I am very grateful that I eventually learned I didn’t have to respond to every thing that was said. Or even any thing that was said. The decision to say nothing, regardless of the inclination to be engaged, was a mere thought away. I only wish I had learned it sooner. Fortunately I did learn it before my father died. The last few years of his life were far more peaceful for bot[...]
2 I'd have to say that the first forty years of my life were primarily focused on the actions of those people I walked among. And I wasn't even conscious of it. It was simply who I was. It was how I had always lived. What ever you said defined how I believed too, in that moment. I saw no problem with this. Not having "a life of my own" wasn't of much concern. I came to the realiz[...]
We make our lives far more complicated than they need to be. Do we think moving through the many phases of our life requires complexity if we want to "show others" how important we are? That has the ring of truth to it, I think. But the "actual truth," as I have come to understand it, is the opposite of that. Very definitely the opposite of that. Perhaps aging has changed my p[...]
At an AA meeting this morning the topic of balance was suggested. I have always felt that my life was pretty well balanced. I exercise. I eat well. I have many friends, a great relationship with my husband, and my work life is very satisfying. However, I am also exploring the idea of working less. How would that feel? Must I always be busy? In past years I'd say yes. I ne[...]
(In case you have not read the preceding post, I am projecting out twenty years and looking back on what my life was like.) Dear Karen, Your decision to assign participants in a workshop in 2013 to look back on their lives from a future point was fortuitous. As you might recall, you were contemplating your own "next phase," wondering if slowing down was really what you wanted to do[...]
I've made reference to this idea in other blogs, certainly in talks I have given over the years, and in simple, very ordinary conversations with friends. It's an idea that isn't original with me. I'm not even sure it was original with Earnie Larson, but he's the man I heard say it ever so many decades ago. At the time he said it, I had no idea how relevant the idea was becoming to m[...]
WE NEVER NEED TO FEEL HOPELESS. ONE’S HIGHER POWER IS ALWAYS PRESENT. There are innumerable personal situations that can cause creeping hopelessness. You have been diagnosed with a terminal illness with only months to live or a parent dies unexpectedly. Maybe your troubled teenager is on the run again and you feel you have no where to turn. The job you have loved for years suddenly g[...]
Karen Casey Writing Workshop The Past is Never Really Past: Following the Thread of our Life September 13-15, 2013 Friday 7-9 • Saturday 8:45-4 • Sunday 8:45-12 at the FRESH Renewal Center in Augusta, MO Our present is the accumulation of past experiences, but quite often seen with greater clarity and a willingness to share what we have learned with others[...]
Getting Unstuck is the title of one of my newest books. It's a book that called to me. Actually, I'd have to say that every book I have written, all 27 of them, called to me; but this one felt like the icing on the cake of how to live more peacefully in our relationships. That's my primary goal in life now. I want to treat others always in a kind, gentle way because that's how I want[...]
I turned 74 last week. Yikes!! I have been sober exactly half my age. And I can't begin to account for all that has happened on my journey of 74 years. I can assure you much of it wasn't according to my plan! And how lucky I am that my plan was thwarted by God more than 37 years ago. I'd not be alive to write this blog if I had had my way. As a matter of fact, God tried to get[...]