Continuing Garage Sale

Continuing Garage Sale--

A report on the garage sale.  It went well.

However, I still have quite a few furniture items that wish to live in a new home.  They are ready to share themselves with a new family.

A few of the items that I have are as follows:

1.  A beautiful robin egg blue round table--a kitchen or dining room table.  Wish I had a place for it in my house!!

2.  A white round table with four chairs.  Can be painted to enhance any dining room or kitchen eating space.  Very pretty.

3.  A hoosier cabinet.  I used it for many years in my home.  Perfect for displaying books and a lamp.  The pull out top is great for use as a serving top for parties etc.  I put lighted houses on and in it for the holidays.  Lots of storage.

4.  A beautiful blue bed cover with splashes of yellow.  Have two large pillow cases.  Used it in a guest room for only a little while.

5.  A sixty inch bathroom vanity complete with sink and faucets.

6.  An assortment of rugs.

7.  Free books

8.  A coffee table painted black with a drawer.   Perfect for a kids playroom or a family room

There are many other items that are gently used--almost new!  I will be here this weekend. If you wish to stop out and take a look, message me on facebook.  Will make sure I am here to see you and show you the items in my little shop.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Is Your Life a Color?

Is Your Life a Color?

On this day of your life, think about what your life means.  If you could stand outside yourself and observe, what would you see?  What would I see?

Would you see a color?  What color best represents you?  Blue?  Green?  Orange?  Brown?  Pink? Yellow? Black?  Purple? Red?

Green could represent growth.  Just as nature proudly wears varying shades of green, would you see growth in multiple areas of your life?  Would you be a green vine that sends itself over the garden bringing life to even the darkest corners?  Green is a basic color in nature.  We look for that color to appear in early spring after a long dull winter.  It signals a change.  Lots to think about if you see yourself as the color green.

What about blue?  Is your life centered in tranquility?  Does peace flow from you?  Does that peace embrace others who come into your space?  Is there a calm about you that draws others?  Blue speaks of water and sky.  The high and low of life.  While one shade of blue might signal darkness in life, another lighter shade might represent an uplifted spirit.  Blue is with us year round.

Then there is that happy color yellow.  Children draw the sun as a yellow orb in the corner of a piece of paper.  It radiates warmth and light to the world.  We see yellow in plants and flowers.  It is a color often used to bring a gentle glow to a room.  Many people paint rooms in houses with differing shades of yellow.  It is my favorite color.

Pink is a color many young girls love.  It is a young color.  Often young girls want everything pink--walls, clothes, lamps, headbands, shoes, sheets, chairs.  The list is very long.  Pink is a soft color.  I understand why it appeals to youth.  Manufacturers of kid's items know this, too.  Make it pink, and it will fly off the shelves.

Going through the list of colors would take more time than I have left on this earth!!:)  But, it might be a cool exercise for each of us to think of a color or colors that best represent us and try to understand why that is so.  Already I am seeing people I know as colors.  Strong and happy colors.  Certainly, pain and sorrow invade our lives and change our color.  Working through challenges might bring shades of gray and brown into our space.  But, despite our challenges, who we are will come through.

Standing outside ourselves is difficult if not next to impossible.  It is hard to be objective about our own lives.  If we can manage to do this for only a moment,  it is possible that we might observe colors we are proud to represent.  We might also see colors that we would like to tone a bit.  Maybe red to a gentle pink.  Perhaps bright yellow to a creamy butter.  Brown to tan.  I think you get what I am saying.

When I select a paint color for a room, I usually select several grades of the color.  Then I take a small amount home and paint either a square on a wall or on a board.  I want to see how it looks when light hits it.  Does it change too much when a lamp is turned on in the evening?  Color is very important.
It sets the stage for everything else that will find a home in a room.

Does my color set the stage for others?  Good grief--I hope not, but I fear that is the case.  So, I think I might give a little thought to this whole idea of color.  If you could visit my gardens, you would find all colors living together.  Yellow against pinks.  Oranges beside purples.  Greens everywhere.  While I enjoy visiting gardens that segregate like colors, my gardens will always be a riot of colors, textures and shapes.

And that is how I see people in this world.  We are all shades of many colors.  Yet, we fit together perfectly in the garden of life.  All the colors have value.  All the colors bring a richness to this earth that one single color could not accomplish.  Isn't that amazing?

