Self-Inspection (DP#33)

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Financially, I could for sure pay more attention to the amount of money that comes out each month for bills. There have been far too many times in which I am scrambling to put money on my card right before a subscription is due. It would just alleviate so much stress lol

My spiritual health is the biggest area that effects not only my mental, and emotional state, but physical as well. I have gone through some tough times in my life that I swore I had dealt with the emotions that were left behind, only to have a random emotional breakdown that felt like it came from left field. It took me questioning myself like a psychologist to figure out the hole it came out of from the recesses of my mind and spirit. I truly need to handle up on those highly emotional moments sooner rather than later, as well as uncovering trauma that I have consciously and unconsciously carried around like baggage this whole time.

Patience is that one little virtue that takes so much energy and focus that feels impossible at times. People always tell me how patient I am, particularly around children. I cannot help but laugh and scoff since in my mind, I am losing it. Masking has become second nature to me, so I do not blame people for assuming but I would want them to take my blood pressure sometime and see how patient I really am lol I can physically feel myself getting irritated at the smallest distractions and inconveniences at times. It makes me disgusted with myself since anger to me feels like being in a vice grip but also not having complete control over my actions.

My hope is to become strong enough to be able to withstand any event like a wave breaker during high tide. Being able to take the ebbs and flows of life while remaining upright and positive. That would be the pinnacle of my earthly existence.

7 responses to “Self-Inspection (DP#33)”

  1. I hope you don’t mind my reflecting on my circumstances in response to your enlightening posts.

    So there I was, waiting like the rest of the class yesterday for our balancing (equilibrium) session to begin. Standing on my mat, I found myself staring off into the void while many others were chatting or plugged into their phones. I also noticed that I didn’t even care how I looked. I was completely relaxed and tranquil.

    Now, in my 51 years of living, in 95% of similar scenarios – lots of people, lots of noise, crammed together- I would have felt socially anxious and uncomfortable, bordering on panicky especially being the sole caucasian. But yesterday I felt in control, in a state of peace and goodwill, just at one with myself, dislocated from the busyness and the spectacle of chatter, movement, and noise.

    My point in saying all this is that with age, an active lifestyle and community (changing routines, meeting new people, stepping away (in moments) from family and the daily grind), and good nutrition, one can find harmony and wisdom they never thought possible. I know I never imagined I could attain this feeling inside- let alone exude such positivity and calmness toward others.

    It’s about generating compassion toward others, as the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh would have put it. The focus shifts outward—my attention goes to others rather than inward—and the anxiety subsides. Jordan Peterson also said: “Pay attention to the day and aim at the highest good.”

    Anyways, just some random thoughts Ashley. You have yourself a great Friday and weekend.

    1. You are good!
      I just wish I had the confidence of somebody who was more seasoned in years lol It feels confidence is such a fleeting thing but also an unobtainable one for me. I can only really see progress after the fact and that is annoying. Thank you for your comments!
      You have a great weekend yourself!

      1. I hope my comments don’t come across as “know-it-all,” because I hold to this belief: “The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”

        That said, it seems my newfound perspective and sense of contentment stem mostly from the slow passage of time — the gradual aging that brings small increments of wisdom through experience. But the most profound catalyst for this transition has been the long fight with, and eventual surrender of, the destructive vices that consumed much of my adult life until my recent rebirth.

        For me, it’s less about “confidence” than about humility — about letting go of the wounded self, projecting outward rather than inward, and practicing compassion toward others. It’s about finding courage. As my yoga guru Nirvair Singh Khalsa put it: “It’s not the life you lead, but the courage you bring to it.”

        That ties neatly into another quote I love, this one from Cameron Crowe’s film ‘We Bought a Zoo’: “Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage, just literally 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery, and I promise you something great will come of it.”

        I truly hope you find peace within yourself and learn to stay present without letting negative thoughts cloud everything. Above all, you don’t deserve to let that happen to yourself. That kind of self-talk is irrational — you are a kind and good-hearted soul who deserves to enjoy the fruits of peace, tranquility, and goodwill.
        And there I go rambling again, Ashley… no one else has brought that out in me since I first started blogging back in 2014 lol

      2. I appreciate reading your perspective on these topics! It is quite eye opening since people I have had these deep conversations with, particularly in my family have that sort of know-it-all mentality (I do not think what you say comes off as such lol) Or they question why I bother speaking like this to begin with since what is the point?

        I totally forgot that movie existed! I am going to have to check it out again soon as I remember enjoying it and the messages it speaks.

        I really appreciate your words!

      3. What a relief you don’t take me as a renegade – know it all lol But do tell me if get on your nerves / grate you. Ok!

        Yeh, it’s not a bad movie – ‘We Bought a Zoo’. The ending where the father recalls meeting his kids’ late mother nearly always makes me ball lol I wrote a silly article about it (including the clip), which I’ll send below:

        https://observationblogger.com/2015/04/02/20-seconds-of-insane-courage/

      4. Lol and yeah that was a funny article!

      5. I’m relieved – big time!
        When I sent it, I hadn’t really considered how much swearing it contained or that it might come across as offensive – I meant it entirely tongue-in-cheek.

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Hello! I am Ashley and I simply love to read, and hope you do to!
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