When we see and comprehend the magnitude of our thoughts, in conjunction with the complexity of our thought processes and thought as a whole, our whole world changes for the better.
Suddenly, we begin to see that even a single thought has far more worth than just one penny.
In reality, we cannot assign monetary value to a single thought, a collection of thoughts, or all of our thoughts as a whole.
Our thoughts are priceless, not worthless.
If we are become aware of the value of our thoughts, our thought processes and all of our thoughts as a whole, we would strive to use them more fully for the betterment of humankind.
Is that too much to ask?
Should we not be protecting ourselves as well as others, with respect to our thoughts and theirs?
What about our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual thoughts? Are we under an obligation to let others run rampant over them?
Think about it for a moment, even if you do not think about anything else today.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Finding Your True Self
Have you discovered your true self yet?
Every man, woman and child seeks to find his or her true self, at one time or another. Suddenly, he or she awakens to reality and realizes that his or her life is not just a maze, where he or she wanders around in a state of abstraction or confusion.
He or she discovers that there is a sense of purpose to life.
Life is meant to be lived in its fullness.
A person's true self can be discovered at different times in life, sometimes when a person is quite young, but not always. Many people go through almost their entire lives, before they realize why they are alive and what their purpose in life really is intended to be.
Human thought processes function continually, unlike a computer that tends to shut down now and then, often at the most unexpected and inconvenient times. The exception to this is when the person's health is being, or has been compromised, for some reason.
Those who play with their lives and minds, using nicotine or other substances like alcohol and drugs in excess, are playing with fire and endangering their own lives, as well as the lives of others.
It is actually a form of abuse. They are abusing themselves, as well as those around them, knowingly and unknowingly.
They may also be putting their own lives and those of others into a state of confusion, where nothing really makes much sense. They can lose their true identities, as well as become misguided regarding the direction and purpose of life.
Life is a lot more exciting when it has purpose, meaning and direction.
Consider your life and where you are going, what you are doing and why you are doing what you are doing.
Maybe you are just about to discover your true self.
It's about time!
Every man, woman and child seeks to find his or her true self, at one time or another. Suddenly, he or she awakens to reality and realizes that his or her life is not just a maze, where he or she wanders around in a state of abstraction or confusion.
He or she discovers that there is a sense of purpose to life.
Life is meant to be lived in its fullness.
A person's true self can be discovered at different times in life, sometimes when a person is quite young, but not always. Many people go through almost their entire lives, before they realize why they are alive and what their purpose in life really is intended to be.
Human thought processes function continually, unlike a computer that tends to shut down now and then, often at the most unexpected and inconvenient times. The exception to this is when the person's health is being, or has been compromised, for some reason.
Those who play with their lives and minds, using nicotine or other substances like alcohol and drugs in excess, are playing with fire and endangering their own lives, as well as the lives of others.
It is actually a form of abuse. They are abusing themselves, as well as those around them, knowingly and unknowingly.
They may also be putting their own lives and those of others into a state of confusion, where nothing really makes much sense. They can lose their true identities, as well as become misguided regarding the direction and purpose of life.
Life is a lot more exciting when it has purpose, meaning and direction.
Consider your life and where you are going, what you are doing and why you are doing what you are doing.
Maybe you are just about to discover your true self.
It's about time!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Rainbow Colors
Rainbow colors fascinate everyone regardless of when or where, they appear.
Amazingly, our minds process the entire spectrum of rainbow colors. We can sort through the unique colors and identify each color individually.
Our thought processes allow us to remember special rainbows in retrospect, even double rainbows, as well as enable us to see rainbows in the present. We can project rainbows into our future, knowing that somewhere, sometime, we will surely find another rainbow, possibly one that is even more beautiful than the last.
It is the astounding beauty of color that attracts us to a rainbow.
Perhaps the enormity of the rainbow sweeping across the entire sky, is almost overwhelming, but in a good way. Maybe its sudden appearance draws us to rainbows, too. They tend to appear when we least expect them, with light and brilliancy beyond our imaginations.
We see the colors of rainbows blending into each other.
We marvel, as our thoughts tend towards placing all of the colors of a rainbow into one broad spectrum. Yes, we can do that, too. The colors blend together softly and the unique combinations of combined colors astounds us.
How important it is that we never do anything that would cause us to lose sight of rainbows. What a loss that would be!
Human health is essential to our vision and the purity of sight that allows us to see rainbows, just exactly as they are.
Then of course, there is the 'promise' aspect of the rainbow, for Christians. The rainbow is a symbol of hope.
Something more to ponder.
Amazingly, our minds process the entire spectrum of rainbow colors. We can sort through the unique colors and identify each color individually.
Our thought processes allow us to remember special rainbows in retrospect, even double rainbows, as well as enable us to see rainbows in the present. We can project rainbows into our future, knowing that somewhere, sometime, we will surely find another rainbow, possibly one that is even more beautiful than the last.
It is the astounding beauty of color that attracts us to a rainbow.
Perhaps the enormity of the rainbow sweeping across the entire sky, is almost overwhelming, but in a good way. Maybe its sudden appearance draws us to rainbows, too. They tend to appear when we least expect them, with light and brilliancy beyond our imaginations.
We see the colors of rainbows blending into each other.
We marvel, as our thoughts tend towards placing all of the colors of a rainbow into one broad spectrum. Yes, we can do that, too. The colors blend together softly and the unique combinations of combined colors astounds us.
How important it is that we never do anything that would cause us to lose sight of rainbows. What a loss that would be!
Human health is essential to our vision and the purity of sight that allows us to see rainbows, just exactly as they are.
Then of course, there is the 'promise' aspect of the rainbow, for Christians. The rainbow is a symbol of hope.
Something more to ponder.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
The Balance
Here is something that you can try just for fun.
Close your eyes and then walk a straight line, with one foot placed directly in front of the other. Be careful, because you might fall over. It is not that easy for everyone to do.
Maintaining a balance in all aspects of our lives, at all times, is extremely important.
Physical balance is only one part of the balancing act in our lives. There is also our mental, emotional and spiritual balance that must be taken into consideration.
Is your lifestyle in healthy balance? If not, why not?
Interestingly, our minds and thought processes play an important part in the total picture of balance, as do various other aspects of our general health and the environment in which we live.
We instinctively know when something is out of balance, even though we may not necessarily know how to fix it.
We often try to regain our balance and may even succeed, at times. At other times, our efforts only make things worse, particularly when we knowingly or unknowingly turn to something that may be potentially harmful to us.
Our minds continually lead us towards perfecting the greater picture of balance, in many different ways. Perhaps discovering and examining some of these ways further, might help us individually and collectively, to restore the balance in our lives.
I bet you never thought of your life as a balancing act. It is.
Just another thought for the day.
Close your eyes and then walk a straight line, with one foot placed directly in front of the other. Be careful, because you might fall over. It is not that easy for everyone to do.
Maintaining a balance in all aspects of our lives, at all times, is extremely important.
Physical balance is only one part of the balancing act in our lives. There is also our mental, emotional and spiritual balance that must be taken into consideration.
Is your lifestyle in healthy balance? If not, why not?
Interestingly, our minds and thought processes play an important part in the total picture of balance, as do various other aspects of our general health and the environment in which we live.
We instinctively know when something is out of balance, even though we may not necessarily know how to fix it.
We often try to regain our balance and may even succeed, at times. At other times, our efforts only make things worse, particularly when we knowingly or unknowingly turn to something that may be potentially harmful to us.
Our minds continually lead us towards perfecting the greater picture of balance, in many different ways. Perhaps discovering and examining some of these ways further, might help us individually and collectively, to restore the balance in our lives.
I bet you never thought of your life as a balancing act. It is.
Just another thought for the day.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Love and Hate Pathways
If our thoughts were truly positive in their orientation, meaning that we always thought in terms of love or in a positive light, there would be no room for hate in our thought processes.
Somehow, that is not so.
When we begin to look at how we feel, we soon find out that we have a whole gamut of emotions, ranging from positive to negative. We have the ability to love or to hate in response to our thought processes. Our emotions are closely linked to our thinking.
We are blessed in being able to choose how we emote or express our motions. We are able to express various levels of emotion in response to how we think. Our emotional expression can also be controlled, at least to a certain extent.
Our minds are like a magnificent map, as the pathways of our thoughts and emotions work in conjunction with one another.
Just for fun, note your own thoughts in relation to your love or hate relationships. You are the one in control of them both and you can think in a positive way, express love as an emotion, instead of hate and perhaps save yourself and others a lot of grief.
Try it.
Somehow, that is not so.
When we begin to look at how we feel, we soon find out that we have a whole gamut of emotions, ranging from positive to negative. We have the ability to love or to hate in response to our thought processes. Our emotions are closely linked to our thinking.
We are blessed in being able to choose how we emote or express our motions. We are able to express various levels of emotion in response to how we think. Our emotional expression can also be controlled, at least to a certain extent.
Our minds are like a magnificent map, as the pathways of our thoughts and emotions work in conjunction with one another.
Just for fun, note your own thoughts in relation to your love or hate relationships. You are the one in control of them both and you can think in a positive way, express love as an emotion, instead of hate and perhaps save yourself and others a lot of grief.
Try it.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Decision Making
We often make decisions on the spur of the moment, but not always. There are times when we stop and think seriously about something, before acting upon it.
The decision about whether to act or not to act, depends a great deal on our individual thought processes. We weigh the various aspects of our motivational thoughts including the pros and cons of action or inaction, as well as looking at the possible consequences of our decision in that regard.
Thinking can appear to be an overwhelming process at times, particularly when we are busy, or when it feels that we are in a brain 'overload' situation and have too much to deal with at that particular time.
That happens to everyone.
Let's face it. We cannot think about everything simultaneously, or act upon all of the things that motivate us, at the same time.
Our minds are extremely interesting in that they allow us to prioritize what we think about and decide to act upon. In other words, we have a selective thought processing system in our minds that allows us to make decisions.
The decision making process is an amazing part of the ongoing activity in our minds, as it also allows us to act in terms of priority. We can decide to act on one motivational thought at one time and another later.
We can also choose not to think about something until later, then recall it and think it through properly. Or we can just forget about it, if it is not something that is a priority to us. What we decide to think about or not think about, then act upon or not act upon, is up to us.
Do we have an on and off button for our thought processes?
In other words, can we just shut the thought process switch off and turn it back on later? Probably not a button, as such.
Perhaps the thought process switch is turned off in terms of consciousness and moral conscience responses, in those who choose to think about something else, other than that which needs to be acted upon.
Maybe there are times when some people just don't think at all?
Those who indulge in the abuse of alcohol, nicotine and substances of other kinds, may be turning off their thought processes, or altering their thinking in such a way that it does not allow or enable them to respond to motivation, even when they should.
The consequences of such inaction can be disastrous.
Individually and collectively, there are times when history records our decisions, coupled with our action or non-action. Perhaps that is why it is often wise to 'think twice' before making a decision about whether to act or not to act on motivational thoughts.
The decision about whether to act or not to act, depends a great deal on our individual thought processes. We weigh the various aspects of our motivational thoughts including the pros and cons of action or inaction, as well as looking at the possible consequences of our decision in that regard.
Thinking can appear to be an overwhelming process at times, particularly when we are busy, or when it feels that we are in a brain 'overload' situation and have too much to deal with at that particular time.
That happens to everyone.
Let's face it. We cannot think about everything simultaneously, or act upon all of the things that motivate us, at the same time.
Our minds are extremely interesting in that they allow us to prioritize what we think about and decide to act upon. In other words, we have a selective thought processing system in our minds that allows us to make decisions.
The decision making process is an amazing part of the ongoing activity in our minds, as it also allows us to act in terms of priority. We can decide to act on one motivational thought at one time and another later.
We can also choose not to think about something until later, then recall it and think it through properly. Or we can just forget about it, if it is not something that is a priority to us. What we decide to think about or not think about, then act upon or not act upon, is up to us.
Do we have an on and off button for our thought processes?
In other words, can we just shut the thought process switch off and turn it back on later? Probably not a button, as such.
Perhaps the thought process switch is turned off in terms of consciousness and moral conscience responses, in those who choose to think about something else, other than that which needs to be acted upon.
Maybe there are times when some people just don't think at all?
Those who indulge in the abuse of alcohol, nicotine and substances of other kinds, may be turning off their thought processes, or altering their thinking in such a way that it does not allow or enable them to respond to motivation, even when they should.
The consequences of such inaction can be disastrous.
Individually and collectively, there are times when history records our decisions, coupled with our action or non-action. Perhaps that is why it is often wise to 'think twice' before making a decision about whether to act or not to act on motivational thoughts.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The Simple and the Complex
The ability that our thinking processes demonstrate with respect to sorting things out is virtually amazing, at times.
We can be aware of something relatively simple and have no difficulty grasping what it is. Suddenly, we realize that it has the potential to be, or to become, something more complex. We have the capacity to cope with the simple and the complex individually, as well as simultaneously.
For example, we can look at a Sudoku game in a book, or on a computer screen and instantly see, as well as comprehend the numbers posted there. We recognize it for what it is. That seems simple enough. Then, our minds switch over to 'game' mode, as we begin to fill in the missing numbers.
Or we have the concept of a 'stick man' in our minds. Suddenly, it becomes the framework for a sketch of a man.
Note that in conjunction with the simple and the complex thoughts in our minds, other talents, skills and abilities begin to surface, as well. Our mathematical skills surface in the game of Sudoku. When drawing, our artistic skills come to the forefront. Perhaps both of them draw from our memory banks.
We might wonder where these additional skills come from at that particular moment in time. Perhaps both of them have been dormant and are only challenged under the right circumstances.
