I learned to walk when I was but a babe.
You took my hands and lead me along.
But soon I walked alone.
Adolescence is a time of change.
Confusion and excitement always in exchange.
I need your hand, but it is not there.
So I must walk alone.
I'm told, "I love you like no one else ever will."
I hear "No one else will ever love you."
I believe it. I hurt. Through ups and downs
I reach for your hand, but it is not there.
I walk this road alone.
Life must change.
Free from bondage at last.
But a piece is still missing.
And I continue to walk alone.
My dreams are not to be.
I know no reason why.
Perhaps I am unworthy.
It seems I am destined to walk alone.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Monday, August 16, 2004
Butterflies Are Free
If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it is yours. If it doesn't, it never was.
How often I have heard this saying. I think of it like this: If you hold a butterfly on the palm of your hand, it is free to fly about and live its life. Feeling safe, unthreatened, and loved it will return to your hand. But if you hold it tightly in a closed hand, it will try everything and every opportunity it can to get away or else it will suffocate and die.
I believe this to be true. I have seen butterflies that are held tightly, and they certainly do make their opportunities to get away or they do suffocate and die under such restrictions. Sometimes I think that some of these butterflies live for the exhilaration of being able to get away and then come back to suffer again and continue this cycle. What an unhealthy choice.
Metamorphosis exists for a reason. Those caterpillars creep slowly along foraging on leaves until their time comes to make a complete change. Then they wrap themselves tightly and safely for a short time until they are ready to emerge to a new and different life. If we free them from the cocoon, they will die. They need to endure the struggle to become strong enough to fly away.
How similar our lives can be to those butterflies. I believe that each of us undergoes a metamorphosis of one sort or another at some point in our lives. It is the struggle in-between from one state to another that makes the new you better than the one before.
How often I have heard this saying. I think of it like this: If you hold a butterfly on the palm of your hand, it is free to fly about and live its life. Feeling safe, unthreatened, and loved it will return to your hand. But if you hold it tightly in a closed hand, it will try everything and every opportunity it can to get away or else it will suffocate and die.
I believe this to be true. I have seen butterflies that are held tightly, and they certainly do make their opportunities to get away or they do suffocate and die under such restrictions. Sometimes I think that some of these butterflies live for the exhilaration of being able to get away and then come back to suffer again and continue this cycle. What an unhealthy choice.
Metamorphosis exists for a reason. Those caterpillars creep slowly along foraging on leaves until their time comes to make a complete change. Then they wrap themselves tightly and safely for a short time until they are ready to emerge to a new and different life. If we free them from the cocoon, they will die. They need to endure the struggle to become strong enough to fly away.
How similar our lives can be to those butterflies. I believe that each of us undergoes a metamorphosis of one sort or another at some point in our lives. It is the struggle in-between from one state to another that makes the new you better than the one before.
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Say What?
22 reasons why the English language is so hard to learn:
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm used to be used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
22) He was about to read the red book, but discovered he had already read it.
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm used to be used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
22) He was about to read the red book, but discovered he had already read it.
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Face It
Sort it out. Stop trying to sweep it under the carpet. It won't disappear if you ignore it. And if you decide to run from it, it will follow you. So that leaves only one option. Face it, fair and square.— Jonathan Cainer
Another moment of truth from the astrologer. It is so true. We often try to sweep things under the carpet that we don't want to deal with. Bury our head in the sand. But it doesn't go away like that. It hangs over our head like a black cloud threatening to rain down on us at any moment. The only solution is to face it, deal with, and get on with living our lives. In some cases it may be the most difficult thing we have ever had to do, but it is also important if we are to have the quality of life we want and deserve.
Another moment of truth from the astrologer. It is so true. We often try to sweep things under the carpet that we don't want to deal with. Bury our head in the sand. But it doesn't go away like that. It hangs over our head like a black cloud threatening to rain down on us at any moment. The only solution is to face it, deal with, and get on with living our lives. In some cases it may be the most difficult thing we have ever had to do, but it is also important if we are to have the quality of life we want and deserve.
