TEARS

~ simplyput536 ~ Leave a comment

Tears, those visible responses to sadness, happiness, anger, frustration, and even laughter, are awesome. To me, they are God’s built-in universal conveyor belt, physically protecting our eyes from things unwanted and emotionally cleansing our pallet of hurt’s bad taste. I also consider them to be a “memo to self” that something has happened and notice to others that a moment is needed.

Tears coming from feelings of helplessness, sorrow, or frustration release emotions that would be toxic if left to fester. They trickle or gush, depending on how fast they need to escape and how, historically, you allow yourself to respond. On occasion, they make unwelcome reappearances. Flowing tears can serve as a necessary comma in our thought process, giving us a pause or time to consider what is or has happened. Such a needed pause.

On the other hand, tears are not always negative. There is nothing better than hearing or seeing something so funny, you collapse in a fit of non-stop, not-able-to-breathe, tear-producing laughter. And, tears flowing from sheer happiness – heartwarming. These tears recognize and acknowledge the good things life offers notwithstanding whatever else is occurring and reaffirm that pleasure, often from simple things, is there for the taking.

So, for those who know that tears are about to surface, let them flow. God made us with tear ducts which need to be periodically exercised. The ruined makeup, red face, puffy “mouse eyes” will all recover.

For those who witness sad or angry tears, recognize the we each will respond differently – maybe reaching out or pulling back. Past experiences and our own emotions weigh-in, and sometimes, another’s tears open a door in our own heart to places where sorrow has lived before. Just know, there is no one “correct” way to respond. Acknowledge the tears, give a hug or pat on the shoulder, offer Kleenex, say you’ll be with them, or get some water, particularly if you need a break.

Awesome. Tears.

EARLY MORNING

~ simplyput536 ~ Leave a comment

Just thinking. What is it about how we greet the early morning hours?

Are you the one who uses early morning as a quiet time to be enjoyed before the world wakes up? (Before the political pundits begin sermonizing and offering opinions about what’s going wrong or before the constraints of others come into focus.) Yes, indeed, that could be you. For you, the sun has yet to announce its’ presence. A steaming cup of coffee or tea may be at hand, ready to sip. Maybe, there is quiet chatter with a loved one or simply the contemplation of one’s own breathing; and, although the dog and cat each have a way of letting you know you are on their mind, they can be ignored for the moment. No rush. Peace abounds. This new day will come.

Or do you use that early morning time in “full-bore” mode. When it strikes, everyone is up and rearing for the day’s activities to get started. Caffeinated beverages are quickly inhaled and breakfast consumed. The air is filled with news channel chatter or music to get the juices going, and things to be accomplished are quickly identified. My guess is that the dog has already been walked, and the cat is either at play or back sound asleep. The birds outside, well, they are noisily tweeting at one another. Out the door you go. All prepared. The new day awaits.

For sure, the ways to greet the early morning are a diverse as we are. Options are unlimited including, possibly, the option of sleeping through it all. The really cool thing about the early morning is that we choose what we to do with that time. No right or wrong here. Although, upcoming activities, habits, patterns, values and possibly planning skills certainly play into the picture, we each have the opportunity to: figure out what approach to starting out day suits us best, define how our time is to be used, and act accordingly. Choices. The blessed early morning repeatedly, day after day, gives us those opportunities. Choices – here for the taking. Don’t you love that about it?

JUST A THOUGHT

~ simplyput536 ~ Leave a comment

A word or thought for the day. “Microscope.” Who first, before credit was taken, even thought of the idea? What triggered the need to have such a thing; or did the thought come from sheer curiosity? What was it that was being looked for? Structural integrity? Flaws? Secrets?

Look what it got us. A world (solid, liquid, gas) made up of particles attached to one another so small they cannot be seen with the human eye and, possibly, not with the strongest of microscope-like equipment. It’s a good thing we don’t need to see the world in that fine of detail.

Thank you God for creating something so complicated that we cannot break it. I guess you knew when You created us that because we’re human and capable of making wrong choices, You needed a safety net. What a beautiful unfathomable net it is.

Ouch

~ simplyput536 ~ Leave a comment

Ouch.

It hurts.

Gut is wrenched.

The words you spoke.

Left me without any recourse.

What was it that hurt most?

The false promise of things to be?

Or your intent to never act on it?

So hard to tell – was it rudeness or indifference?

I only know your lack of honesty shows.

What happens here is left to me.

Do I respond in like kind?

No; you are moving on.

You should know better.

You should know.

You know.

Ouch.






  

			

	


			
				


	

		
SOUTHERN SUMMER STORM
	

				

			 ~ simplyput536			 ~ 1 Comment					

				

		

Summer.





Storm Coming.





Heavy. Stiffling. Heat.





I can feel it.





You feel it too, right?





