Tag Archives: perspective

Share Your World – Week 10

March 12, 2014 Own The View Cr8ives 1 Comment

This week’s questions from Cee’s Share Your World & 61/musings Club Introvert:

Describe yourself in a word that starts with the first letter of your name: D (for Del) =

Determined – because

when I set my mind on something I don’t stop until I either achieve the goal or evolve to a different goal

Distinctive – because

If 100 people your age were chosen at random, how many do you think you’d find leading a more satisfying life than yours?

This is a relative question…”satisfying” to whom? I am in a transition phase of my life, so I keep my options open and welcome new adventures.

I fulfilled a goal I was not confident that would come to fruition – I recently completed a grad degree that I had put off for many, many years. I relocated from the ATL to the NE to complete my grad program, and spent 3yrs there Upon graduation I quickly left the cold and snow of the NE and ran (not literally) across many states to embrace fun in the sun & beach of Southern CA. In my book, the opportunity to ramble around as I wish is already an amazing life. I could stop there, but really? I can’t sit still as it is, so now I am on the ground floor of developing a training curriculum for a mindfulness/holistic wellness program to share with the secular – business – world.

I am also satisfying a spiritual quest by delving into the Buddha’s teachings and Buddhists practices, which will actually enhance my holistic program for the secular population (minus the spiritual terminology).

I live 10miles from the beach and the view from my home is fabulous – nothing but greenery (grass, shrubs, trees) and birds singing. As we speak, I am looking at the trees swaying in the breeze…priceless.

Life is pretty darn good from where I sit and I am grateful for the experience.

If you were a tree, would you become a book or furniture?

I don’t know why, but my thinking is not typically an either/or, it leans towards – how can I fit it all in.

I’d like to be a good hard to put down cozy or hard-boiled mystery filled with lots of humor and challenging who-done-it murder(s). I’d also like to be a comfortable overstuffed chair that people can sink into for hours as they read me (as a book).

You are trapped in an elevator, who would you want to be trapped with?

I would like to be trapped with the Dalai Lama, Bob Marley, and Malcolm X…what an interesting conversation that would be. I can hear it now – the Dalai Lama sharing his views on showing compassion for all mankind, Bob Marley talking about standing up/speaking up your rights and encouraging people to come together “as one”, and Malcolm X talking about mobilizing people of all races to fight for civil & human rights, equal opportunity, and racial equality (of course, this would be after his pilgrimage to Mecca, his awakening during the Hajj, and his departure from the Nation of Islam). Exciting!

Of course, as an introvert, I would more than likely allow the three to do most of the talking as I listen and soak it all up.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

This happened last Friday – I am grateful for a new friend telling me: “I am here for you” and feeling the authenticity and compassion in her voice.

In the coming week, I look forward to forging ahead in developing my curriculum (mentioned in question #2).

Fun questions!

Club Introvert: http://61musings.com/2014/03/10/club-introvert-social-gathering/

Cee’s Share Your World: http://ceenphotography.com/2014/03/10/share-your-world-2014-week-10/

Perspective, Share Your World

Share Your World – 4 Questions

February 26, 2014 Own The View Cr8ives 2 Comments

61 Musings-Club Introvert: Share Your World

I recently rejoined the blogging world after being dormant for 8months. My intention is to write something every day (well, most days). I walk around with many ideas in my head, so when I came across this wonderful blog: 61 Musings (from a 61 year old introvert). I was thrilled to find it because the information speaks to my introverted side (an assessment I recently took in my Psych class shows that I actually straddle the introvert & extrovert fence, even though I feel that I need a little alone time to recharge – I just know how to play in both worlds as necessary), so I joined “club introvert” because what’s shared there is quite interesting.

Today, Chris (the owner of 61 Musings) posed some fun questions. There are 4 questions she asks us to answer – either on your own blog or here in the comments. I think these questions are fun for both introverts and extroverts to answer.

Would you rather be given $10 000 for your own use or $100 000 to give anonymously to strangers?

I’m going outside the box here. How about I take the $100K and keep $10K for myself, then give $90k away. I am currently unemployed and could use the help. Of course, I’m not the only one who could use the assistance, so I would definitely share with others.

When you’re 90 years old, what will matter most to you?

Well, I hope to live a long time because I want to be around to see my children succeed on their own and to meet my grandchildren. In saying that, I want to be healthy enough to enjoy time with my family, travel, and get around by myself (in most situations). Most people want to be able to still drive at that age, but you know what, being chauffeured around at age 90 doesn’t seem like a bad idea to me.

Candy factories of the entire world have become one and will now be making only one kind of candy. Which kind, if you were calling the shots?

Well, my latest binge is M&M plain chocolate, Lindt-Lindor (plain chocolate), and Ghirardelli’s caramel squares. I’m also a fan of Snickers mini squares. Yeah, I got a chocolate thing going on, so I guess a Chocolate factory is the winner!

So, you’re on your way out and it’s raining. Do you know where your umbrella is or do you frantically search for it all over your apartment/house?

If I had read this question a few years ago before moving to Oregon I would have said, “Of course I need an umbrella…after all, I own three of them!” Well, 6yrs of living in Oregon cured me of that foolish idea. It even got to the point where I developed a love of taking long runs in the morning rain…glorious. Now I reside in sunny California where It never Rains In Southern California (check out the song by Tony-Toni-Tone) and I still don’t use an umbrella on those rare days the rain-gods decide to sprinkle down some rain. Who needs an umbrella? Not Me!

Check out her blog: http://61musings.com/2014/02/25/share-your-world-week-8/

Mindfulness

What’s this “Life Balance” Thing I Keep Hearing About?

