Focus

As an amateur photographer I have learned a great deal about the importance of focus when taking pictures. It doesn't matter how expensive my camera is, I on occasion still take a blurry picture.

I believe in anything we set out to do focus plays a key role. And I don't think that we give it the attention it really needs.

Today at the gym I went to a Zumba class. For 55 minutes my mind was free of all my worries, my long to do lists, grocery shopping, what's for dinner, fill in the blank, the list goes on.
 
For that 55 minutes I was focused on the class. I was focused on the teacher, on what my body could and couldn't do. I was focused on how good it felt to dance, to move freely. I enjoyed the music.

And it was on the way home from the gym that I realized what great joy there is when we focus on what we are doing. Before the class I was reading a book on the treadmill. So engrossed in reading I was oblivious to the people around me. Focused and thoroughly enjoying it.

There are plenty of times during our day where we can sit and plan, make lists and prepare for the next event in our lives. And I believe all that is necessary. I do some of my best thinking and mental list making while I'm driving or when I'm laying in bed in the morning.

And there are other times when we are out to dinner, enjoying a movie, watching a performance, outdoors for a walk, listening to a speaker, fill in the blank, the list goes on - those are the times we need to be there completely. 100% be there, focus on what you are involved in and enjoy it. Be there at that moment.


I think that's why meditation works. It causes you to clear your mind and focus. Try it next time you are involved in an activity. Whether the activity was of your choosing or not, choose to focus on what you are doing and see if that makes it that much better for you.

After all life was meant to be joyful.

Seattle in October

Today I rode the Link train and the monorail to spend the day at the Seattle Center. I was attending the Northwest Chocolate Festival. When we came out at 4 pm the rain had stopped.

Energy

Been spending some time lately thinking about energy.

Where does it come from, where does it go,

how do I store it, how do I get more of it?

And why do I get my best ideas during times when I can't act on them? Like I can day dream at work about all the things I want to accomplish at home. But then when I get home at the end of the day it's gone - my energy for those things I wanted to do. 

I do keep lists and there are times when I actually cross things off my list. But I also add things to my list. That's why I like vacations. They take you away from your normal routine. They offer up a sort of distraction.

When I'm not really on a vacation, sometimes I like to pretend I am. Like to have an evening after work where I don't cook dinner, instead we eat out and I have some extra time to do something I want to do. Other times I try to get the laundry done on Thursday or Friday. A Saturday without laundry is a great day.

I do admit there are times when I'm unstoppable and I get a lot of things done. And I wonder where did I ever get the energy for all that?

I write a lot of things, but unfortunately, they are written in my head, in the car while I'm driving someplace by myself. Could be on the way to work and back or while I'm out and about running errands.

I need to be better about capturing the thoughts in my head onto the computer. I may resort to a tape recorder that I could talk into and then type it up later. But then again - where would I get the time and energy to do that?

I see a pattern here. I should just resort to Nike's motto and JUST DO IT! And add to that JUST DO IT NOW!

Active Church

Yes, you read that correctly. It's not supposed to say active in church or active at church. It's really about the active church this weekend. I loved being there and seeing all the busyness that takes place at the church building.

It started on Friday night when we went to set up our tables and chairs for our Super Saturday activity. We planned to arrive as the other ward was ending a party. They had the place all cleaned up and were hanging around socializing and even pitched in to help us with our tables.

Then I was back there at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday morning. While we finished setting up, there were two couples scoping out the cultural hall in preparation for decorating next weekend for a wedding reception.

There was also a small group of volunteers cleaning the building.

At the same time our activity was going on there was a tri-stake music training going on in various rooms through out the building. In the kitchen were 3 boxes that hold those fun acrylic water pitchers and two sets of desserts for the two different events.

We cleaned up and left by 3:15. I know the rest of the day the building was hosting a baptism, practice for the youth music cantata and ending the day with a youth dance. What a great Saturday the building had!

Aged to Perfection

This is my beautiful orchid that after 2 years without blossoms has bloomed. The leaves and flowers are larger than the same variety I see for sale in the stores. I think it's because this is a mature plant. The perfect combination of age and beauty which provides great joy.

Exquisite Grand Opening

I've had a delightful week watching my first orchid bloom open up. This is my first orchid and I've had it for over two years. When I first got it from the store in full bloom, the blooms lasted about 5 months. For the past two years I have been watching, waiting and caring. And it has paid off.

Nature's Bouquet

Photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

Enjoy some of my photos from my adventure to Sunrise at Mt. Rainier. Thanks to Loretta and Chris for letting me tag along. It was a wonderful day.