The wind ruffles the tree branches.





Thunder’s low rumble gives us fair notice.





Lightning leaps across the sky; thunder now crashes.





Danger. Rain is pelting. Incessant lightning and thunder. Danger.





The front’s fury is too much to bear.





I hide my eyes – seeking safety within.





Wind calms down.  Thunder now whispers.





Rain – only a soft patter.





See – clouds are evaporating.





Sun peeking through.





All gone.





Summer.











			

	


			
				


	

		
Welcome Back Me
	

				

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I see I’ve taken a five year break from putting anything on this site.  Life happens.  No valid excuses.  Each year when the renewal fee comes dancing into the email, I think, I should be using that site; but nothing comes.  This year is different.  I plan to either become more present or, for sure, not pay any further fees next year.  We’ll see what wins.  That’s all for today.  Welcome Spring.  Welcome Easter Sunday tomorrow.  Welcome.   






			

	


			
				


	

		
CHOICES
	

			

			
		

				

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I sit here staring at my toes — a subtle red/brown/orange color with glitter — covering the nails.  I wiggle them to catch the reflection of the bedroom light.  Admiring the newly done pedicure – those toes are well cared for and, if I do say so, pretty perky.  Of course only the cat and I will see them.  But there they sit.  Little Christmas beacons.  A sign that I care.





You know, for me, it is no longer a luxury to have a pedicure.  It is a necessity.  I am past the age where the ability to catch and cut toenails is “a piece of cake.”  Couple that with a well-endowed mid-section and the dreaded occasional shaky hands make it clear that someone else can do a better job.  My toes are grateful as is my mind.





As we age, there are things that we would benefit from having help from others, and one of the blessings of aging is that we can give up the facade that we must be independent in everything.  Aging does not mean that you have to give up your independence, but where such things, as a pedicure done by someone else, make a healthier you, why not?  





Can you pick out those activities that still bring you pleasure and a sense of accomplishment?  Are there things that you dread or that you notice are not so successful or wish you did not have to do?  Is there another way to get those things accomplished?I’m thinking in the future, I may no longer want to be the person who cleans the blinds covering the windows or scrub the shower.  Although I like all of those things done, because it signifies to me a clean house, it is not blasphemy or a “failure of character” to have someone else do them.  I still love to try a new recipe, do “strong bones” exercises,  play handbells and drive my car.  My choice.





So figure it out.  If it is something you do with joy and can do independently, go for it.  If you find you need help to get something done, figure out how to get the help you need to get it done.  One of the goals, at this point in life, is finding the balance between independence and assistance.





For me, pedicures clearly fall in the latter category.






			

	


			
				


	

		
INDECISION
	

				

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My hand doesn’t know what it wants to do.  Does it want to hold a pen or a paint brush? Or maybe it want to pluck a guitar string.  My hand doesn’t know what it wants to do.





My heart doesn’t know how to feel.  Where, other than my Lord, does my love go? Reaching out — is it enough?  Worry that places I reach are prone to dryness.  No nourishment in return.  My heart doesn’t know how to feel.





My head is tired.  Where is the spark?  Where is the critically needed attitude adjustment? Will I be able to find it? My head is tired.











			

	


			
				


	

		
TIME TO PAUSE
	

				

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PENTAX Image


Who among us has not taken a step away from our distress, if just for a moment?  Perhaps the moment taken arises out of being faced with an untenable situation where our senses are utterly and adversely confronted by the magnitude of what is happening.  Whatever triggers taking a moment away to pause, purposely accept the invitation.


For me, I take time out to look at the nearby evergreen trees – now standing stately and calm.  If viewed from a distance, they melt together, softening my view and create a magical screen.  And, without prompting, I take a deep breath.   Up close, I can see each tree differs one from another as we do.  Each has its own pattern of bark, limb structure and greenery – a living and growing entity.  The strong trunks remind me that standing up to adversity fosters resilience.  The fact that trees serve as a homes for birds, animals and bugs, reminds me of the interconnection, including acceptance of and reliance on others, which is ingrained in nature.


The pressures of events, situations, harsh circumstances – whatever they are – are put aside when I take the moment to really contemplate what I am seeing.  The urgency or distress I may have felt evaporates and all that is left, for that moment, is a sense of calm and peace.  Such a feeling is to be closely guarded.


 

			

	


			
				


	

		
Single Moment
	

				

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mjw232 says: “Down in the dark, dank cellar/ Stood a mouse on the edge of the floor/Quietly waiting/Anticipating/Waiting to see just one more.


Oh, here it is – come prancing/On quiet cat feet – all four/Tail stretched on high/Emerald almond shaped eyes/Stopping to peer in the door.


Sniffing the air in a hurry/Running right into the room./Mouse hunkers down/Not making a sound/Cat notices only the broom.”