Welcome to Small Reflections


"Nothing is ever achieved without enthusiasm."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Duck photo source: Lisa's Chaos
I hope you enjoy your visit. If you're looking for something specific, check out the links to posts by category in my sidebar and down a ways. They'll assist with tracking down different types of posts found on each of my three blogs. You might also enjoy checking out the other sites: Sacred Ruminations, Blog Rolls, Bling & Blurbs, and Happily Retired Gal.

I hope you'll look around & leave comments
then visit me at my new blog ...

Giraffe Journal

and/or website ... Labyrinth Journal
both self-hosted at WordPress
where I publish as myself
rather than under a
pseudonym.

I've not had much time for posting or blog visits, but if you're interested I hope you'll find time to check out my new blog, Giraffe Journal or my Labyrinth Journal website ... both self hosted at WordPress.

Thanks for your visit and have a delightful day ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Unconscious Mutterings #22 and more ...

Make Time for Small Reflections
Camera Critters, PhotoHunt, Smiley Saturday, Weekend Whimsies and Awards are is yesterday's post. Sunrise-Sunset #2 (with labeled Photoshop variations) is at Sacred Ruminations and BYBS#18 will be there in a little while.

I'm participating for the 22nd time today.
How about you?

What comes to YOUR mind?

If you'd like to play here, copy and paste the clues in comments along with your responses ... or post on your blog and let me know so I can visit ;--)

Here are MY responses: I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Cut the crap :: focus on 'the issues' and 'what matters' rather than 'distractions' & 'finger-pointing'
  2. Scent :: of a Woman - wonderful film!
  3. Vanishing :: act
  4. Wetness :: puppy kisses came to mind first ... and then we need rain in Southern California ... seriously!
  5. Cheap :: shots irritate me ... consistently
  6. Badges :: identification
  7. Puppy :: cute 'fur-friend'
  8. Problem solver :: Stephen Covey's methods
  9. Gambling :: Laughlin, Las Vegas, and Reno
  10. Sophia :: wisdom
Your turn: I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Cut the crap ::
  2. Scent ::
  3. Vanishing ::
  4. Wetness ::
  5. Cheap ::
  6. Badges ::
  7. Puppy ::
  8. Problem solver ::
  9. Gambling ::
  10. Sophia ::
As an 'incentive' ... I offer any of the 'awards' posted yesterday to 'snag' and share with others.

As I mentioned yesterday and in my Haiku Friday #73, after finding 'followers' listed in my 'Dashboard' ... I've added the new 'Follow' widget from Blogger in my sidebar (under my profile) and imported some of my 'daily reads' from Google Reader into this new feature to see how that works. I don't fully understand any of it, but I'm willing to give it a go ... just because. If you'd like to 'follow' any (or all) of my blogs, just click on the link to the right in my sidebar (under My Profile and above the 'avatars' already there) to add yours. This could be fun ;--)

I'm moving S L O W L Y this morning ... didn't sleep well the last few days ... have a nasty headache and feel 'marginal' this weekend, as if I might be coming down with something. That shared ... in talking with my 'writing buddy' on the phone this morning, I realize I'm 'worried unconsciously' about a variety of real issues over which I have no control ... (including but not limited to) the damage & destruction wrought by recent hurricanes ... the 'Metro-Link' disaster in Chatsworth ...and the direction taken by the 'political' campaigns in the last few weeks ... the climate of 'negativity' ... 'distraction' ... 'fear-mongering ... 'devisiveness' rather than 'a respectfully meaningful dialogue' & conversational exchange of ideas without the 'intention' to change one another's opinions, but rather to clarify and refine our own as we each attempt to gain a clearer understanding of the issues challenging our nation now & in the future.

