Category Archives: Charecteristics

The Multi-Verse Flood of Memories and Thoughts

Charecteristics, Life Notes, Rants, Relationships, , , , ,

Every day, there is “something” that triggers a memory. A memory triggers the “multi-verse” flood of memories and trains of thought. With the memories and thoughts there is the void. The void where someone does not physically occupy any longer. The thoughts of the forced new path now traveled. The heart is flooded with joyful memories, painful memories, the horrid pain of being shattered, the ache of the void. The “multi-verse” of emotions and thoughts come all at once, in a single moment. Grief does not end. Grief does not “go away in time.” Grief is like a new part of your body that you live your life with.

If you do not know what to say to someone who has experienced tremendous grief … Don’t say anything. Being a supporter, helper, FRIEND, is far more than “words“. It is also far more than “deeds“. Being a support includes “just being” there for someone ……..

Sit by the fire. Sip something. Go for a walk with. Go sightseeing with. Watch a movie with. Have dinner with. Avoid getting arrested with (grins). NEVER EVER accuse someone of being WEAK for grieving. NEVER EVER tell someone to “suck it up” when they are grieving. Likewise, do NOT facilitate keeping someone grieving. Help them see they have purpose and value and worth!

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Comfort Zone … Stability … Security …

Charecteristics, Life Notes, Thought, , ,

How is success measured? What criteria defines success? Who holds the “measuring tape” for success? Who created the rules by which success is determined?

Jesus grew up in the home of a carpenter. Jesus worked closely with Joseph, being trained a skilled carpenter. In their age, children were trained to carry on with the family craft. Society expected Jesus to be a carpenter.

            Jesus grew up to carry on His Father’s purpose, God The Father’s Purpose. Jesus did not do what society expected him to do as the “son of a carpenter” should do. Being a carpenter would have meant that Jesus would have had a stable job to provide for his “future” family.

            Jesus had no permanent home once He began His ministry. Jesus had no “job” to provide a “reliable” income. Jesus spent many nights “out under the stars.” Jesus traveled. Jesus was rather often “on the move.”

By societal standards, what was Jesus’s “comfort zone, or stability, or security”?

            Life is constantly changing, moving. For some, changes are often small. For others, changes are often huge. Yet, for others, changes are random and unpredictable.

            When changes happen (both willingly and unwillingly) society “eyes” may make us feel like we are “reinventing ourselves” with each big change. In actuality, we are either “upgrading” our knowledge or “adding on” a new feature/skill to our lives.

We are always changing. We need to accept that and go forward. We go forward with our “upgrades” and our “add-ons” … joyfully and enthusiastically.

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Pondering Skills

Charecteristics, Life Notes, My Life, Thought, , ,

I have been pondering my “skills” as of late. I have been pondering my “value” also. I have grown up around people with many skills and talents who have gladly shared their knowledge with me.

In my “single digit” years, I learned to crochet, cook, sew, and a few “crafty” things. My grannie, mother, and aunt taught me how to crochet. My grannie, mother, a very animated Italian grandmother, and my “unofficially adopted” Grandma Leddie taught me all sorts of things about food and cooking. We usually had a garden, so I learned gardening skills. Various family members have numerous “crafty” skills … including woodworking.

Many family members have, for all my life, have always had Labradors and fish tanks. Yep, I learned a great deal about having fish. And, naturally, I have a STRONG love for Labs. OH, and cats, yeah, we have always had cats. I LOVE cats. Recently, I had as many as 7 cats .. yes, at one time. I love animals.

Pictures. I LOVE taking pictures. Ansel Adams is my “photographic” idol. (Yeah, that was cheesy.) I have watched numerous videos. I have followed many actual photographers (not on Facebook, actually followed them in person.) I have a couple very nice cameras. For a number of years, I was Superintendent of the Photography Department of the West Tennessee State Fair. (This was NOT a small task.) I chatted with a internationally known photographer about what I could learn from him … he looked at me and laughed … He said, “William, you could teach my classes for me.”

