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[tkm1005]

Which beads are we on?

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by tkm1005

Which beads are we on?

Hi Teri- Here's the schedule so far:

Week one-beads1-4
Week two-beads 5-12
Week three-beads 12-20

SO we are up to bead 20.

PLEASE don't feel pressured to go bead by bead if you are a general gestalt type of person.

Everyone let me know how you want to proceed for next week. Shall we pick up the pace or keep it at 8 beads a week?

[stretch2864]

I am fine with 8 beads a week as this is the type of book where I think you want to go a little more slowly and digest the information. Just my opinion, though.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by stretch2864

I am fine with 8 beads a week as this is the type of book where I think you want to go a little more slowly and digest the information. Just my opinion, though.

That sounds great to me! AS long as everyone is happy! I've been getting alot out of really reflecting on each bead so far. I'm not sure if the future beads are as full of thought-provoking questions, but we'll just have to see.

I've been dreaming of my limoncello marguerita in 6 days when I go to see the mouse!!! (I don't have to count today anymore because it is almost done!)

[tkm1005]

I think its interesting how she is taking this journey and learning to like herself and listen to her inner voice through her journal writing. The paragraph about "I am here for you" on page 54 is so powerful. She just seems so lost in the beginning with her marriage and it just seems so sad that her husband knows she is up and crying but does nothing. To be married and feel so alone must have been so painful. However having said that, I think its important to keep that relationship with yourself no matter who is in your life. I have seen people lose their spouses and become completely undone because they have no sense of their own identity and strength without them.

I read ahead a bit and am chomping at the bit to talk about her family relationships...but I will wait

[skateycat]

I have read the book and am enjoying all your comments. i am thinking this book is not just for christians or those who believe in god. i am neither and loved the book. spirituality is immensely personal as someone at the beginning of this thread mentioned. prayer/ meditation...all the same, just different nomenclature. mala beads/ rosary....all the same. we are all the same regardless of labels we want to apply in our lives. helps me to keep perspective when dealing with people of different faiths. (think buddhist living in the deep south!) i just loved the family limoncello recipe...i have to try it. i have a lemon, orange, grapefruit and tangerine tree in the backyard...wait till next winter when i get all the fruit. i digress...i enjoy all the opinions here as some of them are very different from my own. namaste!

[tkm1005]

I agree. I'm also not 100% convinced it is God speaking to her, but rather her own internal voice getting stronger. But again I think that it depends on your own personal belief system as to how you interpret those voices.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Loved all the comments! This is a great group of thinkers!

We'll move on to beads 21 thru 28 this week Carry on, bookclub.

five days til Disney for me!!!!!!

[tkm1005]

Bead 21: "Americans have an inability to relax into sheer pleasure. Ours is an entertainment seeking nation, but not necessarily a pleasure seeking one." pg 61

So true and an interesting topic for a group focused on Disney fun which is a high energy, expensive form of vacationing. While I love the quality and the options of a Disney vacation I have often said it is not a "relaxing" vacation, but yet I keep going back. So what is the draw if not the relaxing? Is it just that, as Americans, we are so used to overscheduling, multi tasking that Disney allows us to continue doing those things, while focusing on something fun so we feel a sense of accomplishment in the process??

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by tkm1005

Bead 21: "Americans have an inability to relax into sheer pleasure. Ours is an entertainment seeking nation, but not necessarily a pleasure seeking one." pg 61

So true and an interesting topic for a group focused on Disney fun which is a high energy, expensive form of vacationing. While I love the quality and the options of a Disney vacation I have often said it is not a "relaxing" vacation, but yet I keep going back. So what is the draw if not the relaxing? Is it just that, as Americans, we are so used to overscheduling, multi tasking that Disney allows us to continue doing those things, while focusing on something fun so we feel a sense of accomplishment in the process??

So True, Teri! I love that you tied the book into Disney. I was thinking the SAME THING...To approach my upcoming trip as an Eat, Pray,Love Disney adventure.

It is funny, though, because so many Disney travelers turn their vacation into a commando run for attractions. Of course, I can NEVER be accused of that!

Good Morning Book Club! Hope it is an amazing day for you! Carry on!

[stretch2864]

I think I have a different take on the whole WDW vacation experience. I tend to overplan prior to leaving on vacation, so that once I arrive at the "happiest place on earth" I can relax and enjoy myself. I think the first couple of trips to WDW probably were more commando-having to see and do it all. Now I go with the mindset that whatever I do, I AM IN WALT DISNEY WORLD! It doesn't get much better than that. Besides if I don't do it all, that only means that I will have to return again.

I am just reading Bead 21 right now, and I do agree with her thoughts that most Americans just can't relax. I definitely used to be that way. However after I lost my job last year and took six months off to find myself, I think I found that I was capable of truly relaxing and doing nothing. I didn't always have to be entertained, although it was nice to have the option of doing what I wanted when I wanted. I reclaimed the pleasure of just being. We could spend an afternoon doing absolutely nothing other than maybe talking or sharing dreams etc. What I took away from that experience is that "less is more." Over the past year I have been downsizing, getting rid of stuff, and generally just trying to simplify my life. It is a very "free-ing" feeling.

Have a good day, everyone!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by stretch2864

Now I go with the mindset that whatever I do, I AM IN WALT DISNEY WORLD! It doesn't get much better than that. Besides if I don't do it all, that only means that I will have to return again.

Have a good day, everyone!

I've decided to pretty much return every year for the rest of my life, even if just for a long week-end. That way I don't feel like I need to rush around and see everything. It makes me feel less pressured.

[skateycat]

what does bead 21 say to me? hmmm. well, i very often am going off to WDW by myself...because i can. and i make it a very relaxing thing. i plan nothing, i wander and wonder at what i please for however long i please. yes, i know, i have that luxury because i am so close (2 hours) and an AP. for those of you who may be so inclined, i highly suggest this as a challenge...try a solo disney trip. last year for my birthday i treated myself to an entire weekend. know what? i met some other like-minded ladies there having tea at the GF! doing the kind of work i do where death is a fact of my every day existence (i am a critical care nurse) really gives one pause to slow it all down. this is not a dress rehearsal for some other trip. join me sometime....

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by skateycat

what does bead 21 say to me? hmmm. well, i very often am going off to WDW by myself...because i can. and i make it a very relaxing thing. i plan nothing, i wander and wonder at what i please for however long i please. yes, i know, i have that luxury because i am so close (2 hours) and an AP. for those of you who may be so inclined, i highly suggest this as a challenge...try a solo disney trip. last year for my birthday i treated myself to an entire weekend. know what? i met some other like-minded ladies there having tea at the GF! doing the kind of work i do where death is a fact of my every day existence (i am a critical care nurse) really gives one pause to slow it all down. this is not a dress rehearsal for some other trip. join me sometime....

Thanks for that post. THis trip is going to be my first solo trip, so your comments were VERY helpful!

[DDuff]

Sandy - I hope you have a great trip. On my 30th birthday trip to WDW, I actually had one day alone and I loved it. I hit all my favorites and enjoyed meeting and talking to lots of different people. I wouldn't think twice about Disney alone.