SOTU

I tend toward being an optimist and an idealist.  With that framework in mind, you can see how I would be pleased about President Obama's speech last night. 

There really is no end to what can be accomplished when people put their minds to it.  The old adage about a little inspiration combined with a little perspiration is so true.  There was plenty of inspiration in the SOTU address.

I enjoyed watching the sourpuss faces of the Red Team.  And the episodes of clapping by some of the Republican leaders, only because they knew the cameras were on.   

Speaking of optimism, can anyone not be inspired by Gabrielle Giffords?  What a fighter and a vision of determination.  I hope she feels the love and good wishes for her future from the masses.

And I send love and good wishes to the masses today, because we all need a little more love.

too many passwords

I tried to get information from one of my health insurance systems today by going to the website.  But I forgot my "username."  The process of trying to find my user name and password was so complicated, you would think I was trying to hack the computers of the CIA. 

I am told that it is important to regularly change your password for security.  But don't write it down so someone else could find it.  And don't make your password obvious. Well, I understand all this in theory.  But, honestly, how does one keep track of all those different codes and passwords?  I am on password OVERLOAD!! 

Any day now, there will be a mini-quiz which will identify that problems remembering your passwords is a symptom of the early onset of something horrible.  Sign me up for the "How to Enhance Your Memory" class.  I think I have that Something Horrible.  Wait a minute...I think I remember reading about a treatment for Something Horrible.....yes, I remember now....the treatment starts with a day home from the office, a glass of cabernet and a rice krispie bar.  I am all about wellness!    

Adios Uncle Jim

My Uncle Jim has been in my thoughts a lot the past few days.  He was my dad's oldest sibling, and I always loved him.  He had a thick head of hair that he combed back in perfect, silver waves.  He had a crooked smile and shockingly blue eyes.  He had a bad knee, and he was always a little crooked when he stood up. When our families got together, he always spoke to me about things he knew were important to me.  He was a cowboy/rancher who loved his horses.

My dad was the youngest of seven.  He died six years ago, and there are only three siblings left.  My cousins and I see each other more often these days - at the funerals.

I am pleased that Jim has moved beyond the physical realm.  I hope he will send a signal to me from the other side - a message of love to the niece who is missing him. 

Open...and more open

Open.  More and more open.  That is one of the mantras in a meditation that I do sometimes.  I desire to be more open.  More transparent and less guarded.  I have made efforts to consciously remind myself to be emotionally available to others in a way that is usually uncomfortable.  It is all about stretching and reaching and expanding.   And trusting that I will be safe in that new space.

Open.  More and more open.

Allowing, not controlling.  Accepting and inviting. 

Open.  More and more open.

mass consciousness

I have heard more and more often that we, the collective we, are one consciousness.  That one person's energy impacts the energy of the whole.  How cool is that?

Think of the possibilities of changing our world, merely by changing our thoughts. 

On a small scale, I know this is true.  One only needs to walk into a room and sense the mood.  Tension hangs like heavy drapery in the atmosphere, and it is immediately known by someone entering the space.  Excitement is tangible when you encounter it.  The "buzz" in the air is not a mere phrase, it is a phenomenon that spreads through a crowd and changes people's attitudes and behaviors.

If, on a small scale this transfer of energy is measurable, then it is true on a global scale as well.  One person choosing truth over dishonesty, kindness over criticism, or love over hate raises the universal vibration will raise up the united energy stream.  There is no end to its power. 

It sounds too simplistic to be true.  One person, changing the universe by merely choosing goodness?  Mind blowing.  Imagine what could be accomplished if, consciously and collectively, we all sent love into the world one time, every day. 

I pledge to send love and light into the universe every day at 9:00am.  Feel free to join me.  Let's change the world.

substance or drivel

I have so many thoughts running through my head.  Thoughts that should be put into words.  Amazing how those words seem to vanish when the fingers hit the keyboard. 

I am not a talkative or chatty person.  My friends have sometimes wondered why I am so quiet, and they ask me if I am OK.  Others have considered me to be secretive because I listen more than I speak, especially in a group.  Even in a group of friends who I trust and adore.  I consistently reassure them.

