I give you...
raindrops....

(iPhone photos - 10/31/09)

Autumn

Autumn

Lingers close like an old gray, woolen sweater

Silent, damp and dreary weather

How it chills me to the bone...

Autumn

Triggers meloncholy feelings, restless, loss of ease

Lull me fast to sleep, as you do the trees

So I won't feel - winter...

Cyber Harassment - Is there a line to be drawn?

Electronic communication - texting, IM, and email, etc.
Electronic social networking - facebook, twitter, and myspace, etc.


In the last couple of months, I've been barraged by aggressive, disturbing messages in various forms. Harassment, whether intended to be negative or positive is still harassment and is disconcerting just the same.
It is interesting how things "come my way." At this time, when I am dealing with these unpleasant communications, I was given a couple of articles to study in my English 101 course. This first link will take you to an article having to do with the etiquette of respecting the privacy of people. In days gone by, gossip was passed from person to person, and though it was damaging, it is no match for the speed at which a "Reply all" button can fire out information to vast numbers of people at one time. And, just as fast are the public posts made on sites like "facebook" or "myspace" or even a blog!
Think! - before your spread your news (especially about someone else), whether good or bad, publicly. http://tinyurl.com/ykv5xvx

This second article has to do with the lengths to which some people can or may need to go when faced with dealing with unwanted communication. I've often said that it is very easy to click "send" but it's impossible to click "send back!"
We often let down our guard when it comes to propriety because we feel a false sense of safety "behind the screen." Thus, we feel we can vent things that we would never say face to face or even in a hand written letter - and not think twice about sending it off. People are getting tired and quite sensitive to the this kind of treatment. I know I am! They are beginning to draw a line, set boundaries, in order to protect themselves and ones they love. I feel we will be seeing more and more cases in court having to do with issuing a "cease and desist" order (a restraining order) to individuals who won't respect a person's "No!".
http://abcnews.go.com/m/screen?id=8807685

A Whisper and a Promise

This morning I read this quote on Twitter:

"God whispers to us in our pleasures.

God speaks to us in our conscience.

God shouts to us in our pain."

C.S. Lewis

It caught my attention because it was a C.S. Lewis quote, and I enjoy him thoroughly.

Later today, I was in a "chocolate mood." I hardly ever buy the stuff - but, today it just felt like the thing to do. I bought Dove's Dark Chocolate Promises - you know...the ones that are individually wrapped in foil with little messages inside?

When I got home, I was in the midst of putting things away, and I opened the bag of Promises and took one. Don't ask me why, but I enjoy the anticipation of the secret message written inside - kind of like a fortune cookie ;) But, I was a little disappointed...

"Simply be and not do for the moment."

Ho hum...nothing special about that one. I continued to do what I'd been doing, which was putting groceries away.

After everything was cleared and the grocery bags knotted and stashed, I indulged in a second Promise, hoping the message would be more "special" this time. I couldn't believe my eyes!

"Simply be and not do for the moment."

Then, coincidentially, I remembered the quote from this morning - the part that says,

"God whispers in our pleasures..."

I was experiencing pleasure in eating this chocolate, that's for sure, but these little messages weren't making my day. I kept moving - put water on to boil for my ear of corn, checked email, fed Mr. Kitty, etc. etc. etc.

When my corn was ready, I sat down at the table and turned on my iPhone. When I'm alone, I enjoy reading Twitter while I am eating. I'm scrolling down, down, down, and...STOP! A lady tweeted,

"Just b yourself & be present."

OK, so you think I'm supposed to "hear" something this evening? I'm beginning to get the message that I need to "stop doing" for a few moments and "just BE!" Heavens! So, I'm going to finish this post, grab a glass of water and one more chocolate Promise, and sit in my blue chair for a while and "just be."

(Incidentally, how many times do YOU have to read this to get the message? :) )

Finding Your Strongest Life by Marcus Buckingham

Subtitle:
What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently
The premise of this book seems to be that "...'having it all' means drawing enough strength from life to feel fulfilled, loved, successful, and in control" and that "...it is something every single one of us should aim for and every single one of us can attain." (Marcus Buckingham)
Normally, I would be excited about a book with a message that helps women find out who they truly are and how to build on their strengths for a fulfilling and satisfying life; but I was frustrated by the lack of depth and connectivity which seems to characterize media for the masses today. I haven't read any of Marcus' previous books, but on the basis of this read, I don't see myself looking for them.
Though, there is some good information within the 263 pages - enough to be published in a pamphlet format, basically, I found the book to be a long-winded lead-on. I was very disappointed in the repetition, the excess number of testimonies and the over all feeling that I was reading an infomercial on the snake oil that will cure all your ills.
If you are really curious about "What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently", I suggest you go to the library - this book, in my opinion, is not worth its weight in gold or the US dollar, for that matter.