As I drive over to the community college where I'm currently doing some adjunct teaching, I've been known to belt out a song or two in the privacy of my little car. The songs are usually random, and they tend to be those that bring up good memories. Today I was in my best Kate Smith form with a strong rendition of "God Bless America". I think it came from a combination of hearing it every night of the World Series along with the memories of my dad saying that no one could sing that song like Kate.
While thinking about the words as I was singing somewhat robustly, the particular phrase "land that I love" stuck with me. That part of the song came in conjunction with me crossing a bridge over White River where the photographer in me never fails to take a quick, sweeping look to my left and right, sizing up a picture in my mind. This time of year the trees are in various stages of bareness with a few still hanging on to their leaves for all they're worth. To some, it's a depressing time of year; to me, it's beautiful. It's nature at work; even through the barrenness it's life transforming once again.
It is the land that I love. Truly my own little corner of the world.
My thoughts then went out to friends and relatives that live in different parts of the US. Those from the Southwest tell of its beauty through various descriptions; the same holds true for those from the Northeast, the Northwest, and the South. Although the pictures they create with their words are widely different, the words hold one thing in common--it is the land that they love.
So, for today, I'm going to focus not on the gibberish of people who talk for a living, who campaign for a living, or make rules upon rules for a living. Today I'm going to focus on my immediate surroundings. On my drive back, I'll turn off the noise on the radio and tune in to the trees, the harvested fields, and the various sites that make this my home--the land that I love.
And, more than likely, I'll sing again.
Have a fine day.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
A Day at a Time
Anybody else out there guilty of getting up in the morning only to have the entire day planned out, plan b'd, and worried over sufficiently?
I decided today to try something a little different.
Every time I felt concern about what needed to happen during the day or days to come or days in the past, I reminded myself of God's words to us in Matthew 6:34: "Then have no care for tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Take the trouble of the day as it comes."
So, I went about my business. I went and taught a class at the community college and it went fine. I came home, had a bit of lunch, called my mom and chatted a bit--all was well. I then cut, fixed, and had a nice visit with a nice client in my little beauty shop--very enjoyable. I got my husband ready for work, we had a nice visit before we wished each other a good evening--always a joy to spend time with the Mister. I went to the garden, picked some lovely greens, fixed a nice salad for supper--a delight. The remainder of the evening I wrote--a productive time.
I figured something out: I didn't need to worry about tomorrow--frankly, I have no idea what it will bring since I'm not in charge, thank the good Lord. I do know I'm in good hands no matter what.
I also figured out something else: There was no need to fume or worry today. All was well with the world. Did I make a million dollars? No. Do I need a million dollars? No. God provides. Did I set the world on fire? I don't believe I did. Did I do a tiny bit of good? I think so--I wrote cards to shut-ins on behalf of our church family. A small gesture, but it feels good doing God's bidding.
So, when tomorrow comes, or the next time you feel you need to be in charge enough that you have to worry about the future--give it a rest. Give yourself a rest. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
Have a fine day.
I decided today to try something a little different.
Every time I felt concern about what needed to happen during the day or days to come or days in the past, I reminded myself of God's words to us in Matthew 6:34: "Then have no care for tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Take the trouble of the day as it comes."
So, I went about my business. I went and taught a class at the community college and it went fine. I came home, had a bit of lunch, called my mom and chatted a bit--all was well. I then cut, fixed, and had a nice visit with a nice client in my little beauty shop--very enjoyable. I got my husband ready for work, we had a nice visit before we wished each other a good evening--always a joy to spend time with the Mister. I went to the garden, picked some lovely greens, fixed a nice salad for supper--a delight. The remainder of the evening I wrote--a productive time.
I figured something out: I didn't need to worry about tomorrow--frankly, I have no idea what it will bring since I'm not in charge, thank the good Lord. I do know I'm in good hands no matter what.
I also figured out something else: There was no need to fume or worry today. All was well with the world. Did I make a million dollars? No. Do I need a million dollars? No. God provides. Did I set the world on fire? I don't believe I did. Did I do a tiny bit of good? I think so--I wrote cards to shut-ins on behalf of our church family. A small gesture, but it feels good doing God's bidding.
So, when tomorrow comes, or the next time you feel you need to be in charge enough that you have to worry about the future--give it a rest. Give yourself a rest. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
Have a fine day.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
The Largess of the Tiny
A day off from teaching and taking classes normally finds me, weather permitting, on the deck out back with a cup or three of coffee. This morning was one of those perfect pre-fall days--breezy enough to use it as an excuse to bring a blanket out along to snuggle in an over-sized lawnchair while reading, writing, and watching the aerial antics of the beloved hummingbirds.
