Resilience

One of the common denominators of non-profit groups in our community is that many of them plan their annual fund raising around a luncheon at our local historic hotel. The table host may or may not buy the guests' meals, but whether or not they do, they then invite their "bring along your checkbook friends." I attend at least six of these events for varied causes throughout the year; I find it a pleasant way to contribute to worthy causes for three reasons -
1. It is clearly understood (after attending the first one) that this is a fund raising event; I think one is allowed one free pass for not having a checkbook open and ready throughout the meal.
2. Luncheons are tasty and do not exceed one and a quarter hours.
3. The fundraising planners have a history of engaging extraordinary speakers with topics appropriate to the fundraiser's goals.

It is point #3 that is the kicker for me - I am never disappointed that I've attended one of these events and Tuesday's fundraiser for our local Camp Fire USA was no exception. The speaker was Jan Faull, M.Ed. who has taught Parent Education for more than twenty-five years. A resident of Seattle and writer of four books on parenting and childhood issues, Ms. Faull gave a compelling talk on the education and nurture of children into a category of resilient children.

Resilient children meaning those who can adapt to new environments more readily rather than adversely. Ms. Faull named the environments in which children find themselves alone (even while with their parents, it's a new experience for the child) for the first time - a church service, a restaurant, nursery school, grade, middle, high school, the death of a grandparent, the loss of a friend, a concert, a movie theater, a social event with their parents, a family reunion, a visit to an divorced parent's home, etc. - all of these situations are at one point in time brand new to the child and the parents' comfort in exposing or simplifying their children to these situations either on purpose or out of necessity is critical to a child's ability to adapt resiliency as a character trait throughout their lifetime. Being brave and having a stiff upper lip may not be the formula to develop a resilient child. Discussing what's new, frightening, unfamiliar, and downright strange to a kid may take a short fifteen minute orientation or just good ol' listening from a parent about the child's fears. Assurance that the child is not strange in their feeling, it's o.k. to be frightened, angry, shy or sad. These moments can raise a child who trusts, one who does not shudder at all new events, one who might not understand the word resiliency but who grows up likely more comfortable in new environments. I do not do justice to the enthusiasm and evangelistic fervor of the speaker - she was extraordinary! If I was a young parent, I would not hesitate to investigate and follow all of her writings.

Not a young parent anymore, I feel comfortable knowing that instinctively, I suppose, I did raise resilient children and I see my offspring doing the same thing. But children are one thing and we adults are quite another............are we resilient in our environments? Did someone show us the way, introduce us to the rules of behavior for new experiences? Did we learn manners and trust from either our parents, teachers, maybe camp counselors? Do we still harbor the idea that we can solve our own problems, we don't need to talk them over with anyone, if we ignore uncomfortable situations in groups or even in one on one relationships that the stiff upper lip and bottled resentment or fear will be enough to carry us through on our own. Do we ignore invitations for assistance in time of trouble, or kindness in time of sorrow, or assume that we are the caregivers and need no care for ourselves? Well, do we? Have I, have you, have we ignored the ability to accept what our friends and even strangers will offer us as solace or aid in times of stress? Are we resilient enough to realize that we have been sent a treasure outside of our own selves to pat us on the back, pick us up, and maybe just relieve those chest pains or headaches, if only we could find the resilience to trust and be willing to accept what we're sure we don't need or deserve?

I hope Jan Faull will forgive my probably inadequate description of her phrase "resilient children" but her phrase "resilient children" I believe is so apt to those of us who are just now learning in life how important the trait of resilience is to our own well-being.

......and yes, I left a generous check for Campfire USA.

Why do I blog?

People often ask me why do I blog? Even when I've explained that I find it a tremendous creative outlet, the design, the content, the re-design, the richness of writing and reading posts and comments, the relationships that are formed with like-minded, or sometimes not so like-minded strangers who become friends and confidantes because they have the interest to read and listen to someone else's words and opinions - comments sometimes happy, sometimes not so, sometimes subjects of faith, religion, craft, children, weather, pets, spouses, vacations, deaths, exercise, artwork, collaging, photography, all sorts of mixed media interaction - even after I've told them all of that, there often comes a somewhat flat and disinterested, "oh."

