Leap Day

Ha! Such an appropriate day and/or title, as it has been a while since I came over here and sat down to write. I've had issues trying to figure out how to keep this blog following the opening of my gmail account and merge the two, however it frustrated me enough to stay away.....for whatever reason....today I felt the need to write and made my way over without much fuss or fanfare. "Where there's a will, there's a way"! Actually, I think it's more in the way of "If it's meant to be it will happen".

Anyhoo....it's true that I didn't have much to write about but now some things are in the back of my mind and of course that itty bitty shitty committee is having it's own meeting even when I close that door and go to other rooms and try to shift the focus.

It bothers me - the not knowing part, though not as much as it used to - and that's a good thing.

I've received notice over the weekend  that my son has been moved/removed from his w.r. center. So it didn't take me long to form speculations ......
1. He messed up and broke the rules and since this place was a 'no second' chance place - he lost his privileges and all the opportunities that had been put forth before him.
2. He lossed his newly acquired job - a requirement of living within that facility. He loved that job and found it challenging and interesting - though since he called me 4 times while on company time - I'm thinking they didn't like that very much. Heck....I certainly could understand this because as an employer I've instructed my employees that when they came to work it was to work and not to keep up with social life on my time block. Since he called home 4 times - I can imagine that he was calling others as well.

The rules don't seem to apply to him - he disregard them as if it's a joke and/or it doesn't matter....yet, time and time again - he gets caught for breaking them. I feel that when he's truly and honestly ready for a change then he'll do things differently.....in the mean time.....he gets to experience the natural consequences of his actions.

Then yesterday, out of the blue, I get a link from one of my friend....asking me if I had heard of the article she was sharing with me. The article stated that the w.r.center that my son had been at was due to close at the end of March because of lack of funding. Ummm.....so, I'm thinking......did I jump the gun here again with my assumptions of negative actions??  Perhaps the facility is slowly releasing it's members into the reception unit and they will be relocated elsewhere.

Another lesson for me in this.....and that is to remember that "no news is no news" and just to go with the flow. More is always revealed and I need to keep my "Helping" reading in the forefront.....first and foremost. "I will have no thought for the future actions of others, neither expecting them to be better or worse as time goes on, for in such expectations I am really trying to create. I will love and let be. All people are always changing. If I try to judge them, I do so only on what I think I know of them, failing to realize that there is much I do not know. I will give others credit for attempts at progress and for having had many victories which are unknown. I, too, am always changing, and I can make that change a constructive one, if I am willing. I can change myself. Others, I can only love."

Thinking like a butterfly

Monday I was told I was good.
I felt relieved.
Tuesday I was ignored.
I felt invisible.
Wednesday I was snapped at.
I began to doubt myself.
On Thursday I was rejected.
Now I was afraid.
On Saturday I was thanked
for being me. My soul relaxed.
On Sunday I was left alone
till the part of me that can’t
be influenced grew tired of
submitting and resisting.
Monday I was told I was good.
By Tuesday I got off the wheel.
by Mark Nepo

Snow patches in the Keys

Well, it just looks like snow patches, it's actually limestone which is now quite visible after the control burn that took place earlier last year.....which turned out to be an out of control burn, but that's another story.

Gentle connection and trust.

Happy New Year!

So, another year has come and gone. I don't often realize how much actually transpires and how things unfold until I look back and take notice.
Just the other day I was looking for a photo in my digital camera and as I scrolled through the past few months of this past year, I realized how many places that I had been to and how many friends that I was able to connect with. It was a  great aha moments and an opportunity to express gratitude.
Now another year is here and I look forward to all the little surprises that it has in store for me.
Not only is it a new calendar year with many agendas for me already in place but also many new beginnings taking place in my immediate family and I rejoice in that.
My oldest son and his wife are expecting their first baby and I am thrilled for them and this new experience to go through.
My mother has finally been placed in the assisted living location that she has been waiting and hoping for, for the past 6 months.
My youngest son has been granted a privilege of being in a theraputic facility while he finishes his prison term. This is a great opportunity for him and I hope that he uses it for it's intent and purposes and will get to experience a healthy growth as a result. It's up to him to make it work for him and for his sake, I hope that he does.
I feel really good and I'm happy for the current set of events.....I am grateful.

Thanksgiving 2011

Time for appreciation and to remember what really matters.
On this Thanksgiving i want to say that I am grateful for.....
my addict son being alive and well while in prison,
my oldest son being a proud papa to be,
my daughter in law for making my son happy,
my husband and his improving health,
my mom who has been moved out of the hospital,
my anon program which brings me much peace and serenity,
my new and old friends in the fellowships,
the roof over my head, the abundance of food, a comfy bed to sleep in,
my health,
my computer - which keeps me in close contacts with so many caring friends,
my age - which has brought a lot of wisdom and appreciation along the way,
the sunshine in my Florida state,
and so much more....little things that I often take for granted which I didn't have at one time or another.
I'm just happy to be able to keep my head up and generally feeling good about most everything.
But most importantly - I am most grateful to feel spiritually healthy now a days....and that my friends is an awesome feeling.

The trouble tree

THE TROUBLE TREE

The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.

On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied." I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again."

He paused. "Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there ain't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

- Anonymous