1. The Banana Man - He is old, he is frail. He stands in the middle of a busy road trying to sell bananas to people in cars waiting for the stop light. He shuffles from car to car and then when the light turns green he shuffles to the curb, slowly, very, very slowly. It is dangerous. It is dumb.
2. Sign Waving Kids - It is dark, it is Friday night, the road is very busy. A large group of kids from an elementary school are standing on the curb waving signs. It is too dark to read the signs. It is dangerous. It is dumb.
3. Low Rider Trucks - They are so low they can't take a speed bump at 5mph. Just dumb. That is all.
Showing posts with label Observations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Observations. Show all posts
Friday, March 1, 2013
Monday, May 17, 2010
What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?
At Lake Yankton, searching for fossils - Age 10
When I grow up I want to be a piano playing astronaut. I want to be a world famous scientist and discover the cure for cancer. I want to be a doctor that saves lives and takes away pain. I want to be a librarian and read every book in the world. I want to be a mom, just like my mom, who has magic kisses and can sing just like Karen Carpenter and all the singers on the radio. I want to be a business person and staple, tape, punch holes, and file paperwork to bring order to the world. I want to be a dancer on American Bandstand and an Olympic gymnast. I want to be tall. I want to write books like Asimov. I want to be an explorer out in the jungle finding plants and animals no human has ever seen. I want to be an inventor. I want to go to college and learn everything. I want to be be rich, and drive fast cars. I want to be a teacher just like Miss Lerrick, who make small, shy girls feel like they can be anything. I want to be brave, and bold and smart. I want to see the world. I want to change the world.
When I was 9, we had a program for Girl Scouts showcasing our dreams for the future. I dressed up in my Mom's silver racing jacket, snow boots and a motorcycle helmet. I walked across the stage and boldly declared that I wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up. I made my public debut as a pianist that night as well. Before donning my space gear, I entertained the crowd with some song from Swan Lake. I was so excited because I had graduated to "sheet music". I was ready for the big time.
That summer, after selling a record number of Girl Scout cookies, our troop took a trip to World's of Fun in Kansas City. Having grown up in the small towns along Highway 81 in South Dakota and Nebraska, Kansas City was HUGE! That is where I discovered my love of roller coasters and the adrenaline rush. Roller coasters offer the perfect combination of danger and safety. They are a controlled burn, and that's why I love them. I am free to relax and experience the thrill confident that someone else has taken my safety into consideration. Learning of my extreme aversion to spinning at high speeds (barfing my guts out on the Tilt A Whirl), dashed my hopes of a career with NASA. I think that my claustrophobic tendencies might have posed a problem as well. The whole idea of an astronaut was much more appealing than the reality.
So, I am not an astronaut, or a doctor, or a gymnast. There are a few common threads that weave their way through the dreams of my childhood: discovery, learning, adventure, music, creating, organizing, nurturing, and love. Those threads have become the tapestry of my life, the details of which are more beautiful than the fanciful dreams of youth.
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Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Path
"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be."— Douglas Adams
When I was 16, and knew everything, I had my whole life planned out. Lucky for me, it turned out much differently. The all knowing genius of 16 quickly morphed into the uncertain young adult, and then the completely confused young mother. Life has taken many more twists, turns and side roads than I had ever imagined. My plan at 16 was pretty straight forward, and frankly, it would have been a boring life!
For the longest time I have felt like I was always behind schedule. Each day seemed to present more urgent tasks than I had time or energy to complete. Each week, each month, each year, I was getting more and more behind. Instead of getting closer to reaching my goals, I seemed to be getting further off track. The trouble is, I was still judging myself based on that plan I made when I was 16. The plan that didn't allow for real life to happen.
Looking at my life's path from a starting point of age 16 I see the straight path with the big gold star at the end. That path is empty, it's so faint it is barely even visible. My actual life's path starts in the same place and for a short distance follows that path. About 19 it makes a pretty abrupt turn and then proceeds to curve and wind around in a generally forward motion. Sometimes it turns back on itself, like one of those mazes with only one tiny way out. There are long stretches where the road is straight and clear, but right up the side of a mountain. To see the original gold star I have to look back and to my left. Apparently, I left that mile marker in the dust long ago. Imagine that, all this time I felt like I was behind schedule, when actually I am way ahead. When I look back, my path is sprinkled liberally with big gold stars. What lies ahead of me shines even brighter, thousands of gold stars and a big cup running over with light.
When I was 16, and knew everything, I had my whole life planned out. Lucky for me, it turned out much differently. The all knowing genius of 16 quickly morphed into the uncertain young adult, and then the completely confused young mother. Life has taken many more twists, turns and side roads than I had ever imagined. My plan at 16 was pretty straight forward, and frankly, it would have been a boring life!
For the longest time I have felt like I was always behind schedule. Each day seemed to present more urgent tasks than I had time or energy to complete. Each week, each month, each year, I was getting more and more behind. Instead of getting closer to reaching my goals, I seemed to be getting further off track. The trouble is, I was still judging myself based on that plan I made when I was 16. The plan that didn't allow for real life to happen.
Looking at my life's path from a starting point of age 16 I see the straight path with the big gold star at the end. That path is empty, it's so faint it is barely even visible. My actual life's path starts in the same place and for a short distance follows that path. About 19 it makes a pretty abrupt turn and then proceeds to curve and wind around in a generally forward motion. Sometimes it turns back on itself, like one of those mazes with only one tiny way out. There are long stretches where the road is straight and clear, but right up the side of a mountain. To see the original gold star I have to look back and to my left. Apparently, I left that mile marker in the dust long ago. Imagine that, all this time I felt like I was behind schedule, when actually I am way ahead. When I look back, my path is sprinkled liberally with big gold stars. What lies ahead of me shines even brighter, thousands of gold stars and a big cup running over with light.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Winter in Paradise
This is our fifth winter in paradise and my body is fully acclimated. At 10pm it is 70 degrees and I am cold. Crazy, but true. Here I sit in the warmest room in the house in long pj's, socks and two blankets. My arms are exposed while writing this and I am thinking seriously of putting on the jacket that is next to me.
Five years ago I remember seeing people wearing jackets while waiting to catch an early morning bus. I thought they were nuts! Coming from Utah, I could only feel warm and happy when it was 70 degrees at 6am in December.
Now, I am one of those jacket wearers. I was so 'cold' the other night I turned on the heater in my car. I totally understand how illogical it is to feel cold at 70 degrees, but I do feel cold. Maybe
my blood has thinned?
It is nice to feel a difference in the seasons, however subtle they may be. The first 4 years feel like one very long,monotonous summer. Noticing the change helps me feel like summer might be finally ending and Fall is in the air. I am doubtful that it will ever really feel like Christmas to me without at least a little snow.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Give Said the Little Stream
Since sitting down to my computer this morning I have started this post at least 5 times. After writing a few lines I read it and then backspace it all. I just can't get the words to convey my thoughts this morning. My head is full of deep and conflicting thoughts. There are the thoughts on the surface of how long my list is for today, and all the other things I would like to put on that list, but don't dare. If my list gets longer than a page I tend to freak out and spend the day spinning my wheels. There are the carnal thoughts of food and how nice it would feel to climb back into bed and sleep another hour or two. Then there are the calm and quiet thoughts, the steady current of ideas flowing underneath all the swirling chaos. Those are the thoughts I want to nurture and cultivate. Those are the thoughts I want to share.
Imagine your life is a river. It starts high on a mountain top as a small but powerful stream. As time goes on you grow, and pick up speed. with the momentum of flowing forward you pick up a lot of debris. Dirt, rocks, leaves, branches, all kinds of stuff that muddy up your crystal clean water and slow down the flow. Occasionally you come to something so large, so steady that you have no choice but to go around it. You have to completely change course. Sometimes your life might even feel like white water rapids, tossing violently and crashing into immovable obstacles.
Alternately, the river of life can gently flow bringing new experiences and new views, at a comfortable pace. Picking up what's needful, and leaving behind evidence of your life in the sediment. Eventually flowing into the ocean or a lake to joining with others for a larger purpose.
This gentle flow is what I am after. I wish to gently flow through each new experience taking life as it comes without struggle. I love the Primary song, "Give Said the Little Stream". Where ever I go I want to leave the grass greener. I want to sing all through the days and give away all the good things I pick up along my journey.
Imagine your life is a river. It starts high on a mountain top as a small but powerful stream. As time goes on you grow, and pick up speed. with the momentum of flowing forward you pick up a lot of debris. Dirt, rocks, leaves, branches, all kinds of stuff that muddy up your crystal clean water and slow down the flow. Occasionally you come to something so large, so steady that you have no choice but to go around it. You have to completely change course. Sometimes your life might even feel like white water rapids, tossing violently and crashing into immovable obstacles.
Alternately, the river of life can gently flow bringing new experiences and new views, at a comfortable pace. Picking up what's needful, and leaving behind evidence of your life in the sediment. Eventually flowing into the ocean or a lake to joining with others for a larger purpose.
This gentle flow is what I am after. I wish to gently flow through each new experience taking life as it comes without struggle. I love the Primary song, "Give Said the Little Stream". Where ever I go I want to leave the grass greener. I want to sing all through the days and give away all the good things I pick up along my journey.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Tubely is the Devil
After working at my computer doing mundane tasks for most of the afternoon, I received an email from a good friend. It was an invitation to be her friend on Tubely. Normally I don't click on those sort of things without doing at least a little research first. I had never heard of Tubely.com, but, I was tired, and my scam radar was down. She is such a good friend, and I would never want her to feel "reject"ed. I did the unspeakable - I clicked "yes"! Shocking, but none the less true!
