Sometimes it's about finding joy...

So yesterday I was at my parents' house doing some yard work. In the midst of doing said work I realized that I really enjoyed it. I wasn't worrying about getting everything done, I was just enjoying the moment. It was a moment of realization: if I stop complaining and begrudging the things I do, things which I have chosen to do, I may just find some joy.

I suck at blogging...

After a great start at creating, and attempting to maintain, a new blog I failed after just one post. Perhaps "failed" is too harsh a word. "Forgot" is more likely. I forgot to take the time out to post what I want. I forgot to take time for me. I was recently reminded in a blog I follow that there are too many "forgots" in this world. Remembering to take that hour to pray, eat mindfully, reflect, commune with nature, and just slowing down for a moment is what is really important. How many of us are caught up in our check-ins, our facebook updates, emails, texts, phone calls? What would happen if we just took an hour and put our "have-to" lists asides?

The world would not end, that's for sure. It would continue. The text messages, emails, and phone calls will wait. And perhaps, just for an hour, we could feel whole again. At peace with nature.

So today I challenge myself, and anyone who dares to, to take an hour out and just be.

The New Wave...

Everytime I turn around someone is blaming a "new wave" of something on things they don't like. The new wave of parents are to blame for children who don't listen at school; the new wave of teachers are to blame for children who can't read/write/spell; the new wave of therapy is to blame for people who can't handle their emotions. Why are we so resistant to change? And why are we so centered on what we feel is wrong? Is it our nature as humans to complain, or is this another "new wave" happening?

I look around at my job and all I see are people who are unhappy. I sometimes wonder if I am one of them. Sure, I do my share of complaining, but is it just small venting or do I too partake in the "woe is me" crap that happens all the time? If I have been doing that, I am now determined to stop it. It just isn't constructive. I realize that ninety percent of my coworkers' days are spent complaining and saying what they would do if... When the situation arises that they have already speculated about, they shy away and don't go through with their plans of action.

This weak-willed, run off at the mouth but don't do anything type of living doesn't seem to work well. If all of my day is spent angry and determined to complain, then how I can help change the problems? The truth is that I can't sit her and complain about all my coworkers if I am not willing to change. So from today on, I refuse to complain! I will do what I can to change what I can and accept what is. If nothing else, I should have a much lower blood pressure!