Meri's Musings

It's been over two weeks since last I posted. Where does the time go? Part of the time drain was surrendered to the black hole called computer crash. I lost virtually all my photographs, something that makes blogging a trial since I am a firm believer in  words + images. Don't worry. . . my eldest son thinks he can salvage them on Saturday when he, his wife, and their two boys come for brunch and present opening. I'd say the rest was frittered away with Christmas preparations, but that's not accurate.  I did decorate two trees and buy a few Christmas presents but I spent Christmas eve and most of Christmas day by myself, reading and watching my favorite movies. Having children with in-laws who get a share of holiday time means time alone if you don't have a significant other. I've read 3 novels and a memoir in the past five days and watched favorite movies (plus -- a week ago, I saw "Green Book" ...

Once you try to stop thinking, look out. You'll be bombarded with miscreant thoughts. Remember the saying, "Where attention goes, energy flows?" By trying NOT to think, you're putting your energy into your thoughts whether those thoughts are bidden or unbidden. If you want to quiet the thought chorus, try painting abstracts. Or walking while saying a mantra (four one-syllable words work best) a form of meditation.

Do you set your intention by choosing a word each year? I've done it several years in a row and thought I'd share some of my choices. 2015's word: Inspiration What will be your choice for 2019?

Know anyone like this? Seems to be going around.

No one makes you happy. It's something you decide to do for yourself (kind of like forgiveness).

I used to host a blog meme called "Share the Joy" on Thursday morning. It celebrated the little (or big) moments during each week when you noticed that something touched your heart or brought a smile to your face. Seems to me that honoring joy invites more of it into your life. And that's a good thing.