Sounds of Freedom

The beginning of Labor Day Weekend unfolds with the thoughts of the countless blessings pervading my mind.  Sitting in the car outside my daughter's school, I patiently wait for the dismissal bell to ring. The blowing wind ushers countless sounds in through the open window, enveloping my space.  The sounds guide my eyes to the tall metal post holding the symbol of our nation. The following poem was inspired by the moments that followed.  I hope you enjoy it and your Labor Day Weekend.  I pray that it is a Positively Blessed one!

"Sounds of Freedom"

Intermittent flapping sounds,

spurred by metallic clanking rounds

Capture ones fervent attention,

to look in awe at this presentation

The wind manipulates and urges,

the cloth to obey commanded surges

To flutter and wave to and fro,

the stars and stripes surely show

Proudly displaying who ranks high,

around the world for you and I!

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

     The other day I was asked by a gentleman if I liked sports.  Not particularly was my answer.  Why, I asked.  He said that his wife of four years was lamenting over football starting in a few weeks and that she would lose her husband to it until the season was over.  I looked over at him as if I were waiting for the punchline.  I was thinking, where was the problem in this situation?  The sports lover asked me what my take on spouses spending time watching sports instead of being with their spouses was.  I stated that there were no issues for me that my husband spent his time watching sports instead of being with me.  Actually, I let him know that I thought it was great that my husband was able to enjoy watching sports without me.

     In fact I really preferred him to go enjoy his favorite pastime.  With a curious look on his face the man cautiously asked me why.  My reason was simple.  While my husband was busy watching sports, I was studying, shopping, or enjoying my favorite pastimes.  I enjoy listening to all types of music while I quilt, write poetry, read novels.  I do not expect my husband to like everything I do.  Let's face it, its not like your spouse is out handing out bills at a strip joint!  They are just enjoying some sports either alone or with other sports lovers.  Hey better them than me!  

     Yes, I do admit that when I was younger I was insecure and clung to my man.  I even endured sitting on the couch and watching (actually sleeping through) hours of endless sports.  Heck, I even bought him tickets to different sports events and attended with him.  That was the young me who wanted to please my man and overlooked my likes and wants.  Now that I am more mature, I realize that in order to make one another happy you need to communicate, trust and  support one another.  If sports makes my spouse happy then more power to him watching it.  Likewise, I know that my husband also wants me to do what makes me happy.  

     After we indulge in our hobbies we do come together and enjoy doing things we both like.  Being in a committed relationship takes give and take.  If you allow for time apart from one another you will both grow to appreciate the time you do have together all the more.  The old saying, "Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder" is really true.  The time you spend doing your own thing will nurture your relationship and show your partner that you care enough to give them space.  You will reap the rewards when your loved one enjoys the time you do spend together! Have a positively Blessed day!

Possible!

One of my Facebook friends had posted this quote today.  I though it was so positive that I decided to post it here.  It is so apropos for my blog. Enjoy and have a Positively Blessed Day!

Daring To Drive

     Driving remains last on my “favorite things to do” list. Though I prefer someone else drive, necessity obligates me to grin and bear it.  My teen years began the propagation of the fears of driving.  My dislike of driving stems from the loss of a dear friend from a collision with an 18 wheel tractor trailer truck.  It showed inevitable, the day my mother would say, that it was time for me to learn to drive and to get my driver’s license.  The Horror!  No, I was not your typical teenager!   

     Usually, at least when I was young, teens chomped at the bit to get the keys of their parent’s car and get comfy behind the wheel.  By having their driver’s license, teens felt the power of finally having the freedom to go places on their own without the presence of parental authority sullying their plans.   All around me friends and classmates reveled in the success of passing the driving test while shaking their car keys in the air tightly grasped in their fists. 

