An Innkeeper Update and Thanks for Dropping By!

"You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so, you learn to love 

by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves."  Saint Francis de Sales

(Photographer Tim Blessed's caption.  Image: "Wetlands: Winter View" All rights reserved for all of his photos shown in this
inn. Copyrighted material. Used by permission.)

      In less than eight months I’ve written 208 times as the innkeeper.  It’s fun.  The increased readership let’s me know you enjoy these musings.  With that number of postings----even though I keep the inn tidy---- the writings can get buried and hard to find.

      I’ve created the Attitude of Gratitude Inndex to help you find your way during your visit.

Short and Sweet Post from the Innkeeper

   Good evening everyone from the Left Coast of California.

I had a busy day. This Daylight Savings Time throws my body out of wack, how about you? I'm keeping it simple today.

My Gratitudes:
1. I'm going to bed
2. I love the work I do.
3. I'm thankful for all the kind people who drop by here.
4. My football team won yesterday.

I'll write more, later, like tomorrow. I'm tired. Good night, I'll see you on Tuesday.

The Pathway to the Innish Community

The pathway to community in this inn will be your posts. They are more beautiful than this picture. 

 Community nurtures; a picture has its limitations; it doesn't listen, comfort nor offer empathy

   Greetings,

How are you? 

My Gratitudes:

1. I hired someone recently. It didn't work out. I'm grateful for discernment. Sometimes counting losses and moving on is the best thing to do. 

2. I love having new guests dropping by. Thanks for checking out the rooms. 

3. I've swept out most of the dust from this place that came from re-construction that's been taking place here. I'm not done, but the place looks better. 

    You might want to check out the Attitude of Gratitude Inndex  tab at the top of this blog, under the header. I hope it makes it helps you find your way around this place.
    I'm heading for bed; I'm going to read Tolstoy on this rainy evening.  I'll see you tomorrow. I hope you like the dark chocolate candies left on your pillows. 

Slaying the Dragon of Fear................ 11/5/11

We have too many men of science, too few men of God. We have grasped the mystery of the atom, & rejected 

the Sermon on the Mount (Do to others asyou'd have them do to you.). The World has achieved brilliance with-

out wisdom, power without conscience. Omar Bradley.  (Photographer Tim Blessed's caption. Image:  

"Cumbria: End of the Road Bridge."  All rights reserved, used by permission.)

      This recent comment would be lost among the older posts I've written, although it's still the most actively read post with more than two thousand and thirty-three of you having looked at it. Lowry's comments are found in the "Still Learning" post. For those who write, you'll usually find a reply in the next post.

     Thanks Lowry, for sharing how you slay the beast of fear. Having goals, documented plans definitely helps overcome dread. Especially when we get the support of others who know our plans. Without writing our goals down they are dreams and not goals. You might note I used the word support, not accountability.

    I find support easier to receive, when I'm vulnerable. I find accountability likened to a sheriff. When fearful, encouragement is easier to accept when facing a seemingly insurmountable task than yielding to the coldness of the law---obligation, due to accountability.

     My greatest growth occurs when I'm able to place principles above the vulnerable parts of my personality. What is great is that each time I do it gets easier, and I become a bit stronger. It's that progress not perfection part to life working within me.

    Thanks again for dropping by, reading and commenting,

     

Lunch With a Friend and a Satisfying Day

     Good evening everyone,

I just got in.  Thank you for dropping by to keep me company. I'm posting a bit later than normal.
Well, I've made a few improvements, can you tell?. Today, I had lunch with a friend. It was an excellent time. The hour and a half sped by. It was good getting to know this person more completely. The food was good, too.

    Tonight I gathered with a group of buddies. A close friend of mine showed up unexpectedly. That was a nice treat. I've stayed home more, this past month. I'm venturing forth, now that I've gotten my home in better order. I moved in only two months ago.

My Gratitudes for Tonight::

1.  I'm glad that I initiated  the arrangements for the luncheon I had today. I enjoyed the free-flowing conversation and I liked depth, breadth and the sincerity that marked it.
2.  I'm thankful for God's provision. Work has been going well. In this economy, that is not to be taken lightly.
3. I went to the movies. I saw an intelligent movie that did not have violence or graphic sex scenes---it's nice knowing that films like the one I viewed are still being made.

My Happiness Isn't Based On External Circumstances, and the Inn Is Under Construction..

