The Next

Hey, gang! Welcome to my life – where anything is possible and nothing is as it seems. I’m Freedom and I’ll be your host, coming at you from within the depths of Geistopia. 

DOC: Velcum To My Life ees a prochect, un experiment in Life unt ART. A living storyboard, if you will. Its premise ees zat life ees experiential, unt zat you can, unt do, experience ze life you choose. It ees based on Ze Veel of Life unt Ze ARTs for Ze New Millennium as life building tools. Ja, it’s true! 

WALT: Welcome to my Life is a Geist…House Players Production, in association with the Center for Creative Inspirationalism. JustUs Productions, the parent company, would like to give a ‘Shout-Out’ to the following for their ongoing, and oft-times unknowing, inspiration and support:

Princess Cuddlebug

Princess Sunshine

Company

The Shaman

The Pillar

F’n Bob

The Entire Putt-Putt-Putter Clan

The Warden

FaeriePrincess

Professor Siggy Chong

Sparky Wentz-eclaus

The VanMan and General Ralph Glossop, and Craze (may they R.I.P.)

The Messengers of The Galactic Federation

 Looch

BJ & The Bull

Ace

Bert-On

The Baker of the Cornbread

Andy Pandy

The Mudder

Wilson

Zason

St. Diane & You (5)

Brother John & Sister Jen

The Bee Man

Spooky Queen

Boom-Boom Snuffbox

The Nameless One

Tim-Bo

The Mayor & The Turkey Man

The Rox

PDT

Sir Richard Slouch

The Wix-ians

The Socialite

The Village of Idiots

Piz-Niffer

Dancing Queen

Downtown Encyclopedia Brown

Chicken Witch

Dick Pointer

Soup, the Son

The Legendary Pink Elephants

Baby-Mama Rabbit

Wisconsin Belle

The Babes

Aaaand, of course, a very generous sponsor who (not-so-much) wishes to remain anonymous.

It is…Sunday, February 2, Two-Thousand and Twenty-Jive. Time...Expanding

Theme – Think & It Is Given

 When I jotted this down I had 2 examples in my head. Of course, I didn't jot those down and now, as I sit to write, I can only remember 1. Sometime in the last week I had thought to myself that I needed to get some information on trash collection. Specifically, I needed better understanding of the holiday schedules. I goofed after Martin Luther King. Then, in the mail, I received a brochure of information from the waste company. It had the holiday schedule for the year. It also had updated recycling information. There was all sorts of information about cans and materials and grass pickups and oversized items. It even had information on where to get more information. Basically, it answered all my questions (And Then Some.)

Lesson – If You Can't Say Anything Nice

I'm finding this more in politics at the moment. I am not a fan of our new President. Not even slightly. But I need to just Observe and be aware - counter things in silence. Even though I stand firm and strong in all I think and believe, I am not doing any good by projecting it into the world. I could argue that I am and there would be validity in such an arguement. But, in The Grand Scheme of things, it accomplishes no good. This can be true of anything or anyone you might speak out against. It feels good at the time. It seems rational and fair. But it serves no real purpose.

Observation – It's All So Temporary

We can start with the "darker" end of this. Life itself is so temporary. It's easy to live it as if it goes on forever, or even to some acceptable time, but it is temporary. We never know just how temporary. Everything within our lives is temporary to some degree or another. Jobs are temporary - whether you quit, get fired, or retire. Temporary. Relationships are temporary - the dynamics change, lives go in different directions, people die. Temporary. However, my Observation was based on less drastic things. I was thinking about all the things I got or bought for this healing journey I am on. Or things I moved around my house to make things easier. I got a walker [and a tray for it.] I am pretty much done with the walker now. I got one of those picker-upper things to avoid bending to pick up. I almost never use it now. I brought a stool in from the shop for use in the kitchen. I just took it back out after it sat on the porch for two weeks. [after not having been used for like three.] All so temporary. Short lived. Struggles are temporary. Even successes eventually fade away.

