A Country Walk

 

This is a trip down memory lane: I posted this in another community.  

My gratitudes for today:

1.  I took a trip along a country road, two miles from my home. It was sensory overload of the heavenly kind.  The air was crisp.  I breathed in the scenery and walked for an hour and a half. My view stretched out for 12-14 miles.  Rolling hills, lush greenery, four white goats "baaaaaa, baaaa"ing, as I walked past their stable.  Chestnut-colored horses----with blazes naturally painted down their faces----extended their necks over the barbed wire fences that lined the country road.  As I strolled by, their eyes pleaded for the length of their noses to be scratched. It was an invigorating change from my urban routine, to view cattle grazing----from a distance of 10 feet.  Their month-old calves drank from them as they stood in a field, just beyond my outstretched arm. 

  I'm grateful for time alone with God and His countryside.

2.  I'm thankful for my sweatshirt, vest, wool knit cap, scarf and gloves.  Hey, it was cold out there------maybe 58 degrees!  Brrrrrr!

3.   For the majestic view of the SF Bay Area as I reached the top of a hill luminescently green due to recent rains.  I stood next to a ruggedly handsome barn, its slouched and patched together sides betrayed the age of its character-filled redwood planks.  This red rustic repository for hay, scurrying mice and an occasional owl was a century and two score in years.  The Bay Area it overlooked.  Although I hiked after 6:00 p.m., I arrived at this spot while it was yet daylight, the virtue of getting off Daylight Savings Time.  A creek that ran through a near-by grove of oak trees sang out as I drank in the view of the bay, the San Francisco peninsula and enjoyed nature's tranquility. 

4.  For my continued health.  Not long ago, I was flat on my back and deathly ill-----thank you, Jesus, for making me whole, not only spiritually, but now physically, too!

5.  For good friends with whom I can speak honestly (but courteously and with kindness, too). See below.

6.  For not allowing a friend, who works as a manager, to dominate when we visited yesterday.  "You may be able to control conversations with other people but I'm uncomfortable with you doing so with me----we're equals."  (Our conversation was as equal adults after that comment----an unusual experience for him.)

7.   For the joy of being an adult.  Part of being an adult is that we can disagree with others.  We want to say what we mean, mean what we say, but not say it meanly.

      Okay, guys, those are enough gratitudes from me, I heading out to one of my favorite towns, the island town of Alameda. 

          The Innkeeper of the Attitude Inn,

Taking Care of Self While Stressed .............................4/1/11

Van Gogh: Almond Branches

    How are you?

Yep, it's late. I've been working on a major project. Overall, Thursday was great. I'm processing loss. A community that I've been involved with for 19 months is shutting down. When facing stress, I make a point to do what I need to do in order to take care of myself.  It is especially important during such times to make sure that I strengthen and equip myself.  Being at an optimal level, while going through a difficult time, is in my best interests. 

My gratitudes for today:

1.  SSS is still open, as I write. See my first post in this blog, for more background information.
2.  I'm grateful for those who post gratitudes here.   I enjoy community, your support and the celebration of what's alive within you.
3.  I'm glad my computer is back in action.  I study, take notes, research, communicate with many, record thoughts, prepare my work, and decompress, using this electrical device that allows me to talk with you.

4. I'm thankful for the lively conversation I enjoyed with others until 11:00 p.m, last night, after I spoke. I'm inspired by the different insights of others. Even if I don't agree, I like hearing divergent perspectives.   It's a good thing to keep an open mind.  Our mind is like a parachute, it only works when it's open.

A small portion of what I viewed on Thursday, during lunch

        Lunch in the island town of Alameda was had on Thursday. I visited a cafe that fronts the San Francisco Bay, Abigail Cafe. It's fast becoming one of my favorite hang outs. It's not as crowded as Starbucks, it's on the quieter northwest side of this ten square mile island. The place has wi-fi, offers plenty of tranquility, in addition to Moroccan and American food. When you come out to see me, I'll take you there. I might even like it better than Fenton's, that says plenty, if you know me.

       The vista stretches ten to twenty miles beyond the sloshing waters of the bay. Views of  San Francisco and its peninsula restored my mind, worn by recent demands.  I took care of business with a colleague while sharing a meal. The panoramic, 250 degree view was breathtaking. The weather was in the mid 70's, with a cool breeze. Little squirrels or varmints popped up their heads in the grass that runs along the shoreline. If only I had Alexander the Gray with me, it might have picked up his spirit.

5. I'm thankful for rest, the hypnotic power of the waves lapping against the beach and for a treat for my weary eyes and soul. 

6.  Tonight I was feted with a fabulous dinner; I didn't have to cook----can't beat an opportunity like that!

7. Thursday morning I enjoyed an in-depth, uplifting conversation with a dear friend. I've known him for 35+ years. Heart-felt conversations satisfy my soul. Inclusion, stability, empathy, nurturing, respect and support are wonderful qualities to come upon. Our talk armored me for the rest of the day.

8.  I've been relating with someone I barely know.  It's disappointing that she likes to judge and does so, quickly.  She even told me her judgments of me.  The last thing I enjoy doing is interacting with someone who's not affirming and is controlling.  Keeping my distance from her provides the serenity I need.   There are diseased areas within my psyche that, if I weren't careful, would want to accommodate a person with an attitude of superiority and is critical.   I'm glad I place principles----in this case, watching out for my emotional safety---above weak areas in my personality that would make me even think of  pleasing her.

    So, what are your gratitudes?  I'd love hearing them.