Reflections

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  1. Don Jones

    The depth of Love my Kelpie dog shows me every day.

    2 years ago
  2. Yram

    Recently we were in an area with a clear view of the night sky. It was breathtaking!

    2 years ago
  3. Carol

    I read Barb’s research on the definition of the word astonish and I have experienced it once in the past couple of weeks. That said, I did not experience wonder just surprise. I do not live in an apartment building or a duplex. I have a house with a good size yard and a privacy fence so when I graciously attempted to talk to a neighbor about turning down his music that was making my whole house vibrate–Music that he had been playing for hours–I thought it was a reasonable request. I had put up with the loud music several times but it had never before went on for hours and hours. Well, he screamed at me, called me a name I can’t put in this sharing (first word starts with “f” and second word starts with “b”). He then ordered me off his property as he slammed his front door in my face. I’ve never been called such a name and I’ve never been ordered off of someone’s property for knocking on their door and making a valid request. Talk about sudden and over-powering surprise! I was in shock. As I headed home, I heard him screaming and calling me that name again and telling his family that he would show me. He’d turn the music up even higher but thankfully, someone in his family prevailed and the music was turned down. My shock past quickly enough but when I think about the incident, every cell in my body still seems to vibrate and I feel sad. I’m glad I just walked away and did not react. As the young man featured in the gratefulness.org video the last few days says, “Just be nice.” And if our paths cross, I will be nice and kind but I will not apologize for asking him to lower the volume on his music. Healthy boundaries are important.

    2 years ago
    1. Michele

      I admire your courage Carol. Some people do not like confrontation and would have called the police. You tried, I feel bad how it turned out. I firmly believe in Karma – both good and bad. Universe will make things right:)

      2 years ago
    2. Barb C

      I’m so, so sorry this happened! That would be astonishing indeed in the negative sense of the word.

      2 years ago
    3. Butterfly

      I’m so sorry that happened to you, Carol. It is a test of our own behaviour when faced with such unpleasantness and you passed the test! He must be a very unhappy person to behave like that. Sending you love 💖

      2 years ago
  4. Mica

    My new cat Rudi – he challenges my agnosticism! It’s a longish story involving a number of amazing coincidences, starting with the death of my beloved guinea pig Brownie last month, proceeding to the death of a 98-yr-old woman in a condo down the hall the same day. I was looking forward to getting a cat when Brownie died, but I didn’t know that the 98-yr old woman had a cat [Rudi]…

    2 years ago
  5. Barb C

    Because I can’t remember specifically feeling astonished (which is a big, powerful sensation) in recent days, I went to look up the word out of curiosity. The derivation goes back to Latin. I definitely haven’t felt struck by a thunderbolt recently–this question will have me watching for the zap.

    Your dose of linguistics for the day:

    as•ton•ish (əˈstɒn ɪʃ)

    v.t.
    to fill with sudden and overpowering surprise or wonder.
    [1525–35; Middle English astonyen, astonen, probably < dial. Old French *astoner, Old French estoner < Vulgar Latin *extonāre, for Latin attonāre to strike with a thunderbolt <at- at- + tonāre to thunder]

    2 years ago
    1. Mica

      Thanks, Barb – I was going to say that it was the craziness involved in hosting a zoom this morning because the moderator isn’t available, but that seemed peculiar. But Michele says ‘Technology’ so I’ll follow up on her astonishment. Sadly, I’ve mostly been astonished and horrified at the things that can go wrong. Sigh 😐 This morning’s zoom is a simpler problem, not actually rating the level of ‘astonishment’ but my cat just came over and meowed, so I’ll post above now 🙂 !!

      2 years ago
  6. Michele

    Technology. Both my daughters are traveling … my one was here for a few days and is flying back and the other is just leaving for Aruba for vacation. I love being able to watch their flights on flightaware. Not only that, but flying itself is just amazing when you think about it. Have a good weekend everyone:)

    2 years ago
  7. dragonfly

    Human behaviour never ceases to astonish me.

    2 years ago
  8. Charlie T

    I was just looking at a photo of a friend standing on the bank of the Rio Grand, in or near Big Bend National Park.
    At this spot, the river has cut through many layers to form a deep and narrow canyon. The earths crust is exposed. He looks so tiny standing there. I’m not sure why, but the scale is slightly frightening. Thinking about all that water, draining such big area and cutting through solid rock on its way to the Gulf.

    2 years ago
  9. Chester

    When purchasing soccer shoes for my son and considering what shoe size was most appropriate for him, I was deeply impressed for a moment on how unappreciative I am on the basic luxuries of daily life. I have the luxury of having access to thousands of options of shoes that fit perfectly for my son – not an inch too big or small and with the right functional design. The luxury of living in just the right temperature and all the resources we need for our family a short distance away. When one thing becomes less convenient, often that becomes the focus – not the amazing luxury that is accessible daily with minimal effort or consideration. Not sure this rises to the level of astonishment, but close.

    2 years ago
  10. devy

    The photos taken by the Web telescope. The clarity of the photos and the ability to see things billions of light years away knowing that we’re looking back in time. The images puts things into true perspective how minute we are in the universe..

    2 years ago
  11. Carla

    Attending an impromptu online gathering of friends & associates that unfolded in a conversation of the friends asking me, how I’ve been fairing with the civil unrest in my city. I was caught off guard. Tears broke through. I was struck by how much I needed them both. These friends and the tears.

    2 years ago
  12. Joseph McCann

    The resiliency of all the living things on our planet. A new resiliency inside me being discovered by gratefulness and meditation

    2 years ago
  13. EJP

    My prayer was answered.

    2 years ago
  14. Kevin

    How gullible and easily duped various groups of people can be by leaders they choose to follow. And I know too, that that door swings both ways.

    2 years ago
    1. Rabbit

      Oh, Kevin, I so agree with this. I was actually going to say something about guns since we have had high gun violence in a nearby town, not to mention our country. I and others keep saying we are not shocked by anything anymore but the next time we are shocked all over again. My husband’s kids and grandkids live in Texas and when I hear about Texas gun availability I just can not understand why the leaders want all these guns in society.

      2 years ago
      1. Kevin

        I have to believe, Rabbit, that “the heart of Texas,” as the song goes, is so, so much more than blazing guns and firearms. I have friends who live in Texas and love it, yet feel the real heart of who they are and what they stand for is, at this point in time, being silenced by the roar what one friend there calls, “gun mania.”

        2 years ago
  15. Antoinette

    Everything is awesome! Gratefulness is astonishing- the gift of life is amazing.
    Sitting outside this morning in the garden enjoying coffee and peacefulness is astonishing. The apples are growing beautifully and the breaches are blowing in the soft morning breeze. Everything is awesome! Have a wonderful day friends! 🙏😎☀️

    2 years ago
    1. Mica

      Thank you, Antoinette, for sharing your happy morning with us 🙂 🙂

      2 years ago
    2. Kevin

      You too, Antoinette!

      2 years ago

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