Wednesday, March 21, 2012

2012 Day Four

There's something terribly wrong when you find yourself sitting inside on a beautiful Spring day, working on trying to understand the requirements for filing a 1040 US Federal Income Tax form(s).  Too many odd things about last year; taking the option to leave Siemens and the cascading impact of changing income streams.  I am sooo glad the opportunity was presented to me!!!  It was 28 March, 2011 when the adventure began.

This all reminds me of how quickly time passes, how important it is to save for a rainy day, and how getting older has its advantages.  I am busy all the time....if not physically, at least in my head;))  I recall reading somewhere, in one of my resources about the Enneagram, that my personality type (the five) is rarely bored because they have such an active inner life.

If you are not aware of the Enneagram, I strongly urge you to check it out.  It has been an amazing gift to me....knowing more about how I respond as I do...but also, knowing why others think and act as they do.  I have three good resources if you're interested:

The Enneagram Made Easy by Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele

The Enneagram - A Christian Perspective by Richard Rohr and Andreas Ebert

The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson

Let me know what you discover about yourself;)))

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

2012 Day Three

The windows are open, a pair of cardinals is doing a mating dance through the trees, it is 80 degrees (a record for this date no doubt), and it's good to be able to enjoy what feels like late May here in Forest Lake.  I was glad for the stiff breeze while walking in Heron Creek Forest Preserve, to keep me from overheating!!

I have no deep thoughts at the moment, but I am processing several books I've read in the last few weeks.  There is a theme of being grateful, even for the difficulties of life, and thoughts about how transformation moves us to know God and ourselves, to make a difference in this world.

In no particular order:

Soulful Spirituality, Becoming Fully Alive and deeply Human, by David G. Benner PhD.

The Dark Night of the Soul, A Psychiatrist Explores the Connection Between Darkness and Spiritual Growth, by Gerald g. May M.D.

The Crime of Living Cautiously, Hearing God's Call to Adventure, by Luci Shaw

Friendship at the Margins, Discovering Mutuality in Service and Mission, by Christopher L. Heuertz & Christine D. Pohl

One thousand Gifts, A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, by Ann Voskamp

Shaped by the Cross, Meditations on the Suffering of Jesus, by Ken Gire

The Attentive Life, Discerning God's Presence in All Things, by Leighton Ford.

And in between these deeper readings I've scattered pages of novels about the Irish, read Irish travel guides, and am getting my soul ready for my month in Ireland, County Donegal, departing 20 April, 2012;))))

P.S. And I've started translating a book from Spanish into English.  Don't ask... Well, okay...no I don't know Spanish...yes, I'm crazy;))  More on this effort some other time.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Day Two

It has come.  I don't know what to call it.  But if you know, please tell me.

I came home from the grocery store today, was putting away what needed to go into the refridgerator and it hit me!!  There were no eggs on the shelf.  But several days ago I purchased a dozen.  I remember standing at the egg display, trying to decide if I should get white or brown.  I decided on the brown.  But there are no brown eggs in my refridgerator today.  No, I haven't eaten a dozen eggs in the last few days.

So, what should I do?  Should I look and see if I put them in my sock drawer?  Maybe they're in the laundry room?  Sigh...

No doubt the real answer is that they were in a separate bag on one of those turntable checkout things and I walked out of the store without them.  So, since I keep ALL my receipts, perhaps I should just check and see what I find there...make sure I really did purchase them.  But then what?  $2.08, plus tax.  I can't believe it!!

And that's the end of the story;)))

So, Happy Friday!! 

Thursday, February 16, 2012

2012 Day One

Inside the carton from Goldenhen Farm Fresh Eggs... 

I usually pay no attention to what is written inside any carton unless it is for something that I need instructions for ... like making scones from Ireland.  But today, I decided to make some hard boiled eggs; no instructions required;))  And what caught my eye?  This....

"This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!!"  Psalm 118:24

Indeed...

Have a blessed day!!