All this talk about colors and gardens remind me that it is time to tend to my gardens.  Time to give them a drink before the heat of the day arrives.  Thank you for allowing me to invade your space with some thoughts about color!

Real Friends

Real Friends--

A post on facebook said this:

   You don't lose friends because real friends can never be lost.  You lose people masquerading as friends, and you're better for it.

Wow!  For those of us who have felt the sting of "lost friendships," this is so encouraging.  I suppose everyone has experienced the questioning that occurs when a friend walks away.  Others probably feel the same when we put distance between us and them.  Yes, it is not easy to work through the hole that is created when life challenges us.

It is another reminder that things change.  People change.  The glue that held relationships together sometimes lets go.  Over time I have learned that that is not a bad thing at all.  Holding on to a worn-out relationship brings stress.  We struggle to find things to talk about.   Those activities we enjoyed once upon a time no longer seem like such fun.  When that happens, we know it is time to let go.

But, that is so difficult, isn't it?  We remember such lovely times shared.  We care deeply for this person who once laughed and cried with us.  We feel such a sense of loss.  Who will fill that void?  Maybe we ask ourselves if we gave enough of ourselves, or if we gave too much.  We wonder if our friend no longer finds us fun.  There is a grieving period.  It must not last long.

The world is full to overflowing with wonderful people we have never met.  It could be possible that because we invested so much in one person, we failed to see the other neat people who enter our lives.  Now, that is not a good thing at all.   Each new person we meet brings a new dimension to us.  And we offer the same to them.  Expanding our circle is never a bad thing.  No, it is not.  Expanding our circle means we want to grow.  We want to learn.  We want to laugh and play.

If a person masquerading as a friend walks in a new direction, rejoice!   For both of you.  Be open to new people.  Remember the good times shared, but cry no more tears.  Who knows who will walk into your life.  Who knows what fun is out there waiting for you to see it.

I really like the quote.  Real friends can never be lost.  They can take a little vacation, but when they return, it is as if they never left.  Real friends stay.  Through it all.

Everyday An Adventure

Everyday An Adventure--

Instead of viewing life as one tiring day following another, why not wrap your head around a new view?  It looks like this.

Everyday we live is a new adventure.  It has never happened before, and it will never happen again.  Everyday brings the opportunity to enjoy new experiences.  Ok--maybe not all experiences are joyful.  But, we can learn from even those that are annoying.

It is easy to become beaten down by our world.  Grocery stores move merchandise around.  We are in a hurry, and nothing is where it used to be.  Under our breath we probably utter words better left under our breath.  The car in front of us drives thirty in a forty-five mile speed zone.  Makes me crazy.  The line at the post office goes from here to Indiana.  Why is that?  So many opportunities for adventure that we would rather not have.

But, what about the co-worker who offers to help us?  Or the friend who sends a funny email?  Or the child who offers a smile or hug?  What about the fact that for the moment good health is our companion.

How can we change the ordinary into an adventure?  Well, how about inviting friends over for dessert and forgetting that the house is not Martha Stewart clean?  How about having pizza for breakfast and eggs for dinner?  How about counting your blessings instead of counting the aggrevating things others do?  How about forgiving more?  How about keeping score less?  How about not saving up all your stamps and cashing them in on some poor fellow traveler who has a box of stored stamps, too?

You see,  adventures are not always about distance.  They can be about what happens between the ears.  Adventures are the way we see our lives.  And the way we live our lives.  Getting away from the everyday can refresh us.  But, most of our lives are lived within a few miles of our homes.  So, the challenge is to make each day have at least one adventure.

My today is almost gone.  It is history.  What adventure did I have today?  Well, I took a long walk with a friend into the woods in search of nature.  She and I will never have that exact same experience again.  It was a moment in time that came my way.  I grabbed it and ran with it. Another adventure of the day was when I purchased toilet paper rolls for a food bank in need of that product.  It was an adventure walking out of the grocery store with my arms full of toilet paper.   People were certainly staring.  Love it when that happens!  That was an adventure.  Or how about the day I put on a life jacket and went into the lake fully clothed?  Yes, I did that a week ago.  And my grandchildren loved it.

Ok--I know you are thinking that I am goofy with these ideas of adventure.  Well, maybe you are right. But while you are sitting there being critical, I am off having another good time.  And most of the good times I have are composed of simple things.  Yes, some adventures take us far away.  Some offer us new experiences.  I love it when those happen.  The truth is for most of us those times happen once or twice a year.  What about all the rest of the weeks?  Can't we think outside the box enough to see the little things of life in new ways?  Can't we make an adventure out of the simple things in life?

