Simple Pleasures

I was in the downtown area near where I live and I walked down to the riverwalk area with my camera.
As I was contemplating a shot this squirrel came running up to me. I was surprised at the lack of fear it had for a person. I said may I take your picture and she seemed to pose for the camera. This was one of about four shots that were precious. It made me smile and added joy to my day. Just another simple pleasure in life.

Word Warriors

I got this from a friend today and thought it was worth sharing. Techies can appreciate the humor and the play  on words. If you smile or chuckle, then I feel I have touched a life in some small way. I had to turn the sound up on my computer to hear it better.

My Blackberry Isnt Working

The Buddhist Way

I had lunch today with a dear friend. We met at Chipotles, we have one that just opened nearby. I think this is one of the best restaurants around.
While we were sitting outside at a table, a bug flew under my chin, I swiped at it and it disappeared. I don't like bugs, on me or near me.  A few minutes later I felt like something was crawling in my bra. As I looked down into my blouse there was a bug crawling on my breast. Of course, I jumped, let out a yelp, shook my blouse and it seemed to have fallen out the bottom of my bra. Surprise, I still had the crawling sensation. Looking down again there it was, it was not giving up.  I reached down with my fingers to get it and it bit me as I propelled it out of my bra. My friend announced "you got it!" and pointed to where it landed.
I was busy rubbing my bitten finger and glanced down at it crawling across the pavement. After a few moments contemplation, I stood up and smashed it with my foot, no way was it going to do that to anyone else. Premeditated bug murderer, shame on me.
Now I had guilt as I looked at the dead bug, I remembered being in a room full of Buddhists many years ago. One of their precepts is not to take the life of anything living. Many, watched as the spider crawled across the floor under rows of chairs with people sitting in them. One girl, not a Buddhist, killed it. There was a collective gasp! The girl that killed the spider was a row ahead of me and I was grateful I didn't have to worry about it crawling on me.
Today, remembering their philosophy, guilt ruled my impulsive act. 
As I sat there, staring at the dead bug, I thought of reincarnation and wondered if I killed somebody I knew. I said to my friend, you know, I had an ex fiance who passed away many years ago and he loved that part of my body, I hope it wasn't Brian.The laughter began.....

Another Cold Day in Paradise

Getting out of bed was not easy, I wondered if my heat was working. I turned on the TV while under the covers and they reported warmer today. Temps in the 40's with windchill factor equaling high 30's.  Later today, it will be in the high 50's yippeee! Of course the day I work, will be warm and breezy. My God has a sense of humor.
I do want you to know I did accomplish some things yesterday after writing my post. I went through two containers of paperwork and the shredding box is full. Progress not perfection. Letting go of paperwork leaves you thinking what if the IRS one day decides to question a deduction from ten years ago? Or, if I sell the house I need to show them the electric and tax bills since I moved in the house seventeen years ago.  Yes, I do have a propensity toward hoarding but I am changing. I am telling myself that those thoughts are not realistic. I am happy to report the shredding box is full.

There is one box of papers I put to the side. That one says old personal stuff.  I opened it and found a picture of my son when he was about 6 years old. A few tears rolled down my cheeks as I wondered how the time seemed to pass so fast, he is 39 now.  I put the box gently aside and thought another day for this one.

I think that is what happens for people who save "stuff". There is an emotional connection that makes you feel if you let go of the item you are not being loyal to the person that is associated with whatever possession you donate,sell or discard.
A woman on a show one day shared her solution, which was to videotape certain possessions in her house and tell a little story about each one before she let it go. I liked that idea. Then, you always have the memory and if you make it into a compressed video file that they can view on thier IPod, so will they! :-)
Hope you all have a wonderful day,
Shashana

When There Is No Work

I work part time for a company that depends on manufacturers to order events for their products to be demonstrated in a store. Normally I work three days a week, which is not quite enough to meet my needs, but helps pay the bills. However, this week twice the mfg cancelled the event.
First thought, financial insecurity (negative thought)  pops into my mind immediately, The second thought (positive one) how can I use this time constructively?
Clean the house? Clean the garage? Clean my office room (really needs it) or go back to bed and stop shivering?
I live in FL and it is COLD outside. I sit here in my sweat pants and sweat shirt thinking of all the things I could do. If ONLY it was warm outside. Somehow cold weather freezes my thought process and all I can think of is turning on the oven to bake (warmth) and making a nice hot soup to warm my innards.
I told my good friend of my lack of initiative, she is one of those people that doesnt stop from the time she gets up till she gets into bed at midnight. :-) She says to me "just do it" dont think about it, just do it! I can tell she is frustrated with me.
Today I hear her words, as I think what should I do? I am a thinker, not a good doer! Now I am thinking, I should have named the blog  "the just do it" site! So now I am thinking is thier a just do it site? So of course I have to Google the name and yes there is and  it belongs to Nike. Another 5 minutes of my day wasted.
This is how my days go when I am not working. One thought leads to another, I follow that thought which leads to another and before you know it the day is gone.  :-) In my defense, when it is good weather outside and the windows are open, the breezes blowing, I am busy doing, going and accomplishing. When its cold, I am useless.
So I need to stop typing and attempt to accomplish something on my TO DO list (a long one)! 
I wish you all a great day. If you are having a brain freeze, put on a hat, look at your list of things to do and pick one, then tell yourself. JUST DO IT!!
Maybe tomorrow I will share with you if I was able to walk my talk.
Shashana

Social Media Debate

I remember the first time my son introduced me to Facebook. I had lots of questions, especially regarding privacy. Months later I ventured on and created my own page. It was a delightful experience as I learned how to navigate my way around and see what my son, grand kids and friends were doing in their lives. Most of them seemed to be playing a farm game. I asked my granddaughter to teach me and I got a rolling of the eyes look and no offer to teach me.  Admittedly I had hurt feelings. I wanted a different response. especially since I spent years teaching her to bake cookies and gave driving lessons when she visited. She is the youngest of three and the least patient with me.
Sorry, I digressed from the main point. :-)
I belong to a writers group, who recently moved our meeting information from  Meetup to Facebook. Ir was a good financial decision. However, one of our members strongly objected to this form of communication. He conveyed his feelings in an interesting email stating the pitfalls of the new social media revolution and the losing of our privacy in ways most of us are unaware exist. He felt the founder of Facebook was a brat and lacked empathy for people's privacy. He went on to express he felt the young mans main concern was for monetary gain and  notoriety.
I felt some of what he presented had merit, especially regarding the loss of privacy. While some of what he expressed seemed to me to be an unwillingness to embrace change.
The best part was the interesting discourse between the member and our leader. Sharing thoughts and feelings in a intellectual and eloquent manner.
Our privacy not only on  Facebook but in so many other areas is being compromised daily if not hourly.
What are our options?
How do you feel that so much of our personal information is out there?
Is there a solution or is it just about acceptance?

First Post

During daily life we all come upon injustices, funny situations, someone needing assistance,  or just an unrealized awareness that may change your thinking or perceptions.
Sharing thoughts, encourages dialog which I enjoy. I like the old saying when the student is ready the teacher will appear. Most days I am the student, sometimes the teacher. Wherever my journey takes me is what my role is for that moment or day.
Knowing yourself is a great gift, it makes you aware of your strengths and weaknesses. One of my weaknesses is being a procrastinator. My plan at this moment is to post at least one time a week, more often if the spirit moves me.   :-)
Have a great day, need to go to work, we will talk about that another day.

Shashana