End Of The Oprah Era

It is hard to believe that 25 years have passed with the Oprah Show. I still remember back to that day last fall where I was at the 200 Male Survivor show in the audience. It is a highlight of life and a memory that I will never forget.

In fact, in Oprah's finale on May 25, 2011, she once again highlighted the 200 Men show as one of her most significant moments. It was not hard to locate myself just a few feet behind her. It brought back some wonderful memories of tears. So, here's my farewell message to Oprah or at least until we see her again.

I watched the final show today and you almost made me do the ugly cry. I was one of those 200 men and that event has really turned life upside down for me. I’m not complaining because I know I’m growing through some very difficult moments in life and last October when we taped the show, it was the start of an emotional upheaval for me. I’ll take it... I know it is helping me find my purpose and calling. I always thought life had been a challenge for me up until this point with all I had been through from the abuse to the paralysis and many other things, but since this show it seems like life has thrown things at me one right after another with great speed.

Yet, I’m comforted by many of the words you spoke today. They have given me more resolve to keep going in the midst of difficult and trying times. In the end, I know I will get where I need to be. Right now, I cannot fully see it because my world is filled with moments of confusion and frustration. But I know I’ll get there – after all when I was paralyzed, I knew I would walk again. I had to believe that because it is the only thing that got me up out of that hospital bed!

I stand in awe of the teaching and inspiration you have given to so many throughout the 25 years but I am hopeful of how that will translate exponentially to so many others and impact the world in ways that no one can even begin to imagine. May the legacy not be of what people learned from you but how they went out and gave that to the world (and I’m talking to myself as well).

Thank you Oprah for just being you and sharing your life with your platform.


Further Reading:
1) Oprah - Male Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse (10/28/10)
2) Oprah, Tyler Perry, 200 Male Survivors Stand Together (11/5/10)
3) Oprah, 200 Men - Part 2 (11/11/10)
4) Conversion (Somatoform) Disorder (11/9/11)
5) Daytona Beach News Journal Interview (11/5/10)



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blog Post & Images (c) 5/24/11 Don Shetterly - use by permission only
http://www.donshetterly.com

If any part of this post is used or shared, a link back to this site is required.
http://mindbodythoughts.blogspot.com/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Showing Frustrations

The frustrations in life can seem to be too much. I find it difficult to navigate them as if I am walking through a minefield. It may be the smallest thing that gets to me.

At one time, I just held all these things in and no one saw them. I considered showing these little frustrations to be a sign of weakness. At the time, it felt like if I showed this side of me to anyone I was out of control. Of course, now I understand that holding these emotions in makes me more weak and out of control.

It is not easy for me to deal with at times. Much of my reactions to little frustrations is set off like I am on autopilot. It is not like I feel I have an option at times to stop the direction of my reactions and do something different. As much as I would love to be able to do that, I am not superman.

I do understand how emotions, past trauma and current stress play into this. I could suppress all these things as many urge me to do but in many ways, this is like adding more fuel to a ticking time bomb. While most do not understand, it is about going in and allowing myself the space to feel these things as they come up. My goal is to find true healing, not just put on a happy face disguise.

Getting constant work done on myself to balance my nervous system is one good way that I can help myself through this. Releasing the pieces of trauma from my past gives me a greater capacity in my nervous system to absorb and allow the frustrations to roll on. Recognizing that I am healing and becoming more aware of all parts of myself gives me the courage to walk through these unknown roads of consciousness.

(c) 11/30/10 Don Shetterly - Use by permission only.

Abundance, Blessings And Frustrations

Sometimes in life when things seem so difficult or off balance, try this exercise. It is one that focuses on not only our frustrations in life but on our abundance and blessings. Sometimes, we need both sides of this part of life in order to see the contrast and all that we have. So try this exercise out in your daily meditation and see just what it does for you. See if your day doesn't change from frustration to abundance and blessings.

Take a piece of paper and draw a line down the center of the page. On one side, write the word "frustrations" and on the other side write the words "abundance and blessings". Number from 1 to 10 on each side of the page giving yourself plenty of space to write. (Or you can download the following pdf file, Abundance, Blessings and Frustrations).

In quiet meditation and reflection, begin listing all your current frustrations in life. Often these things can come easily and readily to us especially if we are in the difficult moments of life. After you are done listing these, begin writing down all the ways that you experience abundance and blessings in your life at this moment. If you feel like your stuck at any point, take a moment to stop and allow whatever thoughts to come through that are being blocked.

Once you are finished writing, reflect on the things you have listed on the page. See how these things make you feel. Notice how the frustrations may have given way to thoughts of abundance and blessings. Allow all of these things to sink into your consciousness and awareness. Let your inner heart and mind take it all in. Allow yourself to see that no matter what, life is more than frustration. It is full of abundance and blessings.


*For more articles, check out the Mind Body Thoughts Blog

Frustrations In LIfe

Sometimes, I share some of my more personal writings on this blog. Often by the time you read them, they are well past the time they were written. Usually though, when I write, that is when I process so many things that are swirling around in my head. It is my way of dealing with them and putting them in perspective. To me, there is not better way to work through situations than writing about them and putting them down in my journal.

Today's post, is one such example of this. It is about my frustrations in life and just basically coming to terms with them. In this post, I'm acknowledging that which I feel and that which is on my mind. My hope is that others who are experiencing this will connect with it and realize they are not alone as they walk their own journey.

My Top Frustrations In Life

1) Feeling bored and out of step with life. Just don't feel like I fit in with people. Feel cut off, not wanted, not appreciated or respected. I know - pity party for one! Can't help it because that is the way I feel.

2) Impatient about my next steps. I want to go from zero to 100 in one moment. I want to be at the completion of where I want to be. It is difficult for me to allow it to unfold as it is meant to be and to be patient in allowing this to take place.

3) Feel like I don't live up to the expectations of others that know me and love me. Feel like I'm not good enough and no matter what, I'll never be enough.

4) Struggling with being so hyper sensitive, because at times like now it feels paralyzing and limiting. I feel as if I can't be around others without picking up much more than I often want to. I wish there was a dial that I could find to turn it down.

5) So many times it feels like the fears out number my moments of confidence. I don't feel as if I have the power within me to do what I need to do in my life's journey.

And yet, today's Angel Card I selected was on "POWER" where it stated that you have all of the power of your creator within you.

Oh Angels, please help me to see and understand this.


*For more articles, check out the Mind Body Thoughts Blog

I Offer Up These Concerns

Dear Universe and Angels,
I offer up these concerns, worries and frustrations to you. I have no idea how to change any of these things. They feel very overwhelming to me. They feel impossible to move beyond. I feel as if I have fought the good fight, yet that isn't enough.

The only thing I know which is left for me to do is to leave them in your hands. I need your help and your understanding. I need your care and compassion. I need to feel loved by you, and accepted.

Please somehow show me in multiple ways that you are listening and that you are there for me. Please show me that you are helping me with these things.

Help me have the courage to open myself to all the ways you are there for me. Please help me to just feel safe and supported in your arms. Help me to truly find my way beyond this dark forest that I walk.