When Abstinence becomes Indulgence.

 I have mastered the art of indulgence and rarely chosen, or adhered to, abstinence. So I used my ability to twist things around in order to make sense of it all and asked myself how to make abstinence an indulgence?

Instead of indulging an insatiable appetite The Captain and I have abstained from re-filling our plates with 'left overs' and started indulging a desire to be healthier and happier.

Abstaining from late night television and cuddling on the sofa means we have indulged in more sleep and better moods.

Abstaining from pasta and potatoes means we  have indulged in more colourful vegetables, beans and salads.

Abstaining from sugar has re-introduced fruit as a naturally sweet indulgence.

Abstaining from extra salt means indulging in herbs and spices.

Abstained from spoiling each other with immobilising treats, indulge in long walks in the forest.

Abstain from back hunching hours on the computer, indulge in lengthening stretches that give birth to long forgotten endorphins. .

Abstain from a sedative lifestyle, indulge in skipping ropes and racing heart beats.

Abstain from wasting money, save instead for indulgent holidays.

Abstain from talking too much, indulge in words of new stories you hear.

Abstain from controlling, indulge in spontaneity, at times it's the other way round.

Abstain from criticising  yourself and begin to indulge a desire to be loved - by you.

***

The Captain saw 14 shooting starts last night, I asked him if he wished my wish, be fit. He answered if that will make you happier then I wished it 14 times.

***

This from the man that  loves decadent meals.

Me: What, no cheese?
Him: Not today.

***

Me: I bought you a present.
Him: Chocolate?
Me: No. A skipping rope.
Him: *finds you tube clip on how to skip rope - starts skipping*
Me: *Wipes dust off my rope.*

***

This from the Captain, after a night shift, whose favourite dock has always been his own bed.

Me:  It's windy and raining, perfect day to spend in bed.
Him:  Mmm - I'll make you a coffee but you have to be dressed by 11.00. We're going for a walk.

Complaining is an indulgence I might just abstain from too.

T is for transmute. Healing with words. Day 20. #atozchallenge.

transmute |transˈmyoōt; tranz-|verbchange in form, nature, or substance

It happened yesterday afternoon when I saw the solar panels on some old houses on the hill. My reflex reaction 'they look shiny and ugly. They don't fit.' Too modern in an environment where roofs were once thatched on houses that inspire fairytales. It will look like a scene from a regulated and uniform future.

My reaction grew into a story, about a man who once thought those same brick and wood beam houses with high pitched roofs, were just modern and ugly. Those same ugly houses that make this city one of the most charming sites in Denmark

Those same ugly houses with windows shining like stage lights when the sun reflects off them. Those same ugly houses that capture imaginations, when every hillside is covered in snow, mini havens with christmas lights twinkling, during long Northern winters.

Carved into the hillside on the most beautiful Fjord in Denmark, opposite one of the prettiest (and only) forests, on a land that has been savagely reaped. It is progress, all the houses have a view and every house can be seen, what was once hideous, soon becomes adorable.

The last time I wanted to write a story based on a simple reaction was over 12,000 days ago.  Last night before I fell asleep I met some new characters, this morning they were gone, but something has shifted.

I'm a reader and a writer, about 6000 days ago I stopped writing a journal, old thoughts became repetitive, new thoughts were venom to my ego, so I stopped thinking them.  

Maybe it's the the inspiring lessons and creations, from the hundreds of blogs I have been reading, or maybe it's just the right time.  All I know for now, is that I have some posts to finish before this April, AtoZ blogging challenge is over. I don't know what to expect, come what may, a passion has awakened.

***

Thanks shop and fun

The book, Animal medicine teaches that snake represents transmutation: There are other sources that I have long since given away or forgotten. I suggest if you are drawn to animals, or a particular animal, learn what you can about their behaviour - Are you more of a night owl or springbok?

- Snake is the symbol of modern medicine, it is equally worshiped and demonised throughout the world, a hunter and the hunted.

- Shedding skin is symbolic of transmutation.  As the skin starts to shift, snakes eyes become cloudy and they can't see properly. They attack their own shadows (and people they come into contact with). As their skin sheds their vision becomes clearer, energy re-kindled. It's still the same snake with a new outer casing, more room to grow and a whole new perspective.

- Antidote for a venomous snake bite is made from the same venom, we are our own antidote.

***

Has your passion been ignited lately? What do you do if a story comes to you, while your falling asleep? 

***

Find out how I chose my theme by reading the intro blog at A-Z challenge list. Words of change.  Please add more words to the list in the comments - and with gratitude, I'll link your words back to you.

Two days to go. Copenhagen, theatre and drama.