     The knot in the pit of my stomach grew tighter with each viewed celebration. I made up excuses of why it was not the right time to learn how to drive to all who approached the subject of driving.  The delay stretched out as long as I could take it when I ran out of excuses and was finally confronted with facing my fears.  It suffices to say that with such a dislike and a lack of enthusiasm for driving, I went through three driving teachers throughout my training period.  With each practice driving session my distress of the foreseeable driving test soared.  My first two instructors, my mother and sister, suddenly became too “busy” to teach me after a few “close calls”.  I did not blame them, I was pretty freaked out too when I almost hit those two cars while trying to make a left turn.   Disheartened and petrified my third and final coach came in to the mix. 

     My sister’s boyfriend braved the following sessions brilliantly.  Though I never saw him flinch or heard him scream at me in terror, I know I was a horribly lackluster and scary student.  His patience and consistent schooling in the art of driving eventually gave me more confidence that I could pass the driving test once and for all.  The days leading up to the fateful test day were full of prayers and tears.  The terror of driving surpassed that of not passing.  Finally the day arrived; of course it had to rain! 

     So rain would be my undoing!  My mother drove me to the test as I sat in the car frozen and staring at the rain drops snaking down the passenger window.  I just concentrated on the drops and said prayers the whole way to the test center.  Once the tester joined me in the vehicle I took a deep breath and just imagined my coach in the seat next to me and went on my way.  Before I knew it I was back at the test center successfully parallel parking.  It was over.  I glanced over to the rain soaked sidewalk where two women jumped up and down under umbrellas with wide smiles on their faces; my mom and probably some other teens mom.   The tester handed me a paper and said, “Congratulations!”  It was over! 

     Following the driving test I remember my mom getting in passenger seat asking me to drive home and I responded by saying “no way”!  It is so funny now thinking back to that time in my life.  I say funny because now my daughter and niece are at the age where they are preparing for the driver’s test.  My daughter, very much like me, is very reluctant to practice driving.  My niece on the other hand, whose father by the way was my last driving coach, cannot wait to get behind the wheel.  My daughter has in no way the same reason for disliking driving as I did but dislikes it just the same.  It gets me to wonder if the reason for the disinterest in driving is due to real fears or lack of interest in driving due to the rising of the use of modern technology to do everything.  Most teens in the modern era prefer to study, shop, interact and play on their computers rather than drive to the mall as I did when I was young.  Either way my work is cut out for me with teaching my daughter how to drive.  I never imagined that I would ever have to teach someone else how to drive!  The wisdom I hope to impart to my daughter and my niece is that whatever it may be, driving, school or work, take a deep breath, say a prayer, give it your all and give it a chance!  You may not initially be good at it but practice makes perfect and you will be a better person for having tried!  Have a positively blessed day!!

I'm a College Student!!!

   The new Monster's Inc. movie stands as one of my favorite animated movies this year.  Mike, the one eyed monster with high self-esteem, is the character I can most relate to.  It cracks me up that he goes through life not even seeing the obstacles to his dream of being a scare monster; I love Mike's positive motivation.  Nothing will stop him from reaching his goals.  Meanwhile, other monsters are negative and cannot understand Mike's vision of success as theirs are so muddled and lackluster.

     I can relate to this character 100%.  Almost seven months ago I embarked on finally achieving my goal of returning and finishing my college degree.  I am not your average aged college student, so returning to a place of education that houses students roughly the age of my own child made me feel out of sorts to say the least.  The age disparity was the least of my worries.  My stress stemmed from the class subject matters.  I had not been back to school in so many years and was worried about not understanding the modern day concepts taught.   Once the classes started, my stress was unfounded.  My mind casually nestled itself into the subjects easily and absorbed every ounce of knowledge.  It was as if it soaking the knowledge in was quenching my minds long standing thirst.  My surprise was one of happiness and fulfillment.  Returning to college revived me in a way I never thought would happen. 