They got me. The initial form required all sorts of personal data. I did the usual and left those areas blank. When they insisted these fields be completed before proceeding, I gave them fake data. When that didn't work (How do they know my phone number isn't 808-888-8888 and that I don't live on blank St.?? I could be that lucky. I really could!), my radar finally kicked in and I started looking for the chicken switch. I needed out of this line BEFORE the roller coaster took off!
The more I clicked, the deeper I plunged into the Tubely mayhem. I still don't know for sure what they are all about, but they certainly know how to program an infinity loop of chaos! I eventually found the escape hatch and canceled my account. Interestingly, it took at least twice as many steps to cancel as it did to sign up. I wasn't even sure I HAD signed up, since I never completely, or correctly filled out their stupid form.
Still dizzy from all the looping, I went back to my work. My inbox started filing up with Tubely invites - from myself, to myself. Apparently, somewhere along that journey the lovely dears at Tubely had hijacked my contact list. I use gmail, which like an elephant, never forgets a contact. Anyone I have ever emailed, or has emailed me, in the last 6 years got an email this afternoon asking if they wanted to be Wendy Minks friend on Tubely. Even the customer service dudes at Audible got that email.
I sure hope that no one was as blinded as I was and actually clicked "yes". Since I deleted my Tubely account, I am not sure what will happen if someone does, other than Tubely will undoubtedly ask for all of their deeply personal data and immediately start sending emails to all of their contacts.
Needless to say, I was most displeased. How totally embarrassing that every business contact for the last 6 years now thinks I want to be their friend on this stupid site. I wanted to send those jerks an email and let them know just what I thought of their business practices. The "contact us" tab took me to a reset password page. Apparently these geniuses think that the only reason anyone would want to contact them is to reset their password.
I found the email they sent me asking if I was sure that I wanted to delete my account for the umpteenth time, and hit reply. It probably goes into a giant spam folder, never to be seen by human eyes, but I sent it anyway. In that email I promised that I would tell all of my friends what I thought of their site, and encourage them not to sign up.
So .... I wrote this post, and I am telling all the world just what I think of Tubely. I hereby apologize to all of my contacts, everyone I ever emailed, or who ever emailed me, for letting the Devil, I mean Tubely, send you an email this afternoon. I sincerely hope that none of you liked me enough to go against your better judgment and click "yes", that you would be my friend. If you did, bless you for your kindness. If you are now in my shoes, feel free to pass this message on to your contact list. The madness has to stop somewhere!
NOTE: 11/1/2009 - If you are looking for the opt out button on Tubely, you won't find it. I was finally able to delete my account by going to the "help" tab, "FAQ's" and clicking on the "How do I delete my Tubely Account" link. They will then send you an email to confirm that you do indeed wish to cancel your account. Good Luck!
They got me. The initial form required all sorts of personal data. I did the usual and left those areas blank. When they insisted these fields be completed before proceeding, I gave them fake data. When that didn't work (How do they know my phone number isn't 808-888-8888 and that I don't live on blank St.?? I could be that lucky. I really could!), my radar finally kicked in and I started looking for the chicken switch. I needed out of this line BEFORE the roller coaster took off!
The more I clicked, the deeper I plunged into the Tubely mayhem. I still don't know for sure what they are all about, but they certainly know how to program an infinity loop of chaos! I eventually found the escape hatch and canceled my account. Interestingly, it took at least twice as many steps to cancel as it did to sign up. I wasn't even sure I HAD signed up, since I never completely, or correctly filled out their stupid form.
Still dizzy from all the looping, I went back to my work. My inbox started filing up with Tubely invites - from myself, to myself. Apparently, somewhere along that journey the lovely dears at Tubely had hijacked my contact list. I use gmail, which like an elephant, never forgets a contact. Anyone I have ever emailed, or has emailed me, in the last 6 years got an email this afternoon asking if they wanted to be Wendy Minks friend on Tubely. Even the customer service dudes at Audible got that email.
I sure hope that no one was as blinded as I was and actually clicked "yes". Since I deleted my Tubely account, I am not sure what will happen if someone does, other than Tubely will undoubtedly ask for all of their deeply personal data and immediately start sending emails to all of their contacts.
Needless to say, I was most displeased. How totally embarrassing that every business contact for the last 6 years now thinks I want to be their friend on this stupid site. I wanted to send those jerks an email and let them know just what I thought of their business practices. The "contact us" tab took me to a reset password page. Apparently these geniuses think that the only reason anyone would want to contact them is to reset their password.
I found the email they sent me asking if I was sure that I wanted to delete my account for the umpteenth time, and hit reply. It probably goes into a giant spam folder, never to be seen by human eyes, but I sent it anyway. In that email I promised that I would tell all of my friends what I thought of their site, and encourage them not to sign up.
So .... I wrote this post, and I am telling all the world just what I think of Tubely. I hereby apologize to all of my contacts, everyone I ever emailed, or who ever emailed me, for letting the Devil, I mean Tubely, send you an email this afternoon. I sincerely hope that none of you liked me enough to go against your better judgment and click "yes", that you would be my friend. If you did, bless you for your kindness. If you are now in my shoes, feel free to pass this message on to your contact list. The madness has to stop somewhere!
NOTE: 11/1/2009 - If you are looking for the opt out button on Tubely, you won't find it. I was finally able to delete my account by going to the "help" tab, "FAQ's" and clicking on the "How do I delete my Tubely Account" link. They will then send you an email to confirm that you do indeed wish to cancel your account. Good Luck!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Strive vs. Struggle
A man is struggling to climb a mountain. Each step on the path is steep and rocky. His footing is unsure, sometimes he slides a little sideways, or even backwards, yet he labors onward. The higher he gets, the more ragged his breathing, as each lungful has less and less oxygen. His face is hard with concentration, and grimaced bracing for the pain of the next step, the next breath. Ever onward, ever pushing, ever climbing, ever suffering in the struggle to reach the top. When he arrives his body is spent, feet swollen, muscles aching, head pounding, exhausted, he collapses to the barren ground, gasping for air.
Our journey through life can be a struggle. It can be just like this man climbing the mountain, full of hard effort, set backs, pain, and finally achievement of our goals by the sheer force of our will to succeed. We can set our foot on the rocky path, and steel our hearts for the long, hard journey ahead, knowing it will be difficult and full of adversity. At the end of our days our bodies and souls are broken and spent, full of the scars of our struggle, diseased and in pain collapsing into death, hoping for rest in the next life.
On the other side of that same mountain is a man striving to climb the mountain. He has the same goal - to reach the summit. His path is equally as steep and the journey is long. He has invited his friends along, and they talk as they climb. At the most treacherous peak, he slips on the loose rocks and falls. His friends help him to his feet, placing him back on the safe path. They continue to strive onward, marveling at the beautiful vistas only visible from that altitude. As the air thins, the talking dwindles and the walking slows, but upward they strive. Breathing deeply, relaxing into the effort, letting their bodies set the pace. Going slowly they notice the rocks, before they trip. He is aware of the details of the great beauty all around, the plants the trees, the flowers and the rocks. As the man reaches the summit, he stands arm in arm with his friends, smiling into the warmth of the sun, surrounded by the majesty of all that lies below.
Our journey through life does not have to be a struggle. We can instead choose to strive for success with a smile on our face and loved ones at our side, enjoying the journey. Anticipate the joy and the beauty, rather than the pain and the difficulty. Aim high and strive with all your might to get there. But get there happy, and whole, surrounded by those you love.
"When we strive to become better than we were, everything around us becomes better too."
"When we love we always become better than we are."
Paulo Coelho, "The Alchemist"
Our journey through life can be a struggle. It can be just like this man climbing the mountain, full of hard effort, set backs, pain, and finally achievement of our goals by the sheer force of our will to succeed. We can set our foot on the rocky path, and steel our hearts for the long, hard journey ahead, knowing it will be difficult and full of adversity. At the end of our days our bodies and souls are broken and spent, full of the scars of our struggle, diseased and in pain collapsing into death, hoping for rest in the next life.
On the other side of that same mountain is a man striving to climb the mountain. He has the same goal - to reach the summit. His path is equally as steep and the journey is long. He has invited his friends along, and they talk as they climb. At the most treacherous peak, he slips on the loose rocks and falls. His friends help him to his feet, placing him back on the safe path. They continue to strive onward, marveling at the beautiful vistas only visible from that altitude. As the air thins, the talking dwindles and the walking slows, but upward they strive. Breathing deeply, relaxing into the effort, letting their bodies set the pace. Going slowly they notice the rocks, before they trip. He is aware of the details of the great beauty all around, the plants the trees, the flowers and the rocks. As the man reaches the summit, he stands arm in arm with his friends, smiling into the warmth of the sun, surrounded by the majesty of all that lies below.
Our journey through life does not have to be a struggle. We can instead choose to strive for success with a smile on our face and loved ones at our side, enjoying the journey. Anticipate the joy and the beauty, rather than the pain and the difficulty. Aim high and strive with all your might to get there. But get there happy, and whole, surrounded by those you love.
