TwitterJan 13 2010
A Duck, on a Frozen Pond, Demonstrating Einstein’s Definition of Insanity? . . .
10 this morning: I was in my truck to go to my life coach/therapist appointment and I noticed these ducks “on top” of the lake–really it’s a very large pond but they insist on calling it a “lake”. I say they were “on top” of it because the water is frozen.
So picture this, there are three ducks. One was walking, one was resting, and one was paddling her web feet trying to swim for all she was worth.
This was too much, I took my camera and videoed her to show my kids.
The duck walking on the ice walked straight at her looking like, “What are you doing?” Then he turns and walks the other way. Then the one resting gets up and the two walk away while she keeps paddling… Going no where.
I couldn’t help but think…”There’s a message here for me. I’m on my way to my appointment to deal with my “mother hate” issues and I’ve got a duck demonstrating Einstein’s definition of insanity:
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
So today’s message from my duck friends? STOP DOING THE SAME THING if you hope to get off the “ice”/hate… heal my hate issues…
I’ve been that paddling duck. It’s time I stop the insanity, be like the other duck… up, walking around, in charge, enjoying life for all it’s got to offer and even leading the other duck. He was getting some where. I went to my appointment with that on my mind and I’m glad because the appointment got intense…
The Appointment: For all I was worth I wanted to resist what my couch was trying to help me see. But thank God I didn’t and I pushed through and as a result I’m coming more out of my “insanity”. A chunk of what I came to see? I’ve allowed my mother to control and have so much influence over me that she’s my god. She possesses me. She lives through me. I fear her, I talk about her a lot, I can do things that she does: get cold, shut down, mean, temper… All things someone does who worships someone or thing.
That was unnerving. Tasted like vinegar and sent shutters down my spine. But then I had to admit it’s true. She’s my god. This processing dislodged a memory: when I was a kid I used to always sardonically say, “My mother is God himself.” Well, I took that a little too seriously…
After: I went to one of my all time favorite spots: my library… While there I found a book on CD: Dolorus Claiborn by Stephen King. In all the years I’ve gone there and checked out books out on CD and, always look at the SK choices, I’ve never once saw this. In the words of my daughter, “That’s crazy!”
So… I mean, really…
Did I have a choice about taking it out? No! I know you remember that it was only days ago that the movie version cracked me wide open showing me my hate for my mother. Click here for that post.
So of course I immediately popped it in when I got to my truck, I’ve got to see why this “coincidence” happened. Isn’t life totally cool???
I’ll keep you posted….
Later: we had a terrific business meeting. Exciting things to come is all I can say… 
Night, love ya,
Theresa Jane
-three hours later when I return home. That duck was still paddling… four or five feet away from where she started and now she was moving in a circle…insanity…a reinforcement, keep pressing forward to “do different” or you’ll stay on “your ice”…made me shiver
Here’s my ducks…
If you get a kick out of them tell your friends to go to our channel: http://www.youtube.com/JohnSolomonSandridge and view them, who knows maybe they’ll go viral?! Boy wouldn’t that be great for our business?
Major signs are happening to you. The best part is you are now open so you can see them. Since the very beginning of my relationship with my husband I told his kids that they should have a relationship with their Mom. I said I would never be bothered by that. His daughter in recent years was told that I understand if you don’t want to have a relationship because for her it just caused pain. I am not their Mom but it crushed me to hear her cry over something her “Mother” did or said. I am done pushing for a relationship between all of them and their Mom. I believe that like you having that relationship has caused more pain than happiness. It is in their hands to do with her as they please. I am happy to hear you have come to the conclusion that your Mom will never change, so you have to. You have 8 beautiful children and spending time and making happy memories with them is a lot more productive than trying to get blood from a stone. I wish you nothing but happiness in this new year.
That must have been very painful to watch your step-children children cry over the pain from the relationship with their mom. To know they were hurting deeply with unreachable pain and all you could offer was a shoulder and the love you had for them. I’m sure that you have played a very significant role of love in their lives that greatly aided and provided them an invaluable safe place, one that they are grateful for even if they possibly have yet to express it. Some things take time, especially when there’s a heart of a wounded child involved.
Theresa Jane
I LOVE the duck lesson story! Just love it. IMO, ducks are anarchist-comedians, like the Marx Bros. I don’t think Groucho walking that way was an accident. Once, on retreat at a Benedictine Abbey I saw a line of four robed monks passing on a ridge, responding to the bell for Vespers. They were followed (20 ft later) by four ducks in the same formation, who appeared to be imitating them! I also liked that we both wrote about animals. You are doing such GOOD work.
LOL!! Right! Groucho Marx and his duck walk. I haven’t seen a Marx Bros. movie in tooooo long. Thanks for mentioning him, it brought chuckle and a broad grin.
Glad you liked my story. Even as I think about them yet again all I can think is how the other two ducks walked away as if to say…”Hey girl, it’s like this. Follow us.” Had she she would have had a different outcome. But she was going to do it her way. A way that wasn’t working, rather than follow those that could lead her to good. There was no helping her. Glory, this is such a demonstration to me that doing “it” my way never worked in the past and to keep “following” the right voices. The ones that see me and where I’m trying to swim on ice when what I need to do is walk… For me this is my couch.
Thank you for your inspiring words. I am grateful.
Theresa Jane
PS. I want to pet a whale!! I have always loved and been fascinated by whales.
I always tired to be there for them. I have been thanked and I have been hurt by each of them. I can only do so much. I guess at this point I am the duck that is paddling and the 2 ducks walking away are Bonnie and Jason. I guess we can all find away for your ducks to fit our circumstance.
You know parenting is funny. Look at my kids…
Theresa Jane
Too funny!! And a great lesson for us all. I do wish you’d zoomed in on the little guy, though.
I know! That was as far as my camera would zoom, without waddling out into the ice and water lol