Treasure

Treasures...everyone, at some point, has fantasized about what they would do if they were to win the lottery (pay off houses and cars, give to loved ones, church, maybe even philanthropic endeavors).  Treasure conjures up several images, but probably primarily a booty, a pirate's treasure, hidden riches, often kept or found under mysterious circumstances.

What makes something a treasure?  What do you DO with a treasure?  Is it so valuable that it remains locked up, so it doesn't get stolen, lost, or damaged?  Placed in a special location?  Do you treat it as though it will vanish or break if it is handled too much or too often?  Most treasures need to be guarded, right?

"Real treasure lies not in that what can be seen, but that what cannot be seen."~~Author Unknown

Although, most typically, treasures are tangible items, the most valuable and important treasures to me are those intangible items that we value: time with loved ones, shared experiences, the love and caring shown to us by those around us.  Many times, if the treasure is a tangible item, it's something that Mr. G.Q. Public would not place a great value upon, like tokens.  This percieved value, or the intagibility of the treasure, often makes it difficult to identify what might be treasured by each person, and many times the treasures are as varied as the individuals.

"Memory is the treasure house of the mind, wherein the monuments thereof are kept and preserved."~~Thomas Fuller

Here is just a tiny sampling of some of MY treasures:

This past summer, we took a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, TN.  One of the adventures we had was horseback riding.  Everyone was able to ride an adult horse (not a pony in a circle), controlling the reins themselves.  Thomas (who was 9) was so enthusiastic about the experience, that he was asking to repeat it halfway through the ride...

A spontaneously gathered fiesta birthday celebration for Daddy on his last birthday...

This simple project my daughter completed for Mother's Day several years ago...

For me, as I am sure for many others, the real treasures are these small pieces of our lives, special times or memories, made more valuable because of their context in our lives.  These sweet times, memories, experiences are held close to us, in our memories, photos, mementos, souvenirs, but not because they can be taken from us.  They can be shared without being relinquished.  They can be brought out over and over again, in the retelling, but never be degraded by the repeated handling.

"Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot.  In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you."~~ Oscar Wilde

Yes, hold your treasures close.

Protect them. Guard them. 

However, they are not meant to be hidden or locked away.  Share them.  Handle them. 

Always....treasure them.

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."~~Matthew 6:21

Token

A token...an outward sign or expression; something serving as indication or proof of something else. 

We use tokens every day...a subway or arcade token, a token word, a token of gratitude or thanks, a token gesture, a token of affection.

What are some of these tokens, and what DO they express, indicate, or represent?  Do you think about what you are really saying with your words and actions? What tokens do you give?  A word of thanks, an encouraging thought, a considerate action.

"Love talked about can be easily turned aside, but love demonstrated is irresistible."~~W. Stanley Mooneyham

Over the next several days (and for at least the past week or more), everyone is focused on love and affection....culminating in ONE day...Valentine's Day.  The legend of St. Valentine had its beginnings in a priest who cared for the sick, writing "from your Valentine" to a blind girl he treated. Then, the association with romantic love came many years later with Chaucer's writing, eventually evolving in today's practices of celebrating, with cards, candy, flowers, etc.

Think about what tokens of our love and affections we give, both at this time of the year, but also when the whole culture isn't laser-focused on it, to those we wish to communicate these feelings to.  There is an entire language for flowers, what the color, size, type all represent to the recipient.  We attempt to put into words the depth and breadth of our feelings to the people we cherish most, with cards, notes, letters, text messages, emails.  We demonstrate, physically, how we feel through hugs, kisses, the holding of hands.

"The manner in which it is given is worth more than the gift."~~Pierre Corneille

Whatever token we choose, and whenever we choose to bestow these upon those beloved ones, we must consider this:  our tokens of love and affection, whether it be a kiss, hug, or something more tangible, should be granted as often and expediently as permitted, reminding those who receive these tokens how they are treasured, loved, cared for. 

HOWEVER, the most exceptional benefit of this token-giving, is that we, as the token-givers, are the more fortunate, for having those whom we wish to bestow them; and enriched, for the experience and opportunity to demonstrate our sentiments.

"Life is short and we never have enough time for gladdening the hearts of those who travel the way with us. Oh, be swift to love! Make haste to be kind!"~~Henri Frederic Amiel

Insight

To have insight is to perceive the true or hidden meaning of something; in this case, insight into one‘s own self. Do you really, truly know yourself? It’s easy to quickly respond with characteristics of yourself, what you like or don’t like, personality or physical traits. However, as with many self-evaluative exercises, it is a bit more difficult to express one’s self in more “unconventional” terms.

This exercise seemed simple enough….30 ways to describe yourself. In truth, it was a little more tricky than it first appeared! Take a look at my 30 “insights,” and in repeating the exercise yourself, discover new insights of your own!

