Spending last weekend at the monastery. Although I was there for some meetings....not my favorite thing....I did have some good moments in between. The best of them was Sunday morning between the hours of 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM. I actually got up with the monks at 3:15 AM but it was my private time, in silence and solitude, drinking coffee, eating whole wheat toast, and watching night turn into day that was best.
Spring mornings. Although it is still a little cool in the mornings, it is great to wake up to birdsong and be able to come to work without wearing a jacket. I am not missing the cold and dark mornings of winter. I drove to the monastery very early on Saturday and the rural area was quite beautiful with spring bursting forth in all it's glory, especially the purple flowered redbud trees.
Compassion. Last night I watched an excellent show on PBS about the life of the Buddha. One of the Buddha's awakenings was when he understood compassion. According to the book entitled "StrengthFinders", one of my strengths is empathy. Empathy is the ability to intuitively understand how others feel. Compassion takes empathy to the next level. When you are compassionate, not only do you understand how other's feel, you care, and you act accordingly. Compassion is treating others with the same care and concern you would like to be treated yourself. Compassion is the Golden Rule, i.e., do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.
Naps. The last few days have been very busy for me. My weekend was full of meetings and my first day back to work this week was an all day meeting. After working yesterday and going to the doctor, I finally got home and soon afterwards I crashed on my couch and took a much needed nap. It was one of those world class naps where I woke up wondering what day it was, what time was it, and what planet was I on.
Ordinary days. After you have an unusually busy or difficult day, one gains a whole new appreciation for the ordinary days when nothing special happens. These are the days where the rhythm and flow of life are generally smooth and maybe even a little boring. We all have special days and we all have days that test us. Most days, however, are ordinary and are like links in a chain that hold all of our life together. How we live the ordinary days of our life says a lot about us.
Fridays! All Friday's are good but some are better than others. It's been a challenging week so I am more than ready for the weekend. It's also payday and my granddaughter is spending the weekend with me. All is good.
Ipods. I'm still discovering the wonders of my new Ipod. I never thought I would be one of those people who walks around in public listening to their music but I am becoming one. I feel a little stupid doing it and I probably look even more stupid. I'm not sure an off the chart introvert should do this. I am already lost in my whole private world much of the time and this can't help.
Thunder Over Louisville. I don't usually attend this because hundreds of thousands of other people do but I have been several times and it is an awesome sight. If you've never been you should go at least once. It's a long day and lots of work for 30 minutes of fireworks, not to mention the extreme traffic jams when it's over, but it will blow your mind.
Taking a walk by the river. My regular lunch partner had a conflict today so I went out by myself, bought a sandwich at Subway, and sat on a bench in the park. It was a beautiful day, hot and blustery, with a strong wind that created white caps on the river. There was lots of activity in the park as vendors and others prepared for tomorrow's Thunder over Louisville celebration and fireworks display. Later in the afternoon I went out again with a friend. In the afternoon the sky was a backdrop for jet airplanes and sonic booms. They were deafening at times. It was great to see all the activity and happy faces of parents and children playing in the water spouts. Tomorrow there will be so many people in this normally quiet area that you won't be able to see a blade of grass on the Great Lawn.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Friday, April 09, 2010
Finding Lincoln
Most Fridays I go out to lunch with my friend, Wendy. Going out to lunch on Fridays is always an early start to the weekend. Even though there is a big difference in our ages we are very much alike and when we started working together about five or six years ago we quickly and easily connected. That sense of connection is always a good sign of a potentially great friendship. Sometime in the past year, on a somewhat hot day, we went on a long and eventually fruitless walk to find a Abraham Lincoln memorial in a park near our office that runs along the Ohio River. Apparently we zigged when we should have zagged and we ended up far from our desired destination in a somewhat desolate area that could have been a prime location for a good murder in one of those cheap mystery novels. We made it out alive and back to the office but never found Lincoln until today. Today was an absolutely gorgeous day. The sun was shining bright and the sky was deep blue and full of clouds. After last week's summer like temperatures, today seemed cool but in fact it was a normal spring day for early April. We decided to go to lunch an at old restaurant where neither of us had been in a while. It was a seafood restaurant with a great view of the river. Most of the other people there were rather old, even older than me, and looked like they had been eating there every Friday for the last 50 years. On the way there we noticed a sign for the Abraham Lincoln Memorial so we thought we would check it out on the way back to our office. It directed us exactly where we wanted to go. It was a very nice spot with some granite walls that held sculptured three dimensional depictions of events in Lincoln's life and there in the middle of the memorial was bronze sculpture of a young Abe Lincoln crafted by local artist Ed Hamilton. The memorial itself is more of a park and a wonderful place to sit and think, or simply sit while enjoying the beauty of nature around you. I later told Wendy what a delightful time I had during lunch and she summed it up rather well when she said, "Today was like an adventure". I agreed. Adventure is possible doing the simplest things even in the middle of the workday.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Awesome Things Volume XII
A beautiful Easter weekend. OK, it was pouring down rain when I got up last Saturday but it turned into a beautiful day and Easter Sunday was the same. I did spend part of last Saturday afternoon at the movies seeing "Clash of the Titans" and I had dinner with Chloe and her parents on Saturday night so my wife and I could give her an Easter basket since we didn't see her on Sunday. All in all, it was a gorgeous weekend with lots of family and little rest. Isn't this what life is all about? All the trees are now blooming, the yard fanatics have already mowed their lawns at least once, and out in our park workers are busy preparing for the annual spreading of mulch before Thunder over Louisville.
