Garage Band Carmen de Bizet
Enjoy,
rlw
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Monday, November 19, 2012
GRATITUDE - November 19, 2012
I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE EXPERIENCING THE CREATIVITY OF GREAT MUSIC.
Now, here is the term "Garage Band" taken to new dimensions. The French have a creative edge up on this one.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
GRATITUDE - November 18, 2012
I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN A PORTION OF MY PREVIOUS TYPE A PERESONALITY IN RETIREMENT.
Prior to the heart issues and Tonsil Cancer, my Type A, always in charge, personality was in full swing. Confrontations with health situations I couldn't stare down, yell down, command down, fire, suspend without pay, demote, outsmart, outwit, or negotiate with, is a humbling experience. In retrospect, it was probably one of the better experiences I needed to have in my life. Definitely unwanted, but needed. Begging, pleading doesn't work so well either, as was trying to dominate the situation.
Acceptance and a determined mindset to explore the possibilities of what I could do and could control, in a somewhat uncontrollable situation, was my best and most positive option (there are negative options, but we don't go there).
The past four and a half years have been good for slowing down, mentally pacing myself,enjoying the view along the journey, instead of trying to get to somewhere, quickly. Perhaps that is why, at the end of my working life, I went from full time to part-time, to really part-time to 'done' (it picked up speed at the end).
That change made it much easier to slip into retirement. Type A personalities don't generally do well in retirement and prefer to work until they drop. It isn't about the money, it is much bigger and ominus spector than that. An interesting article I read today about hard-driven Type A people, not soing so well in retirement, has this interesting observation:
"What’s more, life is unstructured when you’re a retiree. You don’t have meetings lined up for you at specified times; it’s up to you to plot your day, your week, your month — your life. It can be exasperating for a Type A.
Although I feel I am dong fine in retirement, it is highly likely that it is because I have successfully replaced the pressure and stress of somebody else's world with my own personal version. I have always been a list person, and have burned through thousands of note pages in my life, of a constantly updating, "to-do" list. Much pleasure in 'crossing off' items on the list.
Although there are a myriad of post-it notes, notebooks of all sizes, loose pages, discarded envelopes and even napkins with, sometimes, illegiable lists of things I must, would/could/should, or like to do. They are everywhere.
My daughter showed me recently how to use an app on my smart phone to keep my lists under 'tasks'. I have one for groceries, music/songs I want to learn, repairs to the rentals, the backyard projects, the garage projects, for this blog, for my other blogs, an urgent one for 'TODAY' (like get up 5:55a, make coffee for Lise, make breakfast, pack lunches, drop Sarah off at school, go to the gym, pick Sarah up from high school, take Sarah to ballet, pick Sarah up from ballet, make dinner...hmmm) and more than one entitled 'To Do'. I discovered that there is a finite number of bytes/characters available under each task heading category. I am almost full-up on my 'To Do -version 3'. The lists grow faster than I can get them crossed off. Golf and T.V. will never make the list - no time.
I hadn't realized my personal lists were so large. Perhaps this is why I enjoy my retirement days so much. I'm pressured somewhat with a daunting list of projects, BUT, they are all mine and each cross-off gives me much pleasure. It is the perfect type of stress...several cool things I want to do...'how many can I cross off daily?' (will be crossing off 'write Gratitude Blog today' in a few minutes).
Today's list includes: hour walk with Lise (break in the rain), record a new song on video - edit and upload to YouTube and download again into MP3 format to make cds, list 'free' plastic deck panels to pick up at one of the rentals / and sell oak sideboard on Craig's list. I never get to the end of a list.
Gotta' go - things to do.
rlw
Prior to the heart issues and Tonsil Cancer, my Type A, always in charge, personality was in full swing. Confrontations with health situations I couldn't stare down, yell down, command down, fire, suspend without pay, demote, outsmart, outwit, or negotiate with, is a humbling experience. In retrospect, it was probably one of the better experiences I needed to have in my life. Definitely unwanted, but needed. Begging, pleading doesn't work so well either, as was trying to dominate the situation.
