Tag Archive | thoughts

Somebody Else’s Words

May27

I’m thinking lately, how with the shut down of every thing outside of my home, just how much time I’ve had to write, and learn some new techniques for photography, or to use some serious tools for learning how to make good films.

I’m also thinking lately, just how much of those things I have not been doing.

Add to that, the fact that I try to steer myself away from the negative stuff floating around social media, but the stuff still gets in.

Those thoughts, they are somebody else’s.

And they cause my own thoughts to be quite well covered up.

To the point where stringing two thoughtful sentences together is difficult.

Who is to say what is right?

“I’ve got somebody else’s thoughts in my head I want some of my own
I want some of my own I want some of my own”

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Ron Aniello / Jason Wade
Somebody Else’s Song lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs
Lifehouse No Name Face

Here are a few of my thoughts.

I’ll put them in a list, that way they don’t have to be well worded, but I need to get them out before they are lost; again.

  • We all did what was required of us
  • We stayed home – we stayed in
  • It’s time to leave the nest again
  • The suicide rate is well up from where it was just two months ago
  • Mental health is important – for some – it does mean life or death
  • The stores are full of terrified people – how long can we live in fear?
  • Some are taking charge where it is not their place to do so
  • Some were given the place, and shouldn’t have been
  • Campgrounds and parks are open, but pools and lakes are not, da?
  • Fresh air and sunshine would go a long way to our physical and mental health, right?
  • Zoom, Facebook Live and other meeting places were fun. At first.
  • Eating and cooking at home has been an adventure – Coronavirus 15 (pounds) anyone?
  • BONUS: Reading an entire series of books has been great. (somebody else’s words)
  • BONUS: Reading books I would not have even considered before has enlarged my understanding (somebody else’s words)
  • Even with all of the “practice” reading, I still don’t read any faster. Boo.
  • Binge watching is a really cool activity (somebody else’s words)
  • Sore backside from all that binge-ing
  • Running low on binge-able material
  • The dog has been on more walks in our country fields
  • I really need to go back to church, and exercise class, and lunch with the girls
  • Hugs. I need hugs. I’m not generally a rule breaker, but …

This has turned into quite a mix and match of good and not so good.

I’ll leave you with this;

  • If you don’t feel well, by all means, stay home
  • If you need to go out, please do
  • If you feel the need to wear a mask, do so
  • If you don’t feel a need to mask up , be respectful and keep your distance
  • You should not be touching your face any way!
  • Don’t be judgy of those who feel differently than you do
  • DO wash your hands.
  • Read, sing, dance, write, chat, worship, exercise, turn off the news; anything you need to do to keep your spirits up.

My little list rant has helped to get this out of my head.

Perhaps it helped your thinking to move too, one way or the other.

Maybe now I’ll have room for some “Words of My Own”.

Until next time …

Review Your Bubble

Nov13

Long ago (2016), I wrote a blog post all about living life in a bubble.

You can read it here;

https://significantencounters.com/2016/08/30/living-life-in-a-bubble/

Bubbles Vectors by Vecteezy

Somewhere in there, was the thought about “Holy discontent”.

Has your discontent caused you to hide in that bubble?

Or has your discontent helped you to find a way out, and on to something new?

And about considering your bubble – Is it a comfy place? Or a prison?

Recognizing the difference is really important.

Here is where we need to be able to discern the difference between hiding,

and simply taking time away to understand where our contentment lies.

Don’t become stuck.

Don’t get too comfy.

Growth and discomfort – they seem to go hand in hand.

Learn from your discontent – it may push you further than you might think possible.

We tend to learn more when the storm is raging – if we don’t hide from it.

Let me encourage you, as I have had to encourage myself, to see your bubble for what it is.

Stay there for as long as is healthy, then,

Step out of it.

See what God has in store for you on the other side.

Screen Life

Oct21

Late in the Summer, our church always has a huge service/picnic at a local park.

It’s a great opportunity to not only be outside, but to gather together and hang out with other church goers in a way that isn’t always done.

In a word, it’s refreshing.

Here is what I noticed;

Note that the pastors are standing in front of a large screen.

It’s there of course so that folks can see even if they are far away.

Here’s the thing;

Even though I was up close and personal, I still found myself looking at the screen instead of the pastors.

I must admit that I find myself looking at the screen even when we are gathered inside.

While inside in Israel, I found the same thing.

Note that the lovely Jane is also on a screen.

(In my defense I was in the back of the room, and the screen came in very handy)

I’ve since been looking around everywhere I go, and I see the same thing.

I know that you do too.

Screens are predominant.

They are every where, being held by every one.

Look what we are doing here even now, looking at a screen.

It can be said that we are creating relationship, and in a way we are; but there is a large drawback;

I’m speaking for myself when I say this;

It is far easier for me to talk to others, from the other side of a screen.

It’s easier for me to watch a movie or a video than to read a book.

My concentration level has been greatly decreased since the advent of screens everywhere in my life.

So what can we do?

Personally, I have had to say yes to more “Social” things than I have in the past.

Places where I have to leave my phone in my pocket, with the volume turned off.

Places where I am expected to actually speak instead of type.

Photo from Google

Our kids have more screen time than is healthy for them, many are provided with laptops instead of regular books.

Now I don’t mind telling you that sometimes I have the attention span of a gnat!

I do however have training that came from a time BEFORE screen time and 280 character rants.

For this, I am grateful; at least I know it is POSSIBLE to read and write.

This is the only world my grandchildren have ever known.

Looking a screens, speaking in memes and emojis.

Are we spoiling our children’s ability to read, and comprehend?

I have noted, and actually heard it said, that when trying to memorize Bible verses, one can do it much better in an actual Bible than on some kind of device.

Is it like turning off the device turns off your brain as well?

So reading and memorizing is tactile as well as mental?

I gave a postcard to one of my grand daughters after our trip to Israel.

She commented that she could barely read cursive; but just enough to know what I had written on the card.

Do you have any ideas that you would care to share about how you handle screen time in your life and realm?

Please do share with us in the comments any ideas you may have on this topic.

Perhaps we can make a difference here.

Until next time….