The music of Mozart in the morning. A great way to greet a new day.
Music. Whatever kind of music makes you happy. For me, it's mostly rock and roll although I also like jazz, blues, and classical. When I was about 12 years old the older sister of a neighborhood friend took us out to the State Fair to see the original Beach Boys. When I heard those electric guitars I was hooked for life. That was 47 years ago! I still love electric guitars. Gibson Les Paul's and Fender Stratocasters are two of mankind's greatest inventions. I cannot imagine an existence without music. I once told someone that if I die and get to Heaven, and I find out there's no music there, I may have to leave. Music makes me happy when I am sad and happier if I am already happy. Music is the common language that unites people. As the Rolling Stones once sang, "I know it's only rock and roll but I like it"!
Embracing technology. Most of the technology that young people take for granted did not exist for most of my life. I was in high school before I saw a color television. When I started working at my current employer there was no Internet and PC's had not been invented yet. I received an ipod for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure this is no big deal for most of you. I am often slow to embrace new technology because I just get used to whatever I am using. I used to think that cassette tapes were state of the art technology, especially when they started selling blank tapes and I could make my own "mixes". It took me forever to buy my first CD after years of collecting LP's and tapes. For those that don't remember LP's, they are albums. Today some people refer to them as "vinyl". I still remember the day I bought my first CD back in the late 80's. It was "Revolver" by the Beatles and the sound quality blew me away. Anyway, I am loving this ipod and I have taken to it like a duck to water. I think I have already loaded a thousand songs on it. What's the point? Technology can be wonderful and it can greatly improve our lives. However, I still think we must use caution and not be slaves to it. Sometimes we need to turn off our cell phones, unplug our ipods, go outside to the park, sit on a bench, listen to the bubbling water, and feel the wind on our face.
Karma. I believe in Karma. Some people choose to believe in fate. Fate is basically the belief that whatever happens just happens. Karma is the belief that you get back what you put out. Although there are exceptions, I believe this is true. If you're a good person, and you put out good vibes, I believe you will be rewarded with good things. If you're a nasty or negative person, my belief is that eventually life will pay you back. Yes, there are exceptions to this and I can't explain them. Sometimes bad things happen to good people and sometimes bad people and bad behavior seem to be rewarded. Ultimately, though, I believe you get what you deserve. I try to put out good vibes and I am an eternal optimist. Although some bad things have happened to me, overall life has been very, very good to me and many good things and good people have come into my life. The bad stuff wasn't pleasant but it made me stronger and wiser.
My Granddaughter. Chloe is a never ending source of joy in my life. The other night she was at my house with her Dad. I can't remember what she was doing but I said, "Chloe, be careful with that". She looked at me very seriously and said, "Pa Paw, I'm in Kindergarten". Gee, what was I thinking? Children and grandchildren grow up so fast. On my desk is a picture of me holding Chloe the day she was born. This summer she will be six years old and next month her Dad will be 32 years old. Enjoy your children and grandchildren now. Before you know it they will be adults with their own lives, families, sorrows and joys.
The music of Mozart in the morning. A great way to greet a new day.
Music. Whatever kind of music makes you happy. For me, it's mostly rock and roll although I also like jazz, blues, and classical. When I was about 12 years old the older sister of a neighborhood friend took us out to the State Fair to see the original Beach Boys. When I heard those electric guitars I was hooked for life. That was 47 years ago! I still love electric guitars. Gibson Les Paul's and Fender Stratocasters are two of mankind's greatest inventions. I cannot imagine an existence without music. I once told someone that if I die and get to Heaven, and I find out there's no music there, I may have to leave. Music makes me happy when I am sad and happier if I am already happy. Music is the common language that unites people. As the Rolling Stones once sang, "I know it's only rock and roll but I like it"!