Listening to Dr. Oz on a recent Oprah show reminds me that 'stress' is a major cause of a myriad of health problems ... that we can't really get rid of bad habits until we choose to (and take steps to) replace them with more mindful choices & behaviors. That's why I've opted NOT to use either of my blogs as a 'political forum' ... and I've attempted to avoid getting 'drawn into' political discussions in the Blogosphere, though I do 'lurk' in an attempt to inform myself in balanced ways. Holly (at Anglophile Football Fanatic) expressed herself eloquently (giving voice to some of my own concerns) then created and shared the following logo:


... and I've decided to share it today ... just because. In addition, I plan to put 'regular meditation & journaling' back in my morning routine before turning on the computer because methinks I need to take time to 'center' myself (a practice I used regularly before becoming a blogger) as a way to begin my day again.

And that reminds me ... it seems Mimi Lenox (Queen of Memes) is organizing a 5th Blog Blast for Peace on November 6th.
I plan to participate ... and perhaps I'll take a few minutes after pressing publish to revisit my own 'previous peace posts' here and here ... then visit those created & shared by others too ... just because.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thoughts for Today ...

"An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind." Mahatma Gandhi

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Mother Teresa

"Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The pacifist's task today is to find a method of helping and healing which provides a revolutionary constructive substitute for war." Vera Brittain, 1964

"We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace." William Ewart Gladstone

15 comments:

Karen said...

I'm trying to stop reading political news/blogs etc.--I've been depressed lately, and I finally noticed that I could trace back my negative attitude to something I'd read that day. I'm voting and praying, but beyond that, this is out of my hands.

I'm trying to get back into my yoga--I find that centers me more than anything (moving meditation, if you will).

So I doubt you'll read anything political on my blog!

Mom Knows Everything said...

1. Cut the crap :: knock it off
2. Scent :: smell
3. Vanishing :: disappear
4. Wetness :: water
5. Cheap :: poor quality
6. Badges :: medals
7. Puppy :: dog
8. Problem solver :: Mom
9. Gambling :: casino
10. Sophia :: Loren

Unknown said...

Great post!

You can find my mutterings ::here::

Have a great week!

Mary said...

Storyteller,

There is an election coming up here as well. It was officially called for October 14th.

I am watching the US election closely. Whatever happens there will affect Canadians in one way or another.

Thanks for sharing your mutterings. I enjoyed them.

Blessings,
Mary

Mary P Jones (MPJ) said...

I know what you mean. Politics have been really stressing me out lately. I have sort of been doing political posts lately, only in the sense that I'm trying to work out my discomfort around this election and our national dialogue, not push for one candidate or another.

Joyce said...

Good evening, Storyteller.

The reason I don't do political posts is that I am not skillful or informed enough in these matters to merit a hearing. :P

Here's my muttering:
1. Cut the crap :: already!
2. Scent :: Green Tea (my fav!)
3. Vanishing :: act
4. Wetness :: behind the ears
5. Cheap :: not a good deal, really
6. Badges :: Brownie points
7. Puppy :: love
8. Problem solver :: good thing to be
9. Gambling :: addiction
10. Sophia :: Loren

Have a lovely evening! :)

Hootin Anni said...

Hi storyteller! happy Monday to you.

With such a busy week preparing for the worst then taking everything out of the garage where we had things stored [so we could have car room] --I just didn't find much time to get online and visit. so, I'm trying to catch up today.

Love your Mutterings. Especially the wet, sloppy puppy kisses!!!

Hope your meditation in the mornings work. Sounds like a good thing to me.

Enjoy the week.

Deb @ Sugarfused said...

Yeah, I don't do political posts either but that doesn't mean that I care about or keep up with what's going :-)

Hope you had a nice weekend!

Ivanhoe said...

I do not post political stuff either. I read some from time to time though, but do not want it to be a part of my blog.
And I'm getting worried, too. And loosing some sleep over our future as well. I hope it's all over soon :o)

Akelamalu said...

You are right about stress being a big contributor to ill health. I try consciously not to get stressed, not easy sometimes but I do try.

storyteller said...

