November 7--Be SomeONE

How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something, but to be someone.  --Coco Chanel

    I'm having thoughts of ...

• comfortable in my own skin
• progress, not perfection
• nothing to prove
• live and let live

    A person comfortable in his/her own skin could be in the lowliest of positions, ruler of a country, or anywhere in between. Being true to oneself is a much more rewarding career than any occupational role. Note that we are always with ourselves. Jobs come and go. I was a store clerk, a legal secretary, a computer geek, a finance manager and a tax preparer. None of those defined me, even though the jobs were generally fun and satisfying at the time. 

    "Progress, not perfection" is a common 12-step program saying. Progress/growth/expansion is the natural process of life, while perfection does not exist (despite endless, absurd striving for such). I think a lot of perfection-seeking is a cover-up with "something" when one is not comfortable with the "someone" he/she is. Perfectionism leads to judgmentalism, not a characteristic to be cultivated by a serene "someone."

    In a world constantly demanding bigger, better, and more, taking a stance of "nothing to prove" is quite bold. Having nothing to prove is an internal stance of self-approval that does require accomplishing something to be fully aware of one's worth. 

    A "someone" who is practicing the first three naturally operates in "live and let live" mode. If I'm happy with myself, I don't need you to be different to make me happy. "How many cares one loses" when one stays out of other folks' business. 

    Good with where I'm at,

        Leta

Barney explores the neighbor's 
driftwood lawn display.

November 6--"No Joy in Mudville"

The only real elegance is in the mind; if you've got that, the rest comes. 
--Diana Vreeland

    This is my annual post pouting about the end of baseball season. Alas, I was cheering for the Phillies, whose offense took a premature vacation, and they lost the World Series last night to the Cheaters, I mean, the Astros. March 30, 2023 is Opening Day, only about five LLLOOONNNGGG months away. 

    My elegant mind will have to be entertained by basketball, grandson fun, the occasional trip, and chilly winter walks with Barney. Maybe another worthy puzzle will challenge my winter months. 

    Looking forward to "PlayBall!!!",

        Leta

November 5--What Is A Day Worth?

There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day. 
--Alexander Woollcott

    Well, I agree with that, but then I run into the self-agonizing debate of "Am I enjoying this day enough?" and "How should I be enjoying it more?" That debate alone can ruin a day's enjoyment!

    Yesterday felt pretty unimportant. I'm recovering from Covid, feeling better, but still quarantined. Most chores were done, there was no good sports on TV, I was bored, and naptime did not produce any rest. Yet I caught up on my bookkeeping, started a good book, gave Barney some belly rubs, and had a wonderful video chat with my grandson and son. It was an important day.

    Let us value this day,

        Leta

November 4--Precious Time

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.  --Carl Sandburg

    Now that I'm in my sixties, I am acutely aware that when I am watching the timer on the microwave go down, those are seconds of my life ticking away. That's a little distressing. 

    I had a first in my life early this morning. I fainted. I had gone to the bathroom and was headed back to bed. I was a little woozy but I thought I could make it to the bed. Next thing I know, I wake up on the floor. My first thought, after discerning that I was on the floor, was "Why the hell am I sleeping on the floor?!?!" So I hopped up and got in bed. Then I realized I had fainted, and that my angels did a helluva job keeping me from greater injury. My left shoulder and knee are bruised, minor compared to what could have been. Is this Covid-related? Who knows!?! I'd prefer never to repeat it. It's completely freaky to have fallen and have no recollection of it whatsoever. 

    I'm feeling better, so hopefully the worst of this Covid illness is past. 

        Leta

November 3--The Heart Goes Everywhere

Integrate what you believe in every single area of your life. Take your heart to work and ask the most and best of everybody else too.  --Meryl Streep

    That "head cold" I mentioned in yesterday's post has tested as Covid. I notified everyone I was around--so far, so good. I believe very strongly in my body's ability to heal, so hopefully this will pass in a few days. The tiredness is astounding. It felt like a great effort last night just to lie in bed and watch TV!

    I love Ms. Streep's quote. It seems so often that our society is in dumbing-down mode, operating on mediocre, instead of encouraging the best from all. We'd all do well with the reminder to "take your heart" everywhere. 

    I am home from my big back-east trip--just over 2,800 miles driving and a huge amount of fun. I'm grateful for safe travels and happy to be home, where my sweet husband is taking great care of me. 

        Leta

The place in PA where my dad taught me to swim.

November 2--Freely Giving

A gift is pure when it is given from the heart to the right person at the right time and at the right place, and when we expect nothing in return.  --Vyasa

    Let's ponder how good we are at "expect nothing in return." It seems like there are strings attached to everything. One of my pet peeves in life is giving a gift, then being given one immediately in return because the giver feels we have to stay even.

    That's it for this morning. I'm headed home today, and I've managed to pick up a head cold, so all I want is to get home and go back to bed!

    More tomorrow!

        Leta

One of the bears at
Bear Creek Resort

November 1--I Appreciate My Awesome Family!

Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.  --Voltaire

    Welcome to November! The theme is wisdom. 

    I found this wonderful quote from Richard Rohr, and it warmed my heart relative to my recently transitioned sister-in-law: "When my mother passed over, I had no doubt that she built a bridge—I don’t know what other words to use—she built a bridge and she took some of me over with her, and she sent some of herself back." Isn't that a wonderful way to view the passing of a dear loved one?!?
    I had a lovely day in northeast Ohio yesterday. I swam at the Akron YMCA, then picked up my brother for a 12-step meeting and an ice cream adventure. Being Millers, naps ensued. Then I did MELT and yoga with my niece. We retrieved my brother, and my niece, great-nephew and I took him out for dinner at Red Lobster. Every moment with these folks is priceless. I head today for Missouri and another evening with my in-laws.
    On the road again 🎵🎵
        Leta