I would try adding inclusivity programs. The village is old and the people mostly set in their ways. They view all newcomers with suspicion. Most of them grew up here and have never left home. It is not only a village that embraces old worldviews and ideals but it is also steeped in tradition. Sometimes I think it is a village that time forgot, the old cobblestone streets hold secrets and a rich history is part and parcel of its makeup. The outside world is frightening and they view everyone who comes in from somewhere else with suspicion first and so people who dare to come in here have a hard time integrating and no matter how hard they try, it is a losing battle.
When I first came here, I was met with the same. However, it took learning the language and a smile each time I came across resistance to break through that wall. It is home to me now and the people see me as one of them but others are not so lucky. So I would start some kind of grassroots program bringing people together, a safe zone where they can learn about each other, experience the different kind of foods offered and try to break down that wall! The village is close-knit so it won’t be easy but where there is a will, there is a way as they say.
Update: Nothing much has changed. He doesn’t know anything about diplomacy and playing the bully suits him well, or so he thinks. I think he has met his match in Iran and they are not taking anything sitting down. The address to the nation about the Iran war was a disaster last night and instead of coming in as someone who wants to make peace, he decided to jump up and down like a spoiled brat! How do you expect the other side to step back when you want to bomb them back to the Stone Ages? Yes, open mouth and insert foot!
I used these four words often enough during his first term but it looks like nothing much has changed in that respect. The 47th president is off and running and he hasn’t come out of the playground where he used to throw temper-tantrums like a three-year-old when he didn’t get his way.
He wants to be a “peacemaker” and if I’m not wrong, he promised no wars. He’s all about “making the deal.” Hmm….
The tariffs are coming in fast and furious, shutting down government spending is his strong suit. Who cares about the consequences? He says what goes and what doesn’t and kowtow to the monarch or else!
Standing next to Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu, he spoke of taking over the Gaza strip and remodeling it. He also talked of moving the Palestinians out of the “hell hole” and temporarily relocating them. It was a “no go” as far as the Arab world was concerned. He still keeps mumbling about what a “good deal” it would be for the Palestinians.
Who demolished Gaza into what it is today? The Israelis destroyed almost 80% of the structures in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the October 7, 2023 attacks that took place on Israeli soil. Since then, Israel has bombed 40,000 locations and dropped more than 70,000 bomb tonnage and the death toll exceeds over 70,000 casualties. Both Israel and Hamas have been accused of war crimes for their part in the destruction of the Gaza Strip and the killing of innocent citizens. According to Israel’s Channel 12 News, “it would take at least 10 years and cost tens if not hundreds of billions of dollars to reconstruct.” Someone should tell him that!
Now, he’s given the ultimatum to Hamas and the deadline is set for Saturday at 12 noon. What happens then? He doesn’t know! A bluff? It could be but what if it isn’t? Another war? Diplomacy is not what he’s about but strongman tactics are. He’s into “power” and who’s the strongest of them all. Remember him gushing about Kim Jong Un?
“He wrote me beautiful letters and they’re great letters. We fell in love.”
Trump on Turkish Presdient Erdogan: “He’s tough, but I get along with him. And maybe, that’s a bad thing, but I think it’s a really good thing.”
President Xi of China is a good friend. “I’ve gotten to know him very well. He’s a strong gentleman, right?”
Well, you get the picture. So what happens on Saturday at noon? Your guess is as good as mine!
It has been said that, “compliments are a dime a dozen.” It just means that, “flattery or positive remarks are very common, easily obtained, and therefore hold little special value or sincerity. It also implies that “such praise is unremarkable, abundant, and often dismissable because it is not unique or deeply earned.”
However, some compliments have the power to lift you up, make you feel worthy, and at times more than enough. They are also, “powerful, uplifting words that validate and encourage, often serving as small, heartfelt gifts of kindness.”
My day started out on a rushed note. I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off and I didn’t see it slowing down either! Yesterday, had been a stressful day as well. My ex showed up as he sometimes does. However, this time around he had a big attitude on his shoulders and looking to discard it on someone as quickly as possible. I came into view and was fair game, I suppose. Our meeting didn’t go well and he left after a short time leaving me to feel like I was not enough and somehow sorely lacking. In what? I don’t know, he just makes me feel that way. Needless to say, I was feeling down and I knew it was going to take an uphill battle to get myself back up there again.
