Monday March 27 2017  THE PREFERRED LIFE

 

Oh how I long for March 31^st to not come along.  When I cross over the threshold into April my mind tells me that a quarter of this year has already disappeared.  It seems it always passes too quickly.  And the rest of the year just disappears in a blur.

I’m currently reading the book “WRITE FROM THE HEART/Unleashing the Power of Your Creativity” by Hal Zina Bennet.  I came across the following quote and it seemed to capsulate so well my thoughts about living in the moment.

“If you let yourself be absorbed completely, if you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly in those moments.”  Anne Morrow Lindbergh

How eloquently Lindbergh captured exactly how I perceive my life as the accumulation of individual moments.  Not only do I live the moments to the fullest but I also try to absorb all the cues surrounding me so as to remember a bit more acutely the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings I experience as the moment ticks by.

Another quote I will pass along was sent to me only this morning by my friend Marilyn.  It too connects and reverberates in my heart.  Marilyn sends out a “Thought for the Day” each morning.  I always look forward to her thoughts, quotes, or rambles she forwards because they give me pause for thought.

“Thought for the Day

Each new day is an opportunity to start all over again.

To cleanse our minds and hearts anew and to clarify our vision.

And let us not clutter up today with the leavings of other days.”  WINGS OF SILVER

 

The above quote from Wings of Silver (A book that has been around for years) not only resonated with me, but to some extent, that last sentence of Marilyn’s quote is my silent mantra.  As I look at things that need to be done I always try to think of a way I can do them today, therefore, when tomorrow arrives all that is left undone will not be on my platter.  I don’t always accomplishing finishing in one day what I start out to do, but I always have hopes to do so.  Is there such a thing as finishing?

Today I also received an email from Marilyn.  One of her comments to me was, “You have a very regimented life, and I admire you for it, but it is not for me.”

After giving that comment some thought I more or less agreed with her statement.  I do regiment myself quite a bit.  I think I do it out of fear.  I know that may sound a bit odd but I believe I fear if I do not regiment my schedule I will become slack and lazy or perhaps allow old age creep up too quickly.  When I shared Marilyn’s comment with Dave he agreed with my assessment and suggested that perhaps what I might rather do is to set my life up in a way that I live a “preferential life” instead of a “regimented life.”

After looking up the synonyms for “preferential” I didn’t think I wanted that life either.  Synonyms for “preferential”; “special, forward, privileged, superior, better, and partisan”.  I didn’t really like those meanings.  The meaning of preferential seemed to refer to someone as haughty.  I hope I am never perceived in that light.

I looked up “prefer” and here are its synonyms; “favor, have preference, likable, rather, wish, fancy, desire, and choose.”  I rather liked those definitions.  So perhaps I shall learn to be a bit more lenient on myself and allow myself the latitude of thinking and planning on what I “PREFER” to do with my time rather than be so regimented and strict about what I MUST do.

However, there is one place in my life in which I may need more regimentation.  And that is becoming more aware of what I am doing in relationship to what time it is.  When I start talking with someone, it as if there is no clock ticking.  I have an aversion to wearing a watch and it is as if time stands still when I am absorbed in a task or recreation.  Time seems to no longer exist, each  moment is its own priceless pearl to be savored and devoured regardless where I am or what I am doing.

Regimented?  Yes, I suppose I am to a certain extent.  Especially as to when I schedule things which must be accomplish.  Perhaps that is my panacea to make certain that what must be done gets done.  But who is to say “what must be done”?  Perhaps that is the regiment I need to wean from life. 

“Preference”?  That is the other question?  Would that mean I only “hope” to get something accomplish or that it really will get done?  Does it mean that I only do what I want to do?  Are preferences just wishful thinking or a fancy I might follow?  Or, does it mean I chose to do it because I desire to do it and I give myself the choice to either do, or not do it?

Does anyone else’s brain work this way?  I feel normal, but maybe we all feel normal.  But then again, who is to say what is normal?

 

THE PREFERRED LIFE

Kathleen Martens

March 27, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

To be less in charge would relinquish chains

That binds my strict control.

To give up my tight reign

Of this disciplined, well ordered, mold.

 

But who am I to say I can change

When God made me the way I am?

I’ll try to follow the path He leads

While changing the best I can.

 

“Preferential” is a word that means special,

Forward, privileged, and superior too.

As well as, better than thou,

And partisan to name just a few.

 

Oh my goodness the description above,

Is not one I’d want to own.

Perhaps “Prefer” is a better choice

So by others I not be stoned.

 

Prefer means to favor and like,

To have preference, and rather do.

To have a fancy or wishful thinking,

And choosing what you ensue.

 

So perhaps I shall take the challenge

And give up my regimented stance.

I’d much rather enjoy the moments that tick

Than be a marionette with a rigid dance.

 

We all have a choice to experience insight

Of ways we can better become.

As well as try to simply improve,

Hopefully, before our days are done!

 

Thank You God for friends who offer insight.

Thank You God for opening my heart to become the best me You made me to be.

Thank You Lord for my love of words.

 

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!  GOD BLESS YOU!