Are Four-Letter Words REALLY Bad?

Language is an interesting topic.  What is proper in one setting is looked down upon in another.   I think of myself as fairly well educated, and certainly articulate on subjects I'm familiar with.   So I'm not lacking in vocabulary when I admit it's quite easy to use certain words in certain situations that give me greater satisfaction than the more polite, O for goodness sake.

Living alone, I have no one holding me accountable to any one particular standard in word usage.   I can say most anything in Gilly's presence as long as I have a smile on my face...

So when I trip on the vacuum cord or my computer and/or IPhone speaks in a language only understood by those 16 and under, I immediately take this as an opportunity to exercise my vocal cords with one-syllable terms not at all related to the situation but which bring great relief to my stress level.

My first memories of saying the inappropriate--according to my childless (though expert in all parenting) uncle--resulted in my mouth being washed out with soap.  Sad to say, this punishment didn't have the intended effect.  One individual in my adult life--who shall remain anonymous--attempted the use of shame after I said damn--that didn't work either.  While recognizing and admitting to this long-held habit, I must include that a filter falls into place when I'm around children--well usu...ally.  (Correspondence with my grandchildren might be necessary for complete accuracy on this point.)

I don't mean to offend--though I admit to feeling a funny bone tickle in the occasional irreverent.  My use of the four-letter word is almost never at a person--well, not in their presence.    So I'm not pledging to give up on these words/phrases...though I might consider the hand gestures that--only on rare occasions--go with them...

It took me about a second before I realized I'd done it again.  

My mouth seriously needed a chaperone.   

                          --- Elise Allen

Admission...without pride or Sell-by Date

After spending more hours scrubbing than one appliance deserves, I kne-w-w-w-w disclosure was imminent ...well, only if I completely disregard personal pride and dignity.

I hate refrigerator cleaning!  (I have heard that confession is good for the soul...)  Perhaps a few sessions in therapy would take me to the origin of this painful admission...could also help me with the attitude adjustment I sorely need.  But today, with company coming this weekend (hoping they don't read this and decide the I-5 corridor to Mary's B&B is not the best chosen route), I decided the task could no longer be put aside.  I plowed ahead.  First emptying the shelves and doors; then dismantling the in-nerds. That took perhaps 25 minutes.  The white interior, after a good scrub, then clean drawer liners now looked wonderful!  Job well done!

Then I turned around and saw my counters--FULL of 1/2 empty/1/2 eaten food containers--with an occasional mold peeking around the lids.  When had I bought all this?  I couldn't remember using this salad dressing, lemon juice, ketchup (I don't even like ketchup!), jams, chocolate topping, mayonnaise, wine vinegar, etc.   Even Gilly stood at a distance.  Obviously, the next job is REALLY why I don't like this experience.  I am also reminded, as I look over the mess, that I rarely check the Sell-by/Use by dates.

I won't go into just how far the dates went back in history--I do have some dignity.  But I will say that most of the labels are no longer found on grocery shelves....

Now the most-hated job is completed!!  The refrigerator looks lovely--albeit a bit empty.   Smells clean!  Everything in its place.  Wanna come over for dinner...before disaster hits once again?
 

I keep the ketchup in the fridge, 

though from now on I’m going to keep it in the bottle. 

Less messy, I figure.

                                   ―  Jarod Kintz

Intention...

When I first began yoga about four years ago, our instructor spoke about intention:  Why do we take yoga?  What do we want to accomplish?  and more personally, On what aspect of my life do I want to focus?  Intention is not about perfection.  It's about where I put my energy.  Some might look at intention as a sort of prayer.

For a year or so, my intention involved Jen and her battle with cancer.  Then, slowly, I realized that in order to be there for her, I wanted physical, emotional and spiritual health.  My intention took that direction.

As I contemplated this new year and yoga, I decided on a more core issue--self-love and acceptance.   In years past, I've spent time in therapy and read lots of books trying to understand this concept since much of my background taught that self-love means selfishness.

Yesterday a good friend gave me a quotation by Dawn Neader.  After reading it, I saw that by first-person-ing it, I had a beautiful definition of self-love and acceptance--which, of course, omits the self-criticism and negativity that can so easily accompany my thoughts. 

My heart remains full.

My soul is free to play and dance in the wind.

Peace is living in my heart.

Energy is my best friend.

Good health is my companion.

Adventure fills my days.

My eyes sparkle with joy.

My tears well up with gratitude.

I am held in the arms of loved ones.

I feel the joy of giving love.

Creativity is a given.

Every day of my life.

Major embarrassment

If I were completely honest, it would take several pair of hands and feet to count the embarrassing moments in my life--several more if you add in the other occasions on my daughters' lists.  We all have them--and for the most part, after years gone by, our chagrin turns to laughter.

