Random Christmas Thoughts

Check out the Christmas photos from our Christmas party. They are quite entertaining (at least to me). I had a wonderful visit with my wife, even though I worked her pretty hard getting ready for the party and all. She give me some things to ponder as she can see things here in the valley that I can't. As always, her special friendship is something I will always cherish.

I have been thinking a bit about Christmas, and feel that in a way it is a lot like Obama's election. A time of renewed hope, and a feeling that maybe the world can get started down a road of peace. I only hope that we don't get jaded to quickly with Mr. Obama, and we give him time to make a difference. Many have given up on Christianity because of the way the messages have been warped by those in power. Let's hope what so many people feel is a new era doesn't get warped before it can take a strong foothold into our culture.

I am somewhat tired of pondering life as I do too often, and am feeling more and more comfortable just leaving things be and enjoying the moment. I know I have said this often but I find myself actually not thinking at times and wondering what is happening. Amazing.

I do know that I am not really cut out to service people in this manner my whole life. I keep thinking about the big picture and what really causes the problems in the first place. I believe I need to be somewhere that I can affect public policy or action. I guess I am not cut out to be a follower. Many of you already knew this about me, but I think I can finally admit it to myself. I believe I have a lot to offer in helping facilitate change, but the trick will be discovering the proper venue.

Speaking of venue, the Mellotones spring show is starting practice in January. Should be a good one. I believe the performance is in March if anyone would like to come down for this show of shows.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas, but more importantly have a joyous present moment (and the next and the next) for the rest of your present moment life. Peace to all of you and my wish is that humankind can start seeing that death and destruction is not the true road to happiness and power. When will we tire of killing? Not a happy way to end so one more time, love to you all.

Write in a While

Not much has happened so I haven't been writing much. I have been contemplating some of the feelings I have around my job. It is interesting to note that I feel very ineffectual in actually doing anything of substance towards the issues our organization faces daily.

My wife is coming to visit and that will be nice to experience a bit of home here in the valley. I pick her up tomorrow from Colorado Springs, and she will partake in the annual Christmas party here. Of course she will work, as the group I work with is in charge of much of the activity in the party. She also will be fortunate enough to work with the PALS program, some of the children who are organization serves.

So I will be quite busy over the weekend, and won't be paying much attention to the blog. Just wanted to say hi and wish you all a Merry Christmas if I don't write till then. I always talk about how blessed I feel, and that will never stop. I consider anyone who reads this blog a friend, and I feel very thankful for all of you. Love and lets pray for real peace on earth in our lifetimes.

Unqualified Success

So I have to say our performance was nothing short of spectacular. Of course anytime I can do an Elvis impersonation I am completely happy. To say the least, it was an interesting event to take part in. Seeing the smiling faces in the audience no matter how I thought things sounded was a reminder that anytime people can watch others being happy goes beyond critique of quality. Of course we had our moments, but certainly the best was our outfits. And let it be enough said that I was among the youngest in the venue. I did get a couple of women come up to me afterward and say they really enjoyed my performance because of course "every group needs a clown."

I have also uploaded a few random images of a trip to Creed I took recently. Met some interesting people, one of which had the bungalow you will see in the picture. It had some great views and some original artwork birdfeeders. Very cool. Also went fossil hunting there on the slope outside of town. I wasn't very successful, but it was fun smashing rocks. The last picture is just a beautiful sunrise taken out my bedroom window. So now you get two blogs in one weekend. Hope all is going well.

Where to Start?

There are just so many directions I could go with this blog, I am not sure where to begin. It has been busy, and yet not. At least a couple nights a week were taken up by rehearsal. Our show will be "entertaining". Just wish I could get a video of it. As a hint, I actually get two measures of singing as Elvis (or my interpretation of such). If I am allowed to get away with that, one can imagine the rest. Singing has felt good though, and I am looking forward to performing once again.

I have been thinking a lot about what my lessons are here in this remote valley of the lost. There is a sense of isolation here that I never would of thought possible to find so close to home. It is not because of the remoteness of the place, but more the feel of the area. I guess I realize now that I get my energy from people. Many people here are nature energy people. I love being out in nature and enjoying the power of the earth, but my primary driver is people. The energy coming from people here is confusing at the least. The sense of order and peace is extremely different than that in the Twin Cities.

I suppose that is something I need to comprehend. I came here as most of you know to "let go" (I seem to be using a lot of quotes in this blog) and to hopefully discover that next step I need to try. I suppose I was hoping for answers again to pop up in my heart, but now I know that all I can do is keep being open to paths that open up. My wonderful daughter is so correct in quoting Dr. Suess
"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than you."
That is such a living in the present moment thing. I am who I am right now. I miss Mr. Theodore Geissel, for he had such insight that he could express so simply, unlike this current writing of mine.

So I often ask myself, "what is my lesson, what am I learning?" I think I am learning not to ask those questions. Most of what I am learning is impossible to write in words. It is about perceptions, feelings, energy. It is not about proverbs or directions. I am learning to appreciate all the me that I am, discovering feelings inside that defy definition, yet changes each day. Perhaps there is more to my atomic chemistry theory than I thought. I also know that each day is precious, that focusing on laughter and love is much better than focusing on sadness, pain, and fear. And that the world isn't about me and my happiness but just is what it is each day.

Oh well, thanks for reading my ramblings. I appreciate the responses. I am more and more aware that all of you add value to my life and my life is better because of your existence. I hope the day will come that we all see our connections to each other and Mother Earth clearly without any fear. Jeez, I feel like an old hippie now.