Voter Frustration

I have been campaigning the past couple months. Wading through crisp fallen leaves, traipsing over miles of sidewalks, criss crossing street after street, I've been knocking on doors. But this is not about my candidate, this is about the cry of frustration that has resounded from nearly every house as citizen after citizen recounts their displeasure with the lack of progress in Congress. These people, my friends and neighbors want to be heard. They are disgusted with slick ads, big money, empty promises, angry debates, and phony photo ops. The disconnect is enormous; we, the common folk, don't live our lives this way, and it is difficult to respect anyone who does. People feel helpless, powerless, and isolated. Many will not vote, and some that will cast a ballot will remain ill informed because it is too difficult and time consuming to wade though the propaganda to discover the true background and platform of the candidates. I will continue to pound the pavement sharing information about the candidate I support, but I fully understand the anger of my fellow Americans. Thank goodness our local government is cooperative, proactive, and productive.

June 8, 2014 Quixotic

Word to idea to action is a process I share with a friend in which we toss a word to each other and wait to see how the other uses the concept in everyday life. She assigned me "quixotic",  meaning foolishly impractical especially in the pursuit of ideals, a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday, over cups of coffee, we chatted about plans and dreams and stresses and challenges. Despite the decades which separate us in age, we share common wishes for our lives and, in a broader sense, humanity - the belief that happiness is attainable, and when we see an opportunity to make a positive change, we should grab it. Amidst the negative comments and cautious warnings to slow down, weigh more options, and recognize all the possible shortcomings, we both take a leap of faith, believing that following your heart, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and having the courage to try something new is the right thing to do. Some would call us both quixotic; I prefer to call it living life fully, bravely, and optimistically.

#Knitting Life Lessons

I began learning how to knit this winter; knit, purl, cast on, cast off, worsted, cable stitch- these words swirl around in my brain as I try to manipulate the needles without dropping a stitch. This activity is a lesson in patience and concentration, and when I proudly show my week's work amounting to six inches, my instructors display hats and scarves, and half finished sweaters! But speed is not my objective, and I have gained far more from this experience than learning this craft. The only failure in any new endeavor is not to try. Mistakes can be corrected, but fear of making one will only hinder you. An extra stitch  combined with another is successfully hidden; several rows of newly created stitches become my unique style, and then there are the stories! Between the three of us is more than a century and a half of experience, accomplishments, and misadventures. I listen intently to the tales of people I know and some that I never had the pleasure to meet. Tidbits of information delivered with a smile or a sigh or a roll of the eyes paint a vivid picture of those whom I now live among in this small community which is probably similar to thousands of villages spread across the world. Isn't it human nature to seek out others to socialize and share yarns of past times?  Thus, my lessons this winter have taught me much: the fabric of a community is strengthened when residents gather to share skills, knowledge, and stories.

The Path to Happiness

Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Abraham Lincoln

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_happiness.html#XKYZYObzT7Az807t.99

Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Abraham Lincoln

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_happiness.html#XKYZYObzT7Az807t.99

Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Abraham Lincoln

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_happiness.html#lZ8uLdz4Re0vM98y.99

"Most people are as happy as they make their minds up to be." Abraham Lincoln






Today is the United Nations International Day of Happiness, and I believe most of us can find reasons to celebrate the small things around us that bring us joy. However, we are surrounded by a world which overwhelms us with messages that make our path to happiness uneven and difficult to find. We are told we need to buy more to be happy; we are told we need to look younger and more beautiful to be happy; we are told we need to be famous to be happy. To that, I say au contraire. The answer to happiness resides inside each and every one of us. Look around your life and find someone who needs uplifting. That will make you happy. Go for a walk. Revisit a place that is dear to you. Sit quietly and reflect on your life. Play with a child. Run with your dog. Give to your community. Make a donation to an international aid group. These actions will make you happy. This path will have its ups and downs. It will be filled with stones and roots, but the human spirit has great resolve, and being happy should be a priority. When you stumble, reach out for a friend, and when you see unhappiness around you, hand them a light to find the trail. May you find some happiness  today and all the days to follow.

