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Stepping Back

Many of us enjoy and strive to live by a simple lifestyle. It doesn’t mean it will be easier, but living with intention in life. Getting out and visiting the ‘Brick and Mortar’ stores, actually going to the market to get groceries, taking care of business in person, and having physical leisure time. Spending less time in front of a screen and getting back to spending more time outdoors, getting involved with community activities, sitting around the dinner table in the evenings and sharing a meal with the family.

Over the last several weeks, I have slowly removed myself from time on a device and removed the apps on my devices (cell phone). I started using the cell phone for what it was intended for, and nothing more unless I have to. While at work, keeping the phone in my bag and not in a pocket or where I can have it at hand. Instead, I give my job the time that they are paying me to do and stay focused on that job. If there is an emergency my kids know to call the company and have someone come and get me. Most companies do allow breaks and lunches, and that is the time to check for calls. It really feels good as I have become more relaxed, and doing more and using the devices as they were originally intended to be use.

Yes, it takes a little more effort, but it really feels good mentally and physically. Instead of over-use of the devices and burning out the brain, I now started picking up a book to read in my free time, keeping a journal and planner with me to keep notes and journal as I go through the day. Basically, functioning as we use to do before the day of every household having a computer or mobile phone.

Too many have lost the ability to know how to verbally communicate to one another, anymore.
We have become so dependent on modern computers to do most everything for us that we struggle in a lot of areas of life like reading, writing, spelling, mathematics, and problem solving. We have lost the ability to personally socialize, and get out and meet people. People are always in a hurry to get to and from, without a simple hello. I remember how nice it was to receive a letter and/or a card in the mail. Having a pen-pal and waiting for that response daily. It’s nice to have something real and tangible in your hand that you can go back to to look at and cherish those moments.

We have lost a lot of simple ways of life that has carried us through decades of joy… And it is real in the sense that it can be touched by the hand. We are so quick to support the eCommerce that our family started stores and smaller stores are closing their doors. Even strangers are picking out our groceries, and all we have to do is pick them up.

I have observed what is around us for a very long time, and have started taking back control in my life and not giving it up to online robots. No, we may not be able to get completely free of some online activity like work, but I am doing as much as I can to remove my footprint and do things in a real world sense. Having something to look forward to through the day as I go about the daily routine. It’s becoming a more dangerous world online as the robots become more sophisticated and learn more and more about the user. With all of this being said, my goal for the future is living life in the real-time as we talk about and hear, and spend less time online.

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The Gift Of Life

The greatest gift that an individual can receive is the ‘Gift of Life’. There is no other earthly gift that can surpass this one. Without it, we would not be able to receive any other gift. And that is where I can say, “I am grateful for my mother.” There are no words to express the love of our mothers… My mother. The sacrifices that have been made to insure that I had the best upbringing that was possibly given all the way to her last breath. In her last moments she didn’t want to be bother, she was busy praying for those she was leaving behind. She didn’t want to leave us and she fought all the way, but finally the last words that stood out was, “God has this!” She knew she was leaving the rehab facility to not go to her physical home, but she was going to the greatest home of all. And then, as she was dying she was still being my mother and watching out for me and making sure I knew she loved me. A mother’s love cannot compare to anything else.

Life is a gift. And in life we have chooses to make, we have responsibilities, and serious decisions to make. That doesn’t mean we won’t make bad chooses, mistakes, or really fall short in what we do or say, but even in that we do have the choose to try to make things right. We can bring joy and love to another or sadness and heartbreak, we have a choose. We are given the freedom to choose, and it is up to us to make the right one.

Life is complex, but within it it is still our gift from our (my mother) mothers and ultimately from God. It provides us with plenty of twist and turns through it. It offers the chance to grow and become something better than before. It allows us to have disagreements large or small, and behind it the opportunity to work out those differences. My mother and I didn’t always agree on each others chooses, but we respected each other and knew in the end that God had control. Love always overcame our differences. And love can still overcome anything difficult that we may face, today.

I miss my mother very much! I lived and grew in her womb for seven months. When it was time, I enter this life on the outside to grow, flourish, and learn life’s lessons. That happened only because she was willing through love to share in that gift of life. She was and still is my best friend. We did most everything together as we were getting older. We had ongoing daily dialog beginning very early morning before the sun was up, and our night closed with a phone call to say good night and I love you.
On the way to work one morning, I realized that one day I will take her hand and leave this life to go to a greater life. I think about the song, ‘Oh What A Day That Will Be’.

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The Way We Were

Have you ever just stopped and looked around or listen to the old stories of people that share what used to be? As I get younger, I often think about the young newspaper boy getting up early in the morning to make his newspaper route, building a community of neighbors watching out for each other and getting to know one another, being able to go to bed with the windows of the home open as you sleep, and the doors to your car and home unlocked. These were times of beauty, when you didn’t have to worry about uninvited guest walking through your door, young boys trying to earn a little spending money with a newspaper stand or bike, and people simply helping each other on there street. There was no fear or shame, just good ole conversation with a few laughs.

