So...do you appreciate the way the light peers through the leaves on the trees? If you can appreciate the simple things well then...that is truly a good thing. Most of us have to make an effort to appreciate small things....let's try this week to think about it ...and if you want, then enter the contest I spoke about in the podcast by leaving your answer to the contest question in the comments here. You could win the pattern and a kit for She-Knits Mystery KAL #6 which will be announced via She-Knits newsletter (sign-up for the newsletter at She-Knits.com) as well as on Sheknits 'about' me page in Ravelry the first week of October.
Family
More holidays
-follow up on Rosh Hoshana..chef in da' housssee
Knitting
Loving my Mystery KAL #5 Kimmy and Sammy
Done with design for the next Mystery, She-Knits Mystery #6, an elegant shawl named Anna - sign up for newsletter so you can be in on the early bird special coming the first week of October HERE
New to me and interesting...or nuts
Emmadine knits a bunch of garter stitch things and sells them
Fear
Colonoscopy
Gratitude and Good Thoughts
Kathy for her shoulder surgery.
Kids that suffer from anxiety.
34 comments:
Being a widow with a 4 year old, I find myself having to slow down, reminding myself that my son's loss is probably greater than my own- I take the time to walk down to the river and throw in a fishing pole or go to that apple orchard for picking fall apples, going on a bike ride or a simple walk with the dogs- making time for him and I alone with no other distractions. Us time- things he may have done with his father. Cultivating special moments.
Oh, animals...the glance of one of my four cats. They know how to look at you...wisely...right in the eye. The cardinals nesting in the birch tree in my back yard, feeding their young, turnabout...they communicate with each other through chirps!
I haven't listened to this installation of your podcast yet but colonoscopy? No big deal. The drugs are great, you don't feel a thing. The 'clean out' before hand can be quite, um, exciting, but again, very manageable. If you're nervous about an 'accident during the preparation period ('cleanout')
try "Depends".
Here's Dave Barry's column on the subject: http://www.miamiherald.com/2009/02/11/v-print/427603/dave-barry-a-journey-into-my-colon.html
Now go book that colonoscopy!
When I retired from teaching a few months ago I was fearful I would find myself with nothing to do. After 32 years of keeping very rigid schedules and being very busy, I now have time to appreciate all the little things that I flew past before. I was definitely guilty of not stopping to smell the roses. One of the things I have enjoyed the most is a leisurely lunch out with friends and having longer than 20 minutes to eat and have an adult conversation.
I spend a lot of time with our 2-year-old granddaughter. She loves to be in our backyard, and the most ordinary things fascinate her. Yesterday I got to see 2 things through her wondering eyes:
1) a trail of ants...
2) lizards! But she calls them "yizards!!".
So much fun. Everyone needs a 2-yr-old to spark up their life and allow you to see the world fresh.
Sunsets, I look out over the cornfield, or snow, or black dirt, or beach in the evening seeing the beauty of the sun as it sets in the west and always think that this same sun sets everywhere and someone else can be enjoying the same thing as I. I also appreciate the quiet rainfall, the especially the silent snowfall - waking up to a whitened, clean world is so fantastic.
Trying to become a better photographer has really helped me to see this world in a new light. I notice things now like the color and textures of the moss that grows in the backyard, or the way the hoarfrost shimmers on the branches in the winter.
Also, I try to take the time everyday to spend some one-on-one time doing what my son wants. I homeschool him so we're together all day, but school-time Mom and play-time Mom are completely different to him. And it's time together that we both appreciate.
Like my others unemployment has hit our family hard. After wasting many days and nights to worry, I finally realized that to be happy I'd have to focus on what we had rather than what we'd lost.
Wow! What a difference! Now I'm grateful for everything -- from the crunchy peanut butter sandwich that I have for lunch to my legs which carry me on long walks in fresh air. I'm grateful that I can make do with less and still be really happy.
My daughter was diagnosed with bipolar and suffers with Anxiety complicated with some OCD and ADD, I've been given plenty of opportunities to learn patience. I've learned to appreciate the Good days. The simple acts of stillness and quiet without drama are truly appreciated in my life. Anxiety is hard to deal with as an adult but when children suffer, it seems more so. Thank you for your podcast. I'm looking forward to your next KAL.
My daughter was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at the age of 16. She suffers with Anxiety. I've learned patience through the most trying of circumstances. I've learned to appreciate the "Good" days. The simple quiet moments without drama are truly appreciated in my life.
