On Monday, my brother-in-law, a paraplegic pain managment physician, was admitted to the hospital with a high fever and high white blood count with a severe infection.
That same evening, a friend who is also my daughter's Girl Scout leader said she had just returned with her husband from the oncologist in planning chemotherapy for the next year for his rare cancer.
Wednesday, I received a text message from my sister in law, telling me that her daughter was back in the hospital after only two and a half weeks, suffering yet again from terrible pain of colitis, and not able to keep anything, food-wise, in her body.
Last week, my mother-in-law lost two friends to cancer and illness.
Our nephew, a US National Guard volunteer, last week heard that he would be sent back to Iraq in November, and his term with the Guard was to end in June.
My husband's business is at the cusp of greatness. Our older daughter is excited, yet hesitant about middle school next year. Our younger daughter is going camping at the zoo tonight. My days are filled with working at the school, for my husband and my mother, and at my home fulfilling the responsibilities of wife and mother.
Am I complaining about my personal life now? Not any more.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Sound. Listen.
Go outside and listen.
Okay, now that you’re back, what did you hear? Do you hear the TV inside, your phone ringing, traffic from a nearby thoroughfare or a car driving down the road in front of your home? Or was it just, Quiet. The buzz of a fluorescent street light or electricity poles, a faraway dog barking, crickets, or just the tiny cracks and creaks and droppings of the earth as a soft wind rustles through the debris on the ground. The Quiet sound is lovely.
The quantity of sound in cities has increased in the last two hundred years. Especially back in the early times after the death of Christ, there were no automobiles to cause engine and horn noise giving you the dull roar of a nearby busy road, only horses hooves clopping along the stone and dirt roadways. Electricity did not exist, eliminating the sounds of a television, stereo, blow dryers and washing machines. No telephones meant no ringing, blinging cells and home phones.
Wouldn’t it be nice to hear the Quiet more often? An example of this quiet was during the above mentioned times. The Roman and Greek architecture of the outdoor amphitheaters built is amazing. One sitting on the top row of the theater can hear a person whispering to another on the stage, one hundred feet away, with no microphones or speakers. The architects must have had excellent knowledge of acoustics to be able to do that, we conjecture.
But wait, how did they figure it out, so long ago, without the many formulas and equations that have only been around for a few hundred years? No fancy Mega-billion byte computers to measure and test the effects of sound, to then be implemented in an outdoor site on the outskirts of town. What an awesome evening that would be, to watch a live outdoor performance with talented artists entertaining an audience of hundreds, and to hear every word.
Listen for the quiet, and see how quiet it really isn’t.
Okay, now that you’re back, what did you hear? Do you hear the TV inside, your phone ringing, traffic from a nearby thoroughfare or a car driving down the road in front of your home? Or was it just, Quiet. The buzz of a fluorescent street light or electricity poles, a faraway dog barking, crickets, or just the tiny cracks and creaks and droppings of the earth as a soft wind rustles through the debris on the ground. The Quiet sound is lovely.
The quantity of sound in cities has increased in the last two hundred years. Especially back in the early times after the death of Christ, there were no automobiles to cause engine and horn noise giving you the dull roar of a nearby busy road, only horses hooves clopping along the stone and dirt roadways. Electricity did not exist, eliminating the sounds of a television, stereo, blow dryers and washing machines. No telephones meant no ringing, blinging cells and home phones.
Wouldn’t it be nice to hear the Quiet more often? An example of this quiet was during the above mentioned times. The Roman and Greek architecture of the outdoor amphitheaters built is amazing. One sitting on the top row of the theater can hear a person whispering to another on the stage, one hundred feet away, with no microphones or speakers. The architects must have had excellent knowledge of acoustics to be able to do that, we conjecture.
But wait, how did they figure it out, so long ago, without the many formulas and equations that have only been around for a few hundred years? No fancy Mega-billion byte computers to measure and test the effects of sound, to then be implemented in an outdoor site on the outskirts of town. What an awesome evening that would be, to watch a live outdoor performance with talented artists entertaining an audience of hundreds, and to hear every word.
Listen for the quiet, and see how quiet it really isn’t.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
The Heart is a Muscle
Have you seen the new New Balance running shoe television advertisement? It features a male runner, plodding through a techno-futuristic-high-rise landscape with a grim look on his face. It appears that he has gone quite a distance, for the sweat on his body glistens to display this. The ad addresses balance, and achieving it through running. A Love / Hate symbol appears at the upper left hand side of the screen, and as the commercial comes to a close, and the man fades away, a smile beginning to creep across his face, the Love side of the graphic enlarges, while the Hate reduces – Love / Hate. We love to grow, get stronger and faster, but we sometimes hate the process we must go through to reach that.
