What I remember from Dr. Robert Waterman

What I remember from Dr. Robert Waterman, Ed. D., LCC, and likely, a wandering sage or two. (The following list is not necessarily chronological.) Three sets of ten; take your pick.

I.

1. He said, “You have a good grasp on self-love; that’s a good thing.”
2. Let’s work on what you think is out of your grasp.
3. You picked him (Amos’s dad); you can let him go.
4. A light goes on! I can let him go.
5. Find him. Tell him. Make sure he understands you are setting him free from your expectations.
6. Your son’s and his relationship is up to them. You provide the dime for the phone call.(vintage)
7. Get out into the world. Join. Meet people. (Make something of your life.) My grandma told me that too, to do something with my life. I joined Tai chi in the park, and yoga in a woman’s lovely home.
8. Pot takes you, he said, from A to B, back to A, then to B; A to B, B to A, endless loop.
9. Tell your friends not to smoke around you. You ought to give up recreational drugs and going with guys who are disrespectful, unkind, violent, drug-addled, or otherwise unsuitable for you.
10. Golden Rule and get a phone. A PO box and ten miles out of town isn’t working for you.

II.

11. When you wake up; get up. No wallowing in morning thoughts.
12. Meet your life every morning with your best colors, food, hair, and attire. Focus on gratitude.
13. Smile and listen. Make healthy plans. Make gratitude lists.
14. Consider your own skills and assets. Make use of them to support your family of two.
15. You picked him; you can unpick him.
16. If you get lonely, ask yourself what it is that you want to share. When you have something to share,             someone will be there.
17. If you don’t want to share a damn thing, then it’s not time for relationship.
18. Work on feeling confident; you can do it. You can raise your son. (and later: kids, dogs, cats)
19. Be responsible for yourself and your child and all that befalls you, all that comes your way. Your responses are you choice. It’s up to you how you feel, think, live, be.
20. How you treat a spouse informs your children how to treat theirs. If you are kind, they will learn kindness, too.

III.  

21. Love and honor your spiritual self, spiritual life, spiritual essence. Develop your beliefs and behaviors. (Only then will you feel whole, calm, complete, and prepared).
22. Let your heart crack open to its inner fire.
23. Don’t worry. To worry is to doubt god. Don’t worry about defining god. Be honest.
24. Be honest.
25. Take responsibility for your mood, your health, happiness, anger, fear, gratitude, attitude, etc.
26. Nothing you have done is wasted, if you make use of it.
27. When visiting people, friends or relatives, make yourself useful. Do actual work such as cleaning, cooking, childcare, wash windows, etc.
28. Embrace honesty; seek solitude.
29. He did say, “I’m surprised the universe allowed you a child; you are such a vegetable. It’s hard for a vegetable to raise a child. (I took that as a startling image meant to wake me and shake me.  It           did.)
30. After taking Robert’s guidance, my path turned from down to up. I began to direct myself into the light, something even a vegetable can do. Consequences: a compass, a family, and                                    often a sense of purpose, and a fair share of happy.