Random thoughts on my 201st post ...

Let's see ...
It's been about 9 months since my 1st post here at Sacred Ruminations on October 23, 2007. Considering I reached my 100th post on this blog in just 3 months, I've certainly S L O W E D my pace of publishing, and methinks that's a good thing. I actually overlooked my 100th post here as well ... however, I did take time to look back and reflect on my 106th ... much as I've decided to do today.

Of course I've published many more than 201 posts since last October. Yesterday was my 294th post at Small Reflections ... and there are 5 more at my 3rd blog, Blog Rolls & Bling (most recently 'Why I Blog,' a response to Rebecca's challenge) ... so this is actually my 500th post overall, and THAT seems like even more of a 'milestone' now that I think of it. I'll celebrate my 1st Blogoversary in 85 days ... so I'll do my best to think of an appropriate way to observe that event.

In this time, I've learned a great deal about many things in this 'virtual' world ... acquired new skills ... met interesting folks ... and developed some comfort with sharing my thoughts. I've accumulated a 'body of work' that actually surprises me when I click through my blogs, although there's no real 'focus' to much of it yet. Taking time to create 'category links' in my sidebars created a bit of organization and reveals patterns of sorts within the randomness ... and I'm beginning to consider what (if anything) I might do with the pieces for 'projects' in the future.

Reviewing the lists I generated in January (of what I'm proud of and forgive myself for) in that 'milestone' post ... methinks my lists today would look similar with only a few additions and/or modifications. I've still not participated in Writer's Island or Cafe Writing ... and am less than consistent with Inspire Me Thursday, so perhaps I'll move those up on my 'to do' list and add Sunday Scribblings and Slice of Life Sunday too as possible participatory goals (or not)? I have continued with Haiku Fridays and Sacred Life Sunday ... added Blog Your Blessings & One Single Impression ... joined in several of Pensieve's poetic challenges and some participated in a few Photo Blogging opportunities ... enjoying the process and visiting others as I'm able.

It's been exactly a year since the Writers Retreat in Taos, New Mexico that started it all. A part of me wishes I'd returned for a second 'dose' of inspiration ... but another piece of me believes I'm not ready to do so yet. This photo shows the opposite side of the 'bridge' at the entrance to the Mabel Dodge Luhan House shared near the top of my sidebar here. The one below leads to the structure where our workshops were held. Because I view my blogs as 'bridges' of sorts, these images (along with others from the MDL grounds & surrounding areas) hold particular meaning for me.

Perhaps I'll return next year ... or seek out a different writers event instead. For now I'm content to be where I am ... delighted with my new laptop ... and open to whatever comes next. Methinks I'd like to find and join a local writer's group in the real world, for I sense doing so would create 'accountability' to keep me focused on possibilities ... moving forward.

For myself, today I've taken a leisurely look at each of my blogs and invite all who pass this way to do so as time permits. Using the links in the sidebars and/or the Archives (located about 7 or 8 pages down) might help you navigate the maze of my posts. Once you find something you enjoy, using the labels underneath that piece will take you to more like it.

If you encounter something 'resonates' ... please leave a comment no matter how old the post, for I'll receive email notification, read your thoughts, be enlightened, & respond in kind. If your email isn't available, checking the little box and/or using something like 'co.mments.com' will allow you to receive my responses in your email. It's quite possible your input and/or suggestions may help me gain the clarity I'm seeking.

By way of celebration ... Chuck of Foster Me Up (AKA Rhonda) generously passed along this award quite a while back (I apologize for not knowing exactly when and for letting so much time lapse).
I don't think I've yet shared it ... so today I offer it to all who have commented along the way (to snag, enjoy, and share) ... for providing feedback, support, and encouragement to me.
I appreciate you all greatly.

I hope you're each having lovely day.
Hugs and blessings,

Thought for Today
"The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass ... it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself." Henry Miller

Monday Motivator #2

After creating and publishing my Fun Monday post this morning
(If I was in charge of the world ...), I felt moved to pick up my well-used & cherished copy (a 1984 edition I purchased in 1986 and have used ever since) of Louise Hay's book You Can Heal Your Life ... and it opened at random to the following meditation. I wish to share this morning. She writes:

In the infinity of life where I am,
all is perfect, whole and complete, and yet
life is ever changing.
There is no beginning and no end,
only a constant cycling and recycling
of substance and experiences.