Yesterday, someone yanked a cellphone out of my hand while making a snide comment, ”Here, let someone who knows how to take a picture do it.” (No, I did not hit him.) THIS is where my deep pondering started. An internationally known photographer, in his way, pointed out my photography skills. I have, over the years, had quite the exchange with various photographers. I even started a photo blog many years ago. Granted, that blog stalled … I need to recharge it.

Moving on

I started in college working with computers as a Lab Tech. I have worked many years in Information Technology. I have taught basic computer skills and MS Office usage in the corporate setting.

I am a trained cake decorator. I was, more than once, asked to teach the Wilton classes. (I declined each time. I just did not have an interest in teaching those classes.) I have catered numerous events. I have made a few wedding cakes. I do love baking and creating.

As for catering, there is that. In addition to cakes and food, I love decorating and arranging. Arranging .. I have been professionally trained in making floral arrangements. Prior to my “training” I did it as a hobby. I made all the arrangements for my wedding (yes, including the bridal bouquet). I have made the arrangements for multiple weddings (not just the cakes).

I was a Pampered Chef Consultant. I thoroughly enjoyed taking about food and cooking with people. I was a Creative Memories Consultant. Scrapbooking and card making are also joys of mine. Yes, I love “creating” things. There is even painting … but I won’t go into that right now.

I was a Youth Minister. I have taught children of various ages … Birth to college age. I have also been “The A/V Guy” in a few churches. (Oh, yeah, I have a strange love for creating video presentations.)

I have taught ASL (American Sign Language) to a few different adult groups over the years.

I was a P.A.T.H (Parents As Tender Healers) trainer for a few years also. This was the required class for all prospective resource (adoptive/foster) parents in the State of Tennessee. This was very much no small task.

I have been a server at various establishments in my lifetime. A pizza parlor started it for me in college. There was Raferty’s and Olive Garden as well.

SOOO. I love to cook, create, talk, make, talk, teach, help, share ….

Much to ponder ……..

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We could learn a great deal from observing the weather

Charecteristics, Community, Relationships, Thought, , , ,

As I stand in my kitchen watching the snow fall outside, I think about how beautiful it is. Pure white snow falling … blanketing the landscape. I remember many moments from my childhood … playing in the snow. I smile. Then, my adult brain jumps to the need to shovel the sidewalk and clean off the vehicle. I start to ponder the condition of the roads as the wet snow accumulates and the temperature drops.

We could learn a great deal from observing the weather.

There are millions of people who have never, nor will ever see snow. They may live in regions that do not get cold, let alone cold enough to snow. There are many who live in regions who will never see a hurricane. Some regions rarely get rain.

Let us ponder rain. There are regions of this world where people die from lack of access to clean water. They are in desperate need of rain. There are regions of this world where heavy rains are common. There are areas that experience devastating flooding. Hurricanes have ravaged many lands. A springtime rain shower is rejoiced in some regions. The thought of rain is often dreaded in some areas of our world.

Rain, the thought of, sight of, mention of can invoke an extremely wide range of emotions in many … depending on where they live.

We could learn a great deal from observing the weather.

Let us ponder snow. Snow acts as a blanket for the ground and causes the ground to freeze thus killing wintering insects, their eggs and larvae plus slowing down noxious weed populations. Rain is great, but snow is heavy and soaks deep into the ground and adds nitrogen and trace nutrients to the soil. We cannot overlook the childlike wonder involved with playing in the snow. Likewise, extreme amounts of snow can cause tremendous problems … blocking roadways, trapping people in their homes, bringing down trees and powerlines, freezing water pipes, just to name a few problems. Snow, the thought of, sight of, mention of can invoke an extremely wide range of emotions in many … depending on where they live.

We could learn a great deal from observing the weather.

Lack of a weather element can lead to problems. Excessive occurrences of a weather element can lead to problems. Just like weather elements, a person’s emotions in excess or lack thereof can lead to problems. We cannot control the weather. We can, however, control our emotions.

You may be the only sunshine a frozen heart receives today. You may be the only shelter a battered soul receives today. Keep in mind that “a little goes a long way”. Being encouragement for someone does not mean you have to flood them with all your “insights”.

We could learn a great deal from observing the weather.

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