Feb. 9, 2014 People: Organizers in Small Town USA

Jaylan wears many different hats - wife, sister, daughter, mother, aunt, employee, friend; all of which she fulfills successfully. Last night, however, she was stellar as a community organizer for a fundraising effort to collect money for a friend to cover expenses accrued through a medical emergency. The Legion was packed for hours with residents eating a delicious dinner, bidding on donated items, and chatting with friends while listening to music. Jaylan, her husband, and a crew of volunteers planned this event for months, and the result of their efforts was outstanding. Not only did she raise a large sum of money, but the community came together as it always does to support someone in need.  I am sure across this beautiful country of ours, groups of citizens are holding similar events to help their friends and families because that is what we are all about, and despite the dire reports we  are subjected to through the media and social networking, town and village residents will continue to gather reaching out to one another in good times and bad, thanks to gifted, caring, generous organizers like my friend, Jaylan. Let them know how much you value their spirit!

Jan. 27, 2017 Perspective: What is Your Contribution?

These frigid winter days and nights have offered me the opportunity to research and delve into topics I know little about. Recently, I have been reading books by Peter Block and John McKnight exploring the ways we can transform communities. A recurring question is raised on these pages that I believe all of us should ask ourselves: "What is your contribution to the very thing you complain about?" It seems to me that our world is filled with laments and complaints; perhaps we take great joy in finding fault with this and that or feeling we have no control over life's limitations. Oh, I realize that problems do exist, but why get stuck discussing the dilemmas? Let's change the conversation to offer our individual abilities to make things happen. I have faith that each of you has a gift that you could share with your neighbors, your colleagues, your family and friends, and thereby reduce all the complaining and blaming we all often do. It certainly can't hurt to try.

Jan. 16, 2014 Community Connectors

A bundle of energy, a quizzical mind, a thousand ideas, innumerable questions - that only begins to describe my friend, Jon. We met for coffee recently, and in the hour and a half we spent together, he impressed me with his experiences, questioned me about local concerns, informed me of books, and entertained me with his travel stories. He is  young, but wise; he is idealistic with a dose of practicality. We shared a plethora of viewpoints on community involvement and a vision for bringing people together. We are both community connectors: individuals who have the desire and, hopefully, the capacity to draw people together. Jon has a future ahead of him in which he will create a strong, sustainable community wherever he lands. Right now, I am delighted he is home for a couple of months because I am certain that he will join me in developing new opportunities for interactions among residents in this village.


" There are no strangers here; only friends you haven't yet met."  William Butler Yeats

Jan. 8, 2014 Being the Difference

I have always thought that the desire to make a difference in the world around you was an important goal to set. However, yesterday, I was reading the cowboy ethic blog in which the author discusses "being the difference". This idea intrigued me - making a difference is a series of single and perhaps unrelated actions which will be appreciated, but being the difference entails living your life to show what you stand for. What a challenge to spend each day reaching out to others through one's example of good, solid values. This lifestyle became very clear to me today when I ran into a friend in the grocery store. We were discussing a neighbor who is very ill, and she was explaining how he was being taken care of by a number of people. She mentioned that her husband goes over to this man's house every evening to pass the time with his friend keeping him company. What a remarkable deed to do night after night to show someone how much you value him. This example of  "being the difference" is having a huge impact on both of them as one nears the end of life. I am humbled, yet amazed by his dedication to his friend! Be the difference you wish to see in the world.

Greetings, Friends

I now begin a new adventure in blogging. I make no promises for a certain number of posts nor a commitment to continue this for a year or two or even a month or two. Let us see where my inspiration takes us on this journey. I will write of common folk who are doing admirable actions; I will depict everyday places filled with unique characteristics, and when an issue piques my curiosity, I will give my perspective. My hope is that this blog might become a dialogue or perhaps a conversation. For all of you must know in advance that I prefer to listen to the stories of others rather than tell my own. Don't be surprised to find yourselves depicted on these pages. I am surrounded by fascinating people.