Embracing technology. Most of the technology that young people take for granted did not exist for most of my life. I was in high school before I saw a color television. When I started working at my current employer there was no Internet and PC's had not been invented yet. I received an ipod for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure this is no big deal for most of you. I am often slow to embrace new technology because I just get used to whatever I am using. I used to think that cassette tapes were state of the art technology, especially when they started selling blank tapes and I could make my own "mixes". It took me forever to buy my first CD after years of collecting LP's and tapes. For those that don't remember LP's, they are albums. Today some people refer to them as "vinyl". I still remember the day I bought my first CD back in the late 80's. It was "Revolver" by the Beatles and the sound quality blew me away. Anyway, I am loving this ipod and I have taken to it like a duck to water. I think I have already loaded a thousand songs on it. What's the point? Technology can be wonderful and it can greatly improve our lives. However, I still think we must use caution and not be slaves to it. Sometimes we need to turn off our cell phones, unplug our ipods, go outside to the park, sit on a bench, listen to the bubbling water, and feel the wind on our face.
Karma. I believe in Karma. Some people choose to believe in fate. Fate is basically the belief that whatever happens just happens. Karma is the belief that you get back what you put out. Although there are exceptions, I believe this is true. If you're a good person, and you put out good vibes, I believe you will be rewarded with good things. If you're a nasty or negative person, my belief is that eventually life will pay you back. Yes, there are exceptions to this and I can't explain them. Sometimes bad things happen to good people and sometimes bad people and bad behavior seem to be rewarded. Ultimately, though, I believe you get what you deserve. I try to put out good vibes and I am an eternal optimist. Although some bad things have happened to me, overall life has been very, very good to me and many good things and good people have come into my life. The bad stuff wasn't pleasant but it made me stronger and wiser.
My Granddaughter. Chloe is a never ending source of joy in my life. The other night she was at my house with her Dad. I can't remember what she was doing but I said, "Chloe, be careful with that". She looked at me very seriously and said, "Pa Paw, I'm in Kindergarten". Gee, what was I thinking? Children and grandchildren grow up so fast. On my desk is a picture of me holding Chloe the day she was born. This summer she will be six years old and next month her Dad will be 32 years old. Enjoy your children and grandchildren now. Before you know it they will be adults with their own lives, families, sorrows and joys.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
A Life Less Ordinary
What does it mean to live "a life less ordinary"? I started thinking about this after picking up a copy of a local publication called LEO Weekly. The featured story is about a local artist who "extracts the romantic and strange from everyday life". I was intrigued by the story because I have also have a deep desire to live "a life less ordinary" despite having a life that is by most standards quite ordinary. I don't think a life less ordinary is necessarily a large life with lots of adventure. If a large and exciting life was the only way to live a life less ordinary, most people would be unable to achieve it. The reality is that most people live in ordinary circumstances where their days and nights are filled with work and family, not to mention other obligations and responsibilities. Much has been said in recent years about living a "purpose driven life". I don't really like that term because it suggests to me a life of doing. The problem with most people's lives is that there's too much doing. Endless activity, demanding commitments, and over booked calendars are a hindrance to living "a life less ordinary" in my opinion. How do I try to live "a life less ordinary"? I strive to do it through the practice of mindfulness and my attempts at Zen. I strive to do it by trying to live in the moment, by trying to be spiritually awake and aware, by trying to notice the extraordinary that is often hidden in the ordinary, and by being sensitive to the different colors and nuances of life around me. It can be as simple as noticing the fragrant aroma of my neighbor's honeysuckle bushes as I walk into my home at the end of a workday. So for me "a life less ordinary" is really about a life where I am more in touch, more sensitive and aware, and more alive to the life I have. Life is not about quantity, it's about quality.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Hermit Night In My Man Cave
Once a week my wife watches all her favorite television shows that she has recorded. These are generally television shows that I could go the rest of my life without watching. I love when she does this because I get to have a hermit night. Tonight is such a night. It was a busy day at work. On the way home we had dinner at the Texas Roadhouse followed by errands at several local businesses. My work day was pleasant and I really didn't mind running the errands but I was ecstatic to know I had an evening ahead of me where I could hang out in my room, listen to music, load a few CD's on my ipod, and continue reading "Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson. My wife and I have been married for almost 36 years. I think part of the reason we are still married is that each of us recognizes our own personal need for space. Once at a wedding shower all the married women were asked to give the bride to be some marriage advice. My wife's advice was "Each of you needs to find your own space and stay there as much as possible". This advice was given tongue in cheek but there's a lot of truth to it. Too much togetherness can be too much togetherness. Thank God my wife is an introvert like me. So I am sitting here with my second cup of tasty, but decaffeinated, coffee. As soon as I finish typing these notes and downloading my CD's, I am moving over to my comfortable chair and reading for as long as I can stay awake. These hermit nights feed my soul and refresh me. By morning I will be ready once again to live in the land of people.
