Welcome to the series where you can share four of your links from your archives here on my blog to a new audience. Perhaps posts that you wrote at the beginning of your blogging experience that deserve another showcase. If you have book promotion posts then please contact me separately for other options. Details of how to get in touch with me at the end of the post.
Today I am delighted to welcome Tina Frisco to the series with the first of her four blog posts. We would not be human if we did not face problems in our lives. Not just the minor daily issues that we deal with as routine, but the kind of problems that are possibly life changing, life threatening or impact more than just ourselves. It is easy to get into a tail spin especially if others are depending on us to find a solution. Tina offers stratagies to change the narrative and take control of any such situation.
Problem, Lesson or Opportunity by Tina Frisco
Image is courtesy of Lucie Stastkova
When faced with an inexorable problem where emotions run high, knowing what to do can be a challenge. Rational thinking becomes obfuscated, forcing us into a holding pattern of circular thought.
Anger wants to place blame on others. Obsession with fine points masks the big picture. Abject frustration insists we bury our heads in the sand. Emotions churn and become ill-defined. Focus obscures. Common sense derails. Indigestion, insomnia, or worse take up residence.
None of these gets us anywhere. All of them threaten our sanity and plunge us into a maelstrom of inimical emotion. What to do?
Taking in a few deep breaths is a good first step toward relaxing. Listening to soothing music, meditating, or taking a comforting bath are a few ways to ease the constriction felt in the midsection. Relaxing the body helps mitigate mental and emotional distress. We all know this. But remembering to do it while in the heat of muddled emotion can be an ambitious undertaking.
After relaxing, and to ensure continued clearing, it is often wise to table problem-solving for a few hours or even a few days. Temporary distraction can be a lifesaver. Go to the movies. Visit with friends. Write. Do arts and crafts. All of these activities are superior to spinning our wheels and ultimately losing traction. Diverting attention away from obsessing helps clear chaotic debris and make way for rational thought.
An optimist by nature, I usually see the glass as half full. Is there a lesson being offered that I might benefit from learning? Is this an opportunity to expand and foster equilibrium?
When asking myself these questions, I sometimes find raw emotions rearing their heads and doing their damnedest to pull my thoughts back toward the negative. But the hiatus I’d taken from the problem usually pays off, affording me the clarity needed to focus my intention on finding a positive solution.
So what is it that hinders our accepting a problem as a life lesson and opportunity for growth? What’s the trade-off for wallowing in chaos?
Might it be the need for validation? Seeking validation from others can become an addiction if we consistently deny our own power. Might it be fear of the unknown? Dwelling within the familiar can become an addiction if we repeatedly refuse to break new ground. Might it be the need for love and nurturing? Searching for love by drawing attention to our suffering can become an addiction if we fail to see our connection to all around us.
When we look outside of ourselves to meet our needs, we are seeking validation for our very existence; we are failing to recognize life itself as validation enough.
How do we get off this self-destructive, self-denying merry-go-round? When stymied or utterly distraught, I fall back on my mantra:
The way out is the way in.
Image is courtesy of Lucie Stastkova
Am I willing to confront fear and tackle the challenge facing me? Am I willing to stand in my power, ready to own what is mine and shed what is not? Am I willing to break the cycle of codependence and let go of behavior that does not serve?
Therein lies the rub. Releasing can be much more difficult than acquiring. Indulging old habits and behavior reserves our place in familiar territory. If we walk away, where will we go? If we give up addiction, what will fill the void?
For most of us, fear of the unknown thwarts the best intentions; yet it can be a valuable adversary.
Seldom can we control how a new experience will play out. Truth be told, we often feel we are merely along for the ride! But the ride itself is the opportunity. It is a crack in the cement of a self-serving belief system that keeps us addicted to fear and chaos. It is a gift from the Universe, daring us to tread beyond our comfort zone.
What we can control are the choices we make. And these choices are determined by attitude. Will we continue to curse the problem and kick up the dust of fear and chaos, or will we meet the challenge and see it as a lesson offering us a chance to expand and become greater than we ever thought possible?
The question boils down to this: What attitude am I sporting? Attitude defines intention. It determines willingness, or lack thereof, to shed our old skin and reveal the tender beauty beneath.
Our spirits deserve the opportunity to experience all the Universe has to offer. That’s why we incarnated in the first place – to grow ever wiser and share our light with the world.
If we are willing to brazen out fear and dive into living, an inexplicable and troubling problem can serve as a vehicle for growth.
The Earth is a schoolhouse. We chose to incarnate here in order to become enlightened. Aspiring to enlightenment necessitates leaving familiar territory. Abandoning the familiar can be frightening. By recognizing fear as the root of a problem, we are able to face the problem as a lesson, and then turn that lesson into an opportunity for spiritual growth.
