Well today I am feeling a little down. It happens. Sometimes I go for a couple of weeks and then my mood shifts once again. I have these little pity parties. I bet you do the same thing. The holidays are a hard time for some folks, and for some it is just the day to day stuff that brings us down.
I am feeling down right now because I really just want to retire. Yep, I am sick of the grind, not that I have to work really hard, but it is the monotony of the the day. It is going and doing the same old thing. It is not getting to do the things I really want to do. It is the years whizzing by. I am almost seventy and I know that my time is limited. You would think by this point I would be free to do what I want. Nope. Bad planning on my part. Didn’t save enough money, so I need to keep working.
Take it from me you youngsters and prepare for the time when you want to retire. Save and plan. I did not and now I am stuck working when I wish I was free.
I wrote a book, you can see it on my Market Ste page. I thought that it was going to be my ride out the retirement door. No such luck. I have tried a slew of ways to get my book out to the world, but the world isn’t listening.
I am working on another book because it too is pushing it’s way out of inside of me. I hope to have it out there by spring. This may be another chance at freedom.
Life gives us many little gifts to bring us joy!
So, while I am feeling down in the dumps I also realize that I should not let anything take my happiness away. I saw this mantra on Facebook and it hit home with me.
When we get upset, down in the dumps, or angry with someone we are giving away our happiness. Now I know that sounds like a boat load of crap, but it is true. We can control how we are feeling by first recognizing the feeling then saying to ourselves ” I will not let this/them/you take my happiness away.
I know this is simple, but it really is that simple. When you find yourself pissed off say out loud to yourself, ” I am not letting you take my happiness away” say it several times and really mean it. Our days are too precious to give away. Do not let others control how you feel. Spend the day feeling happiness for that day. We are so lucky to have it.
I am not trying to take away your right to get mad about crap. People and things piss us off. It is part of life. It is real. But we can change the effect it has on us by not letting others make us feel bad. By taking back our happiness we free ourselves to feel better.
When we stay mad we are choosing that feeling. Taking back our happiness is a choice as well. We can feel better if we use this mantra. I have used it many times and it works. I have used it since starting this piece and I am already feeling a little better.
Hey I love you, now open this door.
Don’t give away your happiness. Tell yourself that you will not let someone or something take it away. Look at what is good around you. Let your happiness flow, and for today have a great day, you and I deserve it.
I am not sure how you feel, but for me, it is time for some peace and quiet. I am so ready for all of this political crap to stop. I just want our leaders to move forward and lead this country. It is time to shut up and do the work.
All I can say is we have made history in so many ways. Some I am not too proud of. This country use to be admired, now we are a laughing stock to other countries. It breaks my heart.
For years now we have not had a good candidate for presidency. Bits and pieces of what, of who. I can not believe that our political parties waited until the last minute to start throwing out names and people to lead our country, OUR country.
I think what needs to happen now is that the parties that want to run next term start grooming someone in their party who has the skills and ideals that would represent this country exceeding well. Start teaching, training, encouraging and supporting some young politician somewhere how to be a great leader. Show them what this country stands for, and help them to succeed. Don’t wait until the last moment and grasp at straws!
I don’t know how the news industry will survive, but I would like to see someone, somewhere start a network that will only tell the real truth, not their truth, not the truth that they want to fool us into believing, but the real truth about what is happening in the world. I grew up believing that is how it was done. How foolish of me.
If I could thank president Trump for one thing, it is for opening my eyes to all the lies and half truths that the media has pushed my way. He has shown me how they distort the news with partial stories, fake pictures, and outright lies about life in general. How they exclude the truth when it does not fit their agenda. How they can pick and choose only what they want to show us, or completely shut down someone in the middle of their speech. A president no less. It is all about the all mighty dollar, and the power that comes with it when they have lots, not necessarily what is really going on in this country and it’s leaders.
Another thing that president Trump accomplished is to bring people into the world of politics that maybe weren’t there before. He has opened our eyes to the fact that WE NEED be involved in what is occurring, and challenge what is being shoved down our throats. And he has taught us to expect more from our leaders. Thank you president Trump.
I hope Joe Biden is sincere when he says ” it is time for this country to heal.” we so need that to happen. Let the men and women ELECTED by the people, FOR the people come together on our behalf, not theirs, to return this country and it’s people to a place where pride can shine through, and we can move toward a country that takes care of all it’s people. All the people. All the races. All the colors. All the levels of income. ALL OF THE PEOPLE so help us God. Let’s be ” One Nation Under God, Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for ALL.” Have a great day today, you and I deserve it!!
Their music is so beautiful. This music brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Hauser!! Look at his other great videos on You Tube.
I am proud to be an American. In 2005 I became an American Citizen. It was my choice!!
