(Capture moments; to remember, to reflect and to build on. 🌊 ☀️ 💙 🐠 🌮 🐚 🌅 🍊 🐆 ✌🏻🙏🏻)
Each day a gift.
Each day, a day.
But, there are those some days … some days they stand out differently and it can be for different reasons… sometimes bad and sometimes good and sometimes so off beat, they’re just more easily remembered – sometimes we may not even know what sets the day apart from the others. But, on this day… it was easy to know why…
On this day, we drove to one spot I keep finding I like returning to and we ate fish tacos while sitting on warm white sands near the ocean under the sun and found shells and listened to live music covering some Jack Johnson we stayed so long we even watched the sun setting a little ways down the causeway. On this day … we soaked in the day – each minute… although time didn’t take over…we sat and reflected other days, emotions and who and what is important; Then also, separated from all that too for the moment and just felt the feeling of the sun, sand, ocean and we spoke but mostly in silence. Thankful to have moments like these.
Life…..
Gracias for reading. Keep it simple, make more off-beat days, enjoy the now; and then carry the memories along the way.
Be kind to each other and until next time …
…Have a day! 🌮
Peace, Jenny. ✌🏻
Christopher and me; along side of you is a always good spot to be. ✨ 🌎 🌌 🌊 ☀️
Maybe that’s it… maybe we are all just looking for that happy smile … you know the one where it’s not only there on our face but, somehow the soul smiles right along with it. I was recently looking through pictures on my timeline and I came across one of myself when I was probably around four years old….I had a big smile on, teeth, eyes and all; it was authentic in nature you could just tell. On a side note, in case you didn’t know, a smile where one uses also the eyes to smile, is called a Duchenne smile 😊; I was taught that by a friend but, also after some research 🤓, learned that smiling in such a way indicates true happiness and is also referred to in slang as “smizing”…meaning to smile also with your eyes- it’s a mixture of both voluntary and involuntary muscles. Kind of cool really if you think about it, like in true happiness from within with the soul perhaps, the involuntary muscles just kind of happen AND the your whole face smiles and that happy smile is there. But, where do we find it? Well…. I guess that differs in all of us, right? It’s there though … like the foundation in anything we build on; ourselves, our relationships with others… all of it.
So, that picture when I was four… yeah, it crossed my mind when I recognized that smile, that maybe it was before any hurt was experienced, before any loss, before endings and where beginnings only seemed like the norm in life… looking up … and nothing to look down on … I don’t know but, that seems kind of logical in a sense- before pain… OR was it just the ability to just BE; the ultimate mediation I suppose … one where we are content with all around us because, we just are- sounds simple really… ha, well sounding easy and actually doing that is for sure different. Maybe what’s changed is the way we perceive love and life. I think not everyone is in search of “that happy smile”, I think there are the rare ones who kept it or perhaps found it again and also …I know for sure I have had and do experience them often in life in happy times; typically experienced when I am content and in the presence with someone I truly love and feel loved by and am able to give that love- those really good moments where it seems you’re so IN them that all of life is happening right NOW; which really is true … I know I mention that often in life but, I really truly believe it’s one thing we can truly say we know – LIFE HAPPENS NOW and in those really good moments … ahhh life is so sweet. Always will I be thankful for a really good moment. 🙏🏻
The thing is though, at times… the moments of that happy smile seem to be at a distance or sometimes even lost. But, thinking of that in a different way… isn’t that okay? Isn’t it okay to feel … isn’t all emotions a part of life?… a part of really just being human. Experiences change us … life is ever changing in a sense. It’s kind of like a house … our foundation is poured and it holds the house together … although the house changes in time from renovation, from style.. but, the foundation it’s built on, it’s there holding it all together, the base. And if the foundation is strong and well put together… not much can disturb it. I don’t know but, to me …I think of it in that way with some things in life.
So yeah, that happy smile … it’s what we all probably seek and when it’s felt, I hope you know … I know I do and I really do try to step into the moment and appreciate it. It’s when we appreciate it all maybe is where we find it …. a contentment in all of it.
As I write this, we all are experiencing a time of life that may put fear in us, this pandemic we are going through is world wide … we truly are all in this together. 🌍 💗 May you be close to someone who truly loves you and appreciates you in this time and may you reflect on happiness felt. May you be the one to help the happy in another by helping them smile, treating them well.
Gracias for reading still, if you are, and until next time … be kind to one another, we all need that now.
