Sounds that quietly took over my thoughts:
The insistent rapping of a woodpecker’s beak on a tree in the grove.
The warning beeps of heavy machinery, backing up as they work on a road nearby.
The sound of birds chattering about that person in the pink hat keeping them from the newly filled bird feeders. (The goldfinch was fearless, or very hungry. It disregarded me and ate it’s fill.)
Laughter from women walking on the path to the east of our house.
A plane flying over as it nears the airport.
My ankles popping, when I stand.
I spent about an hour in the herb garden on my hands and knees, weeding. I haven’t even finished one quarter of the path. I’ll be going out for one more hour very shortly, but I wanted to note what a noisy place it turned out to be.
Noise or not, it was peaceful, and I appreciate the sense of accomplishment it gives me.
Daily Archives: July 20, 2009
Monday Intentions
I am having a slow, lazy, procrastinating day. I cannot motivate myself. I know if I get up from this chair I will find twenty things that NEED to be done. If I stay in this chair, and turn away from the computer there will be another gross of things to be done in the office. I don’t want to do any of it. But I will… I think I’m going to start by putting the whites in the dryer, and then going out to work in the garden for an hour or two.
This morning, in the comments at L.A.Times Crossword Corner blog, one of the readers posted the parable of Leshon HaRa (I think I have that right.). Essentially it’s the story which shows that harsh words, once spoken, can never be taken back. When I was in fifth grade, I had an amazing teacher, and she stopped one day to share this lesson with us. I was left with an image of harsh words, like musical notes, flying from my mouth, never to be recaptured. That image has stayed with me lo these many years. I truly try to muzzle myself when I’d really rather speak my mind. I don’t always succeed, but I’ve gotten better at it. In the parable, the rabbi tells the unkind person, who wishes to repent, to open a feather pillow and shake out all the feathers. When he has, the rabbi tells him to now collect each of the feathers and put them back in the pillow. When he objects, and says it is an impossible job, the rabbi likens it to trying to take back harsh words.
There are too many harsh words in the world. Just too many. I believe that we have shifted from people who care about their community, to people who only care for themselves, and I hope that pendulum swings back, soon!
This same fifth grade teacher also talked one day about intentions. She said intentions were good, as long as you follow through on them. Otherwise, the best of intentions is worthless. I recall that she used this example: “I was going to take the garbage out.” She made her point in a way that suited a ten year old mind, and stuck!
My intentions for the day are to make my bed, empty and refill the dishwasher, start another load of laundry, water the inside plants, and the outside plants, work in the gardens, and work in the office. I also have to take Ed for a vet visit, this afternoon.
So, I’m going to sign off, and wish you a wonderful Monday, while I go turn intentions into gold.