Every year I hate winter just a little bit more. It's cold. It's dark. It's snowy and slippery. It's really just a pain. Just going outside becomes a production. Going outside is no longer spontaneous, it's planned. Every morning I bundle up and trudge to the bus stop along the same path I would skip down in the summer. My head is bent, partly to keep the wind out of my eyes and partly to make sure I don't step on a patch of ice and inadvertently kill myself.
Today as I got on the bus to go home, I noted that it was still light out, something I was extremely grateful for. Lately when I've been on the bus I've been reading a book or listening to a podcast. Today, I looked out the window. Maybe it was because I sat on a different side of the bus than I usually do, or maybe it was thanks to the sunshine, or maybe I am just sick of being bundled up and shut off from the world. Whatever the reason, I enjoyed my bus ride much more. Even sitting in traffic wasn't that bad.
Anyway, I have about a five block walk home on a somewhat busy street. Every day as I'm walking home I hear the steady whoosh of cars driving past. Today I walked about a block and then there was silence. Usually when I think about winter I feel quiet. There aren't kids playing, dogs outside barking, lawn mowers, or any other sounds of life. Usually I think it seems like more of a depressing sort of quiet. Today, though, it was a peaceful quiet. And even though the silence was only a few moments, I heard things. (Don't worry, not in my head...) I heard a bird chirping, and I heard my feet walking, and I heard the beeping of the gas pump a couple of blocks away. And then the cars started whooshing past again.
It was just one moment, but that's all it took for me to remember that everything has its own beauty. Winter is a quiet season, but in the quiet maybe we can hear things we wouldn't normally hear. Today, I started to like winter just a little bit more.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday, October 31, 2008
Instant Gratification
The other day I went to the grocery store. The parking lot is small, but efficient. It directs people in a circle around the lot. As I was pulling into the lot, a car that had been circling the parking lot turned right in front of me. The turn was malicious, too. She definitely wanted to get ahead of me. I found out why a few seconds later as I looked around the parking lot and it was full. Anyway, the mean car drove past a row of cars and as soon as she drove past, one of them put on their backing up lights. Ha! Since I was next in line, I took that spot. Had the situation happened differently and mean car had actually been nice car, she would have let me go ahead of her instead of cutting me off. In that case, she could have stopped circling the lot and taken the spot that I did. But she didn't choose to be polite, she chose to be a jerk. Instant karma. It made me feel like the universe was on my side.
That is a small example of the benefits of the golden rule. I have no doubt that she would not have wanted someone to cut her off, just as I didn't. In the end, of course, I was grateful, but my first reaction was irritation. Because I am practicing patience while driving, I did not curse her up and down the parking lot. I just shook my head and kept driving.
It's a basic principle that we all learned in kindergarten: treat others how you would like to be treated. I think it's funny how some people can't forget the person who accidentally stepped on their toe ten years ago, but they can't remember what they learned in grade school. If there were more "please" and "thank you's" in the world, I think people would be generally happier. It doesn't take much to say "you're welcome" or "no, you go ahead." I have to admit that I am a very impatient driver, but I'm working on that because I don't think it does anybody any good. My destination is not any more important than yours, and we're all in the same boat. If more people got out of their heads and realized how they indirectly or directly affect the lives of others, I think everyone would be nicer.
Pay it forward, people.
That is a small example of the benefits of the golden rule. I have no doubt that she would not have wanted someone to cut her off, just as I didn't. In the end, of course, I was grateful, but my first reaction was irritation. Because I am practicing patience while driving, I did not curse her up and down the parking lot. I just shook my head and kept driving.
It's a basic principle that we all learned in kindergarten: treat others how you would like to be treated. I think it's funny how some people can't forget the person who accidentally stepped on their toe ten years ago, but they can't remember what they learned in grade school. If there were more "please" and "thank you's" in the world, I think people would be generally happier. It doesn't take much to say "you're welcome" or "no, you go ahead." I have to admit that I am a very impatient driver, but I'm working on that because I don't think it does anybody any good. My destination is not any more important than yours, and we're all in the same boat. If more people got out of their heads and realized how they indirectly or directly affect the lives of others, I think everyone would be nicer.