Well, like so many I too have this years elections as the main thing streaming through my mind right now. How could we not with so much garbage streaming across the airways. Sadly as far as I am concerned there isn’t a good candidate, there hasn’t been for years, so I ask everyone to think hard before they vote in the next few days. Really look at what is good for our country right now. Pick one of the lesser of two evils if you can and then lets all move toward making this country a thing to be proud of. For me I get to listen to my Canadian family laugh at the nuts we have in office, and the way that everyone has gone crazy disrespecting this country for four long years. Perhaps with the end of the election will come the end of all the slinging of shit, and our politicians will get down to the job of running this country for the people, by the people so help me God.
Tonight I am going to turn in a more serious direction by starting with a question. What the hell is going on in the world? I recommend we take a moment to gather our thoughts and feelings in order to move away from the chaos that is erupting everywhere. I mean, what is wrong with people.
It seems as though all the craziness is bursting through the seams of their very being. People are being influenced by the hatred and bigotry of a group of mad humans who are looking to harm anyone who gets in their way or disagrees with them. It seems as though the world is infused with madness. Really!
I went several days without watching any television or news programs. I felt great. I had forgotten how toxic television can really be, and how it influences our mood and well being.
Everywhere on the TV the news creators are keeping the public mad with fear, hatred, and bigotry. I think to myself this can’t be real, but it is. At least that is what they are trying to make us believe with the stories they are sharing.
Even when I watch my favorite news station ” One America News Network” I am left with a bad taste in my mouth. All the revelations about corruption, greed, racism, and sex has worn me out. I do not believe that there are that many horrible, detestable people in the world. Are there really?
I am going to play devil’s advocate and say that no one can ” make ” us be a bad person. It is our choice. That’s right! It is our choice to turn away from those in need. It is our choice to spit in the face of someone we have been programmed to hate, and it is our choice to be the kind of person who is no longer human.
I think we need to take a moment, take a breath, and look at the world around us. We need to step away from our fears and hatred. Who are we really? What do we have to be thankful for in this world. What are some of the GOOD things going on right now! And, how can WE change the programming of our mind to forgive and move onward?
It is possible to change what direction our lives are going. It is possible to become a better person. All it takes is the desire to change, and the responsibility to make it happen.
I was watching a video on Yahoo one day, it has been awhile, but it made me smile. It showed that there are indeed good people in the world. This video showed some men saving a mother dog and her pup. I could not find the video, but I want to tell you the story.
A mother dog and one pup was stuck along the rim of a drainage pool down this deep embankment, and they could not traverse back up the very steep side to safety. Each time they tried they slid back toward the water.
In the distance were several guards who heard the frantic whimpers of the animals and came to look. The men were speaking Russian or Ukrainian, some language that I could not understand although the message was clear.
Will they help or not?
I will say that there were two scenarios that could have occurred. One, they could have laughed at the peril of these animals and walked away, leaving them to finally fall into the water and drown. Or two, they could have been good humans and helped.
These big hulking men gathered a rope from their truck, and while two of them were holding the line, the other slid down this steep embankment to the mother dog and pup. Both of the animals were jumping on this fellow with their tails wagging. It was a sight that brought tears to my eyes. The man grabbed the pup first, and the two men at the top pulled him back up to safety.
In the video we could see the mother dog scrambling around close to the waters edge, tail wagging, watching the rescue of her baby.
Once safely at the top the second men took the puppy while the first skidded his way back down to the mother dog who leaped into his arms the moment he was close enough to reach and up they went to join the trio at the top.
At the end of the video the little group crossed along the top of the embankment to safety. I could not understand one word that was being said while the men organized this rescue, but the message was very clear. They were good Samaritans who could not leave a helpless creature in need.
This video reminded me that while there is so much hatred and anger being projected across our television screen, there are still wonderful people who take time out of their day to helps others in need, or do a good deed for some lowly creature.
I worked newborn nursery many years ago. It was a beautiful place to work. A place where life often begins. Babies come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. No one ever hesitated to soothe a child in need. No one could resist the opportunity to snuggle a baby close who was having a hard time settling into this great big new world. No baby shied away from a set of hands reaching to care for it because the hands were black or white.
What I ask of you, and myself, is to take a moment to look at the good things that are going on in the world. Look at all the wonderful videos on YOUTUBE of great things occurring around you. Look at all the marvelous people reaching out to others across this great world wide web who want to help and educate. It is a revelation to see. It is heart warming. It will change your mood entirely.
Look at my little Picasso
If I know one truth it is that we are influenced by the people who surround us. If we surround ourselves with war mongrels we will be one as well. If we surround ourselves with self loathing and hateful people, we come to loath ourselves, and others too. And if we surround ourselves with those who want to harm others, then we will reach out to do harm as well. It is a truth. It is a reality right now.
All I ask is that you test this truth by changing the people who influence you if your life is in chaos and you want it to change. We are what we bring into our lives. We are the people who surround us. No one can make us be who we do not want to be. It is our choice.
