Perfect Moment

Have you ever had a moment of perfect peace, or joy, or grace?  I bet you have ... the thing is, did you really notice and take it in.  I happen to think there are many of them in life but, in this fast paced society, we don't always appreciate them.  I had one such moment today.  Let me tell you about it.

I was driving into town to meet a friend for coffee.  The sun was shining and the day had become warmer than predicted.  I was driving along noticing that so many trees were either in bud or blooming.  The myriad shades of green that are Oregon in the spring were just vibrant and those were accented by pink and white blossoms as well as the splashes of yellow of the daffodils in yards and along the road.

I looked up and noticed that the blue sky was dotted with puffy white clouds ... I am such a cloud person.  Love them!  A hawk was floating on an updraft and slowly circling overhead.  And then I saw him.

He was a the most gorgeous white stallion and he was prancing through the pasture along a fence line.  His head and tail were up and his mane was flowing out behind him like a creature out of a fairytale. He was stunning and it was almost as if he knew how beautiful he was.   And I knew that he also knew that the world was waking up.  The color is back and spring has sprung.   He was just so full of joy that it was contagious and I basked in that brief moment ... a perfect moment on a perfect spring day.

These moments are the gifts that we receive only as often as we are open to them.  Be open, take in those moments, look around and see the joy.  It will change your perspective ... trust me.

Dancing in the Moonlight

I had insomnia last night.  I just hate when that happens.  Insomnia is something I've struggled with all of my life.  But, it really doesn't bother me as badly anymore ... not like it did when I was a child and it felt like the whole world was asleep and that I was all alone ... not like when I was a student or employed and knew that I had to get up the next morning and, not like when I was a young mother and every fiber of my being was screaming for rest and yet I couldn't sleep.  These days my reaction is more like 'oh bother.'   And then, last night was, to paraphrase Oprah, a sort of 'aha' moment.

I tossed and turned for an hour and then thought to get up and take a pain reliever for the dull headache that I was rapidly developing.  I sat up and looked toward my bedroom window.  I blinked and looked again because I couldn't figure out what the bright light was that was shining through the window and leaving patterns that looked like sunshine.  At first it was startling ... I mean, how could someone be behind my house in the country shining a light in my window?  I walked over, pulled back the window covering and realized it was the moon.  A huge, very bright, very full moon was lighting up my world.

Of course, I've seen full moons and, of course, they can be bright but, there were some added effects.  The moon was reflecting the dew on the lawns and fields in a way that almost made them look bright white.  I had to blink again because it looked like it had snowed.  I walked to my front door and opened it.  No snow ... the sidewalks were perfectly clear.  Then, I noticed that the moon was also reflecting off a fine, hazy mist hanging over the valley and the foothills east of us.  It was ethereal, it was a silvery wonderland and it was all mine.

I took in that vista, the magic of that moment as I breathed in the crisp night air.  I realized that but for my insomnia I would have missed it entirely.  Maybe I was meant to see it or maybe it was just coincidence but, it was a magical moment to me and it made me grateful for the time and the place.  Just another little growth spurt in this long journey called life ... a reminder to be fully present in the moment.

Moods and Mixed Messages

Well, I guess I'm having one of 'those' days.  I'm in a funky mood.  I think I have a tendency to run on my expectations ... always have, probably always will.  And, try as I may, I can't seem to shake that basic personality trait.  Here's how it goes:

Its going to be a great day.  I'm going to get lots done.  My relationships with friends and family are going to be wonderful.  Well, you get the picture.  And, its not even one thing can derail that simple set of expectations.  No, it is when a whole series of things happen that dump on my joy that I start to get in a 'mood.'

First of all, I let myself down because, I can never, ever get everything accomplished that is on my list.  I try to make shorter lists, to prioritize but, inevitably, something happens that throws my time frame completely off.  Its called life ... and I can usually deal with it.  Just move an item to tomorrow's list, right?

But, the thing that really causes me to get into a funk, is when people let me down.  Today, for example, I got blasted on Pinterest for repinning something I thought was humorous.  A total stranger decided to lecture me and the person that I pinned it from on why it wasn't funny.  Okay, I can see her point but, seriously people, if you don't agree with something on a completely public forum, just ignore it.  Don't become the P.C. police.  You cannot assume that the person you are lecturing is just a bad character.  I try never to put something out there that would cause another person pain.  So, you say, that is a perfect stranger, why do you care?  I shouldn't, I know.  And I usually don't.  Today though, it got to me a little.

On a more personal front, it hurts when someone I consider a friend does things that seem to be deliberately hurtful.  Its that stealth hurtfulness that comes when someone's actions don't line up with their words.  Don't tell someone that you are a dear friend and then treat them like they aren't important to you.  Just don't do it.  I recently read something that really resonated with me.  It went something like this (I'm paraphrasing because I'm too lazy to go look it up.):  Respect someone who is willing to make room in their schedule for you; Love someone who forgets all about their schedule when you need them.  No truer words were ever spoken.

So, the thing I struggle with is that mixed message ... that verbal message being reiterated that someone is a friend and then the actions that speak way louder that say that something else is going on.  And just to clarify, this isn't about having time ... people do get busy ... this is a more blatant kind of treatment that is borderline rude.  Even given that I can have high expectations and/or be sensitive, there are just times that you know that the way you are being treated is wrong.  And, that's why I'm in a funk.