Pay it forward, people.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Lines
I was standing in line at the coffee shop in my building this morning. It was a pretty long line, but it was made longer by the people in front of me who were standing about 20 feet behind the people in front of them. Perhaps to compensate for this unnecessary lengthening of the line, the woman behind me was standing almost on top of me. I don't get it. Do people have absolutely no concept of space? I'm generally a people person...I enjoy being around people...but I don't really like people I don't know touching me. They should really teach line-forming at school. I think the way people stand in a line corresponds to how they drive. The woman standing really close to me is probably also a tail-gator...and the ones in front of me were probably the people who leave 10 car lengths between their car and the car in front of them at a stop sign. It makes sense.
In other news...the weather is all dreary and blah here today and I think it's making me dreary and blah. I did receive a link to some greeting cards which have been amusing me on and off this morning, but I would prefer to be sitting on my patio with a book soaking up the sun. Ah, the curse of living in Minnesota...I guess aside from being tired for some reason, it's not that bad of a day.
In other news...the weather is all dreary and blah here today and I think it's making me dreary and blah. I did receive a link to some greeting cards which have been amusing me on and off this morning, but I would prefer to be sitting on my patio with a book soaking up the sun. Ah, the curse of living in Minnesota...I guess aside from being tired for some reason, it's not that bad of a day.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Neverland
I've been having trouble sleeping lately. I've always had trouble falling asleep, but now I've been waking up in the middle of the night. One of my co-workers says I'm getting older. That's true. Aren't we all. The marks of adulthood are all over me. I have a full time job, 401k, benefits, blah blah blah. After my sleepless nights, I get up and go to work at 8, spend 9 hours there, then go home. No more spending my days climbing trees or playing baseball in the back yard. Yesterday on my drive home it was raining. My first thought was "yes! I love the rain. this is great." Immediately following that thought (while I was stuck in traffic on the freeway) was "this is not going to be good for the commute tomorrow....if it freezes tonight, it will just be like an ice rink." That's what really clued me in to the fact that I'm a grown-up.
When I was a kid, the rain wouldn't have stopped me from going outside. I've played many basketball games with my neighbors in the rain....ridden bikes...just generally run around. The rain still doesn't stop me from going outside. But instead of thinking about riding through all the puddles I could, now my first thought is "I hope I closed my sunroof." Growing up is, of course, not a bad thing. It's the natural order of things....the way things work. Worries replace wonder, forks replace fingers, and constructiveness replaces chaos. That is, after all, part of being an adult. We learn how to read and write, and act responsibly, and while we're learning all of this as kids, we don't really grasp what it's leading to: our freedom. I mean, we know that it is inevitable, that at some point we will no longer have to live by our parents rules, we can eat whatever we want and stay up to all hours of the night. What they don't tell us is that, at some point, we will have to make up our own rules, buy our own food, and keep ourselves out of trouble. This comes as a surprise to some people, and the inability to take on these stressors spirals ourselves out of control. I think everyone goes through a time where they are, in a sense, reeling from adulthood. Where our lives seem like they are going round and round with no way to stop them. Where stability is just out of reach....but the prospect of having the world at our disposal and the ability to do whatever we want to do is enticing. At times, this feeling is also overwhelming. For some people, it only lasts a day....for others it last a year....still others, it lasts a decade. But that's what makes us all unique :)
What they also don't tell us, is how to get that feeling from our childhood back... the feeling of careless wonder and wide-eyed curiosity. I think that's something that we should always have. The ability to let go of worry and just be is what keeps a person sane. The ability to let go is what helps us hold on to what's important...without letting go, we don't recognize the things that are important. I had a "back to simplicity" moment just this evening. I ordered a pizza for dinner....plain pepperoni. That's my favorite kind of pizza....it doesn't get any better. Occasionally I like a pizza full of veggies or other stuff....but mostly, I'm pretty darn happy with just plain pepperoni. Without all the extra toppings, it's easier to taste each part of the pizza.
There's no reason why our lives as adults can't be simple. Certainly they will never be like the life of a child, but they don't have to be filled with stress, either. While our past is what has made our present, it is still the past. Mistakes don't end the world...they may stop our own time for awhile, but it gets started again. There will always be worries, and there will always be adversity...but we are defined more by how we react and use that adversity to change our lives, and, if necessary, our character, than we are by the events in our lives. We are remembered by how we live rather than what we do. We've all heard the saying....Change is inevitable....growth is optional.
