In Perspective

With the inaugural excitement over, real life intruded in a big way yesterday as I rather literally "picked myself up, dusted myself off, and set about the task of remaking America"  my life.   Things have been a bit surreal in Becca's world for the past couple of weeks.  I've been sick, for one thing, with some strange combination of infections that have stolen my appetite, my hearing, and my ability to breathe through my nose.  Despite mega doses of antibiotics, the malady lingers, morphing in and out of my body like some weird shape shifting amoeba.  One day I feel quite fine, and the next I'm a quivery mass of weakness and nausea, wandering through the house wrapped in blankets and microwaveable heating pads to quell the spasms of chills that permeate my body. 

In the midst of this, we set off for a three day jaunt to Las Vegas.  Oh I know, you're already shaking your heads in dismay.  Believe me, in retrospect I'm wondering what demon possessed me to agree to this trip.  Last December, when our friends invited us to join them at their Marriot Vacation Club Resort, I was in the midst of my Christmas season doldrums and the thought of doing something completely off the wall was very appealing.  And the trip was basically free - the lodgings were free, as was our plane fare, since we used frequent flyer miles.  So what's to lose, right?

I'm sure there are people who really enjoy the kind of atmosphere Las Vegas provides - constant entertainment, gambling, the opportunity to indulge all the senses in every possible way.  Non-stop activity, drinking, food, shopping.  Anything goes, anywhere, anytime.

I'm not one of those people.  And even the unique architecture of the hotels/casinos couldn't make up for the sensory bombardment.   There was something just a little evil about seeing all these people carelessly throwing money to the winds when back in my home state more than 10% of the population is unemployed.

Okay, I know that sounds prudish.  But I've become a lot more sensitive to egregious spending of late, and the whole Vegas atmosphere was just too much "in your face" wastefulness.  I don't have money to waste anymore, that's for sure, and if I did, I wouldn't be wasting it in Las Vegas.

So the whole trip left a bad taste in our mouths - literally and figuratively.  My poor husband got terribly sick our last night there, and was so dehydrated the day we returned that I had to wheel him through the airport in a wheelchair, his Vitamin Water bottle attached like an IV to his hand.

Fast forward to today. 

We woke up this morning to the sound of birds singing and the gentle shush of the fountain in the pond across the street.  After coffee, we laced up our tennis shoes, pulled on sweatshirts, and set off  for a walk around the lake.  The sky was cloudless and purely blue, we met no one but friendly neighbors with their tail wagging dogs.

No, we're not in Michigan anymore, Toto...and although I've found myself complaining about the materialistic lifestyle of the southwest Floridian's, it's a far cry from the hedonistic atmopshere in Las Vegas.

In fact, comparing today's fresh air, green grass, swaying palm trees and foaming fountains with the congestion and choas of Las Vegas or the frigid, snow packed streets in Michigan, I'd have to say I'm in paradise.

I'm glad to have this opportunity to come to Florida right now, to sort of clear the Vegas dust from my brain.  Being in a place where I was totally out of my element and unhappy gave me a new perspective on the places where I feel most comfortable, and reminded me of the atmosphere that best suits my emotional needs. 

My therapist used to lead me through relaxation techniques which involved learning to put myself mentally in a place where I felt most tranquil and at peace.  "Visualize your favorite place to be," she told me, her voice soothing and low pitched.  I lay with eyes closed in the big reclining chair, imagining myself on the walkway into the World Showcase at Epcot (which was a place filled with happy memories at that time), the gentle Disney-esque music playing faintly in the background. 

Finding your perfect spot in the world is no easy task, and sometimes the place differs from one stage of your life to the next.  The words of one of my favorite American folk songs (Simple Gifts) come to mind -  "and when you find yourself in the place that is right, you will be in the garden of love and delight." 

I'm not sure my garden of love and delight is here in Naples, Florida - or even in my hometown of Detroit, Michigan. But I feel as if I'm a lot closer to finding it in these two places, different as they are, than I could ever be of finding it in Las Vegas, Nevada.

How about you?  Have you found yourself in the place that is right? Or are you still looking?

Godspeed, Mr. President

Watching televison coverage of  Barack Obama setting out on his historic railway journey to Washington on Saturday was a bit like watching Ulysses riding off into battle.  The days ahead will undoubtedly be difficult and dangerous, but, cheers from adoring crowds shivering in the cold alongside these train tracks dispelled some of that fear and distilled it into excitement and promise.  One tv news reporter, describing the thousands of people lining the route, remarked that they had come to "wish this man Godspeed."   I've always liked this saying.  According to Wikipedia, it's a 13th century "expression of respect and good will addressed to someone about to embark on a journey or daring endeavor."  It's particularly appropriate to this occasion for the task before the 44th President of the United States is certainly one daring endeavor, a pilgrimage toward the re-creation of our nation.

Enormous expectations are heaped on the shoulders of this new administration-putting the brakes on the downfall of our economy, stabilizing perilous foreign relations, rebuilding domestic policy and programs, all while bringing social and racial cohesion to the nation.  While I have no illusions that one man can undo the damage that has been done in the past eight (or more) years, I have hopes that he can make a good beginning at the process. 

Obama's  charismatic manner of speaking, which is both erudite yet down to earth, is greatly touted.  Much is also made of his ability to "fire people up," stir people to action, inspire them to think and act in new ways.  He certainly capitalized on this talent during his campaign, and continues to do so in these days leading up to his inaugaration.  I believe this ability is one of his greatest strengths as a leader, and will prove to be the most powerful tool he has in helping to restore the United States of America.  As the greatest teachers, team coaches, conductors. and CEO's learned long ago, a leader is nothing without the support, respect, and dedication of his students, players, and employees.  An organization is worthless without the support, respect, and dedciation of its members.  A country is lost without the support, respect, and loyalty of its citizens. 

