Tag Archives: Monthly Review

Welcome to my monthly collection of interesting articles, books, and resources plus a mini-monthly review.

Outstanding Articles and Books

• Let’s Talk Depression with Chris Brogan
• 5 Key Lessons in Simplicity from Gandhi, the Ultimate Minimalist
• 147 Meals Later
• A Clutter Life:  Middle Class Abundance
• 5 Wishes
• Death Cafes Grow As Places to Discuss, Learn About End of Life
• A Catalouge of Meaning:  Finding the Thread of Meaning in Your Life Experiences
• Give Water
• Trusting Life
• Starting Over:  Working Through Pain and Developing Inner Strength
• Lose the Crap = Don’t Take the Crap
• Hopelessness
• 28 Days of Love:  A Current of Energy
• Finding True North
• Love Yourself First:  21 Day Love Challenge

I read voraciously in February, motivated in particular by a wish to heal my back.

• Emma Jean’s Bad Behavior by Charlotte Rains Dixon
• Treat Your Own Back by Robin McKenzie
• Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by John E. Sarno, M. D.
• Healing Anger:  The Power of Patience from a Buddhist Persepctive by the Dalai Lama

The Heart of February:  Listen

Writing a brief monthly review helps me to celebrate my accomplishments and stay focused on what really counts.  Sharing my review may inspire you to be more intentional too.

I couldn’t help but listen when my back “went out” and disabled me for several days.  Indeed, I began to appreciate what listening truly means.

You can use your will to keep going despite being ill.  It might work for awhile, even for years.  But, in the end, you will just be depleted and suffer more.  I know; pushing myself was my forté.  Taking time to listen to your body will help you stay in balance and keep you from falling into unnecessary health traps like I did.

At the same time, the body is listening to you.  What are you communicating to your body?  Impatience?  Disrespect?  Love?  Care?

We express our love and affection for others through listening and making them the center of our attention as they orbit through our day and our life.  Are you present and tuned in to others or distracted by your own litany of thoughts and emotions?  If you feel lacking in love, experiment with being present to yourself and others.

The Earth Element in Chinese Medicine represents the nurturing and receptive qualities of life, which, in my mind, connect to listening as well.  This took me to reflecting upon listening to the Earth.  In Oceans of Sorrow, Islands of Grief, we see the impact of not listening on a global scale.

Listening requires centering within oneself – open, receptive, and seeing clearly.  These qualities are often neglected in the forceful, active, busy doing that dominates modern life.

Listening!  It has so many profound ramifications, don’t you think?

From a work perspective, February wins as a perfect month.  Two new writing and editing clients magically appeared on my landscape.  All the more reason to listen at all levels and learn how to better pace myself.

The heart of February arrived in March because I slowed down!

Flavor of the Month:  Under the weather, over the top.

How was February for you?  What did you learn this past month?  How does listening or not listening impact your life? Let us know in the comments.

I’m so glad you are here!  If you liked this article, please consider subscribing for free updates by email.  With love, Sandra