The Post

I'm satisfied with my week. Like every week it had its ups and downs, and twists and turns. I mean, not a whole lot can go on when you're confined to your home, but enough happens.

If it weren't for the little bit of notes I took, so much of the week would be Once Upon Ago. I did a lot of pushing this week. Pushing to keep up with my routines. Pushing to get projects done. Pushing to manage all of my WTML commitments.

Likewise, I had quite a bit of downtime. There were days when I couldn't do much at all. And there were days, like yesterday, when I worked for a bit then sat for a bit. Yesterday I would work for a while - until I felt I couldn't go anymore - then I would sit and play some game until I felt recharged or restless.

I was thoroughly content with how the day played out.

I cleaned out some kitchen drawers, cleaned and organized the Spirit Room, tackled a few smaller projects along the way, washed my bedding, started planning and plotting my tasks in the shop, and all throughout the week I kept up with the general housekeeping stuff.

I'm comfortable with my cycles. They seem to be falling into place perfectly. There is a natural rhythm to the exercises, the daily tasks, the projects. That's just on a daily basis. There is a sort of ebb and flow to my weeks that seems to have developed as well. They each do their own thing - with crests and valleys of energy and momentum. Each week seems to bring itself to rest comfortably in my weekend.

I noticed this week, as I recognized Imbolc, that even my Season Cycles are tilting in the right direction. Between work schedules and living conditions, I have just never been able to get on track with my Season Cycles. For example, Winter should be time for taking care of indoor projects - cleaning, reorganizing, clearing out, fixing. Everything on which I have been focused lately falls into these categories. I'm tweaking The Homestead into place so when weather is warmer I can focus on outdoor things - crafting, the yard, the beds, and such. I've just never been able to settle into that for all these years. It's always been chaotic.

Honestly, if I hadn't had the stroke I probably still wouldn't be getting it done.

I had my first appointment with the neurologist this week. One thing that came out of that was that she wants me to see an optometrist. There's just the slightest of blind spots. [Of course, this was all checked without glasses. So just those alone could fix things.)

The other big thing was that my blood pressure was high. VERY high. Though she did express some relief when she learned that I haven't had my medication for 3 weeks. "That would explain it," she said.

So, she renewed my prescriptions for me and I must check my blood pressure daily until I go to my new PCP at the end of the month. [It has tempered out slightly sine I'm back on meds.]

Therapies are going good. I had my mid-way assessment for Physical Therapy and the research project. There is noticeable improvement in my walking. I still have work to do but there is improvement.

The Occupational Therapy has been a little harder to gauge. There is slow progress. My swelling has gone down. I can open my fingers all the way - which I couldn't do before. I have a bit more range of motion with my arm and the discomfort in my shoulder has been subsiding.

For as much improvement as there has been it's still not enough for me. I still can't return to work. I continue to struggle with so many things. I'm not quitting though. In fact, I'm going to push more.

I'm going to push to do my exercises and add to them. I'm going to push to do more tasks. Push to use my arm and hand as much as possible - even if I don't have to or wouldn't normally. I'm even pushing to get a bit of normalcy back into my life.

At the end of PT on Thursday, we checked my ability to get in and out of the tub. I want to soak so bad. I need it so bad. Now their tub was about twice as deep as mine so the challenges would not be the same. There would still be some challenges though.

I'm also going to get tested to see if I can drive again. I'm not looking to drive like I was. I know that is too much. But if I could get myself to and from appointments that would be great. Most of them are within 10-15 from the house.

I said that Imbolc would be my next marker - that I'd know more. I don't know how much more I know.

I know healing is happening - on all levels - but it is happening very slowly.

I know my life is shifting but I don't know how or what.

I know that even if life returns to "normal" and I go back to delivery driving I need to do something different - work different hours, earn extra money...something. I don't know what I can do differently and still survive.

