Electricity - what an interesting subject for a blog! :)
A few days ago, I joined a class on recognizing and expressing Gratitude...every day for 28 days. Each day I make a list of ten things/people I am grateful for. For some reason I thought of electricity. Most of the time, we take electricity for granted....it's there, it's working!
POWER! Power to run this computer. Power to heat and cool ourselves and our food. Power to view shows from around the world on television. Power to light our way. Power to operate machines that clean, open doors and lifts us in elevators. Power to cut and dry our hair. The list can go on and on.
It's important now and then, to take a moment when we are using and enjoying these POWER options to say "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Vacation Day!
Workers that world around know the excitement of the "vacation day!"
Having been retired for over five years, many people still working have told me, "You're on vacation every day now." Well, technically yes, but figuratively no. There are things to do and places to go.... doctor appointments, church commitments, lunch with friends, grocery shopping, etc. It seems like our calendar has at least one commitment every day.
The other night I looked at my calendar and saw that there nothing planned for the next day. [Side note, I have to look at my calendar as I don't have a work schedule to remind of which day of the week it is. I know, such a tough life.] My first thought on seeing the empty day on the calendar was "vacation day." Where did that thought come from? I wonder, is that really what retirees call their nothing-planned days now? I doubt it. What is a good term for retirees to use?
Regardless, the feeling was good! There may or will come a time in my life when I have many empty days on my calendar. Until then, I will excited by my "vacation days," retired or not!
Having been retired for over five years, many people still working have told me, "You're on vacation every day now." Well, technically yes, but figuratively no. There are things to do and places to go.... doctor appointments, church commitments, lunch with friends, grocery shopping, etc. It seems like our calendar has at least one commitment every day.
The other night I looked at my calendar and saw that there nothing planned for the next day. [Side note, I have to look at my calendar as I don't have a work schedule to remind of which day of the week it is. I know, such a tough life.] My first thought on seeing the empty day on the calendar was "vacation day." Where did that thought come from? I wonder, is that really what retirees call their nothing-planned days now? I doubt it. What is a good term for retirees to use?
Regardless, the feeling was good! There may or will come a time in my life when I have many empty days on my calendar. Until then, I will excited by my "vacation days," retired or not!
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Where did it go?
Where did it go? When I say "it" I mean our money. Three years ago, we sold our home in Texas and moved up to Wisconsin and put a good chunk of money in our savings account. It seems like that account is decreasing too rapidly. Enough of a decrease that I often think (usually in the middle of night tossing and turning), "Where did it go?"
Last night was one of those tossing-and-turning nights. I wondered how I could determine where did it (money) go? Then I remembered that I often take photos of our trips and travels, so I got up at 1:30 a.m. and started looking at photos to determine where did WE go in order that IT has gone?
As I reviewed photos, I suddenly remembered trips that the memories had receded into my brain. I added up the days of trips and travels and found that WE did go.... a lot! In fact about 30% of the time in three years (45 weeks of 156 weeks), we have been traveling and exploring the world. It's not cheap to travel, that is why many people are limited in doing so because of work schedules and/or finances.
We were gone six months traveling to, from and within two warm-winter climate states, Arizona and Alabama. We traveled 10 weeks outside the USA - Panama Canal, Central America, Sweden, Europe, Caribbean, Mexico and Canada. The other weeks were spent in Colorado, Michigan, Milwaukee, New York City, California, Hawaii and numerous long-weekend trips around the Midwest. Traveling by car, bus and airplane and staying at hotels.... it all adds up. Can't forget all the sightseeing fees and expenses.
Wow! It was good to be reminded of how lucky we have been to see and do so much. So, where did IT go? IT went to new experiences, explorations, sights, and lots of photos. IT may go, but the memories will increase and be stronger than ever. No one can take that away from us.
Last night was one of those tossing-and-turning nights. I wondered how I could determine where did it (money) go? Then I remembered that I often take photos of our trips and travels, so I got up at 1:30 a.m. and started looking at photos to determine where did WE go in order that IT has gone?
