Path hoppers

Reading for the Day

All things pass... Patience attains all that it strives for.
-- St. Teresa of Avila

Some days, it seems like our struggles will never end. The pain, the loss, the heartaches, the failures we can recount them all. Where is the strength to go on?

What if we began our day by acknowledging that all things pass? That given time, effort, and patience, we can accept or accomplish most anything? But patience does not mean complacency. On the contrary, each day requires a new attitude, a new outlook that in time generates its own positive energy for growth and change.

We need strength and patience not only in the difficult moments, but in the easier ones - the days of comfort when things seem to be going almost too well.

Soon, we can look back across the months and see growth. As the skills of the dancer or the carpenter increase with time and patience, so do ours.

Today grant me the patience to live in the moment. Help me be willing to believe that all things pass.

Last Night's Prezzie

Excuse me, please....

Well then......

I'm reminded of how complicated I can make things; how I can take simple stuff and turn it into a nightmare in .00371 seconds.

I blame my brain.
And in all honesty--it's how I've trained myself to think.
It's a function I've worked hard to hang on to (and yes, I know that's mostly self serving). And it's endorsed by the world around me--bless their little pea-pickin' hearts.

If we all make it complicated we all have reasons to quit, to give up, to not bother trying, move on, 'surrender' to things just getting to be that way...blah blah blah...perfect excuse.

Perfect excuse, Mel.

*sigh*

I KNOW it's an excuse.

And 'knowing and not doing is worse than not knowing at all'. (so says WPIML)

See--that's the trouble. I know too freaking much. And because I know too freaking much I cannot be expected to be responsible if some of this stuff falls out of my brain and I, consequently, have a stupid acting moment.

k....that was pretty good!!
I'll have to tuck that away and use that one again!

It's not true--but what the heck. I'm into complicating stuff and making excuses--one more for the repetoire!

I know.
I KNOW.

It's all about me, even though none of it's about me and it's all about me.
*sigh*

Simple, Mel.
SIMPLE.

The answer is LOVE.
Always has been....always will be.
No matter how I complicate it and justify it and excuse or rationalize or deny--the answer is always LOVE.


I get to love as I've always wanted TO love.
That's a cool thing.

Boy.
See!

Simple.



*sigh* I'm such a dweeb sometimes.
See. I don't need to call a WPIML--they live in my brain.

.....yeahyeahyeah....I'll go make a phone call......

Quilt Barn #7 The Wannabe

TFTD

The world we live in has much that is good and much that is bad. Each day we can seek out the positive or the negative. If we choose to dwell on the negative, then that is what we will experience. But if we dwell on the positive, then that is more likely what we will experience.

The choice today is ours. We are the only ones who have the power to change how we look at the world.

How do I view the world today?

Thought for the Day

It is remarkable how things change when I decide to change the way I look at them.

Snowflake

Today's Fairy Reminder

It's not hurrying but steady effort that finally brings achievement. We've had entirely too much hurry and impatience - what we really need is confident, persistent effort in the right direction. We should be specially reminded of this when we see anxious, impatient people speeding through traffic only to be forced to wait at traffic lights, risking life and limb to save a few seconds. A good steady pace is what we need, and it will win the game.

I'll be active today, but not overactive. I'll look for rhythm and efficiency in everything I do.

Stick 'em out, plug 'em in and hug 'em decorating

These....are busy feets.

Up.
Down.
Up.
Down.
Oh yeah...and
..muttermuttermutter....
(cuz the updownupdown comes with muttermuttermutter apparently)


Not to worry-- the updownupdown muttermuttermutter lights are up and working after several 'breaks' in which Mel supplied endless amounts of encouragement AND a round or two of 'Frosty the Snowman' (loud and offkey of course).


AND--cuz I'm special (not to mention that I whine well and get my way frequently....)

TA DA!!!!!!

Yup.
Penguin first!
*snickering*

I'll note that no muttermuttermutter happened during the stick 'em out, plug 'em in and hug 'em of the penguin.