I've learned that it is impossible to explain what this daily interaction means in my life. I am so happy when a few words come back in response to something I've written, or drawn, or painted. I' m enthusiastic with my praise and interest of other bloggers as I know what those comments mean to me. And besides it is absolutely mind-boggling to be a part of the gifts that other humans bring to each other's lives!

Now, lest you think that I hang around and fixate over my computer, you would be wrong. I have a full and rich life that I relish every day and I find from my blogger associates, they do too! That engagement in every day life and living is extraordinary and not to be taken for granted. The excitement and enthusiasm over everyday life is what blogging is all about for me! I'm grateful to be able to share those simple, I believe, God-given moments with those who are willing to listen. And, folks that's why I blog. Why do you?

Photo SS - Book of Hours - Night pages
with Quote from Thomas Merton - Night - Now is the time to meet your God.

Word(s) of the Year

Intrigued by Christine Kane's December '07 post, I considered taking on a WORD for '08 rather than a list of resolutions. Seemed simple enough, although settling on a single word was a challenge. I mulled over Christine's word suggestions and at "first pass" selected a few, a dozen, lots?

Looking back at them now they were descriptive words of can do, optimism, will do, do it! Courage, confidence, action, trust, patience, fun, expansion, exploration, adventure, openness, discipline, awareness, risk, choice, artfulness, attention, focus, deliberateness, commitment - this was my SHORT list! Whoa - I was supposed to select a word, not a dictionary!

My motive for word selection as resolution was to kick myself into production of long overdue and "in the closet" creative, 2 dimensional art. In early 2008, having chased after other artists' works for years while sublimating my creative yearn for something really my own, I had run out of excuses for non-creating!

All of the words mentioned above were appropriate to my need to just begin the process of creating again.....again, after a 30 year hiatus! After a good bit of mental gyration, I finally settled on the word, TRUST.

Trust in me, trust in my ability to create, trust in my judgment, trust in myself! I cannot say that I've thought about this word every single day of 2008 - that would be a lie - but I've thought about it enough, mouthed my desires about the creative process with other artists, dabbled and stuttered and finally when one day asked - "Are you an artist? I TRUSTED in myself enough to say, "Yes, I am!"

The piece pictured here is one of my collages. This particular piece was selected to be shown in an August regional juried art exhibit. I've two other pieces similarly selected in juried events and I shake myself a little to believe that fact! I struggle now, of course, with TRUSTING enough to continue creating other pieces - trusting not that they will be brilliant, nor selected, nor sold, but that they will continue to allow me to trust and know that I am a creature born to create! Trust - it's a powerful word! Thanks Christine for the word versus resolution idea!

Out of comfort zone.....

I don't know whether to be surprised, happy, or annoyed, for I've stepped, or I should say I was dragged into, once more leaving my comfort zone to attempt something new.

While in Honolulu and out for a relaxing afternoon sail and snorkel with family members and new friends, the skipper of our vessel decided that those of us least familiar with sailing should learn the thrill of this sport! I fully expected that he would honor the "cowering comfortably in the corner" position that I had assumed, that I would not be one of those called upon! Wrong!

On my feet, shaky, embarrassed, and somewhat just ticked off.....I soon found that the mystery of the wind in the sails was NOT such a mystery, that the boat would actually respond to my hands on the wheel and that my miserable deckhands (while snickering a bit) would also respond as I heartily (well, maybe not quite heartily) announced the actions I expected them to perform on my command! I could go on.....however,

The lesson is not lost on me that after all of these years of adamantly lobbying against the sport of sailing, that sport being one which my spouse finds totally alluring, I believe that I now could actually be persuaded to venture onto a LAKE, or a small body of water - a BAY - in order to learn more about sailing without the dread fears that I've harbored all of these years.

So, chalk it up to - the timing was right, I'm too stubborn for my own good/fun, I'm a show off, I can be intimidated into "service" or what - it was a grand day for me on a sailboat and I look forward to the next sailing event.