I feel like the anticipation before starting something, is the hardest part. It can pertain to all things; not just the harder things like starting a business or purchasing a house… smaller things like a project in life or in my case, is starting a garden. There’s quite a bit to consider if you’re going to go the way of germinating your own seeds from the actual seeds rather than starting from those already in their growth and also learning which ones prefer to be covered in their early germinating stage or which ones prefer light and air. While researching ideas of which seeds to grow and when to begin, I began thinking of the seeds we plant in one another. Seeds meaning our wisdom, knowledge, advice that when it’s said it may not seem to mean much but, it lies there in our minds … and eventually reaches our souls and …we learn or recognize a message.
I can recall a conversation I had with my son, Christopher, about four months ago and he said to me, (while we discussed his hopeful reached goals in his future), “Mom, I hope I do something that changes the world”. I told him he will and he already has begun. He’s pretty wise and it seems that many people share my opinion in that; which is really cool…not just myself but, others have asked him for his advice or opinion in certain things. So yeah, he was thinking more of a more sudden noticeable change but, I said …sometimes we may not even be able to see the growth of a seed we may have planted. And same with others who have helped planted them in us, (thank you for that actually 🙏🏻). I think he was a little disappointed in a sense but, he also agreed.
So seeds. Planting of them; they are there… ready to bloom, ready for growth… that is if we feed them correctly otherwise, they lay dormant. Just like the seeds of a flower, a vegetable… and us as humans, we require love in order to grow. Sometimes in life it seems you can almost feel when the growth is in its dormant stage; where love isn’t received or unable to be given but, those times the seeds are being fed with love… life feels different – a hope and excitement comes to surface and you just tend to feel fuller and happier; those are the times we live for and live and love to give. So while thinking of this all in the middle of the night one night last week; I researched (🤓)about my hopeful Spring garden (🌱) and then thought….
“Let the Roots Take Hold”…
Some seeds start their growth best in the dark; some always need the light but, all need love. Let the roots take hold. Be there to nurture; to feed, to care, in presence. Show love. Keep the Light. That’s when you’ll see the most healthy growth. Soon…a flower, some food perhaps, a true smile appears; contentment. Be mindful of the seeds you are planting. Let the roots take hold …the one you tend to most, lives much fuller and happier. Stay consistent in your care. Be patient… ….even when the growth is stubborn. Give it the gift of time; the greatest gift of all. Recognize the change but, care the same. The strength of the growth is in our hands. Let the roots take hold …
Gracias for returning to read or for reading for the first time. Take care of each other out there… be mindful of the seeds you are planting and remember that consistency with love can result in such a beautiful thing.
Us as humans really count on time, don’t we? We love to plan ahead… well many of us do, personally, I’ve always leaned towards being a more spontaneous “planner” …like I have an idea of things I want to do and sometimes they just seem to fall into place. I mean smaller things like the “living in the moment” type things. In recent life as in the past five years… after my huge life-changing loss, I more so go with the, yes! Let’s do it! …type of attitude; I mean because, (as a very close person in my life often says…¿porqué no?..and it’s true, why not?). All we have is now. I know I’ve touched on this before but, truly can it be any better of a message to pass along in life? I don’t think so. I think it’s probably one of the most important reminders in life.
So back to us as humans and time.
Time. Oh we keep track of it like we can control the amount of it we have … we plan ahead (which is great for reasons like having exciting things to look forward to and such) but, sometimes I think there is so much future planning that we wait. We wait for those things to happen. We wait for the Friday dinner or happy hour planned or movie night, weekend get away, etc…. and then in the meantime we think of things we want in our future, we dream and again … keep planning. I am a planner too in a sense, well a big sense I know I too am waiting for certain things, (TACO TRUCK, TACO TRUCK..lol), but, in the meantime … I know too and sometimes have to remind myself to LIVE NOW. Lately I’ve tried to occupy my time with things that will work or help towards those things I am striving for in my future while enjoying life now too- it’s a balance for sure but, is maintainable and enjoyable for obvious reasons.
What sparked me to write this kind of came up a couple of weeks ago although I do think of this often. I have been reflecting though more so (a huge part of my life and I suggest to do often to remain thankful and gain insight into what’s important … another post perhaps 😉 ), on a certain persons life actually … my nephew in law, Ryan. Ryan has been part of my life for seven-ish years since he has been part of my niece Brianna’s life. Ryan was a great example of living in the moment and going for it in life. He very sadly passed away very recently and since, it has just been another very raw and real slap in the face reminder of how absolutely SHORT and UNPREDICTABLE life can truly be.
Ryan was a young thirty-three when he passed. Ryan though, lived so full in many ways and was successful too. He was the kind of guy that worked hard but, also had so many hopes and dreams and did things so many just dream of such as traveling on a whim and to many places all over the world.
