MINDFUL MOMENTS

Back about seven years ago when I moved to Traverse City, I remember talking to Erica who was one of the administrative assistants at an Episcopalian church. We were both highly sensitive people who had a hard time dealing with people that were mean to us. I was shocked when Erica told me that some of the people that came into the office to talk to the pastor would be upset about something and yell at her. A few times, she even broke down and cried. Even, in a church setting there is anger, competition, and jealously. I can attest to this after two experiences I recently had. #1) This year was my third Christmas season appearing in an outdoor play entitled the "Christmas Journey." Since the audience walks on a trail from one scene to the next, the actors have to perform the same scene over and over again for each group of people that passes through. It's a bit challenging to deal with the ever changing weather of a snow storm to high winds, to icy trails, and smoke gettin...

What a difference it makes when we cross paths with a kind and giving soul. Despite trying to be friendly to most people I encounter, not everyone wants to be friendly in return. That's okay, we all have our issues and perhaps there are those of us that are better off by ourselves. The world however certainly seems brighter when someone is friendly and warm. Lately I'm been around some pretty grumpy people, it isn't fair for me to judge them but when they frown at me and make me feel uneasy I feel that it's okay to have some self-pity and ask myself, "Why are they picking on me?"  Today I encountered two people that gave me hope, but the one who really stood out was Linda. It was ladies night in Traverse City, a festive night for ladies to shop at a multitude of stores along Front Street and receive discounts and complimentary drinks and food. The first store I went into was an antique and resale shop that was filled with Christmas items galore. Nobody was the...

This morning I woke up at 2:00 am and turned on my computer to watch some videos. At first I was watching "Charlie's Angels" but I was kind of bored with the episode so I decided to watch an episode of "Touched by an Angel." I have never seen this television show which aired from September 1994 to April 2003 so this early morning was my first time watching it.  The episode was called "Fear Not" and it took place in a small city during the Christmas season. This is the synopsis of the episode: When a small town church puts on a Christmas pageant, Serena, a child dying of a heart condition wishes to play the angel. Meanwhile, Monica and Tess (who are real angels) help a man understand his disabled brother Joey's challenges and to teach him kindness and patience. Joey and Serena are best friends who love each other dearly and Joey is devastated to learn that Serena could die soon. At the end of the episode, an audience is in the church watching the Ch...

So much of what we do in our lives is based on "choices." Yesterday I wanted to spend the day with my Mother but I had some errands to run, one being getting a new shower head for my shower. Traveling by bus takes double the time so by the time I finally made it to Home Depot and bought the shower head I didn't feel like getting on another bus. I wanted to check out the other shops in the strip mall. So I went to Dollar Tree, Home Goods, and Walmart. Big mistake, all three of the shops were crowded and it made me dizzy and lightheaded. All I ended up buying were some shirts at Walmart and Italian made chocolates and truffle sauce at Home Goods. Time wasted but wow those Italian chocolates tasted magnificent. With a half hour wait for the bus in the freezing cold my only option to sit down and warm up was to go inside a Japanese steakhouse called "FUJI." The place was almost empty and I decided to take a seat. By the time I went to the bathroom to wash my hands m...

FOOD is COMFORTING, no doubt about it. It certainly comes in handy when one has had a frustrating day. I'm trying to be healthy this month and have given up certain foods such as meat and sweets. Next up is dairy which is difficult because I love pizza, pierogis, and MAC & CHEESE. Trying to go VEGAN soon but I need some comfort food, especially during cold and dark days. Yesterday was such a frustrating day at work that I didn't even take a break. It was just one disaster after another. I was late, I couldn't complete my tasks because of issues, I fell off my office chair and then another chair fell on top of me. Too top it off my shower head is broken and  after work my friend couldn't help me repair it because neither one of us had a wrench.What saved me from punching a wall? A bowl of Mac and Cheese. I boiled the macaroni and after it was cooked, I added butter, cheese, and some milk to the pot. The Mac and Cheese turned out so creamy and delicious. I just couldn...