Friday, August 13, 2004
Friday the 13th
Friday 13th? Why don't we worry about Thursday 12th, or Saturday 14th? Surely, we should be equally concerned about Wednesday 11th or Sunday 15th. If Friday 13th means anything at all, it must be like a rotten apple poisoning the entire month on which it falls. And if there's a month with Friday 13th in it, surely, that turns the whole year bad. And a bad year must play its part in creating a bad decade. And unlucky decade probably taints the entire century. So we are all doomed. You see how easy it is to paint a gloomy picture? — Jonathan Cainer
I don't believe in superstitions. But Cainer is right. The mind is so powerful that if we believe something like this to be true, we can make it true. Any day that starts out bad, we believe "What a day this is going to be!" Lo and behold, we make it so. If we look at that first bad thing and say "It can only get better." it will.
Each month has a 13th in it. Regardless of which day it falls on, it is not a bad omen. So enjoy your day to the fullest.
I don't believe in superstitions. But Cainer is right. The mind is so powerful that if we believe something like this to be true, we can make it true. Any day that starts out bad, we believe "What a day this is going to be!" Lo and behold, we make it so. If we look at that first bad thing and say "It can only get better." it will.
Each month has a 13th in it. Regardless of which day it falls on, it is not a bad omen. So enjoy your day to the fullest.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Onion Skin
This is quoted from my favourite astrological site for Leo for today, but is so full of truth:
Our fears and anxieties are like layers of onion skin. We peel away one and, no matter how much it may make us cry, we find another beneath. We think, 'I am worried about this because of that.' Even when we sort the matter out, we realise that there is another cause for concern buried more deeply. Eventually, we find the one disturbing childhood memory around which all other phobias have developed.
So many of my friends all tell me the same thing: when they realize they have an issue in their life, it usually stems back to something from their childhood and it took a lot of digging to uncover that truth. I found this in my own life too. Peeling away those layers is a very difficult thing to do. I did shed a great many tears, only to find the next layer made me cry too. I don't know if anyone ever gets to the very inside before they die, but it is progress at least to peel away those unwanted layers.
The forecast goes on to say this:
Pluto is now giving you a precious insight into your past. This will yet become the reason why your future starts to look so much more inviting and inspiring.
When those outer layers are gone, there is no doubt that the future does start to look more inviting and inspiring. So start peeling away those layers and expose the you that you really are and can be. It is well worth the work. Believe me.
Our fears and anxieties are like layers of onion skin. We peel away one and, no matter how much it may make us cry, we find another beneath. We think, 'I am worried about this because of that.' Even when we sort the matter out, we realise that there is another cause for concern buried more deeply. Eventually, we find the one disturbing childhood memory around which all other phobias have developed.
So many of my friends all tell me the same thing: when they realize they have an issue in their life, it usually stems back to something from their childhood and it took a lot of digging to uncover that truth. I found this in my own life too. Peeling away those layers is a very difficult thing to do. I did shed a great many tears, only to find the next layer made me cry too. I don't know if anyone ever gets to the very inside before they die, but it is progress at least to peel away those unwanted layers.
The forecast goes on to say this:
Pluto is now giving you a precious insight into your past. This will yet become the reason why your future starts to look so much more inviting and inspiring.
When those outer layers are gone, there is no doubt that the future does start to look more inviting and inspiring. So start peeling away those layers and expose the you that you really are and can be. It is well worth the work. Believe me.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Cellular Phone Service
My pet peeve today is cellular phone service providers. Well ... one in particular.
Last September my son wanted a cellular phone for his birthday. I thought it would be a good idea so I could find him when I needed him, since he is not very good at letting me know where he is. So I looked into it and the only deal in town at the time was with a service provider that I did not like. I had been with them many years ago when cell phones first came out and had some bad experiences. My son convinced me that his friends had service with them and had no problems. I was extremely hesitant, but gave them the benefit of a doubt thinking that the years in the busines and the competition out there may have improved their service. Well ... I should have followed my gut instinct, as usual.
There have been problems from day one. First of all, there was a rebate for purchasing the phone that was not a cash rebate, but a credit on the billing. Strike one. The first month, the rebate did not show up. Call company X. Second month, only part of the rebate showed up. Call company X again only to find that half of it comes out one month, the other half the next month. Good grief, why and why didn't they tell me these things the first time I called? Then there were several other issues: free services that were not properly rebated, screw-ups in billing in other ways, etc. It seems like I am calling them constantly.