OR Mr. Snowman!
(Another fine example of the stick 'em out, plug 'em in and hug 'em decorating!)

I mean really-- you could mutter at that face?

Awwwwww....

:-)

Oh--and himself says it's 'fun' doing the updownupdown muttermuttermutter lights.

Uh huh.
I'll note he did not hug a single darn one of those lights.

NOT ONE.

*humming happily*

Icy fingers and 8 foot penguin

I love that himself has decided NOW is the time to get those decorations outside--up.
I mean, we were having 60 degree days.....now--notsomuch.

Ah yes--there's something about freezing your ears off and losing all feeling in your fingers!
Wouldn't be the season without it!

Penguin!
MUST get the penguin out.
yeahyeahyeah....multi functioning tree and lit up prezzies...

PENGUIN! Poor Penfold Penguin....

OH!! And let's not forget 8' Mr. Snowman!

yeahyeahyeah....multi functioning tree with lit up prezzies.....

AFTER PENGUIN!

<-- will win this one.....

A touch of ice

Today's Reading

Happiness is not a matter of events; it depends upon the tides of the mind.
--Alice Meynell

It's all too easy to blame a friend, spouse, or co-worker for the uneven quality of our lives. If only others would behave according to our plans and dictates, then all would go well, we think. What seldom is remembered or even understood is that each of us has an individual perspective on any single event - our own. We need to stretch our minds and hearts to understand an experience from another's point of view. However, we need never fully understand how another perceives life. We need only to accept that another's perspective is legitimate.

Our happiness is not dependent on the perceptions or the actions of someone else. Nor is it dependent on attention, or lack of it, from a loved one. Our occupation may be challenging and fulfilling; however, the joy we get from it depends on the attitude we carry to the job. In every way, whether in the company of others or by ourselves, we make our own happiness.

My opportunity for happiness is guaranteed if I opt for it today.

Tall Bush Tree Decorating 101

Yup--it's up!
And what great fun. Seriously!

Well, it was great fun after moving the furniture around three times.
It took three turns....things were lopsided...unbalanced, even.
And yes huh (!!)-- I can too move a couch and a loveseat......and tables and such....
I just can't lift anything over 50 pounds.
I wasn't lifting.
I was shoving.

No persons were actually killed during this flurry of holiday decorating event. (the evening is not over yet......) And the very tall Hanukkah bush...tree is up and the candles mini lights are lit.

There's gold and blue red everywhere.....himself is a happy little fella, humming away and being all sorts of festive. I might even get some hot cider outta this if I play my cards right!

Is the outside decorated?
Nope!
Was is flittering snowflakes today?
Yup!

OH!!!!

OH OH OH!!!!!!

Snowman in a bucket is still downstairs!!!!!!

<-- must free the snowman in a bucket!

(after hot apple cider......)

....JUST sayin'......

Discovery

Thought for the Day

How often we use a limited perspective to look at our life - especially when we are going through a difficult time.

We can learn to have a different perspective when we are going through those confusing, difficult learning times. When we are being pelted by events that make us feel, think, and question, we are in the midst of learning something important.

We can trust that something valuable is being worked out in us - even when things are difficult, even when we cannot get our bearings. Insight and clarity do not come until we have mastered our lesson.

Today, I will trust that the events in my life are not random. My experiences are not a mistake. The Universe, my Higher Power, and life are not picking on me. I am going through what I need to go through to learn something valuable.

Consolation Bread Stick

She did NOT like Santa--

Did I not say to the girl "You are NOT going to make her go sit on some stranger's lap--are we not teaching her about stranger danger?"

Yeah well....

She stood next to Santa.... And screamed.

At least she's got the screamin' part down pat?
SCREAM if you don't feel safe near some strange man......with or without a red hat.

Pooooor thing....

Breadsticks and Nana made it all better.

*woof woof* (Happy Thanksgiving!!)

Fog Bank

TFTD

One of the best ways to get out of the self-pity trap is to do some "instant bookkeeping." For every entry of misery on the debit side of our ledger, we can surely find a blessing to mark on the credit side: the health we enjoy, the illnesses we don't have, the friends who love us and who allow us to love them, the gift of another 24 hours, a good day's work. If we but try, we can easily list a whole string of credits that will far outweigh the debit entries which cause self-pity.