There is Sunshine in my Soul Today

Today I taught a lesson at church. The lesson was from a General Conference talk by Elder Richard G. Scott from April 1996. The title of his talk is Finding Joy in Life.

I wanted to share a few highlights from his talk. To read it in it's entirety click here.

Sadness, disappointment, and severe challenges are events in life, not life itself.

We are here on earth for a divine purpose. It is not to be endlessly entertained or to be constantly in full pursuit of pleasure. We are here to be tried, to prove ourselves so that we can receive the additional blessings God has for us. The tempering effect of patience is required.

We are one of the noblest of God's creations. His intent is that our lives be gloriously beautiful regardless of our circumstances. As we are grateful and obedient, we can become all the God intends us to be.

If we question everything we are asked to do, or dig in our heels at every unpleasant challenge, we make it harder for the Lord to bless us.

Find the compensatory blessing in your life when, in the wisdom of the Lord, He deprives you of something you very much want.

Attempt to be creative for the joy it brings. Being creative will help you enjoy life. It engenders a spirit of gratitude. It develops latent talent, sharpens your capacity to reason, to act, and to find purpose in life. It dispels loneliness and heartache. It gives a renewal, a spark of enthusiasm, and zest for life.

Learn from aspiring individuals who have made peace with their challenges and live with joy amid adversity.

No matter how difficult something you or a loved one faces, it should not take over your life and be the center of all your interest.

Challenges are growth experiences, temporary scenes to be played out in the background of a pleasant life.

First Flight

Yesterday I "flew" in a wind tunnel. It was one of the coolest things I've ever done. I was in a group of 10. First we sat and watched a training video, and then we learned the body position and hand signals for the instructor to communicate with us.

We then put on our flight suits with the attached straps going under our feet then tennis shoes on. Ear plugs, goggles and a helmet completed the outfit.

Once we were trained and suited up, we sat on the bench and waited our turn. One at a time we took our turn. We stood in the small door way in our ready position and then just flew into the wind tunnel. The instructor then took hold of us and assisted as we "flew" around.

The flight suits actually have handles on your shoulders and on the sides so the instructor can grab you and keep you in place. You basically lay out like Superman, hands and feet out, knees slightly bent.

When flying the wind is comforting, you bounce alittle and the instructor tries to keep you in proper form to move around. I could never actually see the instructor except for his hand signals in front of my face or when his hand would move my hand out to extend my arm.

You are only in the tunnel for 60 seconds. Then we sat and watched the others fly and then we got a second turn.

At the end the instructor went into the tunnel and soared right up to the top. Up and down a few times showing his skill.

It was a great experience and I will fly again. I want to learn to control the wind and my body as it's in motion in the wind.

I Met Her Today

You know, that woman at the gym. The one that has to pick the treadmill right next to yours. I have about 5 minutes left of reading enjoyment before I have to head home. And she starts talking to me.

She commented on my very cool book holder that keeps the pages flat and then asked me what I was reading. Sleeping Beauty Proposal (as recommended by my sister). I was anxious to get in as much reading time as I could but I wanted to be polite.

Then she asked if I had read The Help (recommended by my daughter), which I have. Then we talked about the movie, which neither of us had seen yet. Then she asked if I had read Water for Elephants (recommended by my daughter), which I have. This again was followed by the discussion of the movie which we had both seen.

And then I had to politely close up my book and mumble to her something about it was time for me to go. It really was. I had walked on the treadmill for 40 minutes and needed to get on with the rest of my day.

Now I have to wait to see what happens to Genie and Nick in my book.

It's not that I don't love talking to people, I really do. It's just that I find it odd that someone would start talking to me when I am not only reading a book, but also wearing a headset!

I'm on a vacation day today so I was able to sleep in and go to the gym a little later than my normal time - maybe that explains it.

Top 10

Top 10 ways you know your 10 year old grand daughter is visiting:

10 - You get to introduce her to new candies (Necco wafers)
9 - You get to eat ice cream cones before dinner
8 - You have your first visit to abercrombie kids store
7 - You get to watch a movie (Freaky Friday) on Friday night instead of WW Smackdown
6 - You have a really good reason to visit the Gourmet Popcorn store and sample wierd flavors
5 - It is reinforced that you can find anything on the internet, who knew there was a Sobe World?
4 - You get to make waffles with Cool Whip and berries for Saturday morning breakfast
3 - You have a buddy to take grocery shopping
2 - You laugh more
and the # 1 thing is - watching Grandpa act like a 10 year old!