Thank you for your podcast. I really enjoy it, and I look forward to joining my first KAL.
Sharon, I love this topic. From conversations we've had in the past, you already know that my mom lost her eyesight when I was a teenager and she was in her 40's. Fro years she has had to rely on others to "see and describe" for her.
I love looking at the suttle nuances of color, texture and pattern. I find that my heart sings when my children smile. and I find joy watching the sky change during the day. I try to visually memorize what ever I can, and think of how I can describe it to my mom next time we visit.
I usually like to bake my own bread and try to take my time. I select my ingredients with care and think about how each item would make the bread taste. I like to smell the bread as I knead it and feel how the dough changes as I work it. I like to watch the dough rise and ponder how I'm going to shape what I've made into something pleasing. This type of baking takes several hours in my day, and I cherish every moment I have to devote to making this bread. I love how my family appreciates my efforts and don't take them for granted. They eat the bread and compliment me, which makes it all worthwhile!
One"s health has a way of putting life into perspective and reminding of us of the simple things. We tend to take for granted the simple things when things go well. Before the last month took place I would say that my life was kind of ho hum. My husband and I have been married 30 years (happily of course) I was NOT appreciative of our simple life. We were then separated by distance (as we often are). I had to watch my son move to the other side of the world and then in the same day be thrust into watching and helping my parents go through a major medical crises that soon may lead to their losing their independence. My husband and I were separated even further by distance as he flew to a very remote part of the world. Communication was pretty non-existant. It was very stressful as I'm the only child left alive by my parents. To make a long story short...my simple (sometimes boring) life with my husband is the most pecious thing to me!! When all hell breaks loose in this life -HE and the simple little things that make up our daily life is what really matters to me!!
I live in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and this week-end is peak foliage. This morning I participated in a 3-mile "Fun Walk" and as I walked along the road with the sun blazing on the most gorgeous colors imaginable, I felt very grateful to be living in this beautiful area. Tourists travel from far distances to be here to see the colorful trees & mountains, and I can simply look out my front door and soak it all in. I'm very lucky!
Some people believe that plants respond to the human voice. Just in case, I talk to my gardenia when it is blooming. I tell it what a great job it's doing and how beautiful the flowers are. I give it a little pat so it will release the lovely scent. It's a healthy plant so maybe our little chats are helping!
I have a routine of waking up earlier than I need to, getting my coffee ground and brewing and heading out to my back porch, just after sunrise the hummingbirds arrive at the feeders and that is the way I start each and every day. It's so quiet you can hear the hummingbird's wings (yes...they do make noise.
I really try to appreciate my time with Jeremy. Doing little things with him are big things now. Appreciating dinners, cuddles, kisses, talks, laughing, joking, teasing, being silly... i really commit it to memory. I also appreciate the views I get with my job. I never get sick of the sky and clouds and things that mother nature gives to us. It's fantastic!
In a blink of an eye, my children are now 25 and 20 years old. They lead busy lives, with school, work, "significant others". As a working musician, my husband is often out until the wee hours of the morning. It is rare any more that the four of us are together. So a family dinner, like we used to have, brings me such joy and such peace. We catch up on the kids' lives, talk politics, laugh (a lot) - doesn't matter whether it is takeout or a roast beef dinner. It always reminds me how blessed I truly am!
The little thing I appreciate most is my children's kisses and telling me they love me. I love picking them up from school just to have them tell me "I love you mom" and then kiss me. I cherish this from both my 6yo and 3yo. It is the greatest gift!
I like seeing the moon in the cloudless blue sky. I usually stop and look at it or point it out if I'm with someone. I don't know why I enjoy it so much. At this time of the year I inhale the apple smells as I walk past people's gardens.
Nothing to do with religion, but I try to live my life in a way that I don't need to ask forgiveness from anyone. But of course life happens, so I try to apologize immediately.
When camping in the desert, I always make sure I gaze at the stars and passing satellites. I lie on top of the picnic table and enjoy the night sky--always looking for constellations, satellites, and comets.
I love the changing of the seasons, but most especially, I love the crisp fall mornings. The dew on the now changing leaves makes me speechless (and that's usually impossible!). I cherish every moment of the fall coloured leaves on the trees. They last such a short time, and soon afterwards, I am able to enjoy the beauty of a fresh snowy day. Lovely!
Cool late summer/early fall evenings. It is still pretty hot here during the day, but it cools off so beautifully in the evening. I just love to go outside about 7pm with the kids and enjoy the last 30 minutes or so of daylight and the refreshing feeling of being out of doors.