Is my emotional balance on the credit side today?

Schizophrenic Spousal Unit Maybe?

Yup--so.....

The girl sent a text late last night and I let himself know this morning--they're gonna come this evening, stay the night and have dinner with us tomorrow.

k.......keep in mind this is the man who, when he went to bed last evening was all sortsa excited cuz 'The bug is coming--we'll listen to the Elmo Duckie Song and dance with the penguin....and toys will be strewn about the house....and she'll say UP...and NO, even when she means YES. The bug is coming, the bug is coming!'

This morning?
'Tonight?.....Great--I'll have the bug underfoot while I'm trying to fix dinner. And what time are they coming--will they be here for dinner? Great....'

Hold on.
Last night it was The bug is coming! The bug is coming!!--now it's 'great.....'?!
K..... I suggested we simply order pizza and chicken. Problem solved!
Afterall, it's good that they're coming.....we can PLAY and stuff!

I was smart--I scrambled off to work (good plan for everyone involved!) AND I sent a text to the girl.

'Ring the grandad who's having a meltdown about what to do for dinner and what time you'll arrive...YES come tonight please--we'll order pizza and play!'

Did she?
Of course.....and then grandad rang me at work

'The bug'll be here about six, which might be seven..ish....--the girl said we can just order pizza when they get here. The bug is coming! The bug is coming!'

I hung up the phone and concluded I have a schizophrenic spousal unit.

And the text from the girl:
'Called grandad and the bug was very happy she got to talk to him. See you sixish!'

Oh......she is her mother's child.
She put the BUG on the phone.

*snickering*
Oh she's a smart one......


Oh. And the bug is coming! The bug is coming!! :-D

Dam......

Fairy Reading for the Day

Stronger than doubt

Your doubts may feel strong and compelling, yet you are much stronger. After all, you have the ability to take action.
Your doubts require a certain specific scenario in order to make any sense. You, however, can work your way to a whole new scenario in which those old doubts will have no validity.

Every action you take is a triumph over your doubts. Start small if you must, build up to bigger, more consequential actions, and those doubts will surely and steadily fade away.

Your doubts get all of their energy from you. And you don't ever have to give them any more of it.

Instead, put your energy into positive, effective action. Put your energy into dreaming big, wonderful, meaningful dreams, then step forward and act to give those dreams life.

Even the biggest doubts are no match for the power of your passion. Put that passion into action, and leave your doubts behind.

Spanned waters

Things that make me happy

....the 'emu or possibly an ostrich' defrosting in the fridge.

....himself's pattern of waiting til the last minute to BUY the emu/ostrich cuz he can't quite wrap his head around how big the freezer REALLY is.....which is how he ends up with the ostrich/emu in the first place.

....shiny red, green and gold jingle bells.

....spicy pumpkin smells.

....brilliant full moons slipping between wispy clouds.

....penguin lights! :-)

....putting snowflakes on the windows. ALL the windows. :-D

Watchtower

Fairy Dust

Living peacefully and happily is up to me.

Second Round!

I have glue stuck to my fingers.
I might even have some stuck to my palms....

Seriously.
Glue.
Like....mass amounts of glue.

*looking around for witnesses*

k......I mighta put it on there willingly.

It'll dry before himself resurfaces from the basement........

.........so....like.....I can peel it off and not get caught.

THAT'S the bestest part!

k........
Both parts--the peeling AND the not getting caught. *snickering*

Camoleaf

Today's Reminder from the Reading Fairy

When am I manipulative?

Without understanding our motives, we can easily lapse into behavior aimed at manipulating others.

Sulking is a means of letting others know we are displeased and forcing them to attempt to win our approval.

Flattery is a false expression of approval that we don't really feel - giving others good strokes for our own purpose.

Withholding deserved praise is a means of putting others down, something we're likely to do because of our jealousy.