Friday, April 02, 2010
Back To The Tao
What is really important in life? Today's Tao reading encourages us to ask this question.
Make every move count.
Pick your target and hit it.
Perfect concentration means effortless flowing.
The commentary gives us the following thoughts...
A life that is spiritual requires focused action. It needs quick reflexes, accurate timing, and abundant skill. Each day your life grows a day shorter. Make every move count.
I think life is spiritual whether you realize it or not or whether you care or not. It is spiritual in ways that religion is not. As I get older I often believe religion is actually a hindrance to what is spiritual. The religion in which I was raised is wracked with scandal and I do not think I will live long enough to see it's recovery. What I am more concerned about than the authenticity of religion is understanding on a deep level what is really important in life. As I strive to recognize and focus on the truly important, I wonder how I can best make every move of my life count. Too often I am frustrated or depressed about how much of my life is spent doing meaningless tasks or spending time in activities that are not important to me. We all have responsibilities and commitments. Sometimes, however, these responsibilities and commitments take over our lives and we feel trapped. We get hung up in other people's agenda's. It's difficult to balance one personal needs with our obligations to others. I know that one of the weaknesses of my personality is to be too compliant and too willing to take the path of least resistance in order to maintain a peaceful existence. What I prefer, to use the words of author Ken Kesey, is to "be in my own movie". I often wonder if I would really change my life and live a different way if I had the freedom to do so. It is not likely that I will ever have a totally free life so how can I "make every move count" in the life I have? Do I even have a target in my life? I know I don't have "perfect concentration" and I rarely experience "effortless flowing". I am reasonably content in my life but my happiness in mostly in moments that quickly pass. Too often I sustain myself with memories of happy moments more than happiness itself. I am a person that many people like and admire but I often feel unloved and unnoticed. What is really important in life? I think feeling loved and being happy despite the fact these things often seem to elude me. I have experienced both but not enough to give me "effortless flowing" in my life. Less I sound like a man full of self pity, I also question how much love I have shown others or how much happiness I have given others. I am a temperamental and sensitive person whose feelings are easily hurt and who may need more than most can give. Maybe what I feel, or don't feel, is in equal proportion to what I have shown. Am I starving to death in the middle of a banquet? Perhaps. Are others feeling unloved and unnoticed by me? Possibly. I know I am sometimes too self absorbed. It's an unfortunate side effect of being naturally introspective. In spite of eternal optimism and a generally positive attitude, I sometimes get mired down in thoughts about what is missing in my life. I do struggle with all of this. Nevertheless, I am also blessed in many ways. I know a perfect moment when I have one, I know what's important even when it seems to elude me. I value joy because I understand sadness. Do I hit the targets in my life? Sometimes. Other times I am the target and joy, love, and happiness hit me when I least expect it.
Make every move count.
Pick your target and hit it.
Perfect concentration means effortless flowing.
The commentary gives us the following thoughts...
A life that is spiritual requires focused action. It needs quick reflexes, accurate timing, and abundant skill. Each day your life grows a day shorter. Make every move count.