Anyway, I woke up to chaos this morning. The three rascals were up early. Moe, Larry and Curly! Just kidding. They were begging for attention and I was ready to escape the mayhem! So, I took off after breakfast to have some time to myself. The sun was shining and it was going to be a beautiful day. I got my shopping done and decided to stop for coffee at my favorite cafe. A great cup of Italian coffee and a bread roll was just the thing to pep things up. Things were starting to look up. Then I headed to the bakery and got two pieces of cheesecake. Yes, THINGS were definitely up and up! It was going to be my treat for later with a nice cup of coffee. The fish store across the street beckoned and I headed there next. They know me well because I’m one of their best customers. I love fish and they have a fresh supply everyday.
The boss wasn’t there but his assistant was. He asked how I was doing and I answered in the affirmative. Just as I was getting ready to pay he said,
“You have beautiful eyes!”
I was not expecting that. I had a bad night so my eyes were definitely reflecting that I thought. Probably, bloodshot as well! He saw the surprise on my face and repeated,
“You do have lovely eyes. They shine!”
Okay guys, those days of “sparkling eyes” are over I thought so this compliment definitely took me by surprise but it landed where it should! My day was definitely starting to look up and in a very nice way, I might add.
I paid, thanked him and left with a smile on my face.
“Sometimes just one little compliment can make someone’s entire day.”
I took my usual walk when I came back home and the sunshine felt just a tad different. It touched my face like a warm caress and the feelings of not being enough the evening before had all but vanished. There are many kinds of compliments, flippant ones with not much thought put into them, ones that put a smile on your face, compliments that make your day and that guy didn’t know it but he had just helped to bring me back up!
“Build someone up. Put their insecurities to sleep. Remind them they’re worthy. Tell them they’re magical. Be light in a too often dim world.” Unknown
If you have a chance today, give out some compliments. You never know how it is going to land and just maybe, it has the power to lighten someone else’s load. A phrase meant to praise can sometimes be a powerful tool. I have to keep that in mind as well.
“YOU are amazing and strong and brave and wonderful-remember THAT today.”
It came out of nowhere and kept us captive for a long long time. Things changed and life was all about that mask and those tests. I hated it but it was needed at the time.
I don’t remember much except that people were distrustful of each other and staying home was warranted. Life was a blur because I was going through something else. Something very emotional. A close friend was in the last stages of life and I remember how difficult it was to see him in the hospital. Hospital visits were not allowed. He was in ICU and I wasn’t allowed to visit. When he came out of it, visitations could only be made after a Covid test was done and you were pronounced Covid-free. I remember how frustrated I used to get about all the extra time needed to just make a hospital visit. This went on for several weeks and it drained me of energy.
Adapting to something that came out of nowhere and made the world pay attention required a certain mindset. It needed strength, resilience and a narrow-minded focus but I think more than that it required working together to beat this disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Mistrust was rife and a cough in the supermarket sent many running for cover, well, perhaps not running but they certainly kept their distance! Learning to cope within four walls was difficult for some but I mastered it like a champ. These days I am grateful when I walk into crowded spaces and don’t have to reach for my mask!
Daily writing prompt
How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?
Let It Be. How many times have we heard this phrase? I don’t know about you but I’ve heard it often enough mostly from well-meaning friends, people who care and those who want better for me.
Did it sink in? NOT when I was in the midst of what I call my “end of the world” meltdowns. During these times, “let it be” was the last thing on my mind. However, when you look at these three words, it does hold power behind its seemingly gentle facade. The strength lies in its ability to slow things down, to step back and to take a good hard look at the situation and to say, there is nothing left for me to do so breathe and LET IT BE. Three unassuming words but a powerhouse when it comes to comfort, acceptance and a message of hope.
I want revenge! I want my old friend “karma” to step in and do what I can’t do! I want payback! Unfortunately, revenge is a dangerous option and karma, well it takes its time and that is the problem. Payback? It doesn’t happen automatically. So what do you do while you wait for whatever it is that you’re waiting for to take place? Breathe quietly and LET IT BE.