The latest problem, you are going to love. The service he had was free calling from 8-8 and free weekends with 200 free daytime minutes. Free from 8-8 is really weird timing, especially when other companies provide 6-6. Between 6-8 p.m., most people are making plans for their evening and would need their phones. That is really stupid. So, we called to "upgrade" the service to get coverage from 6-6 instead. To do this we would lose 50 daytime minutes. OK. I can live with that. But then, the upgrade couldn't take place until the next billing date because they have no idea how to prorate costs. Dah!! The service was switched over yesterday after waiting almost an entire month. Call company X this morning YET AGAIN. Now the caller ID is gone altogether. This is the story I got:
I "upgraded" to this new plan that cost me about $8 more a month to get free service at the same periods that others offer it at a lower cost, I lose 50 daytime minutes, and now there is also no caller ID? Where the hell is the upgrade there? That's a step backwards. I told them so too. I also asked when my 2-year plan was up and marked it on my calendar. I told them in no uncertain terms that I couldn't wait for my term to be up with them so I could switch providers. If there was no penalty now, I would have done it today.
What a Mickey Mouse company. You would think that with what the competition is offering out there they would be more in tune with what everyone else is offering. I think they have some real billing issues too. If you don't have a cellular phone now or are thinking of switching providers, ask me which one not to use. I have no problems telling you to say clear of Company X!!!!!!!!
Last September my son wanted a cellular phone for his birthday. I thought it would be a good idea so I could find him when I needed him, since he is not very good at letting me know where he is. So I looked into it and the only deal in town at the time was with a service provider that I did not like. I had been with them many years ago when cell phones first came out and had some bad experiences. My son convinced me that his friends had service with them and had no problems. I was extremely hesitant, but gave them the benefit of a doubt thinking that the years in the busines and the competition out there may have improved their service. Well ... I should have followed my gut instinct, as usual.
There have been problems from day one. First of all, there was a rebate for purchasing the phone that was not a cash rebate, but a credit on the billing. Strike one. The first month, the rebate did not show up. Call company X. Second month, only part of the rebate showed up. Call company X again only to find that half of it comes out one month, the other half the next month. Good grief, why and why didn't they tell me these things the first time I called? Then there were several other issues: free services that were not properly rebated, screw-ups in billing in other ways, etc. It seems like I am calling them constantly.
The latest problem, you are going to love. The service he had was free calling from 8-8 and free weekends with 200 free daytime minutes. Free from 8-8 is really weird timing, especially when other companies provide 6-6. Between 6-8 p.m., most people are making plans for their evening and would need their phones. That is really stupid. So, we called to "upgrade" the service to get coverage from 6-6 instead. To do this we would lose 50 daytime minutes. OK. I can live with that. But then, the upgrade couldn't take place until the next billing date because they have no idea how to prorate costs. Dah!! The service was switched over yesterday after waiting almost an entire month. Call company X this morning YET AGAIN. Now the caller ID is gone altogether. This is the story I got:
I "upgraded" to this new plan that cost me about $8 more a month to get free service at the same periods that others offer it at a lower cost, I lose 50 daytime minutes, and now there is also no caller ID? Where the hell is the upgrade there? That's a step backwards. I told them so too. I also asked when my 2-year plan was up and marked it on my calendar. I told them in no uncertain terms that I couldn't wait for my term to be up with them so I could switch providers. If there was no penalty now, I would have done it today.
What a Mickey Mouse company. You would think that with what the competition is offering out there they would be more in tune with what everyone else is offering. I think they have some real billing issues too. If you don't have a cellular phone now or are thinking of switching providers, ask me which one not to use. I have no problems telling you to say clear of Company X!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
What Are They Thinking?
Sometimes I really wonder what politicians are thinking. I had a trip to my chiropractor today to work out my kinks. I was telling him how frustrated I am by the lack of coverage I have for preventative medicine. If I get really sick and need medicine (a bandaid solution in a lot of cases) or surgery, the government and my medical plan are only too happy to oblige. If I choose to go natural/preventative medicine paths to prevent illness and crippling pain, I am penalized for it by lack of coverage. That makes no sense. Then he told me what the Ontario government is about to do. I was appalled.
This fall, the Ontario government is going to cancel all of its coverage for chiropractic care. It believes it will save $95 million dollars because that is what they spend on this type of care. What the medical society is estimating, is that this cost savings will actually cost them in excess of $220 million dollars in increased trips to physicians for pain care and hospitalization because they cannot afford the preventative care. Following this, they are cancelling physiotherapy in the spring and then coverage for eyeglasses. They are expecting health care plans to extend their coverage to these things.