Someone asked me this week how I can keep my Faith even with all my challenges. I always say that it's easy to have Faith when things are good. It's during the challenges that you actually need Faith. Things have a way of working out in the long run, even if in the moment they seem to be moving backwards. I have to believe that this, like everything else, is leading me to my destination. All I can do is follow along the best I can. Release my attachments to money and things and the past and the future and healing or not. Keep my head clear, my heart pure, and my intentions strong. Take care of things as they are before me - not too soon, not too late.

Randomness from the week that I would use as a sort of validation of these feelings. The Universe is always several steps ahead of you. The Father Knows What You Need Before You Need It.

One of the programs through which we did get assistance is LIHEAP. We got approved and they came and filled the tamk all in the same week. The total for that fill-up would have been about $340. But it was covered. When I finally got logged into the app I saw that we had $565 in funds. Now, I just assumed that was the total amount we received and after the first delivery we should have had about $220 left.

It was time to order oil. The minimum we can order is 125 gl. The total was going to be over our balance. When I called, I learned that we actually have the whole $565 available. [There was another payment received.] So not only did we not have to pay out of pocket [which would be hard at the moment] but we got 168 gl.

My mind has been all over the place lately.

I need to keep my focus on G-d and The Universe. It's all Divine - every day, every moment, every experience. I need to remember The Light.

I wonder if I am struggling because I am pushing to return to my life as it was when what life needs to do is change.

I do feel like the change is coming and things will be good - maybe even better than they were. I can't explain it. I have no evidence to support it. It's just a vibe.

I need to spend some more time focusing on my breathe and breathing.

I need to focus on appreciation and gratitude. I did have quite a bit of that this week. Jusat lots of little moments when I took the whole of everything in and appreciated The Homestead for what it is and what it offers me - including views. I need to slow down and remain connected with the world G-d has given me.

Normally, I would say my next Marker is Ostara in Mid-March. Though, I will still hold that as a marker, I feel that there is something significant around the end of the month.

If you’re not already there, go to the Welcome to my Life Facebook page – WTML. Or the YouTube channel – WelcomeToMyLife08. You can also find me on Facebook under Rev. Matt. And there is the newer TikTok @WTML23

Wherever you are and whenever you are – Like, Comment, and Share – we’re on a Journey and it takes you to get there.

So, without hesitation, for now and for always, from here in Geistopia, this is your beloved Rev…

WALT: And Walt…

DOC:  Unt Doc…

JOHNNY: Aaaaand Johnny…

And those guys, saying, “Stay Tuned-In, Fellow Travelers,” and wishing you Peace, Love, Light…

WALT: And Freakishness, Baby.

The Totems & Archetypes

from Ted Andrews’ Animal Speak

Totems are few and far between these days because I don’t really leave the house. However, our cat has been quite the Totem lately. We have formed a bond and a way of communication. He teaches me things and helps to lift my spirits [in so many ways.]

Cat – Mystery, Magic, and Independence

Goddess Bast, Goddess Freyja, Goddess Shasthi. Study Mouse and Dog as well.

Dog – Faithfulness and Protection

Different dogs will mean different things. Examine the qualities of your breed and the individual dog. It takes a lot to break a dog’s spirit. It’s ability to love, even when abused, is tremendous. It’s spirit and willingness to love and to be a companion is great. What is this saying about your need for or lack of companionship? Are you being faithful? Are others around you? Are you showing unconditional love, or receiving it? Do you need to be more protective of your territory? Do you need to play a little more? Does your spirit need bolstering? How about those around you? Examine your territories. Dog knows its own home ground.

Mouse - Attention to Detail. 

It is either time to pay attention to details, or an indication that you cannot see the forest for the trees. You may be getting so locked into details that you forget the big picture. Are you taking care of the trivial, yet necessary, things of life? Are you getting so lost in big dreams that you are neglecting other aspects of your life? Are you becoming so focused on one or two activities that you are neglecting other opportunities? Are you missing what is right in front of you? Is there something obvious that you are missing or need to focus on? Are you trying to do too many things at once and therefore scattering your energies? Mouse can show how to pay attention to detail; how to attain the big things by working on the little things. Lessons associated with attention.