Life is never stuck or static or stale,
for each moment is ever new and fresh.
I am one with the very Power that created me
and this Power has given me the power to
create my own circumstances.

I rejoice in the knowledge
that I have the power of my own mind
to use in any way I choose.

Every moment of life is a new beginning point
as we move from the old.
This moment is a new point of beginning
for me right here and right now.

All is well in my world.

and I add ... Blessed Be and so it is. Thank you very much ... words I learned from listening to Marianne Williamson talk about A Course in Miracles about 25 years ago and have adopted as my own ... in meditation and prayer.

Thought for Today
"I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for myself, and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part." Shirley MacLaine

OSI Week 22, Sacred Life Sunday, BYBS#12

The prompt for Week 22 is Faces
When I was teaching
resources like this could help
kids speak about their

feelings fluently.
Now this site provides
free downloads to all.
On this Sunday my
face looks much like this one does ...
I am contented.

Click for my 1st Week 22 OSI post at Small Reflections
other OSI Week 22 participants.
~ ~ ~

Six Really Good Things

1. I've enjoyed, captured, and shared beautiful sunsets, skies, and sunrises here this week (in case you missed them and/or need reminders of the 'face of God' in nature.

2. Although I missed my Wednesday appointment for a cut & perm, the guy who does my hair had time on Thursday afternoon to fit me in ... so I've got 'wash & wear' hair again for the next 3 months.

3. My Intermediate Photoshop Class is over and I've got 4 weeks off before the Advanced Class begins in late August ... so perhaps I'll be able to 'catch up' at last as I practice & apply the skills I've learned in the past 10 weeks.

4. I've shared this previously, but would like to pass this award on again to all who've visited & commented here at Sacred Ruminations during the month of July ... and encourage you to pass this award on to others to 'share the love' as well. I received it some time ago from Chuck at Foster Me Up, but it was created by Memoirs of a Mommy in honor of the donor who saved her son Noah's life with a heart transplant. Her hopes are that we can create more awareness of the importance of organ donation by passing this award on to others.

The rules of this award are: SHARE THE LOVE!!! Share this award with all those blogs out there that you love. All the people who make you smile. All those that make you laugh. All those that make your day. All those that leave uplifting comments on your blog. **All I ask, is that you include a link to this post with the award and ask your recipient to do the same**

5. I've viewed this cute video clip of Twin Baby Moose playing in a sprinkler (shared at UR Olive) a few times and will probably do so again. It could bring YOU a smile too.

6. This morning my 'writing buddy' gave me a link to brain specialist, Jill Bolte Taylor delivering an 18 minute talk entitled 'My Stroke of Insight' following her own experience of & recovery from a stroke. I believe it's an amazing & informative presentation about the workings of our 'dual-hemisphered brains' worthy of your attention when time permits. I hope you'll watch and share it with others as well. For more information, this is the link to her website.

For others who 'Blog Their Blessings'
go to My Blog Rolls and/or click on the logo
at the top of this post.

For those who participate in Sacred Life Sunday
click the logo below:

Thought for Today
"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." Victor Hugo

Photo Hunt #10 - Hanging

Note: If you're looking for Sky Watch or Haiku Friday you'll find them below this post. Camera Critters & Smiley Saturday are at Small Reflections.

This is my 10th ... but ... (the 1st 6 are at Small Reflections
and #7-9 are here at Sacred Ruminations)

Theme: Hanging

This 6' tall dream-catcher hangs in my bedroom.
Click for other Photo Hunters participating this week.

Thought for Today
"Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions." Edgar Cayce

SkyWatch #4 & HF#58 - Sunsets ...

