Lauren's Lair: Here be dragons...

[Sephirah]

Yeah that's entirely true, Lori. Moreso for this place than most others, honestly. It's quite... I don't know. I guess there's a reason I've been here for not far off two decades. For all the ills of online spaces and the toxicity you sometimes get... Susan's has always been a beacon for people who... well... people who embody the good in the world. The understanding and kindness and gentleness that is sometimes lost. This place is a beacon for the vulnerable and the lost people in the world. There's hurt but there's also healing. There's hope and there's heart. In a world of cruelty, sometimes you need an oasis of kindness. If only to show that it isn't all dark and empty.

I thank all of you for that. You all give people a reason to go on. Even if you don't realise it.

[Sephirah]

That's the way, Lauren! I think pushing toward something you want is always better than not doing it because it might not work out - but I'm almost always a journey-over-destination person. Even if you didn't end up where you hoped you would when you started, you would at least learn a lot along the way. And you just might wind up better off than you dared imagine.

If you play the game from your heart, you win no matter what happens. I'm happy to see you making that commitment to yourself.

Welcome back.

Thank you, Pema. You are right. I don't know where this will end up because there are a lot of conditionals. But sometimes you have to just say screw it and stop trying to convince yourself why you can't do something. I would be the world's biggest hypocrite to try to tell people to live to their fullest, if I didn't do the same. Physician, heal thyself!

<3

[Lori Dee]

sometimes you have to just say screw it and stop trying to convince yourself why you can't do something.

When in school for hypnotherapy certification, we learned about negative self-talk and what a profound influence it has on our lives. I decided right then that I would no longer admit that I can't do something.

I began reframing my thoughts from "I can't do that" to "How can I do that?". That tells the mind that it is possible, and all I need to do is figure out how to make it happen.

Now, that is how I approach every problem... well, that and a lot of bacon. 

[Sephirah]

When in school for hypnotherapy certification, we learned about negative self-talk and what a profound influence it has on our lives. I decided right then that I would no longer admit that I can't do something.

I began reframing my thoughts from "I can't do that" to "How can I do that?". That tells the mind that it is possible, and all I need to do is figure out how to make it happen.

Now, that is how I approach every problem... well, that and a lot of bacon. 

Bacon is the spice of life. I've recently discovered how to do bacon and egg on toast in my air fryer (one of the greatest inventions ever). I am ever so slightly addicted. Although it's likely among the most unhealthy of things you ever ate, it's also among the most addictive, lol.

I have lost a whole bunch of weight lately because of stuff I am trying to deal with. So I don't feel too bad about being a bit of a glutton. When I feel like eating.

[Lori Dee]

So I don't feel too bad about being a bit of a glutton. When I feel like eating.

All things in moderation.

I recently saw a story about a woman who was 105 years old, still gardens, and stays mentally active doing word puzzles. When asked her secret to long life, she said she has no clue! She smokes a few cigarettes a day and has a glass of bourbon each night before bed. She smiled and said, "That must be it. It must be the bourbon." 

[Sephirah]

All things in moderation.

I recently saw a story about a woman who was 105 years old, still gardens, and stays mentally active doing word puzzles. When asked her secret to long life, she said she has no clue! She smokes a few cigarettes a day and has a glass of bourbon each night before bed. She smiled and said, "That must be it. It must be the bourbon." 

Hah, that's awesome. Maybe I need to take up smoking and drinking.