The Malleable Cosmos

The cosmos is a completely malleable
experience that feeds back to us
what we want to perceive.

~Chris Ladue

Of Note: Some would argue that the cosmos is static--a concrete experience that is viewed by everyone the same. Others like this gentleman posit another thought which is very close to the concept that we create our own reality. Where the first belief leaves little to the imagination, the second makes the mind soar. Neither may be correct, but given a choice between the two, give me the second option and check back with me in about 10 years.

Today's Weather Report: It was 4 degrees Fahrenheit last time I looked but, when we awoke this morning, it was 20 below. I figured as much when I poked my head above the covers and was hit by a blast of cold in our unheated bedroom. We like it cold to sleep and get away with no heat because of a great heating blanket--but this was beyond cold. The puppies refused to go out at first. Finally duty called but they rushed back shortly. January is usually the coldest month of the year, and it is soon over. I can just feel spring around the corner.

Watch For Change Snippet: A woman named Kelly Kulick became the first female to win a Professional Bowlers Association tournament, beating a man in the Tournament of Champions. She said it was the yoga, extra gym time and country line-dancing that did the trick. Noting that the new champion would rather bowl in women-only pro events, the Wall Street Journal quoted her on their sports page as follows: " 'I don't want to have to bowl against the men full-time,' said Mr. Kulick." Seems the WSJ might owe Ms. Kulick an apology.

To Invite Peacefulness

TO SIMPLIFY IS TO INVITE PEACEFULNESS.

~Day 6, 64 Daily Practices

Of Note: The Season for Nonviolence is upon us. Literally. There is no better time than in the dead of winter to join the Greater Dallas Task Force on Nonviolence in their 64 Daily Practices available at www.64-days.org. In just over six pages, the group lists 64 ideas for change, beginning with the suggestion that "nonviolence begins with learning how to be less violent and more compassionate with ourselves. We learn by building the courage to speak and act with respect, honor and reverence for our own being." It goes on from there quoting such luminaries as Eleanor Roosevelt who urges the reader to do the impossible, Thich Nhat Hanh who suggest smiling everyday and Wayne Dyer who mentions how our beliefs have an effect on our daily lives. And this is just week one! Weeks Two through Ten get better and better and end with Margaret Meads unforgettable words: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Indeed.

Today's Weather Report: Subzero temperatures Fahrenheit greeted the puppies and I when we got up this morning. I took the early morning shift and let Jim sleep in. The sun warmed the air later in the day, but at first even the dogs wanted none of it. My brother, Mark, took the photo above at his new investment house in the Dakotas. This was the park across the street. The scene looked awfully familiar to me, but coming from Houston, he probably thought it looked surreal. My photographer sister, Marie, first believed that he had taken this and several other pictures in black and white but noticed in one shot an American flag. The monochromatic landscape this time of year leads many of us to hole-up in the house where color and warmth abound.

The Happiness of Others

AN EFFORT MADE FOR THE
HAPPINESS OF OTHERS LIFTS
US ABOVE OURSELVES.
~Lydia M. Child

Today's Weather Report: What a lovely, sunny day. Cold yes, but sunny. The spectacular sunset immediately above welcomed me as I left a friend's house today. I raced home in order to get the shot. Unfortunately, the sun had already set, but the pink-orange glow remained. No matter. During the winter, shades of gray dominate as in the first photo taken yesterday. Color is scarce. Thus, the dramatic show of color this evening was a welcome addition to the day. A gift really.

To Listen Generously

When we listen generously to people,
they hear the truth in themselves
often for the first time.

~ Rachel Naomi Remen

Of Note: To listen requires a quiet mind. Rarely do we attain this state. Therefore, we rarely listen, let alone listen generously. I would venture to guess that if we would learn to listen with a quiet mind, we would also hear the truth in OURSELVES for the first time. That truth might be startling.

Today's Weather Report: The precipitation continues but has changed to what appears to be lake effect snow. That means instead of the heavy, wet flakes, they are now small and dry. I can understand after living in Wisconsin for 30 years why the Eskimos have so many names for snow. Each presents different challenges and opportunities. We will venture out to get some groceries shortly, and I will be much more attuned to the situation after that. My current information comes from my husband, who has been out to feed the boiler and plow, and from my own observations peering out the window. Temperatures the last several days have hovered in the low 30's but promise to plunge below zero this evening. This photo was taken on our lake last fall. Rarely do we get such a display. Note that if the picture was turned up-side down, it would be unlikely the viewer would know the difference.

