Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly to the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
*You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. *
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham,
drudgery
and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful )
(there ia a debate as to the fact that maybe he originally wrote Be careful.
Strive to be happy.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly to the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
*You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. *
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham,
drudgery
and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful )
(there ia a debate as to the fact that maybe he originally wrote Be careful.
Strive to be happy.
On Vacation
I'm still on vacation, my last full day. Today, its hot out, in the 90's. I've been out shopping and its time to just go chill in my room; read, maybe watch a movie, maybe take a nap. This week has been wonderful and i don't even want to think of it ending. A much needed and enjoyed vacation week. The weather up here in the mountains has been perfect. This year, I can even see the mountains! There still is some snow on the tops of them, though it is still considered spring.
I have shopped the unique shops in the down town area, and also the ones right outside the door. Of course, I've bought more books but I also bought another journal. When do I have time to write in them? Why do I continue to buy them? I must have five, blank, pretty journal books. Each time, I swear that this will be the one that I start in. Well, again, i say the same. Though there is one, a vacation journal that Barb and I started when we took our first vacation today, and yes, I have continued in that one, even on this solo vacation trip.
I love coming up here. Strangely, though I have come to this place since I was a kid, its all so much more appreciated now to the point that it all seems new. I was almost tempted to go some place different this year, like to the ocean, but here I am and without regrets.
So, now to journal and I also have my scrapbooking to continue with. I need to retire so I have time to do these things that I love doing! Never enough time for all the things that I want to do, and on that note, I'm off to go do more of what I enjoy and thats going with the flow of how I feel. After all, it is vacation! I don't want to even think, if I can help it!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Doing it Alone
Vacation time has finally arrived. I could hardly wait for last Friday to end, and I worked extra hard that last week to be sure my work was not only up to date but a bit ahead. I cleaned my office before shutting off the lights, being sure it was locked and leaving the building into the near perfect day even though it was late afternoon. I breathed a sense of relief. This vacation is much needed. I've not had a day off since March 8th, when Noah was born and I've not had vacation, a few days off, since last Labor Day. These winters months, I've put in much over time at work. Long hours in which I would drive into work while it was just starting to get light in the morning, and my drive home would be in the dark. I'm overly ready for a vacation.
As things do happen, a change of plans occurred. For the past few months I've been getting ready for this vacation, in my mind and spirit; buying movies or thinking games and books and alterations to make it a bit different this time, as my sister and I stay at the same hotel. I was getting more and more excited of us taking off again together. Though, a change of plans happened when she told me that she wouldn't be going this time around as she was going somewhere else with her husband. OK, now, i must write about this. Of course, at first, i felt sad. After all, this is "our" time together and this would of been the third year. But, what my sister and I have between each other, goes way beyond this "vacation time" occurrence and she knew it too, as did I. This is what is so special about our relationship. There is an understanding there and an acceptance which exists between us, that we go with how we feel, at the moment, and whatever that might be for each other; its exactly as its suppose to be. I was sad that I'd be without her on my vacation but now I needed to rethink my plans through and make some decisions on what I was going to do for this time of mine.
I wondered if I should go away. Should I stay at the same place if I did go away? Should I go somewhere new and try some different things? Should I just stay home and take some day trips? Should I go away and maybe invite someone else? Though most are working or plan vacation around family. Should I even take vacation at this time or save it for later in the summer? So, for the last few weeks, I have been thinking back and forth, trying to make a decision on this. But, if I did want to go away, I needed to take this week, for after Memorial Day weekend, all the prices for hotels go up. Which was one of the reasons we always took this week, besides less people in hotels as schools were not out for the summer yet.
I've taken vacations on my own before. I remember my very first one quite well. Actually, it was an unforgettable experience for me. About 20 years ago, as a working mother of three, my children and husband gave me a weekend away as a Mother's Day gift, at a hotel. It just so happens that it was the same hotel which my sister and I have spent our time the past few years. It was the best gift and so needed at that time, i remember. I went with excitment nor fear, of doing something on my own, alone. I spent my time reading, shopping, dining out, sitting by the pool, swimming, napping, and just enjoyed totally. I've never been one to fear doing things alone.
