pastoryancy

The book review page is back.  This week’s instalment is covering “The Path To Inner Peace  The 44 Zen Stories that saved My Life and Will Change Yours,” by Sumitra Shakya.

I’ve just finished reading this for the second time.  It is recommended you read it three times or more, no more than a chapter a day, to get the most out of it.

Broken down into 4 sections of 11 chapters each it covers several approaches.  Section 1 is on Mindfulness.  Section 2 is on self-reflection.  Section 3 covers Positive Thinking.  And section 4 is about Inner Peace.  The chapters are generally 3 pages long with a short story followed by reflection questions.

These stories will get your brain working and the reflection questions will point you the right way.  As I’ve said, I’ve been through it twice and getting ready to begin a third time.  Using it as a primer, it gives me lessons to meditate on.

As a change of pace over a more traditional meditative practice this book holds some valuable insights that can bring peace.

Read it once and if you find it beneficial then read it several times.  I am and enjoying it immensely. 

Last Friday at our NAMIpasco support group I was asked what my goals for the coming week were.  I shared my biggest goal was to write my Blog.  The Executive Directo, Debbie P. asked how many instalments I was going to write, my answer was, shooting for 6 but no less than 4.  Sounded like a reasonable answer.  This is my 4^th one this week.

I’m really surprised I’m doing it.  This has been a blah day.  I got up at 7:00 am and went through my morning ritual.  After relaxing for about an hour I took my shower and shaved in preparation for my Dr. appointment.  It was uneventful and I’ve been lounging ever since.

To wrap things up, I plan on eating supper and posting this.  That will be the end of this day.

There is not going to be a NAMIpassco support group this week, so I need to find other things to do.  Here’s to a more productive day tomorrow. 

That’s all for this instalment, enjoy your day.

Love and peace,

Yancy Adamson

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been writing on Charlois Odds + Ends about my seven-year plan, my Franklin Covey Planner, And my short- and long-term goals.  Having goals and planning for the future is a good thing, however. As I was reminded at our NAMI support group and then again in the book I’m currently reading, there is time to plan and a time to act.  Lately I’ve been doing a lot of reading and planning and a minimum of acting.  It is time for action.

My morning routine is an attempt at action.  Getting up at 7:00am, going to the bathroom, checking my sugar, taking my meds, finishing my 16.9 oz bottle of water, and finally my Miracle Morning.  Start at 7:00am and finish at 8:30am.  That gets me started on a more productive trajectory than I have been on.

Another item I have been working on is doing piecework on daily chores around the house.  I’m really not very good at going from start to finish on things like dishes, laundry, and making the bed, but by breaking things down into smaller activities gets mor done in the long run, at least for me.

I’m still going to be working on the goals and plans, just with more action items mixed in.  Goal setting and planning are essential to long term success.  It’s just a long process that needs constant tweaking.  Life is not static, and things change as can be seen in my life over the last 6 months.

So here it is to an active process that includes both planning and action.

May God’s will be done, His blessings on it all.

Yancy Adamson

Tuesday, and a lot has happened.  Rob is still with us; basically, some things happened, and he missed his bus.  That threw him into a tailspin and so he is still around, more irritated than ever.  Another situation to work on over the rest of this month.

Spoke with Maria, my Life Coach, and we discussed the transitions I’ve been going through these last 6 months.  I believe change is inevitable if you’re growing, however this is ridiculous.  I don’t want to rush the process, but it would be nice if I could see some progress.  As it is, I’m celebrating every little victory that comes my way; even if I don’t accomplish everything I set out to do.

I’m currently working on this blog post, washing dishes, and reading a book.  I’ll celebrate each of those accomplishments as they are completed.  Never mind the other things I need to be working on, they will get done in due time.

Oh! I did May’s budget; that wasn’t easy because I still haven’t heard from the VA.  I can only anticipate their financial contribution based on the past month’s income.  When they decide what my pension will be, then I can adjust my budget based on that new information.  That is still a big victory as things go.

Bet you didn’t know I was gone.  Finished up a load of laundry, fixed supper, did some more dishes, and read a chapter in the book I’m reading.  I hate multi-tasking but sometimes there isn’t a viable option.

Still, I wrote this blog, short, but done.  I think things will settle down someday, until then I’ll keep chipping away.

Until next time, blessings.

Yancy Adamson

It has been quite some time since I have made an entry in this column, so, I’ll try and refresh our minds as to the sources of this Philosophy.  The authors seek not the giving more authority to some faiths over others.  We believe all traditions seek the same goals, love and peace among all of creation.

