Each Day is a Gift.....

Roast of the Day: Medium

Can you believe that we are actually approaching the Christmas season in a couple of months? As such, I thought it only fitting that I blog about gifts.

Can you remember the excitement of Christmas back when you were a child? The anticipation of opening the gifts under the tree was almost unbearable. It didn't seem to matter what the gift was back then....only that someone loved us enough to wrap up something in pretty paper and give it to us. We would tear into that present with wild abandonment. We weren't concerned about saving the pretty wrapping paper or the bow. We just wanted to see what was inside the wrapping paper. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, we grew up...and opening presents became more of a tradition or ritual. We started neatly unwrapping the outer paper and folding it up, perhaps saving it for another use.

Our excitement and anticipation over the gifts has become diminished and our reactions to the gifts is, at best, predictable. Pleasantries and gratitude are still communicated, but true feelings and raw emotion are seemingly all but gone from the experience.

You've heard it been said that "each day is a gift." Well then, I wonder....how are you opening that gift each morning? Has it become a ho-hum ritual for you each and everyday? Do you neatly fold back the pretty wrapping paper and say your obligatory 'thank you' - all the while waiting for your next gift to be opened?

I, for one, believe we need to capture our childlike excitement once again. Imagine if we could wake up each morning and open our gift with the wild abandonment of our youth. Who knows what type of day is wrapped beneath that pretty paper, but the One who loves us and gave it to us.....Carpe Diem!

Don't let the mundane pass you by...

Today's Roast:  Medium

I have to start out by owning up to the fact that I am never going to be an everyday blogger.

There, I've said it. Although I'd love to scratch down my thoughts on a daily basis, it's really hard...not only to find the time (albeit I admit it's a bit easier for that during our current circumstances), but also figuring out content. I'm not sure I have enough interesting or deep thoughts to ramble on about.

With that said, I am going to try to commit to posting a blog on a weekly basis. However, you must understand that this is coming from an ENFP (for those of you that are Myers-Briggs aficionados) and a 7 (for those of you Enneagrams out there). In other words, my full intention is to keep up this this blog, but my follow through may be a bit lacking.

Now, onto the mundane.

Prior to our current circumstances, or if you happen to be one of the many essential workers that must actually go to the office or factory...perhaps you can relate to this post.

If any of you have a lengthy drive into work, it can become rather mundane. When I used to work in Maple Grove (for 28 years), every morning - Monday through Friday - I would drive virtually the same route to and from work. The commute would take roughly 35 to 45 minutes each way. Many times, if I was on the phone or listening to the radio, I could arrive at my destination seemingly on autopilot.

One morning, as was typical, I was driving my regular route, listening to the radio, busy with the thoughts of the coming day. Suddenly, I received a tap on my shoulder...."Look around you. My beautiful creation is all around you - and you are just passing it by." Obviously, this wasn't a physical tap on the shoulder - but the feeling was just as real. I turned off the radio and just began taking in all of the wondrous beauty that nature was displaying around me. The sun, the trees, things that I had driven by hundreds of times seemed new and fresh. I was amazed at how much I missed everyday on my drive into work...just because I was busy in the mundane.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating that we not pay attention what we're doing behind the wheel and drive with our heads out the window. But there is something to that old adage that we need to "stop and smell the roses." Take some time and notice all of the amazing creation around you. Don't let the seemingly mundane pass you by...

The Anticipatory Theory

Roast: Light to Medium

Years ago, a colleague of mine and I had recently returned from a business trip in Florida. Our local sales representative there had played host during our visit and we had the pleasure of meeting his wonderful family. While having dinner together one evening, I seized the opportunity to pontificate on my theories of time and LRPs (My theory of time...and the introduction to LRPs and A stitch in time). I was intrigued and pleased to hear some of the interesting ideas that both our sales representative and his wife had on the subject. I thought I'd share a bit from that discussion.

If you've been a faithful reader of my blog, you know that I have a few theories on why the passage of time seems to accelerate as we grow older. However, after my discussion with my friends in Florida, I must admit that there are probably quite a few other theories that deserve investigation. One of the main ideas we discussed during that dinner revolved around child-like anticipation. Thus, I have coined this as the Anticipatory Theory of Time.

The basic logic of this theory is that time will seem to pass slower when we are anticipating something of significance to take place. Do you remember as a child when your parents announced that the family would be taking vacation to Walt Disney World during Easter break? The months leading up to that planned vacation always seemed to take forever. Why is that? Even as an adult, I have experienced this same phenomenon as we plan our annual family vacations to Door County. It seems as if the anticipation of the upcoming event acts as a catalyst for slowing down time, at least in our minds. Granted, I have not taken the time to ponder the full effects of anticipation - but I am intrigued by this new theory (I realize it's actually more of a hypothesis than a theory, but allow me some grace).

Perhaps when considering your next LRP (Life Reference Point) event, you should consider planning it well in advance. By combining both the ideas of LRPs and the Anticipatory Theory, you may find that slowing the passage of time is seemingly possible - at least on a relative basis.

Coffee and blogging...

It has occurred to me that blogging can be like coffee. Just as there are different types of roasts (light vs. dark), there are also different types of blogs (whimsical, humorous vs. contemplative, thoughtful).  It is for this reason, I am going to now endeavor to categorize all future blog posts for those of you who share in my ramblings.

All future entries will include a "Roast" description at the beginning of each post. A Light Roast will refer to a post that is, as I have stated earlier, on the lighter side - more carefree and perhaps even humorous. A Dark Roast will indicate an entry that is a bit more contemplative or thought provoking. This "roast" description will provide a quick glimpse of the content matter for the reader - allowing them to decide whether they want to take the time to engage with the post or not...

If you have read any of my previous blog entries, you have no doubt realized that I'm partial to more reflective type ramblings (Dark Roasts), but I will do my best to mix things up a bit in the coming months.

I enjoy writing and this outlet has proven to be a fun and interesting means of sharing some of my random thoughts. I also enjoy reading the comments of those who have stumbled upon my blog - so I encourage your feedback.

Grab a mug and settle in...I'll do my best to keep posting.