Which Way do I Go, George? Which Way do I Go?

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, March 16, Two-Thousand and Twenty-Jive. Time...Running

Theme – It’s Always a Good Day

 This goes with the whole mind Over Matter line of thinking as well as with this week’s Lesson. Everything Happens for a Reason - Precise & Perfectly Placed. If you can accept this, and allow yourself to flow with it all without attachment, then how can any day truly be less than great? This is also controlled by attitude. In fact, I was going to call this ‘Brainwashing’ at first. [I think I still want to a bit on that at some point.] You can’t just tell yourself it’s all good. You have to tell yourself over and over and over again - until you believe it. {and then tell yourself some more.

Lesson – It’s All G-d’s Plan

 No matter your thoughts on G-d or life, one thing is clear - there is so much more going on than what we can understand. No matter how much we, as individuals, may screw up life just keeps happening. Things come together And work out. Good, bad or indifferent everything that is is part of The Grand Sceme of Things.

Observation – Look at the Little Pieces

 This also goes hand in hand with the Lesson. It’s All G-d’s Plan. We will never really know what the plan is and so sometimes it is hard to remember the Divinity behind life. But, there are always little clues. I hate what I am going through right now. I hate being somewhat crippled. I hate not working. I hate not feeling in control of my life. But, as I look at what has happened, or is happening, along this journey I can see the good. I’ve mentioned several times how The HOmestead [and subsequently my life within it, has become more organized, fluid, and functional. But, I’m seeing other things from my ‘I wish I could’ lists get checked off one by one. More important things. I haven’t had health insurance for at least a decade. I couldn’t afford it and the one time I applied for Medicaid I was denied because it was Christmastime and I was working overtime at The theatre and making took much. The stroke forced me into getting it. Along with that a list of other things is taking place. Mt blood pressure is under control once more. I wasn’t personally concerned about it but having seen just hoe dangerously high it naturally is I imagine it was definitely on The Universe’s list. I’ve had a colon cancer screening. I have a gland that is clogged. It’s like a blackhead but much bigger. I had one years ago and the doctor cleared it. But I had insurance then…and a doctor. So now I have insurance and a [new] doctor once more. So that is one appointment this week. The neurologist sent me to an Opthamologist. She checked my eyes and gave me the prescription information. New glasses have been on my list. [You should see the pair I have.] Now I have what I need, including insurance, and I can actively pursue them. The point is, as long as you can’t look around and see the little things coming together, rest assured the big things are on the horizon.

The Post

 Just another week that began Once Upon Ago. It just kinda started and flowed straight through to now. I know life happened - things transpired. Yet, as I sit here looking back I’m not sure what to write nor how to write it.

I was feeling good at the beginning of the week. I was feeling confident and comfortable. I learned that I was approved for disability. When I first checked the info online it said that I would receive the first payment May 3rd.

I did my calculations and set my plans in motion. Based on conversations with everyone I know who receives disability, that first payment should include back pay to when I first filed. So, on Tuesday night, at The Meeting Place, I told Brother John that with that payment I could cover the back rent. Then June payment would cover May or June - depending on how many months are in the first payment. The payments themselves are not quite enough to cover the ten in full, but close enough that I can m,ale up the difference.

Somewhere in the middle of the week, I got my official letter from Social Security. [Not just an online check-in.] This letter seemed to tell a different story. Right off the bat, the first payment comes on June 2nd for the month of May. According to what I read, the disability must afflict a person for five months before there. Is eligibility to collect benefits. My first eligible month, then, is May. The letter made no mention of back payments, but left me with the notion that this was not going to be a thing.

My plans had been dashed…and smashed. Everything I had justt promised to Brother John was no longer valid. Once the payments start, I can pay each month’s rent. But there will still be 4-5 months of back rent that I need to figure out.

I have reached out for rental assistance. Most places have not actually reached back. One place called, but I am not eligible for r ent funds because I’m not working. It didn’t seem to matter that it’s not by choice. Another place emailed me back - almost immediately. For them, I did not qualify because I do not have an official 10-Day eviction notice. But at least they were quick to communicate and seemed generally interested in helping [until they realized they could not.]

I also don’t know what this means for the “extra” I was beginning to plan. When I say “extra” I mean things like tools for the yard or workshop, lights for The Homestead, shoes to replace the ones that are falling apart around my feet.

Financially, my other major concern at the moment is taxes. I absolutely must file and pay on time this year. I am on a payment plan for previous years’ taxes. And prompt payment of current taxes is a condition. If I miss not only does this plan end but they can also freeze my accounts.

But enough of the stressful stuff.

[deep breath…and…release.]

On the therapy front, things are good. I had my “final assessment” for the PT High-Intensity Gait program and study. There has been definite improvement. I still don’t walk 100% but I am doing so much better than I was just 6 weeks ago. The study is done and my results are “almost too good” to continue PT at all. However, there were still 5 sessions scheduled and we decided to keep those and focus on other things - like balance and my core.

I also had my OT re-assessment this week - but on a different day. There was improvement there, but there is still plenty of room to grow. We had 4 sessions already scheduled and we added 4 more “just in case.” [I’m pretty sure that’s the case.]

They have credited me with always having a positive attitude, for paying attention to their notes and guidance, and for putting in the work at home. I’m not so sure that I’m as dedicated as all that.

I mean, obviously I have done something along the way or there wouldn’t be such improvements. It’s true I have tried to maintain an upbeat can-do attitude. What choice was there really? All along, I would remind myself that what I was doing was either helping to heal me so I could do better or preparing me for my life if better never came. Really, it was a win either way.