My first Sky Watch is at Small Reflections.Thanks to Scylla at Law & Motherhood

for this cool Haiku button

Watching the sun set
sitting on my rooftop deck
stressed from hectic day

reminds me how blessed

we are living on this earth ...
filled with gratitude

I relax and breathe
in the 'stillness' ... releasing
tension from the day.
~ ~ ~
This morning I heard
Randy Pausch is with us no
longer on this earth

yet his legacy
will live long reminding all
how to embrace life!

This morning I've been
listening again to the
lecture link above

reflecting upon
choices past and present while
focusing on now.
1960-2008

"Experience is what you get when you
didn't get what you wanted."
Click for others participating in Sky Watch this week at its new home.
Click for Haiku Friday #59 at Small Reflections.

For others participating in Haiku Friday this week go to A Mommy Story or Playgroups are no Place for Children. (To see my previous Haikus, click on the Haiku Friday label below this post or in the sidebar under About Me where you'll find a 'directory' of my Haikus on both blogs).

Thought for Today
"Now that it's all over, what did you really do yesterday that's worth mentioning?" Coleman Cox

WW#40 (on Thursday) - Another Version ...

Mostly ...

Chuck of Foster Me Up asked me in email to send her the link to the video in the previous post, and when I went looking for it I found another version of this Lion 'love story' you might enjoy ;-)



As stated in the previous version (set to a different song with a different beginning), the story has been verified by Snopes - Apparently, this lion, named Christian, really did show up mysteriously the day before the couple arrived to find him in Africa. You can read more about it at the Snopes link.

Click for others participating in Wordless Wednesday on Thursday.

Thought for Today
"Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that." Michael Leunig

WW#37 - Have you seen this amazing love story?

ALMOST

I just saw this on the View this morning and found it amazing! Thought others might enjoy it too ;--)

In 1969 a couple found and raised a lion cub, but when it grew to be 185 lbs ... released it into the wild in Africa where the lion thrived ... creating a Pride of his own. This is the reunion no one believed could happen except the couple themselves.

The story has been verified by Snopes - Apparently, this lion, named Christian, really did show up mysteriously the day before the couple arrived to find him in Africa. You can read more about it at the Snopes link or here.

Click for others participating in Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday.

Thought for Today
"A baby is born with a need to be loved -- and never outgrows it." Frank A. Clark

BYBS#11 and Sacred Life Sunday

If you're looking for One Single Impression Week 21
you'll find one here and the other here.
My 'catch up' OSI post is still
under construction.

Irish Coffeehouse is hosting Fun Monday and asks three questions: "As a child day dreaming of what your future would hold for you, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you ever pursue or achieve it? If you could be trained and placed in any career beginning tomorrow, what would it be?"

I've pondered these questions for several days and still don't know how to respond to any of them, however today I'm grateful for the encouragement and support coming into my life from many directions and unexpected sources ... a myriad of messages inviting me to embrace my uniquenesses, explore my creativity, follow my heart and pursue my dreams. These were not the kinds of messages I received as a child ... nor are they easy for me to accept ... in fact, the more familiar messages (that still play in my mind) are:
'Don't be silly, you don't think (or feel) that at all.'
'Shape up ... think and be practical.'
'That's just a pipe dream ... it will never amount to anything.'

In today's weekly phone call with my writing buddy, we mutually agreed to 'gather our art supplies together' and have them 'handy' in case inspiration comes ... and that's what I plan to do this week. Interestingly, as I whittled down the collection of email messages this afternoon (after visiting blogs in an attempt to catch up with folks I've been neglecting due to busy-ness), I came upon one from Mac Anderson of Simple Truths containing a link to a 3 minute video (that I've just watched twice) entitled Dreams are Whispers from the Soul together with encouragement to share it with others. Thus, I invite you click the link and view this inspirational reminder ... to listen to and live your dreams.

As for me, I'm still thinking about how to respond to the Fun Monday questions in tomorrow's post at Small Reflections while I work on the 'catch up OSI post' for Weeks 18, 19, and 20 ... wondering how it is that I've allowed my 'happily retired self' to get so overly busy these past few months and considering what to do differently in the days and weeks to come.

For others who 'Blog Their Blessings'
go to My Blog Rolls and/or click on the logo
at the top of this post.