We surely can learn from people such as that and we can learn from time. It’s not ours … it’s a gift. So go ahead … do what you dream of… if you’re riding by something beautiful such as a sunset but, you’re in a hurry.. instead of observing from afar, stop. Enjoy it and take it in; all we truly have is NOW. Do it. Live. Let go of most fear that holds you back because, truly … we just don’t know. And in each moment you have, be thankful for it. Smile and don’t always just wait for Friday.
As I wrote the first part of this, I was on my way to Florida for two days with my son by my side on the plane … we saw a few loved ones and even went to Disney World for a day…AND…we enjoyed the now and the OCEAN aka home ;)…. always have I felt like home when I am near the ocean 🙏🏻🌊. And as I wrote the second portion, we had just returned to our house on a date that is very difficult to relive but, also one that reminds of the uncertainty of life and time..the passing of my (late) husband, Ben. He too lived but, he didn’t get to do so much he wanted to; things like this teach us, remind us and help us to strive to just go for it.
If you are blessed with insight in life, be thankful… it’s difficult but, beautiful too..es muy importanté en la vida. (I’ve come to realize recently, I speak in Spanglish lol … it’s become natural to say certain things in Spanish and others in English …most in English but, perhaps a day I’ll know more Spanish… random, I know…ha…but, thought I’d share). Anyway, hope you’re enjoying today to its extent.
Gracias for reading for the first time or again and taking “time” to do so. I appreciate it, truly. Until next time, be kind to one another, do something spontaneous and LIVE. (Feel free to share what it is you did too… 🙂 it’s always good to have those who inspire and spark something in others to feel brave and free.)
Have a day! 🌮
Peace, Jenny.
Sunset 01/11/2020. ☀️ 🌅 🙏🏻 An unexpected but, so beautiful stop on the Causeway in between Tampa and Clearwater to see a sunset. Life……
Look around you… if in your close reachable distance, you see the one you love or even if you can’t see them close by right now but, that you do have in life …I mean the one … the person that’s there who just is. The one you go to to lift you, to support you, hear you, love you and allows that reciprocal love to come back to them from you.
Well, then …. you’re blessed.
Even if right now you’re upset with them perhaps… let this one go — don’t be the right one for once; more than once actually … those little arguments won’t matter when you’re missing them one day; should that happen. Ha… yes, kind of a deep I know but, it’s good to think of things like that; well at least I feel it is. Enjoy the nows with the one you love. I forgive much quicker and wholly than I ever had before .. I have much patience for the one I love because, the lessons… the fear of loss before the loss. Lessons are so difficult but also a blessing; although very painful at times.
It’s so amazing to have someone in your corner and who allows you in theirs; quite beautiful actually. That’s what matters… the hand.
The hand that’s there to hold in your most trying times … in a crowd when you want to stick together… to sit and play thumb wars with and somehow you forget the world around you for a minute lost in that little game, ha, the one to give a high five when you just both “get it” and both find something funny, cool or whatever, the one you hold while you slow dance with in the kitchen … well, you get the idea I’m sure.
But, yeah … the hand. I’ve often said, in the end it’s all about a hand. It really is though … us as humans I think kind of need a person. We can say it’s okay on our own but, even when you fight it or just don’t want to feel fully connected to someone and we stray apart from one who loves us or we lose them … we grieve. We grieve not just the loss of that person but, their hand, their support. It’s not often someone comes from just true love; the unconditional kind and when two people come together to share that, it’s just so beautiful. So yeah, if you have it … be thankful and let love be the guide of your choices. Because, that hand. Shew …it’s really great to have even in the light… the easy, care-free days… but those dark days, when you feel so low and the weight of the world and uncertainty surfaces, that hand … it’s so very important to have in those times.
But, that’s what it is … the one that stays in the dark times not just the light. It’s that unconditional love that’s the real beauty in the world, the love that isn’t selfish, that loves through it all, not just the good but, the bad too. I don’t mean bad as in a kind that would make you feel less appreciated or one that is unhealthy for you, I mean accepting the faults of another or when that person faces turmoil, loss or misfortune or is struggling … the ability, well actually also (the choice) to love through those times and to stand by the side of your person … the hand.
It’s just what we do when we love we choose to stay. It’s always really exciting in the start …we’re getting to know each other exploring each other it’s exciting and beautiful. But, the real beauty comes in with time and dedication to choose to be there. To do it together and face it all… I recently read an article about this Turkish couple who for their wedding decided to feed 4000 refugees together. I thought that was so beautiful and to me, it just showed what you can do together when you choose to just love and unite with the other … love is truly powerful and the strength you can give one another to believe in dreams and the choice you make together to do something like they did and start changing the world … it’s absolutely beautiful. But, yeah that choice to stay even when it’s gets a little too routine and even when there’s the times that person may seem to even annoy you with the slightest thing lol like snoring in the middle of dead silent night, ha yeah I am sure some of you are like … yes! Exactly … right now … haha, but, honestly … it truly is so worth it and if you have the ability to realize the worth of it all … that’s why you stay. Through it all.