Yes, we can if we will.  There is the challenge.  If we will!

So, what adventure will you have tomorrow?  What new twist can you put on something that is everyday?  Hey!  You can do this.  You can spice up life for those around you.  Yep, you can.  I know this much--when you let go, you will enjoy life so much more than when you approach life with clinched fists.

Adventure is waiting.  How creative can you be?

Have You Listened Lately?

Have You Listened Lately?

Tonight I received an email from a friend inquiring if I am taking a break from writing my blog.  I love it!!  She had visited my blog and noticed the date of my last writing.   Now, that is absolutely wonderful.  Often I wonder if anyone is actually reading so when someone notices that it has been awhile since the last post, I feel that perhaps what I share touches a person or two.

Many ideas have danced across my mind lately.  I love the dance of words and thoughts.  They often move slowly like a waltz keeping that one, two, three rhythm.  When that happens, words flow gently into those thoughts that eventually turn into paragraphs.  Other times words and thoughts tumble quickly like a gitterbug.  They fall out of my head at rapid speed leaving me breathless as I try to get them written down.

One recent morning reminded me of the waltz.   My mornings are usually rather slow.  On this particular morning I decided to sit quietly in a deck chair and simply listen.  My usual morning routine is to take the garden hose and water each pot of flowers and ferns.  So this was a break from the regular.  Sure, I watered everything first.  But after that I sat down and listened and watched.  I allowed myself to be filled with nature.

A gentle breeze played through the leaves of the trees.  The sound was quiet and peaceful.  I watched as the leaves swayed back and forth as if dancing to a melody I could not hear.  I heard water falling into the fish pond.  That sound was a bit louder but so very pleasant.  I couldn't see the water so it was fun to imagine what it looked like.  With eyes closed, I saw the splash it made as it tumbled over the edge of the large rock. Where the splash met the calm water, I saw the small ripples it created.  I knew that water lilies were ready to bloom so I imagined the beautiful shade of yellow that accents the green lily pads.  Colorful koi have a home among the lily pads.  They add grace to the pond.

As I listened, I picked up the sound of water falling in a fountain among the hosta.  That fountain is a favorite of robins.  They bathe there often.  Why does moving water bring such peace to a garden?  Birds busy with morning songs flew from tree to tree occasionally landing on a feeder.  Once full, they relinquished their spot to another who enjoyed a bit of breakfast.

The six colorful hummingbird feeders were soon visited by several of those delightful creatures.  It seemed as if each bird had a favorite feeder.  I love the sound they make as they zoom past on their way to fill up!  It is like a roar.  We have a bully hummingbird.  He or she feeds at will then flies to a branch to watch for the next visitor to the feeder.  As soon as another brother or sister appears, down it races and chases the interloper away.  This behavior continues all day.  On this particular morning I watched one hummer appear from below the feeders.  A rather sneaky way to approach the food supply.

In the distance I heard the moo of a cow and the sound of a tractor.  Bees buzzed around the large flowers on the deck.  A car drove by on the road in front of our house.  An airplane made its way to the airport nearby.  Crickets or some such creature sang loudly among the trees.  The motor of our air conditioner started its cycle of cooling the house.  And then it stopped.  Birds sang their songs, and squirrels chattered away in the trees.

Yes, nature was busy that morning.  Actually, the world was busy.  Things were as they should be.  Each part of life was performing its job.  There was a type of harmony to it all.

Eventually, it was time to move on with my day.  As the day progressed,  my thoughts returned often to those moments on the deck.  Gratitude filled my spirit.  Gratitude for having the opportunity to listen and watch life happening.  Certainly there were chores that needed to be done.  But, taking that few moments refreshed my spirit.

Maybe you will have a moment  to listen this week. Your own spirit may speak to you as you allow the quiet to wash over you.  And just maybe you will find the rhythm of the dance that longs to move you to a quieter more peaceful place on the dance floor of life.

One, two, three...

A New Group--Two Questions!

A New Group--Two Questions--

You would think that writing about an event in life would be an easy thing to do.  Sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't.  There are times when I sit down at the computer, place my fingers on the keys and wait.  And wait.  And wait.  What is that about, anyway?