What does this tell us?
Maybe we should keep challenging ourselves because motivational challenges awaken that which lies dormant in our minds.
What is your challenge of the day?
Is it something simple, complex, or does it have the potential for both? Can you take it even further and explore the other realms of your mind, at the same time?
Maybe you could and should act on it.
We can be aware of something relatively simple and have no difficulty grasping what it is. Suddenly, we realize that it has the potential to be, or to become, something more complex. We have the capacity to cope with the simple and the complex individually, as well as simultaneously.
For example, we can look at a Sudoku game in a book, or on a computer screen and instantly see, as well as comprehend the numbers posted there. We recognize it for what it is. That seems simple enough. Then, our minds switch over to 'game' mode, as we begin to fill in the missing numbers.
Or we have the concept of a 'stick man' in our minds. Suddenly, it becomes the framework for a sketch of a man.
Note that in conjunction with the simple and the complex thoughts in our minds, other talents, skills and abilities begin to surface, as well. Our mathematical skills surface in the game of Sudoku. When drawing, our artistic skills come to the forefront. Perhaps both of them draw from our memory banks.
We might wonder where these additional skills come from at that particular moment in time. Perhaps both of them have been dormant and are only challenged under the right circumstances.
What does this tell us?
Maybe we should keep challenging ourselves because motivational challenges awaken that which lies dormant in our minds.
What is your challenge of the day?
Is it something simple, complex, or does it have the potential for both? Can you take it even further and explore the other realms of your mind, at the same time?
Maybe you could and should act on it.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
An Open Door
Miraculously, we get out of bed every morning, with an 'open door' to new thoughts.
Nothing is 'set in stone' or 'fixed' in our minds, in such a way that we have to think specific thoughts, at any particular time of a new day.
Is that not a good thing?
Whatever we choose to think is entirely up to us. This is not stating that people, specific events or a multiplicity of other things, will not influence how we think, feel and react that day.
Imagine a man trying to create a mind with total freedom of thought like that.
It would appear to be an impossibility for man and yet Matthew 19:26 tells us "...with God, all things are possible."
We open doorways to new thoughts in many different ways, often allowing our thoughts to go whatever direction they choose. We can also close our minds to certain thoughts or thought processes, if we prefer to do so. Sometimes, we do that, even unknowingly.
We can also choose to worship our minds, the power of our minds and our own thought processes, or our Creator. Opening our minds to the potential of thought processes that function in the realm of possibility, gives us more and more potential open doors, every day.
Being locked into the realm of impossibility is no fun. Closing our minds, closes doors and brings an end to possibility beyond that which is only human.
Found an new, open door of thought?
We can choose whether or not we want to enter that new, open door of thought. There is lots of room for exploration, if we just have the courage to step inside.
Life is an open door.
Explore it fully and enjoy it.
Nothing is 'set in stone' or 'fixed' in our minds, in such a way that we have to think specific thoughts, at any particular time of a new day.
Is that not a good thing?
Whatever we choose to think is entirely up to us. This is not stating that people, specific events or a multiplicity of other things, will not influence how we think, feel and react that day.
Imagine a man trying to create a mind with total freedom of thought like that.
It would appear to be an impossibility for man and yet Matthew 19:26 tells us "...with God, all things are possible."
We open doorways to new thoughts in many different ways, often allowing our thoughts to go whatever direction they choose. We can also close our minds to certain thoughts or thought processes, if we prefer to do so. Sometimes, we do that, even unknowingly.
We can also choose to worship our minds, the power of our minds and our own thought processes, or our Creator. Opening our minds to the potential of thought processes that function in the realm of possibility, gives us more and more potential open doors, every day.
Being locked into the realm of impossibility is no fun. Closing our minds, closes doors and brings an end to possibility beyond that which is only human.
Found an new, open door of thought?
We can choose whether or not we want to enter that new, open door of thought. There is lots of room for exploration, if we just have the courage to step inside.
Life is an open door.
Explore it fully and enjoy it.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Weather
Ever wonder what we think about weather?
This morning dawned cold, wet and very windy. Tree branches were swaying every direction and they still are, a number of hours later. Gray clouds were piled high over the lake in the distance. Streaks of lighter colored clouds raced across the sky, to the south.
I had to hang onto the kitchen door on the north, when I opened it. That is how strong the wind was, at that particular moment in time. The wind could easily have torn the blind off, but I quickly raised it and managed to grab the door fast enough to keep it from banging against the railing.
Now, the sun is shining.
So much better, wouldn't you agree?
But, going outside briefly, it was still quite windy and cold.
How do our minds process all of that and give us total recall later?
Inside, I was not aware of the wind, other than an occasional gust now and then. The temperature was and still is warm in here, as the sun is coming in the living room patio door. There is peaceful, classical music playing in the background.
More total recall....perfect peace prevails.
Amazing, the power of our minds to register everything that has happened, is happening and process it according to the correct time frame.
What about the weather?
What do you think?
This morning dawned cold, wet and very windy. Tree branches were swaying every direction and they still are, a number of hours later. Gray clouds were piled high over the lake in the distance. Streaks of lighter colored clouds raced across the sky, to the south.
I had to hang onto the kitchen door on the north, when I opened it. That is how strong the wind was, at that particular moment in time. The wind could easily have torn the blind off, but I quickly raised it and managed to grab the door fast enough to keep it from banging against the railing.
Now, the sun is shining.
So much better, wouldn't you agree?
But, going outside briefly, it was still quite windy and cold.
How do our minds process all of that and give us total recall later?
Inside, I was not aware of the wind, other than an occasional gust now and then. The temperature was and still is warm in here, as the sun is coming in the living room patio door. There is peaceful, classical music playing in the background.
More total recall....perfect peace prevails.
Amazing, the power of our minds to register everything that has happened, is happening and process it according to the correct time frame.
What about the weather?
What do you think?
Friday, October 14, 2011
Panic Attacks
Ever have a sudden panic attack for no apparent reason? It can be a frightening experience for anyone.
Fear is a negative, emotional response to something that frightens us and the trigger behind panic attacks.
There are times when a person having a panic attack, does not know what he or she is afraid of.
For example, a man gets off the elevator on the fifteenth floor of a building and suddenly freezes mentally, emotionally and physically. He does not know why. Maybe he is experiencing a weird sensation related to the sudden change in elevation, but perhaps it has more to do with the reality of fear related to his pending job interview.
Fear is a protective mechanism that functions in our thought processes.
Three normal reactions to fear are fight, flight and paralysis. Depending upon the level of fear that we experience, it can warn us, protect us or result in paralysis leading to non-action.
Panic attacks result when fear becomes overwhelming, for whatever reason.
For example, an infant can experience a panic attack, when his or her parents turn off the light and leave the room. While there is really nothing for him or her to be afraid of, he or she senses a change in his or her environment.
A young child can panic when he or she sees a puppy coming towards him or her, as harmless as that puppy may be. Perhaps it is the movement that triggers his or her fear.
An older child may panic when he or she has to cross the street, even though there is no oncoming traffic. He or she may be recalling a previous, negative experience. A teenager can panic when he or she is confronted with a blind date, knowing that he or she is not ready to date yet.
A parent can have a panic attack, if suddenly a child is missing from his or her bed, even if that child is still in the room. An elderly patient may panic if he or she does not recognize his or her surroundings, or cannot find something.
It is important to recognize the difference between legitimate fears and non-legitimate fears, when it comes to panic attacks.
Mentally, we can understand the difference, as our thought processes are able to sort through what is going on in our minds, at any moment in time. Trusting our instincts and judgements is always important.
"Do not fear."
Some suggest that this is 'angel talk', but it is something to think about when experiencing a panic attack for whatever reason.
Recognize legitimate fears and those that are not and then re-act accordingly. Do not panic.
Fear is a negative, emotional response to something that frightens us and the trigger behind panic attacks.
There are times when a person having a panic attack, does not know what he or she is afraid of.
For example, a man gets off the elevator on the fifteenth floor of a building and suddenly freezes mentally, emotionally and physically. He does not know why. Maybe he is experiencing a weird sensation related to the sudden change in elevation, but perhaps it has more to do with the reality of fear related to his pending job interview.
Fear is a protective mechanism that functions in our thought processes.
Three normal reactions to fear are fight, flight and paralysis. Depending upon the level of fear that we experience, it can warn us, protect us or result in paralysis leading to non-action.
Panic attacks result when fear becomes overwhelming, for whatever reason.
For example, an infant can experience a panic attack, when his or her parents turn off the light and leave the room. While there is really nothing for him or her to be afraid of, he or she senses a change in his or her environment.
A young child can panic when he or she sees a puppy coming towards him or her, as harmless as that puppy may be. Perhaps it is the movement that triggers his or her fear.
An older child may panic when he or she has to cross the street, even though there is no oncoming traffic. He or she may be recalling a previous, negative experience. A teenager can panic when he or she is confronted with a blind date, knowing that he or she is not ready to date yet.
A parent can have a panic attack, if suddenly a child is missing from his or her bed, even if that child is still in the room. An elderly patient may panic if he or she does not recognize his or her surroundings, or cannot find something.
It is important to recognize the difference between legitimate fears and non-legitimate fears, when it comes to panic attacks.
Mentally, we can understand the difference, as our thought processes are able to sort through what is going on in our minds, at any moment in time. Trusting our instincts and judgements is always important.
"Do not fear."
Some suggest that this is 'angel talk', but it is something to think about when experiencing a panic attack for whatever reason.
Recognize legitimate fears and those that are not and then re-act accordingly. Do not panic.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Understanding Ourselves
Understanding ourselves may not always be easy, but it is certainly interesting to enter into a deep, contemplative mode in our thoughts and attempt a self-analysis.
Interestingly enough, we may or may not make notes, or even mental notes of our self-analysis.
It really does seem to matter whether we do or not, as the data remains in our thought processes, even though it may appear to be dormant or latent, at times. In other words, it is not always at the forefront of our thinking.
Normally, we have the ability to extract the same information any time we wish to do so. We can pull up that data again and again, if we choose. There is no limit on the number of times that we can think about something.
Even more astounding is the reality that if our thought processes are interrupted for some reason, we can return to those same thoughts again, whenever we have an opportunity to do so. We can turn on our contemplative mode, at any time. We can also exit out of it whenever.
Realizing that our minds and thoughts are virtually amazing, in so many different ways, we begin to see how important it is that we stay mentally healthy and protect ourselves from anything that might alter our minds, or our ability to function in terms of our thought processes.
Just some thoughts to think about, for those who think it is all right to use mind- altering drugs. Once the damage is done to our brains, it is done. Can our minds be restored, once damaged? Maybe not.
Enjoy that contemplative mode? Do not do anything that might destroy it as it might be gone forever if you do.
Interestingly enough, we may or may not make notes, or even mental notes of our self-analysis.
It really does seem to matter whether we do or not, as the data remains in our thought processes, even though it may appear to be dormant or latent, at times. In other words, it is not always at the forefront of our thinking.
Normally, we have the ability to extract the same information any time we wish to do so. We can pull up that data again and again, if we choose. There is no limit on the number of times that we can think about something.
Even more astounding is the reality that if our thought processes are interrupted for some reason, we can return to those same thoughts again, whenever we have an opportunity to do so. We can turn on our contemplative mode, at any time. We can also exit out of it whenever.
Realizing that our minds and thoughts are virtually amazing, in so many different ways, we begin to see how important it is that we stay mentally healthy and protect ourselves from anything that might alter our minds, or our ability to function in terms of our thought processes.
Just some thoughts to think about, for those who think it is all right to use mind- altering drugs. Once the damage is done to our brains, it is done. Can our minds be restored, once damaged? Maybe not.
Enjoy that contemplative mode? Do not do anything that might destroy it as it might be gone forever if you do.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
What is This?
The power of the human mind to find ways to deal with 'out of the ordinary' day-to-day issues, is amazing.
Let's face it, we all have 'out of the ordinary days' at one time, or another.
Sometimes, we can simply ignore them. At other times, these kinds of days can be totally frustrating and every once in a while, they can be infuriating.
What happens when an otherwise ordinary day is altered by something unexpected and different? What about when we have three days like that in a row? And then, when it does not appear to end?
Interestingly, we cope. Maybe we even learn new different of coping, as our thought processes function in new and amazing ways.
Mentally, we work our way around the obstacles that appear to block our plans. We find another route to travel, a different way to get where we were planning on going. We jump over whatever is necessary to accomplish what we want to do, even on those days that appear to be 'crazy' days because of their unscheduled events.
What is happening today?
A current Blackberry outage presents its own collection of communication problems.
Apparently, the problem appears to be resolvable. Hopefully, its resolution will bring about changes for the better. Ideally, the human minds working on the problems are experts in effective problem resolution.
If not, our thought processes will find a way.
Should we remain optimistic? Why not? It is more fun than being a pessimist.
Let's face it, we all have 'out of the ordinary days' at one time, or another.
Sometimes, we can simply ignore them. At other times, these kinds of days can be totally frustrating and every once in a while, they can be infuriating.
What happens when an otherwise ordinary day is altered by something unexpected and different? What about when we have three days like that in a row? And then, when it does not appear to end?
Interestingly, we cope. Maybe we even learn new different of coping, as our thought processes function in new and amazing ways.
Mentally, we work our way around the obstacles that appear to block our plans. We find another route to travel, a different way to get where we were planning on going. We jump over whatever is necessary to accomplish what we want to do, even on those days that appear to be 'crazy' days because of their unscheduled events.
What is happening today?
A current Blackberry outage presents its own collection of communication problems.
Apparently, the problem appears to be resolvable. Hopefully, its resolution will bring about changes for the better. Ideally, the human minds working on the problems are experts in effective problem resolution.
