Thursday, May 10, 2012

What I Learned in Summer Camp

 







 Safe and Sound

are only words until they're gone.  If we're lucky, they'll come back
 and give us another chance at understanding what they are.
Silly humans.

Every now and then I imagine myself at some later time, talking about this particular 'processing'  period.   I'm not sure when this imagined future is, but in it, I don't feel lost and most of the things I'm struggling with have been figured out.   I'm not sure when I labeled my present  as 'summer camp,' but there it is.  I can write home while I'm here, but not with perspective.  Perspective has to come on its own time.  Still, I think I'm getting somewhere with this one, about sleeping safe and sound.   I only now begin to understand what I lost when my own spaces were violated.  And how fortunate I am to be on the mend. Or even to have ever felt safe in the first place.
And I've decided, learning this, to cut myself a little slack. I'm not going to exempt this exam and I might need an extra pencil.

  Maybe you've gone through something and you're plowing through and soldiering on, assuming that functional means sanity, patting yourself on the back for being brave, for pushing your hurt aside so you can do a good job, be a good parent, finish one more project. You're determined to out-think, out-run and out-perform after a shake up. All that's admirable, but maybe not so realistic.  These unexpected life events change us profoundly and sometimes all it takes is to acknowledge their importance.  That we're change by them is part of what makes us human and that, as humans, we're going to be lost sometimes.  It's our nature.  Don't forget to be kind to yourself during the transitions.  It's when you'll need it most.  Remind yourself that you won't stay lost.  Because, you won't.




 











 

6 comments:

Kelly said...

And I've decided, learning this, to cut myself a little slack. I'm not going to exempt this exam and I might need an extra pencil.

You're a riot.

And, you're right on.

I can't help but think I needed to read this tonight. Funny how humans are so interconnected without even being totally aware. I'm off to call my friend and read this to her now.

Take care of yourself, Lisa, and I'll try to do the same.

Phaedrus2 said...

"I don't feel lost and most of the things I'm struggling with have been figured out" I told you I heard it in your voice and by the way you talked. You're in a whole new place.

A poppet sleeping with a knife? mmmm...?

lisa said...

That quote belongs to that future place. I know I'm not there yet. I also know it's not a straight path. Still...moving on it.

Unknown said...

"These unexpected life events change us profoundly and sometimes all it takes is to acknowledge their importance." Ah HA! THIS is the step I missed...oh, and that being kind to yourself part. But now I know... Poppets are much wiser than humans. I must listen to them more often.

Shonna said...

We are indeed the sum of our experiences and true perspective usually requires some distance to be properly seen. Poppets often remind me to be kind to myself and as I travel through my life stretching experiences, and I'm sure they also remind you of that important step often. Safe and sound is a highly maleable concept, and I wish you well as you reshape it to fit. Big hugs from across the ocean.

TerraMystic said...

I've had my reality shaken up in more than a few ways this year. Not only does it impact me, but my family as well...which is not to my liking at all.
Perseverance and lots of coffee seem to be helping-sorta kinda. Poppets are even better.
Love&Hugs to you-
"This too shall pass"