"When we strive to become better than we were, everything around us becomes better too."
"When we love we always become better than we are."
Paulo Coelho, "The Alchemist"
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Quest
Much of the conversation of life is negative. TV is predominately negative, dramas about murder, news about natural disasters, crime, discussions about politics and the economy. It doesn't matter what your opinion is, or political position, the presentation of the information generally comes from a negative perspective. Even pure entertainment like reality shows focus on conflict, scandal, winners and losers.
TV and other forms of media are within our ability to control. All we have to do is switch the power off, or change the channel. Our daily personal interactions are a different matter.
Tomorrow, pay attention to all of the conversations you have from the moment you wake up to the time you go to sleep. Many of you will find that they are based in a negative thought or belief. Even this blog, in an attempt to stem the tide of negativity, is presenting the issue in a negative manner. I'm just not sure how else to explain it.
Hence the Quest, to change my daily conversations so they are mostly positive and eliminate as much negative as possible from life. Every time a horror story is retold, we give our time and attention to that negative energy. By so doing, we give it power to hurt us again. Sharing our unhappiness does not lift the burden, it spreads it.
Here is my plan:
1. Stop telling horror stories. No more retelling of how bad the accident was, or how rude the clerk was, or how terrible this thing or that was.
2. Listen more and talk less.
3. Do not gossip or listen to gossip.
4. Control my self talk. You know, that voice in your head that talks to you all day long, that tells you you are stupid when you make a mistake, or berates you when you are rushing and running late for not being better organized, the voice that scolds and whines and complains. The first step has been to stop them before they hit my lips. The next step is to stop them before I think them.
If I seem unusually quiet for awhile, now you know why. It may take awhile for me to figure out just what to say with my new set of rules.
Words have power, and the spoken word is incredibly powerful. We create our lives each moment by the words we speak and the words of others that we hear. My intention is to shift the energy of my life and the lives of those around me, into the realm of positive my changing the way I speak to others and to myself. Won't you join me on the Quest?
UPDATE:
10/30/2009
This is harder than I thought .....
Just today, I have retold my own horror story (or more correctly storIES - see the post above), complained (again I refer you to the post above), and berated myself for doing such. At least I haven't gossiped, or at least I think I haven't, and I have honestly tried to be a better listener.
More to come ....
TV and other forms of media are within our ability to control. All we have to do is switch the power off, or change the channel. Our daily personal interactions are a different matter.
Tomorrow, pay attention to all of the conversations you have from the moment you wake up to the time you go to sleep. Many of you will find that they are based in a negative thought or belief. Even this blog, in an attempt to stem the tide of negativity, is presenting the issue in a negative manner. I'm just not sure how else to explain it.
Hence the Quest, to change my daily conversations so they are mostly positive and eliminate as much negative as possible from life. Every time a horror story is retold, we give our time and attention to that negative energy. By so doing, we give it power to hurt us again. Sharing our unhappiness does not lift the burden, it spreads it.
Here is my plan:
1. Stop telling horror stories. No more retelling of how bad the accident was, or how rude the clerk was, or how terrible this thing or that was.
2. Listen more and talk less.
3. Do not gossip or listen to gossip.
4. Control my self talk. You know, that voice in your head that talks to you all day long, that tells you you are stupid when you make a mistake, or berates you when you are rushing and running late for not being better organized, the voice that scolds and whines and complains. The first step has been to stop them before they hit my lips. The next step is to stop them before I think them.
If I seem unusually quiet for awhile, now you know why. It may take awhile for me to figure out just what to say with my new set of rules.
Words have power, and the spoken word is incredibly powerful. We create our lives each moment by the words we speak and the words of others that we hear. My intention is to shift the energy of my life and the lives of those around me, into the realm of positive my changing the way I speak to others and to myself. Won't you join me on the Quest?
UPDATE:
10/30/2009
This is harder than I thought .....
Just today, I have retold my own horror story (or more correctly storIES - see the post above), complained (again I refer you to the post above), and berated myself for doing such. At least I haven't gossiped, or at least I think I haven't, and I have honestly tried to be a better listener.
More to come ....
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Life is for Living
Life is for living, money is for spending, clothes are for wearing, and food is for eating.
There is always another day, the sun sets, the sun rises, each day comes with a new 24 hours for us to live. One day will be our personal last, but even then, the days will continue for others. Time does not run out, it continually replenishes.
The stuff of life is just the same. It is only an illusion caused by our fear and short sightedness that makes us think we might run out of something. The World is full of all the things we need and want. There is no danger of running out of food any more than there is any danger of time running out. Plants grow, rocks form, and animals are born. It happens continuously, without any effort from us. Each substance fills the measure of it's creation, follows it's divine intention to perfection.
An oak tree always starts as an acorn. There are not any oak trees out there that used to be rose bushes. Rain always comes from rain clouds and rain clouds come from evaporation. Rain drops don't start out as pebbles in a stream. So it is with us. We have always been who we are. Our divine and powerful nature is constant, only our fear makes us believe differently. Only mankind has this ability of self delusion. The rest of nature never has an identity crisis. Our mind is the most powerful of all God's creations, and our mind is capable of convincing us that God does not exist.
Fear and doubt are only products of the mind. They teach us to worry, and fret and otherwise stress. There is no productive outcome from fear or doubt. They do not help us. They do not save us from certain doom. They do not even put one more dollar in our pocket, or add one more minute to our life. They rob us of joy, and keep us from love.
Life is infinitely good. Eat the roast in the freezer. Saving it will only ruin it. Wear your favorite shirt, drive your car, pick some flowers, spend your money. Let them fill the measure of their creation. Let them fulfill their intention. Live life and fulfill yours.
There is always another day, the sun sets, the sun rises, each day comes with a new 24 hours for us to live. One day will be our personal last, but even then, the days will continue for others. Time does not run out, it continually replenishes.
The stuff of life is just the same. It is only an illusion caused by our fear and short sightedness that makes us think we might run out of something. The World is full of all the things we need and want. There is no danger of running out of food any more than there is any danger of time running out. Plants grow, rocks form, and animals are born. It happens continuously, without any effort from us. Each substance fills the measure of it's creation, follows it's divine intention to perfection.
An oak tree always starts as an acorn. There are not any oak trees out there that used to be rose bushes. Rain always comes from rain clouds and rain clouds come from evaporation. Rain drops don't start out as pebbles in a stream. So it is with us. We have always been who we are. Our divine and powerful nature is constant, only our fear makes us believe differently. Only mankind has this ability of self delusion. The rest of nature never has an identity crisis. Our mind is the most powerful of all God's creations, and our mind is capable of convincing us that God does not exist.
Fear and doubt are only products of the mind. They teach us to worry, and fret and otherwise stress. There is no productive outcome from fear or doubt. They do not help us. They do not save us from certain doom. They do not even put one more dollar in our pocket, or add one more minute to our life. They rob us of joy, and keep us from love.
Life is infinitely good. Eat the roast in the freezer. Saving it will only ruin it. Wear your favorite shirt, drive your car, pick some flowers, spend your money. Let them fill the measure of their creation. Let them fulfill their intention. Live life and fulfill yours.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
In a Heartbeat
Yesterday Ryker turned 18 and I am in a contemplative mood. I'm thinking about all kinds of things, some happy, some sad, the past, and the future yet to unfold. I start to write about how I feel, and then I erase it, because it seems dumb, trivial, and trite. Kids grow up, kids go to college, kids move away, and that is the way of it. Why should my feelings on the subject be anything noteworthy? How is my experience any more or any less than any other mother's?
At some moments I feel so full of joy and great wonder at how my baby boy grew into this amazing, capable young man. In other moments I feel such loss and despair. Like I am mourning the end of an era, the end of being the mother of children. I will always be a mother, but not the mother of children. Right now I am the mother of teenagers. Far too soon I will be the mother of adults. I don't know what to think of that and I certainly don't know how to do that.
I still have Quincie for a couple more years. That helps, for now. I don't even want to think about 2 years from now. Today and next week are quite enough thank you. She started school today. She is 16 and a Junior. I remember being 16 and a Junior. Was it really that long ago? The fashion is looking pretty similar. The skinny jeans, (we called them straight leg) the bright neon colors, and Converse - If only I had saved them!
Quincie wears my clothes, and sometimes, I wear hers. Shoes, we always share. Sometimes I watch her sleep and the same feelings of awe and love overwhelm me as they did that first night when she slept next to me in the hospital bed. She is my sweet, little, blue-eyed, angel baby.
A friend asked me the other day if my kids were always this good. I said, "No, they were horrid babies." They were cute and wonderful, and really, really horrid. Ryker had colic, in the extreme. He ate at least every 2 hours and threw up constantly. He was always hungry, and always needed attention. He grew fast, and was mobile really early. He walked at 10 months. We put a lock on the fridge. He liked to help himself to the jug of milk. He broke those baby proofing cabinet locks, and got into everything. He had no fear, and was intensely curious. He loved people and would eat just about anything. He was happy most of the time, but you had to watch him constantly.
Quincie was different. She just cried... and cried... for no apparent reason... for days. She wanted no one but me, and would have rather starved than drink from a bottle. Her nick name was Fussalina. We held family prayers begging God to make her stop crying. I worked with her on my lap a lot that first year. She was in no hurry to walk and I never baby proofed the house for her. She was content to sit next to me and watch Ryker run around and do crazy things to entertain her.