For those who participate in Sacred Life Sunday
click the logo below:

Thought for Today
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Eleanor Roosevelt

Getting ahead with One Single Impression & CC#16

I realize this one's a day early ... and I'm working on catching up
on Weeks 18, 19, and 20 today ... seriously.

The prompt for Week 21 is Rest
What is it about
babes and dogs? Connections we
recognize & love.

QTs all ... 'at rest'
cannot help but stop and smile
at these 'kids' asleep.

Photos from email received long ago
Click for my 2nd Week 21 OSI post at Small Reflections

This is my 16th#15 is at Small Reflections Saturday
and #17 will be there on Sunday
Misty Dawn started the meme and explains the rules here:

Introductory Information
Click for others participating in Camera Critters this week.

Thought for Today
"A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on." Carl Sandburg

Sky Watch #3 and Haiku Friday #56

My first Sky Watch is at Small Reflections.

Thanks to Scylla at Law & Motherhood
for this cool Haiku button

Standing on the deck
above my garage, I look
up and watch the clouds

gradually change
as the ocean breezes cause
currents in the skyrotating my view
3-6-0 degrees reveals
large patches of blue

smiles grow because
soon the sun will warm the day
for Molly and me.

Click for others participating in Sky Watch this week at its new home.
Click for Haiku Friday #57 at Small Reflections.

For others participating in Haiku Friday this week go to A Mommy Story or Playgroups are no Place for Children. (To see my previous Haikus, click on the Haiku Friday label below this post or in the sidebar under About Me where you'll find a 'directory' of my Haikus on both blogs).

Thought for Today

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!" Dr. Seuss

With appreciation and gratitude ...

I accept these awards and pass them along.

The first is from Mike of MJG's Rambling Thoughts (who received it from Jennifer of Dust Bunny Hostage).

I'd like to share with the following friends and encourage them to pass it on as well to share the love.

Betty of Betty's This and That

Chuck at Foster Me Up
Eve of Adamswife's Weblog
Greatfullivin at Gratitude Journal
Hootin' Anni of Hootin' Anni
Joyce at Mom's Musings
Karen at Journey to Authenticity
Mary of Mary's Writing Nook
MPJ and A Room of Mama's Own
Phyl of Scrappy n Happy in Ohio
Sandy at Momisodes
Tina of Tina's Odds and Ends

Yertle at Smile, Play, Dream

The second is from Betty of Betty's This and That who received it from Mercedes at Mercedes World. I apologize to Betty for being so slow to pass it along, but I'm sure she understands because we all get way too busy from time to time ... and that's exactly what' I've been. I know I've been sporadic with my posts here at Sacred Ruminations (have fallen 3 weeks behind on One Single Impression, but hope to catch up in one fell swoop soon). I appreciate each of you 'checking in' periodically and leaving your thoughts when I do publish something. You each keep me going more often than you may realize.

I'd like to share this Super Commenter Award with all of those mentioned above and with the following visitors to Sacred Ruminations who so often Make My Day:

Lisa of Lisa's Chaos
Lucy of Lucy Creates and Diamonds in the Sky
Maggie of Maggie's Mind
Mary Ann of Desperately Seeking Serenity
Mike of MJG's Rambling Thoughts
Paulie of Postcards from Paulie
Raven of Views from Raven's Nest
Reader Wil
Sandy Carlson of Writing in Faith
Vixen of Vixen's Den

Please accept this award with my heart-felt gratitude
and feel free to pass it along to others.

Thought for Today
" A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad."
Arnold H. Glasgow

Passing along some humor from a friend ...

Hosted by Skittles at Head or Tails

Click for info about how to play

This week's theme/prompt is:
HEADS - Joke

Some of you have already seen this,
but it seemed appropriate for today's theme.

It's been a while since I've checked my MSN or Roadrunner email accounts because of problems with my old laptop ... so in catching up, I came across this and wanted to share ... just because (with thanks to my friend, Dannie). All text (other than this lavender note) is hers. I found the illustrations at Photobucket and added them. I hope you enjoy it too ;--)

"One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he
quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!

Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.

Live simply and appreciate what you have.