“The best vision is insight.”~~Malcolm S. Forbes

If I were a month, I’d be….February…short and sweet, and I ALWAYS celebrate my valentine.

If I were a day of the week, I’d be…Friday, most likely…combination of both work and play.

If I were a time of day, I’d be…2:00 PM. In the middle of the afternoon, the sun is shining, the world is in motion, and there is as much of the day behind you as there is ahead of you….sometimes looking back, sometimes forward, but enjoying siesta.

If I were a planet, I’d be…Earth. It’s an intricately intertwined, complicated planet. Usually we just associate one or two characteristics to planets (Mars = “red” or “alien” instantly popped into your head), but when you think of Earth, you think many things at once.

If I were a sea animal, I’d be…a dolphin…cute, playful, and stay together in pods/families.

If I were a direction, I’d be…North…guiding, directing, giving you a point of reference.

If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be…plush, soft, cozy…inviting you to sit and stay awhile.

If I were a liquid, I’d be…water. It has so many uses, can be refreshing, and makes up about 60 percent of our bodies anyway.

If I were a gemstone, I’d be…quartz. It comes in many different colors, and is relatively hard…not as hard as the hardest material, the diamond, but made of pretty sturdy stuff.

If I were a tree, I’d be…a magnolia…evergreen, hearty, strong, good smelling, and thick-skinned, less impervious to predators, as well as associated with the southern U.S…hence the moniker “Steel Magnolia.”

If I were a tool, I’d be…a Gerber multi-tool...so many tools, so many tasks….all accomplished by ONE tool…sound familiar?

If I were a flower, I’d be…a Daylily…going in at night.

If I were a car, I’d be…reliable and dependable…not one of those that leaves you broken down on the side of the road, having an unsurpassed warning system.

If I were a pair of shoes, I’d be…comfortable, for long hours on the feet; practical, for the job at hand; stylish, with all of those long hours and practical jobs, you just have to like looking at them too.

If I were a kind of weather, I’d be…the wind. Sometimes you notice it, sometimes you don’t. It can be hard and fierce, or gentle and soothing. It can bring in a thunderstorm, or blow in a balmy breeze. It all depends on what the prevailing conditions are.

If I were a musical instrument, I’d be…wind chimes….good to hear when that wind is changing, usually plays in the background.

If I were a color, I’d be…green. It’s a color of growth, new life, health…a calming color.

If I were a fruit, I’d be…watermelon…pink and juicy, composed mostly of water…which is what makes up most of what we are anyway.

If I were an element, I’d be…iron…strong, so many uses, and it changes with time and exposure.

If I were a food, I’d be…pasta…prepared in many ways, but always satisfying.

If I were a place, I’d be…home. Baseball has home plate, tag has home base. We always want to come “home,” and it IS where the heart is.

If I were a material, I’d be…cotton. It’s versatile, you can layer it, wear in warm or cold weather, and of course, soft.

If I were a taste, I’d be…subtle. Subtle tastes are interesting, enhance the food, and aren't easy to identify and pin down.

If I were a scent, I’d be…clean and fresh, noticeable when you get close.

If I were a facial expression, I’d be…a smile. The smile is a universal signature in any language. Everyone understands it, and it speaks of an openness and reception to whomever it is bestowed upon.

If I were an object, I’d be…a puzzle….not too easy to figure out, but with some thought and understanding, the pieces begin to fit together for the “whole” picture.

If I were a body part, I’d be…the brain. It IS in charge of your body, and it can do so very many things, all at once. Sometimes it goes wonky, too, but a nap or good night’s sleep can usually improve its functioning.

If I were an emotion, I’d be…compassion, an empathetic extension of love.

If I were a sound, I’d be…laughter. It’s contagious, includes all types, it relaxes and de-stresses you, helps heal you.

If I were a song, I’d be…the harmony. Every melody is enhanced by the harmonies, and you hear the harmony only when you focus and listen. Even if you don’t hear the harmony, you know it is there when you hear the fullness of the music.

"Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocea, at the circular motions of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering."~~St. Augustine

Comfort

Comfort....to assist someone in feeling better. 

Around here this past week, discomfort has been prevalent.  Everyone has been ailing, and thankfully, all are on the mend.  Throughout the week, "Mommy's bed" was a favorite spot for the children to seek comfort...but why?  It's not that that particular place is any more "comfortable" than other places throughout the house. 

When you are feeling bad, either physically or emotionally, where do you seek  comfort?

A favorite food, that big, comfy chair, a good book, a special furry friend, a treasured "place" (like Mommy's bed), the people we love next to us....all these things comfort us. 

