Tag: choices

A MOMENT IN TIME

~ simplyput536 ~ Leave a comment

Just thinking. I’m about an hour and a half away from needing to be somewhere for a volunteer session I signed up for yesterday. It takes time to get there. I look at the clock and see there is not enough time to: try a new recipe; do additional needle work on the counted cross-stitch piece ; or clean out that file drawer which has sorely lacked my attention. Not sure what to do to fill those empty minutes, I review my options.

  • Well, I could read a book. Nope, not that fond of the book I’m currently trying to finish. (Heaven help me for I am one who has to finish a book once it’s started, even if I find it tedious.)
  • I could work on the one unfinished painting which I recently over-painted. Acrylic paint. It was a landscape so manicured and lacking personality, it made me shiver – not in a good way. I like part of how the over-painting has turned out, but about two-thirds of the canvas still needs to be addressed. Hummm, not enough time, as I can never tell how long the creative juices need to flow to get that painting just “right” for me.
  • Oh, I can play with the cat and put her through her paces. She would like that but realistically she’s done in about five to ten minutes and is off to something else. She dictates how long joint play is to last. That won’t fill the space.
  • Maybe sudoku. A possibility, but lately, while playing, I am easily distracted by whatever else is within my view or hearing. Doesn’t sound like fun.
  • I could call a friend to see what’s going on with life. Not really in the mood. My friend is prone to chatter, making a lengthy call a strong possibility; and, again, I’m not really in the “chattering” mood.

As I go through the list, I find myself unimpressed with any of the options, notwithstanding, they are things I like to do regularly. What is it about today that makes them boring or uninviting? Am I just bored? Or does the activity have to matter?

According to the computer’s uninvited AI, boredom can be defined as “an unpleasant emotional and psychological state where a person feels restless, uninterested, and lacking stimulation or satisfaction with their current activity.” That sounds about right. Wikipedia, after acknowledging that it is difficult to define, suggests that boredom involves how time is experienced and how significant the act is to the person. After spending a few moments more looking at some other sources, I’m left not wanting to delve deeper and decide it’s not boredom. Rather, I simply find myself with an unexpected free slice of time without a plan. There’s always plenty to do – if I wanted to do it and if I really thought about it. I’m sure; and, although there is a nagging feeling that I should be productive with all my time, I pause and remember not every waking moment needs to be “productive”. Things like taking 15 minutes to sit on a back deck watching the trees sway with the wind and noting the birds and such moving about is restorative. Connect with nature. Maybe add time to sip a cup of Earl Grey tea.. Or, dash off a funny note to someone you’ve been meaning to do. Play with the cat or dog. We are so blessed to have options and the freedom to choose how we fill those intermittent, uninvited slices of unclaimed time when they surface. Just thinking.

AUTUMN

~ simplyput536 ~ Leave a comment

When Autumn arrives, a clear crispness fills the air; and, if you’re lucky, most of the tree leaves have transmuted from their summer-green look to a multicolored kaleidoscope of orange, brown, yellow, gray, and red. Gorgeous. You also may see that some trees having thrown off all their leaves stand as naked as skeletons.

Head outside, after taking a moment to figure out which jacket is heavy enough to get you from here to there and possibly adding a hat and/or gloves. Once outside, you may smell smoke from someone’s wood-burning fireplace or (if still allowed) a small open fire where dead branches and leaves are finding their way to ashes. The grass will either be on its’ last leg of green or a mix of golden hues, and wildlife, typically birds and squirrels, seem more intense and active. Probably getting ready for the colder weather.

Is Autumn your favorite season?

For some, possibly not, as Autumn gives notice that plants growing all summer are at their end. No more fresh, juicy tomatoes or other summer garden staples; rather, just dried stalks and stems of what has been. Warm summer nights are replaced by much cooler weather, and heating bills climb. The kids need more layering of clothing when outside, which means more wash. And, the appearance of Autumn reminds us that the end of the year is approaching with its’ many requirements (holidays, wrap-it-up tasks, etc.). On the other hand, who refuses sitting down to a piping hot bowl of soup or a tasty cheesy casserole to take the chill off? No one. And with Daylight Savings time gone, the evenings provide a wonderful opportunity to enjoy family and friend companionship while paying a favorite board game or, possibly, time to go solo with a book meant to be read months ago. Plenty to ponder.

Our own life span has its’ seasons just as the year does. Spring, filled with lightness and new growth, reminds us that our childhood years were all about growing and maturing. Summer reflects our adult productive years. Lots to do- lots to see. Hard work. Hard play. Busy. Busy. Busy. Then comes our life’s Autumn. Isn’t that the season where growth has been mostly accomplished? Isn’t that a good time to acknowledge what has been and recognize that we are heading towards, but have not yet reached, the end? Isn’t it the time to take steps to prepare for what comes next before it’s too late? Isn’t there a feeling of “Autumn” found somewhere in the span of loving relationship, a job, a friendship? Ends are inevitable.

Autumn’s lessons are clearly captured as we grown chronologically old. As we reach our Autumn days, we, like those leaves getting ready to fall, show signs of the years’ wear and tear. Those physical changes, however, pale in comparison to the gifts (wisdom, experience, perspective) that people of-an-age still have to share. And, if Autumn’s lessons are truly learned, we each will take that time of slowing down to recognize and give grateful thanks for all the blessings given, and then use the time left to each of us to get ready for whatever is next. Consider the following: donate what is no longer needed to others; fill the time with meaningful things; use the spiritual gifts you’ve been given; and enjoy the fruits of your labor. The season has a purpose and a lesson. Take advantage.

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.

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.






  

			

	


				
					


	

		
CHOICES
	

			

			
		

				

			 ~ simplyput536			 ~ Leave a comment					

				

		

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.