Words can be elusive little things.  All one has to do is string letters into words, words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs and soon it all begins to make sense, right?  Well, there are times when the fingers on the keys simply do not function.  They hover over the keys as the brain attempts to make sense of the jumble of thoughts and ideas that are floating around the gray matter upstairs.

For several days I have attempted to write about a coming together that happened at my house.  Each time I sat down to form those words, sentences and paragraphs, nothing came.  Oh--there were thoughts but nothing firm for the fingers to write.  Finally, this morning it came together.

Recently some women gathered in my living room.  We formed a small, intimate circle of chairs and sofa around a hope chest used as a coffee table.  On that table was a platter of cheese, sliced ham and turkey and crackers.  Each of us had our drink of choice.  Seven women gathered to visit.

Seven women coming together from different backgrounds, different ages, different interests.  Each carrying their own set of challenges.  This was not simply a social gathering.  It was also a gathering to learn from one another.  In the course of this evening, we would set a different course.  A course that will challenge us.

The original intent was a book group.  You know the drill.  Select a book, read it, and then come together to discuss what you "got" from the book.  There are many small groups who do this.  It is a great way to discover a new author.  It is all good.  This group made a one-eighty from that direction.

So often in our world we take little time to discuss really important issues that touch us.  If we carefully examine our conversation, we probably see how shallow our interactions with one another truly are.  Of course, all conversations do not need to be serious.  That is a given.  But, what a pleasant change when we actually come away from a conversation feeling as if we have been given a new way of looking at something.  We do not change or grow when every conversation presents no challenge to our present views.

Back to the group--In anticipation of the group's decision, I pulled a couple of questions from a book.  The book is Pub Theology 101.  It is an e-book.  As the title suggests, it is a book of questions about how religion/beliefs impact every part of our lives and culture.  The questions are designed to help us rethink.  To open ourselves to other's thoughts and to possibly change our own minds.  Now, that is a scary thought, isn't it?  We love what we think.  Sometimes we might even think we have all the answers and don't need to be bothered with anyone else's thoughts or beliefs.  But, what if a belief we have held for years is simply wrong?  What if a belief/thought of ours helps another on their journey?  Honestly, it is much easier to remain shallow in our conversations, isn't it?  There is no fear that the ground we stand on will be shaken.

So, a sheet of paper was passed around with a few questions.  Everyone read the questions, and then we discussed two of them.  One I slipped in just for fun.  Ask me about it sometime!!  The rules are simple.  Listen to one another.  If there is disagreement, be respectful of the other person as you state your own thoughts.  That's about it.  Engage in conversation.  Be open within yourself to hearing another point of view or belief.  Enjoy the opportunity to actually talk with others about significant things.

It was wonderful.  You could tell by the body language of everyone that there was trust within the circle of women.  No one felt intimitated by another.  All points of view were shared openly.  And this was the first night of two questions!  What a fabulous evening.

The women at the gathering came together to learn.  To form friendships and share life experiences.  There were tears, laughter and looks of understanding and agreement. There were gentle disagreements.  Who could ask for more?

We will meet each month.  Two questions may become the name of the group.  Two questions that will cause us to think outside the box we have so carefully and lovingly placed ourselves in.  Two questions that will cause a little discomfort as they stretch us to move to new understandings.  Two questions that will help us see another point of view.  Two questions that will help us love one another more deeply.

What about you?  Are you ready for some deep conversation about really important issues in life?  Then take this model and form a group.  Chase fear out the door and open yourselves to a new adventure--the adventure of knowing yourself and others.

Talk again soon.

Garage Sale

Garage Sale--


This is the day to find treasures you didn't know you wanted!  My garage sale runs from 9-2.

Come on out!

A Change is Coming

A Change is Coming--

It's that time again.  Even though I try to ignore it, that time has slowly rolled around.  I have waited and waited thinking it might take care of itself.  But, no.  I must deal with it this time around.

Dealing with this is not going to be easy.  It will demand my total attention.  It will require discipline.  My dad used that word on me all the time.  I was always going to receive a healthy dose of discipline!:)   This time around I have to do it all by myself with no threats to my person.

Life as I now know it will disappear.  Painful.  But necessary.  Sometimes one simply has to do the difficult thing.  Kind meaning folks try to be encouraging and helpful when life changes.  I appreciate the encouragement.  But, I know that this is a walk I must walk all by myself.   It would be wonderful to have a companion accompany me, but it is simply not possible.  This battle belongs to me.