And together … hand in hand you help the world after choosing to stay in each other’s. Amazing. 💞🙏🏻
But, it’s a commitment and it’s so worth it because, it’s just not every day you find someone who truly wants to stay and to anyone who does have that hand.. like I said…STOP… remember to be appreciative of them in the moment you’re in right now and also in the hopeful moments ahead … let that unconditional love be the guide and then you’ll know you’re always coming from the right place.
So yeah … what we do when we choose to keep that person by our side …
We forgive.
We accept.
We appreciate.
We bend.
We stand by.
We laugh together.
We cry together.
We support.
We encourage.
We believe in.
We stay.
We act completely silly together.
We eat tacos together ….and just so. much. food. lol 😉 nom.
But, most importantly…we come from love. 💞
It’s so beautiful and man… such a blessing.
So, may you feel a little less weight of the world knowing you have that hand and may you be there for another to be that hand as well.
Gracias for returning to read and thank you if you still are now 😉 … my apologies it’s been a while since the last post. Shew, life can be quite busy at times … very important to also step back to reflect, (another future post I am sure), so yeah I am truly thankful to have this outlet and to anyone who is interested in reading my opinions on things. 😉
Take care of one another out there; and yourself as well. Until the next time…
Have a day! 🌮
Peace, Jenny. ✌🏻
Togetherness. Support. Love. 💗🌺💞🥰🤜🏼🤛🏻✋🏻🙏🏻Seek nature together too 😉 Meditate together. Create peace together.
Have you ever considered handing over the drivers seat in life? It’s hard to do for sure; allowing someone else to drive. (Ehh, In the case of driving an actual motor vehicle … I think I am a good, well, a pretty good driver anyway-I don’t hit stuff when doing so, ha…so that should really count 😉 … I mean, there are some who have driven with me though and possibly have a few times, that may have a slight difference in begging to differ -😳- “Jenny, the light’s green”, “Jenny, you can go now”…etc; you get the point… but, thank you for that actually 😉/and as far another person actually in the drivers seat and me in the passenger, yeah, that is always nice and relaxing for sure and appreciated as well- thankful the that.), but, going back to the meaning of this particular blog… – I am not suggesting giving up in life, instead… I am suggesting putting Him in complete control and just sitting back for the rest of the ride. Like giving it Up ⬆️🙏🏻 -to Him- to God and letting go or holding much more loosely, on the reigns, staying on the path with an arrow guiding you and leading you to His way for your life- your fate, your unknown roads, the path, the journey – whatever it is you refer to it as. Relaxing from the tension of wondering if something is or will be and instead …just re-lax. (Wouldn’t it be nice if it were as easy as that though?… it isn’t but, overall, getting to that point when you’re ready to “give it up” and handing over those keys to the drivers side certainly takes some of the pressure off once you admit the control is not yours).
Become mindful. I do try hard to step in the moment, the now, as mentioned in the past and it’s good to be mindful and open to what is and also what isn’t.
So, yeah…stepping in to the moment ….breathe in and out-slowly ….be okay with what is and try your hardest to be okay with what isn’t; I think it can also help you enjoy those things as well. Time is a precious thing and we plan for things like we have control of it but, really..it’s precious because, we don’t know how much we have. Just writing this out makes me reflect on some of the best times I’ve had; so very thankful for those beautiful times that I’ll cherish always. If you’ve been in some of my really good moments, thank you. Okay.. so yeah, giving it up-losing “control”-allow yourself to be guided.
Ahhh- doesn’t it sound nice? It’s a great way to be for sure and I’m not saying it because I have total experience with it and fully practice it already in life but, I do have some experience with it and plan to, God willing, keep just doing that.
I guess if you think about it, it’s like letting go of the responsibility of things in life. However I do believe that life is made up of choices; sometimes a well thought out choice, others quick and instinctual- either way, we tend to (although with the Ultimate Guide), help lead our paths with our own free will we were given. That’s great to be able to guide ourselves to a point but, over all I have learned…we think we can make the plans in life but, turns out… yeah, we aren’t that powerful.
I’ve learned from my personal experiences that really in order to maintain a smile or at least a hopeful attitude in life, we must not try to control things in any sense; sometimes our human ways tend to make us push too hard for certain things in life but, gradually and steadily, with much appreciated Guidance, I’m learning …still, just a student here ;). So, yep, those beautiful things we desire to share in life or want in life, they will find their way some how perhaps and maybe they already do in a sense, in their own way.
