Freedom of Choice... my view

I wrote this blog a while back, but never posted it - probably because it touches on personal beliefs that some may find offensive. Personally I find that people tend to be too easily offended these days... (IMO)

This is one of those sayings that are a big part of my philosophy. My thoughts are generally expressed a little differently, but mean the same. I believe that our choices decide our lives... and while we are free to choose, we must also be accountable.

Those last words, *be accountable* are extremely important because there are not many (if any) people in the world who have gone through life without having made a few bad choices. And that's OK, as long as we realize that even those bad choices played a part in who we now are. We have to "own" them... maybe even forgive ourselves for them... although I find the later one of the hardest things to do. 

How does one forgive one's self? So much easier to forgive others. I can always forgive another by convincing myself that their intention was not to hurt. This doesn't work when dealing with myself... not meaning that my intention was to hurt... but because the fact exists that I did cause hurt... intentional or not... and that in itself is painful (and hard to forgive).

“Watch your thoughts, they become words;

watch your words, they become actions;

watch your actions, they become habits;

watch your habits, they become character;

watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”    

This is another quote that I believe holds a lot of truth...

Recently I read a blog that was talking about quotes and essays similar to these. What I took from that post was that the writer thought the author of these words "preachy".  IMO the fact that a person believes these things are helpful in life in no way promises that the author follows through... only believes that there are some truth in these words and wants to share. 

Lots of quotes exist.  Some strike home with some of us, and some fly right over our heads. Some that we've heard a thousand times and meant nothing, suddenly ring true. Why? I have no idea. But I believe that we are a wonder unto ourselves - meaning each of us is unique and there's something marvelous about that. 

This is why I feel that the bible which is always being poked, prodded, and translated... is a very special book... not because it was passed on to us by Christ (as significant as that is), but because it speaks to each of us in a different way.  There is no one way, but as many paths as there are people.

Flight...

I believe this is a Blue Heron... took this at the Hagerman Wildlife Refuge.

I have always been fascinated with *flight*.  I especially like to watch seagulls fly and the angles of their wings as they land.  Oh... also entranced by hawks soaring!  Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to do that?  Just glide through the air  like that? I guess the closest we come is with small planes or sky kites that are pulled behind boats or sky divers.  I have flown... in planes and without (in my dreams).  Both are wonderful! In a plane I'm nervous about the take-off and landing, but once in the air, I'm euphoric... and grateful of the opportunity to experience this magic. And in my dreams, well... it's the epitome of freedom. That's all I can say.

When I was young, I dreamed of sky-diving. But like so many youthful dreams, it got pushed to the wayside. Now I've let that dream go... (and I know that I could still do it, but am happy to do it vicariously through DJan ).  But I continue to enjoy watching the flight of birds and trying to capture it both  in photographs and in sketches. I'm not compulsive or obsessive about it (probably not compulsive or obsessive about anything or I'd be better at it).

Anyway, here are a few of my attempts...

and a few more bird photos:

These are Turkey Vultures at the Hagerman Wildlife Refuge.

Strange dreams...

I had a strange dream last night.  My mom, sister, and brother were in it. They are all deceased and have been for quite a while.  And these dreams are not repeats of past events, but totally new scenarios where they each play a part. Sometimes I realize during the dream that they have passed, sometimes I don't.  Funny thing is that it really doesn't matter. I awake happy for the 'visit'.

Dreams are a mystery to me.  Sometimes they comfort (like these I just mentioned), sometimes they worry you, and sometimes they actually solve a dilemma.  When I was younger I used to have what might be called 'lucid' dreams.  I not only knew I was dreaming, but could kind of direct them and continue them the next night.  Haven't been able to do that in a long time...

I have also had episodes of 'dream travel'.... where you feel like you leave your body and your mind or spirit travels to another place (another geological place).  It's awesome.  The feeling of freedom is amazing (similar to dreams of flying).  This hasn't happened lately (maybe 3 times in my 67 years).  And I don't really care if what is happening is real or all a dream, it's still awesome!

Now that you all consider me a crazy person, I will close this post. Have a great day... and Happy Dreams!!



*borrowed sunset picture from 'Satisfying Retirement' site. Great site! You might want to check it out.

Wearing purple?

 

This is the famous "When I am old, I shall wear purple" poem.  But unfortunately, I still don't care for the color.  It has always reminded me of royalty, church officials, and Marti Gras...

Warning

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

However,  the gist of the poem I do like: When I get old, I shall do what I like.

It's taken over 60 years to get to this point, I dare say it's time to enjoy that freedom.