MEADOW MUFFIN MOMENTS, WEEK ELEVEN, March 12 - March 18

Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much

March 12

"Of all the idiots I have met in my life, and the Lord knows that they have not been few or little, I think that I have been the biggest."
Isak Kinesen

Very powerful for clearing away the baggage we carry around in our lives is accepting the fact that we do make mistakes and making amends with those we may have wronged. To own our own lives we must first own up to our errors and not continue to beat ourselves up over those mistakes.

March 13

"We are not human beings trying to be spiritual. We are spiritual beings trying to be human."
Jacquelyn Small

It is said that we are first spiritual beings and only when we realize the enormity of that, can we be fully human. To be spiritual isn't something we choose to be, it is who we are. To be spiritual does not mean you are categorized into a certain religious denomination. Don't confuse the two. With everything we do, every decision we make, our spirituality is there.

March 14

"Fury gathered until I was swollen with it."
Vera Randal

A good scream is the perfect release for pent up emotions and stress. Though we may feel foolish afterward, we have to admit we do feel better. Of course, this best be done without anyone in earshot to be verbally offended or think us crazy.

March 15

"When we, as individuals, first rediscover our spirit, we are usually drawn to nurture and cultivate this awareness."
Shakti Gawain

There is no way to know ourselves unless we have time alone to explore. We have to remember that there is someone inside of us worth knowing. Many people don't like to be alone, either out of a need for a connection with another, or perhaps they don't want to discover who it is they really are. We have to stop all the busyness and realize that alone time is as essential as our other basic needs.

March 16

"I have been told that crying makes me seem soft and therefore of little consequence. As if our softness has to be the price we pay out for power, rather than simply the one that's paid most easily and most often."
Audre Lorde

Tears and softness are not really valued in this society. When women do show their soft side it may be seen as an indirect form of manipulation. But there shouldn't be the need to give up the soft side of who we are and turn on the tough guy act to attain respect. There is a time for tears and there is a time for assertiveness, both can be an expression of strength and love.

March 17

"The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been."
Madeline L'Engle

Life is a process and it takes every experience along the way to develop the person we have become. It is a mistake to try to block out certain periods of our lives because they were the result of poor decisions or painful. Getting through the tough times pushed us beyond our limits and into stronger and wiser individuals. Every wrinkle and ache has been hard earned and we need to be proud and thankful for having the opportunity to get older.

March 18

"For me it's a constant discipline to remember to go back inside to connect with my intuition."
Shakti Gawain

Listening to our intuition is a wise thing to do. We need to trust our instincts and respect those first gut feelings about situations. Self-doubt and insecurity can be one's own downfall as time and again we could kick ourselves for not trusting our instincts and heeding the advice from elsewhere. We have much more brainpower than we realize. We live in a society that develops the logical/rational/linear parts of our brains and leaves undeveloped our awareness, intuition and creativity. Remember that those parts of our brains are just as important and are always waiting to be sought out.


To read the previous weeks' posts:
Week 1 January 1 - January 7
Week 2 January 8 - January 14
Week 3 January 15 - January 21
Week 4 January 22 - January 28

Week 5 January 29 - February 4
Week 6 February 5 - February 11
Week 7 February 12 - February 18
Week 8 February 19 - February 25

Week 9 February 26 - March 4
Week 10 March 5 - March 11

MEADOW MUFFIN MOMENTS, WEEK 9 February 26 - March 4

Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much

February 26

"Just the knowledge that a good book is awaiting one at the end of a long day makes that day happier."
Kathleen Norris

In our "be all you can be" society where pride and independence are deemed so important, it sometimes can get to the point where a person just doesn't allow herself to stop. The art of nurturing oneself is not taught in our schools, and even in homes driven for success children may not have many self-nurturing examples during their upbringing. We have to learn that even in a high-tech society, taking the time to nurture oneself is essential for survival. Get to know yourself and what it is that you would love to do with your own special time, and then take it.

February 27

"This is the age of perfectionism, kid. Everybody try their emotional and mental and physical damndest. Strive, strive. Correct all defects."
Judith Guest

Perfectionism can take either of two paths, either trying too hard or never trying at all. Trying to mold ourselves into an ideal results in never feeling good enough, because the ideal isn't realistic. Perfectionism is a form of self-abuse. No amount of self-sacrifice will ever seem like enough since in our striving for that unrealistic ideal, we can never be satisfied.

