Be kind

how hard is that I ask?

Some recent pictures I've taken

Desiderata

Desiderata GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

By Max Ehrmann © 1927 Original text

Sunday 4/9/17

Its just 720am here, but it's already looking like another nice day.
On my second cup of coffee before going to do a little shopping.
I've stopped running around so early in the morning now.
Partly because I've had no choice, but I think in some ways, learning to pace myself has slowed down my life in a good way.
I now have to plan when I want to do something a little more active, whether it's errands or something fun.
So, I decide what's important and let the other stuff go.

I've found that the grocery store is really not that much more crowded at 9am than 7am.
I've found that taking a short walk with Amy at the beach or a good birding spot is good for me and I'm really enjoying doing little things.
We went to a garden center festival a few weeks ago and it was fun.
We don't get out as much as we should. But it's fun when we do.

I haven't been writing too much at all because I've been too depressed and I'm tired of whining about it :)

I've taken up photography.
It's something I can do that doesn't take a lot of energy.
I'm not very good at it and right now just have a point and shoot.
I joined a 365 day challenge and have taken a picture every single day for 162 days.
Sometimes it's just a picture of my feet or a box of tissue :)
Most of the time it's just a picture from my back yard or my front yard.
But there is so much to see.
When you really look.

So I find myself seeing the world differently, I look around me more and experience awe.

It's changed my outlook. I love it.

This was taken from my front porch.

4/3/17

back to work today after being sick again!
I'm hoping 3 times a charm.
Spring is here and I'm feeling positive.

Took a quick picture in the backyard for my 365

Would you know Beauty if it were right in front of you?

"A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that 1,100 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by, and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace, and stopped for a few seconds, and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till without stopping, and continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally, the mother pushed hard, and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the most talented musicians in the world. He had just played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: 

Do we perceive beauty? 

Do we stop to appreciate it? 

Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?"