That being said, you might remember some time ago I posted words about that "comfort zone" thing....so how are you doing on stepping out of your comfort zone these days? Any good reports?

I'm now listing swimming and snorkeling in the ocean without my trusty life preserver, surfing, sailing, entering 3 art shows - being accepted into two.....let's hear some good reports for you steady readers!

Photo SEW Kanehoe, HI

Artists creating - why?

After many years of not pursuing any artistic endeavor very seriously, I've taken up the paintbrush and canvas and jumped back in. I've had a couple of lovely little blessings fall upon me in that two of my recent small collage pieces have been accepted in two separate Juried Art Show events. A very encouraging start to getting back to the enjoyment of creating.

I do, however, have some thoughts regarding art and artists that I've observed over the years while "not producing" art and in the last few months of the reverse. And, that is -

1. Why do artists create anyway?
Fame, power? Seems unlikely as many artists seldom ever reach even a modicum of fame.

2. Inner peace, contentment - oh my gosh, how frustrating completing some glorious work and never being recognized by an audience, or buyer, or even by ones' self - that can't be inner peace, can it?

3. Daring, fearless - I think those would be long shot descriptions for many artists as seldom do artists have the same confidence outwardly visible in their behavior as that portrayed in their work. Many would rather eat bugs than discuss their work with an inquiring bystander or potential benefactor.

4. Nagging, inner demons crying to be released on a canvas, in a song, or sculpture, a poem, a book?....I hope not demons!

Having recently discussed this, "why do we create, why do others create" topic over lunch with a friend, I believe the closest I can come to understanding why I create, whatever it is I create (that remains a little bit of mystery right now) - I do it because I just NEED to do it right now. I have a yearning in me to create something of lasting value. I have a yearning to be recognized for creativity, I have a yearning to be recognized for intelligence, I have a yearning, yearning,......and for what other reasons do artists - I/you/we create?

Workshops, lectures, books, articles, doctors, learned professors speak of the creativity that is within us all. What do you yearn to create and why do you believe that you MUST and that you will and maybe even that you are already creating everything and more than you ever expected to in your life. I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject....

SS collage photo - Road to Hana

Squatter's Rights - they're a hoot!!

Squatters' Rights - what does that immediately bring to your mind - homesteaders of the 1800's, tree dwellers of the 1970's, indigent squatters of today under overpasses, or in squalid, abandoned city dwellings?

How about movie theater seat selection or season ticket holders at major events? Do persons have a notion of where they'll sit every concert season or where their rightful place is in the movie theater - do they want a middle section seat for best viewing and listening or an easy and fast exit seat in case of emergency or trips to the concession stands and/or restrooms?

How about your favorite yoga or aerobics classes - do you want to be near the instructor in order to view the proper poses or do you want to melt into the back rows of newcomers, hoping no one will see your missteps?

There's a lot to be said about all of the aforementioned squatters and rights gained by the habituation of favorite locales.

One of my up close and personal viewing of squatters' rights is that practiced in CHURCH PEWS. How about you? If you attend church regularly in the same building with the same cast of congregants, most likely you could chart the nave (that's where the pews are) with near accuracy revealing where you and your fellow worshipers settle in to sing, kneel, weep, laugh, pray, and praise.

But where do the "rights" go when the innocent newcomer visits and not knowing of the squatters' rights pattern chooses the path of least resistance and sits in the back pew? WHOOPS - the visitor cannot know that there is a "regular" group that occupies those back pews. In general, that group of back row folks all know how they and their neighbors are going to act before, after and during church - be it reverently, restlessly, noisily, sneezily, coughily, (sneezily, coughily??) etc. So when an unsuspecting visitor usurps the squatters' rights, although it may not be fun to be the one being misplaced, the visitor hopefully will never know what disruption they've caused:)

Now, what becomes of the braver visitor who dares drift toward the middle or front pews? Can they feel the disappointment, the surprise, even the outrage (occasionally) of the one whom they have displaced by their presence?