I think life is spiritual whether you realize it or not or whether you care or not. It is spiritual in ways that religion is not. As I get older I often believe religion is actually a hindrance to what is spiritual. The religion in which I was raised is wracked with scandal and I do not think I will live long enough to see it's recovery. What I am more concerned about than the authenticity of religion is understanding on a deep level what is really important in life. As I strive to recognize and focus on the truly important, I wonder how I can best make every move of my life count. Too often I am frustrated or depressed about how much of my life is spent doing meaningless tasks or spending time in activities that are not important to me. We all have responsibilities and commitments. Sometimes, however, these responsibilities and commitments take over our lives and we feel trapped. We get hung up in other people's agenda's. It's difficult to balance one personal needs with our obligations to others. I know that one of the weaknesses of my personality is to be too compliant and too willing to take the path of least resistance in order to maintain a peaceful existence. What I prefer, to use the words of author Ken Kesey, is to "be in my own movie". I often wonder if I would really change my life and live a different way if I had the freedom to do so. It is not likely that I will ever have a totally free life so how can I "make every move count" in the life I have? Do I even have a target in my life? I know I don't have "perfect concentration" and I rarely experience "effortless flowing". I am reasonably content in my life but my happiness in mostly in moments that quickly pass. Too often I sustain myself with memories of happy moments more than happiness itself. I am a person that many people like and admire but I often feel unloved and unnoticed. What is really important in life? I think feeling loved and being happy despite the fact these things often seem to elude me. I have experienced both but not enough to give me "effortless flowing" in my life. Less I sound like a man full of self pity, I also question how much love I have shown others or how much happiness I have given others. I am a temperamental and sensitive person whose feelings are easily hurt and who may need more than most can give. Maybe what I feel, or don't feel, is in equal proportion to what I have shown. Am I starving to death in the middle of a banquet? Perhaps. Are others feeling unloved and unnoticed by me? Possibly. I know I am sometimes too self absorbed. It's an unfortunate side effect of being naturally introspective. In spite of eternal optimism and a generally positive attitude, I sometimes get mired down in thoughts about what is missing in my life. I do struggle with all of this. Nevertheless, I am also blessed in many ways. I know a perfect moment when I have one, I know what's important even when it seems to elude me. I value joy because I understand sadness. Do I hit the targets in my life? Sometimes. Other times I am the target and joy, love, and happiness hit me when I least expect it.
Awesome Things Volume XI
This is my 800th post!
Working in the office last Saturday. I'm just kidding. It really wasn't that awesome. I got up a little late. I was happy because I was finally able to shower after two days without hot water. I did that as quickly and quietly as I could so I didn't wake anyone up in my house. I now have a new water heater so I guess that is awesome. Then I got outside and realized that there was frost all over my car and my son, who was home from the seminary on spring break, had me blocked in. I knew he was home when I tripped over his laundry basket on Friday night but I didn't think about telling him not to park behind me. Did I mention that someone "borrowed" the ice scraper from my car? I had to drive down my road with the defroster on high and a little circle of visibility. I felt like the Captain of a submarine looking through a periscope. Fortunately there was no one else on the road so I finally made it to work and all was well. There weren't very many people in the office so it was a very quiet morning.....
What was really awesome were all the birthday wishes, cards, and lunch at Kobe's Japanese Steakhouse with my co-workers on Friday. I also had a birthday dinner at the Red Lobster with my family on Saturday night. The most expensive gift I received was the bill for dinner. However, I have finally entered the 21st Century since my family also gave me an ipod. I guess I can put my CD Walkman in storage.
A long, leisurely bath. Like most people I usually take showers because they are quick and easy and I am usually in a hurry. For the last several months I've had a water heater on it's last days. Recently I got a new one so I have all the hot water...and more...than I need. Since it was installed I have been taking baths in the evenings. Last night I was taking a bath while a cool breeze came in the window and church bells were tolling in the distance. It was very peaceful and relaxing. Are you stressed out? Go into your bathroom, shut the door (lock it if you have children), fill up the tub, relax, breathe, and let your troubles float away. I am not responsible for any mental images you now have of me.
The dogwood tree in the park that is full of white blossoms. I'm not sure why it is blooming so fully ahead of the other trees but it is a beautiful sight as I arrive each morning and leave each evening. I am also enjoying the daffodils out on the highway and the yellow forsythia bushes all over town. In spite of the cool mornings and occasional cold days, spring is here. By this weekend it is supposed to be 80 degrees.
Finally getting something you have always wanted. My wife says I am a pack rat. I prefer to think of myself as a "collector". I have always loved reading and music so I have a lot of books and CD's. Until recently, my "man cave" was full of cheap bookshelves and CD racks, the kind you buy at Target and build yourself. My brother in law has a son who is a carpenter. I gave him a basic design and he has built me some beautiful new shelves. They are exactly what I have always wanted and now they are mounted on my wall and filled with all my CD's and many of my books. Everyone has "stuff" that's important to them even if it has no value for anyone else. Now my "stuff" has a new home. If a woman has 200 pairs of shoes is she a "pack rat" or a "collector"?
Walking into the breakroom just as a fresh pot of coffee is finished perking. Yesterday afternoon I remembered that I had a few Oreos in my desk. Yes, I know I'm diabetic but it wasn't a whole bag! I decided to get a cup of whatever coffee was available. Just as I walked into the breakroom a fresh pot was just finishing. It was the perfect complement to my Oreos.