     Returning to college opened up doors in my mind that had long been secured and left dusty and cobwebbed.  Once these doors were cracked open, floods of creativity poured out of them.  I realized that I had strengths in activities I had always shied away from, like poetry.  Now writing, poetry, photography and other creative processes exude out of my mind.   It was a difficult journey to decide to return to college.  I struggled within myself to find reasons not to return.  At the time I was living through my doubts and negative thinking.  Once I snapped out of the destructive thinking phase, I got back on the track to my goal of gaining my degree.  Returning allowed me to find myself once again and pursue avenues I had not dared to in the past.

     My happiness at returning to college pervades my life daily.  It is not possible for me to contain my pride and happiness since I am finally where I want to be.  My family is proud of my excellent grades and I am proud of myself too.  My gratefulness at being able to attend college is beyond measure and I daily encourage my kids to reach for that goal too.  I think the only thing that my entire family is not thrilled about is that, like Mike the Monster, I am constantly running around yelling “I’m a COLLEGE STUDENT”!!!

 Remember your long forgotten goals?  Pull them out of the dusty cobwebs and start toward them again! Have a positively blessed day everyone!!!

Golden Worries

In the past I have written about my positive hobbies (hobbitives).  They are positive outlets for my creativity and enjoyment.  My creativity is such an awesome gift from my savior as it helps me to express myself in different ways.  My most precious gift from God is my family, which includes of course my four legged babies.  Why am I mentioning my hobbitives?  It so happens that I enjoy writing poetry.  Today I want to combine my enjoyment of poetry and a day with one of my four legged babies.  My golden retriever, Riley, recently took a trip to the veterinarian.  I took this photo as he was waiting nervously for the doctor.  He and this picture inspired me to write this poem.  Riley is a sweet and gentle giant who has some funny ways about him.  Enjoy the poem and have a positively Blessed day!

"Golden Worries"

Tan and golden hues of hair,

sits upon the onyx chair

Restless and worried eyes,

thinks about a slow demise;

of the bright morning sun,

in which one enjoys a nice cool run

Shifting in the leather seat,

the patient starts to feel the heat

He dangles one leg off the chair,

seemingly without a care

The door slowly opens wide,

the doctor casually walks inside;

to the patient he proceeds

to check upon his tender needs

The golden hued patient stares,

to the heavens and says his prayers;

"Oh heavenly father up above,

the one I so truly love

Let my health be good and strong,

so that it may not be so long;

Before I may leave this room,

that has in the past brought me doom"

Now to the doctor he shifts his eyes,

and to his horror he quickly spies;

The shiny needle he holds strong,

The golden wonders what he did wrong

He braces himself against the chair, 

With his long nose up to the air

His crescent eyes shut real tight,

he does not put up a single fight

The doctor pats his golden crown,

and says to him with not a frown

"Now see that was not so bad,

later you will be so glad; 

that you came to see your favorite vet,

to get those ears thoroughly checked!"

Once the doctor says goodbye, 

the golden retriever gives a sigh

Now his mama waves at him to hurry,

as she says to him, "there now golden see, no worries!"

Thankful for the Freedom I Enjoy!

As evening falls, the sounds of rockets and the flash of colored lights fill the darkened skies.  Squeals of children screaming at the spectacular vistas bring smiles to all around.  At times loud "kaboom" sounds startle those caught off guard, though giggles follow the momentary fright.  Looking around, you see families gathered at the end of their driveways looking in every direction of the sky for glimpses of the half a dozen firework displays in the immediate area.  The festivities of the day are culminated by these joyful shows of colorful splatters in the sky.  Earlier in the day families and their friends gather to eat bar-b-cue, swim, play games and enjoy each others company.  The theme of the day shows enjoyment of the fundamental freedoms our forefathers fought for in the Revolutionary War.  Today we reflect on those brave individuals who took, in the past and still take today, a stand for their freedom and for the freedom of future Americans.  As we see the rockets red glare and hear the sounds of bombs bursting in air above our heads,
we should all be remembering all veterans past, present and future who make this a possibility.  I for one remember and pray for our veterans daily and am truly Thankful for the Freedom I Enjoy!!! God Bless America! Happy 4th of July!!  Have a positively Blessed day!!

