CJ’s Comments (group member since Jan 04, 2022)

CJ’s comments from the Resiliency to get through tough times! (Leadership Support) group.

I have to digress and speak to what I learned in " A Dog's Purpose". Bailey, Bailey, Bailey tells his reincarnation story with many different owners. Some people think that is sad.

But is it? After all, aren't you presenting one part of yourself to your parents, your neighbors, your coworkers (and boss) the grocery clerk...

How many of you have ever smiled at a dog wagging his tail at you? ISNT THAT AN IMPACT? (Snort, you will not dissuade me that the dog doesn't know that when he pushes this button, his human does that)!
I have had a bit of a shock - over the 2 years of Covid, I let my hair grow out so it is about to my waist. Because of my strokes, I have trouble moving my arms up or back. I frequently tie my hair in pig tales in front. I am AMAZED at the compliments I get now- that I never got in 67 years! This comment always gets me recharged during the day, (I haven't cut my hair either,

You have more influence than you think! In fact, if you cannot right now list the many ways to your others! Then you may want to take a moment to buy or check out from the library, a book with the same line as the first line in this paragraph by Vanessa Bohns, to not only learn how this behavior of yours not only leads to missed opportunities but also accidentally misuse our power!!!

Last week, I had a day where nothing went right. It was still a successful day, You see, I was working in a team! We kept each other up, solving the problems as best we could, letting the outcome be what it was - (good enough).

That is what ALL the dogs in Bruce's Books do --work by themselves or as a group (team). It is..."WhatEVER" energy.
So I ask you again.

How do you matter by what you are, or rather - HOW are you having impact on others?
Being aware and CHOOSING - THAT IS LEADERSHIP!

Took so real deep soul searching. Decided I needed an icon to remind me about my answers to challenge Zombie B. Thanks why my favorite icon is Underdog.
When my mom got sick, she took to her bed, getting up less and less, till she died.
The one thing you could count on, was her getting out of bed for the rescued chihuahua who it turned out was pregnant, it wasn't her two daughters or husband.
THAT is what Bruce Cameron's Books are about- humans who have become numb (Zombiefied - ) and the pets who not only help them open their hearts to life, but demonstrate for the humans, the simple (and complex) path to Resiliency in creating new "Norms".

The important thing - is this challenge is really an opportunity. Do we repeat the same mistakes or have we learned? What are we aligning ourselves with? Strife, conflict, hated....? Or Compassion, alignments and giving/receiving...?

Taking about changing worlds! When Bella was removed as a puppy for under the house Her whole life changed! Yah but - its one thing when one is young, how about when old -? (or fill in the blank). We will explore the answers to that later. I only have 10844 characters left.

I will say, that when MY world changed that dramatically, with my first stroke. Well first it took me three weeks to accept that I had a stroke - in spite of teaching about it in my 10,000 cpr/fa classes I taught in 35 years. I did NOT have Belle's wisdom until I was 60 - 5 years with my 4th stroke!

Yes, I am a slow learner - I kept going back to my old norm - not only did it not work, but I had 2 mini-strokes I didn't even know about between the 1st and 4th strokes!

Bella though, did teach me to notice EVERYthing. She didn't judge it, she just back away from what didn't work for her - and walked TOWARD what did!

Economy of effort! THAT is Bella's Way!
See I dont have the boundless energy no more. Yesterday I was a service provider at United Way's Project Connect. At 3 pm I could not hardly walk anymore. I asked for help loading up my truck - (wow, asking is HARD, and a part of learning resiliency). I decided we were going to wait til the ext day to upload, (sigh - I used to work 20 hour days) and just concentrated on driving home safely.
ONE THING AT A TIME - that is Bella's way too! - Right now, what do I need to do?

So Take the time to answer the Zombie questions to have a more rewarding experience on this Book reading list.
One thing I know from twelve years of service through my nonprofit to those having a hard time is people love to take about their pets, and this opens hearts. So if you are a leader, wanting to peone hearts - (even your own) this s gonna be a great place to visit and get support.

By the way, this pandemic affected EVERYONE! I was so caught up in my self-congratulations for how I was helping vulnerable people in Arizona, that I didn't notice my 35 year old nephew was having a hard time. He was one of those survivalist's living in northern Washington State doing logging, who answer with one word...how are you - "fine" kind of people. He committed suicide on New years day saying his family work be better off with someone else (Wife and 2 daughters, 3 and 5).

Bella paid complete attention to everyone she was with. She never accepts "fine"! She checks for herself!... Lesson learned Bella, I won't make that mistake again!!!

We are going to start with "Dog's Way Home", Feb 1, 2022. In the meantime please read this wonderful book and answer the questions to help get ready to be part of the solution to the grieving and loss that may be around you!

I called an old mentor back into my life - Dr Wayne Dyer because I am organizing this Resiliency Book club and I wanted his thoughts.

Wayne, being Wayne didn't roll his eyes, (In my discussion in my head), but he did say that he had left plenty of things recorded and in writing. I had to laugh - we are such children, many times crawling up in a beloved elder's lap saying "read to me", when we can read perfectly well to ourselves.

Today, in my youtube collection -there was a new "suggestion " that I watch Wayne's Movie called "The Shift", made Sept 2015 four months after I had my fourth devastating stroke, and somewhere around the time I was realizing the old me was forever gone and I didn't know who I was without the old me and fighting internal grief big time. (Wayne really has a sense of humor). I realize we need to "shift ourselves". At least I do even now.
Wayne ended the film by talking about Lao Tze's 4 virtues.
1. Revitalize Life - which I am asking everyone to do before helping others.
2 Gentleness (Kindness). Working on it. I am all too ready to react to bullies I see going after others.
3. Synchronicity. Already know my life is nothing but!
4. Supportiveness (Service). the only reason I am hanging around this planet, I woke up this morning, so there must be something for me to do (for others, or even myself)!

Knowing that I am rabid about this Book list serve others and ourselves -no hate or other negative emotions allowed!!!
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