So, who knows right? This beautiful, crazy ride on the journey – it is nice in a sense to think of just being Guided- almost like a nice deep breath like, ahhh- here God…I know You’ve got this; I’m taking a nap 😴. But, really I mean, yes, still working towards dreams and such and working to obtain the goals we hope for in life but, in a more relaxed and faithful way of not knowing.
Not knowing. Yeah, that can be hard for sure. Ha, which reminds me… I had a thought and said to my son as he was driving in the thick fog for the first time yesterday morning, (he did really well, by the way 😉 ), “the fog is kind of like the future, we know we’re going some place and have an idea as to where but, we can’t see it exactly clear”. Can you even imagine your parent saying something like that as you’re driving to your early morning breakfast before school?, 🤓- ha that poor kid 😉 but, really it kind of is if you think about it …uncertain. Uncertainty can be for sure difficult and scary and it’s nice to have the reassurance on the other end, that cozy reassurance that we feel so comfortable in but, all of it’s part of life – the ups, the downs, the days to live, the days to reflect. Yep, life….it’s so very unpredictable…so, we may as well allow some help in the Guidance of the journey and just give it up and enjoy the best parts and push through the hard parts.
Gracias for reading another blog and if it’s your first, well, gracias to you as well! May you have a (blessed) day today- don’t be too hard on yourself, I’ll try that as well-;) For me, it seems to always feel a little easier when I remind myself Who has my back in life…shew, and it’s much appreciated, thank You so very much 🙏🏻.
Seek Gods will in all you do, and He will show you your way. 🙏🏻Give it Up. 🎈 Picture taken during the sunrise/ early morning launch at the 2019 ADK balloon festival this past weekend. 🙏🏻Guide me on my path. 🙏🏻 Picture taken on a beautiful and really blessed day at Lake Ontario. 🌺
Ha. I keep writing that word all alone lately because, to me, it just says so much; I do so when reflecting on things and thinking of the nows I am in, the thens and the tomorrow’s – many aspects of the short one-worded phrase that actually represents the living – the happiness, sadness, excitement, hope, love, loss, grief etc…One of the definitions of life I found while researching 🤓, says:
Life: the existence of an individual human being or animal .
Seems pretty truthfully and obviously defined, that one word though… existence (yeah, part of that word… ‘exist’, I definitely will touch base on ..someday, actually will be in book too); briefly though, to give you an idea … I have thought quite often the importance of not just (boring) existing but, rather LIVING. 😍..so, yeah … another future topic.
So moving on though….anyway, life…. being an obvious gift especially when you look at the big picture, meaning ehh, just the fact that I am able to type this out independently.. have fingers and the mind to do so and eyes to see the screen … quite an amazing miracle of a gift if you think of it, right?! Beautiful and amazing. That’s perspective….
There is a semi-popular saying, well to anyone else who enjoys to read quote after quote during sleepless nights perhaps 😉 , that says: “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond.”- seems pretty accurate in a sense to me …putting the percentage aside (who can determine the exact percentage like that, ha, but anyway, certainly how we perceive things to be, is so much of it all.
I truly believe our life ends up in a sense like a book that’s written by our thoughts and how we interpret them. Isn’t that kind of cool in a way to think that we can help write our own book of life. Well, it’s obvious, yes, however some things are certainly out of our control, illness, tragedy, other actions etc and then … we’re left with choices. We can let us wallow in the pain of it or embrace the pain and let it be valid and real and then … build on that with something we perhaps learn from it and grow from. I do believe we all have that knowledge and power to redirect our thoughts but, also think, each of us also have a natural way to us that either leans towards ….”it could be worse” or “it couldn’t be any worse”. I mean, obviously … our emotions play a big part too, (and man are some of them so very present and in our face), …AND…ehh, that’s when …expectations come in. 😅
Expectations…well, they are just a belief in something that you think will happen or should and honestly, they are great to have and much needed I think in life to keep our hopes high and dreams alive …however …. 😕….it’s where those expectations are not fulfilled… shew, that can quite frankly – stink!; total disappointment at times and can also be pleasantly accurate-which is the desired outcome. It’s when our expectations aren’t meant that can throw off SO much in life. I’ve thought about expectations much and although I won’t deny mine, it’s a good reminder to ground yourself and thoughts when things don’t turn out as we desire and remember, it’s our own ideas and hopes that aren’t being met. And then …. it goes back around to perception… so, in the circle of life, we have many circles and coming to realizations is a big I believe.
Realizations, I believe, help remind us of where we’re at and to see things for what they are. It helps keep us in the NOW of life – all we have, now. Realize we aren’t in control and then … it’s much easier to try to just enjoy it all to its fullest. And with that all… we balance.