You can also test this truth by watching videos of people saving animals, helping children, working to save the environment, giving to the elderly, or helping their neighbors. After such exposure we often come away feeling a whole lot better. It influences us to want to help as well, just like the hatred influences us to hate.
I am saddened by the things I see going on in the world. So much pain, and while I can’t change anyone else, I can change myself. I can pick and choose what I will watch, who I will associate with, and whether I will give of myself or not. Those are the only things I can control. Those are the only things you can control.
We do have a great country. It has so much potential. It is the people of this country who can make it great or destroy it. What kind of person do you want to be? We can not change the past. I am not responsible for what my ancestors did or did not do. I can feel sad that they may have made bad choices or done bad things, but I can say that I have not been one to do bad things as well. Can you?
I have been to other countries where the people were not as fortunate as we. Where their governments did not look after their citizens as well as ours. It helped me appreciate all that I have in this world. When I am being greedy wanting ” more stuff” I am often brought back to the reality that I have all that I need. Many do not.
Take a moment. Take two. Look at your world and make it a better place. Each of us contributes to the chaos around us. Are we helping or hindering? Turn off the television set. Go out and help someone. Share an adventure with a family member or two. Give of yourself. Do a good deed without being asked or expecting a reward. Forgive a wrong that has been done to you, ask for forgiveness of some harm you may have caused. And, love yourself. You have the potential to be a great person. You and I have a choice. Let’s make today a better day. We can do this together. We have the power to do great things. And as I always say, have a great day today. You and I deserve it.
We all need something to sling us into the future and get us off our butts. Right! We need to become active in creating the life we want. Not just sitting around whining about the past. How do we do this you might ask?
Well, it is the people we let into our lives. Yep! The very folks that hang with us can bring us down or lift us up. Even the music we listen to, and the movies we watch, influence our way of thinking. We just aren’t paying attention, but we should.
All day, everyday we absorb the energy around us. The happiness that may be given off by someone or the anger that another is spewing has an effect on how we are feeling. It influences how we react to the world around us.
Don’t believe me take a moment and look at some happy pictures on the internet. You pick the genre, but spend a few minutes looking at puppies, or babies, or things in nature. Look at what brings a little joy to your heart. I promise if you do this it will lift your mood.
Now, I am not challenging you to let the feelings in as a contest to prove that you won’t. I am saying open yourself to the feelings that might flow in. We have to open ourselves up to the good experiences in life. There is much that surrounds us that can lead us back on track to feeling good. To finding a purpose in life.
I love Ed Sheeran. I am almost seventy years old and I just love his music. I wonder how such a young man can create such powerful love songs. One of my favorite ” youtube” videos is Ed Sheeran singing with the great opera star Bocelli. If you want to hear something beautiful watch that video. The amazing part of the video is that two unique, talented individuals generations apart came together to bring us something beautiful. What a blessing!
Both of these great musicians have come far in their music journey crashing through many obstacles along the way that only made them stronger. We too must find the things that will make us stronger. Things that have the power to move us forward when our life has stalled.
It’s in the details.
My life has stalled many times. I have been creative, but lack the will or determination to follow through. I let self doubt get in my way. I took the easy out, the security of an eight to five.
Something I have learned along the way is that all great people, big and small, have one thing in common. Determination. They did not quit. They did not let the hurdles placed in front of them deter them from what they wanted to do. What they wanted to create. The rest of us, me included, let self doubt and fear create a wall.
So, the first thing we must do is bring things into our life that will lead in the direction we really want to go. Read books, listen to moving music, bring good people into our life. You wouldn’t want a bad tennis player to teach you how to play tennis. Why let a bad life coach teach you how to live a shitty life. Did you know our friends are our life coaches?
Long ago I had a dear friend. Together we had a dream. Sadly life got in our way or we let it, I don’t know which it was, but we put away our dream and went our separate ways.
Later I found out that this dear person who had been a part of my life for several years died from breast cancer. It was the demon that actually challenged both of us at different times in our lives. I fortunately won my battle, she did not. Cancer does that, it takes away, and it leaves behind some of the wounded.
I have included a little clip at the bottom of the this page that is from a meditation tape we made together years ago. It is called ” Chakra Lights Meditation.” Stress management was and is a big topic. We taught a variety of classes on stress and mediation. We had a dream. I am going to revive that dream and offer this great meditation to all of you in the near future.
The part I included is the beginning relaxation section. Something most of us do not do enough of. And I don’t mean sitting down in front of a television or blurring out on the internet. I mean really relaxing and letting go of the tension that has built up throughout your day. Taking a moment to let go is the beginning to feeling better. To moving in the right direction.
A major step in making life changes is to let go of the garbage floating around us. There are many things that just don’t matter. Sometimes just taking a minute to breathe will help us refocus and get about our day. I hope this little segment will help. Have a great day today.