During this "sick" time, medication helped comfort the symptoms each one had.  Fluids, rest, the proverbial chicken noodle soup also helped to comfort.  While these things all did bring comfort, the most sought out was a presence (Mommy, in this case), a person special to the ones needing the comfort.

Many times, when we need comfort, it isn't necessarily to ease a physical problem, like sickness.  Sometimes, we are just discouraged, tired, lonely, despondent, and even grief-stricken.  We seek the comfort we need from those around us, those special people whom we love the most.  A kind word...a hug...just having that special person nearby, their presence provides us comfort.

These days, just having a word from my husband, from far away, brings me comfort.  It eases my mind from the worry.  His voice, in the teddy bears given to the children, brings them comfort, for having those words from Daddy close at hand.  Whether sick or well, having your loved ones close brings comfort to your soul.

"Words of comfort, skillfully administered, are the oldest therapy known to man."~~Louis Nizer 

Music

 

Music....likely some song just popped into your mind.

Music speaks to us on many levels, calms us, excites us, elicits vivid memories for us.

An article in the local newspaper this week, quoting a neuroscience publication, suggested that music affects us much the way eating does (and other, more intimate, pleasures do), causing a chemical reaction in your brain, that provides a "rush" when that music speaks to you. Think about how music enhances your life.

You sing or play an instrument in a soul communion, worship.

You sing along to a catchy tune in your car (likely to the embarrassment of your children).

Some music just makes you want to get up and move, to dance along to its rhythm or message.

Music communicates with us on such a visceral, basic level.

Music comes in many forms....think about turning your radio dial....pop music, hip hop, classical, jazz, top 20, new age, rap, rock music....whatever speaks most to you is available at the tip of your fingers, or the dial of the knob, so to speak. However, WHAT about the music speaks to you....is it the notes? is it the rhythm? is it the message of the lyrics? It may be one, or all of those, at any given moment.

The music of life is many things besides a simple song. I have been witness to some of the sweetest music on earth this week. There is much "music" all around us...the contented sigh of a satisfied hunger...the quiet creaking of a house when all is at peace....the belly laugh of a child who is completely amused.  Life's music is all around us, every day.

There is music in the words spoken, "I love you, Mommy," as well as in the calming patter of the rain on the roof...in the quiet stillness of the snowy landscape.

"It is only by introducing the young to great literature, drama, and music, and to the excitement of great science, that we open them to the possibilities that lie within the human spirit--enable them to see visions and dream dreams."-- Eric Anderson

Listen carefully....what MUSIC do you hear?

NEW

It's a NEW year!  New....recent, unused, untouched, fresh..."out with the old, in with the new"...a time when many people around the world reevaluate their lives and lifestyles, often resolving to change something about themselves, live a better life, involve themselves in something new!

Sometimes, new is exciting....

Everyone loves that new car smell. .everybody is still reveling with all of the new toys and gadgets, gifts they received over the holidays...a new pair of cute shoes (ladies)...a new hobby (I'm really interested in mine, this NEW telescope...and trying to explore and interpret this vast night sky)...

Sometimes, new is alarming or scary...

The fear that clutches you when something new suddenly enters your life...a new city...a new diagnosis...

You may recall many new things that were both scary and exciting all at once....that new job, a new relationship, taking that leap and committing to fully experiencing whatever was in store.

Whether exciting or daunting, new is always....well.....NEW!

It's an opportunity for a fresh start, to start over, begin again, clean the slate. It's a time to face a challenge head on, take the opportunity to make the time or situation something new for you, or approach it a new way, a new attitude about the world around you.  The turn of the calendar seems to traditionally be a time to celebrate "new", but you can celebrate the new year, a new month or week, or even just the new day.

The most distressing thing you can do is to squander the opportunity for something new...doing something you have never done before, but always wanted to try; take that job that you always really wanted to see if you could do it like you have thought about for some time; spend some time with that new friend you have been wanting to get to know better for so long or just renew an old friendship; take that new adventure (no matter how big or small)....to refuse to pick up the chalk, so to speak, and write on that blank slate.

Celebrate the new in your life, each year, month, week, or even every day. But, do it NOW, not just once a year.  Embrace it!

Here is a NEW, unused, untouched, fresh, clean slate, meant just for you!

"I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there can be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again."--William Penn

Perspective

"The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself." ~Henry Miller 

Perspective...the way an object appears to the eye; metaphorically, one’s “point of view,” or context for beliefs, opinions, or experiences. Sometimes, altering one’s perspective permits empathy and understanding of a situation; other times, it can bring to light innovative solutions to a particular quandary.  In these ruminations, perspective will be a recurring theme.  Most often, they will be visual, and at times, more personal....but always....thoughtful.

Join me each week as we explore a different theme, looking at...

"Life Through My Lens"