As I reviewed photos, I suddenly remembered trips that the memories had receded into my brain. I added up the days of trips and travels and found that WE did go.... a lot! In fact about 30% of the time in three years (45 weeks of 156 weeks), we have been traveling and exploring the world. It's not cheap to travel, that is why many people are limited in doing so because of work schedules and/or finances.
We were gone six months traveling to, from and within two warm-winter climate states, Arizona and Alabama. We traveled 10 weeks outside the USA - Panama Canal, Central America, Sweden, Europe, Caribbean, Mexico and Canada. The other weeks were spent in Colorado, Michigan, Milwaukee, New York City, California, Hawaii and numerous long-weekend trips around the Midwest. Traveling by car, bus and airplane and staying at hotels.... it all adds up. Can't forget all the sightseeing fees and expenses.
Wow! It was good to be reminded of how lucky we have been to see and do so much. So, where did IT go? IT went to new experiences, explorations, sights, and lots of photos. IT may go, but the memories will increase and be stronger than ever. No one can take that away from us.
Sunday, May 12, 2019
Mother's Day
Today is Mother's Day. A day we honor all types of mothers....natural, step, adopted, foster, expectant, grand and god-mothers. Our church pastors kindly included "women of faith" in the honorees today too. When I saw the title of today's sermon, "Scars," I was rather surprised. But the pastor went on to speak of all the times mothers have been hurt due to being unheard and disrespected, creating scars on a women's heart. Mothers wanting their children to grow up to be fine, upstanding Christian men and women. It doesn't always work out that way and the mothers pray and cry for their children, young and adult.
I am a godmother to two nephews, an honor I received many years ago. I was probably chosen more for being the aunt who's is never having children than my spiritual and Christian being. Did I fulfill my responsibilities or obligations of being a godmother? Did I send them birthday cards every year? Not always. Did I make sure their parents were taking them to church? Not always. Did I pray for them regularly? Not always.
Was I a good godmother to them? Not always. I was often the mean aunt when I was disciplining them. I was the absentee aunt, who lived far away and did not attend their activities. I am guilty of neglect. I am sure many women are familiar with the thought and feeling that "I'm not doing enough." This often leads to guilt. Yes, guilt creates scars on the hearts of women too. Scars aren't always what someone else has done to you, but what you have have not done for others, especially your children or in my case my godchildren.
There was a redeeming message today.
I am a godmother to two nephews, an honor I received many years ago. I was probably chosen more for being the aunt who's is never having children than my spiritual and Christian being. Did I fulfill my responsibilities or obligations of being a godmother? Did I send them birthday cards every year? Not always. Did I make sure their parents were taking them to church? Not always. Did I pray for them regularly? Not always.
Was I a good godmother to them? Not always. I was often the mean aunt when I was disciplining them. I was the absentee aunt, who lived far away and did not attend their activities. I am guilty of neglect. I am sure many women are familiar with the thought and feeling that "I'm not doing enough." This often leads to guilt. Yes, guilt creates scars on the hearts of women too. Scars aren't always what someone else has done to you, but what you have have not done for others, especially your children or in my case my godchildren.
There was a redeeming message today.
My job is to plant the seeds of faith and God's job to grow the seeds of faith.Yes, there are things I have done that would be called "planting the seeds of faith." And yes, God did His job to grow the seeds of faith. I am so blessed to be able to say that these two nephews have grown to be fine, up-standing men of Christian faith. Thank you God for doing your job. Thank you MOTHERS for doing your job with all the children of the world...planting the seeds of faith.
Saturday, May 26, 2018
JOY
I had an A-Ha moment today that unexpectedly brought me joy!
I have read some articles about decluttering that focus on the question, "Does this spark JOY?" with each object in your home. From the library I got the book "The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo, the author of the "spark joy" concept. It only took a few hours to read, but I'm sure I'm in for many hours of tidying up.
Even before reading the book, I remembered enough that I have been putting some of her concepts into place with my own decor and clothes closet. I even used it with my Mom and sorting out her abundance of clothes this week.
However, in reading the book she describes a pattern of tidying up that produces success. Sort by category, not location in your home. Clothes first, then books, papers, miscellaneous (dishware, decor, etc) and lastly mementos (sentimental items). And at the very last of mementos is photos.