Focus on the good during the bad and realize, there will be bad even during the good. The yin and the yang of life … once again. ☯️
So, keep on trying, enjoy the now, try hard to accept that things will be as they are, enjoy those you love, learn to let things be, hop in the passenger seat in a sense and let the Ultimate Guide, guide you. May you find peace in not knowing and peace in where you’re going. I think often …wouldn’t it be great, if I stayed consistent with these thoughts? I know, I seem all together with my emotions … ehh, yeah, so not the case however, I’m thankful for insight as to what holds true meaning… from my perspective. We all try and all we can do is continue to…redirection of thoughts and soaking up and embracing the feelings of it all.
Gracias to you for reading, (if you still are that is 😉 ), Sorry, this was so long, (ha, writing this made me randomly think of old notes we would write to friends during class and hand them to them in the hallway as we passed them by … ehh, “sorry so long”, “ttyl” and some other randomness but, it made me laugh remembering that). So yeah, just some random life advice … ehh, from just me …in my small little life and that’s what’s cool about life … we all have our own perspectives and ideas … so, keep doing what works for you, right?? It’s all we can do.
Anyway, until the next time…Have a day!
Be patient with yourself and those you love.
Peace. ~Jenny.
#Haveaday #balance #life
One of the happy and peaceful moments in life; Picture taken in Thurman, NY, Hudson River side. 🌺
The culture of Japan has always been interesting to me and the use of chopsticks to eat, I’ve always been a fan of… well, at least from my very young adulthood and up. I actually hold great pride in being able to use chopsticks like actually quite functionally; I could definitely be better but, I don’t have to use the pre rubberbanded ones …. ehhh, any more, ha. There’s just something cool about using chopsticks to me; and I always related that to the fact that I enjoy Japanese culture and also like to embrace things that aren’t “the norm” around me perhaps.
So about chopsticks…I learned something the other day, turns out, I’m actually not as knowledgeable in the chopsticks using life as I thought … ha. While sharing some ramen the other day, ( yes,ramen, mmm good stuff with some seaweed pieces and some other added deliciousness in it), I was taught about some of the etiquette to the use of chopsticks. (Thank you.) 🙂 Apparently, while in between use of the chopsticks, it is wrong to rest your chopsticks in the food itself; instead, the chopsticks should be placed to sides of dish, bowl or whatever you are using. For me, I was actually using a bowl that was purchased for me that came with chopsticks for a past Christmas years ago by my Mother, hence the known fact that I enjoy chopstick use when eating. (Thanks mom!).
So, while I thought it was quite interesting but, also while being in the moment of being in ramen-eating-heaven, I forget to ask exactly why it was frowned upon and looked at as disrespectful. And then, of course in the later days, this prompted the ‘research nerd’ 🤓 in me and I couldn’t resist; I HAD to read up on it all as to why it was wrong. Well, turns out that, in Japan, the chopsticks resting in food, signifies death; it’s something the Japanese will do only at a funeral of a passed loved one. Fascinating. Another reason to appreciate their culture. So, basically, it’s about love and respect for those we love and grieve. Ummm, that’s quite beautiful I think.
So, this brings me to sacrifice. I thought of how beautiful it was that the loved ones of the traditional Japanese were respected in this way and then thought of just us as humans all over this world are in general with how we show love and then….sacrifice came to mind.
Sacrifice: there are a few definitions of it but, the one I am referring to is where something of value is given up for the sake of something more important or worthy.
I saw sacrifice while driving down the street in a town just one town over from me, Glens Falls, NY. As I glanced over to the side of the road on the side walk, I noticed a mom hunched over, almost bent in half actually and walking, while pushing a stroller; not just any stroller though, she was assisting her young, maybe two year old daughter, to push a doll stroller with her little “baby” doll in it and then I thought of sacrifice- a little gesture like that… it’s what happens when there’s love. We sacrifice. Again, beauty. (And yes, it was just as adorable as you can imagine, the little girl proudly pushing her baby doll and peeking in to be sure it was okay– I mean, even the two year old was sacrificing, ha. Cuteness for sure.)
Anyway, I’ve seen sacrifice in so many things and situations in life and then I got lost in thinking of the many ways; it’s the overly tired Dad who has worked all day to get out of work only to teach his son or daughter a sport into the sunset time of the evening, it’s that mom nearly breaking her back to push the little stroller to provide contentment and happiness to her little daughter, it’s the “person” of another who cares for them when they fall ill or are injured; it’s the volunteer who is tired after their own life responsibilities to go care for others; it’s the friend who is just there even to just listen or even talk when the other just knows they’re in need; it’s the homeless woman or man who would rather feed their animal over themselves; it’s the single parent or parents in general, (in this crazily and sadly expensive world), who goes without to help their child or children feel fulfilled in life, it’s that hand that’s there when there isn’t another, (oh, that hand though- that’s another future blog post for sure), and the list goes on and on.
