Recently I've been kind of down. Life has seemed to become meaningless as my friends and family have passed me by in their careers and families. I used to be independent and an overachiever. I knew what my goals were and how to achieve them. I was on a great track . . . until it was torn away from me . . . again, and again.
Yet . . . I think that even my forced dependence is good in some ways. I need to learn to let go and let God. How that figures into what I need to do, I'm not sure. However, with that state of mind, I was inspired by an aunt's "Happy List." There are many things that I should be thankful for and happy about. So, I thought I would create my own in an effort to lift my spirits and possibly help me in finding a current life direction.
So, without further ado, here are the things that make me happy: 1. fuzzy animals 2. my cats, Chiquita & Shadow 3. a loving husband who understands me 4. clear nights with lots of stars 5. thunderstorms 6. a loving God who saved me and saves me in an everyday sense 7. books 8. music 9. owning my own home 10. not having to worry about money 11. loving parents close by 12. myspace, trillian, gtalk, & gmail which allow me to keep in touch with friends who are no longer close by 13. my birdfeeder 14. playing in the dirt and actually sometimes getting fresh produce from it 15. LOST 16. having doctors that listen to me 17. good health insurance 18. spring flowers 19. living in a free country 20. geocaching 21. nintendo 22. cool words 23. Christmas 24. learning new things 25. taking pictures 26. good restaurants 27. cooking for those I love 28. waterfalls 29. people that aren't afraid to completely be themselves 30. fire 31. swings 32. creeks 33. sleeping in 34. a good Southern breakfast 35. fruit 36. chocolate 37. good in-laws 38. acquiring a brother & a sister when I married 39. playing board games 40. reading to children 41. scrapbooking
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Friday, December 08, 2006
Confessions of an Undercover PETA Member
I've always wanted to run a cat rescue. There are so many feral cats surviving out in the cold, searching for food and water when they remember a warm bed by the fireplace and yummy chicken dinners. They were oh so cute as little kittens, but then they grew up. A new baby came, or the owners moved, or they were just plain unwanted after their natural cat behaviors didn't mesh with their human's lifestyle. Even purebreds sometimes get the boot.
Yesterday I got to start my animal rescue, but not for a cat. Our home became shelter to a mistreated goldfish. You see, this goldfish was one of a few goldfish that was bought purely to play a trick on someone. The buyer thought it would be funny for his coworker to come in and discover goldfish in his water glasses. When the fish were discovered, this one was the only one still alive. So after a rough transfer to a vase, this little guy found himself lucky enough to have someone feel sorry for him.
When he got to my house, he was laying on his side gulping for air. (It sorta reminded me of those asthma commercials a while back.) I really didn't think he would make it. But I put him in an empty tank with melaluca and aquarium salt. And what do you know? He was still alive this morning. After some research, I put in a heater on the lowest setting to make the tank 70 degrees. I put in another dose of melaluca too. And tonight he was actually swimming around a little. He's still close to the bottom of the tank and still bloated, but I really think he's going to make it.
I was actually pondering putting goldfish in my smaller tank, so now I have a start. He's a pretty little guy with twin tails. (Strange that this trickster didn't just get cheap ordinary feeder goldfish.) So, now I hopefully have a new fish complete with his own tale: How Lucky Was Lucky.
So, no I don't claim to support PETA and I don't give them my money, but my heart is in the same place.
Yesterday I got to start my animal rescue, but not for a cat. Our home became shelter to a mistreated goldfish. You see, this goldfish was one of a few goldfish that was bought purely to play a trick on someone. The buyer thought it would be funny for his coworker to come in and discover goldfish in his water glasses. When the fish were discovered, this one was the only one still alive. So after a rough transfer to a vase, this little guy found himself lucky enough to have someone feel sorry for him.
When he got to my house, he was laying on his side gulping for air. (It sorta reminded me of those asthma commercials a while back.) I really didn't think he would make it. But I put him in an empty tank with melaluca and aquarium salt. And what do you know? He was still alive this morning. After some research, I put in a heater on the lowest setting to make the tank 70 degrees. I put in another dose of melaluca too. And tonight he was actually swimming around a little. He's still close to the bottom of the tank and still bloated, but I really think he's going to make it.
I was actually pondering putting goldfish in my smaller tank, so now I have a start. He's a pretty little guy with twin tails. (Strange that this trickster didn't just get cheap ordinary feeder goldfish.) So, now I hopefully have a new fish complete with his own tale: How Lucky Was Lucky.
So, no I don't claim to support PETA and I don't give them my money, but my heart is in the same place.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
A Balanced View
| You Are 50% Left Brained, 50% Right Brained |
 The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports. |
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Where Have All Our Values Gone?
I love folk music. "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?" is one of those great folk songs that most people think of when reflecting back on the days of hippie communes and Vietnam War protests. The verses spin a circle of sadness because of a war many people felt was doing more harm than good. We see the flowers picked by young girls, the girls marrying young men, the men becoming soldiers, the soldiers buried in graves, and the graves gradually becoming covered with new flowers.
Today is a new era, and we are fighting a new war. But, the song I would write for today is "Where Have All Our Values Gone?" For, while the hippie movement did contain lower morals in some respects, it was also counter culture. Today's era is about not offending anyone, and proving that by saying everything is okay.
It's okay to grossly lie and call it nonfiction. How does a memoir of getting over drug addiction help others when the sensational stories in it are totally untrue? But, thanks to his publisher and Oprah's bookclub, James Frey has made millions trying to do just that with A Million Little Pieces.
It's okay to glamorize a homosexual relationship on the big screen. With all the great movies that were produced this year, why did Brokeback Mountian have to receive a Golden Globe for Best Picture? It certainly wasn't one of the biggest money makers, but it is apparently necessary to prove the judges aren't homophobic.
