I was driving my son, Zeke, home from somewhere the other day when he said, "hey mom, can we go exploring?" I was so happy to hear him say this because, you see, I "explore" all the time. I will just take off down a road we've never been on before to see where we end up. Once Zeke and I were on a back road for over 45 minutes when I decided we needed to head back the way we came because I had no idea where we were going to end up, and we'd already been driving quite long.
Anyway, I was so glad to hear Zeke say he wanted to explore, because I think it shows a sense of adventure and light heartedness, and I believe that's good for a person. It's just a little adventure, but an adventure nonetheless, and apparently, he had enjoyed it when he was with me and I had decided I wanted to explore.
So, off we went down a road we had both wondered at some point where it went. Oh the fun we had!!! We saw 3 deer, 2 chipmunks, a squirrel AND found where the road came out - two words - new shortcut!!! In addition to that bonus, it was a great adventure with my Zekie, and we were home in less than an hour. I mean really, you can not beat that. You should try it sometime. It's like the old "Sunday drive" which I loved as a kid. It kind of puts everything on hold in our crazy lives and justs lets you be together "exploring". It's a great way to help us "keep calm and carry on."
Have fun.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Ten years after 9/11
With the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorists attacks just past, I wanted to remind people all the things we did in the days, weeks and months following that fateful day that showed why we are the greatest country on earth. Do you remember how everyone started flying their American flags at their homes. I loved that. Every car that was on the highway had some kind of American symbol on it. Flags, eagles, military. At sporting events or other large gatherings we started new traditions everywhere related to patriotism and our love of this great nation. I also remember how we kind of all supported each other. We seemed like a kinder people. Can we all please get back to these things? It made us a better nation.
What I don't want to remember was the fear we all felt. Some much stronger and different than others. We were a nation under attack and as a people, we responded with a natural reaction; fight back. However, I cautious you to be careful with fear because it can also breed hatred. It is easy to hate something you don't understand, like another religion. But we really need to rise above that and understand that different doesn't mean bad or wrong. Those awful terrorists used their religion to try to justify their actions. Religion is based in Love so that just doesn't fly. Understand - they made that up. They bastardized their religion the same way someone that bombs an abortion clinic in the name of their Christianity bastardize theirs. Their religion doesn't call them to kill anymore than Christianity calls it's followers to kill and we know that it doesn't. Keep that in mind when others are bashing followers of other religions it is everyones responsibility to stand up for one another. We must remind others that terrorists are the ones that attacked our country on 9/11 not the religious group which they claim to belong. Again, I remind you, they are killers, they will say anything to try to justify their self proclaimed mission. They are making it up. Keep that in mind so we can move past the fear and hatred and that will certainly help us all "keep calm and carry on."
What I don't want to remember was the fear we all felt. Some much stronger and different than others. We were a nation under attack and as a people, we responded with a natural reaction; fight back. However, I cautious you to be careful with fear because it can also breed hatred. It is easy to hate something you don't understand, like another religion. But we really need to rise above that and understand that different doesn't mean bad or wrong. Those awful terrorists used their religion to try to justify their actions. Religion is based in Love so that just doesn't fly. Understand - they made that up. They bastardized their religion the same way someone that bombs an abortion clinic in the name of their Christianity bastardize theirs. Their religion doesn't call them to kill anymore than Christianity calls it's followers to kill and we know that it doesn't. Keep that in mind when others are bashing followers of other religions it is everyones responsibility to stand up for one another. We must remind others that terrorists are the ones that attacked our country on 9/11 not the religious group which they claim to belong. Again, I remind you, they are killers, they will say anything to try to justify their self proclaimed mission. They are making it up. Keep that in mind so we can move past the fear and hatred and that will certainly help us all "keep calm and carry on."
Life's Little Joys
I was thinking the other day how excited I get when I see a deer. Yes, just the common white tailed deer. Now, I have seen quite a few deer in my day. Hundreds, even thousands, I'm sure. I still love seeing them and think they are so beautiful each time. I hope I never lose that joy when I see a deer. That got me thinking. What other things have I done or seen or heard a million times about which I hope I never grow tired. These are a few that came to mind.
