Time for that annual literary check-in: how am I doing? What am I doing? What haven’t I done yet? Why? Because that’s what I do. Continue reading “51”
Category: Personal
Who Do You Become When You’re Left Alone With Yourself?
I’ve been left alone with myself–like many others–for weeks now and I can’t say that I’ve encountered too many surprises in my moments of introspection. The following is probably too long for you people in a hurry, so the short version is that I’m getting more introverted the longer I stay isolated. Continue reading “Who Do You Become When You’re Left Alone With Yourself?”
The Wearing of Masks
Taking Action for a Better Future Later
I’ve never understood folks who say you can’t plan for the future because the future is beyond our control. While the latter statement might be true, that doesn’t mean you can’t take actions to make the future better. Continue reading “Taking Action for a Better Future Later”
Forced in on Myself
I’m not expecting any great “transformation” or personal insights during this period of enforced isolation. They could happen, mind you, but I’m not expecting or forcing any. What follows are my thoughts about the state of my soul before and during this shared crisis called pandemic. Continue reading “Forced in on Myself”
Taking My Bad News Orally
Updated: In error, I posted that the resorts (hotels) would be closing, too. At present (3/13/2020), the resorts remain open. The parks are scheduled to close Monday, 3/16.
It’s been a little tense here in Orlando this week, culminating last night in the announcement that the two biggest employers/money making enterprises in town–Walt Disney World and Universal Studios–will be closing their theme parks effective Sunday night in response to concerns about this virus/pandemic galloping around the planet. I’m not happy, to put it mildly. Listening to or watching the news makes it worse somehow. Continue reading “Taking My Bad News Orally”
Working on My Inside by Working on My Outside
When I get into a funk, which has been the case off and on lately, I’ll often spend a great deal of time in analysis mode: figuring out what’s going wrong, trying to identify ways to fix it, and setting myself (theoretically) on a path toward healthy thinking. Here’s the thing: despite 30+ years of journaling and time with and without therapists, I’m remarkably bad at fixing myself. However, one thing I am good at doing is setting external goals and then achieving them. This is what I’m preparing to do with my 2020. Continue reading “Working on My Inside by Working on My Outside”
What Are Emotions and What Am I Supposed to Do with Them?
I’ve mentioned a few times before on this blog that I’m a moody person. I’ve not always been thrilled with this trait. Boys/men are taught not to display their emotions (save for a few “acceptable” ones like sternness or anger or mild humor), and I’ve been going against that grain all my life. This morning, in the midst of an early-morning fog, I asked myself a useful question while journal writing: what are emotions? My answer lies below. Continue reading “What Are Emotions and What Am I Supposed to Do with Them?”
Dominant Man
I accidentally encountered Dominant Man while at the Panera today. The members of my own sex continue to irritate me. Dominant Man is a premier example of why. Continue reading “Dominant Man”
Tracking Your Gratitude
Sometime last year, I saw a Facebook meme that suggested creating a “gratitude jar,” where once a week you’d write down one good thing you’re thankful for. I decided to take up the challenge. Here are some of my observations from a year observed via positive Post-It Notes. Continue reading “Tracking Your Gratitude”
The Real Bart Leahy 