Think Expansively

Few people think things through.  Few people realize that thought creates the experiences in life.  Few people think through what quick-fix choices have on long-term events. 

Recently, I was able to visit and spend time with some friends that I have known for over 30 years.  What was amazing to me is that we have been able to stay in touch even while all of us have moved cross-country and back. 

What I realized more than anything, is that I have always been able to think what my decisions would have long term for me.  Money is a good example of what I am talking about.  One friend decided years ago that she was going to retire and because of it, has very little money for what I am going to call “comfortable living conditions.”  She doesn’t have any savings and now needs some medical work done and she can’t afford it.  Not only that, she wonders why I want to go back to work.  Well, I want to be able to afford more wonderful experiences during this life journey.  I want to be able to afford whatever life presents to me whether it be medical or having enough money to take a road trip or a dream vacation.

Another friend is just to “tired” to learn something new or to take the class that will move her up the salary scale in her career.  Yet, she complains to me how she doesn’t have enough money to do what she wants to do.

Another didn’t pass a journeyman’s test that would take her to the next level and she just gave up.  In essence, she gave up on herself.

One thing I have discovered about myself is that I don’t always “get” what I need the first time I read or see something.  But I have learned that if I write it down or read it two or three times, it suddenly “dawns” in my mind what is going on. 

I can’t afford to give up on myself because I don’t have relatives willing me their estate funds when they die.  This life is up to me.  That is why I have never had the luxury of “not” thinking through the consequences of my thoughts.  I encourage you to think farther down the road than just around the next corner.

Adjusting

Adjusting to Oklahoma City is a variable experience.  Some days, it is all blue skies.  Others are windy.  Some days are with blowing rain and chilly temperatures.  This is what spring is like here. 

What is hard to adjust to is the constant layer of dust on all of the furniture because the wind blows most of the time.  I am not enamored of cleaning in the first place and having to do it everyday just goes against my grain.  Well, I guess I am going to have to get use to it.  My Swiffer duster is getting some regular use.

Someone told me recently, to ignore it and wait for two or three days because it will always be dusty.  This way, it is worthwhile and makes a bigger difference.  Really?

The delight of my experience here is that I have met some wonderful women who feed my soul with knowing wonderful places to eat, love to chat and laugh a lot.  What a pleasure hanging out with positive, upbeat and happy women. 

Am also looking forward to taking some sewing classes at a technical school nearby later this summer and fall.  They do classes in all sorts of interesting things that I don’t know how to do.  A nearby community center teaches line dancing, Palates, and stretching classes.  All of these are another way of stretching my possibilities into great opportunities to experience more of what life is all about.

Being here has also given me the opportunity to read and explore more of my library, allowing me to finish some of my craft items and I am ready to do more jig saw puzzles and build a new Lego building.  All of these activities are pleasure items that feed my soul and allow me to want to explore new fun things to do.  Right now, life is good.

What's Next?

In my preparation work for delivering a guest lecture tomorrow, I found several quotes in my research that have the same theme.  This one is from Dr. Stuart Grayson, “Ideas can change the direction of life, move the consciousness from despair to hope to upward flight.  Ideas are power.”

“We already live in a Perfect Universe but It needs to be mentally seen and spiritually experienced before It can become a part of our everyday life.”  Ernest Holmes

“…true prayer is letting go of the problem and being receptive to the transcendent solution that already exists within you.”  Eric Butterworth

“Trouble is valuable opportunity.  Experience is priceless instruction.  The Will of God for you is always something joyous and fine.”  Emmet Fox

As you know, if you have been following this blog series, that we moved to Oklahoma City to accommodate a new career position for Alan.  The company he went to work for, picked up most of our moving costs, paid him a signing bonus, and made it very worth while for him to accept the position.  My thought – wonderful!

Last week, Alan came home and said that he quit his job!  WHAT!?

You did what?  Okay, if we are in the middle wilderness of Oklahoma and you don’t have a job, why are we here?  Certainly not to just experience one of the most exciting hail storms I have ever gone through – hail the size of golf balls!  We had a ice pile three feet high in our back yard that can off of our roof during the storm and it took three days for it to melt. 

I am so ready to find out the “real” reason we are in Oklahoma.  I am sure that it is something great, wonderful and joyous because we are here in our right place at the right time.  I am open and receptive to knowing how that is revealed to us.