Give more.

Expect less.


NOW ............

Enough of that crap . The donkey later came back, and bit the farmer who had tried to bury him. The gash from the bite got infected and the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.

MORAL FROM TODAY'S LESSON:

When you do something wrong, and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.

Amen, dude! Heh heh!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do." Robert Heinlein

Shared originally here on 7-3-08
Click for others participating in HoTs this week.
Next week's theme/prompt is:
HEADS *OR* TAILS - Sit *OR* Stand

Rebecca of Reba's Ramblings celebrated her Blogoversary Sunday by hosting a Blog Carnival with a giveaway. She asked visitors recently to address the eternal question ... specifically the issue of why we blog. I endeavored to respond with a post on my 3rd blog ...(yup that means I posted on all three blogs Sunday so just call me kRaZy or oBsEsSeD). If time permits, take a few moments to click on over and read ...

Why I Blog

If you decide to participate yourself, write your own reasons for blogging and drop by Reba's to read the reasons why others blog too. Be sure to leave a comment or link here so I can read yours too ;--)
Thought for Today
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is." Francis Bacon

BYBS#10 and Sacred Life Sunday

Betty left these words of wisdom (from the church bulletin) in her post at Betty's This and That today, and I've decided to pass them along ... just because.

There are 4 things that you cannot recover.

The stone........................after the throw!

The word........................after it is said.

The occasion..................after the loss!

The time........................after it's gone.

For others who 'Blog Their Blessings'
go to My Blog Rolls and/or click on the logo
at the top of this post.

For those who participate in Sacred Life Sunday
click the logo below:

Thought for Today
"If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple, but if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas." George Bernard Shaw

PhotoHunt#9 and The Road Trip of Your Life

Note: If you're looking for Sky Watch or Haiku Friday you'll find them below this post. Camera Critters & Smiley Saturday are at Small Reflections.

This is my 9th ... but ... (the 1st 6 are at Small Reflections
and #7 & 8 are here at Sacred Ruminations)

Theme: Support
My new office chair provides more support
than the old one pictured below:

The Road Trip of Your Life

You see life as a journey you must take alone. Independence and individuality are primary to you. I'm not sure I think I must take the journey alone, but I am comfortable doing so when necessary to accomplish my goals. You live a life of leisure. You take your time in every aspect of life and enjoy it to the fullest. This IS certainly true of life for me these days. Being 'happily retired' is a blessing I savor. You're willing to take a few risks in life. You may not take the road no one travels, but you're happy to take the road less traveled. This is certainly true. I'm more likely to travel small country roads when I have a companion than when I'm traveling alone. Eh, work is not really for you. You're all about playtime! You'll work if you have to, but you really don't like it. Once upon a time, I enjoyed my work as a teacher ... but it's wonderful to have leisure time now to do what I choose. You could have owned an indie bookstore or boutique in another life. I've often thought it would be fun to run a used bookstore in a small community and used to think I might actually do that. Now, however, I'm content as things are ...

The Road Trip Test
I invite you to take this test and share your results
if you so choose ... either in comments below
or on your blog, but please leave me
a link so I can read them ;--)

Thought for Today
"Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind." Seneca

Sky Watch #2 and Haiku Friday #54

My first Sky Watch is at Small Reflections.

Thanks to Scylla at Law & Motherhood
for this cool Haiku button

I begin most days
sitting on my patio
capturing my thoughts

with my pencil on
journal pages ... fluidly
accessing my truth.

Looking up I pause ...
observing the sun as it
rises in the East

gratitude expands
as my breathing slows ... then I
jump up and retrieve

my camera to
capture this experience ...
Isn't it lovely?

Click for others participating in Sky Watch this week.
Click for Haiku Friday #55 at Small Reflections.

For others participating in Haiku Friday this week go to A Mommy Story or Playgroups are no Place for Children. (To see my previous Haikus, click on the Haiku Friday label below this post or in the sidebar under About Me where you'll find a 'directory' of my Haikus on both blogs).

Thought for Today

"There are no passengers on spaceship Earth. We are all crew." Marshall McLuhan, 1964