How often I’ve listened to people stress out while driving because they’ve missed an exit, don’t know where they are, or had to turn around multiple times to find their way. I could never quite understand the angst or fear, other than the fact that it may cause you to be late, which can have consequences, depending on the occasion. But to visibly sweat and curse, believing the end of the world has come because you’re on a street that you didn’t intend to be? I can’t relate. Continue reading “Wrong Turns.”
Tag: life
United we stand. Divided we fall.
If my memory serves me well, which sometimes isn’t the case these days, I crafted either a blog post or an article with this same title. It was about politics, I believe, while this post is simply about approaching our daily interactions thoughtfully and respectfully.
Yet what proves true is that this title is a timeless and multidimensional statement.
There are countless topics that divide us in today’s world – religion, politics, sex and gender, to name just a few. Add on illegal immigration, crime, and climate change then we create an even more robust stage of controversy. Frankly, people argue about the weather, take pride in treating people rudely, and find it humorous when they belittle others for peer appreciation that must be fueling some ridiculously low sense of self-esteem – or overinflated ego.
Continue reading “United we stand. Divided we fall.”What 2023 has Taught Me.
On New Year’s Eve, I like to reflect upon what the year has taught me. Life is filled with ups and downs, trials and tribulations, and moments of enormous joy that bring much happiness. Here are some random thoughts to share as we slide on into 2024.
On living
Don’t ever waste time cleaning your house if you get an opportunity to have some fun or be there for someone else who may need your support. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring and I can assure you that if it all suddenly came to end, I doubt you’ll be thinking about your sparkling sink or dust-free shelves. Cherish the moments because we are blessed with each and every one. Choose wisely. Continue reading “What 2023 has Taught Me.”
The sound, of silence.
No. I am not referring to the song by Simon and Garfunkel – though it is a great song.
I am referring to evenings, such as this, when the only sound you hear is the breeze blowing through the leaves of the trees, the frogs, the crickets, and the faint hum of a motorcycle in the distance.
You can also hear yourself think, because the text message beeps and email alerts are silenced. The life that consumes you is falling asleep, affording you the time to reflect, contemplate, and dream.
For some, this can be a time of pure delight. You may be savoring some moments alone – kids are in bed. Spouse is asleep. And no one needs you right now, but you. What you would give to escape your commitments – yet you don’t even realize that you feel that way because being alone is something you fantasize about, while others would do anything to have what you have.
For others, the time is bittersweet. You’re cherishing your solitude, yet simultaneously missing what isn’t right for you, but you reluctantly crave it nonetheless. The demons arise and you struggle with the past and present, while praying for a future that paints the picture you sketched in your dreams. You envy the frazzled mother, the frustrated wife. You find yourself longing for the aggravations other people want to rid themselves of. So they think.
May we all be aware of the greener grass. It’s never greener. Keep watering your own.
Silence should be your friend, not foe. It should wash over you like a hot shower, soothing. It should feel like a hug, comforting. And it should relax you, like a nice cup of tea or a good night of sleep – because who gets that?!
Sit back, unwind, and let the sounds of silence embrace you. Tomorrow is another day. No matter what you’re feeling tonight, hope is your anchor, and it will ensure you set sail in the morning.
Some points to ponder.
This evening I heard someone say proclaim that we have every bit of information at our fingertips and people are dumber than ever.
My disclaimer is – not everyone, never everyone.
But I have to agree.
When I’m faced with those who wildly defend a position or who make absolutely no sense when arguing a point, a lightbulb goes off above my head.
They’ve read a headline. They caught a news clip. Or they chatted with someone in line with them at the supermarket, bank, or some random place. Maybe they overheard people talking and walked away with information that they then passed on – nothing substantiated.
That’s how rumors start. That is the definition of ‘misinformation’ if it is not researched, sources cited, and facts checked. Continue reading “Some points to ponder.”
When opportunity knocks …
Summer Fridays were never my thing because it meant I could stop working early. I was not a fan of lunch breaks either, but I did love the post-work social hours that ran way too late into some nights. Work hard, play hard.
