That is the question. Tears or no tears?
There are so many changes happening in life right now for all of us. Some changes seem earth shattering, can we overcome? Some are just your everyday life advancements. Some are just trivial. Yet all of these changes tend to bring us some level of emotion. To cry or not to cry?
My husband will tell you that I can cry if there is a remainder in long division. It's true. Many do not realize this about me. I often save my tears for weddings, funerals and moments behind the bathroom door.
Until recently...
Now, I just let them rip! It has occurred to me that tears are cleansing. They calm the waves of the waters. They come at times of fear, and joy, and sadness and overwhelming pride. They still come often in the quiet time, but it really is OK.
Tears are not the sign of weakness I once thought. They are a sign that I am human. I have feelings, I can be hurt, angered, overjoyed... I can feel.
Although I may prefer not to break down in Walmart, it still could happen. Simply reading a card I intend to purchase or the sight of a ribbon of hope... yup, it could happen.
I encourage you to feel. If that brings you to tears as well, savor them. Cleanse your soul and move on. Feel Strong.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Contemplation... it's a good thing.
My office window is open, I can here the rain and the car tires on Main Street going through the puddles in the road. I think these qualify as "Thoughts from the shower".
So much has happened since 2:45 yesterday. Thought-wise that is.
I did not hear the news until my son shared it with me at 4:15, I was away from the media after 2:00pm. My immediate reaction to his text was "holy crap!" to which he replied "ikr". (I Know, right?). It took a few minutes for it to settle in... then the realization... My friend K is THERE! I fired off a message to her husband, and waited a grueling eternity (10 minutes) for his reply that she had just phoned and was, in fact, OK. Really, I was freaking out when he had not answered in 10 minutes. He waited for thirty after he heard the news, before she could get through to him! Thank God, the news was good.
Next up, the call to my son (not a text!). K is fine. He knew, I just had to know someone who was there. The part of the conversation that was most interesting...gratifying... was when he stated, "I don't get it, what was the point". My only reply to that, is something I hear myself say often. You don't get it, because YOU don't think that way, I'm OK with that!!! The fact is, thousands, millions?, of us are asking the same question today that he asked yesterday. The simple answer is... You do not understand, never will, and that my friends is a good thing!
I handled my fear, dealt with a young adult's questions, moved on... or did I?
I wanted a group, even suggested it, no takers. I wanted to sing hymns, light candles, and pray. I prayed. Alone.
I slept on it.
I woke, thankful. YES! Thankful for the lives that were spared, for the thousands that were uninjured, for the good in humankind that came out when they ran TOWARD the danger, to help.
I saw God.
I celebrate.
There is always more room for Thoughts from the shower...
So much has happened since 2:45 yesterday. Thought-wise that is.
I did not hear the news until my son shared it with me at 4:15, I was away from the media after 2:00pm. My immediate reaction to his text was "holy crap!" to which he replied "ikr". (I Know, right?). It took a few minutes for it to settle in... then the realization... My friend K is THERE! I fired off a message to her husband, and waited a grueling eternity (10 minutes) for his reply that she had just phoned and was, in fact, OK. Really, I was freaking out when he had not answered in 10 minutes. He waited for thirty after he heard the news, before she could get through to him! Thank God, the news was good.
Next up, the call to my son (not a text!). K is fine. He knew, I just had to know someone who was there. The part of the conversation that was most interesting...gratifying... was when he stated, "I don't get it, what was the point". My only reply to that, is something I hear myself say often. You don't get it, because YOU don't think that way, I'm OK with that!!! The fact is, thousands, millions?, of us are asking the same question today that he asked yesterday. The simple answer is... You do not understand, never will, and that my friends is a good thing!
I handled my fear, dealt with a young adult's questions, moved on... or did I?
I wanted a group, even suggested it, no takers. I wanted to sing hymns, light candles, and pray. I prayed. Alone.
I slept on it.