March 30, 2013 Own The View Cr8ives

Balance, Balance, Balance…yeah, yeah!! This word has appeared in my life more within the past week than ever before. There’s been a lot of hype surrounding Sheryl Sanberg’s book Lean In and how she believes that “work life balance” is difficult to achieve (I’m on the fence if will read her book). Then an article popped up in my in-box about “achieving balance in your life”, along with another one about stress-free living and an out of balance life. The Universe is trying to tell me something, guess I better listen.

I don’t believe in coincidences, so I believe that the reason why Balance keeps smacking me in my face is because my life is out of balance. Usually, my attention span is like that of a toddler running from one toy to the next and not calming down until nap-time. Believe it or not, I’ve gotten used to it and have learned to work with the randomness; however, lately the train has jumped the tracks and has gone off in so many different directions that I can’t keep up. My new reality consist of a lack of focus and virtual paralysis.

I am living in denial in this world of being a college student with assignments to complete. I am in my last semester of my master’s program with four research papers and a thesis due in April, so I can graduate in May. I haven’t been motivated one bit to focus on these papers because my mind is occupied with all the other things that needs my attention, such as: planning a major relocation, selling a house, researching my next job, coming up with topics for my blog, helping to take care of a toddler, and having bouts of anxiety on a daily basis.

Since the creative process has come to a stand still and I now realize that I am out of control, I’ve decided to make a few adjustments in order to maintain some sort of sanity. I will: 1) remain in the moment, 2) return to a consistent meditation practice, 3) start back to my daily walks/runs because being outside always gives me energy and calms my nerves, 4) get at least 6-8hrs of sleep each night, which means no more staying up past midnight, 5) put my blog posting on hold for a month or two, 6) do something fun – all work and no play just do not work for me. Last but not least, avoid things (brain drains – Pinterest, Internet surfing, watching TV/movies, daydreaming, etc.) that I have allowed to distract me from working on my assignments.

So, my first act is to let everyone know that I am taking a break and putting my blog on hiatus. This will be my last post for a bit (unless I get ambitious and have a pressing topic). I can’t make space in my brain for everything so this is the first to get suspended. Now, I don’t have to worry about staying current with my posts or try to develop my long list of topics.

I can’t believe I have four major papers and a thesis to complete in four weeks. People keep telling not to freak out, yeah right…easier said than done. I’m kidding. 🙂

I am basking in all the well wishes and encouragement I’ve received from everyone.

Getting to work! See you when I come back up for air.

My new reality

Perspective

Why Is There A Debate?

January 18, 2013 Own The View Cr8ives

My brain has been in a few places since I last wrote. So many topics running around in my head that it was challenging to nail down just one that I should explore further. Anyway I found one. Since the December shooting at the elementary school, each day news programs has broadcasted reports on gun ownership and assault weapons ban. This topic keeps popping up in my world, so I need to get it out of my heard.

After the tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School, NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre said that gun violence has been influenced by Hollywood studios who make violent movies and video games. He stated: “Guns don’t kill people. Video games, the media, and Obama’s budget kill people” (Washingtontimes.com). On the 1-month anniversary of the shooting, the NRA released a free iPhone/iPad target-shooting app that they claim is “appropriate” for people age 4yrs and up. The target images are coffins with red bullseye at head and heart level. Is the NRA trying to prove LaPierre point – that video games do not entice people to kill? I’m not an expert, I don’t know if video games has that much influence over people who play the game, or not, but in my opinion, it is insensitive for the National Rifle Association (NRA) to release any type of gun-related game so close to the death of 20 children and 6 adults. What this proves to me is that the NRA is not interested in the public’s best interest; their allegiance lies in the economic gains from gun sales. They claim that any type of ban on guns is “an attack on the 2^nd amend”, what they are really saying is that any type of gun ban will cut into their money-making machine.

Wayne LaPierre is a disillusioned man. Here is another statement made by this man: “If it’s crazy to call for putting armed police in our schools to protect our children,” said LaPierre, “Then call me crazy.”

I love Stephen Colbert response: “Folks, I don’t know about you, but I agree with Wayne LaPierre. You, sir, are fucked in the head (the Colbert Report).”

http://www.colbertnation.com/full-episodes/mon-january-14-2013-piers-morgan?xrs=share_copy

Well, today on the BBC News Hour they presented a story of a small school in Texas whose superintendent took the opportunity to approve the arming of his teachers and allows them to carry guns during school hours while children are present. Guns around children, no good can come of this.

The site of pictures of the Newton victims still affects me in a most visceral way. Makes me sad, but also makes me angry that people have to think twice about banning assault weapons, guns that should only be used in war zones fighting against enemies/terrorists. I’ve always said that assault rifles have no business in the hands of the public. I have no issue with the ownership of small firearms as long as background checks are conducted (40% of gun sales do not conduct background checks), but I do have an issue with ownership of assault weapons.

I own a firearm. My neighbors, a police officer and his wife, accompanied me to a gun show to purchase my gun because I had never been to a gun show and I wanted a knowledgeable person to guide me in selecting a gun. I even went to the shooting range with him and his wife where he taught us how to fire the gun, as well as, educated us on the safety features. During my time in the military I had to qualify on shooting a rifle. Prior to going on the firing range we had to attend a class to learn about the rifle, safety, and proper conduct on the firing range. I’m sure the average citizen does not go to this length before purchasing their gun.

Anyway, gun ownership will never cease in America, but I do believe that prior to a gun transaction is finalized, the prospective owner should be required to attend a gun safety/handling class and full background check accomplished. These measures will not end gun violence, but it could decrease the occurrences. We are not going to make everyone happy, but ultimately the safety of the public should be the utmost priority. There should not be a debate about this issue…..protect our children and our families!!!