Photo by Mikey BA on Pexels.com A picture of stuffed squash with baby spinach sprinkled on a grey surface adorned with streaks of white
I was in my sophomore year in college and living off campus. My roommate and I were both vegetarian at the time. We decided one day to make a meal for our respective boyfriends. We wanted to show them that vegetarian food can be full of variety and tasty.
We found a recipe for stuffed yellow squash that we liked, and we followed the directions to a T. That is, until the top of the paprika spice bottle flew off and a large amount for paprika entered the stuffing. We looked at each other and then thought, well, how bad could it be?
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Before our boyfriends came over, we decided to taste one of the squashes and I am glad we did. It was super spicy! I am someone who likes spicy food but that heat took the cake.
Take out, anyone?
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Three boxes of pizza of which one is open displaying pepperoni
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com An empty bench facing a wooden casket adorned with candles, flowers, and wheat fronds
We all lose someone. Someone we love, someone we spent time with, someone we made memories with. Every culture celebrates the life of loved ones in different ways. Some funerals may be lively with music and laughter. Others may be somber with silence. But all have in common the shared pain of losing a loved one.
As I grow older, I lose more loved ones. Something that seems to be inevitable as we become part of a larger age group. I remember the death of my next-door neighbors when I was a child. They both were in their nineties. The husband passed away first, several months before his wife. I remember as kids, we were told that he asked for a blanket before he died. In our childhood minds, we thought of death as a cold place. We were mesmerized with wonder. Did he know he was going to pass before it happened? How could he have gone so quickly right after asking for a blanket?
Within a year later, his wife died. I remember she kept her wits about her until her last day. She would always ask me about school and swimming. She would tell me to let her know if she repeated herself. The day before she died was the only day she repeated her questions to me. After they both died, I remember going into their house with my mom to visit their daughter. She came to arrange the house for sale. Although they had been gone for a while, I remember that the house still felt like they were there.
Photo by EVG Kowalievska on Pexels.com An empty armchair near a table with a magazine on it. A lamp with a white shade is behind the chair
My family has a saying, “los muertos no huelen las flores,” which means, the dead do not smell the flowers. The meaning is that one should spend time and honor loved ones while they are alive before it is too late. Realizing my mortality, I make it a point to spend time with friends. I look back on fond memories that I have spent with loved ones who passed away.
I take nothing for granted these days. No one of us knows when our last day will be. Let us cherish our loved ones and make those precious memories. Stephen Covey’s book, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” changed my life perspective. He states, “Begin with the end in mind.” This method of thinking how I would like to be remembered at my own funeral has made me aware of how I interact with others. Especially friends and family.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Photo of a sunset on the beach with footprints and a heart drawn in the sand
After all, as my late father would say, “We are not guaranteed tomorrow.”
Photo by Karolina Kaboompics on Pexels.com A hexagonal gift box tied with a blue ribbon
This question from yesterday’s prompt brings to my mind the “tell me about yourself,” part of a job interview. Somehow, that is not what runs through my mind when I think of this question. Factor back to many years ago when I was in seventh grade.
A teacher of mine once asked each of us in class to describe who we were. I remember we could not describe our appearance or what we did. We could not say that we were a student or what grade we were in, nor what school we attended. It went beyond the physical. At first, it was difficult, but then, we began to dig deep. A few answers I recall were, “I am curious,” “I am a peace maker,” and “I am trustworthy.”
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This exercise stuck with me because it taught me that people are not merely identified by what they do or how they look physically, but by what is on the inside. I always used to ponder why people would ask “what do you do for work?” I would like to know what the motivation is behind that question. Is it to measure up against someone’s net worth? Or is it genuine curiosity?
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com A woman looking through a magnifying glass
So, in describing myself to someone who cannot see, I would say that they would hear my laughter first. They would hear my kind words. They would sense my patience. They would smell my integrity. And time allowing, they would taste and smell my hospitality.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com A cheesecake with a slice cut out of it and put on a plate. And then topped with blueberries
Photo by Karolina Kaboompics on Pexels.com Several board games stacked on a wicker chair
The game Concept is one of my favorites. It is ideal for a large group. It is like charades, but you have to convey your word or phrase by placing pieces strategically on the board. It makes for a fun time.
In my post, The Game Called “Concept“, I describe this game in detail along with a scenario of my first time playing it. I like this game because it forces me to think quickly on your feet whether I am the one making people guess or doing the guessing. I can use nuances that I know my friends will pick up on.
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Every living being communicates in some way. Animals have their own body language; plants droop to let us know that they need water, and birds chirp their social cues. We as humans have a need to communicate. Whether it is connecting to each other face to face, virtually, ear to ear, or via text, we enjoy our connection with each other.
Photo by Alex Andrews on Pexels.com Telephone receivers a la yesteryear
When I was in grammar school, we used to have a phone in the kitchen. This is where calls would be made to parents to arrange sleep overs. Teachers would call with concerns. I rarely used this phone, except to speak to relatives or neighbors.
However, when I reached high school, we had a phone upstairs with a longer chord that you could take into your bedroom. I remember chatting with my friends for hours. There was always a need to exchange feelings, ideas, and news.
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Now we can video call almost anyone in the world. During the pandemic, I became an ace at zooming and remote learning. Although I do prefer in person connection whenever possible, I do enjoy texting. It allows my hands to be free to do other things. Statistics show that since last year, about five billion people worldwide exchanged text messages (Expert Beacon, 2024). That is a lot of people who wanted to connect!
