Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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April 20, 2007

Sensitized

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 8:05 am

I've been thinking . . .

about being sensitized.

When I was in my 20s, my mom was in the hospital. She was dying. When I turned on the TV, it seemed every sitcom, every channel had a show in which one character was in the hospital. It wasn’t any more than usual. I was just sensitized.

When I had my son, the same thing happened. On TV, on the street, everywhere I looked, I saw people with babies or women who about to have one.

My own situation made me more aware of what was going on.

Today I woke up thinking, Oh my, it’s Friday again. How do my weeks seem to be Tuesdays and Fridays more than anything? I wonder what I will write?

Then I thought Something has me sensitized to those days of the week.

Why don’t I choose something else? I know I can. So I will. I choose joy.

This weekend, I’ve decided to be sensitive to joy everywhere I look. And the first place I looked was out my window to see a gorgeous coral sun sitting on the edge of the lake — a joyous, unique sunrise.

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28 Comments to “Sensitized”

  1. April 20th, 2007 at 9:31 am
    Jordan said

    That’s a great attitude. I had to have joy hit me over the head this week to be reminded. Good luck finding it yourself!

  2. April 20th, 2007 at 9:34 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Jordan!
    Welcome! What a great event . . . joy is a lovely thing to land on your head!

    I can’t wait to read about it. :)

  3. April 20th, 2007 at 11:04 am
    GP said

    The word sensitizing hit me since with horses two concepts of training are”sensitizing” and “de-sensitizing” each leading to different (hopefully the desired) response.

    Bottom line.. joy for both horse and rider - enhancing the partnership.
    Fridays for me are days of breakthroughs especially if I ride with patrick. Would like to continue that pattern later this morning as we head out :)

    Choose joy instead of “nervous seat”… Thanx liz… as always

  4. April 20th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
    Chris Garrett said

    I know exactly what you mean Liz. In fact there was a period around 7 years ago where I stopped blogging, didn’t watch tv and would resist going out unless absolutely necessary because I didn’t want to see anything that reminded me. I was so sensitized in a similar way (as it happens I told you the reason during our conversation today). My blog just stopped, I even remember the last post, it was about the day before, sunday, we had watched “you’ve got mail” on rental. Gosh it is like it was yesterday. Wow I was sensitized, my memory isn’t usually that good! ;)

    What you focus on you get more of.

    You make a good point, choose to be sensitized to joy and beauty and all the good things. I’m going to make an effort to do that from now :)

  5. April 20th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
    Christine Kane said

    Yes, indeed. I did this with my bill paying this month. I watched that weird old place that I’ve always gone to with bills. It’s a place that I created back when I was in high school or something. And I asked myself, “When did I get so mucked in this approach to bills?” And I shifted my focus to just being really grateful for all the people I was paying money to, and for all the companies that have trusted me to pay them. And I have to say that since last week, I’ve been “sensitized” to such a more peaceful and abundant space with finances and income, etc. Happy weekend Liz! (wanna talk sobcon soon?)

  6. April 20th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi GP!
    Enhancing the partnership. That’s what we do isn’t it? When we add thoughtful comments. We extend what the writer wrote. We enhance the reader/writer partnership. Just like you do with the rider partnership with the horse. :)

  7. April 20th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Chris!
    Yes I remember. We can get so sensitized that we lose track of our selves in the scenery.

    It’s good to hear you say that a sensitivity to joy sounds appealing. It does to me too. :)

  8. April 20th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Christine!
    Ah paying bills! I used to hate paying bills. Then I started to play school when I did it and to use my best handwriting when I wrote out the checks. And to enjoy the way the things looked, as if they were art.

    I like your sense of gratitude. I’m going to add that to my mix. Make everything I do beautiful for the people I thank. What a sense of joy there should be in that!

    Yep, we can talk SOBCon soon!