It was hard to get much done with Fussalina and Destructo Boy, but somehow we managed. Carl worked nights and I worked days, and neither of us slept much. Those days went by so quickly and every year, the kids got easier and easier.
The two of them have always been great friends. They have never had a physical fight, not so much as a push or a hit. The craziest trouble has always been a team effort. Whereever they went, he has always looked out for her. This year is the first year he won't be on campus with her. It makes me a little nervous. I like them together, especially when they are not with me. I can't remember the last time either of them got in trouble and had to be punished. It's been a long, long time. They are awesome kids and I am a lucky mom!
There were so many good times, so many funny things, and so much love. I really like being the mom of Ryker and Quincie. They are super awesome kids. If I could go back and do it all again, I would. I wouldn't want to change a thing, except to enjoy each moment more. The good, the bad, the crazy, the hard, the fun, the silly, the messy and the painful. I would do it all again. In a heartbeat.
At some moments I feel so full of joy and great wonder at how my baby boy grew into this amazing, capable young man. In other moments I feel such loss and despair. Like I am mourning the end of an era, the end of being the mother of children. I will always be a mother, but not the mother of children. Right now I am the mother of teenagers. Far too soon I will be the mother of adults. I don't know what to think of that and I certainly don't know how to do that.
I still have Quincie for a couple more years. That helps, for now. I don't even want to think about 2 years from now. Today and next week are quite enough thank you. She started school today. She is 16 and a Junior. I remember being 16 and a Junior. Was it really that long ago? The fashion is looking pretty similar. The skinny jeans, (we called them straight leg) the bright neon colors, and Converse - If only I had saved them!
Quincie wears my clothes, and sometimes, I wear hers. Shoes, we always share. Sometimes I watch her sleep and the same feelings of awe and love overwhelm me as they did that first night when she slept next to me in the hospital bed. She is my sweet, little, blue-eyed, angel baby.
A friend asked me the other day if my kids were always this good. I said, "No, they were horrid babies." They were cute and wonderful, and really, really horrid. Ryker had colic, in the extreme. He ate at least every 2 hours and threw up constantly. He was always hungry, and always needed attention. He grew fast, and was mobile really early. He walked at 10 months. We put a lock on the fridge. He liked to help himself to the jug of milk. He broke those baby proofing cabinet locks, and got into everything. He had no fear, and was intensely curious. He loved people and would eat just about anything. He was happy most of the time, but you had to watch him constantly.
Quincie was different. She just cried... and cried... for no apparent reason... for days. She wanted no one but me, and would have rather starved than drink from a bottle. Her nick name was Fussalina. We held family prayers begging God to make her stop crying. I worked with her on my lap a lot that first year. She was in no hurry to walk and I never baby proofed the house for her. She was content to sit next to me and watch Ryker run around and do crazy things to entertain her.
It was hard to get much done with Fussalina and Destructo Boy, but somehow we managed. Carl worked nights and I worked days, and neither of us slept much. Those days went by so quickly and every year, the kids got easier and easier.
The two of them have always been great friends. They have never had a physical fight, not so much as a push or a hit. The craziest trouble has always been a team effort. Whereever they went, he has always looked out for her. This year is the first year he won't be on campus with her. It makes me a little nervous. I like them together, especially when they are not with me. I can't remember the last time either of them got in trouble and had to be punished. It's been a long, long time. They are awesome kids and I am a lucky mom!
There were so many good times, so many funny things, and so much love. I really like being the mom of Ryker and Quincie. They are super awesome kids. If I could go back and do it all again, I would. I wouldn't want to change a thing, except to enjoy each moment more. The good, the bad, the crazy, the hard, the fun, the silly, the messy and the painful. I would do it all again. In a heartbeat.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Anomalies
Day after day life basically goes along at the same pace, in the same circles or squares, with the same faces in predictable places. The most unusual thing in your day is the beets with your Manwich, instead of corn.
I like it when life takes a different road once in a while. It is refreshing to see things from another angle, and experience something new. Breaking out of the typical helps my brain function. Old nagging problems become easier to solve with a fresh perspective. If life is a little too routine, I change things up a bit. Most of the time it isn't any big deal, just change the route I normally drive home, or shop at a different store. By seeing new things, or old things from a different direction, my brain can jump the track out of the rut, and start thinking productively again.
The last string of days have been the opposite of mundane. Last week Ryker was at Boy Scout Camp. The camp here in Hawaii is located on top of a mountain and the drive up there is magnificent. I love that drive. There is such variety and all of it is amazing. I hadn't been up there in a year, then, wham - 3 times in a week! The last time, was at sunset - spectacular! Sorry, no photos, that wouldn't have been safe. It was hard enough just keeping my eyes on the road. Early in the drive, as you are coming up over a hill of wide open fields, you see the ocean before you. The horizon is way out there and it seems as if you can see the Earth curving. It is majestic. Looking at the enormity of the ocean opens possibilities in my mind.
On one of these trips, Ryker was the driver. I have been teaching him to drive and this was the longest stretch of time he was behind the wheel. It was great to actually get to look out the window for more than a few seconds at a time. I have such mixed feelings about my kids driving. Ryker is a very good driver. He is cautious and careful. He obeys the traffic laws and wants to do everything the right way. I guess I am like all parents and worry about all the idiots out there that might hurt my kid. All these milestones seem to be arriving on top of one another. I barely get up for air and slam, another one hits me on the head.
Quincie turned 16 last week. She wears my clothes, I wear her shoes. She certainly isn't a baby anymore. This is the first year she didn't have a birthday cake. She didn't want one. Weird, but true. She had been saving for a long time for a computer and between her savings, and a present from Carl, she finally had enough on her birthday. We took a trip to the Apple store to make her birthday wish come true. That is one COOL store! I could have stayed and played for hours. Gadgets galore! That night we went to see the new Harry Potter. It was the first day so I bought tickets online early. We had nearly a whole row of friends with us. That movie was looooong! Q had a great day, as yet another of life's milestones wacked me in the face.
Ryker's proposed Eagle Scout project was approved. Now he has 2 weeks to get it done. Planning, writing, rushing, waiting, calling meeting, talking - ahhhhh! I am so glad that he is taking the lead on all of this. Stand by for updates as this one proceeds.
I had big plans for Saturday. Q and I were going to go hiking with Angela to check out the hike for girl's camp which is this week. I had an appointment to donate blood at 8am and figured by 1pm I would be good to go. What do they say about the best laid plans??? I am not sure I am ready to write about saturday morning yet. I think I will save that story for it's own entry. Suffice it to say, I didn't go hiking.
Sunday morning I had to speak in church. I have had to speak at least once a year since we moved here. Usually more like 2 or 3 times a year. It's weird. I don't mind speaking to groups of people. What I do mind is the anxiety of waiting my turn. I was last. I have this thing about waiting. It's the same thing with amusement park rides. I love the ride, but I HATE to be buckled in first and have to wait for the ride to start. My mind starts thinking of all these crazy scenerios. Like ... what if while I am strapped in, waiting to go, an ax murderer shows up and tries to kill me? I am strapped in, I can't get out, I can't run way, and I get axed .... So, sitting on the stand waiting for my turn to talk is kind of the same. I walk in, exactly on time, and I am the only one of 3 speakers up there. The other 2 haven't arrived. I start thinking of how I can stretch my talk to cover that much time. Then I start thinking if there is a way I could bail too, if they don't show. Once they show up, and the services starts, I start thinking of all the reasons I would like to get up out of my chair, which of course I wouldn't do, because everyone would see me, and I am not going to walk throught the entire congregation while someone else is speaking, that would just be rude. But anyway, I need to use the bathroom. I drank a big glass of water just before I left so I wouldn't be dehydrated, and it is ready to vacate. I can't get up, but I really need to. If only I had been able to speak first, instead of last. Miraculously, once it was my turn, that urgent urge seemed to vanish.
Today I rescued a friend who locked her keys in her car. Usually it is me that does the locking of the keys in the car and someone else that gets to do the rescuing. It felt good to see it from the other side for once. It's much less stressful and embarrassing from this position. I think I like it better.
Tonight I went to a meeting where we introduced a new website to a group of realtors. I have been involved in this project since it was just a concept. It is not my idea, but I have been around while it has taken shape over the last couple years. I have always thought it was a great idea and believed in the project's ultimate success. Tonight, seeing the faces of those realtors as they came to understand was an experience hard for me to describe. This good idea has become real. I saw it on my own computer as it grew and was amazed and impressed all along the way. Watching people experience the full, working website, for the first time was very, very cool. Let me try to explain it better. This idea was nothing, just a thought, and now, it is real, and others, who did not share in that original thought, are now experiencing it. It works, and they like it. The thought was good, and the hard work it took to get it to this point are not relavent to them. All they see is the finished, working product, and they like it. What an interesting process. I am glad I have been along for the ride.
I am excited to see what the rest of this week will bring. If it's anything interesting, I will be sure to let you know.
I like it when life takes a different road once in a while. It is refreshing to see things from another angle, and experience something new. Breaking out of the typical helps my brain function. Old nagging problems become easier to solve with a fresh perspective. If life is a little too routine, I change things up a bit. Most of the time it isn't any big deal, just change the route I normally drive home, or shop at a different store. By seeing new things, or old things from a different direction, my brain can jump the track out of the rut, and start thinking productively again.