Smiling Muscles

IT TAKES HALF AS MANY
MUSCLES TO SMILE AS
IT DOES TO FROWN.
AND IT MAKES YOU AND
OTHERS FEEL TWICE AS GOOD.

~ www.wearewhatwedo.org

Of Note: Readers of this blog may think that I'm stuck on getting everyone to smile more. Actually, the readers would have gotten it right. That it takes half as many muscles to smile as it does to frown is just one more good reason to do it regularly. I would bet that our faces say thanks every time we smile as well because it relieves the facial fatigue brought on my frowning. Besides that, it doesn't cost a dime. This suggestion is brought to us by the We Are What We Do organization, which lists 50 such ideas in their book, Change the World for Ten Bucks: Small Actions X Lots of People = BIG CHANGE. Guess that title says it all.

Today's Weather Report: Well, I thought yesterday was going to be the bad weather day as far as our weekend sleet-snow storm went. But, no, that would be today. It was raining when I let the puppies out at 5 am, but that changed to sticky, wet snow by later in the morning. And I mean WET snow. Shoveling the stuff was like lifting wet glue. What a strange consistency! Jim had a heck of time snow plowing. The doggies were his companions, and they liked the uber-bumpy ride not one bit. I thought it was a perfect day to bundle up and read a good book. Marie's flower picture made me smile and remember that spring is just around the corner. Thanks, Sis, for sharing these photos, which grace this blog most every day!

Little Stars Come Out of Your Eyes

WHEN YOU LOVE SOMEBODY,
YOUR EYELASHES GO UP AND
DOWN AND LITTLE STARS
COME OUT OF YOUR EYES.

~Karen, age 7

Of Note: As Art Linkletter said: "Kids say the darndest things!" That was affirmed when I read an email forwarded the other day by a friend. Karen was answering the question posed to several 4 to 8 year-olds by a group of professionals: "What does love mean?" Some like Karl, age 5, answered very practically, "Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other," or Mark, age 6, who believed, "Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Others showed remarkable wisdom like Bobby, age 7, who suggested, "Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." I got to thinking that President Obama should designate Nikka, age 6, as his Middle East Peace Negotiator: "If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." And I'm not really sure what Billy, age 4, meant by his answer, but somehow I know it's the loving truth: "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Maybe we should send him to the Middle East, too.

Today's Weather Report: Outside was treacherous today because of freezing rain, which is going to turn to snow tonight through Monday. That means that a thin layer of ice will underlie any future snow. In other winter's when we've had this situation, many folks have fallen with a variety of results, none good. The puppies don't seem to mind any of it. They have been out a good portion of the day and have come in smelling like wet wool blankets. Ish! One of the more intrepid cats made a stand yesterday and would have held his own except for the exuberance of the smaller puppy. Maybe by summer the mutts will have learned to coexist with one or two of the cats. The wonderful photo above was sent some time ago by my dear friend, Jack. I used it at the time but felt it needed to be seen more than once since it was such a gorgeous shot of the northern lights.

All Will Be Clear

HEAR ONE SIDE AND YOU WILL BE IN THE DARK.
HEAR BOTH SIDES AND ALL WILL BE CLEAR.

~ Lord Chesterfield

Of Note: Politicians from both sides of the aisle might take a moment to pause and reflect upon the meaning of the Massachusetts Senatorial election on Tuesday. Their constituents seem to know more than they that a paradigm shift from separatism to unity and love is beginning to radically reshape the environment. The people elected President Obama with the hope that, true to his word, this message of change would be carried to Washington. It would appear that our elected leader saw that Washington was not ready for such enlightenment and joined in the fray with the thought that the end justified the means. Once again the people have spoken--that compromising approach will not do.

If I could send a message to Barack Obama it would be this: "Time to get back to the original message, Mr. President. It is not too late. What we want is loving LEADERSHIP based on wisdom coupled with the political will to carry an enlightened global agenda forward. That the people will rally behind you once again is not even a question because of a special lighted quality you carry. Take off the bushel basket and the light will shine once more." Yesterday the President announced a desire to work with both sides on upcoming issues. That would be a good start, but he might remember his role as LEADER. Given the right approach, I predict that he would be unstoppable.

Today's Weather Report: Nothing to write home about but it's a good day to be alive, none-the-less. The same cloudy and 20's. Our January thaw for one day last week was short lived. We will run into town today for errands and take the dogs. They enjoy the ride more than we enjoy them being in the car. Two large puppies riding as passengers is a real treat....especially when they try to jump into the front seat. But they have to learn so we all have to go through the process. What fun is all I can say!