Posted in Something To think About on May 4, 2023|
Today’s repost originally was published on my blog on May 26, 2020.
“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.” ― James Baldwin
MJO – 2023
Posted in Something To think About on May 2, 2023|
Today’s repost was originally published on my blog on August 10, 2021
Sometimes we need to be alone, to be still, to be quiet, to appreciate ourselves and the present moment. Perhaps, Thoreau expressed it best with the following thoughts:
“There were times when I could not afford to sacrifice the bloom of the present moment to any work, whether of head or hands. Sometimes, in the summer morning, having taken my accustomed bath, I sat in my sunny doorway from sunrise till noon, rapt in a reverie, amidst the pines and hickories and sumachs, in undisturbed solitude and stillness, while the birds sang around. I grew in those seasons like corn in the night, and they were far better than any work of the hands would have been. They were not time subtracted from my life, but so much over and above my usual allowance.” – Henry David Thoreau, Walden
“I find it wholesome to be alone the greater part of the time. To be in company, even with the best, is soon wearisome and dissipating. I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.” – Henry David Thoreau, Walden
MJO – 2023
Posted in Something To think About on May 1, 2023|
Today’s repost originally was published on my blog on May 26, 2021.
I have written numerous posts on my blog about the benefits of going outside and enjoying nature. Now that we have beautiful summer weather, I thought it might be nice to share a great essay I read yesterday by my friend, Jim Miller.
Jim is an acclaimed writer and photographer who created Willowgreen Inc. in 1986 to help people deal effectively with life’s momentous transitions. He has authored many books, eBooks, and audio books and created a multitude of videos and electronic resources, as well as a line of note cards. His three blogs offer innovative messages related to inspiration, grief, and caregiving. I was reminded of one of his essays yesterday, as I took my early morning walk.
“The poet Kahlil Gibran once wrote, “And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” The truth is, of course, that our bodies feel their own delight when they can be in the out-of-doors.
We, humans, tend to have a deep-seated desire for contact with nature. This inclination comes from the very beginnings of human history when nature was so intertwined with daily existence when we were a part of nature more than we are today.
Repeated studies have documented the positive, healing influences that nature can have on us. Spending time in nature relieves stress and reduces anger. It encourages feelings like calmness and contentment. Patients in hospital rooms that have windows looking out upon nature heal faster than those in rooms without such windows.
Being in nature gives us a more concrete awareness of and appreciation for the entire life cycle. It can also foster a sense of connection with something larger than life, something larger than ourselves, often referred to as the Divine.
So find your way to the out-of-doors, if you’re able and if it suits your body chemistry, every day if possible. Perhaps you can do this with the one in your care. Some people prefer to go out in nature alone, while others prefer to go with another or others.
Walking and sauntering outside are wonderful. So are just sitting, just relaxing, just looking around.
Soak up the colors, the sounds, the changing smells. Jog, if you wish, or ride a bike. As Gibran advised, let the wind play with your hair (or for some of us, “your bald head.”)
You’ll return to your tasks before you, refreshed and re-energized. You’ll feel better and the effect will rub off on all you do as a caregiver.” – Jim Miller
MJO – 2023
Posted in A Short Essay, Something To think About on April 27, 2023|
This post was originally published on my blog on August 25, 2021. It’s a short essay that I wrote, hopefully giving us all something to think about.
I’m not sure who should be credited with the statement, “It’s Simple But Not Easy” because I’ve read it in numerous business, self-help, and motivational books. The statement is just five short words but is very powerful and meaningful. The statement explains in simple terms the very nature of our human dilemma. Most of us, including myself, would like quick fixes and solutions to the problems, issues, and conditions in our lives and we realize that the solutions, or remedies are simple but not easy to apply.
I know we all have those areas in our lives that we know to be a simple process but not easy to apply. For example, I’ve stated a number of times, I’d like to learn to play the piano, we even owned one many years ago. I did learn to bang out a couple of recognizable songs, but to be really good, that involved dedicated practice. — a simple solution, but not easy. I also said the same thing about playing the guitar. I was able to be better at playing the guitar, but I still play “at” the guitar instead of playing it well, because like the piano, it requires dedicated practice — a simple solution, but not easy.
