What If...

The war in my mind continued with this moment of reflection: What if I, Little Miss Do-No-Wrong, ended up in Hell for being the judgmental, self-righteous be-ahtch with the murderous rage I fight so hard to suppress?

Soul-Cleansing yet Gentle Rains

This morning's walk to the bus stop was dark and drippy, but oh so refreshing. I calmly and quietly marched my usual path toward the chariot that transports me away from the town in which i live to the the town in which i work. On this quiet walk, I simply breathed and focused on positive intentions for the day. Though some might not enjoy getting soaking wet on the way to work, I took the opportunity to make the excuse for flip-flops (because I hate wearing wet socks and didn't want to ruin my sneakers) and some flowy dark clothes that won't make it obvious i'm wet. I even splurged and visited the hot air dryer in the bathroom in my building!

9am meeting, I'm ready for you. Rest of the world, your turn after lunch.

Title Selection

A reminder to those awaiting a published version of the manifesto forming in my head, the title to look for in a couple of years is I am NOT a Mushroom.

Dear Phone...I Miss You and I'm Coming to Get You!

Dear Phone, I miss you and I'm coming to get you. Since you didn't ring and you were "unavailable" tonight, I can only assume that you have no time left on you and that you are desperate to be rescued. I will find you and bring you home...I will not pay ransom and I will not accept excuses or requests for further extensions of the loan. I have learned my lesson and won't ever volunteer to part with you again. I am so glad you're not an expensive version, but some of the data on you is very important to me.

Love,
your kind-hearted sucker-no-more hard-earned owner.

The amount of time required to process the request is directly related to the number of times I get interrupted while trying to complete the task.

Let's Get This Party Started!

I've been up for an hour; it's almost time to leave for work. We're welcoming a new person in our department today and hopefully learning when one more will be joining us. It's new academic year anticipation time and I'm full of excitement...aren't you?

Lights out in 20

I can't believe how tired i feel right now, but I'm going to use that as motivation to actually try to get more sleep. It's been a busy weekend, with volunteering, family, and online shopping. I looked, I didn't buy; I paid another bill "in full" and thanks to my dear parents, enjoyed some delicious local produce. Now my big task is to find clothes for tomorrow, finish packing my travel bag, and pick which room in which to commence sleeping.

Life Happens

I've heard that life happens while you're busy making other plans. That seems to be the case for me. Today did not go at all as "planned" but ended up being just fine. I'm on call for disaster response, so if someone locally needs help, I'm supposed to go. The phone rang and my plans got bumped. One of the things that has been so great about participating in disaster preparedness and response is that these inconveniences are no longer quite so scary, and anything less than what some of these families have to endure doesn't even earn a rating on the worry scale. I have bills to pay and an apartment to clean. Big deal. NOT. :D

May you all find and keep in your hearts what really matters, and may you come through those other trials with flying colors.

Prodigals Welcome?

I found "Back to Church Sunday" campaign online and it sounds like a neat way to encourage people who want to get back to services to do so in a welcomed, supported way. I don't know what to make of it though, as there are so many in my town within walking distance but a search with my zip code and a 5-mile radius netted just one listing as participating in the campaign.This national day is just a month away. Maybe it's too much gimmick? Maybe all the groups around here have a different approach? I'd certainly hope they're not all "closed" clubs. It seems numbers are down and congregations are holding joint services or sharing space. I would like to see more unity among believers, and a renewal to the commitment to live our lives in such a way that the love is unmistakable.

The thing is, there's something not quite "right" when a single woman isn't afraid to walk into a bar for dinner by herself but can't seem to bring herself to walk into Sunday service at a nearby church alone. It's a marketing strategy like anything else: You have to draw in the people, and you have to reach them first to draw them in. What is your organization (any kind) doing to make people want to be part of it? What do you do to keep them once they're there? Are they growing? Are they bearing "fruit?" (How do they help the organization?)
.

