December 7--Transparency

Let things taste of what they are.  --Alice Waters 

    I've been doing a lot of tasting lately! We've had four nights in a row of sit-down dinners lasting 2-3 hours. The food is wonderful, but I'd just as soon not sit around eating for that length of time. 

    The Waters quote expresses a desire that a person/situation/thing is true to its nature. It's another way, possibly, of saying "what you see is what you get." No subterfuge, manipulation or conniving. 

    I share these words of Alan Watts regarding the difference between belief and faith:

We must here make a clear distinction between belief and faith, because, in general practice, belief has come to mean a state of mind which is almost the opposite of faith. Belief, as I use the word here, is the insistence that the truth is what one would “lief” or wish it to be. The believer will open his mind to the truth on the condition that it fits in with his preconceived ideas and wishes. Faith, on the other hand, is an unreserved opening of the mind to the truth, whatever it may turn out to be. Faith has no preconceptions; it is a plunge into the unknown. Belief clings, but faith lets go. In this sense of the word, faith is the essential virtue of science, and likewise of any religion that is not self-deception.

    Happy birthday to my father-in-law!

        Leta

These shrubs are just blooming now,
red & green for Christmas!

December 6--A New Taste Treat

Only in peace do we have joy. Not by acquiring things, not by doing things, not by earning or learning, but by dedication.  --Swami Satchidananda

    It's pretty peaceful here, and I'm feeling a lot of joy. 

    Yesterday's highlights... I did the usual 24-lap swim, and hung out on the beach. Mid-afternoon a friend and I went across the road to the fitness center for water aerobics. A half-hour of that kicked my butt. (Though I must say I'm not sore this morning from it.) In the evening the resort held the "private" dinner for returning guests. The feature was surf & turf, which I declined in favor of spinach and eggplant lasagna. It was good, really just a big pile of veggies with cheese. The highlight of the meal was dessert--hot cheesecake. It was flavored with the very hot Scotchbonnet peppers, quite an unusual flavor and SO delicious. A bit of nighttime "relaxing" on the beach made for a lovely night's sleep. 

    Time to swim,

        Leta

After sunset

December 5--Not Suffering in Paradise 😉😉

Harmony makes small things grow; lack of it makes great things decay.  --Sallust

    I think of the harmony in my small grandson's home and how he is growing at a marvelous, happy rate. We know of unhappy homes where great families decay. 

    Enough heavy stuff! I'm in Jamaica, it's fabulous, I'm off to swim laps...

        Leta

Saturday night is lobster tail night

The sunset catamaran cruise

December 4--Grateful for Perfect Water Temperatures!

Out of clutter, find simplicity.  --John Archibald Wheeler

    There was a lot of "clutter" around as I was packing for this trip. I stuffed my large suitcase and still came in under 50 pounds. I believe I have everything I need for a simple 11 days in paradise. 

    Yesterday, after a morning lap swim and smoothie at the fitness center juice bar, it was off to the beach. The day went like this: float in the water--read in the shade--lie in the sun--REPEAT. There was a snack somewhere in there, a trip back to the condo for forgotten items, and a couple trips to the bar. Busy, huh?!!?

    Saturday is lobster tail night here, so that was our dinner treat. We had a live band serenading us. Bands here love to play "Sweet Caroline" and get the diners to sing. I'll bet I hear that at least a half-dozen times when I'm here. It's become musical torture for me. 

    We watched the sunset, and I got the most beautiful beach photo, post-sunset. See below. 

    Time to swim!

        Leta

December 3--Serenity Abounds

Boredom is the feeling that everything is a waste of time; serenity, that nothing is. 
--Thomas Szasz

    I'm in Jamaica, arriving last night after a LONG, crowded trip. Friday night is "Beach Party" night, so the buffet and band were moved out on the beach, and our table was about 20 feet from the ocean. I doubt that there will be much boredom here--it's all serenity to me! Already this morning I've done a 24-lap swim. It is such a treat to swim under the brilliant blue sky 😀😀

    I am not having much luck with internet service here, so postings may be sporadic. 

    Below is one of the interesting sights in the Atlanta airport. There is also a display case of old lunch boxes. 

    More tomorrow, maybe, 

        Leta

December 2--Woohoo!

We are happy when for everything inside us there is a corresponding something outside us.  --W. B. Yeats

    I must confess that I have no clue what Yeats means by that statement. I am happy because today I get to return to Jamaica for 11 days in paradise. I have a desire to travel (inside) and a trip now happening (outside). Maybe that's the idea? 

    Anyway, I am not sure that I want to return to writing the blog. I do look forward to lying in the hammock on our balcony overlooking the ocean and chillin' with my thoughts and Chromebook. So we shall see how things go. 

    Safe travels for me, inside and outside!

        Leta

I had the colors of the Jamaican flag--
black, green and yellow--
put in my hair. FUN!

December 1--Harmony. I Think I'm Back.

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. 
--Albert Einstein

    December's theme in "Daily Gratitude" is harmony. 

    How many lives and billions of dollars have been wasted on the oxymoron of "peace-keeping force"? 

    Switching gears, let's look at personal harmony. This idea comes from Rev. Dr. Dennis Merritt Jones. You are the king or queen of your own personal monarchy... "It is the domain of your own life, your mind and body, which means the only inhabitant is you. You are the ruler of your own empire... How does your personal monarchy measure up? What kind of ruler are you? Do you rule yourself with a hard hand and judgmental heart, or do you treat yourself with kindness, generosity of spirit, reverence and respect? The next time you enter the sacred gates of your own mind and heart, be wise, strong and loving--and long live the queen/king."

    It's good to be queen!

        Leta

P. S. The final quotes for November were:

Nov 28----Life is ours to be spent, not to be saved.  --D. H. Lawrence 

Nov 29----The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.  --Michel de Montaigne

Nov 30----True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each hour as it goes by. --E. S. Bouton