If not, our thought processes will find a way.
Should we remain optimistic? Why not? It is more fun than being a pessimist.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
My Thoughts, My Life
It is a good thing that these are my thoughts, in other words, my thoughts reflecting my life and not those of someone else about me.
It is also a good thing that we have minds that are able to process the events of our days, weeks, months and years, in such a way that it makes sense to us. If someone else had to construct our lives from the events that they observe and interpret, our lives would surely tell a different story.
For instance, think about an old man hobbling down the street, carrying a long, walking pole. What he would tell us about his life, would not likely be the same as what you, or I, might tell others about him.
His story about your life, or my life, might be totally different than it actually is, too.
The key to the reality of our lives and our understanding of it, has to do with our perception. How you and I perceive can be the same, or different. The way that others perceive can be the same, or different, as well.
Which story about my life, or your life, would be the correct version?
Would it be the the story about you or I, as told by the man with the walking pole?
Or, would it be better to believe the events that I recount about my life and the ones you recount about yours?
Is your account of my life, more accurate, better than mine? Is my account of your life, more accurate and better than yours? Maybe its the one that lies in the account of the old man with the walking pole, (at least from his perspective).
At best, life is extremely complex and how we perceive it, adds to its complexity. Combine our lives with the perception of it by the old man, and add our own perception to it and life gets increasingly complex.
Lots of room for fun, fantasy and fiction!
We celebrate the similarities and differences in our thought processes and our perception. We also celebrate the complexity of life, however it is perceived by whoever.
It is also a good thing that we have minds that are able to process the events of our days, weeks, months and years, in such a way that it makes sense to us. If someone else had to construct our lives from the events that they observe and interpret, our lives would surely tell a different story.
For instance, think about an old man hobbling down the street, carrying a long, walking pole. What he would tell us about his life, would not likely be the same as what you, or I, might tell others about him.
His story about your life, or my life, might be totally different than it actually is, too.
The key to the reality of our lives and our understanding of it, has to do with our perception. How you and I perceive can be the same, or different. The way that others perceive can be the same, or different, as well.
Which story about my life, or your life, would be the correct version?
Would it be the the story about you or I, as told by the man with the walking pole?
Or, would it be better to believe the events that I recount about my life and the ones you recount about yours?
Is your account of my life, more accurate, better than mine? Is my account of your life, more accurate and better than yours? Maybe its the one that lies in the account of the old man with the walking pole, (at least from his perspective).
At best, life is extremely complex and how we perceive it, adds to its complexity. Combine our lives with the perception of it by the old man, and add our own perception to it and life gets increasingly complex.
Lots of room for fun, fantasy and fiction!
We celebrate the similarities and differences in our thought processes and our perception. We also celebrate the complexity of life, however it is perceived by whoever.
Monday, October 10, 2011
On Giving Thanks
The other day, I purchased a mini-rose bush, only to find out later that it already appears to have 'almost' gone into dormancy, which is not totally unexpected in north-western Ontario, at this time of the year.
One blossom is a pale, pink color with a yellow center and it is already very 'dry'. Another two blossoms are bright red and have almost 'dried on the stem'. The fourth blossom is bright red, almost perfect and wide open. There are also several new buds on the bush, so they still may open up.
That single bright red rose and the new rose buds are the reason that I purchased the plant, (as well as to have a mini-rose bush in my otherwise empty, white ceramic flower pot painted with similar roses, for the Thanksgiving weekend).
Water and fertilizer should be the secret to regeneration. Sunlight may help too, but will the plant come back out of its dormancy stage before its time? Maybe classical music will awaken it.
This reminds me of the thoughts in our minds.
At times, we think that our thoughts are alive and well, only to find that they may have gone into a dormancy stage, too. (Probably not all of them, as we are still up and about and doing our own thing, individually and collectively.)
Regardless, I have a plan for those roses.
I will let them dry some more, before cutting them and then create a new, dried flower arrangement that can be placed on my 'love knot'. The 'love knot' was a gift given to me by one of my nieces, a number of years ago.
At this time, it is currently in transition, as the original flowers and leaves have gradually fallen off. At the moment, it only has a new, pale green bow.
On giving thanks, it must be said that we can never give enough thanks for all of the blessings in our lives, including roses and dried roses.
One blossom is a pale, pink color with a yellow center and it is already very 'dry'. Another two blossoms are bright red and have almost 'dried on the stem'. The fourth blossom is bright red, almost perfect and wide open. There are also several new buds on the bush, so they still may open up.
That single bright red rose and the new rose buds are the reason that I purchased the plant, (as well as to have a mini-rose bush in my otherwise empty, white ceramic flower pot painted with similar roses, for the Thanksgiving weekend).
Water and fertilizer should be the secret to regeneration. Sunlight may help too, but will the plant come back out of its dormancy stage before its time? Maybe classical music will awaken it.
This reminds me of the thoughts in our minds.
At times, we think that our thoughts are alive and well, only to find that they may have gone into a dormancy stage, too. (Probably not all of them, as we are still up and about and doing our own thing, individually and collectively.)
Regardless, I have a plan for those roses.
I will let them dry some more, before cutting them and then create a new, dried flower arrangement that can be placed on my 'love knot'. The 'love knot' was a gift given to me by one of my nieces, a number of years ago.
At this time, it is currently in transition, as the original flowers and leaves have gradually fallen off. At the moment, it only has a new, pale green bow.
On giving thanks, it must be said that we can never give enough thanks for all of the blessings in our lives, including roses and dried roses.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
The Same Thoughts, Yet Different
While many of us have the same thoughts at various times, yet our thoughts and thought patterns are different.
A recent provincial election in Ontario, revealed that only 49 % of the population voted. 51 % did not vote, for one reason or another. Why? Is it that we all think differently and act in accordance with our own thoughts?
If that 51 % of non-voters lost their right to vote, for not voting, they might think differently again, but because voting is optional, not mandatory in Canada, people can choose to vote or not to vote in provincial elections.
At the same time many people choose not to vote, they may still want to state their thoughts to others, in no uncertain terms. Basically, it comes down to asserting and voicing their independent status.
When a million people choose to do that, it may become a protest, or even possibly a riot.
Political parties struggle to establish common goals based upon common thoughts and thought patterns. Some of them succeed while others fail. A lot depends upon the leader, how he or she thinks and voices thoughts on behalf of the people.
While it may be fine to choose not to vote, anyone who decides to go that route, allows others to vote on his or her behalf. How do you feel about having others express your thoughts, whether you are thinking them, or not? They may or may not vote for your candidate or political party.
We have the same thoughts, yet they can be different.
Not voting may state something too, like "I am too busy." Perhaps it says, "I don't care." Maybe it means there is a state of hopelessness, helplessness and apathy towards the government.
Next election, speak out on your own behalf by voting.
A 51 % majority not voting, means that the 49 % non-majority already won.
A recent provincial election in Ontario, revealed that only 49 % of the population voted. 51 % did not vote, for one reason or another. Why? Is it that we all think differently and act in accordance with our own thoughts?
If that 51 % of non-voters lost their right to vote, for not voting, they might think differently again, but because voting is optional, not mandatory in Canada, people can choose to vote or not to vote in provincial elections.
At the same time many people choose not to vote, they may still want to state their thoughts to others, in no uncertain terms. Basically, it comes down to asserting and voicing their independent status.
When a million people choose to do that, it may become a protest, or even possibly a riot.
Political parties struggle to establish common goals based upon common thoughts and thought patterns. Some of them succeed while others fail. A lot depends upon the leader, how he or she thinks and voices thoughts on behalf of the people.
While it may be fine to choose not to vote, anyone who decides to go that route, allows others to vote on his or her behalf. How do you feel about having others express your thoughts, whether you are thinking them, or not? They may or may not vote for your candidate or political party.
We have the same thoughts, yet they can be different.
Not voting may state something too, like "I am too busy." Perhaps it says, "I don't care." Maybe it means there is a state of hopelessness, helplessness and apathy towards the government.
Next election, speak out on your own behalf by voting.
A 51 % majority not voting, means that the 49 % non-majority already won.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Simultaneous Thought
"I just wrote you a letter," my Dad said, as I walked into his hospital room, a number of years ago. Smiling, he handed me the addressed, sealed envelope that was in his hand. "I was letting you know that I am in the hospital."
I had just flown from southern Ontario to Thunder Bay. No one knew that I was en route. I was not aware that my father was ill, but knew that he was on my mind, for some reason.
As I often did, as soon as the plane landed, I telephoned my mother to let her know that I was in town. She advised me, that Dad was in the hospital and suggested that I go and see him there, before I headed out into the country for a family visit.
To say the least, I was astounded.
When two people have simultaneous thinking, or simultaneous thought patterns, it can be astounding to say the least. Many people have simultaneous thinking, or simultaneous thought patterns and are not aware of it.
Interestingly, when I was working on my Religious Studies degree, I became aware that even many years ago, the same kinds of thought patterns were emerging simultaneously, in different parts of the world, areas that were totally unrelated by religion or culture. Most people were completely unaware of it too, even though historically, what they were thinking and expressing in what they wrote, was dated as to time and place.
We don't understand or appreciate simultaneous thought, mostly because we are not aware of its reality.
Even more astounding was my experience with a slab of clay that I worked on as an amateur sculptor, a long time ago.
I had crafted a human face experiencing for the first time, the feeling of working with a slab of clay. I could almost sense what a professional sculptor might have experienced, as I formed the features on the man's face.
It was not very long before that face collapsed, simply because the clay I was working with was too moist. I watched it melt down. It was gone forever and I never did attempt to re-create it.
Interestingly though, not long after, I found exactly the same face, a face with identical features, in a brochure. The face in the picture of the sculpture dated back many centuries.
I marvel at the possibility of simultaneous thought being expressed in a human face, over the generations. This was my personal experience, only explainable to me as the oneness of the mind of God and human beings, regardless of time and place.
Thinking something about someone?
They may be thinking the same thing.
I had just flown from southern Ontario to Thunder Bay. No one knew that I was en route. I was not aware that my father was ill, but knew that he was on my mind, for some reason.
As I often did, as soon as the plane landed, I telephoned my mother to let her know that I was in town. She advised me, that Dad was in the hospital and suggested that I go and see him there, before I headed out into the country for a family visit.
To say the least, I was astounded.
When two people have simultaneous thinking, or simultaneous thought patterns, it can be astounding to say the least. Many people have simultaneous thinking, or simultaneous thought patterns and are not aware of it.
Interestingly, when I was working on my Religious Studies degree, I became aware that even many years ago, the same kinds of thought patterns were emerging simultaneously, in different parts of the world, areas that were totally unrelated by religion or culture. Most people were completely unaware of it too, even though historically, what they were thinking and expressing in what they wrote, was dated as to time and place.
We don't understand or appreciate simultaneous thought, mostly because we are not aware of its reality.
Even more astounding was my experience with a slab of clay that I worked on as an amateur sculptor, a long time ago.
I had crafted a human face experiencing for the first time, the feeling of working with a slab of clay. I could almost sense what a professional sculptor might have experienced, as I formed the features on the man's face.
It was not very long before that face collapsed, simply because the clay I was working with was too moist. I watched it melt down. It was gone forever and I never did attempt to re-create it.
Interestingly though, not long after, I found exactly the same face, a face with identical features, in a brochure. The face in the picture of the sculpture dated back many centuries.
I marvel at the possibility of simultaneous thought being expressed in a human face, over the generations. This was my personal experience, only explainable to me as the oneness of the mind of God and human beings, regardless of time and place.
Thinking something about someone?
They may be thinking the same thing.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Limited Edition
Ever notice how you and others tend to place immediate value on a painting that is a limited edition?
In our thought processes, we understand that there are limits on things and because they are limited, they have value to us.
"When that book is sold, there will not be any more copies printed."
"Buy it while you can."
The human mind is unique in that it can co-relate limits with our inherent sense of value.
At the same time, we are able to find ways to extend something that has limits. Our creative genius kicks into action and begins to function in a way that tries to take limits off things.
We don't really want anything to have limits and thus, we instinctively seek to take the limits off things by making copies of them, in one way or another.
Apply that same kind of principle to people.
"You are a limited edition."
"You are an unlimited edition."
One wonders which people we should value the most. Do we tend to place more value on those who are able to procreate and thus extend their limits? More and more children are born. Family trees get larger and larger. Family values, good and bad, are passed on.
Do we value family members who are limited editions?
Perhaps the unlimited edition is so perfect, it should be extended forever.
Maybe the limited edition was imperfect, at best, right from the beginning and thus there is no point in continuing it any further. Could it be that the limited edition has reached the peak of perfection?
Who knows?
Looking at those around you, remind yourself that there are limits on everything and everyone. Because there are limits, treasure everyone equally. Enjoy them while you can. Love them.
See yourself as having value, being of worth, whether you are part of the limited edition, or the unlimited edition.
You are unique. You are you. You are loved.
In our thought processes, we understand that there are limits on things and because they are limited, they have value to us.
"When that book is sold, there will not be any more copies printed."
"Buy it while you can."
The human mind is unique in that it can co-relate limits with our inherent sense of value.
At the same time, we are able to find ways to extend something that has limits. Our creative genius kicks into action and begins to function in a way that tries to take limits off things.
We don't really want anything to have limits and thus, we instinctively seek to take the limits off things by making copies of them, in one way or another.
Apply that same kind of principle to people.
"You are a limited edition."
"You are an unlimited edition."
One wonders which people we should value the most. Do we tend to place more value on those who are able to procreate and thus extend their limits? More and more children are born. Family trees get larger and larger. Family values, good and bad, are passed on.