Manipulative behavior is almost always selfish behavior.

It is usually a false means of trying to get our own way.

It is certainly an immature way of dealing with people and situations.

The best way to avoid being manipulative is to be ourselves at all times.

We have neither the right nor the responsibility to control or regulate other people.

Our best approach, in trying to influence another's actions, is simply to state our own case with sincerity and honesty.

Others must be free to act, free to choose, and free to make their own decisions without manipulative interference on our part.

I will be myself at all times today.

I will not assume false roles simply for the purpose of bending others to my own will.

Save worthy

.....there is something you must always remember.

you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

Birch bit

Fairy Reading for the Day

We are better than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less. -- Anonymous

We are wonderful, capable human beings worthy of love and happiness. We all have a gift to give the world that can't be duplicated. No one else is exactly like us. The problem is, we don't believe it.

We are used to thinking about all our negative qualities and become expert at putting ourselves down.

We have a hard time believing and accepting our own goodness and gifts.

When we have a negative attitude, only one person can change it - us.

We have the power to choose to change our thinking - if we want to. It takes a courageous person to risk getting positive and hopeful.

Today let me believe I am better than I know.

Disruption

Fairy Dust

True humility occurs when we stop shaming or inflating ourselves and begin accepting ourselves as no worse and no better than anyone else. Then all people are our peers and we have become our right size.

Quilt Barn #6

It's been a week now....

And I'm still feeling 'off'.

Things aren't working like they oughta be.
Food in, food out.
*shaking head*

It's been two years since I've felt like this.
I have not missed it.
Just sayin'......

In the meantime it's interfering with my ability to do what I'd like to.
I did manage to leave work after (another!) half day. And I spent the afternoon digging through photos and taking them off the laptop......yup.....OFF.
This is why the handy dandy little plug in memory thingy is a brilliant thing.

Not that I accomplised a lot.
I kept checking folders and 'ooohhhh-ing' and 'ahhhh-ing' and remembering the moment.
This is a good thing--the remembering the moment deal.
I mean I forget stuff just as fast as I take it in.
Remembering is probably a luxury for today.

Gawddddddd..I not only feel old, I act old!
*sigh*

Full Spectrum

My daily reminder that G-d keeps His promises....
A bit of light from the 'just so' angle and I have rainbows.
Huge, plate sized rainbows sometimes.
Other times ones that dance across the wall....drawn out to thin rainbow lines, waiting for an excuse to arch....

I needed the rainbow reminder.
....that and the eagles....

Thought for the Day

"To thine own self be true." "Live the life you were meant to live." "Be the person you were meant to be." These statements convey a wonderful truth - that when we go inside and trust our intuition, life opens before us. When we ignore our inner leanings, however, trouble arises.

Trying to live out somebody else's life script is like putting a size 10 foot into a size 7 shoe. The size simply does not fit. No matter how hard you force yourself to adjust to your situation, the discomfort continues. Why not start off with the right fit?

Acknowledge your unique gifts and talents, as well as your wants and needs.

Then seek out situations and circumstances that will allow them their full expression.

This route may take time, but the results are worth it - a life of peace and fulfillment that comes from being true to yourself.

The boys are back in town......

They're a bit skittish this time of year. But boy am I excited to see those lumps on the tree branches...

They make the whole season worthwhile.

Fairy Reminder

A part of growing is learning to identify who owns what. Then we let each person own and possess his or her rightful property. If another person has an addiction, a problem, a feeling, or a self-defeating behavior, that is their property, not ours. If someone is a martyr, immersed in negativity, controlling, or manipulative, that is their issue, not ours. If someone has acted and experienced a particular consequence, both the behavior and the consequence belong to that person. People's lies, deceptions, tricks, manipulations, abusive behaviors, inappropriate behaviors, cheating behaviors, and tacky behaviors belong to them, too. Not us.

People's hopes and dreams are their property. Their guilt belongs to them too. Their happiness or misery is also theirs. So are their beliefs and messages. If some people don't like themselves, that is their choice. Their choices are their property, not ours. What people choose to say and do is their business.