Obama's "job one" (at least on an emotional level) appears to be inspring this belief in the American people, this conviction that our country can be great once again, can "fulfill the promise of its founding fathers," and that we can, one and all, live to reap the benefits.  It's more than just words, as any coach who has faced a losing team at half-time will tell you.  Giving people belief in the ability of a positive outcome gives them the power to make it happen.

Listening to Obama speak on Saturday, listening to him exhort us all to come together in a sense of common purpose, inviting us to be part of his place in history, urging us to embrace our "power to make the world new," it felt as if he were wishing us Godspeed in return.  For aren't we all about to set out on this journey together, run onto this playing field with banners flying, march into battle with weapons at the ready? 

Godspeed, my fellow citizens.

Godspeed, Mr. President.

crossposted in the Carnival of Family Life at Colloquium

Honestly!

Myrthe, at The Armenian Odar Reads, honored me with this award, presented to bloggers who "are honest and speak their minds in a thoughtful manner."    This one comes with an assignment - you are to list 10 honest things about yourself.  We are encouraged to "have some fun with this," meaning, I suppose, to be candid, but also good humored. 

In an attempt to get my writing mind back in gear after three days in Las Vegas (more about that will be forthcoming), here are 10 honest things about me:

1. I say "yes" without thinking much too often, which gets me in trouble time and again, in every kind of situation you could imagine.   Plus, I generally tend to act without thinking things through "logically" (as my husband would advise), which causes me to do things I often regret;
2. I'm extremely claustrophobic.  I have trouble quelling panic attacks in traffic jams, I need to sit in an aisle seat in auditoriums and on airplanes.  I break out in a cold sweat when I see an MRI machine on some medical show - if I ever have to undergo one of those tests, I'll need anesthesia;
3. I don't like  hate big cities~ don't care to visit, and would never live in one;
4. I'm impatient, which is a natural correlative to #1 (or maybe it's the other way 'round);
5. I drive too fast - always have, and always will.  It's my one minor rebellion against "the establishment" (as we old hippies once referred to all restrictions imposed by a governing body).  And yes, I know it's dangerous;
6. Aside from my children, my husband, and my mother, there's no one I'd rather spend time with than my dogs;
7. I would rather be home than anywhere in the world.  I like to visit other places, but being home definitely trumps traveling every time;
8. I look for the good in people, which sometimes makes me gullible;
9. Because I'm a good listener, empathetic, and non-judgemental, I often take on the role of confidante for friends and co-workers.  Conversely, I'm rather private about my own feelings, and rarely confide personal matters to anyone but my very closest friends and family (and you).  Which leads directly to the final "honest thing..."
10. I keep feelings bottled up inside, and sometimes suffer emotional and physical consequences. 

Part II of the award assignment consists of passing this award along to other bloggers whose honesty and thoughtful expression in writing have impressed me.  Among my regular reads, here are five writers whom I find particularly skilled at "speaking their minds in an honest and thoughtful manner":

Anno

Jen

Bella Rum

June

Suzanne

Take a few minutes and go meet them - honestly, you'll be glad you did.

Random Thoughts from the Junk Drawer of My Mind

I awoke at 4 a.m., thanks to the stimulant effect of Sudafed (which is no doubt why it's locked safely behind the counter at Walgreen's), with the usual random amalgamation of thoughts swirling in my brain.  In an attempt to clear them out once and for all, I list them (in no particular order):

1. What's the proper etiquette when you receive a text message in error?  I got a message from an unfamiliar number at 7:00 a.m., cryptically stating..."new money."   Should I text back - "wrong number?" 
2. Why -oh why oh why - does something happen every time I'm planning a trip?  We're going to LasVegas tomorrow (I know, but it's a free trip) and first I come down with a terrible cold, then we're supposed to have a blizzard (!) along with record cold temperatures while I'm gone.  Worry worry worry...about my mother and the dogs and....
3. Perhaps Number 2 above is the reason I've beginning to feel as if traveling isn't worth the bother (Gasp! I can't believe I said that)  Especially having to pack a suitcase - I'm seriously  spoiled by our trips to Florida where I have everything already there and simply board the plane with laptop and purse.
4. I made the mistake of opening my 401K statement yesterday.  Dear God...
5. Speaking of junk drawers, I think a mouse has been in mine! 

So there you have it - now that I've downloaded all these disturbing things from the recesses of my psyche, perhaps I can continue on with my day.

Or maybe going back to bed would be a better plan.

Friday Forecast: Dismal with a Glimmer of Hope

Amidst the news of more snow on the way and the headline on The Detroit News  citing Detroit as the "second worst place to live", came the news that 26 people from my husband's office had lost their jobs today.  Thankfully, he was not among them ~ at least not this time.   If you live in southeastern Michigan and work for an automotive company or one of their suppliers, you begin to feel as if a large bullseye is painted on your back. Add to this  my stuffy head, scratchy throat, and achy body, and you could say it hasn't been the jolliest of days.

However...

I did enjoy a nice lunch with my friend Carol, today ( at least I assume the food was good, since I couldn't taste a thing! )   Our husbands sing in Measure for Measure, and she and I have become buddies as well as choir groupies.   This was our first outing a deux,  and we enjoyed talking over delicious fresh pita sandwiches at First Cup.

And...

 I have the entire weekend to recover from my cold/sinus infection, with a chunky novel to read (The Hour I First Believed, by Wally Lamb), some tv ( more Prime Suspect)  and a fresh batch of rooibos tea from Adagio.

So...

All is not lost.

Stay warm and stay well, my friends.

How about you?  What's the forecast for your weekend???