I woke, thankful. YES! Thankful for the lives that were spared, for the thousands that were uninjured, for the good in humankind that came out when they ran TOWARD the danger, to help.
I saw God.
I celebrate.
There is always more room for Thoughts from the shower...
Thursday, March 21, 2013
A Little Too Much Trust...
Recently I attended (a fabulously organized) banquet for CareNet and the following quote was read:
“I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much.”
― Mother Teresa
This is apparently meant to be my mantra for the week.
This morning I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by obvious, diagnosed and potential illness in my home. Funny... I turned to my facebook family and posted a plea for "backup". I asked for prayer.
Instantly, there were comments that prayers were on the way. As the morning has progressed, the weight I was feeling on my shoulders is being lifted. Thank you my friends, and thank you Lord for trusting me to know when to ask for help.
Always room for more thoughts from the shower....
“I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much.”
― Mother Teresa
This is apparently meant to be my mantra for the week.
This morning I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by obvious, diagnosed and potential illness in my home. Funny... I turned to my facebook family and posted a plea for "backup". I asked for prayer.
Instantly, there were comments that prayers were on the way. As the morning has progressed, the weight I was feeling on my shoulders is being lifted. Thank you my friends, and thank you Lord for trusting me to know when to ask for help.
Always room for more thoughts from the shower....
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Diagnosis....Psychological Disorder!
It must be true! I read it on the internet. I have a PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER!!!
Procrastination.
Chronic procrastination = Psychological Disorder!
I am sure that it must be true, as I have a ton of things to do, yet no where near enough personal motivation to get them done. According to Wikepedia (which we all know is a reliable source) this will lead to feelings of stress and guilt. Go back to the beginning of the definition... procrastination is used to relieve stress... I have caught myself in a viscious circle.
And (never start a sentence with and!) of course, not wanting to be a procrastinator I have decided to blog about it. Of course, blogging about procrastion is clearly on my list of things "to do" today. Yeah, right.
A conversation I had yesterday, where I walked away with the advice (although I was sitting..hmmm) "you do not have to do the whole thing at once" got me thinking... How many times I sit and look at a project (usually cleaning) and think, I only have 20 minutes, can't finish that job, so later. If I could only start it, and finish when I have another 20 minutes, more or less.
Having laid that all out there, sort of a "get it off your chest" kind of thing. Today is the first day of treatment... I will let you know how it goes, maybe.
Always document your sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procrastination
There is always room for more Thoughts from the Shower...
Procrastination.
Chronic procrastination = Psychological Disorder!
I am sure that it must be true, as I have a ton of things to do, yet no where near enough personal motivation to get them done. According to Wikepedia (which we all know is a reliable source) this will lead to feelings of stress and guilt. Go back to the beginning of the definition... procrastination is used to relieve stress... I have caught myself in a viscious circle.
And (never start a sentence with and!) of course, not wanting to be a procrastinator I have decided to blog about it. Of course, blogging about procrastion is clearly on my list of things "to do" today. Yeah, right.
A conversation I had yesterday, where I walked away with the advice (although I was sitting..hmmm) "you do not have to do the whole thing at once" got me thinking... How many times I sit and look at a project (usually cleaning) and think, I only have 20 minutes, can't finish that job, so later. If I could only start it, and finish when I have another 20 minutes, more or less.
Having laid that all out there, sort of a "get it off your chest" kind of thing. Today is the first day of treatment... I will let you know how it goes, maybe.
Always document your sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procrastination
There is always room for more Thoughts from the Shower...
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Kick, Don't Breathe, Reach! GO!
For the next Five minutes and (hopefully less than) thirty seconds, that is what you will hear from me. "That Mom" I will only get to do it one more time this year. Tuesday.
It goes like this:
"Mister Starter..."
"Mens 500 freestyle"
"Take Your Mark"
Lights and Buzzers sound.... and a split second later everyone will hear "GO!" very short, very loud, and filled very much with pride. That "GO!" will be me....and splash the swimmers will be in the water with Morgan in or near the lead.