Acceptance and a determined mindset to explore the possibilities of what I could do and could control, in a somewhat uncontrollable situation, was my best and most positive option (there are negative options, but we don't go there).
The past four and a half years have been good for slowing down, mentally pacing myself,enjoying the view along the journey, instead of trying to get to somewhere, quickly. Perhaps that is why, at the end of my working life, I went from full time to part-time, to really part-time to 'done' (it picked up speed at the end).That change made it much easier to slip into retirement. Type A personalities don't generally do well in retirement and prefer to work until they drop. It isn't about the money, it is much bigger and ominus spector than that. An interesting article I read today about hard-driven Type A people, not soing so well in retirement, has this interesting observation:
"What’s more, life is unstructured when you’re a retiree. You don’t have meetings lined up for you at specified times; it’s up to you to plot your day, your week, your month — your life. It can be exasperating for a Type A.
Finally, — and this may sound a little strange —
come up with something that will add pressure and stress to your life. “That’s
not compatible with the traditional idea of retirement,” he notes. “I had a
buddy who is doing the Ironman Triathlon at 60. He’s creating his own
pressure.”
For a Type A, pressure and stress just seem to make life
worth living."Although I feel I am dong fine in retirement, it is highly likely that it is because I have successfully replaced the pressure and stress of somebody else's world with my own personal version. I have always been a list person, and have burned through thousands of note pages in my life, of a constantly updating, "to-do" list. Much pleasure in 'crossing off' items on the list.
Although there are a myriad of post-it notes, notebooks of all sizes, loose pages, discarded envelopes and even napkins with, sometimes, illegiable lists of things I must, would/could/should, or like to do. They are everywhere.
My daughter showed me recently how to use an app on my smart phone to keep my lists under 'tasks'. I have one for groceries, music/songs I want to learn, repairs to the rentals, the backyard projects, the garage projects, for this blog, for my other blogs, an urgent one for 'TODAY' (like get up 5:55a, make coffee for Lise, make breakfast, pack lunches, drop Sarah off at school, go to the gym, pick Sarah up from high school, take Sarah to ballet, pick Sarah up from ballet, make dinner...hmmm) and more than one entitled 'To Do'. I discovered that there is a finite number of bytes/characters available under each task heading category. I am almost full-up on my 'To Do -version 3'. The lists grow faster than I can get them crossed off. Golf and T.V. will never make the list - no time.
I hadn't realized my personal lists were so large. Perhaps this is why I enjoy my retirement days so much. I'm pressured somewhat with a daunting list of projects, BUT, they are all mine and each cross-off gives me much pleasure. It is the perfect type of stress...several cool things I want to do...'how many can I cross off daily?' (will be crossing off 'write Gratitude Blog today' in a few minutes).
Today's list includes: hour walk with Lise (break in the rain), record a new song on video - edit and upload to YouTube and download again into MP3 format to make cds, list 'free' plastic deck panels to pick up at one of the rentals / and sell oak sideboard on Craig's list. I never get to the end of a list.
Gotta' go - things to do.
rlw
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Blogs
YouTube
Saturday, November 17, 2012
GRATITUDE - November 17, 2012
I AM GRATEFUL FOR ENJOYING A WONDERFUL MOMENT OF RETIREMENT.
Yesterday.
Cold, rainy day.
Breaks in the clouds for bits of sun to shine through.
Fantastic light for photographs.
Fireplace glowing.
Whiffs of hot-mulled wine on the stove.
A Friday.
A workday for most.
Not for me.
Took snapshots of my wet, leaf strewn backyard.
My oasis.
My resort.
Beautiful, even in the winter.
Raindrops glistening.
Wind blowing through the leafless trees.
Warm and dry inside.
Retired.
Happy.
...not exactly Haiku, but it will do...
rlw
Yesterday.