The last string of days have been the opposite of mundane. Last week Ryker was at Boy Scout Camp. The camp here in Hawaii is located on top of a mountain and the drive up there is magnificent. I love that drive. There is such variety and all of it is amazing. I hadn't been up there in a year, then, wham - 3 times in a week! The last time, was at sunset - spectacular! Sorry, no photos, that wouldn't have been safe. It was hard enough just keeping my eyes on the road. Early in the drive, as you are coming up over a hill of wide open fields, you see the ocean before you. The horizon is way out there and it seems as if you can see the Earth curving. It is majestic. Looking at the enormity of the ocean opens possibilities in my mind.
On one of these trips, Ryker was the driver. I have been teaching him to drive and this was the longest stretch of time he was behind the wheel. It was great to actually get to look out the window for more than a few seconds at a time. I have such mixed feelings about my kids driving. Ryker is a very good driver. He is cautious and careful. He obeys the traffic laws and wants to do everything the right way. I guess I am like all parents and worry about all the idiots out there that might hurt my kid. All these milestones seem to be arriving on top of one another. I barely get up for air and slam, another one hits me on the head.
Quincie turned 16 last week. She wears my clothes, I wear her shoes. She certainly isn't a baby anymore. This is the first year she didn't have a birthday cake. She didn't want one. Weird, but true. She had been saving for a long time for a computer and between her savings, and a present from Carl, she finally had enough on her birthday. We took a trip to the Apple store to make her birthday wish come true. That is one COOL store! I could have stayed and played for hours. Gadgets galore! That night we went to see the new Harry Potter. It was the first day so I bought tickets online early. We had nearly a whole row of friends with us. That movie was looooong! Q had a great day, as yet another of life's milestones wacked me in the face.
Ryker's proposed Eagle Scout project was approved. Now he has 2 weeks to get it done. Planning, writing, rushing, waiting, calling meeting, talking - ahhhhh! I am so glad that he is taking the lead on all of this. Stand by for updates as this one proceeds.
I had big plans for Saturday. Q and I were going to go hiking with Angela to check out the hike for girl's camp which is this week. I had an appointment to donate blood at 8am and figured by 1pm I would be good to go. What do they say about the best laid plans??? I am not sure I am ready to write about saturday morning yet. I think I will save that story for it's own entry. Suffice it to say, I didn't go hiking.
Sunday morning I had to speak in church. I have had to speak at least once a year since we moved here. Usually more like 2 or 3 times a year. It's weird. I don't mind speaking to groups of people. What I do mind is the anxiety of waiting my turn. I was last. I have this thing about waiting. It's the same thing with amusement park rides. I love the ride, but I HATE to be buckled in first and have to wait for the ride to start. My mind starts thinking of all these crazy scenerios. Like ... what if while I am strapped in, waiting to go, an ax murderer shows up and tries to kill me? I am strapped in, I can't get out, I can't run way, and I get axed .... So, sitting on the stand waiting for my turn to talk is kind of the same. I walk in, exactly on time, and I am the only one of 3 speakers up there. The other 2 haven't arrived. I start thinking of how I can stretch my talk to cover that much time. Then I start thinking if there is a way I could bail too, if they don't show. Once they show up, and the services starts, I start thinking of all the reasons I would like to get up out of my chair, which of course I wouldn't do, because everyone would see me, and I am not going to walk throught the entire congregation while someone else is speaking, that would just be rude. But anyway, I need to use the bathroom. I drank a big glass of water just before I left so I wouldn't be dehydrated, and it is ready to vacate. I can't get up, but I really need to. If only I had been able to speak first, instead of last. Miraculously, once it was my turn, that urgent urge seemed to vanish.
Today I rescued a friend who locked her keys in her car. Usually it is me that does the locking of the keys in the car and someone else that gets to do the rescuing. It felt good to see it from the other side for once. It's much less stressful and embarrassing from this position. I think I like it better.
Tonight I went to a meeting where we introduced a new website to a group of realtors. I have been involved in this project since it was just a concept. It is not my idea, but I have been around while it has taken shape over the last couple years. I have always thought it was a great idea and believed in the project's ultimate success. Tonight, seeing the faces of those realtors as they came to understand was an experience hard for me to describe. This good idea has become real. I saw it on my own computer as it grew and was amazed and impressed all along the way. Watching people experience the full, working website, for the first time was very, very cool. Let me try to explain it better. This idea was nothing, just a thought, and now, it is real, and others, who did not share in that original thought, are now experiencing it. It works, and they like it. The thought was good, and the hard work it took to get it to this point are not relavent to them. All they see is the finished, working product, and they like it. What an interesting process. I am glad I have been along for the ride.
I am excited to see what the rest of this week will bring. If it's anything interesting, I will be sure to let you know.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Quest
A few years ago I read The Secret. I had several months of great parking spots, which is nothing short of a miracle here on Oahu. Parking is a daily issue and having good luck with it is a BIG deal. The Secret works.
The concepts taught in The Secret rang true to me, but the book seemed over simplified. I wanted more than just good parking spots. I wanted to improve the quality of my life. I wanted to acheive my dreams. I prefer to take the AP class, rather than remedial reading, or maybe I expect life to be hard? Either way, I went on a quest for the details, the science, the meat of the mater. I wanted to know how it worked, why it worked, and just exactly how I should go about making it work in my life. I wanted facts and I wanted homework.
I read several books by the authors quoted in The Secret - Joe Vitale, Christiane Turner, Dr. Maxwell Maltz, Dale Carnegie, Charles Haanel, Benjamin Franklin, etc. These authors led me to others, and related topics, like the fascinating concepts of quantum physics and the nature of time. I learned a lot of cool stuff, and enjoyed myself thoroughly.
Somewhere along the line I ended up on a daily newsletter written by Matt Furey. He is associated with the Psycho-cybernetics foundation, and the work of Dr. Maxwell Maltz. I love most of his stuff, and purchased his DVD about how to get rid of headaches. His particular flavor of this whole concept centers around fitness and internet marketing.
I am pretty interested in the internet marketing, but fitness? Well, slimness has always come naturally to me so I haven't given it a whole lot of thought. If an activity is fun or neadful, I do it. But just walking or running, or anything, for the sake of fitness - BORING~ I think reading those daily emails about how to lose weight and how to get fit might be making me fat. I'd read an email with a tip about what to do to exercise more effectively, etc. and I would think, "Oh crap, I'm not doing that, maybe I should be." Seriously! I never thought it of it before, and I stayed perfectly healthy and slim. I ate and did what I wanted. In the last year I have gained a few pounds, maybe 10 at the most. I know, I know, what am I complaining about, but I don't like it! I want MY body back, the one that I know, that acts the way I am used to, and fits clothes like I am used to. I feel strange in this slightly softer, rounder version of myself. I have thought about buying one of the fitness books Furey is selling.
It's all my brother-in-law's fault that I even know how much I weigh. When he moved back to the mainland about a year and a half ago he left his bathroom scale at our house. I was shipping him boxes a few at a time that he left here. I needed the scale to weigh them. After a few months of it hanging out in the living room, I put it in the bathroom. In all my adult life I had never owned a scale. I never thought about how much I weighed. I started weighing myself often, just cause it was there. Pretty soon it was every day. I'm not going to step on that scale again for at least a week. Maybe I will just ship it to it's rightful owner, he can have the dang thing back.
When I was reading all those books, I fairly devoured them. I would go through each one as quickly as I could, searching for the gems. Most of them had mental exercises you were supposed to go through at the end of each chapter. I was much too impatient for any of that. I remember thinking, "Ya, ya, I know, tell me what's next!". Generally these exercises involve deep breathing and meditation. I discovered that I was not very good at either. So, I skipped through them and on to more information, and then the next book, and the next.
Other than the daily emails, I haven't read anything new on the subject for the last few months. My mind has been processing all that data. Here is what I think:
1. It is really important to know what you want before you go about trying to get it.
2. The human mind is very powerful. Respect that power.
3. Be careful about what messages you send yourself. Look around your life and see what you are telling yourself. (ie the bathroom scale)
4. Knowledge is not enough for true success.
I have determined to slow down and actually DO the exercises in those books I read. I am starting with Charles Haanel's The Master Key System. This is the one that irritated me the most, so it's probably the one I need to do. He suggests you take a week between each chapter to master each exercise before moving on to the next. The first week you are supposed to sit perfectly still in a chair for 15 minutes. You are supposed to do this every day for a week. Simple - but surprisingly difficult for me. Each chapter builds on the previous and now in chapter 3 I am sitting perfectly still for 15 minutes daily with my body completely relaxed and my mind completely relaxed. I have dozed off a few times. Hopefully by the time the week is up I will have this one mastered.
The books I have read are included in the list on the right side of this page. My personal favorites are The New Psycho-Cybernetics by Dr. Maxwell Maltz, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, and The Biography of Benjamin Franklin. Come, join me on The Quest!
The concepts taught in The Secret rang true to me, but the book seemed over simplified. I wanted more than just good parking spots. I wanted to improve the quality of my life. I wanted to acheive my dreams. I prefer to take the AP class, rather than remedial reading, or maybe I expect life to be hard? Either way, I went on a quest for the details, the science, the meat of the mater. I wanted to know how it worked, why it worked, and just exactly how I should go about making it work in my life. I wanted facts and I wanted homework.