What is our property? Our property includes our behaviors, problems, feelings, happiness, misery, choices, and messages; our ability to love, care, and nurture; our thoughts, our denial, our hopes and dreams for ourselves. Whether we allow ourselves to be controlled, manipulated, deceived, or mistreated is our business. We learn an appropriate sense of ownership. If something isn't ours, we don't take it. If we take it, we learn to give it back. Let other people have their property, and learn to own and take good care of what's ours.

Today, I will work at developing a clear sense of what belongs to me, and what doesn't. If it's not mine, I won't keep it. I will deal with myself, my issues, and my responsibilities.

.....oh but when the fog lifts......

Right then.

I'm of the opinion that 'he-who-must-be-neurotic' is just stressed.
And I'm of the opinion that my malady is the direct result of stress.

So.....one stressed person + another stressed person = two stressed people.

Basic math.
I think I have that correct.....

It also means we are NOT dealing well with the stressors around us.
I THOUGHT I was doing better.....

Obviously notsomuch.
Maybe it's just catching up with me--and him?

Okay, that's it.
Time to decide what I want calling the shots in my life.
Me.....or the circumstances that I don't get to control.

Currently, it would appear the circumstances are winning.

k....
That sucks.

Oh wait.
I can hear WPIML telling me to CHOOSE.......

I'm gonna CHOOSE to have some vitamin water with electrolytes.
And grumble.

And then I'm gonna ring WPIML and grumble some more....AND whine!

I'm sure I'll sleep better for that experience. (I laughed when I typed that....)

The touch of fog

Another Reminder--

The evolution of human growth is an evolution from an absolute need to be loved towards a full readiness to give love. --Dr. Karl Stern

As children, we looked to our parents for love, for clothes and food, for an indication of who we were. If our needs were met, we felt secure. As developing adults, we still seek love. We continue yearning for security and all too often our self-definition comes through someone else.

But a healthy sign of our growth is revealed each time we extend love to another with no thought that love is owed us in return. We can show our love in myriad ways - a genuine smile, a note of appreciation, an unexpected favor, perhaps flowers, or a phone call.

Warmly giving another attention in any form is an act of love, one that will be repaid in full by someone, at some time. The ease with which we genuinely love others is directly proportional to our commitment to loving as a priority in our lives.

To love is a decision first, an action second, a value next.

Oh boy.....

So--where's the training.

At the training center--I sent an email.

Well...gosh golly.. Go figure I'm at the training center. Which room?

Mel--it's the 23rd.

Yeah. And I'm at the training center--which room is the training?

No....I mean the training is on the 23rd. You're seven days early.

Ohhh.... As in today isn't the 23rd. So....seven from twenty three is sixteen--it's the 16th and the training is on the 23rd. k....wrong week on the calendar!!! Ohmygawdddd....

(a bit of chuckling on the other end of the phone)

So....I drove 75 minutes IN the fog when I don't even feel the least bit good...and I'm a week early....cuz it's the wrong flipping week opened on my calendar....

Go home.

75 minutes...IN the fog--I even left early so I'd be on time, dangit. And I don't freaking feel good to begin with!

Go home--feel better.

Ummmmm....fine....I'll go home IN the fog. Can we pretend this conversation didn't happen to save me further embarassment?

The sun is coming out--go home.

No really. Pretend I never called. Oh--except to tell you that I'm unwell and not going in to work today....sorta....kinda....starting now....



O

M

G

Fairy Wisdom

Some of us live within a framework of shame. One symptom of this is we minimize our achievements, feelings, needs, or opinions. Behind that is our feeling that we aren't and can't do anything special. So it figures we would find a way to discount whatever we do.

Two words we use frequently are "just" and "only." We say things like, "Our house has only two bedrooms" or "I only got a red ribbon at the state fair, and my tomatoes didn't place" or "I'll just eat these leftovers for dinner, and you can have the steak." These are ways of saying, "I don't count." But, of course, we do count.

