Tag: feelings

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.

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?

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.