Small creatures, they bring a largess of enjoyment.
I look up at the feeder periodically to see two quietly sitting; instantaneously, the duo rises to three, four, five, six...as many as twelve, darting and shifting, snatching a few seconds at the small bars to have a sip of nectar. Pairs entwine themselves in a circular flight up in the air, and then dramatically dive back down to recover from the tailspin at the last possible second. Others start a pattern of flying in a large "u" shape repeatedly, twittering each time they reach the upper peaks of the formation.
One small female in particular flies over within a foot of me periodically and hovers for a bit; I acknowledge her presence with a hello. I have a feeling she's drawn to my "comforter of many of colors" as much as she is my personality. Nevertheless, she returns much as a small child does having a ball gaining recognition from an adult, running back and forth and happily anticipating that next hello.
As I sit on the deck, I hear in the immediate background the familiar sounds of a combine, a tractor, and a grain cart being shuffled about in preparation to open a field for harvest. There's a slight sense of resignation that accompanies these sounds; I know that harvest means fall, and though a wondrous time of the year in southern Indiana, it marks the beginning of some endings--among them the realization sometime in the near future when I am sitting on the deck with no company of these tiny marvelous birds. They'll be on that mind-boggling flight across great bodies of water to a warmer clime.
But that's not today; no, today they are fascinating. So, like these tiny creatures that bring with them a largess of joy, living for the moment of that next pirouette or sip of lovely nectar, I'm going to live in the moment and not miss out on any opportunities or discoveries today has to offer.
I hope you will enjoy the day, too.
Have a fine day indeed.
Small creatures, they bring a largess of enjoyment.
I look up at the feeder periodically to see two quietly sitting; instantaneously, the duo rises to three, four, five, six...as many as twelve, darting and shifting, snatching a few seconds at the small bars to have a sip of nectar. Pairs entwine themselves in a circular flight up in the air, and then dramatically dive back down to recover from the tailspin at the last possible second. Others start a pattern of flying in a large "u" shape repeatedly, twittering each time they reach the upper peaks of the formation.
One small female in particular flies over within a foot of me periodically and hovers for a bit; I acknowledge her presence with a hello. I have a feeling she's drawn to my "comforter of many of colors" as much as she is my personality. Nevertheless, she returns much as a small child does having a ball gaining recognition from an adult, running back and forth and happily anticipating that next hello.
As I sit on the deck, I hear in the immediate background the familiar sounds of a combine, a tractor, and a grain cart being shuffled about in preparation to open a field for harvest. There's a slight sense of resignation that accompanies these sounds; I know that harvest means fall, and though a wondrous time of the year in southern Indiana, it marks the beginning of some endings--among them the realization sometime in the near future when I am sitting on the deck with no company of these tiny marvelous birds. They'll be on that mind-boggling flight across great bodies of water to a warmer clime.
But that's not today; no, today they are fascinating. So, like these tiny creatures that bring with them a largess of joy, living for the moment of that next pirouette or sip of lovely nectar, I'm going to live in the moment and not miss out on any opportunities or discoveries today has to offer.
I hope you will enjoy the day, too.
Have a fine day indeed.
Monday, September 5, 2011
When Bad Habits Can Do Good Things
Last Friday I made a suggestion to my friends on FaceBook that we all take the money collected from our Bad Habit Jars for a week and give to UNICEF earmarked for Somalia. Secretly, I hoped for all of us to be particularly naughty in our bad habits in order to fill the jar sufficiently. I'm thinking I can do about 20 dollars worth of damage.
And just what are bad habits? Given enough philosophical minds sitting around with an ample supply of coffee or brandy, the discussion could go on for quite some time. Note* At this juncture there is probably some descent in the ranks pointing out that ample coffee and/or brandy might be considered bad habits in and of themselves...I'll leave that one alone since I happen to think both are lovely habits indeed.
But I digress...
Are bad habits hurtful or just annoying? There seems to need to be a chasm between the two. Popping chewing gum, chewing on fingernails, cracking knuckles and the like used to be the bad habits to avoid as I was growing up. I believe times have changed. I seldom see (or perhaps notice) these annoying habits anymore, albeit I did have a short encounter with a gum popper a few months back. Yep...still annoying. But just that--annoying. Not really bad.