I ask that you ponder this with me as I face, in Fall 2008, what promises to be a new squatter opportunity. Having been the Rector(Episcopal pastor/preacher/etc.) spouse in our current community for nearly eight years, he and I have now been banned (a custom of the Episcopal Church - the retiring priest vacates the premises, even worship in that particular congregation until after a new Rector is selected). When we return to our home parish in Fall '08, (the new rector has now been called), my spouse plans to become a part of the choir. I, on the other hand, will be back in the congregation and do not feel comfortable in reclaiming my "spot" - right side pews, relatively close to the front of the nave - I would prefer less visibility and believe that to be the "polite" decision - keeping a lower profile.

I know, I know that all sounds so trivial in the scheme of things but we are funny creatures settling into comfortable surroundings and worshipers in a parish. Regulars notice when someone is missing on a Sunday, somehow keeping that person(s) in their hearts for the week surmising their absence is business or personal travel, a vacation, perhaps an illness that should be acknowledged, at least the absence is not left completely unnoticed.

When I first selected my space 8 years ago, I was in the far right of the pew up front and our resident town hermit, Harlan Miller by name - extremely faithful in attendance, poor as a church mouse, never married - sat in the left side of the same pew. I watched him for years place two or three pennies and sometimes a nickel in the offering plate, always reminding me of Jesus' widow's mite story. Harlan generally acknowledged me with a nod upon entering the pew, seldom more. His faithful attendance and financial gifts to the offering plate were observed and cherished by many of us.

Harlan was just short of his 90th birthday when he died. His pew seat was empty for a while after his death. Those around missed him dearly and respected his space. Then one Sunday a.m. someone rather new to the congregation slipped into the spot where he had resided for so many years. I felt a great sadness that a.m. not wanting someone to take up Harlan's space. I laughed at myself for thinking such a thing. Petty, selfish, territorial I scooted into that same space for a few of the next Sundays following the visitor's claim that day. In fact, it became "my space" for quite a long while and then for some reason I moved back to the right hand side of the pew and someone new did actually become a faithful attender and claim Harlan's spot....although, of course, they did not claim H's spot, they just saw an empty seat and wanted to sit there.

Months later, scheduled as a reader of the epistle, I scooted to the left of the pew for easy access to the aisle and to the sanctuary steps and reader's podium. The regular holder of that spot, a very good friend of mine, whispered from behind me that morning - "you're in my seat:)"

So, I pose a question to you regarding seating when I return as a regular to this worshiping community. Where do I sit - in my old spot, in a new spot on the left side of the church, way in the back, way up front? What would you do? Where would you sit? Have you ever or never come upon social squatters' rights before - if you say no, then I meekly suggest that you pay more attention to the peculiar habits of persons in public arenas and in church - it could be the subject of YOUR next post:)

Photo - SS- Holy Innocents Church, Maui - Ash Wednesday '08

So, yeah for me:)....when was the last time?

Some of you may remember a post that I wrote in March. The post asked your reflection upon "when was the last time you did something for the first time?" Along with the reflection question, there was a list of possible first time things one might consider. I've been ticking off a few of those lately and a couple of weeks ago I took my heart, entry form AND collage in hand and sent it off by electronic entry into our local Carnegie Art Center Juried Art Show.

Guess what - it has been accepted! And that's my big "ta-dah!" Yep, I'm very happy about it and keep trying to keep the negative talk to a minimum.....negative? you say..... your art piece has just been selected!! Well, maybe there was a mistake; maybe there were not enough really good artists - well, there were 160 pieces entered and only 58 accepted. They should have chosen the "other" one I submitted instead of this one. Someone is going to think I bribed the juror - I've never heard of him, he doesn't live here, he was a juror for heavens' sake!

Oh, I am beating all of that stuff down in my brain but now I'm sort of paralyzed to do the next piece - large or small. I know, I know, I'm working on it and yes, once again, I'm very happy about it:)

Collage - "Tune" - by Sunrise Sister

Mutants continued.....

In yesterday's post discussing mutants - I drifted off into life's changes and opportunities for growth - maintaining the idea that we are all "sort of mutants" in our personalities and physical bodies.

Continuing in that vein, the subject facing me squarely in the eye these days is that of aging.