The way out of fear is the way in to gratitude. When our hearts are open, our bodies relax, our minds expand, our emotions lighten, and our spirits radiate joy. When seated in gratitude, we become pure love. Viewed through the eyes of love, everything is seen as an opportunity, and nothing is seen as impossible…
Until the next time, my friends,
Namaste ❤
© Tina Frisco 2017
About Tina Frisco
Tina Frisco is an author, singer-songwriter, RN, activist, and student of shamanism. Born in Pennsylvania USA, she attended nursing school in New York and lives in California. She began writing as a young child and received her first guitar at age 14, which launched her passion for music and songwriting. She has performed publicly in many different venues. Her publishing history includes book reviews; essays; articles in the field of medicine; her début novel, PLATEAU; her children’s book, GABBY AND THE QUADS; and her latest novel, VAMPYRIE. She enjoys writing, reading, music, dancing, arts and crafts, exploring nature, and frequently getting lost in working crossword puzzles.
Books by Tina Frisco
One of the most recent reviews for Plateau
Spiritually Moving and Uplifting on September 14, 2017
FIRST I must say that I loved this gentle little book. I devoured it in a single evening, so entranced by the story that I didn’t want to stop to read the inspiring quotes from Lynn V. Andrew’s Power Deck that began each chapter. Once I reached the end of the book I had to go back for the quotes, skimming each following chapter a second time.
NOW I must say that I have struggled with how I could possibly write a review — I’ve never read another book quite like it.
Other reviewers here have given you as much as you need to become familiar with the book’s “environment” – if I can call it that, introducing you to a few of the characters – so I won’t repeat similar content. But they can’t convey the deeply spiritual, uplifting essence of the book that, to me, is what makes it remarkable. Plateau never pontificates, but rather seduces the reader to come to his or her own spiritual realizations as the story unfolds.
I suppose the most impactful thing I can say is that I was infused with a sense of well-being when I finally put down my Kindle and turned off the light. I was in such a calm and totally relaxed positive state of mind that I transitioned easily and almost immediately into a deep sleep – a rare experience in my life.
Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Tina-Frisco/e/B009NMOFNY
And on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tina-Frisco/e/B009NMOFNY
Read more reviews and follow Tina on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6497599.Tina_Frisco
Here is how you can connect to Tina on her website and social media.
Website ~ http://tinafrisco.com
Amazon ~ http://hyperurl.co/3vme2a
Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/TinaFrisco.Author
Twitter ~ http://bit.ly/14VXY49
LinkedIn ~ http://linkd.in/1aAGwXl
Google+ ~ http://bit.ly/1Fc1Uzn
Goodreads ~ http://bit.ly/165vmVp
My thanks to Tina for sharing this thought provoking post with us and she will be in this slot on Saturdays for the next three weeks. I hope you will head over to her blog and read her more current posts too.
If you have up to four blog posts in your archives that you would like to share with my audience, then send the links to sally.cronin@moyhill.com.
Thanks for dropping by.. Sally
Sally, a beautiful guest post by Tina on your blog.😀
Tina, these words were just what I needed to read today – after an incredibly stressful week, my emotions were in a turmoil and in charge…reading your post immediately calmed the maelstrom and having read it a few times now, I’m giving thought to some of the questions you raise. Finally, what a wonderfully heartfelt and deeply spiritual review of your ‘Plateau’ by Madeyln.
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Thank you for such a lovely comment, Annika. It always amazes me when the Universe gives us what we need if we simply open to receiving it. I hope you sort things out now that you’ve released the stress ❤
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Thank you, Anika. I truly have no words still that adequately describe the magic spell of Plateau, much as I wish I did. Thank you for feeling the intent of my review.
I’m sorry this was a tough week for you. I, too, found Tina’s post worthy of reflection and hope to hang on to her words when future trials knock on my door.
Onward and Upward!
xx,
mgh
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Madelyn, you described the magic spell of the book brilliantly! Onwards and Upwards, indeed! The sun is shining, a new week beckons and a lot sorted here for me…new resolve for a new week! Lovely to have a ‘chat’ here! Warmest wishes 😀😀
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Back atcha’! My Sunday is just beginning, so I am reflecting on the past week as I enjoy a bit of cool weather (finally). Don’t rush me into the week upcoming – lol – much to accomplish. I’m making like Scarlett O’Hara — I think about it tomorrow. 🙂
xx,
mgh
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Hugs, Madelyn. Your words warm my heart ❤
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Warm heart, cold hands? Or is that the other way around – lol. Seriously, Tina, much deserved.
xx,
mgh
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Thank you, sweet friend ❤
Cold hands, warm heart… transposed but the same. Transposed is my middle name! 🙂
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Transported is more like it. ❤
xx,
mgh
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Great post!