This world is tough, yes. However, it’s beautiful as well and also SO full of love. It is truly all over, LOVE, that is, and sacrifice actually.
We sacrifice for those we love; we bend, we compromise, we give, we listen, we care and show compassion.
Sacrifice=love; It’s beautiful I’ve recently discovered. And really, I have said before and thought of the meaning of life so many times and what my idea of it all is and the only thing that seems right to me: it’s love.
Love is what it’s all about. (more detail on this as well in the future).
So, yeah… who knew the proper use of the placement of chopsticks related to food and sacrifice are kind of related, ha. (Oh and on a very, very random side note, when I say ‘chopsticks and sacrifice’, in my mind, I can’t help but think of a song released in the late 90’s called, “Stickshifts and Safetybelts”, by a band named Cake.- I guess it’s just the flow of the words when I say it that makes me think of it but, thought, I should share it with you.~You’re welcome~ 😉 It has always been a fun upbeat and bouncy song that’s about love and just wanting to be close to the person, in my opinion, to listen to- especially in the car with someone who you can embrace your weirdness with and sing out loud like it’s just you alone (again, as mentioned in previous blog posting, that person, the one you enjoy spending your alone time with- one of life’s gift for sure!). 🙂
So sacrifice, yeah… keep doing that for others… it’s okay to give part of yourself for the sake of another’s happiness. Actually, the great news is … making another smile and happy, actually helps us find happiness as well, I believe. Well, at least for me, personally, I always feel happier when I know the person I am near and love, felt that. Good stuff – the circle of love.
Well, thanks again for reading and keep loving and being the spreader of love.
The bowl that was gifted to me by my Mom that actually has placement for the chopsticks 🥢. Huh, whoever made the bowl must have understood the proper etiquette now that I think of it, ha. Pretty cool. My son, Christopher, has been fascinated with Japanese culture since he was very young, even more than me; actually some of his interest in it rubbed off on me – Anyway, this fabric banner hangs in his room.
It may seem trivial but, coming to the conclusion that I discovered my favorite road trip candy is kind of a big deal in a way. Oh, it’s all pink Starbursts, (yeah I know, somewhat heavenly for some reason), and also strawberry Twizzlers ties up or at least comes in at a really close second. Trivial or insightful?
Its really important in life to have insight as to what we ourselves enjoy and don’t. I know when introducing myself in my first ever blog entry…(last week, ha), I said some things I like that I had already known about myself and that’s great but, learning me and actually having a solid answer to something as trivial as knowing exactly what candy to buy for a road trip, it’s insightful for me.
Ha. Who would think knowing what candy I like in a certain situation would makes me a little fulfilled. I think we all question ourselves with our choices in life.
I have a favorite band also that I didn’t mention on my list of things …311. For those of you who aren’t aware of who they are, it’s not pronounced as three one one, (I’ve always found that funny for some reason when I get that response…”who is three one one?”, it’s Three Eleven. Thankfully, music has always been a huge part of my life and 311, yeah, for me, has helped much..not only did I follow them up and down the east coast back in the day…yep, again, a little nerd like in a sense like my love for research but, I did and it was great and liberating not to mention super fun but, the lyrics have helped a lot; sometimes music just heals~sometimes it’s just the feel-good beat and sometimes the lyrics that seem to read your very emotion or thought. Oh and following of the band, I did this back in the B.C. days (Oh if you’re wondering what that refers to, the ‘B.C. days’ means, Before Christopher; I will talk more about him in another blog but, to sum him up now, Christopher is my biggest blessing in life, my sixteen year old son). On a cool side note though, Christopher actually is on one of 311’s cover albums in a picture with one of the band members). Pretty cool, right?
So yeah, 311 has a song that has been one of their more popular songs that has a lyrics line that says…..
“you’ve got to trust your instincts and let go of regrets.”. ~ Its true, right? So easy to sing along and so hard to do sometimes. There are many times, I get that instinctual feeling and then …..I question it.. You too? Why do we do that to ourselves?. I don’t know but, I think it’s part of life though, learning and being more open to learning about ourselves, it’s all a process. And regrets, yeah…well, I guess we have them as well. Again, learn. I believe we learn right up until our last day on earth.
So, Going back to the trivial …having a solid answer to what road candy I like, yep, it is just one small thing about me but, it’s another thing I now know about ME!
Knowing ourselves, I think can make it much easier in many areas in life, especially in our relationship with ourselves and relationships with others; so important to look at ourselves and be open to what we are doing, our actions, our rights, wrongs and where we need change-yeah, I mean ourselves maybe needing the change-and being open to that. Step by step…right? (step by step…ehhh, a whole different era of music…ha, not going there though).