I read several books by the authors quoted in The Secret - Joe Vitale, Christiane Turner, Dr. Maxwell Maltz, Dale Carnegie, Charles Haanel, Benjamin Franklin, etc. These authors led me to others, and related topics, like the fascinating concepts of quantum physics and the nature of time. I learned a lot of cool stuff, and enjoyed myself thoroughly.
Somewhere along the line I ended up on a daily newsletter written by Matt Furey. He is associated with the Psycho-cybernetics foundation, and the work of Dr. Maxwell Maltz. I love most of his stuff, and purchased his DVD about how to get rid of headaches. His particular flavor of this whole concept centers around fitness and internet marketing.
I am pretty interested in the internet marketing, but fitness? Well, slimness has always come naturally to me so I haven't given it a whole lot of thought. If an activity is fun or neadful, I do it. But just walking or running, or anything, for the sake of fitness - BORING~ I think reading those daily emails about how to lose weight and how to get fit might be making me fat. I'd read an email with a tip about what to do to exercise more effectively, etc. and I would think, "Oh crap, I'm not doing that, maybe I should be." Seriously! I never thought it of it before, and I stayed perfectly healthy and slim. I ate and did what I wanted. In the last year I have gained a few pounds, maybe 10 at the most. I know, I know, what am I complaining about, but I don't like it! I want MY body back, the one that I know, that acts the way I am used to, and fits clothes like I am used to. I feel strange in this slightly softer, rounder version of myself. I have thought about buying one of the fitness books Furey is selling.
It's all my brother-in-law's fault that I even know how much I weigh. When he moved back to the mainland about a year and a half ago he left his bathroom scale at our house. I was shipping him boxes a few at a time that he left here. I needed the scale to weigh them. After a few months of it hanging out in the living room, I put it in the bathroom. In all my adult life I had never owned a scale. I never thought about how much I weighed. I started weighing myself often, just cause it was there. Pretty soon it was every day. I'm not going to step on that scale again for at least a week. Maybe I will just ship it to it's rightful owner, he can have the dang thing back.
When I was reading all those books, I fairly devoured them. I would go through each one as quickly as I could, searching for the gems. Most of them had mental exercises you were supposed to go through at the end of each chapter. I was much too impatient for any of that. I remember thinking, "Ya, ya, I know, tell me what's next!". Generally these exercises involve deep breathing and meditation. I discovered that I was not very good at either. So, I skipped through them and on to more information, and then the next book, and the next.
Other than the daily emails, I haven't read anything new on the subject for the last few months. My mind has been processing all that data. Here is what I think:
1. It is really important to know what you want before you go about trying to get it.
2. The human mind is very powerful. Respect that power.
3. Be careful about what messages you send yourself. Look around your life and see what you are telling yourself. (ie the bathroom scale)
4. Knowledge is not enough for true success.
I have determined to slow down and actually DO the exercises in those books I read. I am starting with Charles Haanel's The Master Key System. This is the one that irritated me the most, so it's probably the one I need to do. He suggests you take a week between each chapter to master each exercise before moving on to the next. The first week you are supposed to sit perfectly still in a chair for 15 minutes. You are supposed to do this every day for a week. Simple - but surprisingly difficult for me. Each chapter builds on the previous and now in chapter 3 I am sitting perfectly still for 15 minutes daily with my body completely relaxed and my mind completely relaxed. I have dozed off a few times. Hopefully by the time the week is up I will have this one mastered.
The books I have read are included in the list on the right side of this page. My personal favorites are The New Psycho-Cybernetics by Dr. Maxwell Maltz, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, and The Biography of Benjamin Franklin. Come, join me on The Quest!
Friday, May 15, 2009
If Wendy Starts to Vacuum
I just had an, "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie", afternoon. If you've never read this cute children's story you should.
Here is the Wendy version of the story -
After vacuuming the floor, I need to empty it. The kitchen trash can was full, of course, so I pulled out the bag, dumped the vacuum cannister contents, and headed out the door. While walking to the trash can, I notice Charlie has flies bothering him, so I spray him with some bug repellent. Charlie hates the bug repellent and tries to rub it off on his carpet. I notice the carpet is dirty and so I start to sweep it. While sweeping the carpet I notice the entire carport is dirty. I decide that the hose is the tool for this job. While walking through the yard to fetch the hose, the flies seem to be coming from the area in the yard Charlie uses as a bathroom. All the piles were picked up earlier, but it still smells bad over there. I get the hose and start spraying down the stink. While standing there with the hose I decide to go ahead and water the rest of the grass on that side of the house. I gradually find myself in the back of the house spraying off the trampoline. Charlie barks, and I remember the carport so I head back to spray it down. Spraying down the steps to the door I look up and notice the exterior of the house is dirty. I spray it off. All the dirty water lands on my washing machine and dryer. Luckily I have it covered with a clear plastic shower curtain. So, I take off the shower curtain, and put it in the washing machine. Not wanting to wash it alone, I throw in a few other items. Ok, back to the carport. It is now wet, and muddy. I pick up the broom again and begin to sweep. I sweep all the gook into the yard and put the broom away. I really need to rake up the big stuff from the carport that is now in the yard. The rake is usually right next to the broom, but is missing. I commence looking for my missing rake. All the while Charlie is looking for a dry place to lie down, but at least the flies are gone. It occurs to me to look in the shed for the rake. I need the key to shed, so I go in the kitchen to get it. There I see the trash can, without a bag, and the vacuum waiting to be put away, and remember what started this crazy afternoon. I found the rake in the shed, but decided to leave it there, and go back to the kitchen and finish what I started. The raking can wait for another day.
I am sure there needs to be a paragraph break or two in that narative, but I if you read it straight through, without a pause, you will have a better feeling of how the experience went for me.
I just looked at my feet. They are pretty dirty from all that playing in the water. I am going to go take a shower. Wonder what adventures await in there ...
Here is the Wendy version of the story -
After vacuuming the floor, I need to empty it. The kitchen trash can was full, of course, so I pulled out the bag, dumped the vacuum cannister contents, and headed out the door. While walking to the trash can, I notice Charlie has flies bothering him, so I spray him with some bug repellent. Charlie hates the bug repellent and tries to rub it off on his carpet. I notice the carpet is dirty and so I start to sweep it. While sweeping the carpet I notice the entire carport is dirty. I decide that the hose is the tool for this job. While walking through the yard to fetch the hose, the flies seem to be coming from the area in the yard Charlie uses as a bathroom. All the piles were picked up earlier, but it still smells bad over there. I get the hose and start spraying down the stink. While standing there with the hose I decide to go ahead and water the rest of the grass on that side of the house. I gradually find myself in the back of the house spraying off the trampoline. Charlie barks, and I remember the carport so I head back to spray it down. Spraying down the steps to the door I look up and notice the exterior of the house is dirty. I spray it off. All the dirty water lands on my washing machine and dryer. Luckily I have it covered with a clear plastic shower curtain. So, I take off the shower curtain, and put it in the washing machine. Not wanting to wash it alone, I throw in a few other items. Ok, back to the carport. It is now wet, and muddy. I pick up the broom again and begin to sweep. I sweep all the gook into the yard and put the broom away. I really need to rake up the big stuff from the carport that is now in the yard. The rake is usually right next to the broom, but is missing. I commence looking for my missing rake. All the while Charlie is looking for a dry place to lie down, but at least the flies are gone. It occurs to me to look in the shed for the rake. I need the key to shed, so I go in the kitchen to get it. There I see the trash can, without a bag, and the vacuum waiting to be put away, and remember what started this crazy afternoon. I found the rake in the shed, but decided to leave it there, and go back to the kitchen and finish what I started. The raking can wait for another day.
I am sure there needs to be a paragraph break or two in that narative, but I if you read it straight through, without a pause, you will have a better feeling of how the experience went for me.
I just looked at my feet. They are pretty dirty from all that playing in the water. I am going to go take a shower. Wonder what adventures await in there ...
Friday, April 10, 2009
Multicultural Dining
I am sure this has happened to you before. You are driving around with a group of friends or family trying to decide what to eat. Everyone is hungry, but the ideas are all over the place. There is no consensus amongst the group. Someone shouts out, "Mexican", "No, Chinese", another says, "Italian", "How about breakfast?". Of course the most irritating individual says, "None of those, but I don't know what I want."
Just last week I realized the solution. There is a place that is quick, easy, and even affordable, where you can make everyone happy, except maybe Miss I Don't Know. I have been eating there for years, and you probably have been too.
Jack in the Box has it all - Mexican, Italian, Chinese, 24 hour breakfast, shakes, smoothies, and even boring old burgers. Last week I drove away with tacos, mozzarella sticks with zesty marinara, and the best egg rolls, all for under $10. Now tell me, how do you beat that?
Just last week I realized the solution. There is a place that is quick, easy, and even affordable, where you can make everyone happy, except maybe Miss I Don't Know. I have been eating there for years, and you probably have been too.
Jack in the Box has it all - Mexican, Italian, Chinese, 24 hour breakfast, shakes, smoothies, and even boring old burgers. Last week I drove away with tacos, mozzarella sticks with zesty marinara, and the best egg rolls, all for under $10. Now tell me, how do you beat that?