Last year I challenged myself to read 70 books but only read 57 because I chose to spend time doing other activities. Solution — spend less time doing other activities, a simple solution, but not easy.
These are just a few examples in my life where solutions are simple but not easy. I have discovered several guidelines through various readings to assist me with the areas in my life that have simple solutions but aren’t easily executed.
♦ Set priorities,
♦ Set realistic goals,
♦ Set realistic expectations,
♦ Establish measurable benchmarks to measure progress,
♦ Limit activities to a select few,
♦ Start slow, take baby steps, and take one thing at a time.
These are just a few tools I’ve used to assist me in areas that are “simple” but not “easy”. Unfortunately, my list of areas that are simple is a long one, so I have a long way to go… but I know what to do…it’s simple but not easy.
MJO – 2023
Posted in Something To think About on April 26, 2023|
— George Orwell predicted in his book, 1984 that cameras would be watching us in our homes, but he didn’t predict that we would buy and install them ourselves.
— There are actually people who look at Libraries, and Bookstores as just buildings.
— Groucho Marx had the right thought: Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.
— I’ve noticed that theme parks can take pictures of people going 70 mph but bank cameras can’t seem to take a clear picture of a robber standing still.
I hope these little thoughts brought a smile to your face today…
MJO – 2023
Posted in Something To think About on April 25, 2023|
Today’s repost originally appeared on my blog on May 16, 2022
In today’s post, I want to share just a little thought from singer and songwriter, Frank Ocean:
“Don’t confuse my personality with my attitude.
My personality is what I am.
My attitude depends on who you are.”
MJO – 2023
Posted in Something To think About on April 19, 2023|
Today’s post originally appeared on my blog on March 4, 2022. Portions of this post were adapted from good reads quotes and Google graphics.
A Native American elder once described his own inner struggles in this manner: Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time. When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, the one I feed the most.”
♦ MJO – 2023
Posted in Something To think About on April 17, 2023|
This post was originally published on my blog on January 9, 2021.
I thought it might be interesting to share a list of the Top 20 Fiction books of all time; compiled from the Web site, thegreatestbooks.org.
The Greatest Book Web states, “This list is generated from 129 “best of” book lists from a variety of great sources. An algorithm is used to create a master list based on how many lists a particular book appears on. Some lists count more than others. Generally, we trust “best of all time” lists voted by authors and experts over user-generated lists. On the lists that are actually ranked, the book that is 1st counts a lot more than the book that’s 100th.”
(*Books I have read, **Currently reading.)
As a former English teacher, bookseller, librarian, and avid reader, it is somewhat embarrassing to admit that I haven’t read all the books on the top 20. You may not agree with the selections of the top 20 list, but it is certainly interesting and worth considering. How many of the top 20 have you read?
♦ MJO – 2023
Posted in Something To think About on April 6, 2023|
♦ MJO – 2023
Posted in Something To think About, Thoughtful Quotes on April 4, 2023|
Today I am reposting A Thoughtful Quote and Something To Think About from author Alexander McCall Smith. The post was originally published on my blog on October 8, 2021.
I am currently reading, The Peppermint Tea Chronicles, number 13 in Alexander McCall Smith’s, 44 Scotland Street Series. The author, McCall Smith always finds a way to insert numerous meaningful philosophical thoughts about life throughout his stories.
One of the thoughts that appears early in the story is when one of the main characters, Matthew Ducan, father of triplets, reflects on the love of his children:
“Now he saw the boys wave, their faces full of excitement and smiles. To be welcomed back by dogs and children, thought Matthew — what a privilege that was; and suddenly, unexpectedly, he felt a cold hand of dread about his heart. These things, this love and warmth, were so vulnerable, given to us on the most temporary of terms. And yet we took them for granted, against all the evidence of every actuary there ever was; we assumed that they would last forever. “
As a parent of three children and a grandparent of seven, I can certainly relate to this quote by Matthew. We have all said something similar — where did the time go, it went by so quickly — I don’t remember growing older, when did they?
♦ MJO – 2023
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