  9. April 20th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
    GP said

    back from the equine adventure sans patrick. picken went into “mare mode” as in “i dont think i want to go this direction.. i want to go that way.. Hmmm.. who’s the alpha here? But we worked/played(?) through it and actually the first hill she didnt think she wanted to go down. I just nudged her on and said aloud “Experience Joy”…

    So Liz.. you **did** go for a ride today after all :) I’ts all about partnership

    GP in Montana

  10. April 20th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Oh GP!
    I’m delighted to know that I went for a ride to day. It’s just what I needed before the nap I’m about to take. Now I’ll rest easily knowing that I’ve had some fresh air and sunshine. Maybe a walk before dinner will be on the agenda any way . . .

  11. April 20th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
    Dave said

    Liz,

    I don’t think I’ve ever heard the concept expressed like this before even though I recognize it. I’ve probably been more aware of what I’m de-sensitized to. The things I don’t notice.

    It’s a challenge to be more intentional about what I am sensitized to. I love Christine’s idea about bill paying. It is that time again…

    Thanks for thinking.. :smile:

  12. April 20th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Dave,
    I like thinking. It gives my brain something to do besides that worrying thing. :) I used to do a lot more of that feeling sorry for my self thing too, before I started thinking.

    It’s nice to sensitize ourselve to things we want to be sensitive to — and joy is something I really want more of, more and more, and more of :)

  13. April 20th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
    Ainslie said

    Accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative?

    I was struck by your post that we always become sensitized to the negative - the things that stress us. It’s almost like somebody just turned on the light. I’m going to think about that try and work out how I can become sensitized to the good things.

    As a side note my mum died when I was in my early 20s. I still don’t think I have come to terms with it even in my 40s and I still miss her like crazy.

  14. April 20th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Ainslie!
    I think the answer is to just start noticing on purpose . . . to start reacting on purpose to the good things that we see. To let the good thing strike us, stop us, stun us with their beauty and joy.

    My mom died when I was 26. I got to know her when I was 27. I keep a conversation going with her now. :)

  15. April 20th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
    GP said

    christine… i’ve had that attitude shift as well.. wow what services they’re providing me .. before the bill comes in. Also amen to to online payment so i set up the repeating ones a few months in advance… I sleep better at night:)

    liz.. glad i’m doing my part to keep you in shape… good work out today :)

    GP in Montana

  16. April 20th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
    Ainslie said

    I used to work for a guy called Colin. No matter how bad we failed, missed a deadline, lost a client, he always looked at the positive. We had learned a lesson, made room for a new client, saw where we needed to improve - every situation was an opportunity.

    You know what, we went out there and tried even harder to succeed!

    That conversation, I know exactly what you mean, I still talk to her every day ;-)

  17. April 20th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi GP!
    It’s great that you’re keeping me in shape. I’m feeling like a svelt young lady. I’m a truly breathing well and enjoying the sunshine.

  18. April 20th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Ainslie!
    It’s a good thing to find the positive. Positive people make positive things happen. Positive people make positive things happem. Postive people make positive things happen. I always say that three times. I like to. :)

    There are so many kinds of conversations.;)

  19. April 22nd, 2007 at 2:34 am
    Ellen said

    Great post Liz. Today was a beautiful spring day in the mid 70s and it was great to go out with my dad for an ice cream. I had the windows down in the car and nice music to listen to as I drove along in traffic, not hurrying, speeding along like I do at times.

    The way I find joy in what I do, or gratitude as it comes to be, is by living right in the very moment. Like right now I am writing this comment in response to your post and the other comments left by people. When I am in the moment, all is well. It’s when I am focused on the past or future that I tend to become dissatisfied, ungrateful, and negative.

    It’s coming up on the 3 year anniversery of my mother’s death and I still remember all of the blessings that happened to me even in my darkest time. She still comes to me in my dreams and I view those dreams as visits. It’s nice to have those moments. I was able to spend a lot of time with her before she died and now I spend a lot of time with my dad, helping out and being a companion. I’m so grateful, and yet what made it all possible are things in my life that I viewed as negative — a chronic illness, no family of my own — and yet if I didn’t have those things I wouldn’t have had the time with my mother or be able to spend a lot of time with my dad.

    Sorry for the long comment but your post touched me, and isn’t that what it is all about.