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Happy Birthday Gmail
I love all things Google. I wasn't a gmail user on day one, but I was within the first year of it's existence. I have my fellow techno gadget freak brother, Rik to thank for the invitation. Back then Gmail invites were as hard to come by as Grand Central ones are today. As a self-employed, office of one, Google has made my life easier on many levels. It all started with Gmail, and just keeps getting better. It seems as if the features I wish for often appear soon after wishing for them. I love their April Fool's Day jokes. I still lament that back dated emails was a joke.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Brain Hemisphere
A friend sent me a brain hemisphere quiz yesterday. You might have seen it, the one with the dancer spinning. There is some controversy regarding the accuracy of this particular test. Intrigued, I googled the subject and took a few more tests, all with the same result. Apparently, my quest for a more scientific test also indicates my left brain dominance.
Here is a quick test. Fold your hands together, with your fingers interlaced. Which thumb is on top? According to some experts, if your right thumb is on top, you are predominately right brained, and vice versa. For a quiz that requires you to think, click on the link at the very bottom of this post.
So, what does it mean to be a left brain dominate person? It means that I make lists, am pretty good at solving problems using logic, and you should ask someone else to draw you a pretty picture. All things that I knew before getting dizzy, or taking any quiz.
Here is a quick test. Fold your hands together, with your fingers interlaced. Which thumb is on top? According to some experts, if your right thumb is on top, you are predominately right brained, and vice versa. For a quiz that requires you to think, click on the link at the very bottom of this post.
So, what does it mean to be a left brain dominate person? It means that I make lists, am pretty good at solving problems using logic, and you should ask someone else to draw you a pretty picture. All things that I knew before getting dizzy, or taking any quiz.
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(14)Monday, February 23, 2009
An Analogy
My closet mirrors my life. First off, I share a closet with my daughter. It is sort of divided in half, but not really. We wear each other's clothes, and some of them hang in the middle because they are not totally mine, or totally hers. Secondly, there are no doors on the closet. The underwear and stuff like that go in drawers, but the majority are hanging there, visible to all.
Some pieces I chose carefully. Others were thoughtful gifts from those that know and love me. Some items were cast offs that someone else no longer wanted. Quite a few were selected in a hurry, out of necessity. Many were great deals found on the clearance rack or at a thrift store. Some I like, some I love, and some I would be happy to get rid of.
What would my closet look like if I thoughtfully and carefully chose every item? Well, those pants that have snaps on the legs that rattle when I walk wouldn't be there! They were obviously purchased in a hurry. If I had tried them on, I would not own them. They drive me nuts! The shoes that pinch (cast off), the dress that makes me feel claustrophobic (clearance rack), and skirt that fits funky (thrift store), would ALL be gone.
I would keep the crisp blue wrap around blouse and paisley skirt that I fell in love with the first time I saw it. I didn't need them, just wanted them, and loved them. I would keep the Calvin Klein jeans I bought at Costco. They fit perfectly and were a deal. The skirt I bought with a gift card from my step dad years ago is a keeper. So is the velvety red bathrobe that was a Christmas present from my Mom. Every time I wear it I think of her. It's sorta like my daily Mom hug. Corny I know, but true!
So, how is your life like your closet? Do you share it with someone you love? Are your doors off and open for the world to know what's inside? Are your private things safely tucked away out of public view?
Is your life full of gifts that make you smile? Do you still have the one you fell in love with the first time you laid your eyes upon? Have you found your perfect fit? Do you cherish your daily hugs?
Is it time to say good bye to the things that hurt, annoy, or otherwise, just don't work? It is time to be more deliberate about choices. Everything that is offered, even if free or really, really cheap, is not worthy of closet space.
Some pieces I chose carefully. Others were thoughtful gifts from those that know and love me. Some items were cast offs that someone else no longer wanted. Quite a few were selected in a hurry, out of necessity. Many were great deals found on the clearance rack or at a thrift store. Some I like, some I love, and some I would be happy to get rid of.
What would my closet look like if I thoughtfully and carefully chose every item? Well, those pants that have snaps on the legs that rattle when I walk wouldn't be there! They were obviously purchased in a hurry. If I had tried them on, I would not own them. They drive me nuts! The shoes that pinch (cast off), the dress that makes me feel claustrophobic (clearance rack), and skirt that fits funky (thrift store), would ALL be gone.
I would keep the crisp blue wrap around blouse and paisley skirt that I fell in love with the first time I saw it. I didn't need them, just wanted them, and loved them. I would keep the Calvin Klein jeans I bought at Costco. They fit perfectly and were a deal. The skirt I bought with a gift card from my step dad years ago is a keeper. So is the velvety red bathrobe that was a Christmas present from my Mom. Every time I wear it I think of her. It's sorta like my daily Mom hug. Corny I know, but true!
So, how is your life like your closet? Do you share it with someone you love? Are your doors off and open for the world to know what's inside? Are your private things safely tucked away out of public view?
Is your life full of gifts that make you smile? Do you still have the one you fell in love with the first time you laid your eyes upon? Have you found your perfect fit? Do you cherish your daily hugs?
Is it time to say good bye to the things that hurt, annoy, or otherwise, just don't work? It is time to be more deliberate about choices. Everything that is offered, even if free or really, really cheap, is not worthy of closet space.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A Little Something You Can Do
If you leave your house, or turn on any form of media, you will be hit with a wave of negativity. The economy is in the tank. That isn't really news to most of us. All the regular people have been experiencing it for awhile now. At least now we don't have to feel like it is something we did personally, now it is just "the economy", not the consequences of our poor decisions, bad luck, or lack of talent. It's nice to have some nebulous entity to blame for our woes. Taking personal responsibility doesn't feel so good. In fact, it is down right depressing. Or is it?
If you accept the media message, then you are powerless, a victim of the whims of the global economy. If it is your fault, that means that you are powerful. All you need to do is start using your power for good, rather than evil. Or for success, rather than failure. You are powerful. You are intelligent, and have the ability to act for yourself. You are not a robot, and you are not a victim. Stand up and do something!
What to do? Well, here are a few small things that pretty much everyone can do.
1. Don't listen to all that negative crap. Turn it off. It isn't news and it doesn't help.
2. Be grateful for what you have. Make a list and think about it often. You might not have everything, but you have something, and I bet what you do have is pretty awesome.
3. Give. Pay your tithing, donate to a worthy cause, give your unused stuff to a thrifty store. Give a smile, a hug, a word of encouragement, to someone everyday.
4. Buy something, preferably from someone you know. If we all became customers of those we know, we would bless the lives of each other. We don't need the government to print more fake money to get the economy moving. Businesses need customers. If you own a business, isn't this what will save you? Isn't this how you pay the bills and make payroll? So, think about who you know that has a product or service that you can use, and become a customer. Here are some of my friends that you can buy something from in case you live in a cave and the only thing you do on the internet is read my blog. :-)
My cousin Amanda sells Avon. I will start with her because her name starts with A and so does her business, so alphabetically speaking, she is the obvious choice. I hadn't used Avon in years, but she took the time to send me an email a few weeks ago so I thought I would take a look. They sell a lot of products that I would normally buy at WalMart. I think WalMart has enough money. Amanda could probably make better use of my few dollars and WalMart would never miss me. They ship for free, even to Hawaii! That is a big deal and I won't soon forget it!! Here is a link to her website.
My good friend Tammy Dugaw sells Mary Kay. I have been using a few of their products for years, and again, I would rather buy from a friend. They recently changed their lipstick formula. It no longer tastes/smell like perfume. It is yummy! Here is a link to her website. www.marykay.com/tdugaw
If you are looking for something special, like, say a belated Valentine's day gift, my friend Joella has a TON of beautiful jewelry on her site www.threefoldgifts.com It is very affordable and good quality. Joella is awesome and it would directly benefit a real, American family if you bought something from her. She also does personalized adoption gifts. If you know someone who is adopting, her site is the best place to find a truly unique and thoughtful gift.
Joella is very enterprising, and has another site selling some really cool silk wraps. That site is at www.themagicskirt.com I own a few, and they are beautiful and fun to wear.
If you want to buy a Corvette, or maybe just a Corvette t-shirt, then go to http://www.corvettecenterusa.com/. My brother Rik will treat you right!
Cherie makes the most delicious home made jams, sauces and meat rubs. You can't go wrong with any of her products. Sweet Darling Jams are awesome! She ships anywhere, even to Hawaii! If you want a taste test I might be willing to share :-).
In various states, I know people that are massage therapists, hair stylists, run yoga studios, do photography, and create all kinds of beautiful things. There are opportunities everywhere to be a customer for someone that you know. Buying from our friends is the grass roots way to stimulate the economy. If you have a business, and I didn't include you in this blog, please post all the details in a comment. I want to include everyone. Let's take control of our mutual success and prosperity!
If you accept the media message, then you are powerless, a victim of the whims of the global economy. If it is your fault, that means that you are powerful. All you need to do is start using your power for good, rather than evil. Or for success, rather than failure. You are powerful. You are intelligent, and have the ability to act for yourself. You are not a robot, and you are not a victim. Stand up and do something!
What to do? Well, here are a few small things that pretty much everyone can do.
1. Don't listen to all that negative crap. Turn it off. It isn't news and it doesn't help.
2. Be grateful for what you have. Make a list and think about it often. You might not have everything, but you have something, and I bet what you do have is pretty awesome.
3. Give. Pay your tithing, donate to a worthy cause, give your unused stuff to a thrifty store. Give a smile, a hug, a word of encouragement, to someone everyday.