So, here I am now, on vacation. What did I decide to do? Well, as time neared this week and I knew I needed to make a decision as I had to get the vacation time from work approved, first of all and then reserve a room, if i was going away. I was sitting in my office one morning talking to a co-worker about it and she helped with the decision..."go for it. You don't mind doing things on your own. You'll enjoy the time away". She was right and I did. With vacation time approved, i decided to go where we usually go, up the mountains. I did consider the ocean, but I so love the area of the mountains and have gotten to know my way around and shops that I enjoy. But how to make it different? I reserved the suite instead of a regular room. A king size bed, 2 person jucuzzi in room, suite! And my excitement grew!
I've been buying and packing movies and books and making little plans for while I'm there. I am half packed now, as I leave tomorrow morning. And I'm excited. Its sort of funny when someone asks me "where are you going on vacation?" and i reply that I'm going up to the mountains, always the next question is "who are you going with" or "Is your husband going with you"? When I reply that I'm going alone, most just don't know how to take that. The thing is, I've never had a problem going off alone. Infact, there are times when being alone is very welcomed. Sometimes "I'm my own best company". There is a relaxation found in being on one's own where you don't have to talk if you don't want to, or listen, for that matter. You can sleep in late morning without feeling as though any one is waiting to get going for the day. You can nap, without worry that another might not be tired. You can eat when you want without concern of what another might feel like for food and style and you can do exactly as you want without wonder if another wants to do the same as you do.
Though, there are not many people I'd go away with on vacation, my sister is one of the very few that I would. We just have such an understanding that we are able to accept fully what another wants to do or not do, and we just go with the flow of it. I did a sort of crazy thing this morning; I looked up on the net about vacationing alone and found some comments on doing just that by people who go the route that I do and have:
*My favorite "vacations" are when my husband takes the children somewhere for a few days and I get blissful silence in my own house. It's heaven and highly recommended.posted by Sweetie Darling
*Go for it and don't worry about what anyone else has to say. It's your life and your mental health. No one but you can assure you keep it in top shape. :-)posted by arishaun
*I am actually taking my first extended trip away (another working vacation) to London in April. I felt a little guilty at first, but hubby was behind me 100%.
*My mum thought I was nuts, but he knows that I'd be unhappy if I passed it up. To him, 3 weeks of missing me is preferable to a wife who's about to lose her sanity.
*My parents, who've been married for forty-odd years, have always taken trips on their own from time to time. Come to think of it, so did both sets of my grandparents. Seems normal enough to me.
*I vacationed solo when I was single and it was amazing. Even hiked across Europe by myself. A lot of folks couldn't understand it and others were envious or inspired by it.
*I think that a vacation alone is good for your health for many reasons. One is appreciation of what you have a real chance to reflect on it. Time alone opens the mind and enables you to see new possibilities where before there were only responsibilities. No matter if it is a long period or short, you will be more aware of your self, how you feel and what makes you happy.
*I encourage my wife to cherish her alone time and take it when the chance arises. You should go and leave the guilt behind.posted by bkeene12
*Heck, I was told I was weird for vacationing alone single, let alone now that I'm not. I like to go to neat cities for a long weekend, stay at a small inn or guesthouse, and walk, take pictures, eat at the bar in nice restaurants, chat with strangers, read books, sip coffee, write postcards, and in general just be myself.
*I think you'd be crazy not to take the opportunity to treat yourself.posted by Sassyfras
So there is a sample of my morning's readings. I'm not so different (or strange) after all! Seems what some people have never done or feel, for whatever reason, can't do, it is strange to them. I don't seek nor long for understanding of others. I'm just me.
Tomorrow morning, I take off. My route is planned, my stops along the way, unhurried. I plan on taking pictures, of course, and keeping the journal which my sister and I had started (and she reminded to me to keep it going even on this solo trip), and I'll soon be writing of my new adventures here.
