Amazing Day #31: Much to learn

I probably should not have taken on this challenge this year.

I was already over-committed.

WHAT was I thinking?

I guess I thought it seemed like a good thing.

A noble thing even.

To challenge myself to look for the amazing.

And yes, it has been a most excellent exercise.

It has been good for me - to force myself to take notice.

To discipline myself to articulate the thoughts.

And I did it.

I succeeded.

I finished.

’Twas an accomplishment.

…

I guess I can admit that it was a good thing and still admit that it was probably not a wise choice.

Once again I’ve been reminded that I cannot do all the good things.

Duh.
I'm still learning - or at least I hope I am - because I still have much to learn.

Maybe some day I’ll get to the point where I recognize this kind of wisdom BEFORE I take on something else.  

Now THAT would be amazing.

Amazing Day #30: Awesome

I keep thinking of that word.
Awesome.

During this month of amazing days...
Of watching for the amazing...
The word "awesome" often comes to mind.
That which inspires awe.
Or expresses awe.

Some think we over-use this word.

That we use it flippantly.

I suppose that could be true, but it’s a good word.

An important word.

There are lots of things in this life that inspire awe.

That evoke appreciation and gratitude.

That cause us to stop and notice.

I do not take this thing or this word lightly, but I do wish to notice the awesome.

I choose to watch for it.  

Sometimes even to search for it.

I think it is a worthwhile quest.
…

There is also much in this life that is not good or great.

There is much that is wrong.

Oppression and injustice are rampant.

It is easy for me to focus on the bad or the downright awful.

Yes, I’ve written about that before because the struggle is real.

Pessimism comes quite naturally for me.  Perhaps for most of us.

Worry, frustration, fear, and even panic can settle over us too quickly.

...

So which will I look for?

As much as I can manage to do so, I will think on the good things.

The things that are noble and true and right.

The pure.

The lovely.

The admirable.

The excellent and praiseworthy.

I will think on such things.

Amazing Day #29: the world in my kitchen

Plans change.

A trip to an apple orchard was scheduled.

Weather forecast called for rain.

Alternate plan: homemade pizza.

Hubby offers to teach students how to make pizza.

Three students say they can come and later cancel.

Will there be enough people to make it worthwhile?

Word spreads. 

More people sign up.

Will the house be too crowded?

Who knows what will happen?

Pizza time comes and so do the students - one, two or five at a time. They barely fit in our kitchen - from at least five countries.

They watch and listen. The brave ones make their own pizza.

We eat pizza.

And salad.

And chocolate zucchini cake.

The pizza mess is cleared off the kitchen table to accommodate a world map jigsaw puzzle - and discussion about Hinduism, Judaism and Christianity.

Chess players draw the heirloom rocking chairs close as they concentrate on the chess board perched on my old piano stool between them. 

Meanwhile peals of laughter come from the studio where others play Uno.  I shake my head in amazement and delight to hear the lively discussions flowing between English and Mandarin.

I find myself marveling about this amazing privilege.

I am SO grateful that we can live in this house and can host the world in our kitchen.

Amazing Day #28: connections

'Twas another amazing day at the cafe.

I had been working and writing while enjoying the pleasant ambiance.

A newcomer landed at the table next to me.  We exchanged glances and niceties and each went back to work but later chatted again from time to time.  Turned out we had at least one thing in common - our interest in writing. That's always fun to meet another writer - or a wannabe writer.  

...

And then...

I was cleaning out my e-mail inbox and a new message popped up from Meetups - about a writers' group starting up nearby.  The description sounded like it would be right down my alley - a place where I could belong.  That's no small thing because there are all kinds of writing groups - with different purposes and different formats and different genres - most of them focusing on fiction writing which is not me. I've tried out a couple groups with varying degrees of satisfaction.  So it was a little amazing to learn of one that seemed like such a good fit.  AND the first meeting is happening next week within a mile of my house! Now that is really amazing - because most of the groups I've been finding are in another city - near or far.  But this one is RIGHT here!  I've been searching for a writing group with those two criteria: close to home and with a format that feels right for me.  

Also I was able to forward the information on to my new friend who had just left the cafe minutes earlier - and she joined the group as well.

...

And then... in walked my friend and neighbor that I hadn't seen for awhile.  So wonderful to reconnect and catch up a bit.  

Sometimes I remember our days on the road and how lonely it could get.  Maybe lonely isn't the right word.  Maybe unconnected says it better.  'Twas a good experience in so many ways, but I really missed a sense of community.  Therefore on days like this one, I am extremely grateful for the connections in my life.  Every now and then I hear myself exclaim: I love my life!!!  This might have been one of those times - and amazing connections are certainly one of the big reasons.

...

Yep, yep.  Just another amazing day at the cafe.

I LOVE this place!

Amazing Day #27: Spectacular waves

Now THESE are amazing!!!