AGING - From the American Heritage Dictionary 1. To grow older or more mature. 2. To bring or come to a desired ripeness.

Mutant in my mind, as it relates to aging, is that obviously we cannot stay the smooth-skinned, unlined infant, or young girl. We cannot even stay the slightly, "faint-wrinkles beginning to show" young woman in our thirties. The forties, oh were we paying attention then to how beautiful we were(?) and the fifties......well, you get the drift.

I have begun, with interest, to observe aging in a new light - noticing women around me in their 80's and 90's whom I consider very, very beautiful. They are not smooth skinned nor perfectly shaped (whatever that is) nor do they yearn for those features out of all proportion as what they know to be possible. They relax in their skin, they laugh in their love, bask in the adoration of spouse and family, and rejoice in their minds being quick and as marvelous as ever!

They have "mutated" (or perhaps transformed might be a better word) from smooth-skinned , precious women into mature, sophisticated, intelligent, worthwhile human beings to be admired and honored by all.

What a unique opportunity it is for those of us entering into our last quarter-century (wishful thinking) to engage in self-appreciation, self-preservation, dignity and love of life, while bequeathing those same attributes to those we love and know.

As a last thought, the little rosebush in the photo was on its way "out" when I decided to capture just one moment of it on film. I rather think that the mature, wrinkled, and yellow around the edges blossom may hold beauty in its aging and perhaps even more interest in its very ripe maturity:)

photo - Sunrise Sister

Mutants?

Oh the luxury of retirement is such that while workmen are busily tearing up carpet in one room, re-laying it in another, putting down hardwoods, etc. I am closeted in the bedroom with doggies, books and computer to read texts and surf some of my favorite blogsites. (Riley and Andy think that being next to me is the perfect place to sleep even while the rest of the house reverberates with machinery and radio blaring:)

Surfing photos, posts, and comments at Soliloquy I was prompted to leave my own comments about Nancy's photography of exquisite Parrot Tulips. (You'll have to go there to see the blossoms.) When Nancy originally set the photos up on her site, she was referring to them as "mutants"- not quite sure if or what their real names were, but her regular readers were quick to let her know the flowers' name.

My comment was - "Beautiful parrots - but they probably were or even are "mutants" some time in their journey - unexpectedly becoming beautiful in their current disposition."

Having left the comment, my mind continued to ponder the word "mutants." Aren't we all, maybe in a loose sense, mutants in our own personal habits, traits, political views, religious habits, spiritual development, etc.? I think I would be hard pressed to say that in the last five years of my life, maybe even in the last five days, I haven't changed a little or even a lot.

If we think we haven't changed in the last five years, maybe we should give some serious thought to about why that is.....are we so set in our ways as to avoid change, have we stopped yearning for new interests, new acquaintances, new knowledge of the world and our communities? Are we perfectly satisfied with our relationship with all persons and with our God? Are we tired of studying, of learning, of seeking new experiences? If we are, well, wow......I, for one, don't want to ever tire of change - not for change sake but for mental, physical, and spiritual growth that change may bring.

One of my former bosses used to say - "Live, change, grow!" We used to laugh some when she said it, because the LCG phrase sometimes pertained to something we didn't particularly want to live or to change - but it often definitely meant growth!

Hey, happy "live, change, grow".......whether you want to or not!

Shine on!

"You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this....I'm putting you on a light stand....shine!" Matthew 5:14-16 - The Message

This a.m. in our round of church "visiting," we chose Christ Lutheran Church in which to worship. As we entered the nave it was easy to see with each and every pew draped with a colorful, hand-made quilt, something special was happening. Prior to the beginning of the service, a leader of their Christ Lutheran Church Women told us about the quilts.

Since last fall, the CLCW have met each Tuesday morning for a couple of hours to work with "found, left-over materials" to create 300 quilts. (This is NOT a large church and this seems a huge accomplishment.) The quilts are simple blocks sewn together by machine, batted, with a solid piece sewn on the back, the three pieces attached together through each square. They are not hand-stitched, made to be heirlooms quilts, but by any standard this is an extraordinary feat!

