What is Worthwhile?

I just finished removing quite a few books from my Indigo wish list.  When I hear about a book that I might want to read at some time, I often place it on my Indigo wish list.  That way, I don't have to remember all the names and I can carefully consider whether I want a book.

I am glad that I removed several books tonight.  I want to read.  I love reading and I do read.  But I don't have to read every book that sounds remotely interesting.  While books add value to my life in many ways, they can also be another way to distract me from listening to myself and mining my wisdom.  I don't believe that our minds have to be busy with other people's thoughts all the time.  We can look and listen within.  We all have things of value to contribute.

There are so many things to distract us and so many that may waste our time.  Some things are worthwhile through the relaxation and pleasure they bring us.  Others keep us from growing and becoming who we should be and are not worth our time.  I don't know what I or anyone else should be doing all the time.  But I do want to use my time postively.

It's difficult to know what the correct choices are for time usage.  I don't believe that time spent with people, caring and laughing and talking (and drinking coffee) is wasted.  I don't believe that listening to a child's concerns and take on the world is wasted.  I don't believe that caring for a pet is wasted.  I don't believe that reading enriching items, learning, writing, thinking are wasted either.  It may be when we won't stop looking for something to do or read or watch or listen to and won't sit still with our soul, that we are getting off the path we should be following.

I am no expert on time usage.  Not at all.   My list of Internet bookmarks shows that.  But I am aware that I don't have to keep busy and avoid listening to the wonders of my own soul.  Assuming it has wonders.  I'll have to take the time to check.

JAHD

The Source

From where do the words come that I write?  What about thoughts, the sometimes funny things we say, the music some people write?  What is the source?  Is it God?  How can we know?

I took a writing seminar a while ago and I learned to get into a receptive state before beginning to write.  I think it helps.  Perhaps we need to quiet the noise to gain access to that which is within.

We can be distracted by so much stimuli.  It's not just electronic devices or other people, it can be our minds which get busy with so many things.

For me, it seems very important to quiet the noise once in a while.  Then I am calm and, I believe, better able to write from truth.

In life beyond writing, too, it seems important to calm down and access what is within.  I think there's much we will hear that is of value and brings us peace.

JAHD

Connection

I write the songs.  Barry Manilow sang that.  I would assume he wrote it or it wouldn't make so much sense.

I don't write the songs.

I listen to some songs.  I have to really like music or it doesn't click.  It has to resonate me with me emotionally, within.

Reaching other people.  Wow.  My blog does that a little.

How do we connect to the parts in people that need, that crave connection?  Can I do it by writing, listening, bringing things out of from people?  I hope that I am learning my role.  I think it is important.  It is still fuzzy but I hope it is clearing, coming into focus.  In this world we need people connecting.  We always have, we do, we will.  We need to be honest with ourselves for what we need, who we are, how we hurt, how we can live to heal.  It is my duty to connect.  It is my duty to help others connect with themselves.  Yeah and yay!

I wrote this piece in a new way.  I closed my eyes and typed whatever vague things came to mind.  There was very little if any punctuation.  It is still more a delivery of words that came to me than a piece I tried to write.

Anyways, I like to connect with people and I like people to connect with themselves.  I think it's vital.  I think I may have a role in helping people do that.  I want to help uncover who all of us really are.

JAHD

Dinner's On

It's time.

It's time for me to start preparing healthy meals for me and my family.  I can't make up for the past but I can change the future.  I have tasted excellent, healthy food and I am going to start prepare excellent, healthy food.  It's not cute anymore that I'm a bad cook.  I don't have to be a bad cook.  I bought a very interesting healthy family cook book by Rose Reisman today.  I will look through more of it and prepare my grocery list and I will plan meals too.  I was inspired by eating in Glow restaurant (Rose Reisman has a lot to do with that restaurant and she was there when we ate there) and by eating a truly awesome meal prepared by my truly awesome friend, Paulette.

I have come to the realization that food is extremely important.  Of course it is.  It is us.  It matters what we eat, it matters what we feed to children, it matters for the future of the world that people are properly nourished and thus able to better carry out their purposes in life.  How did I miss this for so long?

It starts today, not next week.  It starts today and I look forward to my first tasty and healthy meal.  It is time and I can't wait until it is dinnertime.

JAHD

Random Stuff from my Mind

Let's see if I can come up with some material this evening.

I have a nice coffee here.  It would probably be a nicer coffee if I was sitting across a table from a friend, deep in conversation, but it's still a nice coffee.  I am chewing on a carrot now too.  I love carrots.  Maybe we can learn a lot in life from the simple carrot.

I got up and put a load of laundry in.  It's amazing how when I sit down to write, things like that suddenly seem urgent.  It will be good for my son to have clothes though.  It's best for school.

I completed my husband's personal income taxes last night.  My Commerce degree really comes back to bite me at times - I can't even pretend that I'm unable to do simple taxes.  But still I put it off and occasionally complain.  I should do mine (which are even simpler) too but I'll let the documents settle a little longer.

