peace Archives | Karen Casey

Reflections in the Mirror - You and Yourself

/

July 13, 2010

Are you doing the same old thing expecting a different outcome?

The first time I heard that the definition of insanity was repeating the same behavior, over and over again, expecting different results; I knew my name had been called. I simply had never known I could make an entirely new choice in how I interpreted what others were doing or saying. Nor did I understand that I could choose a decidedly different response to the data presented to me. My learning curve was steep, I must say. How lucky I feel that my journey was to include the 12 step path. It's nice to be able to acknowledge that I have grown with the help[...]

What I Believe - You and Your Higher Power

/

June 27, 2010

We are where we're supposed to be. . .

I find great relief in this idea. I guess it's because I have had many experiences throughout my early life that made little sense at times. Simply putting my "unbelief" in the idea aside, as was suggested to me by a woman much wiser than myself a few years ago, opened the door to a whole new way to experience life. Now I feel great waves of peace just knowing that whom ever I need to meet, I will. What ever I need to learn will come my way. That the life tapestry I am weaving is divinely ordained. Does this seem farfetched to you when you look at your[...]

What I Believe - You and Your Higher Power

/

June 20, 2010

The joy of unexpected outcomes. . .

My family has been here visiting all week. There was a time in my life that I'd have been overwhelmed by anxiety over what could go wrong; how discussions could go awry; how to control the always uncontrollable when it comes to other people, the weather, the news cycles that could lead to tension and on and on. When I face this honestly, in the far distant past (from childhood on) I was always on pins and needles trying to control what could never be controlled. I still want "to go there" some times, but I have learned that that door is closed! Tight. And I[...]

Circle of Family and Friends - You and Your Personal Community

/

March 22, 2010

Detaching with love seems like an oxymoron to some. . .

When I first heard the suggestion to detach from another person, I interpreted it to mean to sever all ties, all communication. Considering it was a relationship partner I was supposed to detach from, I found the suggestion out of the question. What I had failed to understand at that time and frankly, for many months to come, was that detachment didn't mean to literally turn my back on some one. But rather to shield my emotions from the behavior of others. To let others do whatever they did without my own emotions jumping on their roller-coaster. It wasn[...]

Karen's Musings

/

October 12, 2009

Speaking of peace. . .

I was in Seattle at a conference when I heard that Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize. I was thrilled for him and our country. And then I began to hear a lot of grumbling from politicos on all sides. I was struck, once again, by the lack of civility we covet. Why would we not, why should we not, be happy for the honor offered to a man who is choosing to make a difference in how myriad cultures react to one another. Whether one is democrat or republican, and there were naysayers from both parties, it's time to lay aside our criticisms, I think, and seek,[...]

What I Believe - You and Your Higher Power

/

September 16, 2009

A new day, a new opportunity. . .

Letting yesterday go, whether it was a wonderful day or one that tripped us up, is the only way we can experience the joys that await us today. This is not an easy transition for many of us. For decades I lived in the past, feeling sorry for myself and judging everyone for their part in my anguish; or in fear of the future. When I first heard the slogan: One Day At A Time, I scoffed. My life was too important to live just for this next 24 hours! And now I relish this slogan and gather in the peace it offers me every day. As a little card I picked up at[...]