The warm sun on your face on a brisk fall day is wonderful.
Also, quite enjoyable to play a family game of four-square where everyone is genuinely having fun and laughing out loud.
The good stuff!
You will have had yout time in hospital by the time you read this. I am just listening to the above podcast right now. Belated good wishes, I hope you got n ok and that they didn't find anything wrong, that your mind has been put at peace.
Hugs
Caroline
One thing that helps me to appreciate the little moments in life is going for a drive with my mother and my dogs. My boy dog Gryphin acts like every car that passes is amazing. He runs from one side of the backseat to the other watching the world fly by. Then he stands on the console between the front seats to stare out the windshield. He looks like the masthead of a ship, looking out on the horizon for the next adventure coming his way. It makes me see even a boring run to the grocery store in a new light and fills me with happiness that I have this amazing furball in my life to help me see the adventure that is daily life.
I like that you mentioned light in your podcast and in this post. I love photography, and I'm always looking at the light,even if I don't have my camera handy. I am fascinated by the way it can transform the common scenes we see everyday. This time of year, the light hangs at a low angle a lot of the time, and it's golden, just like many of the other colors we see in autumn.
Sharon,
I am an aeromedical pilot. A year ago in August around midnight I was in a helicopter accident off the coast of Captiva here in Florida. We hit the water at 90mph and then the helicopter flipped upside down. The crew and I were able to egress from the aircraft and we sat on the bottom of the
helicopter and waited for help.
I've had 4 surgeries since then and am looking at maybe 3 more. The post traumatic stress has been terrible. I have found that knitting helps center and calm me. I've really enjoyed your KAL.
After thinking I was going to die, everything is precious to me. But, the most is the sunsets. In the evenings as the sun is setting the birds wing their way over our house to a small mangrove island. My brother and I joke that doctors should prescribe something like 10,000 unmissed sunsets. The colors, sounds, and feel remind me I'm alive and it will be alright.
Thank you for what you do and go watch the sunset!
Sincerely, Diana Tackett
I appreciate my scenic commute.
Ten years ago I moved to the Missouri Ozarks from Central Illinois. I went from seeing cornfields to the woods and hills and hollers. Driving a narrow winding road through the woods with a wall of trees on each side that almost form an arbor across the road gives a great view of the current season: the buds of spring, green of summer, autumn colors or snowy winter branches. Cresting a hill to see for miles, perhaps looking down on a blanket of fog hovering in a valley, is the best part of my day.
I try to use this time to be calm and enjoy my luck of living is such a beautiful place!
It's a good thing to think about... so many "insignificant" things come to mind that I enjoy. But although my life is so incredibly different than anything I had planned or wanted, I have grown to be content with it and enjoy what I have. I don't stress about what I don't have or worry about what comes next... and at this moment I'm laughing as my dog buries a toy underneath a blanket and digs it up. Over and over and over again. Still makes me laugh!
Just a few months ago our youngest son had his first asthma attack. He couldn't breath doctors put him on oxygen his little body fought for breath, his lips were blue and I couldn't help him. He was taken to the hospital were a team of doctors worked very hard to save him. He was hospitalized for a week. Since that very dark day I stop and just listen to him breath and thank God every day he is still with us. I never take for granted the simple act of breathing.
knitalittl
My favorite things include the smell of roses, the wind wispering in the trees, the warm sunshine and how it twinkles through the leaves and branches.
A reminder of the love of my grandmother, she always reminded me to enjoy the small things in life.
My first cat was my very special boy and ever since he died I take the time with my other cats when one of them wants to sit and snuggle with me, because you never know how long they will be with you. Lesson learned to appreciate what you have and take time for important stuff.
Thanks for your podcast!
I enjoy and appreciate little things that I'm sure others don't even notice. Living here in southern Arizona it's quite warm. Until this week temperatures over 100 daily. I find I want to provide cool water and shade for the little birds who grace my yard daily. They wake me up in the morning and sing to me all day.
So, in addition to providing hummingbird food year-round, I bought a free-form bird swimming pool and put a solar-powered bubbler in it. I placed the pool right outside my studio window on the ground and watch the birds drink and take baths all day.
These birds eat the nasty insects and are an integral part of the ecological balance and yet they go unnoticed.
The pleasure they provide is free and ongoing. Their colors and markings are phenomenal. I'm thankful for being able to take part in this beautiful world.
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