Gosh dang it! Why photos last? The author says, "There is good reason to leave photos for last. If you start sorting photos before you have honed your intuitive sense of what brings you joy, the whole process will spin out of control and come to a halt."
I have so many photos, both paper and digital that sorting through them is a humongous project. I have scrapbook material and tools in my closet and even in a rolling bin in my second bathroom to use for displaying these thousands of photos. It's so overwhelming that I don't know where to start...and have not done anything for years.
The last section of her book is titled "the magic of tidying dramatically transforms your life." She encourages the reader to think about what they want their life to be like in their home. I want a room to escape to that I can read and meditate, if I want, without another person or noise from a television. There is such a room in my home, but every time I go in there, I feel guilty reading because I know that in the closet are bins of photos and scrapbook material waiting to be sorted and used.
For the past year, I have rarely taken photos with my camera. Yes, I post some photos on Facebook, but the quantity and quality are non-existent compared to the past. I have really pondered why this change of pace for me? Why don't I want to take photos?
Then came my A-Ha moment. It dawned on me that I feel so overwhelmed with all the photos I have already taken and done nothing with them... that my psyche is saying, "No more! You have enough photos to take care of without adding more!"
I knew I had a book titled "The Joy of Photography" and sure enough I found it on my bookcase. Yes, the "joy" of photography has gone away. Will the joy come back? Time will tell as I tidy up my clothes, books, etc before I get to my photos. But it is such a relief to know I have options in all my belongings that seem to weigh me down. I can either keep them and enJOY them or discard them for someone else to enjoy!
I have read some articles about decluttering that focus on the question, "Does this spark JOY?" with each object in your home. From the library I got the book "The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo, the author of the "spark joy" concept. It only took a few hours to read, but I'm sure I'm in for many hours of tidying up.
Even before reading the book, I remembered enough that I have been putting some of her concepts into place with my own decor and clothes closet. I even used it with my Mom and sorting out her abundance of clothes this week.
However, in reading the book she describes a pattern of tidying up that produces success. Sort by category, not location in your home. Clothes first, then books, papers, miscellaneous (dishware, decor, etc) and lastly mementos (sentimental items). And at the very last of mementos is photos.
Gosh dang it! Why photos last? The author says, "There is good reason to leave photos for last. If you start sorting photos before you have honed your intuitive sense of what brings you joy, the whole process will spin out of control and come to a halt."
I have so many photos, both paper and digital that sorting through them is a humongous project. I have scrapbook material and tools in my closet and even in a rolling bin in my second bathroom to use for displaying these thousands of photos. It's so overwhelming that I don't know where to start...and have not done anything for years.
The last section of her book is titled "the magic of tidying dramatically transforms your life." She encourages the reader to think about what they want their life to be like in their home. I want a room to escape to that I can read and meditate, if I want, without another person or noise from a television. There is such a room in my home, but every time I go in there, I feel guilty reading because I know that in the closet are bins of photos and scrapbook material waiting to be sorted and used.
For the past year, I have rarely taken photos with my camera. Yes, I post some photos on Facebook, but the quantity and quality are non-existent compared to the past. I have really pondered why this change of pace for me? Why don't I want to take photos?
Then came my A-Ha moment. It dawned on me that I feel so overwhelmed with all the photos I have already taken and done nothing with them... that my psyche is saying, "No more! You have enough photos to take care of without adding more!"
I knew I had a book titled "The Joy of Photography" and sure enough I found it on my bookcase. Yes, the "joy" of photography has gone away. Will the joy come back? Time will tell as I tidy up my clothes, books, etc before I get to my photos. But it is such a relief to know I have options in all my belongings that seem to weigh me down. I can either keep them and enJOY them or discard them for someone else to enjoy!
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
The Beach
Having spent a limited amount of time vacationing on the beach, I have often entertained the idea of living in a home on beach. It sounds so seductive. But then I would think, I would get bored just looking out at water, day after day. I like seeing landscape and lights in the distance.