The true bad habits that are hurtful are those that require deeply thought-out excuses. The "I can't help that person because he/she will only fall back into disrepair once I stop" excuse as well as the "If you give them a little money you know what he/she will do with it" excuse. And there is reason in this...to an extent. Yes, a single-solitary attempt in isolation to help someone in dire need will likely fall short. It takes commitment. It does sometimes take a village. Perhaps the bad habit lies in not trying at all for fear of failing. Handing cash to someone who knowingly has great difficulties in managing cash isn't the greatest idea. Maybe hand them food, clothing, shelter, or an ear instead?
None of us want to be bad with our habits. But at sometime each of us find ourselves giving up before we start, repeating once again that tried-and-true definition of stupidity: Doing the same thing over and over again, hoping for different results.
Perhaps not thinking things through or not thinking things through differently is our greatest bad habit...
Good people do good things; good people also lose sleep at night in concern for others. Most people are good people. But we need lots more good people thinking outside that proverbial box.
So, until Friday of this week, unleash those bad habits and fill those jars. Treat it as one would loading up on every lousy food choice out there before attempting a strict diet. The jar needs to runneth over.
Then, on Saturday, once the donation has been made to these less fortunate to the nth degree folks in Somalia, start daring yourself to defy the bad habit of atrophy. Take a chance--say hello to someone that might be a little odd; write thinking of you cards to folks in the nursing home and become that pen pal; really ask that person you're concerned about what you can do to help; ask someone to church, house meeting, our meditation circle. Stick a toe outside that box. Is it taking a chance? You bet. Might you not get the result you hope for? Quite possibly. Will you feel exhilarated as a result? Absolutely.
Maybe with all this creative thinking, we won't need to keep our jars for starving people; maybe we'll get lots of messes lined out and, more than likely, won't have time to ponder a bad habit--just a couple of annoying ones for sport.
Have a fine day.
And just what are bad habits? Given enough philosophical minds sitting around with an ample supply of coffee or brandy, the discussion could go on for quite some time. Note* At this juncture there is probably some descent in the ranks pointing out that ample coffee and/or brandy might be considered bad habits in and of themselves...I'll leave that one alone since I happen to think both are lovely habits indeed.
But I digress...
Are bad habits hurtful or just annoying? There seems to need to be a chasm between the two. Popping chewing gum, chewing on fingernails, cracking knuckles and the like used to be the bad habits to avoid as I was growing up. I believe times have changed. I seldom see (or perhaps notice) these annoying habits anymore, albeit I did have a short encounter with a gum popper a few months back. Yep...still annoying. But just that--annoying. Not really bad.
The true bad habits that are hurtful are those that require deeply thought-out excuses. The "I can't help that person because he/she will only fall back into disrepair once I stop" excuse as well as the "If you give them a little money you know what he/she will do with it" excuse. And there is reason in this...to an extent. Yes, a single-solitary attempt in isolation to help someone in dire need will likely fall short. It takes commitment. It does sometimes take a village. Perhaps the bad habit lies in not trying at all for fear of failing. Handing cash to someone who knowingly has great difficulties in managing cash isn't the greatest idea. Maybe hand them food, clothing, shelter, or an ear instead?
None of us want to be bad with our habits. But at sometime each of us find ourselves giving up before we start, repeating once again that tried-and-true definition of stupidity: Doing the same thing over and over again, hoping for different results.
Perhaps not thinking things through or not thinking things through differently is our greatest bad habit...
Good people do good things; good people also lose sleep at night in concern for others. Most people are good people. But we need lots more good people thinking outside that proverbial box.
So, until Friday of this week, unleash those bad habits and fill those jars. Treat it as one would loading up on every lousy food choice out there before attempting a strict diet. The jar needs to runneth over.
Then, on Saturday, once the donation has been made to these less fortunate to the nth degree folks in Somalia, start daring yourself to defy the bad habit of atrophy. Take a chance--say hello to someone that might be a little odd; write thinking of you cards to folks in the nursing home and become that pen pal; really ask that person you're concerned about what you can do to help; ask someone to church, house meeting, our meditation circle. Stick a toe outside that box. Is it taking a chance? You bet. Might you not get the result you hope for? Quite possibly. Will you feel exhilarated as a result? Absolutely.
Maybe with all this creative thinking, we won't need to keep our jars for starving people; maybe we'll get lots of messes lined out and, more than likely, won't have time to ponder a bad habit--just a couple of annoying ones for sport.
Have a fine day.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Never Doubt the Power of Faith
God will be there when we need Him...we know that. What we forget is that God is always there, just waiting much like an expectant parent, knowing full-well we'll be asking for something time and again.
I did that yesterday morning.