  20. April 22nd, 2007 at 6:43 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Fllen,
    Joy is such a fleeting, illusive feeling. It slides right throught my thoughts and turns to gratitude too quickly sometimes, so quickly that is makes me wonder. Do I think that I have always give up my joy for gratitude, even before I am allowed to enjoy it? Can I en-joy and then be grateful for the pleasure?

    I have such gratitude for my friends. I want to enjoy them too.

  21. April 22nd, 2007 at 8:43 am
    Jessica Duquette said

    wow, I am in the immediate process of pulling myself out of a year long minor (meaning I have been functiional), but painful depression. Last night, I read this beautiful post from Daily Om (if you are not subscribed, I would recommend it!):

    http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2007/7816.html

    I am so glad to know you, Liz!

    warmly,

    Jessica from It’s Not About Your Stuff

  22. April 22nd, 2007 at 10:04 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Jessica!
    Welcome back in every way! It’s so darn good to see you! Sometimes we have to check our foundation to make sure it’s built on bedrock, check for crack, clear out any sand that’s blown, and shore up what needs shoring up — ain’t nothing wrong with that, except that it’s a chore that’s not fun at all in any way. It’s dark down in the basement.

    Boy is it nice to have you back. :)

  23. April 22nd, 2007 at 3:10 pm
    Ellen said

    Wow Liz, that makes me think. I sit hear on my balcony in the afternoon sun, listening to music in the background, the sound of two young men playing catch in the field down below and it is hard for me to separate the joy from the gratitude. And yet, why not just en-joy and take it all in rather than move a place of reflection. In many ways gratitude is reflection, even if it is of the moment that just past while joy is of the moment. Does that make sense???

    If I just enjoy the moment without attaching anything to it I am free. Whereas with gratitude it is almost like I have to do something to show I am grateful. With joy, I just feel it.

    Your question brings us back to being sensitized. Am I sensitized to the point that I miss the joy because I feel I have to move to gratitude thus missing that wonderful feeling, the feeling of being alive?

  24. April 22nd, 2007 at 3:45 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Ellen
    I can’t imagine an Ellen who doesn’t feel alive! You are so alive it screams out your pores. You fill me up with living in every word you write, in every idea. Your thoughts are thoughts are worth thinking about. I just bet that you describe it so quickly you’re taking it all in on a larger scale.

    You know life like the air knows the planet. :)

  25. April 22nd, 2007 at 5:28 pm
    Ellen said

    I hate to tell you but there are times I don’t feel very alive, but guess what… TODAY I FEEL ALIVE…as I shout from the rooftop. Thanks so much for your inspirational words and belief that I know I am alive and living and breathing every moment! I can’t wait to meet you at SOBCon. To meet a creative, passionate person who loves to invoke positivity in others.

  26. April 22nd, 2007 at 5:34 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Oh ELLEN!!!
    This is the first that I heard that you’ll be there! I have a hug with YOUR name on it, waiting for you.

    How cool! Cool isn’t even a cool enough word for it. Icy is better!

    That room is going to be electric!!

  27. April 22nd, 2007 at 7:43 pm
    GP said

    greetings my twin sister sent me the Daily Om awhile back too..

    Ellen - your articulation about feeling alive TODAY is great. Yesterday after riding alle, coming back i had some great country tunes on and as i got out to get the mail, I cranked up the volume and found myself dancin’ over to the mailbox… An inner joy i havent felt in awhile

    Today i was noticing more “anxiety” in anticipation of the day and week ahead… and I just thought experience each thing you have to do… focus on each thing “now” and time will expand to include it all. Joy in that I did it and it was.

    GP in Montana who’ll be participating virtually in SOBCON… Got the “goodblog” to prove it:)
    Thanx for that heads up Liz

  28. April 22nd, 2007 at 7:52 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey GP in Montana!
    You are a joy to me!
    Dancing to the mailbox, dancing to the kitchen, dancing to the living room, dancing as I type. Gotta remember the music is in me, is in me, is in me . . .

    Gosh I had fun typing that!

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