There is comfort in knowing that you don’t have to do anything. Wipe away the tears, tone down the rhetoric and just LET IT BE.
Acceptance, well this is much more difficult. Accepting means you are ready to let go of an event or situation that has caused so much turmoil. How do you calm this beast down? Breathe deeply and LET IT BE.
Hope is a four letter word that holds power within its unassuming persona. When you zoom into this optimistic state of mind, all things are possible is the message. Armed with comfort, acceptance and hope, I’m going to breathe and LET IT BE, if only for today. Tomorrow is another story!
It used to be getting out of bed after stretching and cuddling with Chachi, the cat. Not in that order, but quite often it was a relaxing affair. Waking up, listening to the birds outside, snoozing, and kissing my little guy. That was back then!
Now, it is jumping out of bed because I have two cats waiting outside the door scratching and demanding attention! I have Chachi, my little guy, telling me that he is not too pleased with life at the moment, and stretching and listening to the birds have been relegated to never never land!
Life is stressful these days. There is a saying that goes something like this. You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone, and that is how I am feeling right now. I would love to go back to those days when my morning ritual was one of utter relaxation and there was time to dream before getting the day started.
Maybe at some point in the future, I will return to those lazy days of stretching like a cat, having breakfast in bed, and making a plan for the day. Until then, I will have to make do with three rascals who think they run my world! Right now, they do.
Daily writing prompt
What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?
“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Epictetus
This basically means that while, “life brings uncontrollable events, your response is a choice.” How often do we react without thinking when something of the unsavory nature happens to us? The reaction that often follows is anger, sadness, depression, unworthiness and a whole host of other emotions. More than that, we carry those feelings on our backs or in our hearts and each one adds to the heavy burden until that load becomes too heavy to carry and to bear.
“The first reaction is surely the most natural one, but not always the most correct one.” Criss Jami
Depending on what was dished out by someone else, your reaction follows a natural path. Was it an insult? Did it bring you down? Was it something that cut you down to size? How about someone’s envy and jealousy? Yes, sometimes those two go together and they can be a powerful deterrent to your mindset and have the ability to make you question yourself. Your reaction to all or some of the above may seem like a normal response but there is a heavy price to pay for those reactions. Just react like “water off a duck’s back,” you say. Not everyone can do that. There are those who take some of those nasty and often hurtful things to heart and it stays and cuts them down to size.
“How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.” Wayne Dyer
This particular quote opened up a door that I had kept closed. I, like many of you, chose to react a certain way when I was faced with events of an unsavoury nature. I would spend a lot of time mulling over the event, wondering why it happened, did I contribute to it, and it just went from bad to worse from there until I was so deep in the rabbit hole that there was no coming up for air!
“NOT EVERY ACTION DESERVES A REACTION.”
That right there is what I had to learn to make things easier, to let go of things that don’t matter and to carry on with a lighter load. The next time someone says something mean or tries to cut you down to size, DO NOT REACT. Easier said than done, I know. Try not to pick up whatever they are throwing your way for whatever reason, that reason is not yours to bear. Go forth knowing that your reaction matters, and your mindset matters too. The less you choose to take on and allow to accompany you on this journey of life, the better.
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” Charles R. Swindoll
AND
“Failure happens all the time. It happens every day in practice. What makes you better is how you react to it.” Mia Hamm
The next time you want to jump on that bandwagon of reacting because it is the normal thing to do, take a deep breath, step back, think carefully, drop that stone to the ground and move on leaving it where it belongs. It doesn’t belong with you, let whoever sent it your way have it back. Watch as the power is taken away from them and you walk away the winner.
I could go with more but I’m going to stick to what I think makes a person unique.
Honesty
I place a lot of importance on honesty. It is hard to find because people tend to lie like there is no tomorrow! However, without honesty it is hard to trust someone and honesty is an essential component of a relationship where respect for the person comes into play in the form of honesty. You are unique if honesty is your stronghold.
Integrity
Without integrity there are no moral principles. Someone who does whatever he/she wants without moral principles is someone I try to avoid at all costs. A person with integrity has a strong moral code and tries to do the right thing and it is indeed a unique quality to have and to treasure.