February 28

"Laughter can be more satisfying than honor; more precious than money; more heart-cleansing than prayer."
Harriet Rochlin

After a good belly hurting laugh, have you ever stopped to realize how less stressed you feel? Many of us get almost self-conscious when laughing in public since we feel it may be viewed as disruptive noise. Laughter should be seen as a gift, contagious to those around us to put a smile on their faces too. Laughter is like the human body wagging it's tail.

March 1

"We both of us secretly believed in an external power that one could tap, if one were in tune with events."
Robyn Davidson

Living in process is living our process and being one with the process of the universe. To be a workaholic removes us from our connection with the living process, and we feel alientated from our spiritual side. The need to always have to have control robs us of feeling connected to a higher purpose. Getting back in touch with who we really are helps us get back in touch with our spiritual beliefs.

March 2

"Feeling crazy may be a mark of sanity in my situation."
Anne Wilson Schaef

The norm in society is the comfort zone. For those who view life a little unconventionally are often considered oddballs or weird. Who is the one to interpret what constitutes normal from dysfunctional? To get to the point in life where you aren't afraid of being different, don't care what people think, is an awakening point where we can feel very 'sane' with our 'craziness'.

March 3

"Wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down."
Toni Morrison

The only way to grow is to let go. We too often hang onto our old "shit" like some precious commodity. We stew over the past as if hashing about it enough will make some sort of difference. If you wonder why you feel stuck and held back in your life, perhaps you need to clean out the barnyard stinking up your life. Bury the hurt and anger so that you can finally heal.

March 4

"The white fathers told us, "I think therefore I am," and the Black mother within each of us-the poet- whispers in our dreams, I feel, therefore I can be free."
Audre Lorde

Often we have been trained that feelings are a weakness and can make one irrational. We are told to control our thoughts, get a grip on our emotions, and move on. That may work for a while in our striving for success, but eventually those repressed feelings will erupt with an intensity that can be a shocker. Feelings are very natural. Intuition and gut instincts are tools we would be wise to start trusting.


To read the previous weeks' posts:
Week 1 January 1 - January 7
Week 2 January 8 - January 14
Week 3 January 15 - January 21
Week 4 January 22 - January 28
Week 5 January 29 - February 4
Week 6 February 5 - February 11
Week 7 February 12 - February 18
Week 8 February 19 - February 25

MEADOW MUFFIN MOMENT WEEK SIX February 5 - February 11

Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much

 February 5

"Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult."
Charlotte Whitton

This quote may strike a nerve with some and only open up the battle of the sexes debate. But the point she is making is that women tend to feel they must work twice as hard and dare not admit just how exhausted they really are. Some women can pump out one task after another and appear unstoppable but at what cost to them? Women so often say they are 'tired of being tired' yet have a fear of giving a bit of it all up since, "My tiredness is mine, I've earned it".

February 6

"Neither reproaches nor encouragements are able to revive a faith that is waning."
Nathalie Sarraute

One of the problems with organized religion is that we are told what to believe, and feel to question is wrong as that must mean a lack of faith. That is very sad since sometimes beliefs can actually interfere with our connection with a power greater than ourselves. Faith is a very personal process. No one can give us the answers about our spirituality. Reading and thinking is great, but we must search inside ourselves and have our own understanding of God and trust our own knowing. Our spirituality is connected with who we are.

February 7

"Tension grew at home, and my work suffered as I committed to tighter and tighter deadlines."
Ellen Sue Stern

It is a myth that workaholics are always productive with a job well done. Maybe in the beginning, when we still feel in tight control. But over time, people get tired, whether they admit it or not. Health suffers, families suffer and the work suffers. Too much on one plate may end up with things getting done, but as the saying goes, it's half-assed.

February 8

"Well we start out in our lives as little children, full of light and the clearest vision"
Brenda Ueland

Once a person realizes to be a workaholic is an addiction, and treats it as such, he or she often looks back and experiences a moment of clarity for the first time in perhaps years. We realize how we have lost our focus in life with all the business and deadlines. It can be like hearing a lullaby from long ago. The words are faint but the melody dawns on us and becomes more apparent.