Friendships. I am blessed with good friends. Certainly a big part of the reason I have chosen certain people to be my friends is because there is an obvious connection. Life just seems to send certain people into our lives with whom we feel an immediate and sometimes intimate connection. Sometimes the reason for the connection is obvious and other times there may be a bit of a mystery as to why we feel this connection. I must assume that people who choose me to be their friend feel this way about me. Beyond this inner circle of special people with whom we feel connected, there may be many more with whom we have an enjoyable comfort level. Beyond that there may be a few people with whom we simply do not click and no amount of effort will make it happen. A good friend is a gift to be treasured. People will drift in and out of your life, but if you are blessed, a few will be part of your life forever.
Working in the office last Saturday. I'm just kidding. It really wasn't that awesome. I got up a little late. I was happy because I was finally able to shower after two days without hot water. I did that as quickly and quietly as I could so I didn't wake anyone up in my house. I now have a new water heater so I guess that is awesome. Then I got outside and realized that there was frost all over my car and my son, who was home from the seminary on spring break, had me blocked in. I knew he was home when I tripped over his laundry basket on Friday night but I didn't think about telling him not to park behind me. Did I mention that someone "borrowed" the ice scraper from my car? I had to drive down my road with the defroster on high and a little circle of visibility. I felt like the Captain of a submarine looking through a periscope. Fortunately there was no one else on the road so I finally made it to work and all was well. There weren't very many people in the office so it was a very quiet morning.....
What was really awesome were all the birthday wishes, cards, and lunch at Kobe's Japanese Steakhouse with my co-workers on Friday. I also had a birthday dinner at the Red Lobster with my family on Saturday night. The most expensive gift I received was the bill for dinner. However, I have finally entered the 21st Century since my family also gave me an ipod. I guess I can put my CD Walkman in storage.
A long, leisurely bath. Like most people I usually take showers because they are quick and easy and I am usually in a hurry. For the last several months I've had a water heater on it's last days. Recently I got a new one so I have all the hot water...and more...than I need. Since it was installed I have been taking baths in the evenings. Last night I was taking a bath while a cool breeze came in the window and church bells were tolling in the distance. It was very peaceful and relaxing. Are you stressed out? Go into your bathroom, shut the door (lock it if you have children), fill up the tub, relax, breathe, and let your troubles float away. I am not responsible for any mental images you now have of me.
The dogwood tree in the park that is full of white blossoms. I'm not sure why it is blooming so fully ahead of the other trees but it is a beautiful sight as I arrive each morning and leave each evening. I am also enjoying the daffodils out on the highway and the yellow forsythia bushes all over town. In spite of the cool mornings and occasional cold days, spring is here. By this weekend it is supposed to be 80 degrees.
Finally getting something you have always wanted. My wife says I am a pack rat. I prefer to think of myself as a "collector". I have always loved reading and music so I have a lot of books and CD's. Until recently, my "man cave" was full of cheap bookshelves and CD racks, the kind you buy at Target and build yourself. My brother in law has a son who is a carpenter. I gave him a basic design and he has built me some beautiful new shelves. They are exactly what I have always wanted and now they are mounted on my wall and filled with all my CD's and many of my books. Everyone has "stuff" that's important to them even if it has no value for anyone else. Now my "stuff" has a new home. If a woman has 200 pairs of shoes is she a "pack rat" or a "collector"?
Walking into the breakroom just as a fresh pot of coffee is finished perking. Yesterday afternoon I remembered that I had a few Oreos in my desk. Yes, I know I'm diabetic but it wasn't a whole bag! I decided to get a cup of whatever coffee was available. Just as I walked into the breakroom a fresh pot was just finishing. It was the perfect complement to my Oreos.
Friendships. I am blessed with good friends. Certainly a big part of the reason I have chosen certain people to be my friends is because there is an obvious connection. Life just seems to send certain people into our lives with whom we feel an immediate and sometimes intimate connection. Sometimes the reason for the connection is obvious and other times there may be a bit of a mystery as to why we feel this connection. I must assume that people who choose me to be their friend feel this way about me. Beyond this inner circle of special people with whom we feel connected, there may be many more with whom we have an enjoyable comfort level. Beyond that there may be a few people with whom we simply do not click and no amount of effort will make it happen. A good friend is a gift to be treasured. People will drift in and out of your life, but if you are blessed, a few will be part of your life forever.
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