Maybe Another Time

I was thinking of scooting out to the corner store for some late ice cream, but the sirens in the neighborhood gave me pause. My safety is not in danger, but my ears just can't handle that noise (yes, freakish auditory function here--i need to go to more concerts!). Funny how sometimes circumstances can guide you back to a better choice for yourself, like considering an hour or less till possibly sleep? The only thing in my way is this redoubled energy from having attended a fun contest meeting.

Selective Sharing

I have a lot of Facebook friends who share some really neat stuff. Every once in a while I see something I like so much I feel compared to share it too. I try not to be too trigger happy, but i have to give honorable mention here to some powerfully positive posts of the very recent past. Of course, there would be others but i'm being selective, remember?  We could have a heyday at youtube.

212 The extra degree is a video and apparently a movement whereby we go beyond good for great with just that extra degree. (It starts by thinking about water at 211).

"Surprise Wedding" is crazy, perfect love.

"Don't let comparison steal your joy." These are today's words by which to live.

WAKE UP!

...That's what my dear cat tells me through purrs, squeaks, or jumping on me at crazy hours. After trying unsuccessfully for more than an hour to go back to sleep between 2:30 and 3:30 this morning, I decided the better option would be to get up and get this day started. What will you accomplish today? I figure I've got an extra two hours now to make something awesome happen.

Fantastic Friday

I'm not leaving "early" on my final "early" Friday of the summer (nor did i mange the others), but I've had a FANTASTIC day and here are some highlights:

enjoyed a nice campus stroll with colleagues
completely cleared half a large office desk surface (not just by dumping into a box or drawer)
(also made significant additional progress on the other half--those who have seen know this is HUGE)
Affirmed a quarter-century TM and invited her to coffee meeting next week
completed a round of super-positive reference checks for a super-awesome candidate
followed up with my committee on my progress
took a moment to help a couple of friends
assured a colleague no need to worry about mail/"rush" requests while on vacation--we'll cover
collected my e-hug from another TM friend
found time to create this list before leaving!

Notice themes/patterns? It's twofold at least. I relish a sense of "closure" on a Friday afternoon. I also feel more "accomplished" when I've done something good beyond my own experience. These are the things that can sustain us through those tough moments when things aren't exactly by our plan.

Time Flies

Almost a week since a post--can you believe it? of course you can...and that's why i never promised a daily publication ;)

Today is my hire date anniversary and our annual departmental "retreat." I'm looking forward to grabbing some bread and cheese for our picnic at a local state park. It's going to be gorgeous (yes, pun intended)!

Remembering to be Thankful

So many things happen in ways other than i would like so often it wouldn't take long to get caught up in the downward spiral of negativity. I was very close to getting caught in that vortex yesterday, and could have easily been sucked back in today. Fortunately, I did not however, and it is because other people offered help. Today's shining moment was in being able to thank a customer service representative who remained pleasant and helpful throughout a disappointing transaction. I smiled and it warmed my heart through the phone to be able to tell her how much I appreciated her time and her effort, and to really mean it. I'm here to tell you that Quality Customer Service still exists and that we need to remember to be thankful for all that is still good and right.

Biorythmic Wonders

This morning, I awoke from a dream and remembered part of it as the transitional thought was one regarding my timing to reach a bus. It also ended up being perfect timing, without an alarm clock, to get up and get the day started. I rarely have (or remember) dreams lately, nor do I sleep until or past an alarm time, but this morning was a marvel of perfection--I wasn't worried about being late or trying to get back to sleep.

Well, It's Wednesday

Are you remembering your "good health guidelines?" increased water consumption, decreased late-night snacking, and that extra nice 2-mile walk translated into the equivalent of a half-gallon I don't have to carry around anymore. What will you do to take care of your body, mind, and soul this week?

Trying Tuesday

I've often figured that someday my candor will get me in trouble. I hope my integrity, though, will come with enough strength to find a way through when that time comes.

Monday Morning Musings

Several of us here are on the "same wavelength": We've chosen to wear blue shirts today.

Today's challenge: creative re-scheduling to accomplish necessary tasks without the usual tools.

Top Toastmasters goals for Area 10 this week: Firmly set a contest date and notify everyone; send invitation to discuss TM opportunity to some more leads.