are feeling ok...did you get your dsl up and running?

Anonymous said...

Ohh yes chocolate, the cure all for women and my son! :-)  I'm glad your feeling better.  What you were feeling was perfectly normal though.  I have to also agree this is a great community.

Monica
http://journals.aol.com/sonensmilinmon/SmilinMonsAdventures/

Anonymous said...

Yet another beautiful picture.  I love your thoughts in this entry.  Whenever I read reflective thoughts of another person, it leads me to reflect on things in my own life and that is a wonderful thing to do.
Micheyle
http://journals.aol.com/mommysquiettime/RedFlannelPajamas

Anonymous said...

glad to hear that u are feeling better...i havent been feeling very good lately either...but min i think is fron the change in weather,,,not sure though...and i agre with u about the people in j-land...if i am feelig down all i need to do is read a few jorunals and it brings my mood right back up! i hope u have a nice week at work..

linda
http://journals.aol.com/lindainspokane/LifewithLinny
http://journals.aol.com/lindainspokane/LinnysLuciousLickings

Anonymous said...

Cat's Whiskers! Love the name and the bloom.
Computer stuff can really stress one out. I do my best to keep a lid on all my stress, but it does leak out in the photos sometimes.

Anonymous said...

very pretty flower!  
You're so right about the mix of people here, I've never been good at accepting gifts, compliments, or sometimes just kindness.  I grew up only being given praise for doing something perfectly, it almost broke my heart the first time someone showed me unconditional love.  J-land is a very eye opening place to hang out, I love this little corner;)  Thanks for pointing that out doll!
Take care and take it easy,
xoxo~Bernadette

Anonymous said...

yes, chocolate cures anything!  The photo in your last entry reminded me of an ultrasound, so in a way, it was positive along with being dark....anyway, I love reading other journals here, and have no idea who the self absorbed ones are, LOL...wonderful photo of the flower, pretty!

~JerseyGirl
http://journals.aol.com/cneinhorn/WonderGirl

Anonymous said...

We all have breakdowns, woman.  I feel like you too -- usually guilty when I leave entries like that.  But it's good for us to read them... honesty, humanity, the good and the bad.. that's what this is about.  And it makes people like me feel LESS guilty when I know that others do it too.  LOL  

Anonymous said...

PMS & stress are NOT FUN! Especially when combined! I'm happy that you felt you could rant. : )
LOL@ The grandiose comment....You crack me up! : )
Happy Friday, Coy!!! ~Ann