Two days to go till the A-Z blogging Challenge  begins.  Check out my A-Z challenge - words of change - list here.  I've managed to write and schedule my first four posts - what a relief.  I will be going to Copenhagen for a few days in April, to see this years, Wallmans Show in the Circus building, it's a yearly tradition we have with the Captains parents,  it includes lots of 'festivities', and it's hard to keep up with Danes when they are being festive.  It's nice to know I'm a little ahead of schedule.

Hopefully I will get a couple more posts done over the weekend.  My only problem is that having my words sitting there waiting to be published, makes me want to edit and delete a lot.  I am really trying to keep every post at around 400 words.  If I can drop that down to 200 even better, but it's not easy.  When those memories start flowing, the stories start growing.  The point of this exercise, for me, is to find a style and voice I am comfortable with, I also want to have some fun in Blog land and connect with other people.

When the whole Internet and chat room phenomena first started I always said I would never make friends with people online because I had enough drama in my real world. I'm amazed at how opposed I can be to the very things I desire most.  It also took me 11 years to realise that the Captain was the perfect man for me.  I am so glad the only theatrics in my life now are in historic buildings with great performers, in places like Wonderful Wonderful Copenhagen.  No more drama's only seasons.

A totally unrelated question but one that keeps popping up for me.  Do you like Captains name?  What do you call your partner?

A-Z challenge list. Words of change.

My little deck of Magic Spirit Cards have been around for a long time. Each card is about the length and width of two fingers, small enough to fit in my hand luggage so they have travelled all over the world with me. I wished they weren't called Magic Spirit Cards, so I created my own decks, called Magic Moments - but I didn't really like that name either.

They are just words, typed on the back of small cards, not tarot cards, but I have used them to do readings, and yearly, weekly or daily meditations.

I have, at times, used them obsessively, to the point of distraction, and frustration too - when I didn't get the word I was hoping for, or worse still - the word I was dreading.

I don't remember where I got them, the only trademark or name on them is a drawing of  a sun with the letter 'e' in it, (I'll post a photo in an update).  I don't know who created them, but whoever it was - Thank You - because they have given me lots of stories.

I use them now for sentimental sake, if I am quiet long enough I know exactly what word to use.

In honour of my Magic Spirit Cards I dedicate my  A-Z challenge blogs to the words that changed me.


The deck has 49 cards remaining in it, and the list already has close to 80 words.  I will choose one from each letter for the challenge in April, and lets just say, I'm pretty pleased that I have fodder for the next few months lying in this list, and I know I will add to it.

Words in black are from the Magic Spirit Card deck.  There are a few letters of the alphabet missing, so the red words fill in the gaps, which I found while trawling the net on this very helpful emotional identifier list.  The green words have been sumbitted in the comments.

I chose positive words that jumped out at me. I will save the negative's for after the challenge. I can see myself referring to this list a lot.

I'm really surprised by the three *** marked words that weren't in the deck,  I must have lost them, or maybe they are bookmarks in some of my favourite books.

Action
Aliveness
Abundance  - A is for Abundance Day one

Beauty
Balance - B is for Balance day 2
Bliss

Courage
Consciousness
Clarity - C is for Clarity Day 3
Communicate
Contentment: submitted by Life is Good

Discovery
Dream - D is for Dream Day 4

Embrace***   E is for Embrace Day 5
Experience
Extraordinary

Forgive
Freedom - F is for Freedom Day 6

Give
Grateful  - G is for Grateful

Harmony
Heart
Humility x 2 - H is for Humility

Intuition I is for Intuition
Imagine
Immaculate
Integrity

Joy- (Joie d' vivre) - 

Knowledge
Kaleidoscope: submitted by Writer-in-transit 

Love
Laughter

Movement
Magic

Nurture
Nifty
Nuance: submitted by Writer-in-transit 

Okay
Open
Ownership

Purpose
Prosperity
Pleasure
Perception
Psyche: submitted by Susan Scott
Phantasmagoric: submitted by Shannon Lawrence at  The Warrior Muse

Quiet***
Question
Quote: Submitted by Susan Scott

Respect
Receive
Responsible
Release 

Simplicity
Spirit
Sexuality
Surrender
Serenity
Sensuality
Success
Synchronicity: submitted by Susan Scott
Serendipity: submitted by Writer-in-transit

Tenderness
Think:  submitted by Hilary Melton-Butcher at Positive Letters...inspirational stories...
Truth
Transmute
Tryst: submitted by Writer-in-transit
To-get-her - Just because it's the working title of the book I'm writing :)

Universal
Understand***


Vivacious
Vibrant: submitted by Writer-in-transit

Willing
Wild
Watchful
Wonder
Warrior: submitted by PV Ariel (Phil)

from xoxo to XD
xanadu
Xerox: submitted by Klahanie

Youthful
Yearning
Yield

Zen 
Zany 
Zealous
Zippy



Please let me know in the comments, if you've got a favourite word (and why), that I can add to the list.




A-Z Challenge List