4. Buy something, preferably from someone you know. If we all became customers of those we know, we would bless the lives of each other. We don't need the government to print more fake money to get the economy moving. Businesses need customers. If you own a business, isn't this what will save you? Isn't this how you pay the bills and make payroll? So, think about who you know that has a product or service that you can use, and become a customer. Here are some of my friends that you can buy something from in case you live in a cave and the only thing you do on the internet is read my blog. :-)
My cousin Amanda sells Avon. I will start with her because her name starts with A and so does her business, so alphabetically speaking, she is the obvious choice. I hadn't used Avon in years, but she took the time to send me an email a few weeks ago so I thought I would take a look. They sell a lot of products that I would normally buy at WalMart. I think WalMart has enough money. Amanda could probably make better use of my few dollars and WalMart would never miss me. They ship for free, even to Hawaii! That is a big deal and I won't soon forget it!! Here is a link to her website.
My good friend Tammy Dugaw sells Mary Kay. I have been using a few of their products for years, and again, I would rather buy from a friend. They recently changed their lipstick formula. It no longer tastes/smell like perfume. It is yummy! Here is a link to her website. www.marykay.com/tdugaw
If you are looking for something special, like, say a belated Valentine's day gift, my friend Joella has a TON of beautiful jewelry on her site www.threefoldgifts.com It is very affordable and good quality. Joella is awesome and it would directly benefit a real, American family if you bought something from her. She also does personalized adoption gifts. If you know someone who is adopting, her site is the best place to find a truly unique and thoughtful gift.
Joella is very enterprising, and has another site selling some really cool silk wraps. That site is at www.themagicskirt.com I own a few, and they are beautiful and fun to wear.
If you want to buy a Corvette, or maybe just a Corvette t-shirt, then go to http://www.corvettecenterusa.com/. My brother Rik will treat you right!
Cherie makes the most delicious home made jams, sauces and meat rubs. You can't go wrong with any of her products. Sweet Darling Jams are awesome! She ships anywhere, even to Hawaii! If you want a taste test I might be willing to share :-).
In various states, I know people that are massage therapists, hair stylists, run yoga studios, do photography, and create all kinds of beautiful things. There are opportunities everywhere to be a customer for someone that you know. Buying from our friends is the grass roots way to stimulate the economy. If you have a business, and I didn't include you in this blog, please post all the details in a comment. I want to include everyone. Let's take control of our mutual success and prosperity!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
I Have Some Questions
Why are there so many shows about killers? serial and otherwise? If the statistics of the general population were to match that of film entertainment, we would all either be a murderer, a victim of a murder, or a cop trying to solve a murder. A good percentage of us would even be cops that actually are serial killers trying to catch other serial killers.
Here is another deep and important question on my mind this evening. Why does iTunes take so dang long to sync my computer with my phone? And further more, why does it nearly always lock up my computer? I am pretty sure the answer is that my computer is an over worked, out dated, hunk of scrap that desperately needs to be replaced. I want one of those new laptops that are small, but have a super great back lit screen with a battery life of nearly a day. I'd love to be outside while working, rather than tethered to the wall by this power cord.
Just one more question before I go. Why do I get headaches on Sunday? Could it be possible that I am allergic to church? or naps? or rest in general? Please, say it isn't so!
Here is another deep and important question on my mind this evening. Why does iTunes take so dang long to sync my computer with my phone? And further more, why does it nearly always lock up my computer? I am pretty sure the answer is that my computer is an over worked, out dated, hunk of scrap that desperately needs to be replaced. I want one of those new laptops that are small, but have a super great back lit screen with a battery life of nearly a day. I'd love to be outside while working, rather than tethered to the wall by this power cord.
Just one more question before I go. Why do I get headaches on Sunday? Could it be possible that I am allergic to church? or naps? or rest in general? Please, say it isn't so!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Stuff and Nonsense
I know my posts have been a little farther apart than usual. I think maybe I should let it go a few more weeks. I like the personal phone calls and emails.
I have been tired, and sick of being on the computer when I have had free time. I know, that sounds awfully strange coming from me, but it is true. My eyes have been bugging me when I am on my computer for too long, or staring at the tiny screen on my beloved iphone. The prognosis is, I need a new glasses. I have ordered a pair specifically for computer use. So, while I wait for them to show up, my old lady eyes are strained. You would think that in this modern age it wouldn't take weeks to get a pair of glasses. Apparently, when you live on an island, it still does. There is no such thing as glasses in an hour, or a day, or even a week.
My days have been full of the usual stuff and nonsense of life - work, kids, dishes, laundry, mowing the lawn, car trouble, cooking, cleaning, reading, and even a little TV watching. Here are a few of the highlights from the last couple weeks.
I started a new work project, which entailed installing new software on my over-tasked computer. I had to delete a ton of stuff to make room for it. I had the usual round of technical difficulties along with the accompanying frustrations. After all of that, learning to use the software was a piece of cake.
I love my puppy! There are very theraputic aspects to dog ownership. Frequent trips outside, warm puppy fur on my feet, and a sleeping puppy a curled up at my side make me smile. It has taken only a little while to get into a groove with a schedule of taking care of all his many doggie needs. We have been watching a lot of the Dog Whisperer. That guys is amazing!
Chester is doing well at house training, and sleeps all night in Ryker's room. The kids have been great at taking care of him, and cleaning up the yard. None of us really like to leave him home alone for long periods of time, so we have all been sticking pretty close to home. He can't go for walks, or other outside adventures for another month. He needs to have his final vaccinations. Apparently the parvo virus is a big issue here. He throws up sometimes on car rides. I would take him with me on errands, but I just don't like dealing with dog barf. It doesn't smell nice.
He is a border collie mix. According to the vet, the mix part is most likely an English pointer. He has webbed feet which indicates that he is part some sort of retriever. He wants to run, chase, herd and hunt. The yard is usually full of birds, and he is fascinated. At the moment he is entertaining himself with one of those plastic disposable cups, chasing it all over the house. Why buy dog toys?
I took a couple of continuing education real estate classes last week. I learned some interesting things, had a good lunch, and spent an entire day away from my computer. It was an odd day for sure.
My new primary class is huge! There are more than 10 kids most weeks, and if everyone were to come it would be closer to 20. I have been lobbying for a larger room. They are awesome! I love teaching them. They want to learn, and are very enthusiastic. We had sharing time yesterday and that was interesting.
So far this year I have read a few books. They are the sort that make you think. 13 Things that Don't Make Sense was especially enjoyable. If the smartest people in the world don't really know anything for certain, then I don't feel so bad about my own lack of knowledge.
I am hoping to get to the beach with the kids sometime soon. I can't wait until Chester can come along.
I have been tired, and sick of being on the computer when I have had free time. I know, that sounds awfully strange coming from me, but it is true. My eyes have been bugging me when I am on my computer for too long, or staring at the tiny screen on my beloved iphone. The prognosis is, I need a new glasses. I have ordered a pair specifically for computer use. So, while I wait for them to show up, my old lady eyes are strained. You would think that in this modern age it wouldn't take weeks to get a pair of glasses. Apparently, when you live on an island, it still does. There is no such thing as glasses in an hour, or a day, or even a week.
My days have been full of the usual stuff and nonsense of life - work, kids, dishes, laundry, mowing the lawn, car trouble, cooking, cleaning, reading, and even a little TV watching. Here are a few of the highlights from the last couple weeks.
I started a new work project, which entailed installing new software on my over-tasked computer. I had to delete a ton of stuff to make room for it. I had the usual round of technical difficulties along with the accompanying frustrations. After all of that, learning to use the software was a piece of cake.
I love my puppy! There are very theraputic aspects to dog ownership. Frequent trips outside, warm puppy fur on my feet, and a sleeping puppy a curled up at my side make me smile. It has taken only a little while to get into a groove with a schedule of taking care of all his many doggie needs. We have been watching a lot of the Dog Whisperer. That guys is amazing!
Chester is doing well at house training, and sleeps all night in Ryker's room. The kids have been great at taking care of him, and cleaning up the yard. None of us really like to leave him home alone for long periods of time, so we have all been sticking pretty close to home. He can't go for walks, or other outside adventures for another month. He needs to have his final vaccinations. Apparently the parvo virus is a big issue here. He throws up sometimes on car rides. I would take him with me on errands, but I just don't like dealing with dog barf. It doesn't smell nice.
He is a border collie mix. According to the vet, the mix part is most likely an English pointer. He has webbed feet which indicates that he is part some sort of retriever. He wants to run, chase, herd and hunt. The yard is usually full of birds, and he is fascinated. At the moment he is entertaining himself with one of those plastic disposable cups, chasing it all over the house. Why buy dog toys?I took a couple of continuing education real estate classes last week. I learned some interesting things, had a good lunch, and spent an entire day away from my computer. It was an odd day for sure.
My new primary class is huge! There are more than 10 kids most weeks, and if everyone were to come it would be closer to 20. I have been lobbying for a larger room. They are awesome! I love teaching them. They want to learn, and are very enthusiastic. We had sharing time yesterday and that was interesting.
So far this year I have read a few books. They are the sort that make you think. 13 Things that Don't Make Sense was especially enjoyable. If the smartest people in the world don't really know anything for certain, then I don't feel so bad about my own lack of knowledge.
I am hoping to get to the beach with the kids sometime soon. I can't wait until Chester can come along.
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