I Pledge Allegiance....

Today, with a few hundred people gathered at the Nokia Plaza in Los Angeles, I watched Obama being sworn into the presidency, teary eyed. I stood beside my 21 year old daughter, Sami, and saw and heard her cry every moment during Obama's speech. She, with the the younger generation, have finally seen a ray of hope for her future and the future of her friends. We waved our flags with much joy and pride. The spirit of hope and devotion to country revived by our young president.

For so many years, I could not say the Pledge of Allegiance when asked to do so. Most Toastmasters meetings (and I've attended so many of them) start with the pledge, but the words just did not resonate with my spirit. I just stood with everyone else but did not utter the words.

Last week, thinking of Obama's commencement of his presidency, I found myself proudly joining others in saying the pledge; and finding the joy and pride in my heart once again. I know that I am but one of many whose spirit has been uplifted by this momentous time in history. I join fellow Americans, and people throughout the world, in supporting our new President. I look forward to everyday when I can truly believe and live as being created equal!
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Quit Scratching and Wear a Cone

Meet Bambi, our 11-year old sweetie Lab. She wasn't too happy here. She had an infected hot spot which made her feverish, threw off her balance, and made life miserable. To keep her from irritating the area, she had to wear this silly and clumsy cone. It was uncomfortable but it kept her from repeatedly scratching and licking the offending area. In a few days, she was back to her normal, energetic, and playful self.

What about us? Do we know when to wear a cone to keep us from scratching and licking the hot spots in our lives so they have time to heal?

It happens to us all. Well, maybe not all of us, but it certainly happens to me. And I know, for sure, that many of you can relate. What is the hot spot that you keep scratching and infecting?
Is it a home you might have lost due to financial hardship? Or the perfect job that was snatched away by lay offs? Maybe, it's a relationship that went bad. Whatever these hot spots are, we need to stop making them raw again by again by constantly revisiting them. Like Bambi, we need to wear a cone, leave them alone, so they can heal, and we can move on.
Granted that the spot had been cleaned out and an antiseptic has been applied; we've done all the denying, crying, angry ranting, what next. Sometimes, we need to wear the cone.
What is the cone you need to put on? It is different for all of us, but it is that object that may not feel natural to us. For isn't it more natural to scratch when we itch? Not the most beneficial thing to do; so we have to identify what will stop us from scratching that hot spot over and over again. Scratching would be the equivalent of revisiting those thoughts in our head and allowing ourselves to sink deeply into them so we feel bad all over again. These thoughts somehow give us some sick satisfaction for a few moments, but prolong the agony.
What is the cone you need to put on? It might be music that distracts us from those thoughts that reopens the hot spot. It may be new friends, a make-over, books, a pet, a new hobby, anything that will keep us away from revisiting the hot spot. When we feel like scratching, it's time to go for a jog, grab a comic book, talk to a funny friend.
It's too bad that life allows these hot spots on us. But it's even worse when we let them fester and allow them to infect and reinfect us because we keep scratching. Leave it alone. Yes, clean them out, get your meds and ointments, wear the cone. Sooner than you think, that annoyance and infection will soon go away. And you will be back to your playful, energetic, and happy self, just like Bambi.
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How Do You Make It Interesting?

Sometimes, my mind goes into a zombie-like half-dead mode working on repetitive tasks. And there are many times when we have to tackle tasks that we may not necessarily enjoy doing because they are a necessary part of life and work. If it is for a short time, it is not too difficult to quickly complete these and move on to more appealing tasks. It is when a great deal amount of time is needed when one can get catatonic with boredom.

How do we make it interesting?


Write. I keep a Word document open so I can quickly type some ideas and post them on my blog later. Amazing how a little break can clear the mind and allow it to continue!

Surround yourself with things that delight you. Right now on my desk, I have a bamboo plant, candles, and a picture of my reward (at least in my mind) – security for my family.

Hug a pet. Take a break and get your dog or cat (or whatever your pet might be) on your lap and give it some tender, loving attention. It is truly relaxing and comforting.

Read a good book in between. Take a few short breaks during the day and take in a few pages of an inspiring book. I am currently re-reading Women Who Run With the Wolves; a few pages here and there really breaks down the monotony.

These are just a few simple things you might want to try to break the monotony, allow you to complete the unremarkable tasks, and feel good about getting things done.

Once that’s done, it’s time to move on to things that inspire and nurture you. And having the grunt work done, will allow you to focus and truly enjoy the work that you love. Read more!

Tree

Sometimes, the natural cycles cause us to be in the state that this beautiful tree is in. Though the leaves may have fallen, and the tree may look bare, the colors and the shape still emanate beauty and energy within. Come spring, nature will resurrect and refresh the energy and life within the tree, and will bring forth newness, health, and rebirth.
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