Do we value family members who are limited editions?
Perhaps the unlimited edition is so perfect, it should be extended forever.
Maybe the limited edition was imperfect, at best, right from the beginning and thus there is no point in continuing it any further. Could it be that the limited edition has reached the peak of perfection?
Who knows?
Looking at those around you, remind yourself that there are limits on everything and everyone. Because there are limits, treasure everyone equally. Enjoy them while you can. Love them.
See yourself as having value, being of worth, whether you are part of the limited edition, or the unlimited edition.
You are unique. You are you. You are loved.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
At Any Moment
At any moment in time, we can be confronted with the reality of a birth, marriage or death of a loved one or friend. The same is true of accidents, injuries or illnesses. In reality, we can have dozens of events taking place simultaneously, including graduations, birthdays and anniversaries.
Amazingly, our thought processes are not overwhelmed by any of them, at least not for very long. When there appears to be difficulty processing something, our mental faculties are such that we cope in one way or another. Sometimes, we need time to sort out events and think things through. We are able to do that and can marvel at how we respond.
Note that these life events can be personal or non-personal, depending upon the relationship we have with others. It does not really seem to matter if they are personal or non-personal, as we can deal with them, either way. We rejoice with those who are rejoicing and grieve with those in mourning.
More than likely, most of us do not appreciate the ability of our thought processes to keep our lives ordered, in spite of the dozens of things that happen and cause chaos, every single day. We know that everything is 'only for a time' and 'this too will pass', whatever it is.
Take a moment and make a note of the events in your life, for just one day.
You may be amazed.
Amazingly, our thought processes are not overwhelmed by any of them, at least not for very long. When there appears to be difficulty processing something, our mental faculties are such that we cope in one way or another. Sometimes, we need time to sort out events and think things through. We are able to do that and can marvel at how we respond.
Note that these life events can be personal or non-personal, depending upon the relationship we have with others. It does not really seem to matter if they are personal or non-personal, as we can deal with them, either way. We rejoice with those who are rejoicing and grieve with those in mourning.
More than likely, most of us do not appreciate the ability of our thought processes to keep our lives ordered, in spite of the dozens of things that happen and cause chaos, every single day. We know that everything is 'only for a time' and 'this too will pass', whatever it is.
Take a moment and make a note of the events in your life, for just one day.
You may be amazed.
Friday, September 30, 2011
The Writer's Spirit
Do you feel that you should be writing, but are not really certain about how to start, or where to begin writing?
What do you think you should be writing about?
Perhaps you think that you would do well writing fiction, rather than non-fiction. Maybe you think that you would have better success in another genre, writing in your area of expertise like farming, fishing or building windmills. You just might!
What do you really want to write?
Do you know?
Have you ever really stopped to think about it?
Sometimes, you may know exactly what you want to write, but not always. You may think that you have figured out what you want to write, only to be disappointed later, if you discover that is not what you want to write, at all. It may not be where your interests lie.
Every writer has a unique human spirit, hidden deep within his or her thought processes. It acts as a muse. The muse, when not stifled, potentially leads a writer in the direction he or she is intended to go.
Amazingly, the inner spirit responds to the emotions and feelings of the human heart.
Let's face it, the writer's spirit is a human spirit, but there are times when the human spirit can be touched and moved to write, by the divine spirit of God. Even God has a heart!
When your writer's spirit triggers the desire to write, simply do that. Write whatever and whenever. Don't discard it, as you may want to re-read or re-write it, at a later date.
Enjoy writing and remember that your unique writer's inner spirit, as well as your muse, are to be valued.
What do you think you should be writing about?
Perhaps you think that you would do well writing fiction, rather than non-fiction. Maybe you think that you would have better success in another genre, writing in your area of expertise like farming, fishing or building windmills. You just might!
What do you really want to write?
Do you know?
Have you ever really stopped to think about it?
Sometimes, you may know exactly what you want to write, but not always. You may think that you have figured out what you want to write, only to be disappointed later, if you discover that is not what you want to write, at all. It may not be where your interests lie.
Every writer has a unique human spirit, hidden deep within his or her thought processes. It acts as a muse. The muse, when not stifled, potentially leads a writer in the direction he or she is intended to go.
Amazingly, the inner spirit responds to the emotions and feelings of the human heart.
Let's face it, the writer's spirit is a human spirit, but there are times when the human spirit can be touched and moved to write, by the divine spirit of God. Even God has a heart!
When your writer's spirit triggers the desire to write, simply do that. Write whatever and whenever. Don't discard it, as you may want to re-read or re-write it, at a later date.
Enjoy writing and remember that your unique writer's inner spirit, as well as your muse, are to be valued.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Autumn Leaves
It's a rainy day here, but there is a wonderful display of golden autumn leaves on the tree just outside my patio door, this morning. Beautiful to behold!
My mind travels back to other autumns where the reds, oranges and golds have dotted many miles of different horizons, over the years.
It is amazing how we can 'take pictures' with our minds, relegate them to a certain 'album' in our thought processes and recall them instantly. Did we ever sort through them, or assign a certain place for them in our minds? No, not knowingly.
Think about this for a moment.
This is only one 'category', that of autumn leaves. How many other 'categories' have been established in our minds?
Consider the lakes and rivers, mountains and prairies, that we have seen. The images of them are hidden, somewhere deep in our minds. We can recall them instantly, just as easily.
Sometimes, it takes a 'trigger' to bring them back to life. That 'trigger' can be a mental picture of another lake, river, mountain or prairie, or it can be a photograph. Sometimes, it is a word about something that arouses our recall.
It is amazing how our thoughts never seem to get cluttered, considering the volume of wild and wonderful imagery fed into it, over time.
That imagery is not like excess baggage that weighs us down, either. We have no problem carrying around all of the pictures that we have taken with our minds and stored in our thoughts, over the years.
The pictures are perfectly placed, in an orderly fashion.
We might begin to wonder how many images have disappeared over the years, because image overload might have caused the photographic 'computers' in our thought processes to crash.
Perhaps we have some 'genius' ability that allows a 'primary' image to take precedence over all of the others, in each case. Maybe the other images go into 'sub-files' files in our minds.
Maybe our minds actually do function like computers, in more ways than one.
Enjoy the beauty of the autumn leaves, as that will soon pass. Take mental photographs and store them in your mind for later reflection.
My mind travels back to other autumns where the reds, oranges and golds have dotted many miles of different horizons, over the years.
It is amazing how we can 'take pictures' with our minds, relegate them to a certain 'album' in our thought processes and recall them instantly. Did we ever sort through them, or assign a certain place for them in our minds? No, not knowingly.
Think about this for a moment.
This is only one 'category', that of autumn leaves. How many other 'categories' have been established in our minds?
Consider the lakes and rivers, mountains and prairies, that we have seen. The images of them are hidden, somewhere deep in our minds. We can recall them instantly, just as easily.
Sometimes, it takes a 'trigger' to bring them back to life. That 'trigger' can be a mental picture of another lake, river, mountain or prairie, or it can be a photograph. Sometimes, it is a word about something that arouses our recall.
It is amazing how our thoughts never seem to get cluttered, considering the volume of wild and wonderful imagery fed into it, over time.
That imagery is not like excess baggage that weighs us down, either. We have no problem carrying around all of the pictures that we have taken with our minds and stored in our thoughts, over the years.
The pictures are perfectly placed, in an orderly fashion.
We might begin to wonder how many images have disappeared over the years, because image overload might have caused the photographic 'computers' in our thought processes to crash.
Perhaps we have some 'genius' ability that allows a 'primary' image to take precedence over all of the others, in each case. Maybe the other images go into 'sub-files' files in our minds.
Maybe our minds actually do function like computers, in more ways than one.
Enjoy the beauty of the autumn leaves, as that will soon pass. Take mental photographs and store them in your mind for later reflection.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Slippery Slope
Life can be somewhat of a slippery slope, or at least we can see it that way in our mind's eye, at times.
How our thoughts progress can make some things appear to be very tenuous and risky, at the best. At other times, in our thought processes, an inherent sense of safety abounds. No slippery slope there, or if there is, it appears to be minimal.
Sometimes, we may have too much of a sense of safety and try to take on things that could be potentially unsafe for us to tackle, at any age.
This is true of a baby or toddler, trying to get out of a high chair, crib or day bed. He or she thinks it is time to try and figures out a way to do so, perhaps totally unaware that a tumble onto a hard floor, might really hurt.
Even a young child does not hesitate to try to climb a huge, oak tree, far beyond his or her awareness of his or her ability to climb. His or her thought processes present the experience in a positive light. To him or her, it is possible.
A ten year old will take a canoe or kayak out into the water alone, without having any sense of danger, if the opportunity presents itself. A twelve year old will climb the face of a rock cliff, even when warned not to do so.
In a negative light, a fourteen year old may not hesitate to smoke, drink or try drugs, not realizing the seriousness of what he or she is doing.
Older teenagers take all kinds of serious risks. They learn to drive, thoroughly enjoying the slippery slopes in their lives. It does not take long and they leave home, often against the better judgment of their parents.
For almost everyone, there is a sense of safety and security, combined with the need for exploration and adventure. This continues on into our adult years, with the slippery slope gradually being perceived more and more, in terms of the reality of risk taking.
Young adults do not hesitate to take on marriage partners, in spite of the high rates of marriage breakups. They begin to start their own families and take risks along with them.
For most older children, teenagers and adults, there is increasing awareness of the reality of possibility, combined with the reality of adverse, or negative life experiences happening.
Even the young, older and oldest elderly seem to have no problem taking on a risk or two, when the human thought process presents positive possibilities, as the end result.
Why not take the risk?
We think in such a way that we can see that there is lots to gain and nothing to lose. Unfortunately, that may not always be the case, particularly when the slippery slope becomes even more slippery, over time.
Success and failure are the direct result of our daily, active thought processes. When we see something as being to our benefit or advantage, as well as something that is possible, we are highly likely to attempt it even when there are risks involved.
Looking back, we might think about how crazy something we did was, and laugh at the reality that against all odds, we succeeded in doing it. Perhaps it could have turned out differently, but it didn't.
We think about risk taking and relish in the fact that in spite of the wide range of risks we encounter every day, things usually turn out for the better, not for the worse.
Life is full of possibilities intertwined with slippery slopes of various kinds, but is that not what makes life fun, too?
How our thoughts progress can make some things appear to be very tenuous and risky, at the best. At other times, in our thought processes, an inherent sense of safety abounds. No slippery slope there, or if there is, it appears to be minimal.
Sometimes, we may have too much of a sense of safety and try to take on things that could be potentially unsafe for us to tackle, at any age.
This is true of a baby or toddler, trying to get out of a high chair, crib or day bed. He or she thinks it is time to try and figures out a way to do so, perhaps totally unaware that a tumble onto a hard floor, might really hurt.
Even a young child does not hesitate to try to climb a huge, oak tree, far beyond his or her awareness of his or her ability to climb. His or her thought processes present the experience in a positive light. To him or her, it is possible.
A ten year old will take a canoe or kayak out into the water alone, without having any sense of danger, if the opportunity presents itself. A twelve year old will climb the face of a rock cliff, even when warned not to do so.
In a negative light, a fourteen year old may not hesitate to smoke, drink or try drugs, not realizing the seriousness of what he or she is doing.
Older teenagers take all kinds of serious risks. They learn to drive, thoroughly enjoying the slippery slopes in their lives. It does not take long and they leave home, often against the better judgment of their parents.
For almost everyone, there is a sense of safety and security, combined with the need for exploration and adventure. This continues on into our adult years, with the slippery slope gradually being perceived more and more, in terms of the reality of risk taking.
Young adults do not hesitate to take on marriage partners, in spite of the high rates of marriage breakups. They begin to start their own families and take risks along with them.
For most older children, teenagers and adults, there is increasing awareness of the reality of possibility, combined with the reality of adverse, or negative life experiences happening.
Even the young, older and oldest elderly seem to have no problem taking on a risk or two, when the human thought process presents positive possibilities, as the end result.
Why not take the risk?
We think in such a way that we can see that there is lots to gain and nothing to lose. Unfortunately, that may not always be the case, particularly when the slippery slope becomes even more slippery, over time.
Success and failure are the direct result of our daily, active thought processes. When we see something as being to our benefit or advantage, as well as something that is possible, we are highly likely to attempt it even when there are risks involved.
Looking back, we might think about how crazy something we did was, and laugh at the reality that against all odds, we succeeded in doing it. Perhaps it could have turned out differently, but it didn't.
We think about risk taking and relish in the fact that in spite of the wide range of risks we encounter every day, things usually turn out for the better, not for the worse.
Life is full of possibilities intertwined with slippery slopes of various kinds, but is that not what makes life fun, too?
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Wandering Thoughts
Wandering thoughts are something that we all have, at different times. It is kind fun to let our thoughts wander and take us wherever they want to go, as one thought leads to another in chain-like fashion.
Our thoughts are such that they can wander through both time and space, at random and even simultaneously.
In our thoughts, we can remember things that happened just moments ago. At times, we can forget them too. (This reminds me of an Alzheimer's patient looking for the socks he had just put on his feet.)
We have hundreds of moments in time that we can recall from earlier periods in our lives. We can have instant recall of them, at times.
Not everyone remembers events from early childhood onward, but many people do. Remembering these kinds of things is a sign of good health, unless one gets locked into that time period and cannot get out of it.
I am exceptionally blessed with early childhood memories, like trying to find Grandma, in her garden. She was picking raspberries, but to me 'hiding' behind the tall raspberry bushes. They were like a mini-forest to me, at age three. The ripe, red raspberries tasted good!