Karen – I’m relieved to know I’m not the only one who feels ‘distressed’ by the ‘negativity’ … and seeking ways to ‘center’ ourselves. I feel reassured somehow … so thanks for sharing.

Tammy – How fun to read your answers here in comments! I wish I was able to respond as ‘concisely’ with a word or two the way YOU did. My brother used to say ‘knock it off’ often. I appreciate you muttering along.

Laane – Thanks … and I enjoyed YOURS too!

Mary – I’m so conscious of the fact that we’re more alike than different (in fact I remind myself often that we’re 'all one' rather than 'alone') … that we share this planet and need to alter our ways of seeing and being in order to resolve the mutual problems we face.

MPJ – I’m still way behind on your blog … partly because I want to catch up, but I’ve been ‘stressed’ and finding it a challenge to ‘focus’ thoughtfully much too often these days. I suspect many (though not all) bloggers are doing exactly the same kind of thing … sorting through thoughts and making sense of what is.

Joyce – Methinks we each bring something essential to the conversation … yet this virtual medium is ripe for misunderstandings to arise. It’s challenging enough to have such conversations face to face where there are immediate ‘cues’ and opportunities for questions and clarifications. Thanks so much for muttering along here in comments. I love you no-nonsense response to #1 especially and agree with your answers to #8 and 9. I hope you’re getting some much-needed rest and time to recuperate.

Hootin’ Anni – I’m doing better this morning … though it’s almost 11am and I’ve not yet created a Fun Monday post. I am, however, feeling better and did publish a belated BYBS post at Sacred Ruminations earlier. Methinks the morning meditation really did help today. Hope things are getting back to normal for you there in Texas.

Deb – As I commented to Karen … I’m glad to know I’m not the only one.

Ivanhoe – I so relate … but as for things ‘being over soon’ … (in the words of Gilda Radner), ‘It’s always something’ … so once THIS is behind us something else is sure to arise.

Akelamalu – Thanks for the reminder. I do know this thing … though I sometimes forget. This morning I’m doing better …

To all – Thanks to each of you for visiting and taking time to comment. After publishing this post yesterday, I worried a bit about how some of what I shared might be perceived and considered dumping chunks of it. As it turned out, that proved impossible since my computer crashed and was down for quite a while. By the time I was back online, it was too late. Such is life. I’m doing much better today … and hope YOU’RE having a good one too.
Hugs and blessings,

Tina Coruth said...

Hi Storyteller,

Here's my list:
1} Cut the crap :: no excuses

2) Scent :: Not for me, must be fragrance free!

3) Vanishing :: act

4) Wetness :: the squishy ground after an unusual rainy summer

5) Cheap :: skin flint

6) Badges :: of honor

7) Puppy :: love (I just saw an article about Paul Anka LOL)

8) Problem solver :: Einstein

9) Gambling :: Vegas

10) Sophia :: Loren

Good list! I'm sorry that you are not feeling well. Migraines are horrible. I hope you are better soon.

Hugs,
Tina

storyteller said...

Tina – Thanks for muttering along in comments. I love your response to #2, 4, and 8 especially! I'm feeling considerably better today. Hope you’re having a marvelous Monday.
Hugs and blessings,

Momisodes said...

I'm right there with you on not blogging on political issues. In fact, I'm avoiding posts on other blogs about them. Like you said, no need for added stress.

Hope you're feeling better!

storyteller said...

Sandy – I am feeling better thanks … though the day’s gotten away from me yet again. It’s 5:30pm … I’ve got 438 unread messages in Google Reader … 200 unread emails and Molly needs a walk. I’ve got class tomorrow morning and haven’t thought about a ‘Tuesday’ post yet. Sigh! I was sort of caught up over the weekend, but it was certainly short-lived. I’m not sure how I’d be managing with a toddler and house guests. Of course, you’ve got Buddisodes to bail you out. LOL Thanks for visiting ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

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