February 9

"Though a tree grow ever high, the falling leaves return to the ground."
Malay proverb

Personal success deserves recognition and due reward for our efforts. But we cannot forgot those who have helped us get where we are. There are those who perhaps stepped on anyone in the way to rise up the ladder, but for the most part, successful people have a support system, probably quiet and unnoticed in the background. Let us acknowledge and be grateful since our success also says a lot about them.

February 10

"Some people talk simply because they think sound is more manageable than silence."
Margaret Halsey

Some people find silence very unnerving. They seem to need to talk just to fill up the void. But endless chatter often results in no one really listening, we to ourselves or anyone who has to listen.
We have to realize that we don't have to fill up every minute, be it with sound or busyness.

February 11

"When Peter left me, the negative emotions that rose up in me and exploded in me were just horrifying. But God kept telling me that they were all part of me and I couldn't try to hide them under the carpet because I didn't like them."
Eileen Caddy

When pushed to the limit of exhaustion, pent up frustrations, or feelings of betrayal in relationships, we may see a side of ourselves we didn't think possible. While good to get it all out so those feelings don't simmer away, it doesn't have to become a meltdown or explosion. We have to be okay with having feelings and not be in the 'good little girl syndrome' all the time. We need to realize that the full gamut of emotions is totally normal. We can learn a lot about ourselves when we become aware of how we tend to deal with emotions.



To read the previous weeks' posts:
Week 1 January 1 - January 7
Week 2 January 8 - January 14
Week 3 January 15 - January 21
Week 4 January 22 - January 28
Week 5 January 29 - February 4

A Veterans Day Note of Gratitude

Veteran's Day is a day in honor of our American armed forces for their sacrifice, stamina, and dedication to their country. They have made a commitment, that as a united force, enables us to choose our own choices with our lives, to speak our minds and go where we please. The fact that all the men and women in the armed forces are voluntary is an amazing concept to grasp.

It is true that all men must register with the Selective Service when they turn 18 years of age. This is done in case there is ever the need for combat soldiers, but even then it is completely random as to how those person's are chosen. Everyone is on the same level, with no partiality to social status. The reason women aren't required to register is not that they wouldn't be able to serve, but that registration is for the purpose of preparing combat troops. Women had been excluded from combat in the past but that is no longer the case.

The thought may be with some as to why in the world someone would voluntarily enter into something that will literally control their lives and possibly put them in harms way. Those who do so are of the mindset that our country needs help to maintain her principles for continued freedom. We should be grateful to live in the U.S.A and have protection from those who may want to do us harm. We have to realize that while we have our rights, those rights are a privilege. Those rights were earned through the sacrifices of those before us, who fought for what they believed, many losing their lives in the process.

We should have the utmost respect for anyone who signs those enlistment papers. Of course we want peace and for all of our young people to be safe at home. But given the fact that we live in a world of dispute and violence, even if you don't agree with current politics, the fact remains that we can sleep at night with the security that we have our military always on watch. So let us support the decisions of those who chose to walk this path. Let us support them with our prayers, and encourage them to stand tall with pride in their contributions for this country.

Our son is amidst the tired, yet proud group of men and women pictured above, who had just completed their Army Basic Training. When you think that all of them are volunteers, and the fact that with every cycle of training, there will be another group standing there in that same place, it is indeed something to be appreciated.

Take a moment not only today, but every day, to say a silent prayer of gratitude and safe keeping for all of those who serve. Let them know they are appreciated and not taken for granted.

Enjoy your Veterans Day!

An American Soldier

 

Two months ago we had made a trip to Fort Jackson, S.C. 

for our son's Army Basic Training Graduation

A lot of pride and emotion was wrapped up with that reunion because as most people know basic training pushes one to their limits, emotionally and physically. There is no contact other than postal mail which leaves a parent's tendency for worry wide open. The AIT training which immediately follows basic training is intense but our soldiers are allowed phone privileges and limited internet service, so with improved communication it is easier on everyone.

AIT Graduation 1-29-13 Fort Eustis, Virginia

The conclusion of the AIT training is without fanfare as the soldiers are quick to pack up and quickly disperse so as not to miss their means of transportation and be on their way to the next chapter in their lives.

Some will return home to continue their education or resume a profession.

 Others report to their next post and assignment.