My early childhood memories actually go back earlier than that, even to the time when I was just beginning to crawl.
I had followed Grandpa through a doorway in the farmhouse kitchen. Much to my surprise, it was very dark behind that door. I tumbled down a long flight of wooden stairs into Grandpa's workshop. I landed with a thud and was actually more surprised than hurt. Grandpa picked me up and held me close, until Grandma came downstairs. I remember getting a good scolding and spanking from her. She was probably more frightened than I was.
Grandma was a wonderful lady, who I loved dearly. She made the best tasting 'new' potatoes with fresh butter and milk. For my sixth birthday, she gave me a beautiful set of ceramic doll dishes.
Our thoughts allow us to transport ourselves to places where we have been, or even places we want to go in the future.
For instance, I can still see the market place in Groningen, Holland, surrounded by churches and other red brick buildings, where I watched the doves and marveled at the beautiful flowers, the Gouda cheese and salt herring. That dates back to 1968.
We treasure our wandering thoughts, like precious memories of family occasions that we have celebrated, over the years. For example, Dad's 75th birthday brings back the memory of a plane trip from southern Ontario to Thunder Bay.
Dad was born on December 24th, Christmas Eve. At that time of year, it was extremely cold.
His eyes lit up, as he showed me a beautiful doll he had purchased for one of my nieces. The doll was almost as beautiful as she was.
In our mind's eye, we can also see ourselves at some place where we want to go, maybe a place have always wanted to visit, like the east coast. We are able to project ourselves into that environment and then work towards bringing about the fulfillment of that thought.
Such is the nature of our wandering thoughts. How empty our lives would be without wandering thoughts.
Our thoughts are such that they can wander through both time and space, at random and even simultaneously.
In our thoughts, we can remember things that happened just moments ago. At times, we can forget them too. (This reminds me of an Alzheimer's patient looking for the socks he had just put on his feet.)
We have hundreds of moments in time that we can recall from earlier periods in our lives. We can have instant recall of them, at times.
Not everyone remembers events from early childhood onward, but many people do. Remembering these kinds of things is a sign of good health, unless one gets locked into that time period and cannot get out of it.
I am exceptionally blessed with early childhood memories, like trying to find Grandma, in her garden. She was picking raspberries, but to me 'hiding' behind the tall raspberry bushes. They were like a mini-forest to me, at age three. The ripe, red raspberries tasted good!
My early childhood memories actually go back earlier than that, even to the time when I was just beginning to crawl.
I had followed Grandpa through a doorway in the farmhouse kitchen. Much to my surprise, it was very dark behind that door. I tumbled down a long flight of wooden stairs into Grandpa's workshop. I landed with a thud and was actually more surprised than hurt. Grandpa picked me up and held me close, until Grandma came downstairs. I remember getting a good scolding and spanking from her. She was probably more frightened than I was.
Grandma was a wonderful lady, who I loved dearly. She made the best tasting 'new' potatoes with fresh butter and milk. For my sixth birthday, she gave me a beautiful set of ceramic doll dishes.
Our thoughts allow us to transport ourselves to places where we have been, or even places we want to go in the future.
For instance, I can still see the market place in Groningen, Holland, surrounded by churches and other red brick buildings, where I watched the doves and marveled at the beautiful flowers, the Gouda cheese and salt herring. That dates back to 1968.
We treasure our wandering thoughts, like precious memories of family occasions that we have celebrated, over the years. For example, Dad's 75th birthday brings back the memory of a plane trip from southern Ontario to Thunder Bay.
Dad was born on December 24th, Christmas Eve. At that time of year, it was extremely cold.
His eyes lit up, as he showed me a beautiful doll he had purchased for one of my nieces. The doll was almost as beautiful as she was.
In our mind's eye, we can also see ourselves at some place where we want to go, maybe a place have always wanted to visit, like the east coast. We are able to project ourselves into that environment and then work towards bringing about the fulfillment of that thought.
Such is the nature of our wandering thoughts. How empty our lives would be without wandering thoughts.
Monday, September 26, 2011
On Retirement
How people think about retirement can be totally different.
Most new retirees are joy filled, excited and happy about the prospect of retiring. Many retirees continue to work on various projects, even after retirement and thus never really retire. They certainly don't retire from life, as such.
For a moment, consider some examples of what one person not only thought, but said to a person in that age bracket.
"You are old; you just don't know it."
Oops, was that a blooper, or what?
The majority of people who are ready to retire, know exactly how old they are, unless they are medically or mentally incapacitated, in some way. Even then, they probably have some degree of awareness with respect to their age.
"Take that toothpick out of your mouth, before you hurt yourself with it."
Another blooper? Most new retirees know exactly what they are doing and yes, toothpicks are still in vogue for them. They are not highly likely to injure themselves with a toothpick.
"Get off pogey (social welfare) !" another person thought and stated in no uncertain terms, to an individual who was just retiring. "There are not enough of us young people to support all of you old fogies!"
While that may be true to some extent, in this day and age, someone about to retire has probably been working ever since he or she was young. That kind of thinking is totally unjustified.
"Get a job!" ordered another person, whose thoughts and feelings were expressed openly to a person who had just retired. "Don't expect us to support you."
"You can't live with us!"
The thoughts and feelings of the retirees in question were not taken into consideration, in any of these instances. In fact, the words demonstrate a lot of thoughtlessness.
What does this kind of thinking say about our thought processes?
We are capable of thinking and expressing kindly thoughts towards others, but can also choose to go the thoughtless route, where others are hammered with words that are the result of negative thought patterns.
"Downsize!" ordered another person, thoughtlessly. "Get rid of your books."
Now, when the retiree has time to read the books he or she has collected over the years, (but never had time to read), suddenly, he or she is ordered to dispose of them all.
"You don't need your old high school year books."
Right, they are only supposed to be read when you are a teenager.
"Get rid of all of those old photographs."
Ouch, that hurts! The retiree now has a chance to take a look at them and think fondly of his or her past. Memories no longer matter? Does all memory simply disappear upon retirement? Not quite!
A thoughtless person can do a lot of damage to the emotions and feelings of a new retiree. Their words and deeds can affect the thought processes of a retiree, in an adverse manner.
Thoughtless words spread like they are contagious.
"We don't celebrate birthdays after age 65."
"We don't visit retired people."
"Wonder where the retiree hid the assets accumulated over all those years?"
"Where shall we put that retiree out to pasture?"
"Children are more fun than retired people."
Retirees with a positive mind set are often able to overlook unkind thoughts, words and deeds of thoughtless people. They may not always forget them that quickly or easily, as the thought processes that we are endowed with, allow recall of thoughtlessness and unkindness.
It is a good thing that retirees have a good sense of humor. More about that another time.
Most new retirees are joy filled, excited and happy about the prospect of retiring. Many retirees continue to work on various projects, even after retirement and thus never really retire. They certainly don't retire from life, as such.
For a moment, consider some examples of what one person not only thought, but said to a person in that age bracket.
"You are old; you just don't know it."
Oops, was that a blooper, or what?
The majority of people who are ready to retire, know exactly how old they are, unless they are medically or mentally incapacitated, in some way. Even then, they probably have some degree of awareness with respect to their age.
"Take that toothpick out of your mouth, before you hurt yourself with it."
Another blooper? Most new retirees know exactly what they are doing and yes, toothpicks are still in vogue for them. They are not highly likely to injure themselves with a toothpick.
"Get off pogey (social welfare) !" another person thought and stated in no uncertain terms, to an individual who was just retiring. "There are not enough of us young people to support all of you old fogies!"
While that may be true to some extent, in this day and age, someone about to retire has probably been working ever since he or she was young. That kind of thinking is totally unjustified.
"Get a job!" ordered another person, whose thoughts and feelings were expressed openly to a person who had just retired. "Don't expect us to support you."
"You can't live with us!"
The thoughts and feelings of the retirees in question were not taken into consideration, in any of these instances. In fact, the words demonstrate a lot of thoughtlessness.
What does this kind of thinking say about our thought processes?
We are capable of thinking and expressing kindly thoughts towards others, but can also choose to go the thoughtless route, where others are hammered with words that are the result of negative thought patterns.
"Downsize!" ordered another person, thoughtlessly. "Get rid of your books."
Now, when the retiree has time to read the books he or she has collected over the years, (but never had time to read), suddenly, he or she is ordered to dispose of them all.
"You don't need your old high school year books."
Right, they are only supposed to be read when you are a teenager.
"Get rid of all of those old photographs."
Ouch, that hurts! The retiree now has a chance to take a look at them and think fondly of his or her past. Memories no longer matter? Does all memory simply disappear upon retirement? Not quite!
A thoughtless person can do a lot of damage to the emotions and feelings of a new retiree. Their words and deeds can affect the thought processes of a retiree, in an adverse manner.
Thoughtless words spread like they are contagious.
"We don't celebrate birthdays after age 65."
"We don't visit retired people."
"Wonder where the retiree hid the assets accumulated over all those years?"
"Where shall we put that retiree out to pasture?"
"Children are more fun than retired people."
Retirees with a positive mind set are often able to overlook unkind thoughts, words and deeds of thoughtless people. They may not always forget them that quickly or easily, as the thought processes that we are endowed with, allow recall of thoughtlessness and unkindness.
It is a good thing that retirees have a good sense of humor. More about that another time.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
People
If you document all of the thoughts you have about people in just one day, you might be truly amazed.
Who have you thought about today? Just for fun, count them all.
They are probably people you know, have known, love or have loved. Maybe you are in some kind of past or present relationship with them. Do you plan to have a relationship with them at some time in the future? Maybe they are loved ones, or acquaintances who you have lost, at one time or another.
Our thought processes are such that from an early age onwards, we can differentiate between people in many different ways including relationship, identity, age and gender, as well as with respect to family trees.
Infants immediately begin to identify their own mothers and can distinguish between them and the mothers of other babies.
Is that not remarkable in itself?
There is far more happening in a baby's thought process, than we realize.
With respect to infants and how they think, there are many other things that enter their thought processes, too. We may not necessarily be able to identify them. Sometimes, infants and children can tell us what they are thinking, but not always.
It is amazing that we can communicate with them and they can communicate with us. At times, our level of communication may not always be perfect.
Ever wonder what babies are actually thinking about, at any particular moment in time?
Are they thinking about people? Possibly and highly likely. For example, as a mother leaves the room, the infant's thought processes allow him or her to miss her.
Infants are certainly not thinking about money.
A penny has no meaning to an infant, a toddler or a young child, unless he or she puts it in his or her mouth. Its monetary value is something that is learned, as a child gets older. What he or she learns depends upon what has been taught to him or her.
People are far more important in our thoughts than money is and when money commands our thought processes, we begin to lose sight of people. If money is all that matters, there is no longer any room in our thoughts for people.
How many people did you think about today? How many of them did you think about in terms of money?
The people who you are thinking about, may be thinking about you, too. Maybe they are thinking about you in terms of money, but not likely.
They are probably thinking about you more in terms of love. Think about them the same way.
Who have you thought about today? Just for fun, count them all.
They are probably people you know, have known, love or have loved. Maybe you are in some kind of past or present relationship with them. Do you plan to have a relationship with them at some time in the future? Maybe they are loved ones, or acquaintances who you have lost, at one time or another.
Our thought processes are such that from an early age onwards, we can differentiate between people in many different ways including relationship, identity, age and gender, as well as with respect to family trees.
Infants immediately begin to identify their own mothers and can distinguish between them and the mothers of other babies.
Is that not remarkable in itself?
There is far more happening in a baby's thought process, than we realize.
With respect to infants and how they think, there are many other things that enter their thought processes, too. We may not necessarily be able to identify them. Sometimes, infants and children can tell us what they are thinking, but not always.
It is amazing that we can communicate with them and they can communicate with us. At times, our level of communication may not always be perfect.
Ever wonder what babies are actually thinking about, at any particular moment in time?
Are they thinking about people? Possibly and highly likely. For example, as a mother leaves the room, the infant's thought processes allow him or her to miss her.
Infants are certainly not thinking about money.
A penny has no meaning to an infant, a toddler or a young child, unless he or she puts it in his or her mouth. Its monetary value is something that is learned, as a child gets older. What he or she learns depends upon what has been taught to him or her.
People are far more important in our thoughts than money is and when money commands our thought processes, we begin to lose sight of people. If money is all that matters, there is no longer any room in our thoughts for people.
How many people did you think about today? How many of them did you think about in terms of money?
The people who you are thinking about, may be thinking about you, too. Maybe they are thinking about you in terms of money, but not likely.
They are probably thinking about you more in terms of love. Think about them the same way.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Finding Time
At times, time is something that we think we have to 'find'. Perhaps we feel that we don't have enough time for what we need to accomplish.
Does time get ever lost? No.
Does time ever go missing? No.
Has time been hidden away somewhere? No, to that too.
Are you looking for time to do something important and you just can't seem to find it? Ever wonder where your time went, as it suddenly seemed to disappear? Maybe, you thought you had enough time for something, but you really didn't?
Having too much time on your hands can be difficult, especially when you don't know what to do with it. You can always sit and wring your hands, but that would be a waste of time. Knitting would be more fruitful.
Our thought processes generally seem to relegate time to its appropriate place in our lives, although there can be times, when we find that the time taken for one thing, would seemingly have been better relegated to something else.
We don't usually consign every moment of time we have to something specific, unless it is for important things like work, classes, doctor's office visits, or hair appointments, etc.
We often designate certain blocks of time for ourselves.
Children learn how to be on time for school, baseball practices and bedtime. Adults understand they have to be at work on time. They both learn to get assignments done on time. Everyone knows when it is time to head home for supper.