Somewhere down the line I will look back and celebrate.  All the difficult times will be history.  There will be rejoicing in the camp.

I am going on a diet.

Now, going on a diet is not earth shattering.  Dropping extra pounds does not change the world.  Wait a minute.  Maybe it doesn't change the big world, but it has the power to change the small world I inhabit.  It has the power to change my attitude about myself.  And that is earth shattring to me.

Anything that moves me to a better place is a positive.  I can use all the positives I can find.  Can't you? Is there something you are struggling with that you can change?  Why is change so difficult?  Could it be that the struggle to decide is our largest obstacle?  Why is making a decision for our good so hard?

I wish I had all the answers to these questions.  If I had those answers, I would share them with the world.  But, the truth is we can only handle one obstacle at a time.  So, my challenge is gaining better control over my food choices.  Exercise might be a good idea, also.

So, let's begin again.  Let's decide to work on one thing that we can change.  Let's celebrate the fact that we have made a decision.  And let's look toward being our best selves.

With wishes for all of us!

The Stuff We Smear on Us!

The Stuff We Smear on Us!


Have you ever thought about all the stuff we smear on our bodies?  Well, I gave that a little thought the other day and had a good laugh.  It goes something like this.

After drying off from a nice refreshing shower,  the process begins.  Hydrating lotion is squirted on the legs.  Rub, rub, rub it  in so that the skin stays nice and moist.  Then move to the arms.  Repeat the process.  Next to the chest.  Skin is very thin there so more moisture is needed to keep the skin soft.

Ok--that is done.  Now let's get to the chicken neck.  Really wished someone had told me when I was much younger that giving the sun full control on that neck would someday come back and bite me.  To stop further cracking(!), squeeze the neck cream into the hands and rub it into the neck.  Rub it until it disappears.  Whether or not it does any good--who knows.  But, it makes the old neck feel good so it doesn't hurt.  It doesn't hurt anything but the pocketbook!

Did I mention deodorant?  Smear that all around so that no one will walk in the other direction when you get close.

Lines form around the eyes after years of living.  We don't want those lines now, do we?  Well, there is a lotion to use to help fill in those lines.  Who wouldn't want to use that?  Only takes a minute to apply. Same thing for those lines around the mouth.  If we can help Mother Nature stay away a bit longer, why not!!

Let's move to the face.  Moisturizer is a must.  Just a dot here and there will prevent the face from drying out.  Not on the eyelids, please.  Something else goes there.  The directions say to rub it into the skin in a circular motion.  I slap it on!  The point is to get it on the face, right?  Once it disappears into the skin, it is time for the tinted moisturizer.  Tinted moisturizer with sunscreen gives extra protection from the sun--that same sun that did all the damage!  And tinted moisturizer also covers up those age spots that weren't there a few years ago.

One important body part I have not mentioned is the feet.  Often they are overlooked in the process of smearing.  Since they are our primary means for moving from place to place, they deserve a little lotion, too.  So, let's cover them with a thick cream and then a little abrasive lotion.  Once the abrasive lotion is applied, it is time to rub them.  Let's get all the dead skin cells off those movers and shakers.  Rinsing is the next step.  Then drying and applying a lotion.  The feet now feel like a baby's behind.  Lovely!

Dead skin cells can collect on the face, too, you know.  Time to cleanse the face and apply a microderm abrasion.  Rub that into the face until it feels like sandpaper.  Then rinse, rinse, rinse.  Of course, that step is followed by another lotion.  The face has never felt so soft.  Trust me.  I do that often.

No doubt I have left off some of the smearing we do to ourselves.  Have to admit that I feel better when I have taken a little care of myself.  Whether anyone else notices is not the point.  I know that this is the skin I will live in until the end.  So, maybe I should take better care of it.  Ya think??

Of course cleansing and moisturizing happens prior to bedtime.   Gotta give the skin time to repair after a hard day of meeting all the nasty elements in the air!:)   And when morning arrives, all the smearing begins again.

Oh no!  I forgot the hands!  Gotta run.  Time to apply hand lotion.

It's a wonder I don't slide right out of my clothes!!:)

Talking About Love

Talking About Love--

I love your shoes!  Love the way you decorated your home!  Love you!  Love your garden!  Love that you took the time to visit with me.  Love the dessert you made.  Love, love, love.

