What you see...

is what you get.  How many times have we heard that saying?  Maybe not so much lately.  I heard it all the time when I was younger.  I ignored it and lumped it in to all the other ones I heard.  But, as it turns out, it is true!  What we can picture in our heads can come to fruition.  What we feel in our hearts, the same.  We can create heaven or hell in our lives just by our thought process.  Think about it.  Usually what we think about most shows up.  I have learned, through hard experiences, this is so true.  I have created some real messes with my thoughts.  So, for today, and maybe longer, be careful where your mind goes, unless it is a wonderful place where you want to be.  Happy thinking!

Note from C@boy

I did not have a post in mind today, so I went to my trusty C@boy.  He always has something to say.  He wants to remind you that in many places, the seasons are changing.  This means increased shedding.  As much as I brush him, he is leaving me many "treats" on the carpet lately, so more brushing is important.  I sometimes put a little smear of Vaseline on one of his paws.  He hates it, but licks it off and then he can get rid of those more easily. He also wanted me to mention that a new blanket or bed for the next season would be appreciated.  I go and buy a length of fleece and make it into a blanket for him.  He loves it!  We happened onto a box of his favorite treats recently (the ones we give them sparingly) but I have to tell you, he did lots of tricks to get just a few.  We will call that  "extra exercise incentive."  The last thing he wants me to tell you is that just as we prepare for the next season, we should think of the things we need to do for our beloved pets also. He tells me that they can NEVER be to spoiled

Become a...

Life long learner!  Tomorrow is the first day of school in these parts.  I remember the anticipation of starting that first day and I wish for all to feel that way.  Some start with dread, they don't have enough.  They might have a learning disability, they might have a crazy family who does not value education, or they might just be shy.  The good news is that there is food for those kids who have little or none.  You do have to fill out paperwork, but it is available for you.  We have been having all sorts of drives for school backpacks and supplies.  Education is one of the most valuable things a person can have.  Love is the most important!  But Love of Education just about tops it all.  As a person who spent 21 years in education and nearly that long being educated (and still going!)  I send you off with best wishes for a wonderful year.  Appreciate and celebrate your hard-working and poorly paid teachers!  They spend more hours than you can count trying to give you the finest education they can,  Believe me, it is a lot of work given the lack of supplies they themselves are given.  They have to be extremely creative to bring you all that they do.  Finally, become a life long learner.  I am one and can tell you that everyone and everything has a lesson for you if you just look. 

Clearing the

air, what a wonderful thing!  We finally got a good cleansing rain last night.  It rained ALL NIGHT.  When I opened the window for C@boy this morning, I could see his little nose twitch at the smell of something clean and crisp.  I envision the areas around where I live, ground wet with fresh rain, and the people breathing a sigh of relief.  I guess clearing the air can be applied to a lot of things.  My grama used to send me outside "to get the stink blown off."  I just thought she wanted to get rid of me. But also, sometimes it is good to get a fresh outlook, a change of mood.  Clearing the air can also apply to straightening out miscommunication with a friend or loved one.  It can be used to re-visit past hurts, and then let them go like so much bad garbage we have been dragging along.  All in all, I think today should be "National Clear the Air Day!"  If it turns into a week, or a month, or a habit, so be it!

Mindless

walking is what I have been doing lately.  I am fortunate to live in an area full of parks and woods.  There is a wonderful park with a pond just a few blocks away from where I live.  On certain occasions, there is a blue heron walking gingerly around certain parts of the pond, while large frogs croak to their homeys. There are several types of dragon flies, ones with the black and white boxes on their wings, and the other with clear wings with iridescent markings. There are a large variety of trees, including dwarf fruit trees.  There are benches to observe the ducks, and various other birds who show up, including owls.  I stretch and walk.  It feels good to just observe what is going on and the beauty of it all.  It is probably the only time during the day that is completely mindless for me.  It is probably the best time of the day, not including my meditation time.  It is a time of being completely free.  As I become a little wiser, these times are so important.  When we are at peace, we can send peace elsewhere.  We sure could use more of that!

A male perspective..."I say what I say."

 Several Republican candidates seem to have had a lot to say lately.  The U.S. Constitution also has a lot to say.  Check out the part about citizenship (the 14th Amendment.)  Then the part about trial by jury and being innocent until proven guilty ( the 6th Amendment.)  The language may be inconvenient to some, but, HEY, if you don't like it, well, TO BAD!  The chances of changing it are slim to none.  The "Framers" made it that way in order to deal with bombastic politicians who try to inflame public opinion and seek attention for themselves by playing fast and loose with what is real.

Everything

you do matters.  Sometimes, I think we go through periods of time when we sleep walk through life.  I know I have.  But the fact is that everything we do matters.  Every thought and deed sends a ripple through the universe.  What do we want to send today?  What can we think and do to positively affect those around us?  What really matters to us?  We all have a part in the good and bad.  We can influence both in ways we don't even pay attention to.  So, for today, think and act like everything is the beloved and feel in your heart what is happening.