A friend made an analogy between this type of muscle growth – a race, to win, compared to the trials and tribulations of life, for our goal of a stronger, more peaceful life. When we work out our bodies lifting weights, running, biking, swimming, or participating in a team sport, we actually tear down healthy muscle to build new, stronger muscle in its place. It sounds a bit backwards when you think about it, that we actually break down, and feel the pain sometimes, to reach a goal. To win a race, to score points, to be more healthy.
This tearing down of our own bodies puts into perspective some of the trials we go through in life. By trials, I’m talking about love hurts, family issues, raising children, financial difficulties, illness and death. Everyone has trials. Life is not easy, whether you have lots or little of wealth, beauty, talent or intelligence.
I feel safe in saying that every person in the western world has been hurt physically and emotionally in some way in their lifetime. Of course, the degree of hurt or pain may vary according to the way it happened or was inflicted. We’ve all bumped, scratched or bruised at least some part of our body. Some of us have had illness and life-changing surgery. We all had a brother or sister or friend that said something mean to us and hurt our feelings, and many of us have been hurt much worse by the words or actions of a colleague, dear friend or family member. And many of us have dealt with financial strain, brought upon by emergency situations or by our own misdeeds. And death, it speaks for itself as a trial.
The beautiful thing is that we can regard these trials as the tearing down of our heart, as opposed to our muscles, but that the tearing will reap a stronger heart, revealing a faster recovery time the next time we endure a hurt. The process of healing, if we can recognize it, is when we can realize that we are not in control. The next time pain happens, we are better/faster at healing and dealing with it.
Pain is there for a reason, so rejoice in it! We will be stronger in the future.
A friend made an analogy between this type of muscle growth – a race, to win, compared to the trials and tribulations of life, for our goal of a stronger, more peaceful life. When we work out our bodies lifting weights, running, biking, swimming, or participating in a team sport, we actually tear down healthy muscle to build new, stronger muscle in its place. It sounds a bit backwards when you think about it, that we actually break down, and feel the pain sometimes, to reach a goal. To win a race, to score points, to be more healthy.
This tearing down of our own bodies puts into perspective some of the trials we go through in life. By trials, I’m talking about love hurts, family issues, raising children, financial difficulties, illness and death. Everyone has trials. Life is not easy, whether you have lots or little of wealth, beauty, talent or intelligence.
I feel safe in saying that every person in the western world has been hurt physically and emotionally in some way in their lifetime. Of course, the degree of hurt or pain may vary according to the way it happened or was inflicted. We’ve all bumped, scratched or bruised at least some part of our body. Some of us have had illness and life-changing surgery. We all had a brother or sister or friend that said something mean to us and hurt our feelings, and many of us have been hurt much worse by the words or actions of a colleague, dear friend or family member. And many of us have dealt with financial strain, brought upon by emergency situations or by our own misdeeds. And death, it speaks for itself as a trial.
The beautiful thing is that we can regard these trials as the tearing down of our heart, as opposed to our muscles, but that the tearing will reap a stronger heart, revealing a faster recovery time the next time we endure a hurt. The process of healing, if we can recognize it, is when we can realize that we are not in control. The next time pain happens, we are better/faster at healing and dealing with it.
Pain is there for a reason, so rejoice in it! We will be stronger in the future.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
No Electricity
I’m ready to go back to the dark ages and eliminate electricity (E). My reason for this is the busyness of our lives. We would be so much less busy if we had none. After talking with several other people this week, bemoaning the constant “to do” list, I was thinking about what we could eliminate to be less frantic. The primary factors in many of our hectic lives are available because of E, because without E we could not build and maintain them:
1. Cell phones and phones in general
2. Email via Computers
3. Television with hundreds of stations
3. Automobiles enabling us to go places faster
4. FedEx/Mail delivery to get things to people faster
With the above modes, it is so much easier to create expectations that things will happen faster. And fast is the word that equals busy. Because something CAN happen fast, people expect that it will, regardless of other priorities.
Think back to early days with no electricity. To invite someone over or to ask someone to help you with a task, you’d have to physically go to their home or send a messenger and travel via foot, horseback or other four-footed creature. No cell phone call, email or text message. No planes, trains or automobiles associated with FedEx or US Postal Service Express mail.
Same goes for buying something. The printed word was much more valuable, with beautifully written pages with excellent word choices or grammar, now it’s acronyms in text messages and speedily written emails. Now you can turn on the TV and see advertisements for every type of product out there, from prescription drugs to fast food. Go online to buy it, and it can be delivered via swift or unhurried delivery.
Of course, I’m getting this message out via the www which is plugged into electricity and cyberspace, but that’s just the way it is. I think I’ll turn off my computer, my lights, and go to bed. Should I unplug my alarm clock too?
1. Cell phones and phones in general
2. Email via Computers
3. Television with hundreds of stations
3. Automobiles enabling us to go places faster
4. FedEx/Mail delivery to get things to people faster
With the above modes, it is so much easier to create expectations that things will happen faster. And fast is the word that equals busy. Because something CAN happen fast, people expect that it will, regardless of other priorities.