Summarizing our beliefs is a book written by Yancy.  The Charlois Manifesto by Robert A. Charlois III.  It outlines an approach to life whereby a person may attain the highest level of consciousness.  Thus, becoming the best version of themselves.

This book can be obtained from a few sources.  Several of these are listed on the website under The Charlois Co. LLC.  You can click on an appropriate link and order from there.  This is not to say other books and documents are not important, they are.  We are encouraged to read as broadly as possible, to have a complete understanding of our options.

The more widely read we are, the greater chance we have of becoming our best selves.  That is the driving force behind everything Charlois; to become the best versions of who we were created to be.

Yancy Adamson

Greetings fellow travelers.  I have had the opportunity to do some reflection over these last few days, and I have come up with some ideas that I believe are worth sharing.  Last week’s instalment of Odds + Ends had me reflect on the idea of coming up with a seven-year life plan.  Today I want to break that down to a more immediate goal; how to live my life on a day-to-day, week by week, and even a monthly existence.

The reason for this is, in the bigger picture we have the vision, the long-term outlook. Broken down into smaller segments of a year to six-month increments for measurable segments that can be tracked for progress advancement.  Finally, the monthly, weekly, and daily activities are where the action items occur.

Using my Franklin / Covey planning tool, I have access to twelve months of monthly calendar pages for recording appointments that only appear occasionally.  From there we move to the weekly section; this consists of two pages of seven days per week of scheduling space.  It is here that we record specific calendar events that will happen during the week, giving a full view of daily activities as well.

Before I can do much planning, I need to know what my current life consists of.  Every day I have certain things I want to accomplish in order to feel I’m leading a full life.  Things like my “Miracle Morning” routine which consists of prayer and meditation, affirmations, visualizations, exercise, reading, and journalling.  This hour gets me off to a productive start. From there I’ve scheduled five days for the YMCA: Monday, (balance and mobility class), Wednesday, (chair Yoga), Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday for cardio.  Add to these disciplines, my blogging and writing routines. Finishing out the days is my evening reflection time.  These are the items I try to do almost every day of the week.

On a weekly basis there is a NAMI support group every Friday from 10:00am untill 11:30am or sometimes later, after which is Dinah and my weekly lunch date.  That rounds out the daily/weekly planning. 

On a monthly basis, items occurring regularly, like my mental health therapy twice a month, (on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday’s), and my Life Coaching appointments, (on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday’s.)  The monthly calendar is also where I write about other things like Dr. appointments and such.

This is where progress is made toward

Once the daily, weekly, and routine monthly items are scheduled, I can start the mid- and long-term planning.  This is where I start looking at the Vision and the steps, I will make toward fulfillment.

I now have a basic plan in place to live short term, now it is time to start the visioning process.  My goal is to have a workable seven-year plan in place by June 11^th, 2025.  The reason for this is there are some crucial pieces needed before I can go very far.

That concludes this week’s report, may it inspire you to work on your own plan in the future.

By God’s grace, blessings,

Yancy Adamson

Today is another day and it appears it could be interesting.  Yesterday afternoon we dropped Rob and his service dog, Wookie, in Tampa for a concert.  He was planning on spending the night there with friends before boarding the Thursday afternoon bus for Kentucky.  A situation arose when Wookie got out of his harness and ran off.  It appeared the travel plans were in jeopardy.  Until just a little while ago the police found him and returned him to Rob.  Crises adverted.

The day is not over yet.  I’m anxiously awaiting the call from Rob that says he’s on the bus headed north.  It’s not that I have anything against him, however, the longer he stayed the worse the family dynamics became.  This fall when he’s finished with his travels he might be valuable to have around; just not an extended stay this time.

The rest of the day is filled with household chores: meals, laundry, dishes and straightening, the things we need to do more regularly.  Add into the mix a project or two, and we have a good day.

5:30 pm and I’ve hit my wall.  We haven’t got everything done, but we made progress.  Eat supper, read a little more, and finish the day with a shower and shave.  Rob’s bus leaves Tampa around 10:30, we should get a call shortly after.

As a reminder, Fridays are Book Review, then Saturdays are for a Pastoral Reflection.  So I’m back in the saddle with the blog.  Add the book writing next week, and I’ll be on my way.

Here’s to God’s plan and his love,

Peace to us all,

Yancy Adamson

I have started the process of coming up with a life plan.  I’m giving myself until my birthday on June 11^th, 2025, to have a seven-year plan laid out.  I’ve chosen seven years because it signifies a complete sabbatical cycle; symbolism means a lot to me so it’s appropriate that this cycle be a major turning point in my life.

