Thursday, September 28, 2006

Nothing Can't Change!


Some things change. Some things don't change. Some things don't seem to change but actually change. Some things seem to change but stay the same. Some things change a little bit, but seem to have changed a lot. A lot can change in a little bit of time. I have change in a ceramic pot on top of my refrigerator because the kitchen is in the feng shui "wealth and prosperity" area; one thing we can count on is there always being quarters for laundry in it if we put them there. If we don't, we'll have to put a dollar in the machine and get change. Change your tune, change your posture, change your mind, change your heart, change your clothes, change your attitude young lady! Change is constant, the more things change; the more things stay the same. The word change sounds funny now, doesn't it? Some things never ---- .

Monday, September 25, 2006

Monday's a Big Old Chair

(Thank you www.jgordonanderson.com for pic.)

Like stubbing a toe on the leg of the big old chair
every time you get up in a hurry to answer the phone,
Monday morning comes.

Maturity reminds you
it will feel better by lunchtime.
Common sense tells you
to wear shoes in the house.
Self-possession advises
you move the big chair out of the path that leads to the phone.
Inspiration suggests
you move the phone so you don’t have to pass by the big chair.
Idealism says, get a chair that’s worth stopping to sit in
and put the phone
beside it.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Apartment Living: the Neighbor Gets Sober

A New Day Dawns Daily, Frequently in Color
Dear Neighbor,

Thank you for quitting drinking. A new level of peace has come to my home now that you and your girlfriend don't have shouting matches as you come and go from your car parked in the carport under my window.

I can sleep with my bedroom window open now because you don't get in your car at 1:50 every morning, slamming the car door and starting the engine. Now, I could drift back to sleep easily enough after that one; it was the door slamming bottle clanking return five minutes later that agitated me to wakefulness. Finally, I closed the window for the summer. But recently I forgot to close it - and I didn't wake up til morning!

I've been able to sleep with that window open every night for about a month! Thirty days, Neighbor guy, GOOD GOING!

I thank you, your liver thanks you, your blood vessels thank you, the other drivers on the road thank you, your girlfriend seems to thank you (at least I don't hear her clattering out the door in her high heels cackling after you these days) . The 7/11 corporation may not be so happy, but I bet the employee feels some relief, being spared from the little struggle triggered in his soul when he put the fifth in the bag and said "have a nice night."

Keep up the good work, and be aware that your decision to treat yourself better has repercussions that are good, one night at a time.

Sincerely,
Your Neighbor

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

The Nature of Worry

Be assured the past can rush ahead and haunt you anytime
and invite you to stew as if future days would be just like this one.
You have the opportunity to become
ensnared by the distractions detractors throw at you,
as a matter of course; it's your life.
It's your life: you also have the right
to keep focused on creating good
and keep walking,
one foot in front of the other
just like the man said,
"one day at a time."
Just don't forget
to also make
some plans.
A good plan can be quite motivating.