The Universe Makes It Right

     Yesterday my son asked me about a situation in which I had a loss of funds. He was very concerned over the loss since it involved his lack of enthusiasm and motivation that made me lose the money.  A little background on me, I have been unemployed for a year and a half and am currently in college.  Funds are tight at the moment and my son is concerned about money we could use.  Anyway, I told him I was not worried about it and neither should he.  He asked me why I had such a nonchalant approach to the loss.  I relayed to him my belief that "The Universe makes everything right".  He looked at me very baffled.  I explained to him my theory.
     I began with the theory of energy.  Energy is finite.  You cannot make it or lose it.  Energy is transferred not lost.  Energy is recycled over and over again throughout the world and universe.  I feel the same about everything that happens in our universe.  When I have a loss, someone else has a gain.  If I feel ill, maybe someone feels better.  If I am feeling sad and lonely, someone out in the universe is happy and loved.  I truly feel that everything and everyone on the planet and the universe are interconnected.  With that, I believe that my loss of money is someones gain.  When the universe is ready I will have those funds returned to me in one way or another.  My son looked at me like I was a wacky hippy and shook his head while he walked away.
     My belief comes from my desire to be positive.  Maybe the need for me to believe that through my negative experiences  someone on the opposite side of the world could have a positive experience drives this belief.  I would certainly hope it to be true. I really hope that my children take this theory with them throughout their lives so they will know that every action or inaction they make affects others.  Hopefully this will drive home the point that all humanity is interconnected and dependent on one another.
     So today I took my golden retriever to get groomed.  He was pretty stinky and needed some pampering, as he has been recovering from an ear infection.  Long story short.....his expensive grooming tab turned out to be free!  The universe is awesome!  I told my son when I got home and he was shocked.  I said, "I told you the Universe would make it right!"  So I hope someone that may read this blog, who is experiencing a difficult time in their lives, take from it that patience and positive thinking will see you through until the Universe makes it right for you!
     Have a positively blessed day!

To Remove or Not To Remove: A Tattoo's Fate

     For thousands of years people from around the world have been marking their skin with sometimes intricate and at times simple personalized symbols.  These tailored works of art initially portrays the wearer’s inner desires, loving tributes, social memberships and various other reasons.  The word tattoo partially originates from the Tahitian word “tatau”, meaning “to mark something”.  In marking their skin, some tattoo garbed individual’s, express themselves in extremely unique ways. 

     Unfortunately, in the modern world, these unique tattoos bring with them, and the wearer, a stigma.    Society’s views on tattoo clad individuals, at times, brings the art wearers unsolicited negative views and undue suffering that results in a desire to remove their once loved skin art.  These disillusioned individuals often turn to laser tattoo removal as a resolution to their tattoo woes.  The method of laser tattoo removal proves to eliminate most if not all traces of disillusionment, remorse and social pressures.

     My opinion of the societal impact of laser tattoo removal is that if an individual feels that they no longer wish to bear the signs of the ink markings in their skin then this is an acceptable resolution.  I do however feel that a person should wholeheartedly contemplate the permanent removal of their skin art, for it will be erased ever after.  Although the ink will be removed there is not guarantee that the removal of the ink will negate the stigma felt before the erasure. 

     Although most of society feels that tattoos are taboo, the proponents stand by their artwork.  Upon expurgation of the ink, the laser removal patron may also have to face the negative social pressures from their former tattooed brethren. http://www.newlookhouston.com/TattooRemoval.html

A Poem for My Son-"Maturation"

Maturation

By Positive Lulu

~Of the first our eyes fell upon you,

We knew the wide world you would pursue

~You are smart, unique and absorb all knowledge,

Our pride you raise for deciding on college

~Through this transition and growth to maturity,

Our support, advice and guidance again you’ll see

~So go forth and achieve your dreams of animation,

But first let’s enjoy the day of your graduation!

*I wrote this poem for my son who will be graduating High School this week!