I have a confession:
I love walking our dog, Wyatt (this is not the confession part). It's one of my very favorite ways to spend the morning or end the day is on a walk with my furry pal.
Occasionally we will go to a park or green way to beat the monotony of the neighborhood. I love walking amongst my fellow dog lovers. Plus, I really like the cute little "pooper scooper" bags at strategically placed trashcans along the walk.
(I've always liked accessories!)
A while back Shane and I noticed that we never take our own bag out with us to clean up Wyatt's ... well, waste... on our walks in the neighborhood. No one posted the cute little signs with handy scoops in our neighborhood, so it never occurred to me to take my own! (the nerve...)
But, none the less, we committed to be better neighbors and more conscientious of our responsibility (aka: our crap!).
After the decision was made, the next step was to actually remember to grab the bag! Too many times Wyatt and I would be on the other side of the neighborhood when I would see signs that #2 was on the way (you know the "crab walk" and spinning in enough circles to make a merry-go-round dizzy) and then PLOP... I'm embarrassed to admit some of the words that escaped my mouth at these moments when I realized our crap was on display in the neighborhood with no tool to scoop it up without notice. I could feel the eyes of neighbors, that must be on the other side of the windows, casting voodoo on me and my dog!
Eventually the walks became crappy... because I felt like crap for not cleaning up the crap!
A plan was made to keep the plastic bags with the leash so we would always be prepared!
Now that I have the bag with me for every walk, I've noticed the enjoyment is coming back. When Wyatt does what is natural, there is no ill energy, only a pause to pick up the poo, and off we go to chase rabbits or smell fire hydrants. The way the walks with dogs should be!
But, something else started to happen now that I have this bag full of poop. Now, when I walk by cigarette butts,water bottles, or other liter, I have room to pick it up and add it to our crap!
Little by little I started understanding that I can't help with the crap of the world, or my neighbor's crap, unless I first take responsibility for my own crap! Then, when I focus on what I need to do, I have more room to help others!
If you are focused on other's crap, turn your attention to how you can clean up your own. You'll be amazed at how this frees you to then help others in ways you couldn't (or didn't have the tools for!) before.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Be Brave
"Do one thing every day that scares you" Eleanor Roosevelt
I recently heard about a blogger's challenge, inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt's words found on a greeting card in a local arts supplies store. This blogger vowed, after feeling moved and further reflecting on this quote, to do one thing every day that scared her. She received much response from this commitment and decided to name her quest: The Be Brave Project.
I was so intrigued by this project and also felt the shift in my spirit to challenge myself to take on this adventure. Will I do it everyday? Don't think so. But, I do think it's a worthy goal... mainly because that which we fear often can propel us to another, more meaningful state. The only thing that blocks us is our fear.
Think of what represents bravery to you. What are some times in your life when you felt brave?
Was it when you had your first child?
When you told the boss you were leaving?
When you sky dived?
When you ended a negative relationship?
Joined the military? Started a new project?
Whatever it was, out of all the times you can remember being brave, were any of those times absent of fear?
For most of our experiences, the times when we remember being the most brave are also the times we were most afraid.
Yet, when we are afraid, we feel like we just can't do anything!
Remember that fear is the shadow cast beside us as we walk. As long as we are moving, we are being courageous. When we become still and lifeless, like our shadow, we are encompassing fear, not embracing our bravery.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Long Time no Blog
It's been a while...
I feel like I am starting a conversation with an old friend. Except, should this blog be a live person, I would begin the conversation with my usual defense - humor. I'd say, "Hi Stranger!" to this person who likely new me inside and out. Or my personal favorite, "Long time no talk". To which there would be a chuckle and we would move on with our dialogue as if there had never been any time apart. The way true friends do, we would catch up as if we never skipped a beat.
The truth is that I have wanted to get back into blogging for quite some time. I wish I could say that I took some grand sabbatical to take care of myself and reconnect with my spirit and God in deep meditation and prayer. That would be an incredible excuse for the almost four month delay in entries.
No such deep journey into my soul has occured over the last four months. In fact, due to my busy schedule (don't feel too sorry for me - I work hard and play hard) I have ignored my blogging (and changing my air filters, going to gym and was late on more than one bill if you must know).
What happened?
One day I am checking my blog religiously, am obsessive about my bill payments and had an immaculately clean house (well, maybe not immaculately clean). Four months later I have dusty vents, a late payment and no participation into one of my favorite past times.
