Joe: “My girlfriend takes me everywhere.”
Pete: “That’s nice.”
Joe: “Problem is, she keeps complaining I find my way back.”
Month: August 2023
Daily Inspirational Quotes ~ Today is Your Day
“Make each day your masterpiece.”
John Wooden
Thinking Out Loud ~ Love is the Passport
The Silent Presence of a Friend is All
Saint-Exupéry in writes in The Little Prince, “He could not say anything else. He burst suddenly into sobs. Night had fallen. I dropped my tools. . . . I took him in my arms. I cradled him. . . . I did not know what else to say. I felt very awkward. I didn’t know how to reach it, where to find it . . . it’s so mysterious. The country of tears!”
NOTE: It’s not easy to console a friend when they are beset with grief, when they are crying uncontrollably. The country of tears is far beyond our reach. A friend told me, “Ray, depending on the weather all you do is shiver or sweat.” His words had an impact on me. Words are not necessary. One’s presence is what matters. Holding another’s hand or embracing another when they are overflowing with sorrow matters. Love is the only passport into the country of tears.
Mind Sharpening Anagrams
Today’s Anagram: Beloveds Sols
Solution to yesterday’s anagram: Isometric
The solution to Today’s Anagram will appear in tomorrow’s Mind Sharpening Anagram Post
Feel Good Tip ~ Don’t Get Caught Up
What’s Making You Feel Angry?
There’s enough stuff in the news to toss anyone in downward spiral. I had a conversation with someone who sat next to me on a recent flight. She offered a great suggestion. She spoke of how the news had a habit of grabbing hold of her, especially the political news. She said that she had a moment of awareness of how the news was making her feel,his angry, anxious, and edgy. She didn’t like feeling this way. She does not watch the news or listen to the talk shows/podcasts that create those emotions in her. I asked her how she stays in formed. She said, she reads it online and is aware of how it is making her feel. If she feels negative emotions arise as she reads it, she turns the switch off. She said she feels much better now. It may not be the news that gets you angry. It may be a family member, neighbor, or co-worker. Move them out of your circle. If you can’t move them out of your circle, minimize the contact time you have with him/her. That’s a feel good tip for all of us.
Poem for Today ~ Possession
Possession
Mark Van Doren
Because this ground is mine it presses firmer
And softer up against my morning feet.
The grass ever is whispering as I walk.
The trees lean a little, and the spring,
There at the head of the road, leaps out to meet me.
Some afternoons I think these hundred acres,
Knowing I lie on the mountainside in the sun,
Curl over as if to fold me in; then, rising,
I smile and go, and they are level again.
But all of this is nothing to the night
I climbed that path and came into my own.
The darkness—my own darkness—was a warm
Still wind upon my face, until I reached
The topmost meadow, open to the sky.
One step, and I stood naked among stars—
White stars, that clustered closer and larger down;
Closer, until they entered my two eyes. . . .
When, deep inside, they burst without a sound.
Thinking Out Loud ~ Setting Aside Biases
Looking Beyond Appearances
Saint-Exupéry in writes in The Little Prince, “I have serious reasons to believe that the planet where the little Prince came from is asteroid B-612. This asteroid was seen only once through the telescope, in 1909, by a Turkish astronomer. Then, he made a great demonstration of his discovery at an international Congress of astronomy. However, nobody believed him because of his costume. The grown-ups are like that. Fortunately, for the reputation of asteroid B-612, a Turkish dictator imposed on his people on pain of death, to dress like the Europeans. The astronomer remade his demonstration in 1920, in a very elegant garment. And this time, everybody accepted his opinion.”
NOTE: It is easy to judge people based on their appearance. If someone appears to be different from us we often allow our biases to rule over our reason. When we look beyond appearances and into the person we find something all together different. We discover someone much like ourselves. It’s better to set aside judgments and listen. We may learn something.
Healthy Lifestyle Tip ~ Eating Out? Eat Healthy!
I write my blog posts a week ahead of time. I am currently traveling. By the time you read this post I will be back home in south Texas. I like to eat healthy. Before I go to a restaurant, I check out the online menu to see if they have healthy options. Most places have something approximating a healthy choice, which lead me negotiating with the waiter over my order. This morning, for example, the menu offered a vegetarian omelet with spinach, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, onions, and avocado slice on top. So far so good. To complement the omelet they were going to add hash browns to the plate. I started negotiating. I asked for egg whites instead of whole eggs. Yes, they made the switch. I asked to switch out the hash browns for a small bowl of fresh fruit. They could do that but it cost me two bucks extra. It was worth it. Then I negotiated the bread. It was supposed to come with white bread (ugh!!). Surely, they must have an alternative. Well, ask and receive. I asked and they said they did have sourdough. Let’s do it. It turned out to be a great meal. Next time you’re in a restaurant and wanting to eat healthy ask for subs or add ins. I’ve found most places will work with me. Although, I often wonder if they circulate a poster on me warning others to beware of the guy who’s going to question his order until he gets it the way he wants it. LOL