Humility
I find this quality extremely attractive more than looks or stature in life. These people are usually very modest and do not think they are better than others. There is a certain kindness that shines through and they don’t mind getting their hands dirty. This is definitely a unique quality and one that is extremely attractive and makes the person stand out even more.
The little guy didn’t know what hit him but life as he knew it is gone and he has to put up with two intruders! He hadn’t see them in a long time so they are strangers again. Mommy is acting strange and is trying to butter them up and THAT is not settling too well with the Little Macho. It was talk time. Lord, have mercy!
Chachi: “Mom, why are they here? I don’t like them touching my stuff and using my toilet!”
Me: “You have to be nicer to them. They are missing their daddy.”
Daddy is my son who has moved away because of a new job and he has an apartment that doesn’t allow cats. It will take some time to rectify that situation so in the mean time, I am stuck with them. Chachi, the brat, just has to cool it and learn to share. There are three litter boxes in the house but for some reason, the two love using his!
Chachi: “I don’t think they were brought up too well. The big guy, Galli, hasn’t learned how to use the toilet yet and that little white one, Shiro, thinks toilets are beauty salons! She loves sticking her nose in them!”
Me: “I think she likes clean toilets. I noticed she was in the bathroom after my shower and was sniffing the air like it was something wonderful. Just part of being a girl. You should try to be friends with her.”
Chachi: “Grr! No way that is going to happen. I DON’T LIKE HER! I can tolerate Galli but I want you to stop kissing his forehead!”
Me: “Can you help me just a little? What’s with the hissing? You sure do act big for your size.”
Chachi: “Mom! I can take them both with one go!
Me: “Okay, no fighting. No hissing. No growling, and no “I’m the big man crap!” If you are nicer to them, you get extra kisses tonight and you get to cuddle with Mommy.”
Chachi: “Well, I get that anyway. Okay, I will try but you have to stop kissing them!”
ME: “Deal!”
I’ll sneak in those kisses when he’s not looking! They need loving too.
This morning there was a definite turnaround. The Little Brat has been out there for about an hour now. When I walked up the stairs to check on him, he was on the floor with Galli and they were trying to figure out how to make the ball move in the cat toy. Shiro walked past with a flippant glance at him and he didn’t hiss!
I’m hoping that the “white flag” will survive the day and they become friends.
You’ve heard me talk about it, rave over it, and speak about the comfort and joy I get from it. I call it, “The Fields.” It is a stone’s throw away from the house and once there, I find peace and a sense of calm that invades my whole being. I don’t know why. It could be that I love open spaces and even though there is the mountain to one side and the forest on the other, however, in the middle and for as far as the eye can see, it is just open fields. I have a slight case of claustrophobia, it could just be in my mind, but when I am out there I can let my soul fly and calmness descends and surrounds me.
It is beautiful in any season. Each season brings something new to discover and each one brings forth its own unique kind of beauty. Winter is dark and grey but even then there is a certain charm that beckons and envelops me in its midst like I belong there. Spring is a glorious affair. The apple trees come into bloom and the air is scented with something sweet that goes wafting by as I walk past. The red, pink and white blossoms are gorgeous. Summer is when I stay away from the open fields and stick to the forest line. There is shade there but I can still look across at the open fields and see the bright blue skies and the fields wearing their summer green. Absolutely mesmerizing. Fall is when everything takes a step back and the fields prepare for their long-awaited rest. They’ve done their job and it is time to snooze.
I spend a lot of time there. Most days, I am out there enjoying the company of nature listening to the birds in the trees, watching the crows as they gather in the fields, and paying attention to the deer and the rabbits as they come out to play. Once I jokingly said to a friend, “When I die, I want my ashes to be strewn out there.” I can’t see myself being buried in a graveyard somewhere, I want to be free even in death!
He laughed and said, “Unfortunately, they don’t allow that kind of thing here.” There is a strict protocol as to how ashes can be dispersed and they stick to it! Oh well, a nice thought but an impossible one to achieve.
The next best thing is to have the fields named after me. “Tia’s Fields” It does have a nice ring to it. I think so anyway. Let’s see if that works out!
Daily writing prompt
If you could have something named after you, what would it be?
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