It's okay to sentence a child molester for only 60 days of prison. Is it? Apparently so, since this has not only happened once, but three similar times in the last few weeks in three different states. Now how is that supposed to keep our children safe?
Fortunately, there are still some brave souls that do have values. I commend Oprah for calling James Frey on his lies, and admitting to her embarrasment and disgust of selecting his book. So, here's my new verse for the 21st century.
Where have all our values gone; long, long time ago? They've gone to brave souls every one. When will we ever learn? When will we ever learn?
Today is a new era, and we are fighting a new war. But, the song I would write for today is "Where Have All Our Values Gone?" For, while the hippie movement did contain lower morals in some respects, it was also counter culture. Today's era is about not offending anyone, and proving that by saying everything is okay.
It's okay to grossly lie and call it nonfiction. How does a memoir of getting over drug addiction help others when the sensational stories in it are totally untrue? But, thanks to his publisher and Oprah's bookclub, James Frey has made millions trying to do just that with A Million Little Pieces.
It's okay to glamorize a homosexual relationship on the big screen. With all the great movies that were produced this year, why did Brokeback Mountian have to receive a Golden Globe for Best Picture? It certainly wasn't one of the biggest money makers, but it is apparently necessary to prove the judges aren't homophobic.
It's okay to sentence a child molester for only 60 days of prison. Is it? Apparently so, since this has not only happened once, but three similar times in the last few weeks in three different states. Now how is that supposed to keep our children safe?
Fortunately, there are still some brave souls that do have values. I commend Oprah for calling James Frey on his lies, and admitting to her embarrasment and disgust of selecting his book. So, here's my new verse for the 21st century.
Where have all our values gone; long, long time ago? They've gone to brave souls every one. When will we ever learn? When will we ever learn?
Friday, December 23, 2005
The True Meaning of Xmas
This time of year, enter any Protestant Christian Church, and one will often hear how Christ has been taken out of Christmas. We look at the commercialism, and Santa, and how Christmas is abbreviated to Xmas. The problem is, we are looking at the situation all wrong. Christmas is, at it's roots, a pagan holiday. Cultures all around the world have celebrations for the winter solstice, where the days can now gradually become longer again.
In the days of the early Christian church, it wasn't exactly the coolest, or even safest thing to be a Christian. One had to be very careful and not be seen as dramatically different. This, of course, is where we get the fish symbol, an underground symbol of the time. We also, however, find the initial X or the Greek letter "chi" combined with the letter R (Greek "rho"), as a major symbol for Christians. These two Greek letters were the first two letters in Christos (Christ). As time went on, the symbol become just an X and was a specific abbreviation for Christ, Christian, Christmas, etc. Since this symbol became part of Constantine's official standard, we know that it was not a lazy or even obvious effort to remove Christ. Instead, like the fish, it was a symbol that Christians were proud to display.
I find it interesting that saying, "Merry Xmas" or "Happy Holidays" is a problem however, when we are not practicing what we preach. If we are celebrating Christ's first coming and all that He has done for us, then shouldn't we be reaching out through our churches on this special holiday? Why then, are so many churches deciding to close their doors this weekend?
American society claims to be predominantly Christian, but I so often think it is only a costumed secular heart. Whatever will make the biggest dollar or draw the biggest crowd or gain the most fame, is what makes the highest priority. If one thinks it will increase his standing, he will even steal a helpless baby penguin. (GIVE TOGA BACK!)
I, for one, am excited to celebrate Xmas. I love the beautiful lights, the fresh pine smell, and the crisp air. I'm glad for a loving family, a warm home, good health for the weekend, and yummy food to celebrate with. I'm excited to be able to share with others rather than just think of myself. And, mostly, I am thankful to praise God for sharing His Son with us.
Yes, Christmas is a pagan holiday, but that doesn't matter. I am proud to be a Xian, and I am happy to celebrate that every day of the year.
In the days of the early Christian church, it wasn't exactly the coolest, or even safest thing to be a Christian. One had to be very careful and not be seen as dramatically different. This, of course, is where we get the fish symbol, an underground symbol of the time. We also, however, find the initial X or the Greek letter "chi" combined with the letter R (Greek "rho"), as a major symbol for Christians. These two Greek letters were the first two letters in Christos (Christ). As time went on, the symbol become just an X and was a specific abbreviation for Christ, Christian, Christmas, etc. Since this symbol became part of Constantine's official standard, we know that it was not a lazy or even obvious effort to remove Christ. Instead, like the fish, it was a symbol that Christians were proud to display.
I find it interesting that saying, "Merry Xmas" or "Happy Holidays" is a problem however, when we are not practicing what we preach. If we are celebrating Christ's first coming and all that He has done for us, then shouldn't we be reaching out through our churches on this special holiday? Why then, are so many churches deciding to close their doors this weekend?
American society claims to be predominantly Christian, but I so often think it is only a costumed secular heart. Whatever will make the biggest dollar or draw the biggest crowd or gain the most fame, is what makes the highest priority. If one thinks it will increase his standing, he will even steal a helpless baby penguin. (GIVE TOGA BACK!)
I, for one, am excited to celebrate Xmas. I love the beautiful lights, the fresh pine smell, and the crisp air. I'm glad for a loving family, a warm home, good health for the weekend, and yummy food to celebrate with. I'm excited to be able to share with others rather than just think of myself. And, mostly, I am thankful to praise God for sharing His Son with us.
Yes, Christmas is a pagan holiday, but that doesn't matter. I am proud to be a Xian, and I am happy to celebrate that every day of the year.
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