The best thing about my personality though is that I'm quick to bounce back.  I tend to shake it off and dive right back into my optimistic side.  Not always but, most of the time, I can move forward and find the positives in life.  So, guess I'll go do that  ... now, where is that list?

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

Well, its that time of the year again ... time to ring in the New Year.  This, of course, seems to come with the obligatory recap of the previous year.  The news is rife with 'top news stories of the year' and the blogs are all about revisiting last year's projects and/or milestones.  WHY?  I cannot tell you how much I dislike this penchant for reviewing everything good, bad or indifferent that happened in the past year.  It is nothing new ... I've always felt this way.  And, I really don't know why.  It isn't as if every year of my life has been without wonderful and memorable experiences.  Its just that I have that personality that wants to 'get on with it.'

2012 is done.  Stick a fork in it.  I am ready for the challenges of 2013.  I cannot wait to get the Christmas decorations put away.  (Although I have to wait this year as we have one more get together at our home before its officially over.)  I love starting out a fresh year, making plans for new projects, travel and, yes, even a healthier lifestyle.  I was that kid that loved the start of school every year also ... all the fresh new school supplies you know.  So, on that note, I probably won't read a lot of blog recaps.  After all, if I follow a blog, I've already been there, read that.  And, I'll change the channel before I'll sit through all of the dismal news stories from last year.  Some of it was too horrible to revisit.

I'm ready for the new year because, ready or not, here comes 2013.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

I just want to wish everyone the merriest of Christmases.

From my family to yours ...

Time to be Grateful

Thanksgiving day is almost here.  It has been a year of trials and tribulations for many but, at the end of the day, it is time to be thankful for the things that are right with the world.  I am thankful that all of my family is healthy and that they will be home in a few days ... all of them, under one roof.  Woo Hoo!

These two lovelies are my daugther, Amanda, and my daughter-in-law, Sabreena.  They will, I'm sure, be my kitchen helpers.

These two handsome, young men are my son-in law, Damola, and my son, Blair.  They are usually in for the heavy lifting, watching football and eating.  Well, that's probably standard in most households.

This is my stepson, Chris.  He'll be on the same wavelength as the rest of the guys.  Easiest going guy on the planet ... I think.

This is his daughter, our granddaughter, Grace Anne.  She is twelve and she is smart and lovely in every way.  She is a definite old soul who surprises us frequently with her insight.

And last but, far from least, is our other lovely daughter-in-law, Elizabeth.  (She wouldn't have been last but, I'm hopeless at manipulating photos on my computer.)  Elizabeth will also be pitching in with the ladies but, this woman loves the cleanup more ... go figure.  She's a lifesaver and one of the nicest human beings on the planet.

So, these are our kids.  Decent, hardworking people all.  We love them and are oh so excited to get our 'wagons in a circle' again.  In fact, we are grateful that they still want to come home for the family feast as they all live either out of town or out of state.  And, at the end of the day, all I really need is this bunch to have a very gratitude-filled day.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS

When the Worst Happens

The big news this past week has been Hurricane Sandy which hit the east coast with a vengeance.  It is disturbing that so much of our national attention returned to business as usual so quickly.  There was more concern over Halloween costumes and the election getting back on track than the fact that there are so many people living in devastation.  But, that's a whole other post.  The thing that I continue to think about is this ... Is there really ever a way to be totally prepared for huge disasters?

We live in a time wherein we can be forewarned by days of impending storms.  We are told to stock up on nonperishable food items, water, batteries, etc.  However, a whole lot of people do not do it because they don't really believe it can happen to them.  I heard so many people joking about stocking up on wine and having parties.  Really?  I've been without power during a snowstorm and for an entire week thereafter.  We were fine.  We were prepared.  We had the things we needed to take care of ourselves.  So, if people ignore the basics of preparedness, they are simply being foolish.  This is, of course, all within the parameters of the 'best case' scenario such as being out of power for a short time, or stuck at home for a few days.

So, what happens when there is such widespread damage as in this current disaster ... or Hurricane Katrina?  Well, no amount of stocking up will work if your home is destroyed.  Why don't we have more answers for the hundreds of people that end up homeless?  We should ... in a nation as blessed as ours ... don't you think?  Why do we not get our military into these areas sooner.  These young soldiers are the sons and daughters of the folks who are suffering ... maybe not in reality but, certainly in spirit.  They are there to serve ... let them.  If governors of states so severely affected have to declare martial law, then they should.  They need to stop people who are adding to the problems rather than helping, they need to help people who have no one, they need to prioritize the emergency relief.

People are mostly good during crises ... they step up.  But, first we need to know how we can best help ourselves, we need to buck up and endure so that those who need the most help get it first.  This is all part of the preparedness mindset.  If huge storms continue to happen, it means loss of power, maybe loss of shelter.  What will you do in the various scenarios?  Do you have an alternate method of staying warm and dry?  Do you have someplace to go?  Will you heed the warnings and not put your children in harm's way?  If you don't receive the blunt end of the disaster, could you step up and help those who did?  We, as a nation, need to become more self reliant while simultaneously starting to think about how we can best serve our communities in times of need.

So, while we are praying for the people affected by this terrible storm, we should also be learning some key lessons about how we could be better prepared to help ourselves and help our community should we ever experience anything as terrible.