Work is something that I grew addicted to at a young age. As a child, I operated a pretend office rather than play with dolls. Accompanying my grandmother to the local stationery store was one of my favorite outings, purchasing sales receipt books and other business supplies. Forget Barbie! Sitting at the cherry executive desk when my father worked part-time delivering office furniture was better than any trip to Disney World in my opinion. I felt a surge of adrenaline and pleasure, at the ready to strike a deal or two in my vivid imagination.
Continue reading “When opportunity knocks …”Quote of the day.
Everything in moderation, including moderation because – life’s short.
Those who know me are well aware that my definition of socializing is chatting with friendly people when running errands. People tend to talk to me and I am not shy when it comes to engaging, or initiating if there is something that deems conversation worthy. Visit a few stores, talk with some pleasant folks then it certainly qualifies as an official night out!
Waiting in the supermarket checkout line, I inched forward in an attempt to get what I referred to as the ‘thing-a-majiggy’ and the lady ahead of me knew exactly what I meant – the ‘whatcha-ma-call-it.’ The artfully decorated cake in my basket led to chatter about life’s celebrations and I proclaimed that any occasion was an occasion for cake to which she responded, ‘But after dinner, of course.’ Absolutely not 100% of the time!
Sometimes it’s before dinner – and sometimes, it is dinner. We may sneak a piece during the day or sliver a slice as a snack. We may even cut some for breakfast, followed by our multi-vitamin because surely our decisions aren’t necessarily nutritious or healthy ones – but those decisions are ours to make. We are grown-ups. We’ve earned the privilege of tossing some rules right out the window, and I can think of many.
Life is short. We should moderate everything, including moderation. We say it. We buy signs that proclaim it. We tout the message, yet rarely do we live it.
We find ourselves bogged down by the can nots and should nots. We are plagued by potential guilt and shame. We get so caught up in these things that they become life itself – and that takes up way too much mental space and stands in the way of what? Enjoying our lives!!
I’m the queen of it, so no preaching here. Maybe I’m nudging myself because I say it, buy the signs, and tout the message – but sometimes I forget and lose too much time restricting myself, judging myself, and not living in the way I believe every one of us should be – and we can’t get that time back. It’s gone, forever.
Yes, there are things we need to improve upon. There are habits to be broken. There is a need for some control and restraint so that we don’t become selfish, reckless hedonists. We need to honor our conscience, yet respect our true selves.
But we can have cake before dinner. Not every day, but some days – and we should let go of certain rules that actually hinder the joy of living rather than celebrate our very existence.
Reframe your thinking and start living today.
Riding the waves of life.
Life is like an ocean.
Sometimes calm and peaceful, but more often than not coming at us like waves crashing up against the sea wall – wild and unpredictable, a magical pool of wonder with a mind and mood of it’s own. If we are not careful, we can get pulled into the current, tirelessly fighting to catch our breath and find some way to swim safely back to shore.
Oh, how we fight the currents, exhausting ourselves by swimming against the tide when we should be surfing the waves – allowing ourselves to ebb and flow, rise and fall. When we get sucked under, finding the will and confidence to paddle to the top, mentally letting go while physically persevering.
Letting go – it’s something most of us aren’t good at, even if we think we are. Call it delusional, or denial. Call it what you will, but we all fight the currents, swim against the tide, and find ourselves drowning in this thing called life.
We want balance. We want happiness. We want consistency. We want – well, maybe we don’t always know what we want. Maybe, we have a mind and mood of our own – just like the ocean.
What is the moral of this post, you may ask?
Keep swimming. Know when to front crawl, know when to float. Know when to dive in, know when to do laps. The key to success is in continuity – in not giving up yet recognizing when to modify or adapt.
The sea speaks to the soul and if you listen carefully, it can speak to you, as well. There will be storms. There will be shipwrecks. There will be sailing on the bright and clear blue water.
Welcome it all. Your heart will go on.
Quote of the day.