I have listened to them, trying to apply what they say to my life outside the sessions. I would catch myself just dopin’ along in the house and correct myself - slowing down and focusing on the steps I was taking. I would force myself to use my left hand and arm, paying attention to how they moved - or how I did if they didn’t.

It’s the exercises where I fall short. I do try to make them a part of my dåy but the slightest thing throws me off and then it’s a challenge to get going again. [I’ve always had that problem with changes and shifts in my life.] However, I am functional around the house. I make use of my arm and hand - cooking, cleaning, raking leaves, and so on. Everything I do wears me out. It takes me days to get through the house cleaning. i work for a little then I must rest until I have umph again.

I have a collection of exercises and things I could be doing to work my fine motor control;. I need to start doing them. In fact, I need to be more focused on changes overall. I’m currently lingering in this purgatory between clinging to things past and becoming something all together different. Part oof the lingering is life itself. Quite a bit is my own stubborn resistance.

Sooner or later, I gotta go balls to the wall and commit myself to better.

On the flip side of that’s is all the shifts around The Homestead. Lil by lil, The Workshop is coming together. You wouldn’t know it to walk in there at the moment by there has definitely been a lot of change out there. The MattCave is in regular use now. I like that. I needed it. I’ve even gotten out to the yard once to start cleaning up.

I have put myself on some degree of routine/cycle. It’s actually kind of happened on its own. I’ve just been trying to follow along. Things have just been falling into place.

Some things have become bi-weekly, such as cleaning…and now yard work. I’m going to switch them off every week. This is a cleaning week so I won’t put focus on the yard [unless it presents itself effortlessly.] Next week, I will bring my focus to the yard and not the inside. Even some laundry has become a 2-week cycle. SOMe are taking their weekly place such as this blog which is coming more and more naturally each week. The cast videos are trying to be weekly and will get there.

Even my days are taking their place each week. Saturday is usually laundry day. Of course, this is my Sunday. Weekends are also generally Cast Video time. By Thursday/Friday I am usually starting to plan my next week. [Work Ahead.]

Even I seem to be finding my place in my life. That may sound odd, but it’s true. I’ve said many times that I’ve never quite felt right in my life. Sort of out of place. Lately, I am feeling less of that and more connected.

I went out and worked for a bit this morning. I made about $40 but I was sore and needed to sleep when I got home. It’s gonna take me a while to build up to what I need.

I want to try harder this week. It’s a tough to try it. I have appointments on MOnday and Friday. Therapies on Tuesday and Thursday. I need to go to the stores tomorrow and get gas. It’s a cleaning week. And, I have two events for The Meeting Place. One is absolute on Tuesday night and the one on Wednesday I should really try to get to but we will see how I am feeling by that point in the week.

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

Cardinal - Renewed Vitality through Recognizing Self-Importance

They remind us that, regardless of the time of day or year, we always have the opportunity to renew our own vitality and recognize our own life roles. Whistles are often reminders to listen closely - to pay attention to what is blowing on the winds. Reflects that we should be listening to the inner voice (the feminine) more closely for our own health and well-being. Almost always reflects a need to assert the feminine aspects of creativity and intuition more strongly. Can reflect a need to b more careful about your diet, that what you are eating may be injurious to yourself and affecting your overall vitality. Reflects the rhythm of 12 that is going to become more predominant within your own life. Reflects lessons associated with responsibility and the recognition of the task at hand. May reflect past-life connections with the church, or even a reviving of more traditional religious beliefs, regardless of denomination. Remind us to add color to our lives, and remember that everything is of importance. 

Owl - The Mystery of Magic, Omens, Silent Wisdom, and Vision in the Night

Symbol of the feminine and the night. Ties to fertility and seduction. Bird of magic and darkness, of prophecy and wisdom. Symbolically associated with clairvoyance, astral projection and magic, both black and white. Hints of the light of the sun, alive in the dark of night. Meditation on this alone will reveal much about the magic of Owl within your life. Will be able to see and hear what others are trying to hide. What is not being said. See what is hidden or in the shadows. Detect and pinpoint the subtleties. Unique ability to see into the darkness of others’ souls. And life. Their medicine can extract secrets. If your neck is stiff and inflexible, you are hindering your perceptions to a great degree. Often reflects that you were born very perceptive - with a vision of others that you may or may not have recognized or acknowledged. Unique ability for seeing into the eyes and souls of others. Keep silent and go about your business. Eliminate those aspects that are not beneficial and unhealthy. 

Rabbit - Fertility and New Life

Often seen as an animal that can lead one unknowingly into the Faerie realm. A symbol for sexuality and fertility. Usually, you will begin to see a cycle of 28 days beginning to manifest in your life. Those with rabbit totems will see movement occur in their life in varying degrees of hops and leaps. It won’t be steady step-by-step movement. The leaps and hops do not usually take more than the cycle of The Moon (28 days) to occur. Plan for possibilities. May indicate the need to do some more planning or review those you have already set in motion. You do not want to box yourself into a corner. Important not to foreshadow your moves. Learning to shift from freezing to great speeds will aid in your success and enables you to take advantage of opportunities that may present themselves for brief moments. May need to examine the kinds of food being consumed. For the greatest health and well-being, a vegetarian diet, even if only temporary, will strengthen and heal. How to recognize the tides of movement within your life. This in turn will enable you to become even more fertile in your life.