Tag: people

Your daily thought, point to ponder and soulful reflection.

Daily thought: There are a lot of friendly, helpful and decent people in this world. We seem to lose sight of that when we isolate at home or, spend most of our time listening to the media and following drama filled social posts.

Point to ponder: COVID forced many, or most of us, to stay home for an unforeseen length of time. When life started returning to the pre-pandemic way, some of us found a new normal that we aren’t so interested in letting go of. But when we do get out and interact, we are reminded how healthy and good it is to encounter people – the friendly, helpful and decent ones.

Soulful reflection: (Disclaimer: This probably only applies to my fellow introverts).

My pre-pandemic schedule was crazy. It was non-stop between work, socializing and activities. I rarely kept food in the fridge, didn’t have one plant nor could I have imagined wanting it any other way. Funny thing is, it took COVID to make me realize that wasn’t the life I wanted – or, needed. But I had no idea at that time.

Today, my life is back to the steady rhythm of busy, yet drums to a different beat. My life is full of what I once referred to as my soul work – writing, baking, creating, volunteering – but void of excess running around and what I’ve found to be superficial socialization.

I was the queen of delivery, everything right down to groceries. I now find myself getting back out, doing the errands and participating again in some day to day activities. Funny, I unknowingly missed this. It was a reminder that there are kind and happy people we encounter (jerks, too, as always, because a lot of them exist); a reminder that there is a whole world outside my door that it seems I’d kind of forgotten about. As an introverted extrovert, it can be easy to fall into my solitary ways.

But a trip to Market Basket, the drugstore and other places – something I’d always enjoyed – can be enjoyable and uplifting. A bit of idle chit chat and some shared smiles can shift one’s perspective and brighten the day, even if you think it won’t. There’s a lot of good out there surrounding us in these tumultuous times. Get out and see for yourself.

Little losses. Big impact.

Just shy of two years ago, I committed to this blog and posted my first daily thought, point to ponder and soulful reflection.

It was about a neighbor who isn’t aware of the impact he has on our lives. He is a staple in our neighborhood and when the nice weather arrives, if he’s not sitting outside in his comfy chair, taking in the fresh air, the day is not the same. When we walk or drive by, his wave is filled with warmth and friendliness. We have come to depend on him to lift our spirits and bring a smile to our faces.

Continue reading “Little losses. Big impact.”

Why do we do that?

Have you ever stopped and wondered why we do the things we do?  Have you taken the time to observe life from the sidelines, taking in the behavior of a person or a crowd, and contemplated why they do the things they do?

As a self-proclaimed social scientist, I love to watch, listen and learn. There is nothing that fascinates me more than the complexities of human behavior and social interaction.

Trust me, the word ‘bored’ will never pass your lips if you enjoy spending random moments of time observing others.

Sitting in an airport. Waiting at the pharmacy. Stuck in traffic. Running errands.

The world offers an endless pool of activity, if we sit up and pay attention. Continue reading “Why do we do that?”

Put the ‘live’ in the moment.

Are you the type of person who engages with those around you – or simply goes through the motions of life, shielding yourself from any potential interaction each day?

Would you recognize the coffee kid who serves you in the morning at your drive-thru of choice?  Would you acknowledge the waitress from your favorite haunt if passing by her on the street?  How about your friendly Lowe’s clerk from Aisle 16, the one who shares a friendly smile as you pretend to be reading a label until he walks on by?  Continue reading “Put the ‘live’ in the moment.”

Some days are purely magical.

As my fingers struck the keys that crafted this title, in my head I could hear the grouches, the cynics and the naysayers.

Lately I’ve read articles penned by fellow writers bashing positivity, encouraging people to unleash their rage and letting them know that it’s absolutely acceptable to do that.

They pooh-pooh the silver lining, incite volatile emotions and invite others to practice anger.

I agree – believe me. Of course it is good to release those feelings and emotions.  It is healthy to find an outlet that is cathartic – if it is, indeed, cathartic.  Continue reading “Some days are purely magical.”