When I was a child and young adult, my family would gather together in one home for a meal. We would sit on the front porch swing that hung from the ceiling of the porch with our cousins or roll down the little hill of the front yard. My grandmother or aunt would drop the laundry down the laundry shoot from upstairs or in the kitchen and land in the basement where the laundry was done. We all would sit around the table to have our meals, talk about the day, and sometimes one of us kids would get into trouble. We were never allowed to talk back to our elders… There was a large paddle with our names on it!
No matter where we all met up, it was always at one house, and the same activities would take place. One of my uncles loved to get us kids in the kitchen and teach us how to cook different foods, or we all would sit in the backyard taking our turn to turn the handle on the manual ice cream maker… Oh, these were the days!! A lot of laughter shared!

My father was very much of an outdoors man, and it was bred into my brother and I as we were growing up. We didn’t take trips that only lasted a weekend or a holiday that lasted a week or two. We were gone at least a month at a time, traveling coast-to-coast, border-to-border and sometimes visiting Mexico and Canada.
We camped in Death Valley a month at a time and learned how to survive in the heat to getting stuck up in the mountains in four to five foot of snow, and burning blankets to make smoke signals to get help. We always travel in a small station wagon with 3 adults, seven children, and two dogs. It was a blast!!

When I sit on the front porch early morning or take a long drive these days, I am reminded of the joys that were share when I was growing up. Yes, there are material items and situations that makes us feel nostalgic, but more than anything it is more of what we did as a family. When my kids and grand-kids all gather today, I am reminded of the past, but more so in what is ahead for the future. Family is so important… Stories of the past can enrich the mind of the younger generations. And I call that a blessing.

Daily writing prompt
What makes you feel nostalgic?
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The Rosettes

I’m not sure what sport I would have a deep passion for, but it would be something. There are many sports to choose from, and I would have to take great consideration. There are several sports that I love.

If there was an opportunity to build a sports team, my mascot would be roses. As beautiful as they are, they also symbolize so much. For example, the yellow rose symbolizes ‘Friendship and Platonic Love’ and the red rose symbolizes ‘Love & Passion’. In some places, we also get into spirituality with both colors.

When putting a sports team together, the arousal of friendship and love would bridge and cement the team together. The depth of passion for the sport would clearly be evident in how the team carried themselves. The individuals would be strong, emotionally solid, and gentle as a flower. They would not be afraid of hard work and the willingness to fight the good fight for the trophy… And we would win!

Whatever sport it might be, it would be enjoyable to see it flourish into something grand! As the ladies are carrying a banner of respect, love, and passion for the sport; they too would be gaining lifelong friendships.

Daily writing prompt
If you started a sports team, what would the colors and mascot be?
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Truth Sets You Free

When I was young and green behind the ears, I didn’t pay much attention to political anything. However, today, approaching my 70’s, I pay enough attention to know what is going on and how it will affect my kids and grand-kids, and leave it at that. The years between, the highs and lows, the fighting among parties, the scamming can cause a person to grow old fast if they are paying too close to attention to it. It’s not worth the stress and the worrying about tomorrow. It can make you sick in the long run.

I have realized many things, which I won’t get into it here. What’s more important is living life to the fullest of ability, enjoy family, enjoy the beauty set before us in nature, and pass down history to my grand-kids. Teach them how to take care of a home, take care of business, and always remember that family is the most important… It is all you have at the end of the day. Never shy away from researching out the truth and compare it to multiple minds as it will set you free. Learn about science, and never accept what the masses try to force individuals to accept. Be who you were created to be, and not what others want you to be. Life is too short!

Daily writing prompt
How have your political views changed over time?
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Lush With Life

You get to build your perfect space for reading and writing. What’s it like?

A perfect space requires so much. But my space is around me. Once I step out the door and into the woods, I find all that I need.

The ground is a place to rest with leaves to comfort the body. Wild fruits of berries, grapes, and apples full of sweetness to enjoy. A variety of mushrooms (knowing the right ones to eat), herbs, and greens that freely grow. Quiet as the breeze drifts through the branches of the trees. The songs of birds and crickets sound loud, while the toads carry the base. Background is for the quiet stream that trickles of the rocks.

How perfect it is as the mind opens to all freely given. There is nothing to remind one of the daily chores, but the light in the sky. Space is only written on the heart of that one.

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A Spring From The Ground

Describe a man who has positively impacted your life.

Living in an area with so many fresh springs coming up from the ground, one can feel blessed.