The CLCW had also produced a large quantity of cloth school bags and bath kits - the bath kits consisting of a rolled towel containing toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and wash cloth. These gifts of love and kindness are sent as an offering to the Lutheran Women's Relief Distribution Center where they are dispensed to countries all over the world, including our country - many of the last couple of year's supply found homes after Hurricane Katrina in LA and MS. The women asked for contributions this morning to aid in the shipping costs involved with the distribution.

It seems to me that in this day and age when we feel so helpless in the face of major national and global issues that these women have banded together to DO something in the name of Christ and in the name of the church. It is unlikely that any given man, woman, or child will ever know from where their new quilt came, or even guess who made it for them - but in my mind, these quilters are acting out the gospel - they are "bringing out the God-colors in the world - they are shining!" They did not make these quilts for praise and honor but as true disciples of their Christ.

With this wonderful offering in mind, what can I/we do this week to bring out God-colors in the world? I don't know what to suggest or what I will do personally, but you may have something in mind even as you read my words - jump up on that lampstand - shine!

When was the last time......

When was the LAST TIME, you did something for the FIRST TIME? That's the caption - that's the message of this little personal collage.

Firsts don't all have to be so daring as taking a surfing lesson - although I highly recommend that idea - what's in your mind that you've wanted to do for a long time?
Why not talk yourself into it rather than out of it! Why not.....

-Write a blog entry you thought too daring for your readers
-Why not investigate a new blog writer that you've convinced yourself you don't have time for
-Invite a new acquaintance to lunch
-Invite a new acquaintance to dinner
-Take a singing lesson or two
-Find your local used bookstore that "everyone but you" seems to find interesting
-Pick out a totally strange, untested item on a restaurant menu
-Pick out a complicated new receipe and find out its not so complicated
-Walk someplace you've always driven to before
-Pump your own gas - no, everybody doesn't do that
-Send a get well card to an acquaintance
-Pray for your enemies
-Pray for peace
-Ask God to walk with you while you attempt to lose 5 lbs
-Enter a contest - any contest will do
-Write a letter to the editor
-Take a yoga class
-Visit your local YMCA for a list of workout classes
-Visit your local "something or another" that you've never visited
-Take your camera with you when you go out
-Take a sky dive - I know one of you readers of mine has done that before:)
-Eat oatmeal or poached eggs for breakfast
-View a sunset WHILE you're not on a vacation

Well, you get the picture. I'd love to hear about something you've done lately or are planning to do that you've never done before!

Collage by Sunrise Sister

"BEGIN A FOOLISH PROJECT. NOAH DID" - RUMI

Today I received my prize from the poem submittal drawing at Abbey of the Arts. Callings: Becoming Who You Already Are-the prize is filled with Christine’s beautiful photography, stamp carvings and paintings – a power-packed publication. I sat down immediately to devour it cover to cover. It now rests nearby for revisits.

I could go on and on about each page in this publication, but suffice it to say the references in this little journal will no doubt echo through my thoughts and writing for a good long while.

Referring to page 8, I chose Rumi’s quote that CHRISTINE had found and reproduced. It so immediately spoke to what has happened in my personal life since I began blogging in March 2007.

Begin a foolish project, such a foolish notion….what is blogging anyway….I wouldn’t know where to begin. It’s a big waste of time, isn’t it? Who blogs anyway – politicians, lobbyists, radio stations? Nudged on by my youngest sibling, I dipped my toe into the water and wouldn’t you know…..now I’m swimming!

I’ve written more posts than I would ever have imagined, I’ve actually written a few poems – totally foreign field to me – and today I bought some special glue to start a vision journal – oh, what is this world coming to?! Gasp!

I’ve received countless words of encouragement from fellow bloggers and in turn, I give that encouragement to those I meet – not false praise, but encouragement! I do have a creative being inside of me, it used to live on the outside of me and it’s beginning to do that again. Thank you Christine, thank you my precious youngest sib, my favorite geezer dude and his “anonymous better half”, my spouse, and my many blogger friends for taking the time to visit the Mind Sieve. Your encouragement means the world to me!

xoxoxoxo

In reading a post today from WREN I found myself immediately wound up in my own comments to the post - so much so that I decided to just plop it over here on my site.