I had a desire to have a fall garden. The garden is now nicely in place, and, of course, needs to be tilled from time to time. I have a little tiller for this...one stubborn little tiller. I can never get it started. I'm also short in the wing-span department, so I tend to pull the cord wrong and end up with a twisted something or other...this time it was my lower back.
Rats.
I don't like being sick or wounded, so this didn't set too well. It was also the first week of my new adventure as teacher and student, so I wanted to be at my best.
Monday was painful.
Tuesday was as well.
Wednesday morning found me up earlier than necessary with it worse than ever.
So I prayed about that a bit and had faith...LOTS of faith.
I know God can literally move mountains if He so chooses; I know He can make a person well, if it's right for the time in the big picture.
I also know he's good at helping us get calm and get sensible.
I did that yesterday morning.
I had a desire to have a fall garden. The garden is now nicely in place, and, of course, needs to be tilled from time to time. I have a little tiller for this...one stubborn little tiller. I can never get it started. I'm also short in the wing-span department, so I tend to pull the cord wrong and end up with a twisted something or other...this time it was my lower back.
Rats.
I don't like being sick or wounded, so this didn't set too well. It was also the first week of my new adventure as teacher and student, so I wanted to be at my best.
Monday was painful.
Tuesday was as well.
Wednesday morning found me up earlier than necessary with it worse than ever.
So I prayed about that a bit and had faith...LOTS of faith.
I know God can literally move mountains if He so chooses; I know He can make a person well, if it's right for the time in the big picture.
I also know he's good at helping us get calm and get sensible.
And the back pain started letting up...what did I do? Used that common sense and calm that I received in that prayer. I took an extra long warm shower first thing in the morning and that loosened everything up that needed to be loosened. I figured out a different configuration to haul my teaching materials in and out of the buildings. And so on...just good 'ol calm common sense.
Then I got home Wednesday night only to find that I had left my laptop power cord aka life line somewhere. Pray again? You bet. Not that it would magically appear, but that it was where I thought it had to be and that it wouldn't be swiped just for giggles.
So I called first thing this morning over to VU, talked to the wonderful secretary at the humanities office (everyone needs to have a Patty in their lives), and she called back in under 10 minutes saying that a maintenance guy there in the building (some of the nicest guys around) had been up there, found it, and it was waiting in her office for my return tomorrow.
Never doubt the power of faith.
I didn't literally have a mountain moved, but due to some good calm and common sense, my back feels a whole lot better.
I didn't have the power cord magically appear in my messenger bag, but I know there are a bunch of good and decent and honest people at VU.
What more signs of faith do we need?
Have a fine day.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
One Day Without Finger Pointing
Okay...we know that the Congress has let us down--again. Are you really surprised? Really? Didn't think so. Yet every time we go through the same period of grief with shock and dismay.
So here's the deal...
We know that the country's economy is in a mess.
We know that many people are unemployed.
We know the our government basically doesn't care a fig about we the people.
What we need to remember is that it's not necessarily one party nor the other that created this mess. So why be so protective? Moreover, why turn on one another protecting the very people who are making everyone grumpy in the first place?
How about we stop the finger pointing?
Let's try that...let's start tomorrow.
Instead of complaining about this politician or that politician, this political party or that political party, let's just take care of ourselves and one another. We'll be ahead in the long run. Independence and interdependence--some good stuff.
You'll feel better. And you'll for sure be a lot more useful to those around you. And much more pleasant.
So...no finger pointing. Just go about our business.
One day I think it might catch on...maybe eventually we'll all realize that the politicians don't have much in common with the rest of us. And, in the meantime, the rest of us can make this world a little better place.
Minus the finger pointing.
So here's the deal...
We know that the country's economy is in a mess.
We know that many people are unemployed.
We know the our government basically doesn't care a fig about we the people.
What we need to remember is that it's not necessarily one party nor the other that created this mess. So why be so protective? Moreover, why turn on one another protecting the very people who are making everyone grumpy in the first place?
How about we stop the finger pointing?
Let's try that...let's start tomorrow.
Instead of complaining about this politician or that politician, this political party or that political party, let's just take care of ourselves and one another. We'll be ahead in the long run. Independence and interdependence--some good stuff.
You'll feel better. And you'll for sure be a lot more useful to those around you. And much more pleasant.
So...no finger pointing. Just go about our business.
One day I think it might catch on...maybe eventually we'll all realize that the politicians don't have much in common with the rest of us. And, in the meantime, the rest of us can make this world a little better place.
