Fun Monday #24 ... Morning Musings & More

Make Time for Small Reflections

Sarah is today's Fun Monday hostess, and she writes:

"I would like you to take your camera (or your artistic talents!) on a day tour with you. I want to know where you go, what you get up to on a “normal” day (disclaimer - it doesn’t have to be “normal”!). All the details you would consider boring! You are free to make your FM posts as long or as short as you’d like!"

Last week got away from me and I didn't check the challenge until last night as I was turning off the computer ... so I figured I'd miss out once again (having not planned ahead), but (serendipitously) this morning's reading gave me an idea so I'm running with it and participating today after all.

Even though I'm retired, I awaken (w/o an alarm) and arise early ... usually before 4am. My day typically begins (after feeding the animals and making coffee) with writing in my journal while listening to inspiring music ... coupled with some stretching ... meditation & prayer ... and a bit of 'reading' from whatever 'calls' to me. It has (for the most part) been like this for decades, even while I was a member of the work force. I believe taking time for such things is essential for maintaining my health and helps me 'focus' on 'what matters' ... releasing what doesn't.
I suspect it's part of what made me 'effective' as a teacher for 34 years, keeping me centered & sane ... especially in the face of some crazily chaotic times.

What follows is an excerpt from TRANSITIONS: Prayers and Declarations for a Changing Life by Julia Cameron and begins with a quote:

"There is a Secret One inside us;
the planets in all the galaxies
pass through his hands like beads.
There is a string of beads one should
look at with luminous eyes."
~Kabir

"We are like jewelers. At the start of any day, we have before us the beautiful beads of differing choices. Choice by choice, moment by moment, I build the necklace of my day, stringing together the choices that form artful living. Will I be quiet today or outgoing, solitary or involved with friends, reflective or expressive? Will I write letters, make phone calls, pay bills, sweep floors or go for a good long walk? Moving through my day with conscious grace, I connect to the web of life. I, too, am a bead in a larger pattern.

Today I choose to live by conscious design, nurturing myself and others in body, mind, and spirit. I ask for a receive guidance in my choices. I cherish the pattern of my life."

So ... while many of you are rushing off to work and/or getting children ready for school ... usually, (on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays most weekends) I have the luxury of creating & publishing posts for my blogs ... taking Molly for a walk ... and doing some 'blog visiting' ... gardening ... and/or tackling tasks around home (as I determinedly try to reduce clutter & mess in my environment) while trying to continually 'simplify' my life. On Tuesdays & Thursdays I rush off to my Photoshop Elements class and run errands on the way home, so I've cultivated the habit of creating & publishing HoTs, Ruby Tuesday, and T-13 the night before to keep the flow of things going here at Small Reflections.

I am exceedingly grateful for the life I lead currently ... and (for that matter) for all the experiences of my life leading up to this moment. I you'd like to know more, click for my list of 101 Things About Me ... created when I reached my 101st post in January of 2008.

Recently (while looking for an 'e-card- to send a friend) I came upon this at Tut's ...
... and I thought this is an amazing message to share with the world. We're all so busy living our lives that many of us lose sight of the myriad of ways we touch others ... with a smile, kind word, loving prayers, by listening & just being present ... in the midst of of active lives. So ... today I encourage everyone who passes by to pause & reflect on the two questions personally, then share the opportunity with others to do likewise. It's often the smallest thing that makes the greatest difference, and all too often ... it goes unnoticed.

Click for others participating in Fun Monday

This collage
(added after the fact at 10:45am)
highlights a few aspects of my life visually...

... including my fur-companions (Molly & Ms. Kitty) ... my 'routines' of enjoying my front yard for gardening, journaling, blogging. playing with Molly & interacting with neighbors ... a few dramatic weather variations of beach life (the sunrise upper left & 'moon shot' lower right were taken last Thursday morning & the palm fronds are a result of recent Santa Ana winds) ... the 'visor' signifies my daily walks & outdoor activities ... and the Red Hat cup highlights some of my 'social' interactions.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

I'm counting down to my
1st Blogoversary on October 22nd
in just 2 days ...

I'm not sure just how I'll 'mark this milestone' ... but I'm hoping for 'inspiration' to strike soon and I hope you'll visit celebrate with me. In case you missed them over the weekend ...

Click for ...
Camera Critters & Smiley Saturday
Haiku Friday, SkyWatch/HF, or Photo Hunt
Sunrise-Sunset#5, Blog Your Blessings/Sacred Life Sunday

Unconscious Mutterings & More (with a 'kewl' tip)
and ... remember to leave me a comment or two ... just because.

Thought for Today
"My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand." Thich Nhat Hanh