I think it’s significant and worthwhile to occasionally make a conscious decision to look with fresh eyes at our everyday, commonplace environment, especially people that we may encounter in the course of a normal day.
I’ve written before about my wide variety of interests and my ADD mindset and thought process. I definitely am not a linear thinker, and I value that about myself. However, that means that sometimes I am challenged in making decisions. This may be most evident in my college choices. Oh, my! It’s almost embarrassing to say it, but it has given me quite a background. I went to college for two years out of high school and had no idea what I wanted to pursue: math major (one semester); Spanish major (three semesters); quit (two years); pharmacy school (two years). Then, work and life took the forefront for fifteen years, and that included starting a family, having my own painting business, working for a chemical firm as a chemical engineering lab technician, and ending up with my own business restoring and conserving antique furniture and objects — oh, I did serve a small local church in a pastoral and teaching capacity, too. Like I said ADD — at times frustrating when in the midst of things, but no matter what I was doing, at the time, I chose to do it and did it whole-heartedly. I always knew when it was time to move on, and I started working to change things. That all led up to completing my English and secondary education bachelors’ degrees, followed by a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in educational leadership. I spent seventeen years in the classroom — a most fun, rewarding time of discovery with my wonderful students. Through all of these experiences, I expressed my core Self in one dimension or another: I am Discovery, I love to discover new ideas, new techniques, new relationships, whatever it might be. I delight in simple things, especially when I see or understand things that had escaped my notice. So much of life awaits discovery, so much that surrounds us, that is above us, beneath us. And I know that even more awaits within us. When we awaken to our hearts, we gain a new way of seeing all those wonderful things around us. Yes, interests, discoveries, connections energize me. In my mind, I see all these bonds, but that means I must be very careful when I write because I sometimes leave huge logic gaps for anyone who may be reading my work. They are not gaps for me, because I know what I was thinking — not quite fair to readers, though. This brings me to my point of today. The discovery of Self and then all of wonderful life around us must be purposeful. Our hearts may speak to us, but if we do not pursue it and seek the message, it won’t be forced on us. The same is true of the offerings of this Universe. I want to discover new nuances or even previous unseen, unknown aspects of life around me today and every day: animals, trees, birds, neighborhood, neighbors, strangers. I can get excited about almost any topic that someone presents to me with enthusiasm because their attitude communicates that thrill and excitement of life in their hearts, and that creates connection with me. I have no idea what time of the day you may be reading this, but whenever it is, determine that you want to be thrilled by some aspect of your life that you walk past, see, hear, feel, or even taste almost every day. Discover joy in the commonplace today. The rewards will last far past this. When Jesus of Nazareth heard his disciples bickering about how to take care of the people who came to them for help, they had overlooked even miracles that had been right in front of them. Even though he had fed over five thousand people with very little to start with, they didn’t get it. (By the way, he said we could do greater miracles than him — must know our hearts, though). Jesus asked them, “Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart? ‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears do you not hear?’ And do you not remember?…” (Mark 8:17, 18 New American Standard Bible). They had rejected the voice of their own hearts, creating a spiritually blind condition. Stuff right in front of them, they couldn’t hear, see, perceive without opening themselves to their own hearts. If miracles are missed when living in self-consumed egos, how much more the wonders around us in our everyday lives? We have eyes to see, ears to hear, and all the rest of the senses needed to experience the wonders of life. Use them. Today. Discover!
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Questions to consider:How many times have you asked yourself or simply thought about the following questions?
Who am I, really? What is my truth? How do my actions reveal what I really feel and believe? What would I do with my life if I could do anything? What is my passion? Why am I here? How can I discover answers to any of these questions? If you have considered any of these questions, I hope that my experiences and writing will give you some guidance. Please read my blog and comment and share your thoughts. I would love to hear from you! Archives
December 2019
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