Think back to early days with no electricity. To invite someone over or to ask someone to help you with a task, you’d have to physically go to their home or send a messenger and travel via foot, horseback or other four-footed creature. No cell phone call, email or text message. No planes, trains or automobiles associated with FedEx or US Postal Service Express mail.
Same goes for buying something. The printed word was much more valuable, with beautifully written pages with excellent word choices or grammar, now it’s acronyms in text messages and speedily written emails. Now you can turn on the TV and see advertisements for every type of product out there, from prescription drugs to fast food. Go online to buy it, and it can be delivered via swift or unhurried delivery.
Of course, I’m getting this message out via the www which is plugged into electricity and cyberspace, but that’s just the way it is. I think I’ll turn off my computer, my lights, and go to bed. Should I unplug my alarm clock too?
Monday, March 24, 2008
Thirty Minutes A Day
I'm always writing. Whether I'm folding laundry, preparing a meal or even speaking to someone, I can see words in my head that I'd like to put down on paper. Unfortunately, it's difficult to multi-task with something such as writing, because you must either put hand to pen to paper, or hands to keyboard to computer or typewriter that is actually plugged in and turned on. It's so frustrating to me sometimes that I can't get to that point of putting words into being.
As a wanna-be published writer, in the year 2008 no less, I must train myself to write at least thirty minutes a day, as is suggested by many writing handbooks and magazines. Thirty minutes is not much time, but finding that thirty minutes can be diffifult. Of course, I usually will write for thirty minutes a day, but not always on a single piece or on a topic of my choosing. The writing time comes from either a response to an email, an assignment from my husband for his business (presentation, news release or product label), a thank you letter or a note to my children's teachers or principal.
The thirty minute desired daily result for me is either blogging, as I am doing now, writing on my weekend story or my beans story, or writing about a topic from my ever growing list. Maintaining the interest in the task at the time in one of the above means is part of my problem. With so much going on in life it is difficult for me to focus on one topic at a time. As I write right now, I am indecisive as to whether I should work on this once a week blog or pursue one of the aforementioned tasks. Or should I let in the cat who is meowing on the front porch and feed the dog his morning meal? Should I open my TOPICS file add another idea to my list? Decisions! I think I could be described as being ADHD because I never lack for something to do, and it is just prioritizing the need for all those tasks that is my dificulty. In prioritizing, I nearly always can find something more "productive" to do than write. But this feels so good right now to get words on a screeen!
Timer's up, I've had my thirty minutes for today. On to the next task with words floating in my head and never getting on a screen.
As a wanna-be published writer, in the year 2008 no less, I must train myself to write at least thirty minutes a day, as is suggested by many writing handbooks and magazines. Thirty minutes is not much time, but finding that thirty minutes can be diffifult. Of course, I usually will write for thirty minutes a day, but not always on a single piece or on a topic of my choosing. The writing time comes from either a response to an email, an assignment from my husband for his business (presentation, news release or product label), a thank you letter or a note to my children's teachers or principal.
The thirty minute desired daily result for me is either blogging, as I am doing now, writing on my weekend story or my beans story, or writing about a topic from my ever growing list. Maintaining the interest in the task at the time in one of the above means is part of my problem. With so much going on in life it is difficult for me to focus on one topic at a time. As I write right now, I am indecisive as to whether I should work on this once a week blog or pursue one of the aforementioned tasks. Or should I let in the cat who is meowing on the front porch and feed the dog his morning meal? Should I open my TOPICS file add another idea to my list? Decisions! I think I could be described as being ADHD because I never lack for something to do, and it is just prioritizing the need for all those tasks that is my dificulty. In prioritizing, I nearly always can find something more "productive" to do than write. But this feels so good right now to get words on a screeen!
Timer's up, I've had my thirty minutes for today. On to the next task with words floating in my head and never getting on a screen.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Analogy
When you hear the first strains of a piece of music, and it appeals to you, it strikes a chord (pardon the pun) in your heart and brain that it is something to be pursued, that is, you want to keep listening. The bass or snare drums, the strum or screech of a guitar, a soft or intense voice, something about the tempo and just the recognition of the sound of it draws you in. As the song builds, whether by beat or lyrics, a smile forms on your face, and you are pleased. Most songs have an introduction, a chorus and a crescendo. If you are listening to a compilation, as in a CD, different aspects of the music stay similar, whether it's the voice or the instrumentation. Each song builds upon the next, and when you've listened to the first few cuts, and you are now drawn in, sometimes you don't want to turn it off. You want to finish it.