As things do happen, a change of plans occurred. For the past few months I've been getting ready for this vacation, in my mind and spirit; buying movies or thinking games and books and alterations to make it a bit different this time, as my sister and I stay at the same hotel. I was getting more and more excited of us taking off again together. Though, a change of plans happened when she told me that she wouldn't be going this time around as she was going somewhere else with her husband. OK, now, i must write about this. Of course, at first, i felt sad. After all, this is "our" time together and this would of been the third year. But, what my sister and I have between each other, goes way beyond this "vacation time" occurrence and she knew it too, as did I. This is what is so special about our relationship. There is an understanding there and an acceptance which exists between us, that we go with how we feel, at the moment, and whatever that might be for each other; its exactly as its suppose to be. I was sad that I'd be without her on my vacation but now I needed to rethink my plans through and make some decisions on what I was going to do for this time of mine.
I wondered if I should go away. Should I stay at the same place if I did go away? Should I go somewhere new and try some different things? Should I just stay home and take some day trips? Should I go away and maybe invite someone else? Though most are working or plan vacation around family. Should I even take vacation at this time or save it for later in the summer? So, for the last few weeks, I have been thinking back and forth, trying to make a decision on this. But, if I did want to go away, I needed to take this week, for after Memorial Day weekend, all the prices for hotels go up. Which was one of the reasons we always took this week, besides less people in hotels as schools were not out for the summer yet.
I've taken vacations on my own before. I remember my very first one quite well. Actually, it was an unforgettable experience for me. About 20 years ago, as a working mother of three, my children and husband gave me a weekend away as a Mother's Day gift, at a hotel. It just so happens that it was the same hotel which my sister and I have spent our time the past few years. It was the best gift and so needed at that time, i remember. I went with excitment nor fear, of doing something on my own, alone. I spent my time reading, shopping, dining out, sitting by the pool, swimming, napping, and just enjoyed totally. I've never been one to fear doing things alone.
So, here I am now, on vacation. What did I decide to do? Well, as time neared this week and I knew I needed to make a decision as I had to get the vacation time from work approved, first of all and then reserve a room, if i was going away. I was sitting in my office one morning talking to a co-worker about it and she helped with the decision..."go for it. You don't mind doing things on your own. You'll enjoy the time away". She was right and I did. With vacation time approved, i decided to go where we usually go, up the mountains. I did consider the ocean, but I so love the area of the mountains and have gotten to know my way around and shops that I enjoy. But how to make it different? I reserved the suite instead of a regular room. A king size bed, 2 person jucuzzi in room, suite! And my excitement grew!
I've been buying and packing movies and books and making little plans for while I'm there. I am half packed now, as I leave tomorrow morning. And I'm excited. Its sort of funny when someone asks me "where are you going on vacation?" and i reply that I'm going up to the mountains, always the next question is "who are you going with" or "Is your husband going with you"? When I reply that I'm going alone, most just don't know how to take that. The thing is, I've never had a problem going off alone. Infact, there are times when being alone is very welcomed. Sometimes "I'm my own best company". There is a relaxation found in being on one's own where you don't have to talk if you don't want to, or listen, for that matter. You can sleep in late morning without feeling as though any one is waiting to get going for the day. You can nap, without worry that another might not be tired. You can eat when you want without concern of what another might feel like for food and style and you can do exactly as you want without wonder if another wants to do the same as you do.
Though, there are not many people I'd go away with on vacation, my sister is one of the very few that I would. We just have such an understanding that we are able to accept fully what another wants to do or not do, and we just go with the flow of it. I did a sort of crazy thing this morning; I looked up on the net about vacationing alone and found some comments on doing just that by people who go the route that I do and have:
*My favorite "vacations" are when my husband takes the children somewhere for a few days and I get blissful silence in my own house. It's heaven and highly recommended.posted by Sweetie Darling
*Go for it and don't worry about what anyone else has to say. It's your life and your mental health. No one but you can assure you keep it in top shape. :-)posted by arishaun
*I am actually taking my first extended trip away (another working vacation) to London in April. I felt a little guilty at first, but hubby was behind me 100%.
