for reals
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 1:07AM 
I’ve been looking for something inspirational to post about. Some sort of epiphany or beautiful thing that is everything other than how I’m really feeling. But I just can’t muster it. Plus, that just isn't authentic. I like happy posts with happy people and happy motivating stories. But that just isn't my truth today.
So here I am. For reals.
Just showing up.
Though the extra hour of light in the evening sure does feel nice, I’m not yet truly emerged from the winter blues (or the night-shift blues, or the single-girl blues…not sure exactly which one it is). Last week was especially tough. I was full on eeyore under my own personal grey cloud.
These last few days I’ve been working hard to get back into those habits that I know make me feel better. Cook healthy food, go running, connect with my family and friends, make art, go for a walk, pick some flowers, visit the ocean (those last two are my plan for tomorrow).
When I’m emerging from these funks I always return to this passage from Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love:
“I keep remembering one of my Guru's teachings about happiness. She says that people universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descend upon you like fine weather if you're fortunate enough. But that's not how happiness works. Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestation of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it, you must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it. If you don't you will leak away your innate contentment. It's easy enough to pray when you're in distress but continuing to pray even when your crisis has passed is like a sealing process, helping your soul hold tight to its good attainments”
I’m fighting and striving for it. Hopefully instilling a few more building blocks of self-care that will stay in place, that I won’t need to find again each time I fall down.
Reader Comments (12)
i see you my friend and can't wait to give you a big warm hugs, for reals ... i heart that quote and definitely needed to read it this week, love to you ... xoxox
it is not fair to make me cry! you touched me today my friend and for that (and so much more), i am grateful.
viv--I so understand the "funks" ---and the problem for me is doing what you are doing---treating my body and soul better through movement, good food and acceptance--I so appreciate the inspiration and, girlie--I LOVE you on the railway, strong in pink, bathed in light and just about to go round the corner!!!
*hugs* I sincerely hope that this week is better for you.
It's hard to fight for happiness and peace of mind when all the world seems bent on keeping you from those things. But it's worth fighting for and we all fight the battle side by side, ready to pick each other up should we fall.
My thoughts are heart go out to you.
how i adore this for reals you. you remind me i am not alone in my own searchings and wonderings. the building blocks...yes. love this image.
I adore "for reals" you. :) I am in somewhat of a funk this week as well .. no clue why. I was just thinking that perhaps the diet is all haywire and I need more fruits and vegetables for energy. Let us hope that is the case. It could also be the dark in the mornings again - I so miss my morning light. (Come to think of it, that is most definitely it - my mood started on Sunday. Boo to Daylight Savings.)
I hope things shift soon. In the meanwhile, here's a {hug} for you.
hi vivienne.
i arrived here from a comment you left at dancingmermaid.. and WOW! i love your photography and your words - you are really speaking to my soul and it is a delight to meet you. between the flowers and the ocean, i am seeing you stepping right out of this funk
for reals...i adore you!
i adore your realness...your raw authenticity...it speaks to my heart and i can so relate to all that you have posted here. i especially love the passage you pulled out from "Eat Pray Love" (such a bountiful book)...
"Happiness is the consequence of personal effort." all so true...but not so easy to accomplish and stay on top of.
i have a little mini task for you...google or youtube the song "groove is in your heart" by Deee-Lite and dance your lovely heart out!!!! i am 99% sure it will make you happy for at least 3:52!!!!!
sending sunshine and love to you from the west coast!
xoxoxo
k
So glad I get to know the "for reals" you, you are such a gem, up, down or in between.
that is my favourite quote from Elizabeth Gilbert's book also and one that so deeply resonates with me.
thanks for being you,
love you
S
Sending you hugs Vivienne. Thank you for sharing the real you with us here. I hope you feel better soon.
my fav passage too, although that book has many! thank you for the reminder. you are beautiful!
Hi! Just discovered your blog and I LOVE it here. All those things that you do to make things better....I do them too when I am blue! And reading back posts, um, totally get the crush on Matthew Gray Gubler from Criminal Minds! I will definitely be reading more! Love the pics, love the words!
Single girl in N. C.
www.clumsyhiker.blogspot.com