This video by Toby Keith, "An American Soldier", is a wonderful tribute to the commitment and sacrifice of those who voluntarily choose to dedicate a portion of their lives for their country. 

For this we thank you.

Best wishes, safe travels and God bless.

Official soldier in the Army Transportation Corps.

Grace and Gratitude this Thanksgiving

Jared Whalen, Fort Jackson S.C. Basic Training Graduation

3rd Battalion, 60 Infantry Regiment " River Raiders"

Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) by Toby Keith

 

Upon completion of the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina after a grueling ten weeks of unrelenting demands, another group of young men and women have earned the respect of  becoming part of the United States Army. Challenged physically, mentally, and emotionally, these soldiers have learned  the true meaning of perseverance, self-control and pride not only in themselves but in their country.

Fort Jackson trains more soldiers than any other Initial Entry Training Center in the U.S. Army.   

Their mission is to transform volunteer civilians into Soldiers in order to enable them to successfully complete Advanced Individual Training and contribute to their first units of assignment.  The Drill Sergeants ensure that every Soldier has the opportunity to not only change their lives, but to succeed at making this change. 

Only about 2% of the American people are serving in the military and about 3% of living Americans have served in the military. To think in this great country full of blessings and opportunity, such a small percentage actually volunteer a portion of their own lives to help guarantee such freedom and safety for the rest of us. What a blessing to be born amidst a land where the majority can feel secure within the safety of their homes. To wake each new day in control of its opportunity, with food on the table, clean water from the tap and warmth from the cold. Let us never take for granted the sacrifices of those responsible for where we as a people are today.

This Holiday Season, let us not only count our blessings, but include in our prayers all of those who cannot be at the dinner table with their loved ones. Take a moment to remember those who believe in the importance of making a contribution, to be a "leaver rather than a taker".

As a new Army Mom, I am proud to support my son's optimistic belief in career possibilities of his own choosing, and paths of opportunity made more realistic by being one of the Army Strong. 

 

Never Forget.. Seventeen Years..September 11, 2001

"There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle."
Albert Einstein
This is the second time I'm quoting Einstein in the past few weeks. He must not only have been a scientific genius but a very intuitive man as well.
"Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better."

Think back at all that has happened in the past 17 years. Babies were born, children grew up, loved ones passed away. Life goes on, the dawn returns every morning, the clock keeps ticking.

For those who had lost a loved one or were there to support someone, September 11, 2001 will always be a raw and ever present memory. A recurring question being asked right now is "Where were you on 9/11?" Many people cannot remember what they wore yesterday but they will never forget that unfathomable day in American history.

For our family, we were on vacation in Williamsburg, Virginia for a few days to celebrate my birthday. My husband had gone out for a bike ride and stopped for a drink at a quick shop when the news flashed on the TV screen. It was surreal when he flew through the door of our room and turned on the television. The haze of what was happening in front of our eyes on the screen took a while to comprehend that it was no accident.

Being so near the military base, the rest of our time spent in that historic town was so strange. People employed at all the wonderful sights of Williamsburg had no choice but to try to function as usual. For the children's sake we still did all the events we had planned but everywhere the energy was so somber and tightly wound. What could possibly be the right thing to say to reassure our kids that they were safe? Even at their young age they could tell none of us were sure about anything.

When faced with the news of such loss of precious life what is one to do? Most of us felt absolutely helpless to do anything other than stay glued to the news and deal with the fearful reality by reaching out to other people. Interesting how it always seems to take a tragedy for people to look up and notice those around them.

As time went by things quieted down and folks gradually returned to the humdrum of their family routines. Those left grieving had to somehow pick up their lives while trying to find some solace in what good could possibly come out of such a waste of life.

Losing someone we love forces us to face the reality of how alone we really are in this life. Our loved ones are separate individuals with a path and fate beyond our control. Those left behind often have trouble giving themselves permission to again feel a sense of happiness.

Let's take the advice of Einstein to heart and live each day given to us as a gift waiting to be unwrapped. A gift of time to cherish, moments to treasure. Don't just go through the motions where every day brings the same expectations.

Look alive because you are alive. Learn something new every day. The more you educate yourselves about our very existence the more you'll view it as indeed miraculous. To live as though nothing is a miracle will soon snuff out the light within the soul.

