Today I learned a lesson. It was nothing that I read, and it was not in the form of a lecture or sermon. Instead it was in the quiet thoughts of my sister, far wiser than I, yet younger. She has lived through more than most women and has survived. So, this blog is dedicated to Lady Saphyre with great love and a very large serving of humble pie.
Forgiveness. Easy word to spell. Easy word to say. Difficult, though, to give, but nearly impossible to ask, especially when one needs to ask it from someone whom we feel has wronged us. In giving and receiving forgiveness, a priceless gift is exchanged – peace of mind, serenity, and after the remorseful feeling comes a quiet inner strength that is not puffed up with pride because of doing the right thing, but because we did what is required.
Does all this philosophical meandering make sense? The person in question and I may never be in contact again, but in my mind and heart, I know that peace has been made all because of a very quiet thought shared with me by my sister. Thank you, Lady Saphyre.
Friday, May 04, 2007
How green is the grass over here?
This has been mulling around in my head for some time now. Since the computer system at work is down, no time like the present to write.
Single versus married – the debate rages on. Is the grass always truly green on the other side of the fence? Well, let’s see.
I’ll start with the topic I know best – me! I’m single. That means no demands for cooking dinner, ironing shirts, making plans to suit my mate, etc. It’s definitely an “I” existence. I choose, I do, I go, etc….. Some of my married friends say, “Gee, you’re lucky you’re single.” “You can do anything you want.” And get this one: “YOU HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITIES.”
STOP RIGHT THERE!!!!
What about rent, utilities, medical bills, vet bills, groceries, transportation, taking care of my apartment (I’m NOT Susie Homemaker), etc…. What happens if I get sick? Who walks the dog if I can’t? There’s no such thing as “I can’t.”
Not all of my married friends have life so easy. Most of my married friends have the same issues with money as I – never enough. No investments, etc. We have the same bills and money woes every month and live paycheck to paycheck. Yet somehow, these are the married friends who never say, “You’re so lucky to be single.”
For some reason, I ended up single. It was not a deliberate choice. It just turned out that way. For years I thought of myself as “the one not chosen.” Then it occurred to me, why should I have to be chosen? Why don’t I choose? Yes, it would be lovely to have a spouse who held a good job so that I wouldn’t have to worry about not being able to work. It would be wonderful to have someone who would look after me a little bit. But is that what I really want or even need? I like my independence and intend to live it as long as I’m able. Aside from the companionship of a true soul-mate, nothing is missing in my life, and if my soul-mate is searching for me, we will find each other.
There’s no answer to this debate – each side has merits and de-merits. No one way is better than the other – just different.
So, to my married and single friends, the grass is the same color on both sides of the fence. We just have to tend the our own gardens.
Single versus married – the debate rages on. Is the grass always truly green on the other side of the fence? Well, let’s see.
I’ll start with the topic I know best – me! I’m single. That means no demands for cooking dinner, ironing shirts, making plans to suit my mate, etc. It’s definitely an “I” existence. I choose, I do, I go, etc….. Some of my married friends say, “Gee, you’re lucky you’re single.” “You can do anything you want.” And get this one: “YOU HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITIES.”
STOP RIGHT THERE!!!!
What about rent, utilities, medical bills, vet bills, groceries, transportation, taking care of my apartment (I’m NOT Susie Homemaker), etc…. What happens if I get sick? Who walks the dog if I can’t? There’s no such thing as “I can’t.”
Not all of my married friends have life so easy. Most of my married friends have the same issues with money as I – never enough. No investments, etc. We have the same bills and money woes every month and live paycheck to paycheck. Yet somehow, these are the married friends who never say, “You’re so lucky to be single.”
For some reason, I ended up single. It was not a deliberate choice. It just turned out that way. For years I thought of myself as “the one not chosen.” Then it occurred to me, why should I have to be chosen? Why don’t I choose? Yes, it would be lovely to have a spouse who held a good job so that I wouldn’t have to worry about not being able to work. It would be wonderful to have someone who would look after me a little bit. But is that what I really want or even need? I like my independence and intend to live it as long as I’m able. Aside from the companionship of a true soul-mate, nothing is missing in my life, and if my soul-mate is searching for me, we will find each other.
There’s no answer to this debate – each side has merits and de-merits. No one way is better than the other – just different.
So, to my married and single friends, the grass is the same color on both sides of the fence. We just have to tend the our own gardens.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
WHY DO YOU OWN A DOG?
Why do you own a dog?
Okay, why does someone own a LARGE dog that tends toward aggression and then leave the front door to the house unlocked so that the dog can push its way outside and harm itself and anyone passing by?
Welcome to South Philadelphia, home of cheesesteaks, an over-population of large, aggressive dogs, and people completely lacking in common sense.
I was walking my 30-pound corgi/sheltie mix. She stopped to bark at the Yorkie in the window (one of her “boyfriends”). We made it 2 houses more when a large dog (part Rottweiler, a breed I happen to love) barked, growled, and got half-way out the door. I yelled for its owner to come, and she promptly accused my dog of deliberately egging her dog on. This illustrates item #3 above (lack of common sense), and I’m being polite here. Let’s just revise that to say a combination of ignorance and stupidity all rolled into one with a side of fries! Did I leave out the part about the woman telling me that I walk my dog past her house everyday deliberately and make her dog bark?
Common sense and common decency demand that you lock your door, if only to keep your dog from running out into a busy street. Then we can add to the equation, to keep your dog from running out and attacking another dog, or to keep your dog from being stolen.
Gwyn is not perfect – she’s made up of two herding breeds. She’s an alpha dog, who responds to the sense of aggression by barking. Vicious? Yeah, right, a dog who rides about 6 inches from the ground on a good day?
Folks, please look after your pets. It’s your responsibility to protect them, to know where they are at all times, to keep them from harm, and to keep them from causing harm. Sadly, the very people who should read this probably will not, but at least it was said.
Okay, why does someone own a LARGE dog that tends toward aggression and then leave the front door to the house unlocked so that the dog can push its way outside and harm itself and anyone passing by?
Welcome to South Philadelphia, home of cheesesteaks, an over-population of large, aggressive dogs, and people completely lacking in common sense.
I was walking my 30-pound corgi/sheltie mix. She stopped to bark at the Yorkie in the window (one of her “boyfriends”). We made it 2 houses more when a large dog (part Rottweiler, a breed I happen to love) barked, growled, and got half-way out the door. I yelled for its owner to come, and she promptly accused my dog of deliberately egging her dog on. This illustrates item #3 above (lack of common sense), and I’m being polite here. Let’s just revise that to say a combination of ignorance and stupidity all rolled into one with a side of fries! Did I leave out the part about the woman telling me that I walk my dog past her house everyday deliberately and make her dog bark?
Common sense and common decency demand that you lock your door, if only to keep your dog from running out into a busy street. Then we can add to the equation, to keep your dog from running out and attacking another dog, or to keep your dog from being stolen.
Gwyn is not perfect – she’s made up of two herding breeds. She’s an alpha dog, who responds to the sense of aggression by barking. Vicious? Yeah, right, a dog who rides about 6 inches from the ground on a good day?
Folks, please look after your pets. It’s your responsibility to protect them, to know where they are at all times, to keep them from harm, and to keep them from causing harm. Sadly, the very people who should read this probably will not, but at least it was said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)