From time to time, when tensions are high or I can sense a pervading uneasy energy circling me in some way, I do a little meditative exercise. Usually, it is a visualization or relaxation ritual--something easy to refocus my mind. It is similar to Sar's and the one she did with the clouds, but a little different.
So, as a means to, perhaps, prepare you for the unforeseen stressful events in your own life, this week's blog will have you contemplating your "happy place" either real or metaphorical or imaginary. Please answer the following questions:
Where do you like to go to escape from the pressures of your life? (It doesn't have to be a real place).
What is your best childhood memory? Describe it in detail.
Where and when do you feel your absolute best? Why?
What is the most soothing sound you can imagine?
Which colors affect your mood the most? How do those colors affect it?
When during the day do you feel the most at ease? Why? What is it about that time of day that provides comfort?
Relax while you're writing this--please don't start at 11:45 on Thursday night and rush forward trying to get it in under the wire--that would really defeat the purpose.
Remember to breathe...
204APLangBabies
Welcome to your class blog. This is a magical place--one where I hope you will find the true meaning of what it means to be human. It is a place to muse aloud and bask in your own--and each other's--brilliance. Use it wisely and make it matter!
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Monday, May 22, 2017
The Things I never Said...
And oh, how that list has grown over the years.
What about you?
We talked a lot last week about love and relationships--listening to what some of you think about this topic was equal parts eye-opening and heart-breaking.
That you have hurt to the levels you have fills me with a sense of sorrow, frustration, and yes, even anger. In some cases I know the people who hurt you and that makes things...messy, but has zero impact on my ability to see you and that other person separately. The anger mostly stems from my own inability to help rather than anything else.
In any case, after our very robust and resounding discussions, I started to think about the levels of despair, anger, uneasiness etc that some situations seem to bring up in people. I began to realize that a lot of what some of you are feeling might be the result of what I like to call "residual reconsiderations"--which basically just means that leftover nagging feeling you have when you feel like there is something you needed to say, but didnt think you needed to until you lost the opportunity.
Well, my lovely Langer lemurs (yeah...that was my desperation for alliteration...), I am all about trying to reclaim lost opportunities.
So, here in our spot, where you will be safe--you can have back that lost opportunity to say the thing you never said..to whoever you need to say it to. Could be a friend, an ex, a parent, a teacher, a coach, or even yourself. Never underestimate the value of finding your words.
I'll go first. And it won't be easy. But, the important stuff--it never is.
To the boy from the beach, all those years ago:
The first day you talked to me felt the longest day of the year. I replayed that conversation endlessly and I am pretty sure I did not sleep a single second of that night because I didn't want to forget anything.
I tell you this now because I didn't put it in our wedding vows. I wanted to. But I couldn't. It was too hard because the boy from the beach wasn't the same person as the one standing at the end of the aisle, and on that day, in that moment, I didn't want to remember that I was marrying the person who wasn't THE person anymore. That didn't fit the narrative of the day. So, I said nothing. Just like I did for about 5 of the 13 years leading up to that day.
I am sorry I didn't talk more. I am sorry I didn't let you see how sad I was. I am sorry that you lost the ability to see it for yourself, even though I thought you were the only one who ever had that wizard-like vision that could really SEE me. Or maybe you could, but my disguise was just...that good.
Some things don't really make sense. Some things just ARE. We were one of those things. And, we will continue to be, even if you never choose to look again. You are my past, and ever-present in my day to day existence. Most of what I am, I learned from you--good and bad. I love you for that, and for many more things too dumb to mention. Thank you, Corey. For being my greatest champion, my toughest critic, and my safe harbor from storms to dangerous to navigate on my own. You taught me well, and I will love you for the rest of my life because of it.
Yeah, well. I said it wouldn't be easy. The fact that I can't see now tells me I was right.
What about you?
We talked a lot last week about love and relationships--listening to what some of you think about this topic was equal parts eye-opening and heart-breaking.
That you have hurt to the levels you have fills me with a sense of sorrow, frustration, and yes, even anger. In some cases I know the people who hurt you and that makes things...messy, but has zero impact on my ability to see you and that other person separately. The anger mostly stems from my own inability to help rather than anything else.
In any case, after our very robust and resounding discussions, I started to think about the levels of despair, anger, uneasiness etc that some situations seem to bring up in people. I began to realize that a lot of what some of you are feeling might be the result of what I like to call "residual reconsiderations"--which basically just means that leftover nagging feeling you have when you feel like there is something you needed to say, but didnt think you needed to until you lost the opportunity.
Well, my lovely Langer lemurs (yeah...that was my desperation for alliteration...), I am all about trying to reclaim lost opportunities.
So, here in our spot, where you will be safe--you can have back that lost opportunity to say the thing you never said..to whoever you need to say it to. Could be a friend, an ex, a parent, a teacher, a coach, or even yourself. Never underestimate the value of finding your words.