26 or 28 seconds later, the first turn... and so it continues for a series of 10 laps. The gun will sound for the leader at number 9...
The entire time, I will see one swimmer (two, only if it is a close race). I will have one focus. My boy. I will be heard saying things like, don't breathe, stop looking and swim, kick, reach...pull up!! Coaching from the stands, maybe he hears, maybe he doesn't... but I am there in his lane whispering in his ear. "GO!"
When it is over, I will be nearly as out of breath as he is. I will look at the clock (time, the ever important factor) and then at him. Always a thumbs up, no matter what the outcome. I know, he has done his best. Sometimes his best ever, some days only for that day....but his best.
These are the moments in time that make running in circles every day, all day. Worth it.
It is not just my boy and swimming, that put me in "that mom" mode... it happens often with them both doing the things that they love so much.
"That mom" is heaping with pride and love....
There is always room for more thoughts from the shower...
It goes like this:
"Mister Starter..."
"Mens 500 freestyle"
"Take Your Mark"
Lights and Buzzers sound.... and a split second later everyone will hear "GO!" very short, very loud, and filled very much with pride. That "GO!" will be me....and splash the swimmers will be in the water with Morgan in or near the lead.
26 or 28 seconds later, the first turn... and so it continues for a series of 10 laps. The gun will sound for the leader at number 9...
The entire time, I will see one swimmer (two, only if it is a close race). I will have one focus. My boy. I will be heard saying things like, don't breathe, stop looking and swim, kick, reach...pull up!! Coaching from the stands, maybe he hears, maybe he doesn't... but I am there in his lane whispering in his ear. "GO!"
When it is over, I will be nearly as out of breath as he is. I will look at the clock (time, the ever important factor) and then at him. Always a thumbs up, no matter what the outcome. I know, he has done his best. Sometimes his best ever, some days only for that day....but his best.
These are the moments in time that make running in circles every day, all day. Worth it.
It is not just my boy and swimming, that put me in "that mom" mode... it happens often with them both doing the things that they love so much.
"That mom" is heaping with pride and love....
There is always room for more thoughts from the shower...
Sunday, January 27, 2013
First stop...somebody bigger than me.
There have been a lot of interesting events lately that I have been made aware of. Most of which are not worthy of mentioning in a blog. But, the heart of the matter, as it were, has left me in a quandary.
It seems to me, as I look around, that most of us do not start with the source of the problem. Go with me on this journey for a minute.
My contemplation: It seems to me that we spend an awful lot of time seeking out someone more powerful than ourselves. Are we really so weak, or do we actually know we have blown the situation completely out of proportion? One last or... was it what we have been taught to do?
The journey continues...
Joey pulls Suzie's hair in school. Suzie has been taught "tell the teacher".... We have been trained from the beginning of time to "take it to a larger power". Somewhere along the line, we need to be re-taught that it is OK to turn around and say, "please don't pull my hair!" GO to the source. I think that on so many occasions we would be surprised how much power we actually have to control our own destiny.
I challenge you.... If you have a problem, start your confrontation with the source, should that fail, work your way up the ladder until you achieve your desired result (or, remember, a reasonable one!). After all, why else do we need the ladder?
Oh, and it might be a good idea to pray about it too, you just might see the light sooner than you think!
Seeking out blame is never productive. Seek out change!
Always room for more thoughts from the shower...
It seems to me, as I look around, that most of us do not start with the source of the problem. Go with me on this journey for a minute.
- Mary has an argument with her husband, she tells her friend.
- Johnny has a disagreement with a co-worker, he goes to his boss' boss!
- The telephone company billed me wrong, I call customer service and immediately ask to speak with the manager of the person answering the phone.
- My neighbor backs out of his driveway and backs over my trash can, I call the police.
- A child has an argument with another, both parents post it on facebook (obviously everyone needs to pick a side)
My contemplation: It seems to me that we spend an awful lot of time seeking out someone more powerful than ourselves. Are we really so weak, or do we actually know we have blown the situation completely out of proportion? One last or... was it what we have been taught to do?