Minus the finger pointing.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
It Takes a Village...To Host a Celebration
The 2011 annual 4th of July Celebration at Otwell is now in the books. In 1957 the Ruritan Association began in Jefferson Township, and, over the many years, there have been celebrations hosted as fundraisers for the community.
Otwell's current population is around 400--a tiny town population. However, come the weekend of the 4th of July, that population--Ruritan members, Community Center members, and just plain good-hearted folks--come to the old school grounds and ask where they can best help. They sell hamburgers, ice cream, call Bingo, sell raffle tickets, cook chicken and ribs, bake pies, make slaw and potato salad and baked beans, plan parades, run beauty contests, etc.
Think about it: this small town, more the size of a quaint village, does a bit of everything. Browse around the website at http://otwelljuly42011.wordpress.com and marvel at all that is done for the entertainment and fun of the surrounding area. It's exhausting just to think about it. Many towns ten times larger couldn't pull this off--but little Otwell does.That's the spirit of volunteerism.
One really neat thing that came from this? There's a huge, new shiny generator sitting on the east side of the Community Center now. That generator was made possible through the generosity of a village--a benevolent population. And now, as a result of that generosity and a lot of hard work, the Community Center is a designated Red Cross Emergency shelter. Big deal? Yep, it is. As a number of us stood in the pole barn where the Young Farmers were selling concessions on Sunday evening and watched a storm tear through the grounds, more than one person felt a little better knowing that there was a shelter at the ready to protect the people attending the celebration. Fortunately, it wasn't needed...but it's there when it is.
And now the cautionary part of my meandering--Otwell is aging. The average age of the volunteers is getting pretty high. They're wonderful people and they're still working diligently, but several of them worried aloud to me that they just can't keep doing this forever. They need help. They need more and more young adults to become involved to assure that the celebration continues. They were all quick to praise every last young person that was helping this year with the chicken and rib cooking, with the events, with every little thing that someone new or younger was helping with to make the three days go smoother.
I've been treated to a 4th of July celebration for a long as I can remember. It was a very special part of my growing up. Every year, the memories of years come flooding back--and good memories they are. Let's make sure that those little townsfolk running around the grounds get the same chance to have memories and then, through volunteering, make memories for yet the next generation.
It takes a village to raise a child...it certainly takes a WHOLE village to host a celebration. Be sure to pitch in next year--I guarantee you'll be welcomed with a big smile.
Have a fine day...
Otwell's current population is around 400--a tiny town population. However, come the weekend of the 4th of July, that population--Ruritan members, Community Center members, and just plain good-hearted folks--come to the old school grounds and ask where they can best help. They sell hamburgers, ice cream, call Bingo, sell raffle tickets, cook chicken and ribs, bake pies, make slaw and potato salad and baked beans, plan parades, run beauty contests, etc.
Think about it: this small town, more the size of a quaint village, does a bit of everything. Browse around the website at http://otwelljuly42011.wordpress.com and marvel at all that is done for the entertainment and fun of the surrounding area. It's exhausting just to think about it. Many towns ten times larger couldn't pull this off--but little Otwell does.That's the spirit of volunteerism.
One really neat thing that came from this? There's a huge, new shiny generator sitting on the east side of the Community Center now. That generator was made possible through the generosity of a village--a benevolent population. And now, as a result of that generosity and a lot of hard work, the Community Center is a designated Red Cross Emergency shelter. Big deal? Yep, it is. As a number of us stood in the pole barn where the Young Farmers were selling concessions on Sunday evening and watched a storm tear through the grounds, more than one person felt a little better knowing that there was a shelter at the ready to protect the people attending the celebration. Fortunately, it wasn't needed...but it's there when it is.
And now the cautionary part of my meandering--Otwell is aging. The average age of the volunteers is getting pretty high. They're wonderful people and they're still working diligently, but several of them worried aloud to me that they just can't keep doing this forever. They need help. They need more and more young adults to become involved to assure that the celebration continues. They were all quick to praise every last young person that was helping this year with the chicken and rib cooking, with the events, with every little thing that someone new or younger was helping with to make the three days go smoother.
I've been treated to a 4th of July celebration for a long as I can remember. It was a very special part of my growing up. Every year, the memories of years come flooding back--and good memories they are. Let's make sure that those little townsfolk running around the grounds get the same chance to have memories and then, through volunteering, make memories for yet the next generation.
It takes a village to raise a child...it certainly takes a WHOLE village to host a celebration. Be sure to pitch in next year--I guarantee you'll be welcomed with a big smile.
Have a fine day...
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