Well ... what about those plans that fall really short of covering them, like mine does? What about those people who do not have private health care coverage and can't afford it? The governments are producing an over-stressed, over-worked, underpaid, society that has to walk around blind and hunched over in pain with considerable time off work required to treat their pain. What in the name of hell are they thinking???? This sounds like a HUGE step backwards to me, not progress in any sense of the word. I am so frustrated with the way our politicians are thinking. They put money in places they don't need it and none in places they do. Lord help us all. I'm glad I don't live in their houses.
This fall, the Ontario government is going to cancel all of its coverage for chiropractic care. It believes it will save $95 million dollars because that is what they spend on this type of care. What the medical society is estimating, is that this cost savings will actually cost them in excess of $220 million dollars in increased trips to physicians for pain care and hospitalization because they cannot afford the preventative care. Following this, they are cancelling physiotherapy in the spring and then coverage for eyeglasses. They are expecting health care plans to extend their coverage to these things.
Well ... what about those plans that fall really short of covering them, like mine does? What about those people who do not have private health care coverage and can't afford it? The governments are producing an over-stressed, over-worked, underpaid, society that has to walk around blind and hunched over in pain with considerable time off work required to treat their pain. What in the name of hell are they thinking???? This sounds like a HUGE step backwards to me, not progress in any sense of the word. I am so frustrated with the way our politicians are thinking. They put money in places they don't need it and none in places they do. Lord help us all. I'm glad I don't live in their houses.
Monday, August 09, 2004
Reaping and Sowing
There is a wonderful, mystical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life—happiness, freedom, and peace of mind—are always attained by giving them to someone else. — Anonymous
What a wonderful quote. I have often heard it said that we receive what we give, just like reaping what you sow. It is so true. I've seen it over and over again. Sometimes it takes longer to receive than we would like, but it does come back to us eventually. If what you have sown is not favourable, time would be something you wouldn't want to speed up, but it will still come back to haunt you.
Sometimes things happens for no good reason. But we can rest assured that in the end, something good will come of it. It always does. Be careful to sow good seeds to give happiness, freedom, and peace of mind to someone, and they will come back to you just as abundantly. It's the law of nature.
Sunday, August 08, 2004
Comfort Zone
We all have a comfort zone. That familiar place that we are often afraid to step out of. Stepping out of it means taking a risk, doing something that you would not normally do. It is hard to break out of it, but sometimes it is also healthy to do so.
Many abused women stay in abusive relationships because they are afraid to take a step out of what feels familiar to them. They know it is unhealthy, but they are not sure they can survive or look after themselves "on the outside" of that box. Sometimes people are afraid to have fun because they have deprived themselves of it for so long.
Change cannot take place if fear keeps you inside the box. Wonderful opportunities can be lost by those who dare not venture out. Here are some tips on how to break out of your comfort zone:
Many abused women stay in abusive relationships because they are afraid to take a step out of what feels familiar to them. They know it is unhealthy, but they are not sure they can survive or look after themselves "on the outside" of that box. Sometimes people are afraid to have fun because they have deprived themselves of it for so long.
Change cannot take place if fear keeps you inside the box. Wonderful opportunities can be lost by those who dare not venture out. Here are some tips on how to break out of your comfort zone:
- Be self-caring - Do things that bring you happiness and a sense of satisfaction.
- Enjoy the small things - Take the time to stop and smell the roses or the coffee.
- Be your best - No, you may not finish first, but be proud that you have done your best.
- Commit to yourself - Take yourself and your goals seriously.
- Do the right thing - Do what you would really love to do.
- Be audacious - Think big. Go for the gold. Sometimes it is the journey that is more enlightening than the destination. The end result may be different from what you expect, usually even better.
Saturday, August 07, 2004
Words
I have heard people say before "they are just words." To that I say hogwash. Words are very powerful. They are not just words. They all mean something or they would not have been spoken. Remember it is written, "In the beginning was the Word..." Words can do this:
So the next time you have something important to say, remember this question. Is it
T - thoughtful
H - honest
I - intelligent
N - necessary
K - kind
If not, take time to phrase it carefully before you speak. People are worth the time.
- They can build someone up or tear them down.
- They can heal or hurt.
- They can make you laugh or cry.
- They can make promises that are true or those not intended to be kept.