What's worse is that I decided I wanted to get back into blogging on my birthday. That was June 12 and yes, I realize it's almost two months later.
Why didn't I just sit down that instant and do what I wanted to do? Say what I wanted to say?
Oh, it hasn't been a lack of words... you didn't think that did you? I have had plenty to say. And those that love me best would like nothing more than for me to say it to this keyboard again.... if you know what I mean.
No lack of thoughts... but, I have had this feeling that I have to begin again in a GRAND, Earth shattering, soul moving, "changed my life" kind of way.
You know how it is when it's been a while, just any old entrance will not do.
My high school reunion is this month. It's been ten years since we all were last together in the same room. Just any outfit out of the closet will not do. Stained yellow teeth will not suffice. Roots three inches long will not be acceptable! I have all but called Extreme Makeover to consider me for the next show.
Ridiculous really. I haven't blogged, not because I didn't have anything to say, but because I thought my words would not be good enough to begin again after all this time.
Plus all those other worries: Could I keep up with it? Have I lost my creativity? Did I want to expose myself after all this time? Would my excuses/apologies be enough? Would people still accept me?
That's just the tip of the ice burg of anxiety I had about beginning to blog again.
But, not unlike what we do everyday. We have a family member or friend we just lost touch with and we miss them dearly. We think about them, pray for them and never pick up the phone. WHY? Well... fear and shame I suppose. Those poisonous qualities that leave us pause for too long.
This week ignore thinking up excuses or refuse to let fear stand in your way. Reconnect with something or someone you love. It matters less about how you look, what you say or how good you are at it. What' s most important is that you show up and give it a chance.
I feel like I am starting a conversation with an old friend. Except, should this blog be a live person, I would begin the conversation with my usual defense - humor. I'd say, "Hi Stranger!" to this person who likely new me inside and out. Or my personal favorite, "Long time no talk". To which there would be a chuckle and we would move on with our dialogue as if there had never been any time apart. The way true friends do, we would catch up as if we never skipped a beat.
The truth is that I have wanted to get back into blogging for quite some time. I wish I could say that I took some grand sabbatical to take care of myself and reconnect with my spirit and God in deep meditation and prayer. That would be an incredible excuse for the almost four month delay in entries.
No such deep journey into my soul has occured over the last four months. In fact, due to my busy schedule (don't feel too sorry for me - I work hard and play hard) I have ignored my blogging (and changing my air filters, going to gym and was late on more than one bill if you must know).
What happened?
One day I am checking my blog religiously, am obsessive about my bill payments and had an immaculately clean house (well, maybe not immaculately clean). Four months later I have dusty vents, a late payment and no participation into one of my favorite past times.
What's worse is that I decided I wanted to get back into blogging on my birthday. That was June 12 and yes, I realize it's almost two months later.
Why didn't I just sit down that instant and do what I wanted to do? Say what I wanted to say?
Oh, it hasn't been a lack of words... you didn't think that did you? I have had plenty to say. And those that love me best would like nothing more than for me to say it to this keyboard again.... if you know what I mean.
No lack of thoughts... but, I have had this feeling that I have to begin again in a GRAND, Earth shattering, soul moving, "changed my life" kind of way.
You know how it is when it's been a while, just any old entrance will not do.
My high school reunion is this month. It's been ten years since we all were last together in the same room. Just any outfit out of the closet will not do. Stained yellow teeth will not suffice. Roots three inches long will not be acceptable! I have all but called Extreme Makeover to consider me for the next show.
Ridiculous really. I haven't blogged, not because I didn't have anything to say, but because I thought my words would not be good enough to begin again after all this time.
Plus all those other worries: Could I keep up with it? Have I lost my creativity? Did I want to expose myself after all this time? Would my excuses/apologies be enough? Would people still accept me?
That's just the tip of the ice burg of anxiety I had about beginning to blog again.
But, not unlike what we do everyday. We have a family member or friend we just lost touch with and we miss them dearly. We think about them, pray for them and never pick up the phone. WHY? Well... fear and shame I suppose. Those poisonous qualities that leave us pause for too long.
This week ignore thinking up excuses or refuse to let fear stand in your way. Reconnect with something or someone you love. It matters less about how you look, what you say or how good you are at it. What' s most important is that you show up and give it a chance.
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