Now that we are in a condo on the beach for two months, I am finding that the view changes every day and sometimes every hour. The color of water varies from dark blue, black (at night), light blue, blue-green, gray and full of "diamonds" when the sun shines on it. The waves coming into the beach vary too, even though there is not much of low/high tide here.
The horizon can be distinctive and other times merged with the sea. The clouds above the water are in full view, not obstructed by buildings. The sun creates a vast array of color hues at sunrise and sunset.
Yes, I think I could used to this view.
Friday, July 21, 2017
Scars & Compassion
My sister wrote a post on Facebook today about her hands and she posted a photo of her hands. She mentioned a scar that she has and how she got it from a calf bite. I looked at my own hand and I have a crescent shaped scar on the knuckle just below my pointer finger. I was washing a glass in 1980 when I lived in Colorado and it broke. Created quite a nasty cut on my hand and I remember wearing a huge bandage for a couple of weeks to protect the wound and protect my customers (I was a waitress) from seeing the wound.
It got me thinking about scars on our bodies. Isn't it ironic that I can remember the incident that lead to the scar on my hand? I have scars on each knee from some nasty scrapes and I can tell you where and how those happened too. All these incidences were a minuscule amount of time in my lifeline, yet I can remember them exactly, even the one that occurred almost 60 years ago.
I wonder why do we remember these scars? Scarring is a natural part of the healing process. Scars, of course are a physical, visible reminder to us of the wounds we have endured. Physically, we have healed and moved on with our lives.
Something that is more difficult to see are the emotional or mental scars. So often these types of wounds are not a one-time incidence, but possibly years of being cut, torn apart, or abused. These wounds may take years to recover from and heal. They leave scars on our souls and our spirit. Just like our visible, physical scars, we may not think about them until sometime, these scars can feel like they have been ripped open again as we react to something that is said or done to us. Then we must start the process of healing again.
Of course the healing process is different for each of us. Some wounds require the professional help of a doctor, therapist and/or medication. All wounds require the help of the Master Healer, God. Time heals all wounds. For some people with wounds, their end of time (death) will be the healer. For others, it may take weeks or years.
We never know what type of wounds and scars the people we meet have endured. Their actions and behaviors may show us, and maybe not. Compassion for all is important. Compassion motivates people to go out of their way to help the physical, spiritual, or emotional hurts and pains of another.
In typical "Rambling Rayna" fashion, I have gone from writing about scars to writing about compassion. Our physical and emotional wounds all require compassion. Whether it's a mother picking the gravel out of your knee or you cry tears of pain as you bandage your own cut. Compassion heals!
It got me thinking about scars on our bodies. Isn't it ironic that I can remember the incident that lead to the scar on my hand? I have scars on each knee from some nasty scrapes and I can tell you where and how those happened too. All these incidences were a minuscule amount of time in my lifeline, yet I can remember them exactly, even the one that occurred almost 60 years ago.
I wonder why do we remember these scars? Scarring is a natural part of the healing process. Scars, of course are a physical, visible reminder to us of the wounds we have endured. Physically, we have healed and moved on with our lives.
Something that is more difficult to see are the emotional or mental scars. So often these types of wounds are not a one-time incidence, but possibly years of being cut, torn apart, or abused. These wounds may take years to recover from and heal. They leave scars on our souls and our spirit. Just like our visible, physical scars, we may not think about them until sometime, these scars can feel like they have been ripped open again as we react to something that is said or done to us. Then we must start the process of healing again.
Of course the healing process is different for each of us. Some wounds require the professional help of a doctor, therapist and/or medication. All wounds require the help of the Master Healer, God. Time heals all wounds. For some people with wounds, their end of time (death) will be the healer. For others, it may take weeks or years.
We never know what type of wounds and scars the people we meet have endured. Their actions and behaviors may show us, and maybe not. Compassion for all is important. Compassion motivates people to go out of their way to help the physical, spiritual, or emotional hurts and pains of another.
In typical "Rambling Rayna" fashion, I have gone from writing about scars to writing about compassion. Our physical and emotional wounds all require compassion. Whether it's a mother picking the gravel out of your knee or you cry tears of pain as you bandage your own cut. Compassion heals!
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