I needed to be certified by the State of New Jersey to serve on a domestic violence crisis intervention team. Working closely with the local police department, I spoke often with victims of emotional and physical abuse. Taught never to judge, but to ask a question in a gentle way. A very important question. “Do you think you deserve better?” If you know anyone in a situation suffering abuse, you might want to ask them or yourself. Do you think you deserve better!
Deserve better???
July 23, 2013
Life Without Sex
July 21, 2013
Worth blogging about…article in today’s New York Times…written by Sophie Fontanel. Sunday Review. I don’t need to comment…speaks for itself and the voice of many!
Buddhist practice instills doing quiet acts of the “awakened one.” My preference is doing, not necessarily talking about, but recently had an experience I would like to share. A twitter follower asked “what’s your normal day like.” I tweeted yoga, a little chanting, and try to make a difference. Riding to Penn. Station in New York City, the charming driver from Ecuador, started the conversation. Somehow, age got in the mix. 78, with a very normal ego, not enlarged at all, it’s quite lovely to be taken for younger. Edwin was very complimentary and we started to chat. He asked me what I do in regard to food and exercise. I mentioned yoga, walking, and then for the ride to the station, proceeded to act as his new-found nutritionist. He said he sits all day, and often has diet soda, chips, and fast food. By the way, instead of loud music, a classical radio station was on. I complimented him on his choice, and smiling told him Tchaikovsky Winter Daydream was playing and it was over 100 degrees outside. He told me he plays the station for his favorite customers. Since I was a first timer, I was flattered. So, on to a quick nutrition lesson with the time allowed. I told him I eat close to a cup of mixed nuts daily. Walnuts, almonds, filberts, and pecans…never putting weight on, and of course fruits and veggies. He was repeating everything I said and planned on writing it all down. I steered him away from fast foods and suggested he keep a little bag of nuts and cut up colorful veggies for snacks. He interjected “what about raisins, and before I was able to say “just a few,” he quickly interjected, “maybe not, because of the sugar.” He was a quick learner, having earlier told him about the perils of soda, diet soda, sugar, bad fat, and too much salt, and white flour. We quickly became food friends. A difference was made Thursday morning. A quote from a past blog….”when the student is ready, the teacher appears.” We arrived at the station, and as I left he said, “salads are good right?” and then added “but guess not too much dressing.” A+ I told him and we said goodbye to each other. A lovely beginning to my day.
Business Class/Compromised Class
July 19, 2013
I rarely fly business class, my traveling to California is on Jetblue. Taking the train to Richmond Virginia, I usually go business, with more leg room and less aromas. The senior upgrade not costing that much more. When I boarded, the train was half full, with many empty seats. I sat by the window, and spread out my things on the aisle seat with my luggage directly in front. My suitcase is quite heavy. The conductor would have been more than happy to put up on the rack….but I know too well, the feeling of desertion, looking around for someone to take down at my destination. So there I was, all comfy. cozy, and settled in for the six hour ride. Four hours later, a rather unsmiling, unpleasant woman asked to sit in the aisle seat, and would I move my things! I, of course, immediately started to move everything, and thought it unnecessary for her to ask me to move all, when she had to notice I was doing just that, before she asked. Now, everything was moved to my side, with my luggage directly in front of my paid for extra leg room. She had absolutely no reaction to my glancing at all the empty seats surrounding us, including the aisle directly across from mine. I reluctantly thought of a little plan, my comfort level winning over my reluctance. I cough at times, due to allergies, but I gave an Oscar winning performance in the coughing, blowing my nose category. A sneeze wasn’t forthcoming, but the acting out cold symptoms won. The unpleasant germaphobe, left for parts unknown within a few minutes without a word. I immediately moved back to my aisle, shoving all my stuff back to the window seat and floor. Less than five minutes later, a very large woman fell right in my lap, grazing my ear. Fortunately, she wasn’t hurt, nor was I…except perhaps a slightly bruised karma for the impromptu performance I gave. The fallen woman got up with a sweet smile and lovely apology, I wanted to tell her that I would rather have her fall on me, than an unpleasant one sit next to me. The next two hours flew by without any problems.
Emotional Tools
July 17, 2013
These are my tools to use in some situations. I don’t want to play the numbers, but you shouldn’t be my age, without having some good methods of dealing with life. Not coming from anger ,but developed survivor strength. One I read and one my words. Coming from a gentle place, and thought I would pass on. “Acting out of self interest to protect one’s self is not a dominant force, since you can still be sensitive to the feelings of others.” This of course, does not pertain to those that you have let go of. That is a slow process, but worth the investment of your time….and the other, in a gentle voice to yourself, if you don’t care, I care less. Perhaps it sounds harsh, but isn’t from my perception….and then when all else fails, a few choice vulgarities to yourself, always seems to do the trick.
We have our own methods of dealing, and if it’s a positive approach, not negative…whatever works!!!
Analyzing the Zimmerman Verdict
July 16, 2013
In todays New York Times letters to the editor, there were many who felt the criminal justice system didn’t work, starting with the jury selection. African-Americans make up 11.8 percent of the population of Seminole County, but not one single one selected for the jury. A letter written by Tim Lehnert . “The racial dimensions of the Trayvon Martin case have been explored at length. What is rarely mentioned is what is most obvious about this tragic incident. George Zimmerman was walking around a common area (not his own personal property} with a loaded handgun when he confronted Mr. Martin. This is legal in Florida. A citizen “on patrol” should be armed with a cellphone and nothing more. Had this been the case, Mr. Martin would be alive. End of story.”
Wisdom
July 14, 2013
“There is a higher court than courts of justice, and that is the court of conscience. It supersedes all other courts.” Mahatma Gandhi
Beneficial mental health practice
July 13, 2013
Periodic physical and emotional housecleaning…..When dead branches fall off a healthy tree, the tree can still be beautiful, live and thrive.
Creative Souls
July 12, 2013
There was a room filled with creative people. They all believed in themselves and their dreams. They wanted their talents to be recognized. After what seemed to be forever, one by one, they left, discouraged by little or no validation for all they hoped for. Only one person was left in the room. The door opened and opportunity said come in………………………….
Two quotes: Too different feelings
July 11, 2013
Henry David Thoreau quote..” Most men lead lives of quiet desperation, and go to the grave with the song still in them.” I so much prefer Walt Whitman..”The sweetest songs yet remain to be sung.” I have to keep fueling the fantasy with positive energy, creating realistic dreams. Having twitter followers has been a wonderful “fueling” experience.
mother nature is a man and other observations.. 
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