Positive happenings

Well I think the first thing to make note of is that it is 11:30 at night. I went to my first spoken word at a coffee house tonight and stupid me had caffeine. Good news is I have found time to blog. Bad news...Can't sleep and I have to get up at 5AM tomorrow morning. Ugh! Thank god for caffeine...boy am I sick.

Anyway, this blog is not about the intricacies of my caffeine habit, rather a fresh little update on some of the positive things that have happened. Mainly that I have had some great conversations with friends, my foul attitude has dropped and I am seeing the good, not what is missing, in things. Oh yeah, hello, I attended an amazing Enneagram workshop this weekend and learned more about my spiritual, personal growth.

BTW, the spoken word thing was a goal of mine to go once a week for the month of November to see if it is something I would be interested in participating in. I also thought it would be a good place to meet cool people to connect with - go me!

So, first off, I have had some really great relaxed phone conversation with Greg and they have gone very well. I have felt listened to and engaged with him more than I have in a while. And, it came from just being in the moment and not focusing on what is missing. See, my Enneagram personality type is the Type 4 which tends towards envy, melancholy and puts attention towards what is missing. So, when I can relax that and be in the moment I can see things for what they have and are, not for what they don't have and aren't. This is a good thing for me.

It happened with a lunch with another friend this past week as well. And, typically this friend can talk a lot and be very draining. At our last lunch I just relaxed, didn't worry about things and the conversation went great.

One of the pieces of advice that Greg gave me was to right down the positive things from experiences I was having. It was a nice exercise and here is what I came up with...

I went to lunch with Jeff today and here are three positives:

1. He gave me a very nice compliment saying that he was very impressed with all the things I do in my life to stay active and seek growth!
2. He also sees a spiritual director at the Casa (Franciscan Renewal Center) and we discussed his experiences and I am now even more looking forward to my appt. It sounds just like what you and Janis have experienced.
3. We had a nice back and forth conversation and it was almost equal in terms of conversation, questions and energy. I left energized this time! =)

AND

I had book club last night and I am reporting back on three positive things about the evening:

1. We had a very nice conversation about the book which included some in depth character analysis which I enjoy.
2. We all laughed a lot b/c Peter brought a short story written by Woody Allen that was based on Madame Bovary. It was very funny and I laughed like I have not laughed in a while =)
3. I brought my Enneagram book and read them the negative aspects of a Type 4 b/c, without a doubt, Madame Bovary is a Type 4. As I was reading it was uncanny how much she fit the bill - really amazing actually - of a Type 4 in very negative, self destructive behavior. Anyway, it was nice to share that.
   

Which reminds me, one of the other positive things I have done is to make an appt with a Spiritual Director. Sort of like a therapist but one that will help combine behavior therapy with spriritual wisdom and council. I am not Christian at all but I do believe we are all connected in the universe to everyone and everything. I believe that connection can carry positive or negative energy and I want to work to connect to the positive energy.

That leads to the Enneagram. Phew, that is a big subject and I think I am getting tired. I am going to complete this blog with the theme that I am feeling positive and balanced and I like being there. Thanks for listening =)