How freeing it is to grow to the place where we say, "I've only entered the state fair once and I won a ribbon. I'm proud of myself." Or, "No, I don't want the leftovers either. Let's share the steak." We give strength to minimizing attitudes when we use minimizing words. We deserve better.

Today, I will not minimize my achievements or needs. I will give someone an honest opinion about an issue that matters to me.

Double 'uggghhhhh.....'

*sigh*

One in the afternoon and I landed home?

Yeah, well....I did get done the 'required' work stuff. The rest someone else will be taking care of.

The Brit left for the weekend and what fun stuff did I do?
Nuffin'......
k....I made cards.
I made cards inbetween intimate moments with the bathroom?
Didn't see the bug.
Didn't go to meetings.
Didn't go on an adventure (did go on a walk though!).
Didn't do sick'em.

And I thought today would be better and I'd be functional.....HA.
I don't know what I did.
It's not like I cheated and had a 'wheat product' fest while he was gone.
I WAS GOOD DANGITALL....

Did it matter?
NO.

*sigh*

I was reminded that five of the kiddos were down with some 'crud' last week--perhaps that's what I have a 'touch of'?
Yeah......well, if this is the 'touch', I'd hate to see what the full blown works does.

*sigh*
So I did the morning, took care of stuff and vacated for home for what purpose?
Oh. To rest and feel better.
It's not that I feel crappy.
Just tired and achy and....dumb......

I'll check the new lotion and bubble bath I started up with last week. I thought I checked it, but I coulda been wrong.
And I'll go back to inventory 'stuff' that I ate.
Maybe the answer is there.....or maybe it's just a stupid 'touch' of the crud the kiddos were doing last week.....

Or maybe it doesn't matter and I'm just crabby!

Whoa.

*laughing*

I'm crabby and it just don't matter!

RAWRRRRRRRR!

:-/

Ughhhhhh

<-- this is Mel's yard

<-- this is Mel's WHOLE yard

<-- as in totally covered in leafy things



I'll hope for wind......

....blowing that way ---------->

Today's Thought

The only lessons that matter for our lives at this time will come to us today. Just as what we needed and were ready for yesterday came yesterday, tomorrow insures more of the same. Concerning ourselves with any other moment but the present prevents us from responding when "the teacher appears."

In years gone by, we perhaps hung onto yesterday's problems. We may still struggle to hang onto them. Or perhaps we try to see too far ahead. But we are learning that there is a right time for all growth. A right time for all experiences. And the right time may not fit our timetable. What doesn't come our way today, will come when the time is right. Each day we are granted just what is needed. We need not worry about the future. It will offer us whatever rightly comes next, but it can't do so until we have experienced these 24 hours before us.

There is wonder and joy awaiting me, each day. The growth I experience is just what is needed at this time. I am a student, and the teacher will appear.

All Wrapped Up

Reading for the Day

I often think I'm not doing enough with my life. I paint, I golf, I dabble, but is that enough?
--Abby Warman

Nobody can answer the question posed by Abby but ourselves. The point is, are we content? If we hesitate even a moment before replying, perhaps we need to reconsider how we're spending our time.

The solution to fulfillment is simple: Express only love to the others in our lives. It's not what we do, ever, but how we do it. If focusing on giving only love and acceptance to others gives us pleasure, could we want for anything more?

There is nothing anyone can do that's more important than helping another person feel loved or forgiven, if that's called for. Whether we are working or merely at play, our opportunities are unending. We'll know we have done enough if we have welcomed them.

Today I can offer love to someone quite easily. Both of us will be rewarded.

Saturday's excitement

It's been a very quiet day.
It's been a very cold day. Well--feels cold even though it's 37 degrees. The wind picked up and it's been drizzling most of the day.

I managed a walk this morning--that was before I discovered that it really WAS cold.

And this afternoon I destroyed the dining room and played with holiday card making.

I'm just warmin' up. LOL

Literally and figuratively, of course.
I got 15 cards done.
I'll consider that round one!!

.....oh yeah.....didn't I say I was going to BUY our holiday cards this year?
I think I did....

Oops?