 
  Good evening,

Please pardon the dust. This inn is under construction. I'm half-way through with re-doing

The Second Time I Saw a Friend Since She Went Over a Cliff. An innkeeper story. 11/1/11

The cliff she went over was like this---she hung on to roots, as she was pulled up

      More on what happened when I saw a former date in a minute. 

      Life is going well.  I'd value your prayers, nonetheless.  I want to adhere to my priorities for this day.  I will workout on my gym after this post, eat and then ride my bike for awhile. I'll tend to bills----ya ay!  Doing so is a way of taking care of me: it reduces mental clutter and provides more serenity.

      Last night I saw a woman I once dated.  This happened while with friends last night as mini goblins tramped the streets seeking caloric, teeth threatening treats.  She and I studied at the same university.

      I was talking with a couple when she left.  It was early in the evening; I didn't expect her to take off.  I hoped to talk with her.   When I dated her, she was busy setting up her business.  I moved on, letting her do so.

      The last time I saw was at an Indian restaurant I introduced her to, Cafe Raj on Solano Ave., in Albany.   I was with a person I mentor.  She supped with two women.  It was interesting how our paths had crossed, reminding me of leaves falling from trees, intersecting as they sway their way to earth.

     Our last date was memorable. We hiked along a demanding, steeply inclined trail.  On the left, a creek gurgled below the cliff  that edged our tree-rooted, dirt path.  Its narrowness required walking single file, with care.  On occasion, we ducked under massive Redwood Tree trunks that had crashed up against the mountain side we hugged, as we traversed along.

      The sun's rays dappled through canopy of trees, the treetops swayed and danced with the wind that was filled with the chirps of birds and kaw-kawing of ravens.  The musty scent of earth enveloped us as we enjoyed a mini-vacation from urban living.  A great and grateful day for the innkeeper, it was.

    At one point, she slipped----in an instant---I flung my body towards her, lying diagonally prone on the slim dirt path.  Grasping her arm and hand with both of mine, I kept her from sliding down the cliff into the creek and boulders twenty feet below.

    Pulling her, she dug her running shoes into the sides of the precipice, climbing to relative safety of the narrow ledge that was our trail.  When she reached the path we laughed off  the misadventure. The only evidence of what happened were marks of earth painted on her white pants. This was a date she wouldn't forget.

    After our cliff-hanging moment, we rested, moseying over toward massive boulders that faced the water, sitting on them, Indian style.  Observing the stream rushing towards and around us stilled our hearts.  The water sang as it ran over nearby rocks made smooth by its persistent, watery presence of many decades.

    M____ is a swell person with a tender spirit.  She's a counselor and fun to be with.  I enjoyed our conversations. I didn't think she was traumatized by that event, but writing this story, I now wonder. Hey, reflecting on this date,  I think I know why I haven't seen her since.  I'm a little slow.

My Gratitudes: 

1. It was good seeing M_________, even though we didn't talk.
2. I'm thankful I responded instantly, that day in the forest. I'm grateful for the fond memories stirred by seeing M_____ last night. (No, I'm not interested in pursuing her.)
3. I think I'll take that path soon. I like challenges, vibrancy, stimulation and love being in nature. (No, I'm not crazy---I'll go with someone else, for safety's sake.)
4.  About 750 of you dropped by today---so far.  Thank you, for keeping me company.

Let me know your response and thoughts to today's story.  Remind me not to take you on that hike.

        A reminiscing innkeeper

The Inn Keep(er) Is Kept Out

   Good afternoon everyone,

The above message is what I'm getting every day for the past week and a half. Sometimes there are mini-windows---for 2-3 minutes---where I can access my blog.

      The only page I can use is the administrative page that allows me to write comments. Can anyone help me? I'm stumped. I can take the latest developments in several ways.

     Please advise me.  I'd like to be an attentive innkeeper and the present circumstances make it difficult.

     I'd love hearing your gratitudes. Keep them coming. Let me know your thoughts and responses to what's shared here.

