Play is so important. We think looking or being serious is a measure of one’s sincerity or intelligence. But being able to play and keep things light for oneself and everyone is tougher, yet so worth it!
Sometimes when I drive somewhere I’ve been a thousand times, I look for something different along the way….a side road, a farmhouse, a field in different seasons. Or, I simply drive home a different way, no matter how slightly different. I might see something different, notice somebody I hadn’t before.
That I was lucky enough to go to a nearby restaurant and have my meal. On my way back home at a nearby garden I could see the security guards enjoying their meal with the sitting bench as their table and backs hunched but all attention on the food.
Then I realized there are so many who can’t get this too. How can we make the world a better place for them to live?
Today, I could share some of the lessons I’ve learned from Stoicism on social media. For example, I could share that the Stoics taught that we should not worry about matters that are out of our control. Instead, we can focus on what we do have control over, which is our thoughts.
In the workshop, it is always measure twice and cut once. Put tools away after use. Clean as you go. And, always keep your ands away from sharp things like blades. It is attention to the little things that make all the difference.
I could share what it’s like to stay positive and clear and focused, despite having pain on my sleeve. Today, I’m wearing pain on my shoulder (literally), as I slept on it wrong the night before and it exacerbated an old injury. Rather than avoiding my usual interactions at work, I think I can use positivity to radiate healing energy. The more I think about others, the less I think about the pain.
If I can see God in everything, i can’t loose anything. Forms , colors sounds may change , it is still God. ( Today a patient was telling that she is very much afraid of loosing her mother, her husband and her dog sometime . She can not enjoy her life because of that. What to tell this person ). We can watch reflections in a crystal and loose ourself in them. we forget about the crystal. If I always see the crystal too nothing is changing. It is always the crystal
As I get ready for my 3rd Grade “sometimes reluctant” student: to go outside and observe the wonders of nature right outside our school building by looking at the baby robin chicks through my binoculars on a ledge above the outside door.
I am taking my mom to see her sister today . Her sister is in an Alzheimer’s home and it will probably be the last time she sees her. So I will just be sharing my time as daughter and niece with my aunt and mom.
Well, I think I need to see what possibilities present themselves.
I could share one experience that happened to me on Saturday, and this could be a teaching……it is for me. Under no circumstances, when you are old like we are, get a dog that has more energy and strength than you have.
Joy and I went for a walk on Saturday. She is a Golden/Lab mix, and has alot of energy, strength,and abundant love for mankind. She is four years old. Joy usually loves other dogs, and wants to play.
We have hired trainers to help both Joy and us through the past four years. She has a double lead, that you buy if you have a service dog. She is not a service dog, but it helps us tremendously, and we could not walk her without these leads. She is a happy, loving dog.
We were on the trail, and I was leaning over to pick up the dog poop. At this point, all the leashes are in only one of my hands. She took off like a shot and dragged me some distance. You see, there were bicyclists with a dog passing us, and she wanted to join in the fun of running alongside a bike, like the other dog was doing. They stopped to help me, which I was grateful for. I was able to get up by myself and walk her back home alone, although I think they might have helped. It was important for Joy to know we don’t do that. I did not say a word to her. Nothing at all but the word NO after I landed.
I walked her home without a word, but a very tight grip on the leashes.
Yesterday I took her for another walk, but this time, I kept her a bit closer, and changed the routine so I was always able to check my surroundings before picking up poop. We were fine, although the walk was shortened a bit.
This is what I would pass on to others; no matter what, you can love a smaller dog and one not so strong. Really, you can.
A dog, as loving and wonderful as they are, is still a dog and you must be the eyes and ears, and the leader the whole time, unless that dog has had special training. To expect Joy to resist the urge to run along with the bikes and the other dog was my mistake, and to not check the area first was my first mistake, not Joy’s mistake.
I started a new training for both of us yesterday…..Joy can not poop wherever she wants; in the tall grass, on a slope, in a gully, places I cannot easily reach. She will now-and yesterday went well-poop where it is safe for me to see others, and safe for me to pick it up. And she will now go in ‘down’ position facing me while I pick it up, after I have looked around to see if it is safe to do so…
This has set my physical therapy back by a week at least, but I am lucky I did not have any other injuries. I am grateful! I am also grateful for Joy, who brings love, laughter, and well, joy to our senior years.
So in this sharing if it helps anyone realize we are only human, and they are only dogs that can be very powerfully strong, it is worth sharing. And teaching….myself, my limitations, my willingness to make changes in how I do things, then it is worth a long write and a long read.
I need to recruit people to participate in a workshop as part of a project at work. It’s an urban planning community engagement approach called the Dignity Institute and I went through a longer version of it. I’ll be sharing some of what made it transformational for me as part of inviting them to learn from the workshop leader, who is fabulous.
My response to today’s question is simple. It reminds me that we are all teachers. What we do, how we treat each other and and our environment matters.
I will try to be present and open minded with the people I will work with today. Asking how they are doing, and really listening to them. Teaching by asking good questions.
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Play is so important. We think looking or being serious is a measure of one’s sincerity or intelligence. But being able to play and keep things light for oneself and everyone is tougher, yet so worth it!