The same thing happens when you open a book with writing that pleases you. It is on a topic you want to pursue - be it mystery, romance or non-fiction, it is well-written, and it is familiar in language and style. Each book and hopefully each chapter has an introduction, a chorus (repeat of character names and personalities), and a crescendo, to keep the reader enticed until the finale. Instead of using the hearing sense, you are using the sense of vision and touch - to turn the pages.
Music and writing are both very creative endeavors, and I am in awe of those who can write lyrics and music. What an endeavor to be able to create something with different sounds and beats and words and assemble it in a manner that it sounds good. Of course, not everyone likes the same music or writing, and that is the beautiful thing about all the different personalities of the world. There is something for everyone.
This analogy came to me as I listened to my brother's band, the Blackouts, on Saturday night at Bar of Soap in Dallas. I'd heard them play several times years ago, and the lyrics and beat (they are so tight) drew me right in again, as if I was reading it, I mean hearing it, for the first time. It was an awesome time, and I thank my brother Chris for the invitation.
Good Night.
The same thing happens when you open a book with writing that pleases you. It is on a topic you want to pursue - be it mystery, romance or non-fiction, it is well-written, and it is familiar in language and style. Each book and hopefully each chapter has an introduction, a chorus (repeat of character names and personalities), and a crescendo, to keep the reader enticed until the finale. Instead of using the hearing sense, you are using the sense of vision and touch - to turn the pages.
Music and writing are both very creative endeavors, and I am in awe of those who can write lyrics and music. What an endeavor to be able to create something with different sounds and beats and words and assemble it in a manner that it sounds good. Of course, not everyone likes the same music or writing, and that is the beautiful thing about all the different personalities of the world. There is something for everyone.
This analogy came to me as I listened to my brother's band, the Blackouts, on Saturday night at Bar of Soap in Dallas. I'd heard them play several times years ago, and the lyrics and beat (they are so tight) drew me right in again, as if I was reading it, I mean hearing it, for the first time. It was an awesome time, and I thank my brother Chris for the invitation.
Good Night.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Sorry Election Process
Well, Well, it's another election year, or rather, a continuation of the process that takes a lifetime to reach as an individual who declares he or she wants to be president some day. Maybe they aren't born with this intuitiveness, but once someone makes the suggestion, or they come up with it on their own, they can be destined to pursue it. Others, who usually fail, may just think of it too late, and that is why they do not succeed. They haven't made a plan in their mind over a lifetime.
Back to the process - and the ridiculousness of it. I'd like to list the idocracy of each part.
1. The wasted campaign money - millions of dollars that could be spent on the very things the candidate is campaigning for.
2. The wasted energy - the burning of energy for travelling from state to state.
3. The burden on the candidate on their physical body.
4. The waste of television and radio time, and print media space for coverage and advertising. Texas Independence day was not even mentioned on the 10 o'clock news in Austin last week on March 2, as the Democratic primary was approaching.
5. The stupidity of those who will vote for another's party in the primary to assure the failure of a particular candidate, i.e.: Republicans in Texas who voted in the Democratic primary for Hillary to make sure Obama didn't get the nomination, for fear that if he is on the ticket, the Democrats have a potential for president. Huckabee had 33% in the Republican primary in Texas, and I would certainly have preferred him to wishy-washy McCain. He might have won Texas (or am I only dreaming) if all the traitor Republicans had voted for him.
Of course, I do not wish to complain without a solution, so - basically, put a limit on the dollars spent, the travelling allowed, the time spent by the candidate, and the amount of air time and print space allowed for campaigning. The media restrictions would of course violate the constitution, and we couldn't ask people to not make stupid decisions about primary voting, so I guess we're stuck with the last two.
Good night.
Back to the process - and the ridiculousness of it. I'd like to list the idocracy of each part.
1. The wasted campaign money - millions of dollars that could be spent on the very things the candidate is campaigning for.
2. The wasted energy - the burning of energy for travelling from state to state.
3. The burden on the candidate on their physical body.
4. The waste of television and radio time, and print media space for coverage and advertising. Texas Independence day was not even mentioned on the 10 o'clock news in Austin last week on March 2, as the Democratic primary was approaching.
5. The stupidity of those who will vote for another's party in the primary to assure the failure of a particular candidate, i.e.: Republicans in Texas who voted in the Democratic primary for Hillary to make sure Obama didn't get the nomination, for fear that if he is on the ticket, the Democrats have a potential for president. Huckabee had 33% in the Republican primary in Texas, and I would certainly have preferred him to wishy-washy McCain. He might have won Texas (or am I only dreaming) if all the traitor Republicans had voted for him.
Of course, I do not wish to complain without a solution, so - basically, put a limit on the dollars spent, the travelling allowed, the time spent by the candidate, and the amount of air time and print space allowed for campaigning. The media restrictions would of course violate the constitution, and we couldn't ask people to not make stupid decisions about primary voting, so I guess we're stuck with the last two.
Good night.
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