When I was a kid, the rain wouldn't have stopped me from going outside. I've played many basketball games with my neighbors in the rain....ridden bikes...just generally run around. The rain still doesn't stop me from going outside. But instead of thinking about riding through all the puddles I could, now my first thought is "I hope I closed my sunroof." Growing up is, of course, not a bad thing. It's the natural order of things....the way things work. Worries replace wonder, forks replace fingers, and constructiveness replaces chaos. That is, after all, part of being an adult. We learn how to read and write, and act responsibly, and while we're learning all of this as kids, we don't really grasp what it's leading to: our freedom. I mean, we know that it is inevitable, that at some point we will no longer have to live by our parents rules, we can eat whatever we want and stay up to all hours of the night. What they don't tell us is that, at some point, we will have to make up our own rules, buy our own food, and keep ourselves out of trouble. This comes as a surprise to some people, and the inability to take on these stressors spirals ourselves out of control. I think everyone goes through a time where they are, in a sense, reeling from adulthood. Where our lives seem like they are going round and round with no way to stop them. Where stability is just out of reach....but the prospect of having the world at our disposal and the ability to do whatever we want to do is enticing. At times, this feeling is also overwhelming. For some people, it only lasts a day....for others it last a year....still others, it lasts a decade. But that's what makes us all unique :)
What they also don't tell us, is how to get that feeling from our childhood back... the feeling of careless wonder and wide-eyed curiosity. I think that's something that we should always have. The ability to let go of worry and just be is what keeps a person sane. The ability to let go is what helps us hold on to what's important...without letting go, we don't recognize the things that are important. I had a "back to simplicity" moment just this evening. I ordered a pizza for dinner....plain pepperoni. That's my favorite kind of pizza....it doesn't get any better. Occasionally I like a pizza full of veggies or other stuff....but mostly, I'm pretty darn happy with just plain pepperoni. Without all the extra toppings, it's easier to taste each part of the pizza.
There's no reason why our lives as adults can't be simple. Certainly they will never be like the life of a child, but they don't have to be filled with stress, either. While our past is what has made our present, it is still the past. Mistakes don't end the world...they may stop our own time for awhile, but it gets started again. There will always be worries, and there will always be adversity...but we are defined more by how we react and use that adversity to change our lives, and, if necessary, our character, than we are by the events in our lives. We are remembered by how we live rather than what we do. We've all heard the saying....Change is inevitable....growth is optional.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Some water and a cat
We have a water and ice dispensers in our breakrooms at work. They have those grates you can pour water down and what-not. All of them are equipped with signs that read: "These grates are for water only. Please pour all other liquids down the sink, including coffee, tea, and soda." Or something like that. The last sentence is exact wording. So here's my question: if coffe, tea, and soda are not included in "all other liquids" then what are they? I think they could have saved some money on the signs and cut down on wording a little bit. Perhaps they got a deal.
In other news, if anyone knows how to speak cat, I could use a little help. My cat has not stopped meowing all day until recently. Right now she is laying curled up in my chair, peaceful as can be. But she has been acting like a pill all day otherwise. She knows she is not supposed to be on the kitchen counter, so if she sees something on it that she wants, she'll sit on the floor and meow her little head off. Then when she thinks I'm not looking she jumps on the counter. I'm telling you, she's a pill. So if anyone can give me lessons in speaking cat so I can tell her in her own language what a twerp she's being. But really, she is adorable.
In other news, if anyone knows how to speak cat, I could use a little help. My cat has not stopped meowing all day until recently. Right now she is laying curled up in my chair, peaceful as can be. But she has been acting like a pill all day otherwise. She knows she is not supposed to be on the kitchen counter, so if she sees something on it that she wants, she'll sit on the floor and meow her little head off. Then when she thinks I'm not looking she jumps on the counter. I'm telling you, she's a pill. So if anyone can give me lessons in speaking cat so I can tell her in her own language what a twerp she's being. But really, she is adorable.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Give a little, Get a little
I just finished reading "The Universe in a Single Atom" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the second to the last chapter of the book he is talking about the ethics of genetic manipulation and cloning. There are obviously benefits and downsides to both issues. For example, the cloning of an organ to save a person's life seems like it should be okay. But then the issue is raised: are we meant to save lives, or meant to just let nature take its course? Of course, we've already moved well beyond letting nature take its course. But anyway.... I think the biggest issue regarding cloning and genetic manipulation and ethics lies in cloning entire people, or creating a person that we see to be acceptable to society, having no perceived "defects." As the Dalai Lama points out, a "defect" now may not be a "defect" when the child grows up, and who are we to "correct" it? He also states that he feels that such genetic manipulation implies that we are beginning to have a lack of appreciation and understanding of what it means to cherish humanity.