Everyone has an equal number of minutes, hours and seconds, allotted in his or her day.
It is our time. What we choose to do with the allotted time we have been given, as a gift from God, depends upon us to some extent.
Most of us have things we need, want or have to do for others, too. We know they will take a certain amount of time, but we don't necessarily know how much time they will require and don't really fret about it either.
"I have all the time in the world," someone who is retired might say.
Taking time for others is usually a good thing as no one seeks, or wants to live in total isolation. We need to have others in our lives, at least part of the time, although enjoying our own time, uninhibited by interruptions from others, can be refreshing, too.
Finding time for God is something that we may not think too much about, but then knowing that God is always there, whether we make time for Him or not, gives us some sense of security. Our time on earth is secure, in His hands.
We can also choose to walk away from Him because we don't feel that we have time for Him, but if He is taking His time to watch over us, is it not better that we spend time with Him, too?
We have everything to gain and nothing to lose, by allowing time for God in our lives. Love gives us a reason to find time for God and others, even if it is only a minute here and there, in our busy days.
Short of time?
Try creating a time plan, or time map for yourself and your family. Place things in a time frame, if you are having difficulty finding time.
You will be amazed at how much extra time you find. Time did not get lost after all.
Does time get ever lost? No.
Does time ever go missing? No.
Has time been hidden away somewhere? No, to that too.
Are you looking for time to do something important and you just can't seem to find it? Ever wonder where your time went, as it suddenly seemed to disappear? Maybe, you thought you had enough time for something, but you really didn't?
Having too much time on your hands can be difficult, especially when you don't know what to do with it. You can always sit and wring your hands, but that would be a waste of time. Knitting would be more fruitful.
Our thought processes generally seem to relegate time to its appropriate place in our lives, although there can be times, when we find that the time taken for one thing, would seemingly have been better relegated to something else.
We don't usually consign every moment of time we have to something specific, unless it is for important things like work, classes, doctor's office visits, or hair appointments, etc.
We often designate certain blocks of time for ourselves.
Children learn how to be on time for school, baseball practices and bedtime. Adults understand they have to be at work on time. They both learn to get assignments done on time. Everyone knows when it is time to head home for supper.
Everyone has an equal number of minutes, hours and seconds, allotted in his or her day.
It is our time. What we choose to do with the allotted time we have been given, as a gift from God, depends upon us to some extent.
Most of us have things we need, want or have to do for others, too. We know they will take a certain amount of time, but we don't necessarily know how much time they will require and don't really fret about it either.
"I have all the time in the world," someone who is retired might say.
Taking time for others is usually a good thing as no one seeks, or wants to live in total isolation. We need to have others in our lives, at least part of the time, although enjoying our own time, uninhibited by interruptions from others, can be refreshing, too.
Finding time for God is something that we may not think too much about, but then knowing that God is always there, whether we make time for Him or not, gives us some sense of security. Our time on earth is secure, in His hands.
We can also choose to walk away from Him because we don't feel that we have time for Him, but if He is taking His time to watch over us, is it not better that we spend time with Him, too?
We have everything to gain and nothing to lose, by allowing time for God in our lives. Love gives us a reason to find time for God and others, even if it is only a minute here and there, in our busy days.
Short of time?
Try creating a time plan, or time map for yourself and your family. Place things in a time frame, if you are having difficulty finding time.
You will be amazed at how much extra time you find. Time did not get lost after all.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thoughts to Ponder
Today is September 23, 2011.
4:05 am this morning marked the fall equinox, evidenced in the reality of the equal length of days and nights. From here on in, the days will get shorter and the nights will be longer.
Are you and yours getting ready to 'batten down the hatches'?
Bears know enough to hibernate and maybe we should, too. Perhaps some of us do just that, but in different ways.
We instinctively know enough to find shelter from the pending cold and love it when the mosquitoes and black flies disappear. We appreciate and enjoy the beauty of autumn.
What else is unique about today?
How do you feel about having twenty-six pieces of a satellite returning to earth from outer space, unguided and on their own? It probably shocks you, but does it frighten you?
"There ought to be a law."
It appears that the individual pieces are being tracked and barring any unforeseen circumstances, they will miss Canada, so Canadians can rest assured knowing that they do not have to worry about them, at least not these ones.
Hopefully, the pieces of the satellite will head for the Pacific Ocean, as predicted and no one will be harmed.
In reality, this may just be the beginning of old 'space junk' that gradually returns to the earth.
Wonder what those bits and pieces will be worth, if they can be found?
This reminds me of the old "Chicken Little" children's story, where "the sky is falling in".
Shall we be compelled to live in fear? No, we don't normally tend to live in fear and trepidation.
We have the remarkable ability to think things through.
We ponder many different kinds of thoughts simultaneously and relate them to one another. Most of us are aware of current events and have other thoughts that extend back in time.
Our ability to think is such that we can sort through all of these kinds of thoughts and place them in an appropriate time frame, because we think chronologically.
That is also one of our mental faculties that needs to be protected by living a healthy life style.
Just more thoughts to ponder.
4:05 am this morning marked the fall equinox, evidenced in the reality of the equal length of days and nights. From here on in, the days will get shorter and the nights will be longer.
Are you and yours getting ready to 'batten down the hatches'?
Bears know enough to hibernate and maybe we should, too. Perhaps some of us do just that, but in different ways.
We instinctively know enough to find shelter from the pending cold and love it when the mosquitoes and black flies disappear. We appreciate and enjoy the beauty of autumn.
What else is unique about today?
How do you feel about having twenty-six pieces of a satellite returning to earth from outer space, unguided and on their own? It probably shocks you, but does it frighten you?
"There ought to be a law."
It appears that the individual pieces are being tracked and barring any unforeseen circumstances, they will miss Canada, so Canadians can rest assured knowing that they do not have to worry about them, at least not these ones.
Hopefully, the pieces of the satellite will head for the Pacific Ocean, as predicted and no one will be harmed.
In reality, this may just be the beginning of old 'space junk' that gradually returns to the earth.
Wonder what those bits and pieces will be worth, if they can be found?
This reminds me of the old "Chicken Little" children's story, where "the sky is falling in".
Shall we be compelled to live in fear? No, we don't normally tend to live in fear and trepidation.
We have the remarkable ability to think things through.
We ponder many different kinds of thoughts simultaneously and relate them to one another. Most of us are aware of current events and have other thoughts that extend back in time.
Our ability to think is such that we can sort through all of these kinds of thoughts and place them in an appropriate time frame, because we think chronologically.
That is also one of our mental faculties that needs to be protected by living a healthy life style.
Just more thoughts to ponder.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
The Thinker
Auguste Rodin's sculpture, entitled "The Thinker", dating back to the year 1902, wakes us up to the reality that thinking is not something new in our century. It was not new in that century either, as man has been a thinker since the beginning of humankind.
Perhaps that is one of the reasons mankind has not only survived, but thrived.
Thinking that through, one might ask, "Could man not have done better?" Perhaps.
Thinking includes the quest for improvement, betterment and even perfection. Rodin sought for perfection in his sculpture, too. The kind of perfection he sought and perhaps even achieved to some extent, resembles the work of Michelangelo.
"The Thinker was part of a commission by the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris to sculpt a monumental door based on The Divine Comedy of Dante," according to this web site. http://www.statue.com/the-thinker-statue.html
Even more interesting is the fact that this sculpture was once referred to as "The Poet".
Think about that relationship for a while, thinker, comedy and poet. Wonderful combination!
"The Thinker is depicted as a man in sober meditation battling with a powerful internal struggle."
Can someone please unburden this thinker?
Thinking should not be a burden, but rather a joy! It only becomes a burden when one's trials and tribulations become heavy and weigh him or her down. Thinking is not heavy in itself, nor is the thought process.
A penny for your thoughts?
This man would be a rich man, maybe!
Perhaps that is one of the reasons mankind has not only survived, but thrived.
Thinking that through, one might ask, "Could man not have done better?" Perhaps.
Thinking includes the quest for improvement, betterment and even perfection. Rodin sought for perfection in his sculpture, too. The kind of perfection he sought and perhaps even achieved to some extent, resembles the work of Michelangelo.
"The Thinker was part of a commission by the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris to sculpt a monumental door based on The Divine Comedy of Dante," according to this web site. http://www.statue.com/the-thinker-statue.html
Even more interesting is the fact that this sculpture was once referred to as "The Poet".
Think about that relationship for a while, thinker, comedy and poet. Wonderful combination!
"The Thinker is depicted as a man in sober meditation battling with a powerful internal struggle."
Can someone please unburden this thinker?
Thinking should not be a burden, but rather a joy! It only becomes a burden when one's trials and tribulations become heavy and weigh him or her down. Thinking is not heavy in itself, nor is the thought process.
A penny for your thoughts?
This man would be a rich man, maybe!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Money
Are you constantly thinking about money?
Perhaps you are wondering how you can possibly survive another winter, in light of another economic crunch, right? A lot of people are thinking about that right now.
Money is often at the center of our thoughts, particularly when we are financially strapped, in one way or another. Not everyone is in dire straits, but many people are in serious financial trouble. At times, it seems that for them, there is no way out.
Let's think seriously about money, just for a moment. In other words, think about nothing else but money. Whatever other thoughts come into your mind, toss them aside, momentarily.
You will find that it is almost impossible to do that, as other thoughts continually surface, too. You know you should think them through, but you also need to take the time to sort out your finances.
Take a day to have a serious look at your financial status.
Begin by creating a mini-budget where you write everything down in a notebook.
Look at your fixed expenses and see how they can be reduced.
Examine your day-to-day expenses, noting exactly how much you spend daily, weekly and monthly. You may be spending far more than you realize. More than likely, you can cut back there, too.
Sort through your financial needs and wants. Determine which are which, as they are definitely different. What you want, may not necessarily be what you need. What you want can often be put off until your financial situation improves.
Plan ahead into the future as you do your budget. Picture your financial situation five years or ten years from now. How will it be different? Even further down the road, what changes?
In other words, think things through.
You don't have to stop living to get ahead financially. You may just need to live differently, perhaps being more careful with the actual dollars and cents you have coming in.
Look at your actual income and ask yourself what you can do to improve upon it immediately, or how you might be able to enhance it in the future.
Do your finances balance or are you steadily falling backwards financially, getting deeper and deeper in the red? How much are you 'investing' in smoking, drinking or substance abuse, that is harming your health? Do you toss money in the lottery, expecting it to return? There are better investments.
Ideally, you want to move forward setting up emergency funds, savings and potential retirement income.
Examine your existing debts and taking one debt at a time, look at interest rates in the light of re-payment with a minimum of 15% of your actual income per year. In setting up a re-payment plan, you will become debt-free, over a period of time.
Use your thought processes to resolve financial issues.
You are able to do that. Think about money in a positive light, where you are the one who is in control of your finances.
Perhaps you are wondering how you can possibly survive another winter, in light of another economic crunch, right? A lot of people are thinking about that right now.
Money is often at the center of our thoughts, particularly when we are financially strapped, in one way or another. Not everyone is in dire straits, but many people are in serious financial trouble. At times, it seems that for them, there is no way out.
Let's think seriously about money, just for a moment. In other words, think about nothing else but money. Whatever other thoughts come into your mind, toss them aside, momentarily.
You will find that it is almost impossible to do that, as other thoughts continually surface, too. You know you should think them through, but you also need to take the time to sort out your finances.
Take a day to have a serious look at your financial status.
Begin by creating a mini-budget where you write everything down in a notebook.
Look at your fixed expenses and see how they can be reduced.
Examine your day-to-day expenses, noting exactly how much you spend daily, weekly and monthly. You may be spending far more than you realize. More than likely, you can cut back there, too.
Sort through your financial needs and wants. Determine which are which, as they are definitely different. What you want, may not necessarily be what you need. What you want can often be put off until your financial situation improves.
Plan ahead into the future as you do your budget. Picture your financial situation five years or ten years from now. How will it be different? Even further down the road, what changes?
In other words, think things through.
You don't have to stop living to get ahead financially. You may just need to live differently, perhaps being more careful with the actual dollars and cents you have coming in.
Look at your actual income and ask yourself what you can do to improve upon it immediately, or how you might be able to enhance it in the future.
Do your finances balance or are you steadily falling backwards financially, getting deeper and deeper in the red? How much are you 'investing' in smoking, drinking or substance abuse, that is harming your health? Do you toss money in the lottery, expecting it to return? There are better investments.
Ideally, you want to move forward setting up emergency funds, savings and potential retirement income.
Examine your existing debts and taking one debt at a time, look at interest rates in the light of re-payment with a minimum of 15% of your actual income per year. In setting up a re-payment plan, you will become debt-free, over a period of time.
Use your thought processes to resolve financial issues.
You are able to do that. Think about money in a positive light, where you are the one who is in control of your finances.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Wrestling with our Thoughts
Are you wrestling with your thoughts today?
Everyone seems to wrestle with his or her thoughts, at one time or another. Sometimes, the issues or concerns we are wrestling with are not easily resolved.
Nights can be filled with inner wrestling, as we toss and turn, seeking to effect some kind of a satisfactory resolution that does not seem possible. At times, what we wrestle with at night, is carried through into our daylight hours, too.
It is the nature of the human mind to toss different thoughts and ideas about. That is a good thing, even though it may seem as if we are talking to ourselves, fighting or arguing in our minds, or have become tangled in some kind of inner turmoil.
There are times when we do not know what we are wrestling with, in terms of issues or concerns, thoughts and ideas. We just have a generalized sense of dis-ease and cannot rest for some reason. We desire to be put at ease.
These are the times, when it is important to unburden ourselves and give virtually everything to God. Being omnipotent, omnipresent and all-knowing, God can help us to resolve whatever is troubling us.