In junior high--now called middle school--I was a majorette in a small town in Ohio.  O how I loved being a majorette--and I was good...well, for a majorette in a small town in Ohio.  Our band director was a man we all adored.  He could be tough, but his sense of humor poked and prodded us to greatness--OK, perhaps goodness.  

At one school program, the band played in front of the stage while the majorettes were featured on stage.   We performed our routine in unison, and then each, one-at-a-time, stepped front and center to execute our own specialty--in my case, twirling the baton on one finger and throwing it high in the air and catching it on return.   I rarely ever missed catching it. 

That night--auditorium filled with parents and townspeople--I walked to the center of the stage for my featured single.  The baton moved through my legs and around my neck with great speed and accuracy.  Then came the earmark of my performance.  I twirled expertly in the necessary rhythm.  The baton went into the air and at just the right second returned to my index finger.  Beautifully executed!  Perfectly completed!  Applause reigned--as did the broken glass from the six stage lights my baton had taken out above me.  With all my precision of movement--I had not anticipated the somewhat lower ceiling on the stage.

I finished with the other majorettes, then went running down to the locker room crying my eyes out.  I sat on the bench with friends trying to console me.  I'd have nothing to do with it.  I'd done the most embarrassing thing in the world in front of thousands--OK, well maybe a couple of hundred!  Then I felt an arm around me and a soft voice in my ear.  It was the principle's daughter--a gorgeous and smart senior whom I thought was absolutely perfect!  She said little but her arm allowed my heart to return to its normal cadence.

Yep--I lived through that and many more!

The embarrassment of a situation can,

once you are over it,

be the funniest time in your life.

                                         --- Miranda Hart

Little Reminders Come in Handy...

I have in my study what I call a meditation table--which is probably a misnomer since I rarely sit before it and contemplate.  In fact, I just recently downsized to a smaller area.  It holds the icons that represent the values I choose to live by.  During the day as I move in and out of that room, I often glance over at the symbols.  The visual calls me to accountability:

A candle holder represents Community--a reminder of its importance.
A tiny Buddha calls me to Wisdom and not arrogance.
A Goddess of Compassion--to draw me to empathy for others.
My wish to live life with Passion is spelled out on a rock.
Namaste--a symbol to honor the spirit in all.
Om written on another rock--a beautiful affirmation.
A shell my mother gave me when I was a child.  She told me to hold it to my ear and I could hear the ocean.  I do hear a sound--I don't know if it's the ocean--but it does remind me to be willing to Listen.
A pewter mold that illustrates my Continuous Journey in life.
A yin yang icon advises me to stay in Balance.

We tend to think of meditation in only one way.

But life itself is a meditation.

                 --- Raul Julia

New Year = New Energy!

I love the first few weeks after the new year begins!  It's my time of organizing, reorganizing, getting-rid-of and giving my world a fresh look.  I have a pile of donations--already taken away one load!  My clothes closet has fewer items--but without those pieces that receive little or no attention.  My craft supplies are relocated to more convenient places--and boxes labelled due to memory issues that won't be discussed at this time... 

Finding new authors is an exciting adventure.  I've already made several trips to the library--celebrating that I can now choose most any day of the week to go there!! Even my Book Club is making some major changes which are refreshing!

I've also made an invitation list--friends to have over for soup--the perfect food for this time of year. 

No, I'm not a Pollyanna--I just want to keep my mind away from the gray slug of most winter mornings in southern Oregon. 

Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. 

Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. 

Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, 

and your picture begins to lighten up.  

                                            --- Allen Klein

January 1--New Beginnings...

Happy New Year!!

The first day of this new year, I awoke to see two of the most beautifully expressive brown eyes looking lovingly into mine.  His nose was within an inch of my face--yeah, I know...morning breath, etc.  Then, as I smiled and spoke softly--wishing him a Good Morning--Gilly's tail began to wag an excited beat.  Not a bad way to begin the first day of 2015--those words will be understood ONLY by my animal-loving friends...

Today I'm beginning a 14-day challenge suggested by a friend.  Using the Inquiry Method, I'll write about my life--my present life--seeking to make discoveries about what I enjoy and want to keep; what I don't and want to get rid of; and what I choose to change.  The goal, of course, is greater empowerment!  It is accomplished on such a positive note--because I take responsibility for my life and choices.  I like that!   No blaming--just new choices!  

It is very cold this morning--but I'm looking forward to walking my brown-eyed friend in this gorgeous sunshine.  

Have a lovely day, and challenge yourself to something new!

And now we welcome the new year,

full of things that have never been. 

                                                     ― Rainer Maria Rilke