How do you prefer to connect with others? Feel free to comment below.
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Spirituality has many layers and has as many perspectives as people. Spiritual practices are beneficial to our brains. Taking time out to pray, meditate, or participate in rituals helps us regulate our emotions, concentrate, and connect to others as we refresh our perspective on life (Cerqueira Rodrigues, et. al., 2023).
Photo by Vie Studio on Pexels.com Colorful letters spelling “slow down” on white fabric
I enjoy meditating, practicing stillness, and listening. I enjoy just being. In years past, I would feel rushed as if I could not even stop to take a breath or pause life’s Ferris wheel. But as I began to meditate, I realized just how beneficial it is to stop and think your own thoughts.
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Reference:
Cerqueira Rodrigues, M. A., Campos Barbosa, F., Dias Lopes, G. C., Santacroce, L., & Pereira Lopes, P. C. (2023). Intersection between Spirituality and Neuroscience: Biological Bases of Transcendental Experiences. Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental, 17(9), 1–8. https://doi-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.24857/rgsa.v17n9-015
Photo by Jacub Gomez on Pexels.com A young boy sitting in the sand on the beach with his dog
For some of us, the summer season is approaching. Warmer days, longer sunlight, school lets out, and vacations are taken. This is a season of opportunities.
Opportunity to take a long-needed break. Opportunity to learn a new skill. Opportunity to visit someplace new. Opportunity to make new friends. Opportunity to establish good habits.
Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com Children running into the water on the beach
I have fond memories of summer vacations as a child. I have always been a bookworm and would return to the school year delighted that I had read all the books on the summer reading list.
I remember trips to the beach and to our local swimming pool. I remember playing kickball at day camp. I was not such as fan of the sports we played as I was of the arts and crafts.
I fondly remember piano recitals during the summer and outdoor concerts and outdoor theatre. Summer was a time to visit museums and zoos.
Photo by Anna-Louise on Pexels.com Fireworks bursting in the night
As I grew into adulthood, my enjoyment of the summer never waned. Even when I worked full time during the season, I still found that the rhythm of life seemed to slow down a bit.
During the summers I have learned many new things that have carried over into the rest of the year. This summer, I am learning a new language, a new exercise discipline, and coding. Summers for me have becoming the careful balance between work and rest.
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In response to this daily prompt, I considered who I spend the most time with and the conclusion I came to is myself. At no time during the day or night am I away from myself.
I enjoy spending time with friends and family, and I do spend a considerable amount of time with them, yet I am with myself 24/7.
Photo by Oluremi Adebayo on Pexels.com A woman seated in the lotus position as she meditates in the park
Spending time with oneself can be beneficial. I meditate when I am by myself and find this to be a positive experience that permeates into other aspects of my life.
I write by myself. This allows my thoughts to flow without hinderance. When I spend time by myself or with myself rather, me, myself, and I have a good time.
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The caveat of spending all my time with myself is that I cannot bounce ideas off of anyone else. This is where my valuable relationships come in. I can learn from their perspectives and life experiences and vice versa.
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All in all, it is a balancing act. Spend too much time with yourself and negative things can occur like ruminations and isolation from friends. Spending too much time with friends and family can leave you feeling like you have lost yourself. I find it beneficial to have times where I can enjoy being alone and also to have times to cherish my friends and family.
What are some of your tactics for finding time to spend with yourself?
Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com A young student at the piano with his teacher
Throughout the course of my life, I have had many wonderful teachers. My pre-kay teacher, Ms. Chell, with her welcoming smile encouraged me to try different foods. My English teacher in high school, Mr. Bennet, challenged me to question things and discover my “why.” Throughout college both times, I have had wonderful professors that encouraged me to be my best and genuine self.
Photo by Alina Vilchenko on Pexels.com A single record on a shelf with sunglasses above a lower shelf with a row of record albums
However, Ms. Banks, my classical piano teacher made quite an impact on me as a young child. She was my second piano teacher. My first piano teacher, Dunz Ridel taught me basic sight reading and after several levels of the Schuman books, we migrated to popular songs. It was the era of George Benson’s “This Masquerade,” and Michael Masser’s “Theme from Mahogany,” which Diana Ross sang at the time.
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I learned that I needed to be humble to learn new things. An emptying out of my cup so I can fill it with new knowledge. I remember during our first lesson; Ms. Banks asked me if I knew how to play Beethoven’s Fur Elise. I was excited to play the simplified version I had learned from my previous teacher for her. She then tells me this is the piece we will be learning. I told her I already knew it. She pulls out the proper sheet music and begins to play the original version. Then she asks me if I want to continue playing my simplified version. From then on, I was hooked!
Photo by Jamal Yahyayev on Pexels.com A pianist playing with an orchestra
Ms. Banks had some great ideals and insisted I learn to read the Hanon preface in German. She taught me from the age of nine until I graduated high school. She would have annual recitals and an annual tea where she would have other singers and musicians perform. I wound up playing for my high school graduation. It is because of her foundation of teaching me scales and technique that I attended a music school for college and have made music my career.
Ms. Banks taught me more than just music, she taught me to have integrity in teaching others. She taught me time management and how to set goals and reach them. And she encouraged me to follow my dreams.
Photo by Rahul Pandit on Pexels.com The words, “Follow your Dream” written in ink on a table with white flowers and pink flower petals surrounding a cup of coffee
Vela Patria 
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