The journey continues...
Joey pulls Suzie's hair in school. Suzie has been taught "tell the teacher".... We have been trained from the beginning of time to "take it to a larger power". Somewhere along the line, we need to be re-taught that it is OK to turn around and say, "please don't pull my hair!" GO to the source. I think that on so many occasions we would be surprised how much power we actually have to control our own destiny.
I challenge you.... If you have a problem, start your confrontation with the source, should that fail, work your way up the ladder until you achieve your desired result (or, remember, a reasonable one!). After all, why else do we need the ladder?
Oh, and it might be a good idea to pray about it too, you just might see the light sooner than you think!
Seeking out blame is never productive. Seek out change!
Always room for more thoughts from the shower...
Monday, January 21, 2013
Best Kept Secrets...
Today I realized that I was supposed to do something. A week ago. Fail.
I spent this afternoon completing the tasks in hopes that the receiver will have mercy on me. I was supposed to have updated my real estate bio. As I was doing the task, I realized that it was probably my "best kept secret".
Everyone knows, I am a swim mom, soccer mom, dance mom, _ mom, _ mom, _mom.... Don't get me wrong, I love being all of those moms. But, let me introduce myself.
My name is Marlene Seielstad, I am 45 years of age, a graduate of Albion High School and SUNY Oswego, with a BS in Accounting and Music. I have worked most of the last 25 years in the field of real estate, yeah really!! I started with a firm in Batavia that leased and sold commercial properties. From there, I became a licensed sales agent and also a licensed real estate appraiser. I have written bank appraisals on 2-300 properties. Before "mom" I was a million dollar producer for a real estate firm in Batavia!
Five years ago, the issues with the banking industry seriously affected the market place. I chose to become a part-time agent and take a job with a more regular paycheck. Everyone knows I work for the church! Go figure!
So there you have it, my best kept secret! I am a licensed, practicing associate real estate broker with 20 years of experience in sales.... Surprise!!!
It kind of made me think a bit about secrets. You know the ones you tell your closest confident with express instructions "don't tell anyone." So many times, in your best interest of course, they do tell someone. Word is out. It makes me contemplate...why is it so hard to "spread" information we want people to know? Maybe I should say to you now... shhhh, don't tell anyone?
What is your best kept (non) secret? (comments welcome).
Still room for many more thoughts from the shower...
I spent this afternoon completing the tasks in hopes that the receiver will have mercy on me. I was supposed to have updated my real estate bio. As I was doing the task, I realized that it was probably my "best kept secret".
Everyone knows, I am a swim mom, soccer mom, dance mom, _ mom, _ mom, _mom.... Don't get me wrong, I love being all of those moms. But, let me introduce myself.
My name is Marlene Seielstad, I am 45 years of age, a graduate of Albion High School and SUNY Oswego, with a BS in Accounting and Music. I have worked most of the last 25 years in the field of real estate, yeah really!! I started with a firm in Batavia that leased and sold commercial properties. From there, I became a licensed sales agent and also a licensed real estate appraiser. I have written bank appraisals on 2-300 properties. Before "mom" I was a million dollar producer for a real estate firm in Batavia!
Five years ago, the issues with the banking industry seriously affected the market place. I chose to become a part-time agent and take a job with a more regular paycheck. Everyone knows I work for the church! Go figure!
So there you have it, my best kept secret! I am a licensed, practicing associate real estate broker with 20 years of experience in sales.... Surprise!!!
It kind of made me think a bit about secrets. You know the ones you tell your closest confident with express instructions "don't tell anyone." So many times, in your best interest of course, they do tell someone. Word is out. It makes me contemplate...why is it so hard to "spread" information we want people to know? Maybe I should say to you now... shhhh, don't tell anyone?
What is your best kept (non) secret? (comments welcome).
Still room for many more thoughts from the shower...
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