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!

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!"

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

Exercising=Happiness=Positive thinking

I have decided that I need to get up and help myself be more positive by Exercising! I am by no means a regular exerciser but I remember how I used feel when I did. It reminded me of how good I would feel after I worked out. It always put me in the best mood. I was always......HAPPY!! Wow, so why am I not running out to exercise at this second? Well I need to start slowly and work my way up to that level. It will take me a little while to get over the aches and pains of starting to exercise again. So I decided I am going to do what I like for exercise. I LOVE to dance to Latin music so I am starting my rebirth into exercising doing none other than Zumba! I know it isn't the standard exercising routine but each person has to pick what will keep them motivated. So I invite you all to click on some of the Zumba videos below and get a feel for what I am getting myself into! I am honestly looking forward to getting fit, healthy, happy and of course more POSITIVE!

Take a look at this link for an article called "Supercharge Your Life with Exercise" http://www.helpguide.org/life/exercise.htm

Happiness From My Hobitives

WTH is "Hobitives"?  Okay so it isn't a word from the dictionary but it is a merging of two words that make me feel good. That is because it is derived from Hobbies and Positive. Yeah dats right I said it Hobby+Positive=Hobitive=My hobbies make me feel positively HAPPY!!! 

Hobbies are good for the mind, body and soul.  Participating in hobbies helps you to reduce stress, get fit, help the world around you, helps you reach goals.
There are so many hobbies out there to choose from that don't cost a penny, on the other hand there are those that cost way more than a penny.  Whichever it might be a hobby is just waiting out there for you to explore and help you detach from the every day dulldrums....yikes did i say dulldrums? You know what I mean.  Something that will help you relax and feel good about yourself.

I have several hobbies because well when it comes to keeping my attention I am HIGH MAINTENANCE!  I enjoy doing many things i.e. Shopping (can't do that without money so that is on hold for a while), quilting(I use old pairs of jeans and the flat sheets I never use from sheet sets so it doesn't cost much) , reading, crafts(I really like to recycle things and make new things out of them like I make Christmas Ornaments out of old burnt out light bulbs), sewing(LOVE to make Halloween Costumes!!), dancing(not professionally, just dancing around my house in my booty shorts gyrating to different types of music), gardening (only in the spring when it isn't a million degrees out), writing, collecting old cameras, collecting bells (I had to stop because I had no where to put anymore), I collect Santas(the dolls.  I have a sitting room I call the "Santa" room during Christmas that is nothing but Santa Claus dolls and Santa decor. I get all my stuff from yard sales so not much spent on that hobby), Yard Sales(LOVE THEM! If your hobby is collecting things then yard sales are for you!) and I know there are more but can't think of them right now. 

I guess I tend to have different hobbies for different times of the year.  I think this is to keep my interest in the hobby from wilting away, like I said I am attention deficient and things have to really interest me to keep me happy.  I guess that is really what hobbies need to do for each person- keep them interested and happy.

Before choosing a hobby you need to think of what you want to get out of that hobby.  Do you want to get in shape, do something in a group to benefit others, be creative, work with charities, build model airplanes?  You also need to consider how much, if any, you want to spend on the hobby.  So whether you choose a hobby that is active, creative, or that gives you a sense of accomplishment in helping others, doing the hobby will give you many benefits in your life.

Hobbies are good for your mind, body and soul.  Mind-Takes you away from your worries and problems and relieves stress. Body-Active hobbies keep you in shape. Even hobbies that aren't as physical as rock climbing can still have positive impact on your health. Such as helping flexibility, dexterity and cardiovascular health. Soul-Having a hobby helps you feel good about yourself completing goals and gives you a sense of worth and accomplishment.

Whatever hobby you decide to start remember that it should be something that you enjoy and helps you to feel good about yourself.  It should not be something that you feel will be a burden to you but makes you smile and feel positive about yourself.

So this is the first word going into the Positive Lulu dictionary:

Hobitive or Hobitivity:Definition- A Hobby/ies or activity that brings you a positive feeling or a sense of Positivity!

So I am considering a few more Hobitivities for myself.  I am thinking of volunteering at a shelter(love animals so this will be so POSITIVE), joining a theater group(yikes this would be way out of my comfort zone but then again so was blogging and now I am doing it. I have been told I am quite a character so still pondering this one, karaoke singer (NOT).  If anyone has any suggestions....would Love to hear from you!

So what do you think? Is having a Hobitivity something that interests you? Give it a try you have nothing but Positive things to gain!

Have a Positively Blessed day!