Anyway, I hope you know what your favorite road trip candy is and if not, I’m hopeful you discover it soon and seize the day and go on a really cool road trip, alone or accompanied by someone you enjoy spending your alone time with, (another future blog topic ;)), listening to your favorite music and singing out loud with the windows down and a smile on your face.
Gracias, for returning to read again…
Until then, have a day!
~ Jenny.
#haveaday, #311, #roadtripcandy
My son, Christopher, and S.A. Martinez from 311 in 2016 at Hampton beach in NH-(this is the picture that is on one of the bands albums… again, cool right?.)
I may as well jump right into it; the phrase ‘have a day’, was come up with on accident. The word ‘good’ was left out in the busyness of a work day my late husband had said to one of his customers exiting the mobile phone store he worked at, have a day! It kind of stuck because, like he had said later that evening, “who am I to tell anyone what kind of day to have?”.
have a day, it is.
Well, welcome to my first ever posting on my first ever blog. To me, since the beginning of my writing ability existence, writing has been therapeutic; after, yes, my husband passing away and even during the illness, I wrote…a lot.. so, I kept leaning towards a blog and also other things such as a book and different hopes and dreams I will, (God willing), fulfill.
Have you ever set up any blog page or even had to fill out an answer on anything that has the one question of: tell us a little about yourself? Well, then you know possibly how I feel about that; for me, it’s always a bit awkward and seems so uniformed and boring. I thought of stating the stuff most would like, where I grew up, (upstate NY), where I am, (still…upstate NY), and things I enjoy and don’t enjoy as much. So I decided to write a very condensed version of who I am in the about me part on here under my personal info. It says: (if you didn’t see it)….I am a firm believer in embracing the present moment, in love, in faith and I love tacos, frogs, nature, cooking, music, rocks, water, friends and family.
Yep! That’s me..well small parts of me. But, overall..much of those things are things I find joy in and are the drive behind my small little life.
I also am a huge fan of looking stuff up and researching; semi-nerd like possibly in a sense but, for me, it’s fun, ha. As I wrote above when without saying but, stating my husband had passed away…with that word, late, of course it made me wonder where the origin of THAT came from as well. So, if you are now interested too, it dates back to the 1400’s and maybe even further back but, it was just put in front of the name or title of the person who passed away , to relay the message to the listener that that person is passed on now; actually to avoid an awkward conversation like: oh, she or he sounds great..I’d like to meet them! ~ but, yeah..it just helps avoid all of that awkwardness in a way.
So, moving on, did you see I mentioned tacos above? Nom. Yeah, they will hopefully play a huge role in my future, I mean ,they already do just from being so amazingly delicious but, one of the goals I dream of is to own a taco truck on the ocean. Umm, doesn’t that sound amazing? Well, maybe not to everyone but, to me it does. First of all, tacos and secondly, then combined with being near or at least in the vicinity of the ocean or some body of water-yes, please. The ocean though…it’s amazing.
But, patience is a virtue I have learned…actually correct that, I AM learning. Since, that loss I mentioned up above, I tend to kind of have this thing where I want things to happen now; I mean now is all we have, right? (another blog post topic for sure). Yeah, it just doesn’t work that way BUT, good news is step by step, it can be attained.
As for now, I am a Registered nurse at an elementary school, where I am blessed to be able to be part of some of the cutest little humans and sweetest, lives. We’re all just wanting to connect with someone I think..even the little ones; there is one girl who stands out in my mind right now, she likes to stop in for the random snack and one time, she gave me the cutest frog ring and art work she made just for my office! So adorable. We can learn a lot from little gestures like that in life, it’s definitely good to be the spreader of love and happiness and much MUCH needed, as I am sure you are aware in this world. (another future topic).
Okay, well…there it is, the first blog. I did it.. I wrote my first blog on this Friday morning in August…(one of the perks of working in a school schedule, for the most part, summers are free of the structured ‘Monday through Friday, cookie cutter white picket fence American dream’ type work ; (again…topic!, ha).
So, thank you kindly for reading my blog, (if you still are that is 😉 ), and feel free to like it and share with your friends and family and, gracias, in advance. Also, feel free to message me any feedback or topic ideas you may wonder if I will post. I don’t want to have a specific schedule of when I will write but, I would think weekly or maybe multiple times a week. More so, I will go with the flow of things and write or post randomness and such. I plan to also add pieces of my book to the blog and for those of you who just saw the word tacos and suddenly felt interested and are just here for the taco talk…well, I will talk more about them soon as well.
have a day! 