I'll go first. And it won't be easy. But, the important stuff--it never is.
To the boy from the beach, all those years ago:
The first day you talked to me felt the longest day of the year. I replayed that conversation endlessly and I am pretty sure I did not sleep a single second of that night because I didn't want to forget anything.
I tell you this now because I didn't put it in our wedding vows. I wanted to. But I couldn't. It was too hard because the boy from the beach wasn't the same person as the one standing at the end of the aisle, and on that day, in that moment, I didn't want to remember that I was marrying the person who wasn't THE person anymore. That didn't fit the narrative of the day. So, I said nothing. Just like I did for about 5 of the 13 years leading up to that day.
I am sorry I didn't talk more. I am sorry I didn't let you see how sad I was. I am sorry that you lost the ability to see it for yourself, even though I thought you were the only one who ever had that wizard-like vision that could really SEE me. Or maybe you could, but my disguise was just...that good.
Some things don't really make sense. Some things just ARE. We were one of those things. And, we will continue to be, even if you never choose to look again. You are my past, and ever-present in my day to day existence. Most of what I am, I learned from you--good and bad. I love you for that, and for many more things too dumb to mention. Thank you, Corey. For being my greatest champion, my toughest critic, and my safe harbor from storms to dangerous to navigate on my own. You taught me well, and I will love you for the rest of my life because of it.
Yeah, well. I said it wouldn't be easy. The fact that I can't see now tells me I was right.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
10 Things
Every once in a while, I like to "take stock" of who I am, and whether or not my actions and ambitions are remaining true to whoever that is. Lots of times, not so much. And when this happens, in order to get myself back on track, I make a list. The "lists" always have a title--"10 things I've always wanted to do but couldn't afford," or "10 things I love about NJ," etc.
It helps. Every time, it always helps.
So, in the spirit of that, let's give it a try.
Your 10 things category is:
Ten Thngs I (menaing you, not me) Know to Be True.
Annnnddddd go.......
It helps. Every time, it always helps.
So, in the spirit of that, let's give it a try.
Your 10 things category is:
Ten Thngs I (menaing you, not me) Know to Be True.
Annnnddddd go.......
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
The Secret of my Success...and other Fallacies
So, I'm at my favorite bookstore, which I have to travel to Cherry Hill for, and as usual, I become spellbound by all of the collective knowledge that is, literally, at my fingertips as I walk up and down the aisles.
I find it absolutely mind-boggling that you can be in a single structure or a building, and hold the keys to the universe if you look closely enough ( I was, coincidentally, in the space-exploration aisle).
I suppose the same could be said if you are standing in a library, but there is something about those clear plastic wrappings they put on library books that makes what is contained within seem less accessible. But, as usual, I digress.
So, there I am, walking among the aisles of knowledge and I find myself in the self-help section looking at all the titles: The Success Book, How to Succeed in Business, 7 Secrets of Successful Teens etc. All of these books, all dedicated to the notion of success. That was when it hit me--how do these books ever sell? Aren't all individual ideas of what success is dramatically different? And then, it hit me again..."I wonder what Lang kids view as definitions of success? Hmmmmmm...blog question!" And now, here we are.
So, tell me--what is YOUR definition of success?
What are the hallmarks, again, to YOU, of a successful person?
How do you judge whether or not you are successful? A
re there different levels, different measures of importance tied to levels?
What do you need to have, to own, to acquire in order to feel successful?
What types of things need to happen in order for you to see yourself as a success?
(450 words/60pts)
I find it absolutely mind-boggling that you can be in a single structure or a building, and hold the keys to the universe if you look closely enough ( I was, coincidentally, in the space-exploration aisle).
I suppose the same could be said if you are standing in a library, but there is something about those clear plastic wrappings they put on library books that makes what is contained within seem less accessible. But, as usual, I digress.
So, there I am, walking among the aisles of knowledge and I find myself in the self-help section looking at all the titles: The Success Book, How to Succeed in Business, 7 Secrets of Successful Teens etc. All of these books, all dedicated to the notion of success. That was when it hit me--how do these books ever sell? Aren't all individual ideas of what success is dramatically different? And then, it hit me again..."I wonder what Lang kids view as definitions of success? Hmmmmmm...blog question!" And now, here we are.
So, tell me--what is YOUR definition of success?
What are the hallmarks, again, to YOU, of a successful person?
How do you judge whether or not you are successful? A
re there different levels, different measures of importance tied to levels?
What do you need to have, to own, to acquire in order to feel successful?
What types of things need to happen in order for you to see yourself as a success?
(450 words/60pts)
Friday, April 21, 2017
Mental Floss
bout two years ago, I was perusing the internet, over Easter weekend, and I came across a blog I used to follow quite regularly. It says things like "practical tips for productive living," and then it goes on to list things that would be good to think about during the daily grind. It's written by an annoyingly cute couple who obviously sit around thinking philosophically on the regular. I must say, I'm a tad jealous because, frankly, I don't have the energy.