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Thank you Alethea..xx
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Thank you for reading, Alethea ❤
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Sally, thank you for sharing this inspiring post by Tina. It’s a fabulous post to revisit again. 🙂
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I agree Natalie and glad you enjoyed the second time around.. hugs ♥
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Thanks so much, Natalie ❤
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My pleasure, Tina. It’s such an inspiring post. 🙂
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Hugs, sweet friend ❤
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Tina is a wonderful lady. A great inspiration x
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She is Shey… definitely gives us something to think about.. hugs xx
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Thank you, my lovely friend. That goes both ways ❤
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No No. You are a real treasure when it comes inspiration x
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Now I’m blushing… and graciously receive your kind words. Hugs, darlin’ ❤
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Oh Tina the wise one is back! So true, often the way out is the way in. And taking a step out of the situation really does give us a different perspective. It’s like editing our books day after day, only when we leave it alone for awhile do we notice things with different eyes. Love Tina’s inspirational posts! ❤ xoxoxo
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Me too Debby… ♥xxx
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❤ xxx
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Thank you, my sweet friend. Loved out chat last night. You always inspire and motivate me ❤
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Well that is a big ditto! ❤
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Excellent post, Sally. Tina is such a good writer, not to mention full of sage advice and wisdom.
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Agreed Jennie.. not such a slouch yourself. hugs xx
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Thank you, Jennie. And I second what Sally said 🙂 ❤
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Sally, this is a wonderful surprise and a great start to the weekend. Thank you so much, lovely friend, for hosting me and for all you do for our community. Feel a big hug ❤❤
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A really wonderful post, Tina. It’s timing for me could not have been better. Hugs.
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Delighted to hear that Robbie.. wise words indeed.. hugs xx
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Thank you, Robbie. You couldn’t have given me a better gift. Hope all is well. Hugs back to you ❤
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Brilliantly insightful analysis of how easy it is to be overwhelmed when things in life go awry. And lots of sound sensible advice for getting back on an even keel. Tina is absolutely right, the worst thing is often our own attitude and sense of defeat when faced with something- even before we start to examine the problem and possible solutions, or if not solutions, work rounds. Life is hard and does conspire against us. As Tina says the best thing you can do is develop a positive attitude and learn a few good strategies to turn it round. Because often what brings us down is not the problem in itself but our reaction. And finally must give a mention to the absolutely magical sensitively drawn of review of Plateau by Madelyn… it seemed to capture and illuminate the unique essence of the book’s philosophy. Lovely job.
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Agree with everything Paul.. and I was lucky to have a great crisis management lecturer who said very similar when referring to major catastrophes.. and the principals apply in our private lives in exactly the same way. Tina is a very wise woman.. hugs xxx
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Thanks so much for your excellent synopsis, Paul. Seems we’ve been down similar roads. And might I say, we’re the better for it. You captured the essence of Madelyn’s review, as she captured the essence of Plateau. It’s no wonder we have all connected 🙂 ❤
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Thanks, Tina. So true and very inspiring.
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Thanks so much, Olga ❤
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Reblogged this on TINA FRISCO and commented:
Sally Cronin is graciously hosting me and other authors on her blog series, Posts from Your Archives. Sally is multi-talented and administers a blog that exemplifies her character: Smorgasbord Invitation. If you’re not familiar with Sally, do yourself a favor and rectify that! Her blog is highly #recommended ❤
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Great post, Tina! 🙂
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Thanks Bette..hugs xx
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Thank you, Bette! ❤
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Fantastic advice, my friend, especially the deep breathing and walking away to take yourself out of the situation. xxx
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Thanks, Adele. Sisters helping sisters ❤
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❤ ❤
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Good lookin’ and can write a great post!!! WOW.
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Tina is certainly all of that Andrew..x
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Flattery will get you everywhere, Andrew 🙂 ❤
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This post from Tina is optimistic, endearing, and wise. I’m so glad it was shared here as part of your archives series, Sally! Wishing you both a beautiful day xo
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Thank you for the lovely comment, Christy ❤
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Thank you Christy.. I am very lucky to have such wonderful contributors..hugs xx
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It’s great to have Tina back, Sally. Thanks for posting. Hugs to you both.
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Thank you, Teagan. It’s good to be back ❤
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Wonderful wisdom from Tina. 🙂 I used to get incredibly wrapped up in the drama of everything. Ugh. Breathing, stepping back, and taking a new perspective works every time, and not always as expected. Thank goodness the practice became a habit. Thanks for the post, Sally.
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I know the feeling Diana.. but stress rarely changes a situation especially when it is out of our hands.. Tina as always is the voice of reason..♥
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Thank you, Diana. I used to be much like you once were. Practice really does make perfect 🙂 ❤
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