This Week's Panic Attack

My PHONE!

I just had it and it’s nowhere to be found. I haven’t left the house, but I’ve searched every room and cannot find it. 

I was on my way to fulfill one of life’s mundane tasks when I noticed the absence of this device. The feeling was identical to the panic when I misplaced a credit card. In both circumstances, the loss could be disastrous! 

The Bear, The Turtle, and Thanksgiving

Today, I'm going to start with a word association game. Since I am not asking for results, you are completely safe in your own psychological cocoon. 

Besides, ask anyone. I do not play games. No Monopoly. No Scrabble. Nope, not even Simon Says.

So, here's the test. Write down the first word that comes to your mind when someone says:

• Bear
• Turtle
• Thanksgiving

A Great Parking Space

I was in a hurry.  It happens all the time – rushing here and there without enough time to get everything done. But it has always struck me as weird that the more I rush, the more obstacles I seem to face.  Maybe it just happens to me or maybe it happens to everybody:

• Running out of time, you turn the corner and find a road-block.  Yes sometimes actual road closures, detours or stand-still traffic.  
• You’re stopped by one red light after another after another.  Can I get a break here!!?
• You choose a checkout lane because there is one person in front of you and she has only a few items. Well, it turns out that she’s got coupons but some are expired, she demands that the clerk call some department or another because one of those items was supposed to be on sale and of course, she doesn’t have enough cash but can’t get the credit card terminal to work.   
• The never-stops-talking-neighbor decides that this is a good time to discuss something serious.  
• The boss decides that even though it’s the end of the day, this would be a good time for a ‘quick’ meeting.  

Muscle Memory & Gratefulness - Part 4

If you're still with me, maybe you're in agreement that sometimes it's necessary to work on things in order to get better at things.

We've been talking about muscle/motor memory and gratitude.  They don't seem to fit together but the point would be; if we want to get better at recognizing gifts and responding immediately and graciously, we will need to work on it.

How?

Muscle Memory & Gratefulness - Part 2

In the last post, short descriptions and examples were reported for the words muscle memory and motor memory. Gratefulness was only briefly mentioned and just a small amount of time was spent connecting the two thoughts.

An initial response might be to ask why this connection is important.

First, the ability to do hundreds of things without conscious thought makes living manageable.

Second, it would be my guess that most of us believe that we are grateful people.  We would also agree that sometimes, we forget.  Since we occasionally need reminders, let's consider how it may be possible for gratitude to be our default position.  What if our very first thought was, "Thank you"?

Growing up I remember hearing, "Did you write Grandma a thank you note for your birthday present?"  "Did you send thank you cards to the people that sent a gift for your graduation?"

About that wedding day, how long did it take to get those cards out?

There are hundreds of like examples.  Every day I'm sure that I miss being grateful somewhere. Let's start with the fact that I was wonderfully created by a loving God!  How often do I miss THAT one?

Muscle Memory & Gratefulness - Part 1

It's been nearly 8 months since I sold my condo and began a nomadic lifestyle.  I've been with family (thank you!), with friends (again - thanks!) and in hotels.  Shortly, I think I'll plant myself in a more permanent location.  Thank you!

You might think from the first paragraph that gratefulness during times like this is important.  Of course it is.  But what has that to do with muscle memory?

Muscle memory (or perhaps a better term, motor memory) has been on my mind lately.

Take a moment to consider the number of unconscious decisions and motions that we make just walking up stairs. (As I write this, I realize that typing is another example.)

Bend your knee and lift your left leg up towards your chest about 8 inches in order to clear the riser. While leaning toward the stairway slightly, move your leg forward 6 inches bringing it to the center of the stair. Place your left foot on the riser.  Put your weight on the left foot while you lift your right leg at the knee moving it up towards your chest about 8 inches.  Again, move it forward and then down letting it rest next to your left leg.  With additional forward lean, use the muscle in your thigh to pull your body up the stair.  When this is complete, center your weight on both feet. Do this 22 times.


How much thought do you give to getting out of bed in the morning?

Re-Purpose

You might have an iPhone.
You might have an Android.

You'll make a case for why you've chosen one over the other.

Google is making a case for individual customization with their ad campaign;
"Be Together, Not the Same". 
(The link will take you to YouTube if your device doesn't display the video below) 

Now I lay me down to sleep . . .

Long ago, I was taught this everybody-knows-it bedtime prayer.  I always thought it a bit scary, though.

And, like many "traditional" prayers, it has become so common that we tend to just zip right through it by rote memory.  That's a little scary, too.

How sincere might any prayer be when it takes just seconds to recite and then, moments later, you might not even remember saying it?

Short Bursts of Coolness

I'm a news watcher.

Normally, I start with the national news.  A dose of micro-local as well as expanded local programming follows.  It doesn't take that long because I fast-forward through commercials and duplicate news stories.

And, nearly every day, I ask myself, "why"?

If you're news-current, I won't need to explain.  If you're not so up to date, let's just say that with the exception of Steve Hartman's On the Road Again, watching the news can be depressing.

Which Way is Happiness?

Since I'm directionally challenged, I checked my app.  Happiness is not searchable on Waze.

It isn't knocking on my door and frankly, I'm a little tired of waiting for the Prize Patrol.  Even if they did show up, I'm not sure they'd be bringing any happiness with them.

Facebook?  Twitter?  Don't bother.

Hand slapping forehead. I feel so stupid.  I should have just clicked the Supreme Guru of Information.  Google.

Searching "How to Find Happiness" returns 73 Million hits within 0.53 seconds.  Start reading and be happy!

Morning has broken

The dew-point is in the mid 60's.
Uncomfortable, but it might be dropping.
Slowly, though.

Puddles from last night's rain are in the way.
Avoiding some - possible.
The rest? Thank you Gore-Tex.

The sun is shining.
The birds are singing.
It smells fresh - clean, even.

Pandora keeps me company.
The David Haas channel today.
Cat Stevens sings

Truth by Humor

Chuck Lorre Vanity Cards - Click Here

If' you're familiar with Chuck Lorre, you'll know that he's been writing Vanity Cards for years.

Bean Blessings

Bless us Oh Lord and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen.

You've probably said that - maybe a million times.  Yea, me too.  It's one of those prayers we learn as a child and can say in about a quarter of a second as we reach for our favorite dish.

And what's the first thing I reach for every day?