Love is a word we throw around.  We just love everything.  That includes food, clothing, cars, hair cuts, vacations, people, jewelry, books.  The list is never ending.  We love, love, love.

Do you suppose there are other words that would more accurately describe our feelings about objects and people?  Have we devalued this wonderful word by overusing it?  Or does it make any difference how and in what context we use it?

And just what is love anyway?  Is the warm, fuzzy feeling we have from gazing at a beautiful pair of summer shoes the same as the feeling we experience when we look into the eyes of a beloved friend?  If no is the answer, then is it possible that we use the word love a bit too much to describe inanimate objects?

A new shiny car cannot love me back.  It can provide me with a lovely ride.  It can move me from point A to point B, but it never expresses feelings about the way I take care of it.  Perhaps it is the latest model, color and style.  I may feel like a million bucks as I cruise down the road.  But, that object will never laugh with me or grieve with me.  It will always be an object incapable of feelings.  (I still really like a cool ride!)

The same is true of all things.  They provide us with what we think we need at the moment.  A house gives us shelter.  It provides us a place to live and grow.  We have many life experiences inside the structure.  By inhabiting it, we bring life to it.   But the house itself--nope.  Just wood, cement, tons of wires, pipes, floors, ceilings, windows, doors.  It is a thing.  And  things cannot give us love.

Mountains can inspire us to new heights.  They are silent giants that speak to our core.  Oceans do the same.  Forests give a certain peace found nowhere else.  Nature has great power.  We feel at home in certain parts of nature.  However, mountains, trees, oceans, forests cannot give us what we need the most.  What is the one thing all humans must have to shine?

Yep--love.  Babies left without human touch will not thrive.  In fact, just the opposite is true.  Young children who are hugged believe that this world is a darn good place.  Teens, who push people away, need the same thing.  It is simply their time to try those wings adults have been trying to develop.  Adults need to believe they are valued.  Now that is not the same as love, but it comes close.  So much of who we are and who we will become revolves around that simple four letter word.

I am not going to the dictionary for a definition.  You can do that.  The point is we all know what love looks and feels like.  It is the warm eyes that greet us when we have been absent.  It is the embrace that shows us understanding has arrived.  It is the affection between two people who have chosen to care for one another long term.  It is the joy of life itself.  The intimate moments shared with that special someone who puts our needs above their own.  It fills us up.  Sometimes we cry from the sheer joy of that word love.

It can go away.  Oh--that is so hurtful.  When love departs, it takes us with it.  Recovery can be longer than recovering from surgery.  We have been wounded down to our core.  That is probably when we truly know what love is.  The moment it departs, we feel dead inside.  Don't want to stay on this paragraph very long.

So, this is what I think.  Love can only accurately be called love when it is able to be returned.   And who can return love?  You got it!  People.  When we want to talk about a troubling situation, it is not a tree we go to.  It is another person.  Maybe even a person who has walked the same walk we find ourselves walking.  When we are fearful about anything, we don't tell our car about our distress expecting to hear comforting words.  We call a friend or family member.  You know this.  Love binds us together.

While I truly do enjoy nature down to my very bones, love belongs to those who share life with me.  Who reach out and tell me they care when I am hurting.  Who laugh with me over another goofy thing I have done.  Who simply enjoy our time together.

Love this time with you!  Take good care.

Kindness

Kindness--

There are times when ideas and thoughts whirl around in my head.  One thought follows another in rapid succession with no time to put pen to paper and record them.  Lately that has been happening quite a bit.  I love it that the mind takes us to new places and drops us off leaving us to think in new ways.  Sometimes the ideas take me by surprise.

This past week we have been out of the country.  That in itself is an experience.  Going through customs, hoping you have done it all correctly, hoping you are legal with the items in your bag.  It is good to be outside the regular schedule and stretch the boundaries.  That has always had great appeal to me.  So, it was quite fun to read signs, try to follow directions, get to the designated place.  Thanks to the kindness of strangers, it was a perfect holiday.

As we walked down the streets in this new village,  many languages floated by our ears.  Often the speakers of those languages held maps just as we did.  They had selected places to visit and were trying to get to those marked spots.  I understood.   We were in that same boat.  Many had packages full of goodies they had purchased.  It was exciting to be in a new place sharing experiences with strangers.

