Some mornings, most mornings, I wake up with the committee blaring in my head. There is the usual to-do list, then a tremendous amount of junk-copy enticing me to grab and chew on it. I have to sit for a while with my tea and stare into space before everything calms down enough to prioritize the chatter. Some mornings I read something inspirational. Right now that would be Brother David Steindle-Rast–“Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer.” I like the focus of the book. I find that gratitude practice is a useful tool if the large committee in your head is sometimes harsh or unkind. In other words, counting blessings can heal a lot.
This morning, I was going to read, maybe sit on the back deck for a bit and ponder writing. With so much going on in my head, it’s hard to believe that I feel I don’t have anything to say, but I often hold that thought. My friend Jennifer is teaching me to let things percolate, sit with them for a time before you start pouring them out onto a page. That’s hard for someone who lives life honoring the most immediate of tendencies. Still, I learn…some days just sit with what is going on. Ponder before you dive for the laptop.
I read my emails in the morning and today there was a post from “Finding Amy.” Her post read:
Hi there, I nominated your blog for the Liebster Award! Congratulations! If you hate me for that just ignore this. It means I enjoy reading your blog and you have under 200 followers and someone nominated me so I’m paying it forward! So now the request is that you do the same – answer the following 11 questions, nominate 11 (I only had 6) blogs under 200 followers you like, and relish in the glow of the Liebster.
Thanks for this. We all like to be acknowledged. I had received another of these awhile back, and wasn’t sure what it meant or what to do with it…and I certainly don’t know how to grab the little badge thingy and paste it on the sidebar, like I see on other sites…however if anyone feels that they can teach me that trick, this old dog would be happy to learn something new about cyber space. So now, I will answer the questions…which get me to shift my focus from the committee (oh just shut up, will you?) and do the Leibster.
1)What was the last thing you said?–Do you want a cup of tea? I asked my husband that at 6:20. He’s down for the count with a nasty flu. I think that tea cures everything.
2) What are you doing after 5pm today?–Running a hot bath and soaking away the day.
3) What would you do for a profession (anything) if you knew you would succeed?–I wouldn’t give up. Even when things looked bad or were tough. I would keep my vision close by and I wouldn’t give up.
4) Favorite quote?–I don’t know where this came from, but I love it–“Living is like licking honey off a thorn.”
5) Do you search forever to find a close parking spot or just park and walk?–I sing a silly little song “My right and perfect parking place is coming to me now, my right and perfect parking place—” you get the idea. It annoys my husbands and my dog, but I usually get a place near where I am going.
6) How do you deal with anger?–Sometimes I stuff it in the eff-it closet. Sometimes I peel it back and wait for the tears. Sometimes I just stew in it until it speaks and I understand it’s purpose. Then I let it go. I never hold a grudge for more than a couple of years…;-)
7) Have you ever had shark?–Never had a shark, but swam with the dolphins once.
8) Gold or silver?–I prefer silver and that’s mostly what I wear. Gold was never my thing.
9) What is your primary responsibility?–Running a couple of different companies. They are small, but mighty. Taking care of hubby, home and dog. Everybody needs a walk, including me.
10) What’s one thing you want to know about me (not that I’ll answer)?–Describe to me when you knew that you had to write, just as much as you had to breath?
11) Pet peeve?–People who talk on their cell-phones when someone is trying to help them at the bank or a store–it’s just rude.
Well, I guess that I have now done the Leibster. Below are a list of links that I encourage you to visit for a little inspiration, hope and thoughtfulness:
Thanks again for the Leibster thing. I appreciate that anyone takes notice.