I love the sound of a train. It makes me stop what I'm doing and listen for just a minute. There aren't that many trains anymore (although I'm betting they'll be making a comeback in the next 20 years) but when I was young, there were a lot of trains. Both sets of my grandparents lived by the railroad tracks. Back then, there was a train through there about every 20 minutes. I loved it. We would run back to the creek (or crik if you prefer), because the tracks were on the other side, and wave to the engineer and guy(s) in the caboose. It was so exciting when they waved back. it was just fun. Once, as an adult, my three siblings and I were hiking in the New River Gorge when we heard a train coming through the gorge. Without saying a word, all four of us simultaneously stopped and stood silent as the train went by. It was beautiful.
Another thing I hope I never grow tired of is flying on a private plane. I've been fortunate to have had the opportunity to do that twice in my life. Wow was it exciting. Walking right into the airport, five minutes before departure, no security check, a car waiting when you land taking you whereever you need to go. I just felt giggly. I hope I never lose that feeling. What fun! I don't want THAT experience to ever become common place. That would just be boring.
I realized the other day that I really love those great big windmills. I know, I know. Lots of people don't, but I do. I don't find them obtrusive at all. I find them very reassuring and peaceful actually. I've seen a bunch of those here in WV and other places, but have never stopped being in awe. I hope I don't.
I love flowers and am always taken by the incredibly beautiful colors that nature creates every spring. When you think about it, it's really quite amazing. I always think about how amazing it is, and I think it helps me enjoy them that much more.
Little meandering steams make me feel really good inside. It feels peaceful and it reminds me of when I was young. We had a stream beside our house when I was little. We built dams, fished for minnows off the bridge and floated boats, bought and homemade, down that stream. We searched for crawdads, found box turtles and could cool off on a hot day. Water is just calming. I hope I never lose that feeling no matter how many times I see a steam or creek and put my feet in it. If you've never done that, you're missing out - try it!
These are just a few of the things I hope I never grow tired of experiencing. I get so much joy from them, I would hate to get to a point that I was taking them for granted. This all plays into the whole "attitude of gratitude". Do you appreciate the little things that bring you joy? Einstein said there are 2 kinds of people, those who think everything is a miracle and those who think nothing is. Which are you? I'm sure there are many simple things in your life that if you pay attention and recognize them, they can be part of the plan to help you keep calm and carry on.
I love the sound of a train. It makes me stop what I'm doing and listen for just a minute. There aren't that many trains anymore (although I'm betting they'll be making a comeback in the next 20 years) but when I was young, there were a lot of trains. Both sets of my grandparents lived by the railroad tracks. Back then, there was a train through there about every 20 minutes. I loved it. We would run back to the creek (or crik if you prefer), because the tracks were on the other side, and wave to the engineer and guy(s) in the caboose. It was so exciting when they waved back. it was just fun. Once, as an adult, my three siblings and I were hiking in the New River Gorge when we heard a train coming through the gorge. Without saying a word, all four of us simultaneously stopped and stood silent as the train went by. It was beautiful.
Another thing I hope I never grow tired of is flying on a private plane. I've been fortunate to have had the opportunity to do that twice in my life. Wow was it exciting. Walking right into the airport, five minutes before departure, no security check, a car waiting when you land taking you whereever you need to go. I just felt giggly. I hope I never lose that feeling. What fun! I don't want THAT experience to ever become common place. That would just be boring.
I realized the other day that I really love those great big windmills. I know, I know. Lots of people don't, but I do. I don't find them obtrusive at all. I find them very reassuring and peaceful actually. I've seen a bunch of those here in WV and other places, but have never stopped being in awe. I hope I don't.
I love flowers and am always taken by the incredibly beautiful colors that nature creates every spring. When you think about it, it's really quite amazing. I always think about how amazing it is, and I think it helps me enjoy them that much more.
Little meandering steams make me feel really good inside. It feels peaceful and it reminds me of when I was young. We had a stream beside our house when I was little. We built dams, fished for minnows off the bridge and floated boats, bought and homemade, down that stream. We searched for crawdads, found box turtles and could cool off on a hot day. Water is just calming. I hope I never lose that feeling no matter how many times I see a steam or creek and put my feet in it. If you've never done that, you're missing out - try it!
These are just a few of the things I hope I never grow tired of experiencing. I get so much joy from them, I would hate to get to a point that I was taking them for granted. This all plays into the whole "attitude of gratitude". Do you appreciate the little things that bring you joy? Einstein said there are 2 kinds of people, those who think everything is a miracle and those who think nothing is. Which are you? I'm sure there are many simple things in your life that if you pay attention and recognize them, they can be part of the plan to help you keep calm and carry on.
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