Good morning everyone;

Todays reading is about learning to enjoy life, recognizing the instinct to isolate ourselves as rooted in fear, and being willing to see that we can choose a restart on our day at any time.

The writer describes a childhood that included being shamed for acting like a child and not doing anything well enough.  The result was learning to be afraid to attempt to do anything.  The default began to be staying home and filling a void with food, television and books. Then comes the simple sentence that rings with profundity: Yet I know if I do what Ive always done, Ill get what Ive always gotten.  I read this and thought about how so many times I have been incredulous that there is some pattern of behavior, yet Ive done nothing to alter it.  And still I am surprised with the same results!  It also made me think about that idea that expectations can be disappointments waiting to happen. But more than anything, this sentence and todays reading has me thinking about a focus on what is my part in this.   The writer goes on to acknowledge that we have choices throughout the day and can restart a practice of finding the fun and lightness in our present lives at any time.

This reading had me thinking about how easy it is to retreat to our own worlds.  I know that if there is a situation that is nagging at me, or something I dont really want to deal with- rather than face it head on it is much nicer to isolate and make my own world a bit smaller. Repeating that pattern makes for an awfully small world though, and can limit to a great extent how we interact with others. 
The thought for the day gives us two good jumping off points: Anticipating enjoyment is a good way to begin my day. If I lose my place, Ill remember I can start my day over at any time.

I hope everyone enjoys a peaceful Sunday:)

Mary