Sweet Silence, Solitude

Today, I felt a deep sense of being alone and it felt badly. It just seems that the last 24 hours, or so, I've been posting, what seems to me quite significant quotations, not only here, but on Facebook, and Google Plus. Without any feedback, even a 'like' on these posts, I've been left with a feeling of isolation and invisibility. So, instead of shutting down my Facebook and Google accounts, I did something radical. I decided to go deeper into that feeling of aloneness and when my wife went to run errands and visit with a friend, I decided to go deeper into that feeling. I sat still, alone on this bench, in our yard for near an hour.

As I sat in silence, and although there were sounds of our busy street on the other side of our house, I heard only my own heart beat and the song and rustling of birds and I no longer felt badly. In place I found contentment that I don't feel when being bombarded by the constant barrage of noise of everyday life. No TV commercials telling me that I don't have enough. No authors pointing out how discontented I feel and then offering, if I buy his book, how to overcome that discontent. In that silence, I felt that I am, and I have, enough without the feedback that I thought I needed from social networks.

So now, I can do the next thing that needs to get done, content in the experiential body felt knowledge, that peace and contentment is only a heartbeat away and it doesn't rely on waiting for someone to 'like' it.

Love's Great Power to Transform!

"Love is the only way to grasp another human being in the innermost core of his personality. No one can become fully aware of the very essence of another human being unless he loves him. By his love he is enabled to see the essential traits and features in the beloved person; and even more, he sees that which is potential in him, which is not yet actualized but yet ought to be actualized. Furthermore, by his love, the loving person enables the beloved person to actualize these potentialities. By making him aware of what he can be and of what he should become, he makes these potentialities come true."
— Viktor Emil Frankl (Man's Search for Meaning)

Antique (?) Steamer Trunk ~ What to do with it?

Requesting ideas for what to do with an old steamer trunk. It's been painted so I don't think it has any value as an antique. What do you think?

Find ways to be creative - with your Hands

Facebook is really ticking me off. The upload to this blog worked after years of inactivity. Facebook may or may not upload on any particular day.




My wife has lived in this house 34 years and we've been married 13 years and these are the first steps to our hillside.
Both of us have been amazed at how much I've been doing in our little domain. I can only explain how much more satisfying digging a notch for a step or painting lawn furniture is than sitting, waiting for responses from Facebook. And now I find it is easier to post a picture to Facebook via Networked Blogs than it is posting directly from my phone.

Maybe I'm telling my Grandkids that I value working with my hands, creating. Just don't wait until you're 71 years of age to discover real satisfaction in life.

Awakening to a New Beginning ...

Every day life offers us opportunities to awaken from our sleep of unconscious living. But, that awakening doesn't have to be illness or some tragedy. It can be a 'happy' awakening. Like this!

My son and daughter-in-law announced that they will be having a new Grandchild for me, somewhere around March 12. I'm so excited. They have been trying for 5 years and all their patience and 'hard work' paid off.

So for me, a new reason to stay as fit as I can be in order to play with my Grandchild. A new reason to find ways to make sure our society and this planet is a fit place for growing up. And if this space hasn't been so in the past, it could be a space to share my 'Values Will.' A place where I can share the values that I find important for my kids and Grandkids to see.

Nothing like being hit by a 2 x 4 to awakened! But O so sweet!

The Beginning ...

For those who don't follow me on Facebook, you need to know that after watching a spot on Zen Gardens on the CBS Sunday Morning show, a space in our yard cried out 'Empty me'.
So below is the space that called to me.

... and below is the few free rocks that I found in the vicinity.

I may not continue to show intermediate photos, but if I do I'll try a view that covers this same initial image.

Thomas Moore writes about how the Irish, drink Scotch Whiskey after talking about 'soul'. I find that after I work on something for my soul, like this garden is a reason to drink Scotch. Up to now I've saved my drinking for when I run the vacuum for my wife. I only have to be careful when I do the stairs.

Everyone Should have a Santuary in their own Backyard

Took a trip to Plumline Nursery, here in the environs of Pittsburgh, Pa. My wife promised me an experience that I would like. More than 'like', I was enchanted.

Oh! and one helpful hint from your friends at 'Live Better On Less', If you can't afford the admission to Phipps Conservatory in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, you can visit Plumline for free.

I 'had' to STOP. And Contemplate!

Contributing to Humanity Gives Us a Sense of Purpose

@thomasmooreSoul: We can all focus our work so that it makes at least a small contribution to humanity and in turn gives us a satisfying sense of purpose.

‎Thomas Moore's Twitter feed can be seen at: http://twitter.com/#!/thom​asmooreSoul