The reason I’ve chosen June 11^th, 2025, is that I should know what my VA pension will be by then.  That will have a significant impact on what I’m able to do financially.  It also gives me enough time to assess the housing situation, my daily and weekly routines, and my overall view of life, now.

In this goal setting process, I will be looking at host of situations.  Beginning with a rough timeline of major accomplishments: the June date for having the plan finished, up till dates for my educational goals, completion of my 2^nd book, career push, property management, and disability claim.  Mind you, these are not in any particular order, just as they entered my thought process.  The final timeline and action plans will be in place by June 11^th, 2025.

I’m well aware of the fact that even though I have a solid plan in place it does not guarantee things are etched in stone.  Things change, adjustments need to be made, and life is fluid.  However, having a vision that is articulated in a very detailed manor increases the possibility that the final outcome is what we hope for.

Coming here 5 months ago derailed most of the plans I made prior, but some things never change.  They just need to be tweaked.  That is what I’ll be doing over the next couple months.

Here is to success and a plan that is pleasing to God.

In His name, peace and love.

Yancy Adamson

November 4^th, 2024, and it was to be my last day at the Owingsville Manor after nearly 6 years as a resident.  It all came crashing down when we had a meeting with the director, Sharlene Goes.  We were informed that the Manor would be closing, and we had until November 11^th, 2024, to find replacement housing.

Here it is, April 4^th, 2025, and a lot has happened.  It took 5 months but I’m finally getting settled in with the organizational aspects of my life.  My computer is set-up and sitting in its’ workstation on my desk, alongside my Franklin/covey planner.  My schedule is taking shape with the addition of regular events throughout my week and month.  Home responsibilities are being worked out and we are awaiting word from VA to hear what my adjusted pension will be.

It sounds as if everything is going as expected, however, it’s not all that it seems.  During these past 5 months there has been a fair share of struggles.  During that time, we have been hosting numerous individuals.  From the end of November through the early part of January, we provided housing for a homeless, 72-year-old lady.  We asked her to leave when it became apparent that she was using drugs.  Just before she left, we had 2 more individuals move in; one was our grandson who was trying to get off drugs, and the other, a friend of our son.  At our peak there were 7 of us; Dinah and I, Granddaughter, Kendal, and Rob our son, along with upwards of 3 other guests, all living in a 2-bedroom, 1200 square foot house.  In January we had 2 leave and another move in.  So, it has been a sort of revolving door.

March began with a different narrative.  It started on February 28^th, 2025, with the goal of getting my space in order.  Rob and Jude buckled down and painted my space after which they finished moving the rest of my furniture in.  That meant that I could start organizing my desk and bookcase; something I had pushed for since moving 4 months earlier.  That was pretty much the last of the major projects that have been completed.  Part of the issue was Michelle; she moved in sometime in February.  She was a homeless 55-year-old which we thought was a Godsend; the honeymoon didn’t last long.  At first everyone seemed to like her but the more she tried to take control the more people began to resent her.  Later we found her to be using meth, even giving some to Jude.  She is now gone but the feelings and stress linger.

The next major change will be when Rob moves out, which should be within the next couple of days.  He has big plans for the foreseeable future; a memorial service/party on the 12^th of April then his birthday on the 21^st.  After that it’s to Michigan for some chores and then off on the music festival circuit.  I believe it will be good for everyone, including the 3 of us left behind.  Dinah, Kendal, and me; we should be able to forge a good life.

Through all that we’ve been through I have learned a few things; one is patience, the ability to wait for things to work out.  When Dinah offered to provide me with a place to stay, I guess I was expecting things to go on as usual, without interruption.  Reality is a great teacher, and I am learning a lot.  Once Rob is gone the 3 of us can work on a way of doing things that are beneficial to everyone.  I’m looking forward to getting a plan in place with goals and action items moving me into a productive future.

Until next time,

God bless and keep you.

Yancy Adamson

I’m back!  I have successfully moved to Florida but not yet settled in.  This has been very difficult for me.  From being notified that we had to vacate the Manor, to actually getting moved in.  Most of my stuff is in storage but we are getting things placed where they belong in the house.  It will help my frame of mind to get organized.

I still believe this move is going to be the best thing for my long-term plans.  Once I get settled in, I can refile for my VA disability and get started with coaching school.  That is still one of my long-term goals, to become a life coach.

It’s the day before Thanksgiving so I will be making this short.

Until next time, God bless.

Yancy Adamson