- They can pledge oaths and truths or they can cheat or tell lies.
- They can be loving or hateful.
So the next time you have something important to say, remember this question. Is it
T - thoughtful
H - honest
I - intelligent
N - necessary
K - kind
If not, take time to phrase it carefully before you speak. People are worth the time.
Friday, August 06, 2004
PS
Dr. Phil's show today was about true love. He said one thing that I was very glad to hear. He said if a man truly loves a woman, nothing will stop him from being with her. He will climb every mountain he has to in order to get to her. That is good news. Something to watch for. Thanks for the heads up, Dr. Phil. Nice to know that.
Two Incomes
I am really beginning to hate the term "two incomes." I can't make ends meet very well on my income, supporting a very hungry, growing teenage boy (well ... a young man) and my special health requirements. When I mention it to my friends, they say "You need two incomes." Some go so far as to suggest I get a boarder to help out or to buy a rental property. Well ... I'm not going to share my bed with a stranger. I don't have a spare room. I can't handle the upkeep of two places on my own either.
When I called the bank to see how I could handle my little bit of debt, which feels much larger for me, I'm told "You need a second income." I can't work two full-time jobs!!
When I called the bank to see if I could somehow manage to get a car considering my loan, they say "You need two incomes." I still can't make it magically happen!!
When I called the bank to see if I could get a no-downpayment mortgage, they say "Sure you qualify, you can get a mortgage, but it's not enough to buy a house. You need two incomes."
I meet up with friends or acquaintances I haven't seen in awhile and they ask, "Are you seeing anyone yet?"
I guess it is an expectation from the whole world that I am not supposed to be alone or can't afford to be. It is not how I want to live forever, but it's the best I can do for now. I can't magically make someone appear who will want to share my life or I would have done that a long time ago. I'm not going to pick someone up off the street and say "Hey, come live me with so I can afford the necessities of life." That would just be disgusting. I am doing the best I can under the circumstances.
Please people ... stop telling me I need two incomes. I know that, but there's no light at the end of that tunnel, and very little I can do to magically make it happen. It will happen when the time is right. Not when I would magically like it to. Waiting is the hard part. When true love happens, trust me, you will all know about it. And two incomes or not, I will not settle for less then true, unconditional love.
When I called the bank to see how I could handle my little bit of debt, which feels much larger for me, I'm told "You need a second income." I can't work two full-time jobs!!
When I called the bank to see if I could somehow manage to get a car considering my loan, they say "You need two incomes." I still can't make it magically happen!!
When I called the bank to see if I could get a no-downpayment mortgage, they say "Sure you qualify, you can get a mortgage, but it's not enough to buy a house. You need two incomes."
I meet up with friends or acquaintances I haven't seen in awhile and they ask, "Are you seeing anyone yet?"
I guess it is an expectation from the whole world that I am not supposed to be alone or can't afford to be. It is not how I want to live forever, but it's the best I can do for now. I can't magically make someone appear who will want to share my life or I would have done that a long time ago. I'm not going to pick someone up off the street and say "Hey, come live me with so I can afford the necessities of life." That would just be disgusting. I am doing the best I can under the circumstances.
Please people ... stop telling me I need two incomes. I know that, but there's no light at the end of that tunnel, and very little I can do to magically make it happen. It will happen when the time is right. Not when I would magically like it to. Waiting is the hard part. When true love happens, trust me, you will all know about it. And two incomes or not, I will not settle for less then true, unconditional love.
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Today Is the Beginning ...
It has been an interesting day today. We are preparing to pack our office for a move tomorrow. Early this morning, the office interior guys showed up to remove our keyboard trays and reinstall them at the new location. I couldn't help but laugh at something that happened. The two guys who were doing it were asking me for directions to the various cubicles because they were numbered. I noticed that one of the guys seemed to be looking at me a lot. I didn't realize just how much until he made a comment shortly before he left about how I was making him hungry because I was eating a rice cake. The funny part was he even knew what I had been eating previous to this so he obviously was watching me more than I realized. I couldn't do anything but laugh once he left. That has never happened to me before. It was rather flattering.
We finally packed up all we could, but the move got behind schedule, so no packers showed up until very late afternoon, and the computers and phones won't now get moved until sometime tomorrow. Nothing will arrive in the new location until after working hours. As a result, the Director came to me and told me to start my vacation a day early. She said she didn't know anyone who deserved an extra day vacation more than I did. That was very nice of her.
