I used to worry about repeating myself, but I’ve learned to let go of that.
Yesterday, I repeated the steps of a new (and helpful) habit:
- Recognizing I’m having feelings of depression, anxiety, or stress,
- Reaching out (even if that seems risky),
- Expressing myself (including writing about it here),
- Allowing room for help in return,
- Taking action(s) I know will be helpful, even if they seem (oddly) difficult to do (for example., repeating the action of calling a plumber who hasn’t called me back), and
- Feeling better, letting go of judgment about my process.
Thanks to all those in the world-o-sphere and in the blog-o-sphere (which has its own kind of plumbing) who helped me along with that, yesterday.
Here are some phrases I love repeating to people:
- “No need to apologize.”
- There’s no right or wrong way to do this.”
- “There’s room for all feelings.”
- “All of you is/are welcomed here.”
- “You have all the time you need (believe it or not).”
- “The secret to life is three things: (1) show up, (2) be gentle, and (3) tell the truth.”
- “What do other people think?”
Here are a few of the many things I hear other people repeat, on their own, in therapy groups, to each other:
- “Let it go.”
- “I’ve had a similar experience.”
- “You did the best you could.”
- “I’m grateful for you.”
I’m assuming I’ve repeated some aspects of this post before, and I shall now quote the title of a post draft I wrote on 4/4/13,* four months after I started this daily blog:
Day __: Am I repeating myself? Who cares!
Here are some photos from yesterday. Perhaps some of them will seem like I’m repeating myself. I’m not.
At the risk of repeating myself in my music introductions here, I heard this song yesterday, as I walked to work:
(“It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry,” from the album Super Session with Al Kooper, Steven Stills, and Mike Bloomfield, found here on YouTube)
Here’s another version of Bob Dylan’s “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry”:
(YouTube video found here of “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry,” written by Bob Dylan, performed by Dylan and George Harrison, at The Concert for Bangladesh)
Here’s something else I like to repeat: Any questions?
Many, many, many, many thanks to all who repeat themselves in any way, which would include Al Kooper, Steven Stills, Bob Dylan, everyone else who helped with the creation of this post, and you, of course!
* I love dates that repeat the same number for the month and the year, like 4/4/13. Any guesses why?
Some repetition is healthy. I love repeating my favorite music!
I love repeating my favorite music too, Emilie! Your repeat visits to my blog are very healthy for me, too.
It must be the November ennui!
Like this one — :There’s room for all feelings.” Love it!
No matter how many times I repeat the November ennui, Louise, I forget that it’s a factor. I love your helpful reminders.
Glad you reached out when you needed it yesterday! Have a great day!
Hey, Kate! Thanks for reaching out here.
“Don’t the moon look good, mama
Shinin’ through the trees?
Don’t the brakeman look good, mama
Flagging down the “Double E?””
You earned a double E for Excellent with this post, Ann. Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions, which are useful reminders for me and probably for most of us.
(And that was a pic of a really grape cat!)
Thanks for this grape comment, with all the great praise. By the way, the cat was in the photo for scale, to demonstrate how INCREDIBLY HUGE those seedless grapes are. Eeeeee!
Dylan is the champion of repeating himself never the same way twice Ann, and you will be very good at that, too. I know you know exactly what I mean. Also: don’t think twice, it’s alright.
Good job getting it out yesterday, my friend. Great job.
I notice you how never repeat yourself either, friend Mark; you just keep getting better.
Thank you, my friend Ann. That I can say again and again.
Life is a never-ending chain of repetitions… Great post dear Ann.
BTW, what do you think of my birth date: 16661 (16th of June, 1961) ?
Hugs,
Heila
I love the birthdate, this comment, and you, Heila!
You are soooooo sweet.
Hello, I just wanted to inform you that I had to close my old blog “Panic Yesterday” wich you indly followed. If you would like to follow or just visit my new blog, please click ont he link http://cecilia1964.wordpress.com/
I wish you a very nice day!
I just visited and followed. I look forward to more stardust on my shoulder.
Thank you so much Ann! I appreciate it!
Ann…. It’s me Omar … I very much like to talk to u about ur Iceland piece
Ann… I don’t know if u r reading this but please contact me when u get a chance… I want to talk about iceland
Hey, Omar. It was great to meet you today, and I look forward to introducing you, via photo, to readers of this blog, very soon. I wonder what you want to tell me about Iceland?
My favorite “repeat to myself” these days is sourced elsewhere, but I also claim it: “What YOU think of me is none of my business.” Now, I presume you know that isn’t directed to you, Ann. LOL! I need this little mantra frequently. I’m a dyed-in-the-wool people pleaser and need to frequently remind myself that I don’t need to make everyone else happy.
What a great thing to repeat! To please myself (and nobody else) I’m going to try that one. Many thanks!
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