*My mum thought I was nuts, but he knows that I'd be unhappy if I passed it up. To him, 3 weeks of missing me is preferable to a wife who's about to lose her sanity.
*My parents, who've been married for forty-odd years, have always taken trips on their own from time to time. Come to think of it, so did both sets of my grandparents. Seems normal enough to me.
*I vacationed solo when I was single and it was amazing. Even hiked across Europe by myself. A lot of folks couldn't understand it and others were envious or inspired by it.
*I think that a vacation alone is good for your health for many reasons. One is appreciation of what you have a real chance to reflect on it. Time alone opens the mind and enables you to see new possibilities where before there were only responsibilities. No matter if it is a long period or short, you will be more aware of your self, how you feel and what makes you happy.
*I encourage my wife to cherish her alone time and take it when the chance arises. You should go and leave the guilt behind.posted by bkeene12
*Heck, I was told I was weird for vacationing alone single, let alone now that I'm not. I like to go to neat cities for a long weekend, stay at a small inn or guesthouse, and walk, take pictures, eat at the bar in nice restaurants, chat with strangers, read books, sip coffee, write postcards, and in general just be myself.
*I think you'd be crazy not to take the opportunity to treat yourself.posted by Sassyfras
So there is a sample of my morning's readings. I'm not so different (or strange) after all! Seems what some people have never done or feel, for whatever reason, can't do, it is strange to them. I don't seek nor long for understanding of others. I'm just me.
Tomorrow morning, I take off. My route is planned, my stops along the way, unhurried. I plan on taking pictures, of course, and keeping the journal which my sister and I had started (and she reminded to me to keep it going even on this solo trip), and I'll soon be writing of my new adventures here.
If I had my life to live over...(I'd Pick More Daisies)
I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.I'd relax, i would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip
I would take fewer things seriously
I would take more chances
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers
I would eat more ice cream and less beans
I would perhaps have more actual troubles,
but I'd have few imaginary ones
You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly
and sanely hour after hour, day after day
Oh, I've had my moments
and if I had it to do over again,
I'd have more of them
In fact, I'd try to have nothing else
Just moments, one after another,
instead of livng so many years ahead of each day
I've been one of those persons who never
goes anywhere without a thermometer,
a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute.
If I had to do it again,
I would travel lighter than I have
If i had my life to live over,
I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall
I would go to more dances,
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Sweet baby of ours
Josh, Tammy and Noah, at my house last Sunday morning. Click on picture for a large, close up.
Noah, changing every day
Every day, Noah changes, and I don't want to miss a moment! Seven weeks old here and our first summer like day of the season. Sleeping in his chair on top of my kitchen counter. He's moving into my home next weekend and I can't wait! Of course, his mommy and daddy are coming along. Its been nine years since having a baby in the family and knowing this will be my last grandchild, I just don't want to miss a moment of him growing and changing.
I've spent yesterday, Saturday, finishing cleaning out the spare bedroom and cleaning it. Even washed the windows inside and out and hung fresh curtains. Its ready for move it. Today, I'm going to the store to get some pictures printed. I've opened up my mess of creative memory stuff and really would like to work on some of it. Its sort of taking over my house. I keep buying the neat little add on's as stickers and cutouts and papers and the piles grow but I never seem to find the time to just sit, spread it all out and work on it. Time seems to always be a factor! My job takes up too much of my time!
Noah is over to my other daughter's house today, Heidi. After I hit a few stores, I'm going over to just hold him awhile and get my fix.
I'm planning on taking a vacation at the end of this month and I'm also going to take as many days as I've saved up so far rather than sparing some for later. I'm dying for time off and at this point I've not any solid plans but I've been thinking on things! I'm on my own this vacation. As it looks now, I might just say home some of those days and do some things I've been wanting to do and also, I might just get in my car and drive on off into the sunset and stay away for a few nights just for the peace of it all. In any case, no matter what I end up doing, there is one thing for certain; I won't be going into work! That much I know.