I put my hand over my heart as I read this comment. I truly understand.
Take a pause and be a good listener for them.
Sometimes when I drive somewhere I’ve been a thousand times, I look for something different along the way….a side road, a farmhouse, a field in different seasons. Or, I simply drive home a different way, no matter how slightly different. I might see something different, notice somebody I hadn’t before.
That I was lucky enough to go to a nearby restaurant and have my meal. On my way back home at a nearby garden I could see the security guards enjoying their meal with the sitting bench as their table and backs hunched but all attention on the food.
Then I realized there are so many who can’t get this too. How can we make the world a better place for them to live?
Today, I could share some of the lessons I’ve learned from Stoicism on social media. For example, I could share that the Stoics taught that we should not worry about matters that are out of our control. Instead, we can focus on what we do have control over, which is our thoughts.
In the workshop, it is always measure twice and cut once. Put tools away after use. Clean as you go. And, always keep your ands away from sharp things like blades. It is attention to the little things that make all the difference.
I could share what it’s like to stay positive and clear and focused, despite having pain on my sleeve. Today, I’m wearing pain on my shoulder (literally), as I slept on it wrong the night before and it exacerbated an old injury. Rather than avoiding my usual interactions at work, I think I can use positivity to radiate healing energy. The more I think about others, the less I think about the pain.
If I can see God in everything, i can’t loose anything. Forms , colors sounds may change , it is still God. ( Today a patient was telling that she is very much afraid of loosing her mother, her husband and her dog sometime . She can not enjoy her life because of that. What to tell this person ). We can watch reflections in a crystal and loose ourself in them. we forget about the crystal. If I always see the crystal too nothing is changing. It is always the crystal
As I get ready for my 3rd Grade “sometimes reluctant” student: to go outside and observe the wonders of nature right outside our school building by looking at the baby robin chicks through my binoculars on a ledge above the outside door.
I am taking my mom to see her sister today . Her sister is in an Alzheimer’s home and it will probably be the last time she sees her. So I will just be sharing my time as daughter and niece with my aunt and mom.
There could not be a more important sharing time than this. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Well, I think I need to see what possibilities present themselves.
I could share one experience that happened to me on Saturday, and this could be a teaching……it is for me. Under no circumstances, when you are old like we are, get a dog that has more energy and strength than you have.
Joy and I went for a walk on Saturday. She is a Golden/Lab mix, and has alot of energy, strength,and abundant love for mankind. She is four years old. Joy usually loves other dogs, and wants to play.
We have hired trainers to help both Joy and us through the past four years. She has a double lead, that you buy if you have a service dog. She is not a service dog, but it helps us tremendously, and we could not walk her without these leads. She is a happy, loving dog.
We were on the trail, and I was leaning over to pick up the dog poop. At this point, all the leashes are in only one of my hands. She took off like a shot and dragged me some distance. You see, there were bicyclists with a dog passing us, and she wanted to join in the fun of running alongside a bike, like the other dog was doing. They stopped to help me, which I was grateful for. I was able to get up by myself and walk her back home alone, although I think they might have helped. It was important for Joy to know we don’t do that. I did not say a word to her. Nothing at all but the word NO after I landed.
I walked her home without a word, but a very tight grip on the leashes.
Yesterday I took her for another walk, but this time, I kept her a bit closer, and changed the routine so I was always able to check my surroundings before picking up poop. We were fine, although the walk was shortened a bit.
This is what I would pass on to others; no matter what, you can love a smaller dog and one not so strong. Really, you can.
A dog, as loving and wonderful as they are, is still a dog and you must be the eyes and ears, and the leader the whole time, unless that dog has had special training. To expect Joy to resist the urge to run along with the bikes and the other dog was my mistake, and to not check the area first was my first mistake, not Joy’s mistake.
I started a new training for both of us yesterday…..Joy can not poop wherever she wants; in the tall grass, on a slope, in a gully, places I cannot easily reach. She will now-and yesterday went well-poop where it is safe for me to see others, and safe for me to pick it up. And she will now go in ‘down’ position facing me while I pick it up, after I have looked around to see if it is safe to do so…
This has set my physical therapy back by a week at least, but I am lucky I did not have any other injuries. I am grateful! I am also grateful for Joy, who brings love, laughter, and well, joy to our senior years.
So in this sharing if it helps anyone realize we are only human, and they are only dogs that can be very powerfully strong, it is worth sharing. And teaching….myself, my limitations, my willingness to make changes in how I do things, then it is worth a long write and a long read.
Thank you, dear Mary Pat, for your wonderful dog story.
I need to recruit people to participate in a workshop as part of a project at work. It’s an urban planning community engagement approach called the Dignity Institute and I went through a longer version of it. I’ll be sharing some of what made it transformational for me as part of inviting them to learn from the workshop leader, who is fabulous.
My response to today’s question is simple. It reminds me that we are all teachers. What we do, how we treat each other and and our environment matters.
I will try to be present and open minded with the people I will work with today. Asking how they are doing, and really listening to them. Teaching by asking good questions.
share wishes to be happy