Thursday thoughts,

June 17, 2021 Patricia12 Comments

Looking at beauty in the world
is the first step in purifying the mind.
Amit Ray

There are days when I go for a walk that I start out in a not so good mood. I start the walk with a whine about having to walk because I need the exercise, then go on to list all the things I’d rather be doing and all the things that need to be done that I don’t want to do. I complain about the weather, it’s too hot or too cold, too bright and sunny or too dark and cloudy, too windy or there is no wind. In general, just complaining and centered solely on myself.

Before long, I notice the trees or some flowers, birds chattering back and forth to each other, or a hawk soaring across the sky. I see a cat wandering or someone walking a dog, someone out for a run or walking with a baby in a stroller, or an elderly person who seems frail but still out and about enjoying a stroll. I stop and just look around at the world and I am stunned by the beauty of it all.

My mind lets go of the negativity and makes room for the positivity and possibilities that surround me. Nothing around me has changed, but within there is a cleansing that refreshes and energizes, not just my mind, but my body, too. My walk becomes something more than exercise. The heaviness in my heart is washed away and my eyes are open to the beauty of the world.

I laugh at my not so good mood and there is abundant joy!

Photo by Alex Bargain on Pexels.com

attitude · observations

Thursday thoughts…

May 6, 2021May 5, 2021 Patricia11 Comments

Change the way you look at things,
and the things you look at will change.
Wayne Dyer

When I look at something and accept it without thought then it is just what it is. Nothing more, nothing less, it just is. Most of the time that is how I go about my days not really seeing what is front of me. But sometimes I will stop and look at something and give it some thought. When this happens I am often surprised.

I am surprised because what I see becomes more than just an object. It becomes more interesting. I want to look deeper and learn about it. This is true of not just objects, but also about people and other living things, about ideas and opinions, about dreams and even nightmares.

When I look closer and see more than the surface of what’s in front of me, I begin to notice details and nuances that I missed with just a glance. Often what was common and ordinary, becomes different, interesting, more valuable. My world opens up to new thoughts and perspectives, new vistas and possibilities.

It takes some effort to change how we look at things but it is worth the effort.

Photo by Peng Louis on Pexels.com

Kindness Challenge · observations · Uncategorized

Observing kindness…

May 24, 2016May 24, 2016 Patricia14 Comments

Kindness Challenge Week 2
Observe Kindness Around You

I cannot count the ways my friends and co-workers show kindness to me. One example is transportation. It is less than fifteen minutes from where I live to where I work. I don’t drive and to get to work by bus would take an hour. But co-workers and friends are kind and thoughtful giving me rides to and from work. Truly, I cannot put into words my appreciation for this kindness. My friends also often take me to the grocery though three stores are within walking distance of my apartment. They take me to the mall or Lowe’s or Target so I don’t have to take the bus or taxi. When I have a doctor’s appointment if I need a ride someone is always willing to take me. There is much kindness in my life!

This week I took extra care to see kindnesses of people who serve. Waitresses and waiters, cashiers and clerks can be less than friendly or inattentive at times but I saw many instances of patience and kindness extended to their customers. A young cashier at the drugstore was very patient with an older woman who was having a hard time getting her money out of her wallet and then some difficulty counting it out to give to him. He smiled and talked with her helping her with her purchase efficiently but not hurriedly. And there was the bus driver that helped an elderly man get on and off the bus without being asked and not condescendingly, he wanted to help his rider. Those are just two examples of people taking the time to be kind not because they have to but because they want to.There are many kindnesses out there that go unnoticed. It is a wonder to see them.

A tip that Niki suggested was to not watch the news for the week. There is not much kindness found there. No problem. I don’t have TV service. The only thing I use my TV for is to watch Netflix. I do sort of read the newspaper. I read the headlines and sometimes scan the article. That’s enough for me then it is on to the comics and puzzles.

revofkindness — Click here to read other reflections.

A to Z Challenge 2016 · observations · Uncategorized

W = walks and wafflestompers…

April 27, 2016April 26, 2016 Patricia11 Comments

neighborhood

Have you ever taken a alk around your neighborhood
and everything seemed new to you?

I have.
Just recently I was alking through my neighborhood
and everything seemed different somehow.
I have lived in this neighborhood for thirty-five years
but it all looked different and new.

Maybe because we have had some rain, cool nights
and warm days that everything looked so full and lush.
The lawns were beautiful thick green carpets.
Spring flowering trees in full bloom
and flowers everywhere.
Even the houses and apartments look fresh.
Like someone had come along and spring cleaned them.

The alk that day had a surprise for me on every block.
It was a wonderful experience; one that I have never had before.
I hope I have another such alk someday.

wafflestompers
Needless to say, my alks are strolls in a city neighborhood
and I have no need of serious alking shoes.
I am almost certain my feet will never
be shod with afflestompers.

That’s my post for the letter

A to Z Challenge 2016 · observations · Uncategorized

V = verbs…

April 26, 2016April 25, 2016 Patricia11 Comments

pedestrians-400811_640

Have you thought about what erbs describe you?

I have.
Here are the erbs that describe me and those that don’t.
Walk or stroll not run or hurry.
Think and ponder not argue and debate.
Daydream or meditate not purpose or intent.
Determined not disorganized.
Celebrate and gather not big events or parties.
Laugh not guffaw.
Read and watch not play and frolic.
There you are my yes and no erbs.

window-view-1081788_640

I guess I am more cerebral than physical.
But I don’t think I am dull or boring.
The erbs that describe me are quiet words
and a quiet woman is who I am.

That’s my post for the letter

A to Z Challenge 2016 · observations · Uncategorized

O = opportunity…

April 18, 2016April 17, 2016 Patricia14 Comments

Have you ever had an pportunity do to
or say something and knew you had to act on it?

I have.
Just recently during a conversation with a
friend something came up and I knew without a doubt, I could help.
First simply by listening,second by offering words of comfort,
then by doing something without thinking or planning.

The first was easy, the second took some thought,
and the third just happened without realizing what I was doing.
The doing was not hard, took little effort
but I did wonder how it would be received.
I knew in my heart this was an pportunity to share a blessing.

The gesture, a gift I offered, was graciously accepted
and is helping my friend find strength and peace in this difficult time.
And she already has plans to share it with another who needs help.