Points to ponder – Page 10 – From the Desk of Pennwell Gray

Turn off your phone, and tune into your life.

Social media and texting have become central to our daily lives. Many feel the need to check-in when they arrive somewhere, post where they’re having dinner, and much, much more.

I’m not bashing it in anyway and I’ve done the same over the years, navigating the social channels and learning about them for work, not personal, at the start. Had it not been for that, I’d still have my BlackBerry and had remained the Facebook anti-Christ. But I have to say, I love many aspects of these communication vehicles. It’s reconnected me with family and friends, introduced me to people with like interests around the globe, and serves in promoting a lot of good content – when we weed through it. On the flip side, it can also drain our bank accounts when our willpower is low, targeting us through ads that make us want what we never even knew existed. Apple pay, PayPal, Shop – click, it’s mine!

And let’s not discount how valuable social media – as well as texting, FaceTime, and the good old fashioned telephone call – was during the COVID years. It was instrumental in keeping us all connected, professionally and personally.

Heartache – my old friend.

I’m not sure there is anything as painful as loving someone who didn’t, or couldn’t, love you in the way you needed.

What’s even more painful is when that person did love you as you needed – then stopped.

An explosion of nostalgia.

As I watched the local Fourth fireworks celebration from my window this evening, I thought how wonderful it is to live where I do and have this pleasure from the comfort of my home.

Then I scratched my head. Where I grew up, I had this opportunity every year. Not just a local fireworks celebration, but the Fourth of July extravaganza on the Boston Esplanade.

So did you?

Did you stop and make the time to reflect? Did you look back on June to learn what went well, and what didn’t? Did you look ahead at what you want to improve upon or accomplish over this new month?

July is here and for those of us in the northeast, that means the lazy, hazy days of summer. For most of us, lazy is not part of the equation and we can find ourselves busier than ever. Fourth of July cookouts and summer travel plans. Late nights spent outside under a star filled sky, and early mornings to ensure you get as many hours as you can of the daylight to soak up the sun. May you enjoy each and every moment.

Be mindful. Be grateful. And make it a great month.

Talking about the hard stuff.

There are subjects that many people, if not most, don’t want to talk about. They don’t even want to think about them, never mind discuss them.

It seems to be more common than not to avoid topics that evoke fear, worry or stress. We want to avoid things that cause us angst or pain, tucking it away in our minds and hoping that it miraculously figures itself out without our participation.

How was your month?

June is quickly coming to a close and we will embark on a new month in less than 48 hours.

As time passes, be sure to make the time to reflect upon life. What is going well for you, and what isn’t? How can you improve upon something, or do you need to change direction completely? What have you learned, and what do you want to learn? How have you contributed to making someone’s life better, or how did you hurt them?

Living authentically is a conscious decision. It is something that must be acted upon each day through mindfulness and reflection. Don’t wait to until something goes wrong to check-in with yourself – do it daily, and often.

When you find yourself going through the motions of life, simply flipping pages on a calendar or scrolling the dates on your phone, stop. Take a moment to slow down, breathe and engage in that moment. In the words of John Lennon, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” Don’t be so busy that it passes you by.

As you prepare to bid farewell to June and kick-off July, take a few minutes to think back on these past days.

How was your month?

Pro-conflicted.

As a writer, I feel compelled to share my viewpoints on the recent overturn of Roe vs. Wade. At the same time, I don’t look forward to the array of emotions that may be thrown my way. The judgment that will come. The unfriending and unfollowing.The rage without possibly even weighing what I’ve said.

But I’m prepared for that because if someone chooses to shut me out because my opinion differs from theirs, or because I have questions and invite discussion, those probably aren’t my people. The reality is, my conservative and liberal friends may all take issue with the thoughts to follow. I hope not.

Quite frankly, I don’t know where to begin.

Wherever you go, there you are.

We all have our days when we want to run away. A different locale, or a switch in geography that will help us escape – ourselves.

It is true. There are times that a change of scenery affords us just the diversion we need to return back to – ourselves.

As I searched cottages for later this year and into the next, I kept returning to the question why?

Yes, oceanfront sunrises are the best. Yes, falling asleep to the sound of the ocean is perfect. Absolutely perfect.

Yet I couldn’t settle or justify the why.

My darling Vivienne would be tense for a number of days. There would be a lot of effort put into leaving behind what has become my home for a brief period of time. After all, I now have plants and herbs.

And as much as I want to – I don’t.

My weekends in Maine are annual – one with friends, the other with family.

But I’m blessed with a road trip that I can make any day – like today. In an hour, I’m at the ocean. I’m in York. I’m at the Playhouse. I’m a million miles away in my mind, yet an hour from home.

How grateful am I.

Yet my home is my sanctuary. It is not a place I want to escape, but a place I want to spend more time – even if I do work from here. I love my surroundings. I am comforted in my space. I am content, satisfied and – happy.

Wherever I go, there I am.

Create a space and life you don’t want to escape – but rather one you want to retreat to.

Home is wherever your heart is.

Work it, baby.

“Good things happen to those who hustle.” – Anais Nin

No, it was not the quote of the day, and I’m quite certain I haven’t come across this one until today. It made me look twice when I flipped the quote calendar, then piqued my interest.

We’re all familiar with the quote that states, “Good things come to those who wait.” Maybe we didn’t challenge that when our parents or teachers tossed it at every disappointment to come our way yet in hindsight, what a passive statement. It’s a false promise of sorts, not intentional by any means, but it states that if we sit back and do nothing – just wait – good things will happen. Continue reading “Work it, baby.”

Who said woof?

A number of my writings are on the serious and emotional side, the caustic humor of my past subdued – or non-existent. I’m working on that.

But it’s Friday, and I have to share my rewarding evening with you!

Introducing Dainty Dog Delicacies – a canine passion turned hobby, inspired by Miss Vivienne Yorkshire, that seems to be taking off at record speed.

Disclaimer: No – I don’t do cats (yet). Continue reading “Who said woof?”