On one early morning walk to purchase that cup of coffee, a woman walked up beside us.  It was probably around 8 AM.  It was quite chilly as we were in the mountains.  The sky was that deep shade of blue that makes you smile.  She matched her gait with ours, and we chatted as we walked.  She asked if we knew where the grocery store was.  We had driven by it the day before so we could give her directions.  She told us she was visiting from Hawaii, and that she was freezing.  What made that so funny was the way she was dressed.

Most people on holiday in the mountains wear tennis shoes or hiking boots, jeans, shirts and sweaters or sweat shirts.  She, on the other hand, had on tight golden, glittery pants and a lightweight black sleeveless top that also glittered in the sun. Her shoes were covered with sparkles.  I could see why she was cold.  She looked adorable.  Maybe she was welcoming the day following an all-night party.  I hope she found what she was looking for at the grocery store, and that she found warmer clothes.  She was only one of many people who spent a few minutes with us.  Strangers who connected for a moment in time.

And that made me think about human kindness.  It costs nothing to smile.  It takes no effort at all to offer assistance.  In fact, when we offer ourselves to strangers, we make a memory.  That new experience becomes part of who we are.  One morning in the coffee shop I was waiting for my latte.  The woman in front of me had three drinks and was trying to place them in a carrier.  I noticed she needed sleeves for the hot drinks.  Those sleeves were right in front of me.  I did the obvious thing.  She gave me a big smile and thank you.  I don't write that to speak well of myself but to remind us all that small things make the world such a pleasant place.  Is it possible that we miss the oppotunity to do a kindess simply because we don't see?  Absolutely that has happened to me many times.  My bad.

Time after time people extended themselves for us.  And because of that, we left with such a positive attitude about the place and the people.  In fact, we are already making plans to return.  Nature gave her all to this spot on the earth.  Add in the lovely people, and you have the perfect package.

Travel forces us to see the world through different eyes.  It is possible that we fear doing the new.  Yes, the unknown can be frightening.  But, my how it grows us when we take the chance to walk outside our own boundaries.  We don't have to leave this country for that to happen.  Simply placing ourselves in a new environment in our homeland can give us the same sense of adventure.

Kindness--something we are all able to give.  Like everything else in life, it is a choice.  We can decide to give that gift every single day.  Or we can withhold it.  Not always easy when we are in a funk but well worth the effort.

Think I will spend a little time reflecting--reflecting about our world, people and how kindness has such a huge impact on us.  Want to join me?

Let's Gather Around a Table

Let's Gather Around a Table--


It is a marvelous gift to sit down and visit with friends and strangers who become friends about things that really matter in this life.

To visit about significant things requires an open mind.  It requires a listening spirit.  And it also requires a little time.  Recently I was introduced to a book about meeting in pubs to converse about all things important.  Since the word pub was used,  it had to be born in England.  Some would say it is wrong to meet in pubs to talk about faith and God and life issues.  Some would not attend unless the venue changed locations.  But, others welcome the friendly, accepting atmosphere of a pub.

Does it make a difference where people meet to have meaningful discussions?  Really--does it?

From what I learned, it is about sitting down at a table and talking honestly about things that matter.  Is it important that those around the table agree on all issues?  Not at all.  People need an opportunity to express their views and learn how others think on issues that touch us all.  By coming together around the table, we are making space in our heart for others.  Wow!  Making space in our heart for others.  I think that is an amazing thing to do.

Meeting around a table in a pub or a kitchen or a restaurant yells hospitality.  For one thing, the group cannot be larger than the number of chairs that fit at the table.  Another factor is everyone has the opportunity to express views if they decide to do so.  No one is pressured to believe anything.  No one is asked to share personal stories.  No one is ever put on the spot.  Most of us are afraid of exposing our true beliefs because we believe others will judge us.  That must end.

Do we ever really discuss important issues?  Our world is a troubled place.  Would conversation spur an action?  Would discussion change a mind?  What could happen if a few people gathered to engage in meaningful conversation?  It sounds so exciting to me.

So, this is my call to those of you who are reading and live close by.  Would you be interested in gathering with the intent of engaging in discussion about topics that are important?  If you are, would you message me on Facebook.  We can arrange a time and place to meet and see what direction this could take.  Nothing ventured--nothing gained.  I am ready to step out to learn from you and to share my thoughts.

One hour a week--doesn't seem like much, does it?  That one hour has the power to move us to new places in the deepest part of our being.   To change our lives.

Looking so forward to sitting around the table with you!