It's A Lot

There is a lot going on these days.  I have been thinking about this as I watch the world from the safety and comfort of my home. I don't know about you, but am hoping that you, too, feel like the United States of America is coming back and the world is a safer and better place because of American strength and ingenuity. It's is difficult to be patient until everything settles in,  but ... perhaps we are now somehow able to dream again.

• Artemis II.  Perfection. Americans are back in space and home again safely -- looking forward to future accomplishments beyond my imagination.
• Common Sense is attempting to make a comeback. There seems to be a return to valuing law and order that is spreading across the nation -- slowly, but there.  People's  demands for justice and incarceration of those who break our laws are being heard. Weaknesses in the judicial system are being exposed and remedied.  
• Corruption is being exposed across all political fronts. Slow but sure progress -- hopefully the positive direction will continue. One step at a time.
• Woke "stuff" has been sort of forced to go underground in many ways.  We need to keep an eye on that, but at least it isn't smacking us in the face and kicking us in the teeth all the time -- trying to limit free speech of those with differing opinions. Hopefully their 15 minutes is almost up. That world is so frowny and sad.  Negative...  They seem stuck to me.  Time to change. Hopefully.
• Then there is the fact that a country determined to kill all Americans and probably a good portion of the rest of the world seems to have been set back more than they want to admit.  Thankful for that. Keeping an eye on that as well. Yet they somehow seem farther away today -- less dangerous.

As I write today, I am thinking about the safety of the future of my children, grandchildren and on.  A strong and courageous America makes me feel safer about this for sure. Peace through strength....

2026 on Earth is a lot

                                                  How are you doing?  

Overthink Overthinking

 Someone invented the word “overthinking” for a reason.  It's apt.  I find myself doing it once in a while, I get stuck in my thought process and find it hard to get out.  I read a “meme” recently about overthinking that suggests that if you find yourself in that process,  count backwards from 100 in intervals of 7 and it will get you out of that loop you find yourself in.  Apparently the brain cannot overthink and do math at the same time.  Personally I cannot do anything while "mathing" including math itself.  

This notion is interesting to think about though.  It is also interesting to try to do.  I tried. I am not good at it at all. I am practicing.  Perhaps making a chart to memorize would help.  I could take a picture of said chart and have it handy on my phone.  Okay -- now I am overthinking about overthinking and am caught in some sort of irritating loop once again. Obviously even the idea of counting backwards by sevens from 100 makes me overthink. I do not do numbers well at all – especially the odd ones.  I am a word person.  Maybe I could try doing the alphabet backwards?   Give me a minute....

No not able to do that well either.  I keep jumping ahead by three letters to remember what they are and then going backwards to continue. There must be another way.  I will think about it.

Theo of Golden

Recently a good friend recommended a novel to me. Since I have come to trust her recommendations without question over the years, I immediately found the book and began to read.  The title of the book is Theo of Golden.  The author is Allen Levi, an American writer.  I would enjoy a conversation over lunch with this person or even a chance to talk for a few moments over a cup of coffee. It is one of those books that will hang around in your thoughts and perhaps influence your perspective on life for a long time – maybe forever. It is a story of connection between and among human beings. 

Anyway ... I find this book to be remarkable on a couple of different levels.  I didn’t read anything about it before I started it, so I had to find my way through. The experience is beyond thought provoking.  I recommend that approach.  The process is similar to unwrapping a gift that has several layers of wrapping paper along with some annoying bubble wrap that is all stuck together with packing tape.  My interest grew as I peeled back each layer. It is one of those books that you want to read as slowly as possible so that you don't miss one single thing. It is a book of hints and suggestions. It encourages thinking and feeling really.  It is a mystery of mindfulness on an entirely different level  ... hard to explain.  

For the first time in my life I feel like sending a Thank You note to an author.  I may do that. I haven’t read much about him, but I do know that this is his first book.  I hope there will be another.   

I don't want to do anything to diminish the power of this book. To say more is to say too much. Anyone who reads it will find their own message. Theo of Golden has my highest recommendation.