Anyway, if you're interested in the site itself, I will give you the link, but I don't want to make it seem as though I am "sponsoring" it or anything here, because, well, that's illegal.
Soo, as I was browsing around the archives, I found some cool, thought-provoking questions that left me lost inside my own head for a good 2 hours or so. There were 50 of these mind bending questions (Originally I thought there were a hundred in two 50 question blocks, but I misread it), and I am not going to list them all here, but I am going to post some of the more provocative ones.
Obviously, you don't need to write volumes on any one question--but expound on a few of the ones that really resonate with you and allow your mind to roam at will. Take your time and have some fun on the mental playground that these questions construct sort of naturally. You should answer AT LEAST 8 of them, and only 5 if you really go into detail.
From time to time, I may pop in with my own answers to some of these--feel free to engage in conversation with me, or any of your classmates during the course of this week's blog!
1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? (I love this one!)
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
Anyway, if you're interested in the site itself, I will give you the link, but I don't want to make it seem as though I am "sponsoring" it or anything here, because, well, that's illegal.
Soo, as I was browsing around the archives, I found some cool, thought-provoking questions that left me lost inside my own head for a good 2 hours or so. There were 50 of these mind bending questions (Originally I thought there were a hundred in two 50 question blocks, but I misread it), and I am not going to list them all here, but I am going to post some of the more provocative ones.
Obviously, you don't need to write volumes on any one question--but expound on a few of the ones that really resonate with you and allow your mind to roam at will. Take your time and have some fun on the mental playground that these questions construct sort of naturally. You should answer AT LEAST 8 of them, and only 5 if you really go into detail.
From time to time, I may pop in with my own answers to some of these--feel free to engage in conversation with me, or any of your classmates during the course of this week's blog!
1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? (I love this one!)
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
Monday, April 10, 2017
The Things We Leave Behind...
Well, here we are again...the LOVE blog...
With a twist.
So, here's your scenario--it's 20or so years in the future. You have 2 children, boy and girl. You may have given birth to these kids, adopted them, stolen them from bad homes like I do dogs, whatever--you have them.
Their ages are 12 and 13. Your daughter is older. Both of your kids are, of course, stunningly attractive and have each shown interest in romance (same sex/opposite sex--again, doesn't matter).
Based on your personal experiences, what do you want them to KNOW about love?
Will you tell them?
Will you let them find out on their own?
What are the most important and key pieces of information you want your kids armed with when it comes to notions and ideas about love?
How much of what you tell them will be based on your own experiences?
And finally, where did your own ideas about love come from? Do you think that had anything to do with how you feel about it now?
***PS--this blog was originally written as a story, but it wsn't working out the way I wanted it to, so...***
With a twist.
So, here's your scenario--it's 20or so years in the future. You have 2 children, boy and girl. You may have given birth to these kids, adopted them, stolen them from bad homes like I do dogs, whatever--you have them.
Their ages are 12 and 13. Your daughter is older. Both of your kids are, of course, stunningly attractive and have each shown interest in romance (same sex/opposite sex--again, doesn't matter).
Based on your personal experiences, what do you want them to KNOW about love?
Will you tell them?
Will you let them find out on their own?
What are the most important and key pieces of information you want your kids armed with when it comes to notions and ideas about love?
How much of what you tell them will be based on your own experiences?
And finally, where did your own ideas about love come from? Do you think that had anything to do with how you feel about it now?
***PS--this blog was originally written as a story, but it wsn't working out the way I wanted it to, so...***
Saturday, April 8, 2017
I Think; Therefore, I AM.
There is an old proverb that says, basically, if you cannot ask you cannot live.
Well, it sounds deeper and more profound than that but I can't think of the exact wording.
In preparation for your This I Believe presentation, which is a Bunje English assignment (that you won't actually get until May 14), vey cool, and usually fun to write, please carefully consider the questions below, and do your best to reflect and answer them as honestly as possible.
1. What am I grateful for?
2. Am I honest?
3. What do I need to change about myself?
4. Do I know what my talents are and do I utilize those talents?
5. When I help someone, do I think, "what's in it for me?"
Again, answer honestly--no one will judge you, especially me. In fact, I will answer them too.
Well, it sounds deeper and more profound than that but I can't think of the exact wording.
In preparation for your This I Believe presentation, which is a Bunje English assignment (that you won't actually get until May 14), vey cool, and usually fun to write, please carefully consider the questions below, and do your best to reflect and answer them as honestly as possible.
1. What am I grateful for?
2. Am I honest?
3. What do I need to change about myself?
4. Do I know what my talents are and do I utilize those talents?
5. When I help someone, do I think, "what's in it for me?"
Again, answer honestly--no one will judge you, especially me. In fact, I will answer them too.
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