God's Holy Spirit does not lead us astray or deceive us, because the Spirit of Truth prevails and speaks to us through our inner spirits.
Our hearts, minds and souls can be made right with God and others, if there are relationship, or other issues that concern us.
Pray that God will fill your heart with His Love. He will grant you clarity of mind, thought, word and deed, as well as peace of mind and spirit through the working of His Holy Spirit in us.
Those things you have been wrestling with can be clarified and you can rest in peace, knowing that God is in control. Turn to Him when you are wrestling with your thoughts.
Everyone seems to wrestle with his or her thoughts, at one time or another. Sometimes, the issues or concerns we are wrestling with are not easily resolved.
Nights can be filled with inner wrestling, as we toss and turn, seeking to effect some kind of a satisfactory resolution that does not seem possible. At times, what we wrestle with at night, is carried through into our daylight hours, too.
It is the nature of the human mind to toss different thoughts and ideas about. That is a good thing, even though it may seem as if we are talking to ourselves, fighting or arguing in our minds, or have become tangled in some kind of inner turmoil.
There are times when we do not know what we are wrestling with, in terms of issues or concerns, thoughts and ideas. We just have a generalized sense of dis-ease and cannot rest for some reason. We desire to be put at ease.
These are the times, when it is important to unburden ourselves and give virtually everything to God. Being omnipotent, omnipresent and all-knowing, God can help us to resolve whatever is troubling us.
God's Holy Spirit does not lead us astray or deceive us, because the Spirit of Truth prevails and speaks to us through our inner spirits.
Our hearts, minds and souls can be made right with God and others, if there are relationship, or other issues that concern us.
Pray that God will fill your heart with His Love. He will grant you clarity of mind, thought, word and deed, as well as peace of mind and spirit through the working of His Holy Spirit in us.
Those things you have been wrestling with can be clarified and you can rest in peace, knowing that God is in control. Turn to Him when you are wrestling with your thoughts.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Wrinkles
Here are just a few thoughts on wrinkles.
Have you ever looked at your wrinkles, or those of others and wondered how they got there? What caused them to appear? You may also wonder if they will ever go away.
At times, we think about our wrinkles and may try to do something about them. Sometimes, we succeed, but not always as they may return, even though we erase them temporarily with face creams and face lifts.
Are wrinkles merely a human phenomenon or a natural phenomenon, as well?
Looking at young trees, there are no visible wrinkles while on older trees, we see what could be called wrinkles in the bark.
Do animals, birds and mammals get wrinkles, too? Some dogs certainly look like they have wrinkles. So do other animals.
Driving through the Rocky Mountains of B.C., in June, 2010, I could not help but marvel at the number of mountain ranges I drove through, one after another. In many ways, they reminded me of wrinkles, but this time, huge wrinkles on the face of the earth.
What causes the various mountain ranges to form? What is the mysterious force that makes the mountain ranges pile up beside each other?
Obviously, God has His hand in ongoing creation as He continually builds the earth.
When I think about earthquakes, one on the east coast and another on the west coast of North America this summer, I wonder if somehow, the force behind those earthquakes is creating new wrinkles on the face of the earth, as well.
Are there new mountain ranges gradually being formed, perhaps some that we are not aware of? Maybe there are more and more wrinkles being created on the face of the earth, all of the time.
Perhaps this is a part of a larger, weather-related phenomenon too, like hurricanes and tornadoes. Unbeknownst to mankind, the winds pile up dust particles and sand in rows, like mini-mountain ranges.
Look at the water and waves creating wrinkles in the sand, along the ocean shoreline.
There are wrinkles created in the fields as the winds blow across the prairies. Even the sky looks wrinkled, at times. There are more and more wrinkles, everywhere we look.
We sense the quaking and fear that accompanies any turmoil on the face of the earth, or in the sky. Perhaps that fear in turn, creates more mountainous wrinkles on our faces, too.
Maybe wrinkles are a natural and a circular phenomenon.
We are one with our world, wrinkles and all, are we not?
Don't fret about your wrinkles. Enjoy them, knowing that they are truly unique and yours alone.
Have you ever looked at your wrinkles, or those of others and wondered how they got there? What caused them to appear? You may also wonder if they will ever go away.
At times, we think about our wrinkles and may try to do something about them. Sometimes, we succeed, but not always as they may return, even though we erase them temporarily with face creams and face lifts.
Are wrinkles merely a human phenomenon or a natural phenomenon, as well?
Looking at young trees, there are no visible wrinkles while on older trees, we see what could be called wrinkles in the bark.
Do animals, birds and mammals get wrinkles, too? Some dogs certainly look like they have wrinkles. So do other animals.
Driving through the Rocky Mountains of B.C., in June, 2010, I could not help but marvel at the number of mountain ranges I drove through, one after another. In many ways, they reminded me of wrinkles, but this time, huge wrinkles on the face of the earth.
What causes the various mountain ranges to form? What is the mysterious force that makes the mountain ranges pile up beside each other?
Obviously, God has His hand in ongoing creation as He continually builds the earth.
When I think about earthquakes, one on the east coast and another on the west coast of North America this summer, I wonder if somehow, the force behind those earthquakes is creating new wrinkles on the face of the earth, as well.
Are there new mountain ranges gradually being formed, perhaps some that we are not aware of? Maybe there are more and more wrinkles being created on the face of the earth, all of the time.
Perhaps this is a part of a larger, weather-related phenomenon too, like hurricanes and tornadoes. Unbeknownst to mankind, the winds pile up dust particles and sand in rows, like mini-mountain ranges.
Look at the water and waves creating wrinkles in the sand, along the ocean shoreline.
There are wrinkles created in the fields as the winds blow across the prairies. Even the sky looks wrinkled, at times. There are more and more wrinkles, everywhere we look.
We sense the quaking and fear that accompanies any turmoil on the face of the earth, or in the sky. Perhaps that fear in turn, creates more mountainous wrinkles on our faces, too.
Maybe wrinkles are a natural and a circular phenomenon.
We are one with our world, wrinkles and all, are we not?
Don't fret about your wrinkles. Enjoy them, knowing that they are truly unique and yours alone.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Contemplation
The possibility of healing, health and wholeness that may not be found elsewhere, lies in the art of contemplation.
How does contemplation bring about healing? There are times when the mind, soul, body and spirit need to rest. Contemplation, rather than outward activity makes that rest a reality.
Look at your own need for rest, in this light.
If you had a bone fracture, you would allow it to rest and heal, before engaging in activity that would put stress on it. If you had a broken tooth, you would seek to have it repaired before trying to chew. If you cut your finger, you would allow time for it to heal.
Here is more food for thought.
Think about traumatic events and how they fracture our emotional and psychological realms.
Most of us go through many traumatic events over the course of our lives. Some of these events are related to others, but not all of them. At times, for the sake of healing, we simply need to think them through and deal with them, in some manner.
The art of contemplation works well in this regard.
At times, our relationship with God is fractured and needs healing, so order is restored to our tormented souls. Our broken spirits need to be made healthy again, so that we can live in peace and know the true meaning of happiness.
Perhaps we are into debt overload with financial fracturing tearing our lives, homes and marriages apart. We need time for restoration in many areas of our lives, including broken relationships with others.
Our thought processes allow the art of contemplation to develop in many different directions in our lives, bringing the kind of healing that allows us to be healthy. Only then can we continue to function properly in our day-to-day lives.
It is wonderful that we can think!
Think about developing the art of contemplation further in your life and then do it.
How does contemplation bring about healing? There are times when the mind, soul, body and spirit need to rest. Contemplation, rather than outward activity makes that rest a reality.
Look at your own need for rest, in this light.
If you had a bone fracture, you would allow it to rest and heal, before engaging in activity that would put stress on it. If you had a broken tooth, you would seek to have it repaired before trying to chew. If you cut your finger, you would allow time for it to heal.
Here is more food for thought.
Think about traumatic events and how they fracture our emotional and psychological realms.
Most of us go through many traumatic events over the course of our lives. Some of these events are related to others, but not all of them. At times, for the sake of healing, we simply need to think them through and deal with them, in some manner.
The art of contemplation works well in this regard.
At times, our relationship with God is fractured and needs healing, so order is restored to our tormented souls. Our broken spirits need to be made healthy again, so that we can live in peace and know the true meaning of happiness.
Perhaps we are into debt overload with financial fracturing tearing our lives, homes and marriages apart. We need time for restoration in many areas of our lives, including broken relationships with others.
Our thought processes allow the art of contemplation to develop in many different directions in our lives, bringing the kind of healing that allows us to be healthy. Only then can we continue to function properly in our day-to-day lives.
It is wonderful that we can think!
Think about developing the art of contemplation further in your life and then do it.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Wake up!
Every day has its own peculiar blessings, if we are alert enough to see them and awake enough to realize that they are blessings. We don't always think about day to day events as being blessings, even though we could and should.
Let's see, it is noon and a gorgeous day here.
I went out for groceries this morning, which was relatively uneventful, other than getting a Greek salad along with the rest of my groceries, which I do every once in a while. I also put some gas in my car and realized that the attendant was still half asleep. But then, it is Saturday morning.
It was cool enough to turn the heat on in the car.
As I was returning home, two old crows hobbled across the street, taking their time about it. I wondered what they were thinking about and am totally convinced that birds think, too. I simply decided to let them take their time and enjoy their morning walk, in spite of traffic behind me.
Just went on Facebook and found a wonderful new photo of my niece and newest great-nephew. That too was a blessing!
Then, I found a note on the blog from another niece, who is a gifted writer. Again, I am blessed.
Do we think blessings when we wake up and look at the world around us? We should.
Let's see, it is noon and a gorgeous day here.
I went out for groceries this morning, which was relatively uneventful, other than getting a Greek salad along with the rest of my groceries, which I do every once in a while. I also put some gas in my car and realized that the attendant was still half asleep. But then, it is Saturday morning.
It was cool enough to turn the heat on in the car.
As I was returning home, two old crows hobbled across the street, taking their time about it. I wondered what they were thinking about and am totally convinced that birds think, too. I simply decided to let them take their time and enjoy their morning walk, in spite of traffic behind me.
Just went on Facebook and found a wonderful new photo of my niece and newest great-nephew. That too was a blessing!
Then, I found a note on the blog from another niece, who is a gifted writer. Again, I am blessed.
Do we think blessings when we wake up and look at the world around us? We should.
Friday, September 16, 2011
A Prelude to Autumn
Autumn musings take us into a prelude to autumn, less than a week away. Can you believe it?
Time to pull out heavy sweaters, jackets and warmer clothing, but who really wants to put them on yet? I don't. Do you? Probably no one really does. Shoes and boots instead of summer sandals? Long pants in exchange for shorts? Socks instead of bare feet?
That's not all, fill up the freezer and the jars, if you have not already done so. Take in all of the plants and flowers, anything that will freeze, if left outside. Check the anti-freeze in the car, too.
Our thoughts and feelings change with the seasons.
Perhaps in some way there is always some degree of fear and trepidation, as we don't really want an encounter with cold weather, at least not yet. At the same time, we sense the dramatic change in the air and love the crackling sound and amazing colors of the leaves.
Where do our thoughts go in the prelude to autumn?
We think forward, not backwards.
Perhaps we continue to contemplate summer to some extent too, but there is always the excitement of the autumn to look forward to. Ice on the puddles?
Have a great writer's prelude to autumn day!
Time to pull out heavy sweaters, jackets and warmer clothing, but who really wants to put them on yet? I don't. Do you? Probably no one really does. Shoes and boots instead of summer sandals? Long pants in exchange for shorts? Socks instead of bare feet?
That's not all, fill up the freezer and the jars, if you have not already done so. Take in all of the plants and flowers, anything that will freeze, if left outside. Check the anti-freeze in the car, too.
Our thoughts and feelings change with the seasons.
Perhaps in some way there is always some degree of fear and trepidation, as we don't really want an encounter with cold weather, at least not yet. At the same time, we sense the dramatic change in the air and love the crackling sound and amazing colors of the leaves.
Where do our thoughts go in the prelude to autumn?
We think forward, not backwards.
Perhaps we continue to contemplate summer to some extent too, but there is always the excitement of the autumn to look forward to. Ice on the puddles?
Have a great writer's prelude to autumn day!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Thoughts About Children
Children are never very far from the hearts and minds of their parents, family members, friends and others.
Many thoughts that we have about children concern their general well being, as well as their ongoing need for love, nurturing and protection.
The recent kidnapping of a young boy taken from his home in Sparwood, B.C. brought this to light, once again. Thankfully, this child has now been returned to his parents and family, unharmed.
The kidnapping suspect has been taken into custody and is scheduled for a psychiatric assessment, in the near future.
One of the reasons we think about children on a daily basis is because in some ways, in our own minds, we tend to think like children. We are children at heart in many ways and can relate to their fears, as well as their joys and sorrows.
Almost everyone loves children and wants what is the best for them.
I can relate to the scenario of a missing child, as my youngest brother disappeared at approximately the same age. What a frightening time that was for everyone! Thankfully, he was found within a few hours, unharmed and sound asleep on long grass in a swampy area, within a half mile of our home.
Blessed is the child who is raised by parents and others, in a safe and happy home, where he or she is loved.
Many thoughts that we have about children concern their general well being, as well as their ongoing need for love, nurturing and protection.
The recent kidnapping of a young boy taken from his home in Sparwood, B.C. brought this to light, once again. Thankfully, this child has now been returned to his parents and family, unharmed.
The kidnapping suspect has been taken into custody and is scheduled for a psychiatric assessment, in the near future.
