Monday’s Musings
A few early morning thoughts before I go to bed. A happy Monday to everyone, wishing you a joyful December too. As always, live life happy. Cheers! – paerki
Walk Quietly With Me
Thank you for the Sunday walk, my sweet friend – more importantly, for the quiet. On occasion, it’s nice walking with someone, but not talking. All we ever said was “hello” and “goodbye”. There is something magical about two people walking, but not saying a word. There’s a special calmness to be known. I don’t always find this, and it’s not guaranteed with every walk, but when it does happen – somehow, someway it happens at the right time, and just when I need it the most.
These days I prefer quiet company, someone who is there, but keeping a low profile. I’m not always interested in conversation, especially when I can barely keep my head up and eyes open. However, if you want to sit and maybe read or fall asleep next to me – that would be so nice. Just like chicken soup, that somehow does the trick.
The latter makes me think of my mother, rocking us children to sleep when we were sick. We never had to ask for anything. Her timing was impeccable, knowing when to feed, sit and hug, and all in the name of love. When you think about it, that’s what it’s really all about, the love, and just being near makes all the difference in the world.
Never underestimate your power for aiding someone in getting well, utilizing quiet company. Sometimes silence is more golden than you know, and a pair of eyes just seeing your face can be the angel of mercy putting a weary spirit back on the road to finding his/her joy.
A Recommendation
When life is beating you down, if you feel compromised, lost and confused, if you’re burdened or maybe you are feeling disconnected, I encourage you to go to a museum and get lost in the art. Allow it to be your escape. It will draw you in if you permit it to, and it will absolutely dissolve some of your stress. It can restore and reawaken feelings in you and conjure up new ones you never knew existed.
Hedy Lamarr said it best, “A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me company, comforts and inspires.” I couldn’t agree more.
Writing
I believe most blog writers, the serious (political pundits, etc.) and the not so serious (writers writing in a format of clever quips, bawdy satire, and witty rhetorical rhetoric about the mundane) hope their blogs are well received. Each of us hopes the posts will give the reader an opportunity/reason to pause and reflect, to find justification to laugh, become educated on topics they knew nothing about, entertained, inspired, and maybe just a bit angry too, thus lending a voice to the many other voices that might bring about positive change.
My goals are very simple and straightforward. I’m hopeful of finding an audience who will relate to my stories and react enough to want to comment. Good and bad, reactions bring about conversation, and these pivotal points of banter (sound bites for some) will definitely challenge the mind and heart. At these times we prove to the world what we are made of.
During my past several years of blogging, I have written hundreds (hard to believe) of posts. My themes run the gamut from beautiful to purposeful to intense, and hot and angry too.
The comments I’ve received have been equally extreme. However, I take it all in stride, respecting everyone’s opinion because I do value my First Amendment rights and yours, which guarantees us all the freedom of speech.
When you think about it, everything we do in life comes down to communication. Some of us need to improve our communication skills, while others need to learn how to communicate altogether as social networking sights prove. Most of what I read on Facebook blows my mind, and is very telling of people’s personality and problem-solving skills.
Simply talking doesn’t make one a good communicator, just like hearing doesn’t make someone a good listener. However, effort is everything. We must always be mindful of our words and tone, and at the same time, we must not take someone else’s view/inflection personally, especially when the emphasis can be intense. When in doubt, ask for clarification. BTW: I miss the mark on this too, but just like everyone else, I’m a work in progress, and will be until the day I die. Let’s make that our New Year’s resolution – to be more effective and positive in our communication skills, and it begins with mindfulness, as well as respect.