So ... wahoo!!! Today is the beginning of my vacation, and the beginning of a new office location that is bright and sunny. I won't want to move back to the dark, dreary dungeon next spring. I can't wait to sleep past my alarm time tomorrow morning. I hate getting up in the dark or just at day break. That is inhumane. I'd rather get up around 7 a.m. Times before that are meant for sleeping.
Let the vacation begin. I can do whatever my little heart pleases and as much of it as my little heart desires. Yay!!!!!
We finally packed up all we could, but the move got behind schedule, so no packers showed up until very late afternoon, and the computers and phones won't now get moved until sometime tomorrow. Nothing will arrive in the new location until after working hours. As a result, the Director came to me and told me to start my vacation a day early. She said she didn't know anyone who deserved an extra day vacation more than I did. That was very nice of her.
So ... wahoo!!! Today is the beginning of my vacation, and the beginning of a new office location that is bright and sunny. I won't want to move back to the dark, dreary dungeon next spring. I can't wait to sleep past my alarm time tomorrow morning. I hate getting up in the dark or just at day break. That is inhumane. I'd rather get up around 7 a.m. Times before that are meant for sleeping.
Let the vacation begin. I can do whatever my little heart pleases and as much of it as my little heart desires. Yay!!!!!
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
How Embarrassing?
I had an embarrassing moment today. My son called me at work to give me advance notice that he had a couple friends at home and they were "chillin' and having a couple beer." (Well, his couple and mine are a little different.) No big deal. At least I knew where he was and what he was doing.
However, the embarrassing moment came when I walked through the door and realized I still had a rack of clothing sitting in the livingroom that I had put there to dry last night. Among these articles of clothing were my "unmentionables." At that point, all I could do was laugh. I said to my son, "You could have put my underwear in my room." He laughed and said, "Sorry." Guess there are no secrets I can keep from his friends now. Sheesh!!!! How embarr-ass-ing!!!!!!
However, the embarrassing moment came when I walked through the door and realized I still had a rack of clothing sitting in the livingroom that I had put there to dry last night. Among these articles of clothing were my "unmentionables." At that point, all I could do was laugh. I said to my son, "You could have put my underwear in my room." He laughed and said, "Sorry." Guess there are no secrets I can keep from his friends now. Sheesh!!!! How embarr-ass-ing!!!!!!
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Politically Correct?
Part of my job is to ensure that things are written in a politically correct way so that people are not offended. I have no problem with doing that because I respect other people's feeling. Some are very sensitive about these issues. For instance, I make these types of corrections:
- fishers, not fishermen
- firefighters, not firemen
- police officers, not policemen
- paper carrier, not paper boy
- chair person, not chairman
- postal carrier, not postman
- milk deliverer, not milkman
- sales representative, not salesman
- human kind, not mankind
- He is God, not Goddess
- He is the Father, not the mother
- He is the Son, not the daughter
- He is the Holy Spirit, not the holy angel
- He is "the Great I Am"
Monday, August 02, 2004
The Power of Love
I firmly believe that all things happen for a reason and in perfect timing. Sometimes that timing is hard to accept because it means waiting for what seems like an eternity. In the past few weeks, I have been struggling through a low point in my life. A friend had loaned me a book with one purpose in mind, but it has proved to serve another, in perfect timing. It has helped me begin to bring myself out of this low point. The book is entitled The Ten Secrets of Abundant Health: Simple Lessons for Getting and Staying Healthy and Strong.
Now I have been working on my health—emotional, physical, and spiritual—for the past number of years. This book has helped to piece it together, and I now know the missing key element for me. The 10 secrets are as follows:
Here is a quote that says it all. It is from the book Sermon on the Mount by Emmett Fox. It goes like this:
In closing I say this: Bring on the unconditional love I have been searching for my whole life. I am ready. I am so ready. Then all can be nothing but right in my world. A positive outlook will prevail.
Now I have been working on my health—emotional, physical, and spiritual—for the past number of years. This book has helped to piece it together, and I now know the missing key element for me. The 10 secrets are as follows:
- The power of the mind
- The power of breath
- The power of exercise
- The power of nutrition
- The power of laughter
- The power of rest
- The power of posture
- The power of the environment
- The power of faith
- The power of love
Here is a quote that says it all. It is from the book Sermon on the Mount by Emmett Fox. It goes like this:
Those words are so true. I truly believe that love conquers all. To live without it in abundance, life loses purpose and meaning and ultimately we become depressed. (Ain't that the truth.) I've read that to love someone deeply gives you strength and to be loved deeply gives you courage. So true, so true.