One of the reasons we think about children on a daily basis is because in some ways, in our own minds, we tend to think like children. We are children at heart in many ways and can relate to their fears, as well as their joys and sorrows.
Almost everyone loves children and wants what is the best for them.
I can relate to the scenario of a missing child, as my youngest brother disappeared at approximately the same age. What a frightening time that was for everyone! Thankfully, he was found within a few hours, unharmed and sound asleep on long grass in a swampy area, within a half mile of our home.
Blessed is the child who is raised by parents and others, in a safe and happy home, where he or she is loved.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Think Transition
Are you battening down the hatches for autumn, yet?
Here, it seems like it is time to do just that.
The leaves on the trees are falling thick and fast, leaving the branches partly bare. It is quite cool at 50 degrees Celsius, at suppertime. There is frost in the forecast for tonight, so that means bring in the plants that are still outside.
Sometimes, it is a good idea to think transition and welcome it, especially when you cannot do anything about it. Why resist it? Just go with the flow.
Cool autumn air does have a few advantages, like being cool enough to put a roast in the oven. Delicious dinner, to say the least. That is just one of the reasons I enjoy cooler weather.
It also gives a certain amount of energy to do things that one would normally hesitate to do in the hot weather.
Yes, there is always the extra blanket that one might need in the middle of the night. Maybe the heat will even have to be turned on for a bit, but then it is September 14th and for this part of the country, that is normal.
Maybe the south will send us an Indian summer yet. Regardless, I will think transition to autumn and enjoy it thoroughly. You can do the same, if you choose to do so.
Here, it seems like it is time to do just that.
The leaves on the trees are falling thick and fast, leaving the branches partly bare. It is quite cool at 50 degrees Celsius, at suppertime. There is frost in the forecast for tonight, so that means bring in the plants that are still outside.
Sometimes, it is a good idea to think transition and welcome it, especially when you cannot do anything about it. Why resist it? Just go with the flow.
Cool autumn air does have a few advantages, like being cool enough to put a roast in the oven. Delicious dinner, to say the least. That is just one of the reasons I enjoy cooler weather.
It also gives a certain amount of energy to do things that one would normally hesitate to do in the hot weather.
Yes, there is always the extra blanket that one might need in the middle of the night. Maybe the heat will even have to be turned on for a bit, but then it is September 14th and for this part of the country, that is normal.
Maybe the south will send us an Indian summer yet. Regardless, I will think transition to autumn and enjoy it thoroughly. You can do the same, if you choose to do so.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Think and Act
There are times, when we need to think and act, immediately.
Last evening, around 5:30 pm, on with the local evening news, there was a line of script that flashed repeatedly across the television screen, giving warnings of an imminent, severe storm. Rain, thunder and lightning, high gusts of wind up to 100 km an hour, possible tornado activity and hail, were in the forecast.
The storm was supposedly coming from the east, the Lake Nipigon area and heading for the Minnesota border, basically following the shoreline of Lake Superior.
At first, to the east, the sky looked weird with a display of different colors. It gradually turned darker and darker, with thunder rumbling in the distance. There were a few streaks of lightning and occasional sheet lightning.
Wild and wonderful cloud formations began billowing, high in the sky.
It was amazing to watch!
There were clouds of various sizes, shapes and different colors, scooting in every direction. No longer was it just a storm coming in from the east. It appeared that the winds from the east were encountering those from the west and tangling with them.
Soon, it was dark enough for the street lights to turn on automatically.
By six fifteen, it was almost totally dark.
At 6:30 pm, a huge, relatively low, black cloud moved in from the west. It looked extremely heavy. It may have been a possible tornado that was forming and could have done serious damage, but it did not touch down here.
I was outside its perimeter regardless and watched it pass between where I was standing and Mount McKay.
By then, I was capturing intermittent photos with my Blackberry camera.
The sky stayed dark and the storm activity continued until 8pm, when the clouds became white and the sky turned blue again.
During the entire storm, there was a bit of rain, but not a lot. No hail either. It was windy, but not enough to have to remain inside. Leaves and seed pods were falling from the maple trees and swirling around.
Think and act is an instinctive mechanism we have and use, when there is cause for alarm. Storms don't normally cause me to be alarmed, but this one got my attention and was worth watching.
Last evening, around 5:30 pm, on with the local evening news, there was a line of script that flashed repeatedly across the television screen, giving warnings of an imminent, severe storm. Rain, thunder and lightning, high gusts of wind up to 100 km an hour, possible tornado activity and hail, were in the forecast.
The storm was supposedly coming from the east, the Lake Nipigon area and heading for the Minnesota border, basically following the shoreline of Lake Superior.
At first, to the east, the sky looked weird with a display of different colors. It gradually turned darker and darker, with thunder rumbling in the distance. There were a few streaks of lightning and occasional sheet lightning.
Wild and wonderful cloud formations began billowing, high in the sky.
It was amazing to watch!
There were clouds of various sizes, shapes and different colors, scooting in every direction. No longer was it just a storm coming in from the east. It appeared that the winds from the east were encountering those from the west and tangling with them.
Soon, it was dark enough for the street lights to turn on automatically.
By six fifteen, it was almost totally dark.
At 6:30 pm, a huge, relatively low, black cloud moved in from the west. It looked extremely heavy. It may have been a possible tornado that was forming and could have done serious damage, but it did not touch down here.
I was outside its perimeter regardless and watched it pass between where I was standing and Mount McKay.
By then, I was capturing intermittent photos with my Blackberry camera.
The sky stayed dark and the storm activity continued until 8pm, when the clouds became white and the sky turned blue again.
During the entire storm, there was a bit of rain, but not a lot. No hail either. It was windy, but not enough to have to remain inside. Leaves and seed pods were falling from the maple trees and swirling around.
Think and act is an instinctive mechanism we have and use, when there is cause for alarm. Storms don't normally cause me to be alarmed, but this one got my attention and was worth watching.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Thinking of You
It is amazing when we think about how many times others enter our thoughts, in a single day.
"Thinking of you..." is a reality, not a fantasy. As human beings, we have the ability to think about one another and we do that all of the time, or at least a good part of the time.
Sometimes our minds are filled with good thoughts about others, but not always. Sometimes we have sad thoughts with respect to them and their lives, too.
"If only..." we think, knowing that we may not be able to help them, or bring about a change for the better in their lives. At times, it may feel like our hearts are breaking, as we think about those who have passed away.
"What if..." enters our thoughts too. We can speculate about the future that could have been, or choose to think and work towards a future that will be a reality.
There are many times in a single day, when our thoughts lead us to emotional highs, with respect to others we know and love. Love has the power to do that in our thoughts. All we to do is to let our thoughts flow in the right direction.
Have you ever gotten locked into in a circular-thought pattern, where your thoughts just went round and round?
That kind of thought pattern is great if you are thinking happy thoughts, but not so much fun, when you are thinking about something not quite so good.
We can break those negative, circular-thought patterns, simply by choosing not to go that route in our thinking.
Scarlett O'Hara, in "Gone With the Wind", said, "I'll not think on that today."
We can do that, too. We can choose not to think about something and focus on something else, instead.
For example, think about a tree with white butterflies flitting in and out of its branches. Even if it is just in your mind's eye momentarily, that is so much more fun, especially when there is a chattering chipmunk or two, there also. Add a few birds to the picture too.
Think about others whose lives have been a blessing to you. Perhaps someone has a birthday or an anniversary to celebrate today. Think about God and His goodness. Think about how you might be a blessing to others.
"Thinking of you...."
"Thinking of you..." is a reality, not a fantasy. As human beings, we have the ability to think about one another and we do that all of the time, or at least a good part of the time.
Sometimes our minds are filled with good thoughts about others, but not always. Sometimes we have sad thoughts with respect to them and their lives, too.
"If only..." we think, knowing that we may not be able to help them, or bring about a change for the better in their lives. At times, it may feel like our hearts are breaking, as we think about those who have passed away.
"What if..." enters our thoughts too. We can speculate about the future that could have been, or choose to think and work towards a future that will be a reality.
There are many times in a single day, when our thoughts lead us to emotional highs, with respect to others we know and love. Love has the power to do that in our thoughts. All we to do is to let our thoughts flow in the right direction.
Have you ever gotten locked into in a circular-thought pattern, where your thoughts just went round and round?
That kind of thought pattern is great if you are thinking happy thoughts, but not so much fun, when you are thinking about something not quite so good.
We can break those negative, circular-thought patterns, simply by choosing not to go that route in our thinking.
Scarlett O'Hara, in "Gone With the Wind", said, "I'll not think on that today."
We can do that, too. We can choose not to think about something and focus on something else, instead.
For example, think about a tree with white butterflies flitting in and out of its branches. Even if it is just in your mind's eye momentarily, that is so much more fun, especially when there is a chattering chipmunk or two, there also. Add a few birds to the picture too.
Think about others whose lives have been a blessing to you. Perhaps someone has a birthday or an anniversary to celebrate today. Think about God and His goodness. Think about how you might be a blessing to others.
"Thinking of you...."
Sunday, September 11, 2011
New Thoughts
Every day, we are blessed with new thoughts, some good and others, ones that we would prefer not to dwell on at any length.
For instance, today is the tenth anniversary of the September 11th tragedy of 2001. You might ask did this event touch me personally, as a Canadian?
In the year 2001, having obtained web design certification and completing a small business development program under the guidance of a professional accounting firm, I was in the process of setting up my own web design business. Much to my delight, I was succeeding.
One of the my clients, a young singer I was designing a web page for, had a three year old daughter in a day care center located in one of the towers. They ran from the tower and thankfully, they lived.
Another young man, living on the west coast of the US, who I was also working with in terms of web design, had friends who were there. Unfortunately, they did not survive.
One local company allowed me to post their web pages after that tragedy, because of the fear of terrorism. I was forced to find other employment and continued to post my own web pages regardless.
Yes, my life was affected.
These thoughts stir up old memories and create new ones.
Life and death always hangs in a delicate balance. For those who are believers, life is always to be celebrated and death is not a fearful thing, as believers know that they are in God's hands.
Celebrate life and encourage others to do the same.
For instance, today is the tenth anniversary of the September 11th tragedy of 2001. You might ask did this event touch me personally, as a Canadian?
In the year 2001, having obtained web design certification and completing a small business development program under the guidance of a professional accounting firm, I was in the process of setting up my own web design business. Much to my delight, I was succeeding.
One of the my clients, a young singer I was designing a web page for, had a three year old daughter in a day care center located in one of the towers. They ran from the tower and thankfully, they lived.
Another young man, living on the west coast of the US, who I was also working with in terms of web design, had friends who were there. Unfortunately, they did not survive.
One local company allowed me to post their web pages after that tragedy, because of the fear of terrorism. I was forced to find other employment and continued to post my own web pages regardless.
Yes, my life was affected.
These thoughts stir up old memories and create new ones.
Life and death always hangs in a delicate balance. For those who are believers, life is always to be celebrated and death is not a fearful thing, as believers know that they are in God's hands.
Celebrate life and encourage others to do the same.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
A Thought in Time
When I originally started this weblog, I began with a debate that was supposed to be posted on my website.
It was a new title that I had just seeded on helium.com. Unfortunately, that debate format mysteriously disappeared from my weblog yesterday, leaving an empty webpage.
Please note that the webpage, "A Thought in Time" will not disappear.
The question that I had asked there and am re-asking here is, "Should people who are smoking while driving be ticketed and fined?"
The debate is now published on helium.com along with a number of responses to it, including my response, posted yesterday. I take the stand that maybe it is time there was some research done in this respect.
Ask yourself what people are doing when they have accidents and then add your comments about smoking while driving, if you wish to do so.
As thinkers, each one of us is called to think for 'the good' or for 'the betterment of humankind'.
Does it sound strange that we are compelled to think about 'the well-being of others', when our thoughts are our own? We do have the ability to think beyond ourselves.
On another note, there was an earthquake reported, west of Vancouver Island, B.C. yesterday, around noon. Initial reports said that it was 6.7 on the Richter scale and then a later report said 6.4. Supposedly, there is minimal damage and there was no tsunami expected at that time, even though the tremors were felt in Vancouver and as far east as Kelowna, B.C.
Does this concern me in Ontario? Yes, definitely, because I have family living there, approximately three thousand miles away from northern Ontario.
The events of everyday life are always on our minds, in one way or another and they do affect the way we feel.
Such is "A Thought in Time".
It was a new title that I had just seeded on helium.com. Unfortunately, that debate format mysteriously disappeared from my weblog yesterday, leaving an empty webpage.
Please note that the webpage, "A Thought in Time" will not disappear.
The question that I had asked there and am re-asking here is, "Should people who are smoking while driving be ticketed and fined?"
The debate is now published on helium.com along with a number of responses to it, including my response, posted yesterday. I take the stand that maybe it is time there was some research done in this respect.
Ask yourself what people are doing when they have accidents and then add your comments about smoking while driving, if you wish to do so.
As thinkers, each one of us is called to think for 'the good' or for 'the betterment of humankind'.
Does it sound strange that we are compelled to think about 'the well-being of others', when our thoughts are our own? We do have the ability to think beyond ourselves.
On another note, there was an earthquake reported, west of Vancouver Island, B.C. yesterday, around noon. Initial reports said that it was 6.7 on the Richter scale and then a later report said 6.4. Supposedly, there is minimal damage and there was no tsunami expected at that time, even though the tremors were felt in Vancouver and as far east as Kelowna, B.C.
Does this concern me in Ontario? Yes, definitely, because I have family living there, approximately three thousand miles away from northern Ontario.
The events of everyday life are always on our minds, in one way or another and they do affect the way we feel.
Such is "A Thought in Time".
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