Cold, rainy day.
Breaks in the clouds for bits of sun to shine through.
Fantastic light for photographs.
Fireplace glowing.
Whiffs of hot-mulled wine on the stove.
A Friday.A workday for most.
Not for me.
Took snapshots of my wet, leaf strewn backyard.My oasis.
My resort.
Beautiful, even in the winter.
Raindrops glistening.
Wind blowing through the leafless trees.
Warm and dry inside.
Retired.
Happy.
...not exactly Haiku, but it will do...rlw
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Blogs
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Friday, November 16, 2012
GRATITUDE - November 16, 2012
I AM GRATEFUL FOR HAVING EYES TO SEE AND THE TECHNOLOGY TO EXTEND MY VIEW.
There are just 45 more days in 2012. Unless, of course, you subscribe to the predictions of the Mayans that life, as we know it, will cease on December 21, 2012. With the current unrest in the Middle East and nuclear capabilities of many nations, there seems to be possibilities, dangerous to us all.
We take so much around us for granted everyday. If we knew there was a finite amount of time for us individually or globally, how would we see life and natural creations right before us, unnoticed by our blind eye. They may not physically be in front of you, but exists, nonetheless, throughout the world. The miracle of the World Wide Web puts us just a click away from appreciating the natural and man-made wonders that exist on this planet and the heavens above.
The World Health Organization estimates that there are approximately 161 million visually impaired people in the world with 35 million people totally blind to the physical appreciation of the beauty around them. What do you have in your life to be grateful to be able to see?
Seventy-two percent (72%) of the world's population has no internet access and can't see this blog or this link or be able to appreciate what they would see if they could. If you are reading this, be thankful and enjoy.
OUR AMAZING WORLD
rlw
There are just 45 more days in 2012. Unless, of course, you subscribe to the predictions of the Mayans that life, as we know it, will cease on December 21, 2012. With the current unrest in the Middle East and nuclear capabilities of many nations, there seems to be possibilities, dangerous to us all.
We take so much around us for granted everyday. If we knew there was a finite amount of time for us individually or globally, how would we see life and natural creations right before us, unnoticed by our blind eye. They may not physically be in front of you, but exists, nonetheless, throughout the world. The miracle of the World Wide Web puts us just a click away from appreciating the natural and man-made wonders that exist on this planet and the heavens above.
The World Health Organization estimates that there are approximately 161 million visually impaired people in the world with 35 million people totally blind to the physical appreciation of the beauty around them. What do you have in your life to be grateful to be able to see?Seventy-two percent (72%) of the world's population has no internet access and can't see this blog or this link or be able to appreciate what they would see if they could. If you are reading this, be thankful and enjoy.
OUR AMAZING WORLD
rlw
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Blogs
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Thursday, November 15, 2012
GRATITUDE - November 15, 2012
I AM GRATEFUL FOR ENJOYING AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY.
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For the most part, I have embraced the journey, not the destination, philosophy and it has stood we well over the years. The analogy most can understand is to close your eyes and think about two moments:
First: It is 8 pm on Christmas eve with all the presents under the tree with your name on them and boxes certainly big enough to hold a train (pretty new dresses) , a pony and a complete set of GI Joes (Barbies). All things are possible. You have practically uncontrollable overflowing emotions of excitement. You are almost there. You have been good for an excruciatingly long time (perhaps, even two whole weeks) It is almost Christmas. You are almost there.
Second: It is 5 pm on Christmas day. All the packages are open. You don't have enough batteries and two of the toys don't work anymore. The buzz is gone. You are coming down off your holiday high. You had a good Christmas experience, but the glitter isn't quite what you imagined. The train doesn't move as fast as you would like and just goes around in an endless loop and you have to put it away after you play with it each time (bummer). The pretty blue dress with the strawberries is just like the one MaryLou wore two weeks ago when she made fun of you and you are bummed. The pony turned out to be a paint by numbers watercolor set with a book of how to draw horses. The GI Joes are still pretty cool and because they are plastic, the likelyhood of breaking is nil. The Barbies are great and you can tuck them into bed on the pillow next to you tonight (perhaps the new play scissors can give barbie a new 'bob" first and you can try again to get Mom's lipstick to stick to her perfect smiling face).