There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer; no disease that enough love will not heal; no door that enough love will not open; no gulf that enough love will not bridge; no wall that enough love will not throw down; no sin that enough love will not redeem ... It makes no difference how deep seated may be the trouble; how hopeless the outlook ... a sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all. If only you could love enough you would be the happiest and most powerful being in the world ...
In closing I say this: Bring on the unconditional love I have been searching for my whole life. I am ready. I am so ready. Then all can be nothing but right in my world. A positive outlook will prevail.
Life
A man may perform astonishing feats and comprehend a vast amount of knowledge, and yet have no understanding of himself. But suffering directs a man to look within. If it succeeds, then there, within him, is the beginning of his learning. — Soren Kierkegaard
Some lives, like evening primroses, blossom most beautifully in the evening of life. — Charles E. Cowman
Life really is like a box of chocolates, just like it says in the movie. You never know what you are going to get.
I have done the suffering and discovery as Kierkegaard says. It is a really hard way to learn who you are, but I suppose it may otherwise never happen. And I sincerely hope that Cowman is right about blossoming in the evening of life. Being in-between the discovery and enjoying the blossoms is a very, very difficult place to be. It requires patience that I often lack. It is a hard place to be when you have let go of everything you don't want, but stand with your hands empty waiting for them to be filled. I never imagined it could be so hard.
Some lives, like evening primroses, blossom most beautifully in the evening of life. — Charles E. Cowman
Life really is like a box of chocolates, just like it says in the movie. You never know what you are going to get.
I have done the suffering and discovery as Kierkegaard says. It is a really hard way to learn who you are, but I suppose it may otherwise never happen. And I sincerely hope that Cowman is right about blossoming in the evening of life. Being in-between the discovery and enjoying the blossoms is a very, very difficult place to be. It requires patience that I often lack. It is a hard place to be when you have let go of everything you don't want, but stand with your hands empty waiting for them to be filled. I never imagined it could be so hard.
Sunday, August 01, 2004
In the Past 24 Hours ...
... I have learned that
- I definitely hate the heat unless I live by a lake or have a pool where I can jump in and cool off
- I absolutely hate apartments in the midst of the heat
- you can sweat in places I never thought possible
- you sometimes hear one thing said and can hear the unspoken thing as well, even if you don't want to hear it
- there is no comparison between a 4-wheeler and a horse
- walking to the bank with flesh showing can attract attention
- I eat a lot more soy some days than I realize
- spiders seem to like my bedroom
- green bins can smell REALLY bad when you forget to dump them for a couple days in extreme heat (Whoa baby!!!)
- vacuuming carpets in humid weather is VERY hard work (one more reason not to have any)
- some things in life suck, especially when you can't do much about them
- imitation cream cheese can be made from tofu and still taste good (Honest!)
- it's hard not to gag when you have a hair in your mouth
- when the phone rings in the early morning hours and wakes you from a deep sleep, it scares the living sh** out of you
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Four-Wheelers vs. Horses
My son made me laugh at lunchtime. It was great. He had just come back from an expedition with his father, in which he went to look at four-wheelers. He tells me he can't believe his father and his "step-mother-to-be" (he hates that term) are getting a horse in the spring and taking riding lessons now. My son believes this is crazy. He wants to know who the heck wants a horse when they can have a four-wheeler. These were his reasons:
- A horse costs $10G. You can get a 4-wheeler (and a nice one) for about $7G.
- It costs $250-300/mo. to board and feed a horse. A 4-wheeler can be purchased for about $150/mo. , and the amount of fuel it takes is much cheaper than feed. Plus it doesn't cost anything to store it when it's not in use. They could even buy a car cheaper, since it gets paid off after 4-5 years.
- A horse lives 30 years and you are stuck with the same one the whole time and paying board for that length of time. You can buy 5 or 6 new 4-wheelers in that time, continually upgrading.
- A horse can only go so fast. You can sup up a 4-wheeler and make it go faster.
- A horse gets tired out. A 4-wheeler doesn't.
- A 4-wheeler is a pleasure vehicle, but a horse?