....waiting for the next thing and the next thing and the next thing to make us happy is NOT going to make us happy. We need to be, or at least I need to be, living in the present moment. Such a trite, totally non-original thing to say as every theologian I've ever read or studied has said that ---- but it is pretty timeless.

I am very happy in my life right now (as you may have read in my latest posts) but I've spent far too much of my total lifespan "waiting" and sometimes missing the ever so perfect moments that were right in front of my face! For me, the deal is "I CANNOT WAIT" - I need to hold the precious of today, today, NOW!

Journeys, yep, I'm on one of great measure and delight. With heart and head and hands wide open I'm not waiting, I'm going for it! How about you - are you waiting too much for the thing, the house, the city, the job, the car, the situation? Stop waiting - enjoy your life now.

As you journey through life, choose your destinations well, but do not hurry there. You will arrive soon enough. Wander the back roads and forgotten paths, keeping your destination in your heart like the fixed point of a compass. Seek out new voices, strange sights, and ideas foreign to your own. Such things are riches for the soul. And, if upon arrival, you find that your destination is not exactly as you had dreamed, do not be disappointed. Think of all you would have missed but for the journey there, and know that the true worth of your travels lies not in where you come to be at the journey's end, but who you came to be along the way. 

~ Unknown

This beautiful quote from an “Unknown author” was brought to me via Sherry's blog. Visit her soon, great posts and the music is rockin’☺ I couldn’t help repeating and reflecting upon the quote here on Mind Sieve.

To quickly chart my various life journeys geographically, as well as accompanied and non-accompanied, (history reveals I’ve been more accompanied than non-accompanied in my life) the chart would be -

Infancy/childhood/teen years/college – CA, OK
Marriage/motherhood–OK, TX, AR, NY, Hong Kong, NY
Employment (my own)/divorce – TX, AR, Hong Kong, NY, CT
Remarriage/continuing employment – CT, NY, CT, WA
Retirement – WA

How quickly I can jot down those chunks of time, activity and geographic locations……I promise it feels as though those years went by almost as fast as I could mark them down.

Unlike the poet, I “landed” in my destinations fairly well, no compass, no plan, but always counting the days and in a hurry to get wherever I was going next. I didn't wander enough back roads or forgotten paths….I just sort of went along “with the program” forming around me.

I didn't seek out enough new voices, strange sights, and ideas that were different than my own. Although, I was fortunate enough to live in a foreign country and travel the world for several years – I still didn't seek enough or pull enough out of those experiences.

I was discontented from time to time with my geographical destiny, and with my marriage decision; never quite what I thought it should be and I was disappointed -THEN.

As my life is now – the “current destination,” I do find it not exactly as I would have imagined – it is, however, what I dreamed – I'm not disappointed!

In remarriage, employment, and now, my retirement, I find myself in the warmest, loveliest part of my life. Married to the man of my dreams, living in a small town in some ways similar to the small town that I spent so many childhood years in, in contact and harmony with God, my siblings, children, grandchildren and - in-laws – both past and present.

My future journey, perhaps using my compass a bit more now, is a plan to be more aware of those hidden paths, those lazy days, those ideas foreign to my own, those spiritual challenges that I am given; to aim for a continued harmonious relationship with God and all the earthly beings I am fortunate enough to meet and share this life with along the way. As I mentioned in an earlier post this week my plans are to expand, and to explore, while cherishing family and friends. I will select rather than slide too much, and will endeavor to summon the author's words of in remembering the true worth of your travel lies not in where you come to be at the journey's end, but who you (I) became along the way.

Well, I'm not quite sure what I've signed up for, it's free, sounds positive, and someone, I apologize for being unable to get a good link in here!!! came up with this nifty logo. The initials, GWCC, can be unraveled at Christine Kane they stand for - gossip-whine-criticism-complaint; can one really get along better in life without the actions that go along with these four little words? I'm always up for a challenge....