They are fresh, clear, and very cold. Ever flowing from beneath the surface of the ground. They help give life to everything around them. Their calls to drink reaches for miles as life searches to quench the thirst within them. As life reaches one of these streams, they are refreshed and ready to move forward.

The planet protects them from harm, so nothing can penetrate the core of their being as they continually give life. As the streams flow from within, they will never run dry.

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Letting Our Tombstone Speak Loudly

There will come a time when we will take our last breath and will not walk this earth, again. At least, as we know it today. So, why not live such a life that will not be forgotten, and people can speak of us in a respectful and honorable way. A way that would make others say, “I wish I could have met him or her.”

As we approach and are in our ‘Golden Years”, the mind-set changes. Life is approached a different way at levels we don’t look at as we were young and feeling free and invincible. We slow down, do more reflecting on the wisdom gained, and watch things around us. In our Golden Years, we are very much alive and well, and appreciating each day as a gift.

When I think about the end of my life, I would hope words would be expressed such as hard-working, kind, patient, boundaries set, and walk with a light step. My dad used to tell me that, “A man is only as good as his word.” I have tried to live by this each day, with understanding that outside interference can alter what we can and cannot do at times. We don’t have control over outside interference, but do have control of our own choices in the ability of what we can control… Just doing our best!

As we do get older and reflect, wisdom is used to determine what do or don’t do as we lean on the experiences we have had through life. I have had to set firm boundaries, and yet be kind enough to keep from hurting people. And… At times, I have hurt people by saying, “No!” I understand that not everyone is out for my best interest, and most times my response will be “No.”

I love my co-workers and manager! They are enjoyable to be around and work with. I may not altogether agree with them at times, but that is okay. They are still a joy to work with! We spend ten hours a day together, and should be looking for common ground and flexibility with each other to make the day go easier. Because it is a relaxed atmosphere, I always keep chocolates and a variety of candies and cookies with me and share when I have the chance. may hear a good tap-toeing song and grab the arm of another and do a little swing. Or as one of the gentlemen is about my age, we will hear a ‘Golden Oldie’ and do the swing together. All innocent and a time to enjoy each others company, while working. Life is too short to be serious all of the time, even on the job. We need to find ways to have fun and enjoy. the time spent. I have even called another manager an ‘Old Scrooge” because he didn’t like Christmas songs, but all in fun. He would just laugh and go on, expressing his dislike. That too is okay!

I say… Enjoy Life! You only get to do and live it once! Find ways to reach across the table, without compromising your beliefs and standards.

Daily writing prompt
Tell us one thing you hope people say about you.
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No Pain… No gain

What are your favorite physical activities or exercises?

This body that we live in is one that has been uniquely created. It carries us from place to place, gives us the ability to communicate, and processes information through the brain. The body was created to move and not be stationary for very long.

With that being said, outdoor activities is my cup of tea. Walking through the woods or along the water of a river or lake brings such enjoyment. It is a moment to escape the daily routine and enjoy the peace that surrounds the every moment of the walk.

Working in a job that one can like and offers physical labor. I was blessed with a job that offers this. Every part of the body can function, and the lifting allows the muscles to work. Having an awesome manager does help as he gives the freedom to be mobile as long as work is done at the end of the day and the orders are going out.

There is much to do around a home and yard, or even in the fields. The list can go on, and the body is moving, and calories are being burnt. This list never runs out. From house cleaning to mowing the yard. Prunning trees and raising flowers, gardens of sorts in flowers and vegetables, and more of the same makes a wonderful way to exercise and get some fresh air.

Spending time with family members and planning for outings together. Have cookouts, go fishing, or camp for a weekend.

Activities come in a mixture of many and can benefit us as myself.  I enjoy many things that require physical movement, which is considered exercise in some way. In the end, it is activities and can be very enjoyable with the right mind space.

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Beep Beep!

So many cartoons to watch in the 60’s and 70’s, But one of my favorites is the Road Runner. He never could be out-witted by the rabbit. Fast and furious as he moved as fast as lightening with his, “Beep Beep!”

This was an era of good cartoons with characters such as Bullwinkle, Tweety Bird, Bugs and Friends, and so many more. Plenty for a small child to escape into a fantasy of wonder with. As a child, my brother and I, would make a fort out of a large box, have our stick pony, and guns to play cowboys while watching the cartoons.

In came the late 60’s to early 70’s and with it was Scooby-Doo Where Are You? One of my favorites! Every Saturday morning, I would hurry and do my chores, so I could sit down and watch it. This made my day! It had a little comedy and mystery to set the stage. In their little flowered van known as the ‘Mystery Van’ rolling down the road with them in it looking for mysteries to solve. And they didn’t have to go far as the mysteries seem to find them first. Scooby, was everyone’s pal! Shaggy and Scooby was always getting into mischief. What a pair!

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite cartoon?
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