Tell me true. The exhilleration of the journey far exceeded the destination. The happiness and joy during the weeks leading up to Christmas, compounded, dwarfs those ten minutes to get all the boxes unwrapped on Christmas Day.
For the most part, I have embraced the journey, not the destination, philosophy and it has stood we well over the years. The analogy most can understand is to close your eyes and think about two moments:First: It is 8 pm on Christmas eve with all the presents under the tree with your name on them and boxes certainly big enough to hold a train (pretty new dresses) , a pony and a complete set of GI Joes (Barbies). All things are possible. You have practically uncontrollable overflowing emotions of excitement. You are almost there. You have been good for an excruciatingly long time (perhaps, even two whole weeks) It is almost Christmas. You are almost there.
Second: It is 5 pm on Christmas day. All the packages are open. You don't have enough batteries and two of the toys don't work anymore. The buzz is gone. You are coming down off your holiday high. You had a good Christmas experience, but the glitter isn't quite what you imagined. The train doesn't move as fast as you would like and just goes around in an endless loop and you have to put it away after you play with it each time (bummer). The pretty blue dress with the strawberries is just like the one MaryLou wore two weeks ago when she made fun of you and you are bummed. The pony turned out to be a paint by numbers watercolor set with a book of how to draw horses. The GI Joes are still pretty cool and because they are plastic, the likelyhood of breaking is nil. The Barbies are great and you can tuck them into bed on the pillow next to you tonight (perhaps the new play scissors can give barbie a new 'bob" first and you can try again to get Mom's lipstick to stick to her perfect smiling face).
Tell me true. The exhilleration of the journey far exceeded the destination. The happiness and joy during the weeks leading up to Christmas, compounded, dwarfs those ten minutes to get all the boxes unwrapped on Christmas Day.
"Attaining lasting happiness requires that we enjoy the
journey on
our way toward a destination we deem valuable. Happiness is not
about making it to the peak of the mountain nor is it about
climbing aimlessly around the mountain; happiness is the experience
of climbing toward the peak." - Tal Ben
"I humbily submit that the hours spent on your journey to your goals are far better than the actual arrival, when we embrace the process rather than the end." - rlw
- Robert Welton: Twitter
our way toward a destination we deem valuable. Happiness is not
about making it to the peak of the mountain nor is it about
climbing aimlessly around the mountain; happiness is the experience
of climbing toward the peak." - Tal Ben
"I humbily submit that the hours spent on your journey to your goals are far better than the actual arrival, when we embrace the process rather than the end." - rlw
- Robert Welton: Twitter
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Wednesday, November 14, 2012
GRATITUDE - November 14, 2012
I AM GRATEFUL FOR BEING MOVED BY ACTS OF KINDNESS.
If you never learn the language of gratitude, you will never be on speaking terms with happiness.
A father and mother kissing their dying little girl good-bye.
If you are wondering why all the medic people are bowing . .
in less than an hour, two small children in the next room are able to live, thanks to the little girl's kidney and liver.
Pictures are certainly worth a thousand words.
rlw
If you never learn the language of gratitude, you will never be on speaking terms with happiness.
A father and mother kissing their dying little girl good-bye.
If you are wondering why all the medic people are bowing . .
in less than an hour, two small children in the next room are able to live, thanks to the little girl's kidney and liver.
Pictures are certainly worth a thousand words.
rlw
· My
Blogs
YouTube
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
GRATITUDE - November 13, 2012
I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND ABILITY TO RECORD MY LIFE - pt 2.
"If your life is worth living, it's worth
recording."
- Anthony Robbins
- Anthony Robbins
rlw
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