As it's light out and 8:00, I have reason to believe that gardening season will soon be here.  I want to create a stunning display this year.  I've had successful years and bad ones.  Last year was not my finest.  I can't wait to see flowers outside again.  I don't live on the most floral street but there are a few houses that do it well.

My concern for animals has been heating up lately.  I've always cared about animals and I love my rescued bunny but I hadn't been giving too much thought to animals in shelters and animal cruelty.  It's hard to think about those things but I guess we have to think about them if we are to make a difference.  I feel a need to get involved with the Humane Society again.

Those are some of the things bouncing around in my head.  I feel pretty hopeful and energetic.  I guess vacations help with that.  I think I'll tidy up my kitchen and then let my bunny hop around the basement.  And I won't disturb my tax stuff right now.  Why get it all riled up before bedtime?

JAHD

Living without Lazy

I caught myself being lazy earlier today.  It may have been related to a laundry issue - getting clothes out of the dryer or something and I didn't want to do it.  Whatever it was, I wanted to put off a simple act for no valid reason.  I don't like to admit that I'm lazy but sometimes I am and I want to change that.

When we put off activities, we end up carrying around their weight.  The present moment is burdened by things that could have been cleared away previously.  And the more we put off, the more burdened we become.  Our houses may display the results of this laziness and our minds certainly do.  By doing things that should be done as they arise, we free ourselves to face life more fully in the moment.

I have been trying this evening to do better.  It's working so far but I've already learned that I have to pace myself and can't do everything instantly.  It might be funny for people to watch me try but I don't think it would last long or go really well.  Instead, I am trying to do things sooner rather than later.  I'll see how that turns out.

JAHD

Pain, Laughter and Gratitude

Jon Lovitz holds a very special place in my heart.  He doesn't know it and never will.  But he will always hold it.  And I'm fine with that.

I had a health problem in 1996 and for one difficult night I endured terrible pain.  It wasn't life-threatening but it was awful and it was a bad time.  I will never forget that night, that time, but life goes on.

Despite the unpleasantness of that one night, I will always remember a good thing from it.  I watched Jeopardy and celebrities were playing that week.  One of the celebrities playing was Jon Lovitz.  And he made me laugh.

It wasn't just one thing he said, and I don't remember anything specific, but he made a difference in my life.  He and all comedians make people laugh, of course, but how often do we really think about how awesome that is?  They are funny people and they can use their humour to reach people and make them happy or a little closer to happy.  Television, the Internet, and other media allow them to extend their reach.  They have an awesome power.  I know Jon Lovitz helped me.

When we think of helping professions and noble callings in life, we may not think of comedians, other entertainers, writers, artists, singers.  But these people who use their talents, which I think must be God-given, reach out from themselves to others and can make a positive difference.  And they can't even know all the effects they really have on the lives of others.

Everyone has valuable contributions to share in life.  Whatever a person's role or roles, they have something to offer.  It is an incredible mystery how it all works out.

Every time I see Jon Lovitz on tv or hear him when he does voices on The Simpsons, I remember what he did for me.  I still appreciate it.

JAHD

Sorry to Japan

I don't know what to say to Japan other than sorry that this has happened.  I can't believe the devastation there.  I can pray, and I do.  It's just beyond words and I'm so sorry for the people there, and those who have loved ones there, that this has happened.

Joanne

Surprise Me

When I'm home, I still look forward to receiving the mail.  I don't know what I expect to receive in it but it seems I keep hoping.  Today I received an offer for a great rate on a magazine subscription and a letter from a charity asking for money.  Neither is too exciting and both are in the recycling bin.  Maybe tomorrow that super exciting thing will arrive.  Finally.

I don't mind the magazine offer but I am troubled by the charity request.  Oddly enough, the fact that it comes from a charity I support makes it bother me more.  I understand that once an organization knows someone has an interest in their cause, as evidenced by a donation, they look to that person for further support.  They always need money to keep operating.  But they also spend money and use resources sending requests to me.  And it gets to a point where I get a little tired of being asked for more.

This request comes from the local humane society.  I like them.  I have adopted rabbits from them including my wonderful little Powder.  And I have donated a little bit here and there over the years.  But I don't want to keep being asked for more money and I wish they could acknowledge that I have adopted some of their animals.  I also pay to feed these animals regularly once they are in my home.

It would be a surprise to receive some form of recognition for my small degree of involvement with the humane society.  That would be nice.  It's good to feel appreciated for what we have done.  Maybe then I would feel pleased when I see mail from them.  And maybe then I would want to donate when I can.

JAHD

It's not that I don't have words available

It's more like I don't know how to arrange them right now so I won't write much.  I had a great day and enjoyed some nice interaction with people.  I love that and I really appreciate people who just make you feel good to be around.  I was with a mixture of older and newer friends today who manage to do that.  I treasure and feel lucky to know them all.

I am tired now and it's almost 11:30 p.m.  It's a good tired because I really feel that I have lived today and tasted some of life's sweetness.  I want everyone to experience that - it's so tasty.

JAHD