Where all those words that swim around in my brain, but don't get said out loud?  Perhaps better left unsaid. To speak, just to fill a gap, or to go on and on without really saying anything, seems like a waste of time and oxygen.

To listen is to learn.  To hear - really hear - is a gift the listener gives to the speaker.  

word of the day : duplicity

I looked this word up today, and I thought I knew what it meant.  Wrong.  The dictionary defines this word as:  hypocritical cunning or deception; double-dealing.  Who knew?

I thought duplicity would mean that something could have two meanings or purposes or versions - as in the word duplicate.

OK.  I have known people who are cunning and deceptive.  They make me nervous.  Their words and their actions make me feel like they are smarter or sharper than I am.  Like I am a step or two behind, and probably won't really catch up.  The trouble with people who are cunning, is that they are often looking for the angles, or the advantages.  And they strategize, plot and plan.  Not necessarily for evil purposes, but they definitely have their wheels turning faster than mine will ever go. 

emerging flower

Similar to a crocus peeking out of the snowy earth in April, with all its promise of longer, warmer days ahead, I am watching my friend sprout with new life.  Her recent life challenge has led her to some new discoveries about herself, and she is open to growth in new and surprising ways.  I don't think she knows how her face has changed, or how she smiles more often.  Like a shiny bauble, she reflects light that only observers can see.

ahh, the end of the day

Is there anything more pleasing than shutting down the computer at work, and walking out the door?  Hopefully with some sense of satisfaction of good work done.

Solely by going home and shedding the work duds, the stress of the day vanishes, and a new vibrancy takes over!  It's like getting a make-over in 60 seconds or less.

I have long said that this world would be a kinder, gentler place if workers could have more 3-day weekends. 

This is not a complaint about working.  Rather, a statement about having more balance between work and play.  Work and rest.  Work and anything else that rejuvenates the spirit. 

  

where is the courtesy?

Manners.  We don't use them as often as we used to, and it is troubling.

- Drivers pulling out in front of traffic.
- Eaters throwing their fast food waste on the highway.
- Anonymous critical posts everywhere on the internet - words that people might  not say face to face to those they are lambasting.
- Intolerance of those who are "different."  Homosexuals should be executed???   Really?  Arab Americans and Muslims should be forced to leave our county because they can't be patriotic Americans?  Huh??  Kids going hungry in our own community?  What??

This overt rudeness seems to be more prevalent of late.  Or perhaps I saturated and can't take it anymore. 

It is hard to tell if society has rubbed off on the politics of our nation, or if  politics has given people permission to be openly sanctimonious and and mean.  Whatever the cause, we, as a people, are out of sync with what most of us were taught about courtesy and kindness toward others, including the "others" that we don't understand, or the "others" that look and live differently than most.

I suggest more efforts toward "doing unto others" and looking for opportunities to do good deeds.  God knows, we need more kindness. 
   

it's been a long time

Several years ago, I created a blog, and somehow abandoned it, thinking that I didn't need it.  Love had gone sour, the ex came back to town, life stunk.  Who needed that dark blog space, anyway??

A friend is now blogging, and after reading her posts, it made me long for my old space.  So, here I am again.  Happy to be back.

Sarah, thanks for the inspiration.

my secret self

Writing.  A passion and a curse.

In my secret inner self, I am a prolific writer.  Words flow out of me as easily as sap from a maple in the spring.  My words have meaning and magic.  People can't wait to read my next edition.  My words are as savory and sweet as that most memorable entree and dessert in that wonderful out-of-the-way place you discovered by accident one day last summer.  I astound myself with my brilliance.

Then there is the real me, who thinks alot of things, but who lacks eloquence, and can't find the right expression at the most crucial of moments. 

I love to read so much....  Why can't I write like all the authors I love so much?

It seems that the words lose their luster once on the page because... well... what if I am the only one who sees their beauty and their significance?  What if the only thing I write is a pile of crap?  The shame of it all.

Enough shame.   Bring on the words!