I think this is a great book. It addresses the issues of science and spirituality and makes an attempt at understanding both sides. It also outlines a major concept, though it seems basic: at the core of everything, we are all one family. We are one humanity living in one house. We may have different religions, colors, sizes, shapes, cultures, what have you...but underneath all of that, we are all human. We are all capable of having compassion, and we all have value. Our value should not be measured by how much money we have, or how we look or speak, or how fast we can run. Our value as human beings can be observed with how we live our life and how we treat ourselves and others.
I think that there are a lot of different ways of being alive. There are certainly people out there who do very bad things. There are people who do very good things. There are also people who are tunnel-visioned and see one thing to work towards, and people whose vision is so broad they don't know where to start. And then there are people who are able to see the big picture along with all the little pictures. I'm sure you've all heard the phrase "can't see the forest for the trees." I think that we should try to pay attention to the forest and the trees. I'm not sure how to do that because I'm not very good at it....I tend to focus on the trees and then look back and see the forest when I'm out of it. I think one of the keys to living a good life is being able to see the forest, and to see all the trees that make up the forest, and see how they connect and survive with one another. I think that should be in a person's mind....but in terms of doing, I personally prefer to do things from the tree level instead of the forest level. For example, if I'm looking for a way to be happy in my life, I don't think that I should start with the people around me. I need to start inside me. Then I can work outside and make not only my life better, but possibly help make other people's lives better as well. Then perhaps the other people will help the people in their lives be better and so on and so forth.
If we look at a tree in a forest, as we travel down into the soil, we see a strong root system, or base that is supporting the tree. As we travel further down the roots, they get thinner and wispier and eventually run into other roots belonging to other trees. These roots are forming a network, but a respectful network. A root that gets too over-zealous and decides to grow everywhere could end up killing other things by slowly choking the life out of them or stealing nutrients from them. In order for a forest to survive, the trees have to recognize the value of a network, but also the value of individuality. As we travel the opposite way and go to the top of the tree, we see again a strong trunk, or base, but then we see all kinds of different branches, reaching out to different trees, and helping to provide shade and growth opportunities for other vegetation or animal life. So no matter where you look, although a tree can be separated and identified alone, the tree is still part of a network....and happy to be so, because it knows that without the network, it probably wouldn't survive.
I think this is a great book. It addresses the issues of science and spirituality and makes an attempt at understanding both sides. It also outlines a major concept, though it seems basic: at the core of everything, we are all one family. We are one humanity living in one house. We may have different religions, colors, sizes, shapes, cultures, what have you...but underneath all of that, we are all human. We are all capable of having compassion, and we all have value. Our value should not be measured by how much money we have, or how we look or speak, or how fast we can run. Our value as human beings can be observed with how we live our life and how we treat ourselves and others.
I think that there are a lot of different ways of being alive. There are certainly people out there who do very bad things. There are people who do very good things. There are also people who are tunnel-visioned and see one thing to work towards, and people whose vision is so broad they don't know where to start. And then there are people who are able to see the big picture along with all the little pictures. I'm sure you've all heard the phrase "can't see the forest for the trees." I think that we should try to pay attention to the forest and the trees. I'm not sure how to do that because I'm not very good at it....I tend to focus on the trees and then look back and see the forest when I'm out of it. I think one of the keys to living a good life is being able to see the forest, and to see all the trees that make up the forest, and see how they connect and survive with one another. I think that should be in a person's mind....but in terms of doing, I personally prefer to do things from the tree level instead of the forest level. For example, if I'm looking for a way to be happy in my life, I don't think that I should start with the people around me. I need to start inside me. Then I can work outside and make not only my life better, but possibly help make other people's lives better as well. Then perhaps the other people will help the people in their lives be better and so on and so forth.
If we look at a tree in a forest, as we travel down into the soil, we see a strong root system, or base that is supporting the tree. As we travel further down the roots, they get thinner and wispier and eventually run into other roots belonging to other trees. These roots are forming a network, but a respectful network. A root that gets too over-zealous and decides to grow everywhere could end up killing other things by slowly choking the life out of them or stealing nutrients from them. In order for a forest to survive, the trees have to recognize the value of a network, but also the value of individuality. As we travel the opposite way and go to the top of the tree, we see again a strong trunk, or base, but then we see all kinds of different branches, reaching out to different trees, and helping to provide shade and growth opportunities for other vegetation or animal life. So no matter where you look, although a tree can be separated and identified alone, the tree is still part of a network....and happy to be so, because it knows that without the network, it probably wouldn't survive.
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