A perplexed but still grateful innkeeper

A Joyful Innkeeper

Be assured that just as an hour is only part of a day, so life on Earth is only part of eternity. (C.L. Allen)

      Hello guests to the Attitude of Gratitude Inn,

How was your day? I had several sessions with clients today, wrote, studied, saw friends, spoke with my sons, rested in the morning

Restoring The Years the Locust Have Eaten Through Service, the Healing Power of God's Love (200th Post) ........................10/30/11

Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the
recognitionof this is the beginning of wisdom.
Theodore Isaac Rubin

     Good evening everyone,

How was your day?  I'm leaving in a bit to ride my bike.  That will be followed with a work out on the gym I have at home.  The weather was great, my football team won and I got rest.

     I'm giving a presenta-tion Wednesday, of the sort that I have never done before. It's service related in two ways: I'll speak on the value of doing service.  I will also give a report, the result of attending a conven-tion in Squaw Valley.  After more than 20 years of public speaking, I enjoy talking on a new to topic.

     For me, doing community service restores the years the locust have eaten.  "Huh?" you say?  Engaged in service can be healing; with a good organization, I experience the healthy aspects of parenting, especially those qualities lacking in my home, when I grew up.

     I represent a non-profit organization. Those I serve thank me, even when they disagree with my point of view while representing them.  They pay my expenses and appreciate my efforts at doing my best.  Those I represent are supportive.  If I seek advice, they don't tell me what to do.  They relate principles that have helped them, in similar circumstances.  Ultimately, they let me decide.    Man, is that healing.  So different from the way I was reared.

      When I need help, I ask for it and get it.  It's not the kind of domineering "assistance" I received as a child.  That type of parenting hovered over me---- like a helicopter---making sure that I do it right, their way.  That did not suit my need for autonomy.  Even as a child, I needed my independence.

      Now, those I serve may share their experience, strength and hope about what I'm doing, if their perspective is different.  But, they allow me to serve any way I want.  Wow.  I appreciate the flexibility and the respect for my individuality and my decisions on their behalf.   The way I'm treated meets my need for autonomy, dignity, and ease.  I don't care for someone watching over my actions, when working and appreciate others who trust my judgment.

      Being treated with flexibility and respect while serving is healing.   I am the trust and support I that was missing as kid.

Maintaining Balance
      Yesterday morning, I gathered with close friends.  Hearing inspired, authentic, insightful conversation was a terrific way to start my weekend.  I love hearing people celebrating growth in their lives.

      I appreciate balance.  It's great connecting with others, laying aside my work for hours.  Usually, I help others.  It's nice having my needs met.  Laughter, smiles, being with joyous others restores my soul.

     This is a special post, did you know that?  Thanks for sharing this time with me.  As of today, in less than 8 months, seven and a half, to be exact, I've written two hundred.

      I enjoy marking century occasions like these.  It's good to know this inn meets the needs of many.

The Transforming Power of God's Love 
Relating with Balcony People.

      Knowing, relating, with a compassionate, patient, forgiving, gracious, and all empowering God humbles me.  It is wonderful knowing a Higher Power who is more patient towards me than I am towards myself. When my real self is loved and accepted, it come out from hiding, get healed and is transformed. The beast of my inner self is transformed into a prince.

     It's easier revealing the vulnerable side of me when I know a God who loves me as I am, defects and all. I'm thankful for His unconditional love. His love is not a token, or begrudging effort. It is genuinely concerned for my happiness and wholeness.  My connection with Him provides the serenity, harmony and the emotional safety I need. Thank you, God!

     It amazes me knowing others who love me unconditionally---they are incarnational ambassadors of God's regard for me. They are my Balcony People. I'm thankful for this supportive network. I'd be more of a mess without them.
An Offer From the Innkeeper:
     If you'd like to know how you can get your own Balcony People, write me. I'd be glad to share with you things that can be done to grow them.  It takes time.  We don't get them overnight, but they are worth the effort.

1. I appreciate each and everyone of you who drop by this home of praise and thanksgiving.
2. I'm thankful for you who drop by and keep me company with your comments.
3. I'm grateful for second chances. Service allows me to experience being overseen, from a positive perspective.
4. I'm grateful for my relationship with God. Apart from Him, I'm rarely effective.
5. Service as the innkeeper makes me grow and is healing. Thank you for joining my journaling of joys in this inn.

How About You?
1.  Do you do any community service? What organizations do you belong to?
2.  What do you like best about doing service?
3.  Do you have a Higher Power? If so, how would you describe the God of your understanding?
4.  What might be your gratitudes for today?

Image: "Northamptonshire: Spring Vista" by Time Blessed. All rights reserved. Used by permission.