As the anniversary of 9/11 comes around once again, let it be the nudge to remind us to wake up, look up, and appreciate the now, since that is really all we've got.

In Loving Memory

Light Up Those American Skies

The fourth of July has been the most important secular holiday in America since the 1870's. Independence Day is the birthday of the United States and the anniversary of the day on which the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

The Constitution provides the legal and governmental framework for the United States. It's assertion that "all Men are created equal" was put on paper but at that time only included the rich, white, landholding men. The writings of the Declaration were influenced by philosophers John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau. Since all people are creatures of God, or nature, they should have natural rights that cannot be violated. It is a celebration in itself to fully appreciate the fact that now 200+ years later the privileges of equal rights include women and all other ethnic groups.

John Adams, one of the founders of our new nation, said, "I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore." Independence Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.

The people of Philadelphia may have celebrated the event since 1776 but due to the ongoing war, slow communication and travel, it only became commonplace after the war of 1812. Congress didn't declare it a legal, public holiday until 1941.

John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest. Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826--the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

As Americans we are guaranteed the safety net of our rights as we enjoy the privilege of the freedom to express our opinions on any topic. It seems disrespectful the way people rant about our government leaders, all the while enjoying the comforts and excesses of this rich country. Though people from other parts of the world are very proud of their own birthplaces, our privileges must be enviable at times. America is like a candy store, we are free to have and do whatever we want. Of course, we are responsible for our decisions and pay the price for poor choices but still, those choices are our own to make. No one can force us to follow a certain religion, pursue an expected occupation, limit us from an education, or even whether or not to join the military. We can feel safe in our own homes, enjoy land ownership, and bask in all the availability of modern technology and information at our fingertips.

So enjoy your holiday with the picnics, concerts, the beach, and of course the beautiful fireworks. But take the time to honor and remember those who worked and sacrificed for future generations and send them a silent prayer of gratitude.

Eagle Scout Challenge

Memorial Day weekend is a reminder for us to acknowledge and respect those who sacrificed their lives so we can enjoy the freedoms of this country.

As our son received his highest honor in scouting, The Eagle Scout, we truly felt the pride of being a citizen of the United States.


Our ideal goal for our son as he went through the ranks of Boy Scouts over the years was to develop a young boy into a man who is conscious of living by the Scout Oath.

"Duty to God and Country,
Duty to other people,
Duty to Self"

To know and serve God is how we show our duty to God.
To work for the country's good and obey its laws is how you show your duty to your country.
The duty to oneself is shown by taking care of mind and body so we stay strong and healthy.

By the age of 18, should a boy stay with scouting he has the opportunity to achieve Scouting's highest award, The Eagle Scout challenge. By fulfilling the Boy Scout requirements in addition to the completion of a community service project, the scout proudly enters the ranks of promising high achievers.

Honor is the foundation of all character. To be trustworthy is the foremost responsibility in which an Eagle Scout should live his life. The color white represents honor.

Loyalty is the second obligation of an Eagle Scout. Devotion to God, family, community, and one's ideals. This is signified by the color blue.

To be courageous in times of challenge, uncertainty and danger is esteemed by everyone. The color red is a reminder of courage.

To be cheerful is not always easy, but amazing how a smile can influence those around us.

To be of service is the utmost responsibility of an Eagle Scout. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you", and the daily Good Turn take on new meaning as a boy enters the adult world. The scout motto memorized since Cub Scout days is "Be Prepared". To be able to handle the pressures and challenges of being on your own requires a child to have matured in character and sense.

Jared's service project involved raising awareness in the Christian community of the important role music plays in reaching the youth of today's world. Typically parents have their children complete CCD classes within the Catholic Church or Confirmation classes within the Protestant church, and then being they have no obligation to attend upon completion, they slip away. Usually the reason is that they think the services are boring or just don't feel anything.

Music is the key to getting through to a teenager or young adult. Spiritual messages portrayed through song can become meaningful and impressionable in a positive way. Song lyrics are often similar to poetry and written in a way people can empathize.

Jared held a concert featuring six bands. Those attending brought a monetary donation or canned goods for a local charity. He even had a local youth pastor deliver a very appropriate message relating to the challenges facing today's young people.

As we celebrate Memorial Day, let us think fondly and proudly of all our men and women who showed utmost character and strength by serving in the military. May their contributions and memory never fade or lose value.