Gratitude Monday --The Power of Off

I spent a few unscheduled quiet moments on Saturday and I am very happy about it.
The power went off in mid-afternoon just as I was about to stir the final two ingredients into a cake batter. Rather than cuss and swear and curse about the infernality of it all, I added the flour, set aside the milk, and popped the batter in the fridge.
The magic juice we depend on would return in its own time and no amount of prayer, begging, or voodoo would change it.
It was a sunny day. Spring was in the air if not on the calendar.
I opened the front door to the afternoon sun, raised the window on the screen door to let in the fresh air, stretched my middle-aged self upon a leather loveseat and listened to the melt.
It was soothing and invigorating at the same time. The break from all human-engineered house noises was welcome. Humming of appliances was replaced by the happy tinkling of water flowing from downspouts.
It was a glorious chance to break away from the common activities of my usual life, and for it I am grateful.

Gratitude Monday -- Powering Down

The power was off the other day. It lasted about 45 minutes.
It happened about 3:30 p.m. of an overcast day. That cut down on the number of things I could do, but after opening the blinds a bit more I had enough to see the notes well enough to play guitar for a bit.
It's relaxing, and I swear it helps me think.
But after 15 minutes or so my poor uncallused fingers cried so I had to quit.
So I napped. This gave me a chance to quiet myself enough to truly enjoy the quiet around me.
It's different with the appliances off. Even when I mediate now I am aware of what's humming.
On this occasion all was quiet. It was wonderful.
When I power came back on I set about restoring the assorted clocks and settings on the two VCRs and two DVD-Rs.
I enjoyed the respite from the plugged -in world, but I was glad to have lights and heat and all the other benefits of electricity.
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I found out the next day that some poor fellow out to set up a nativity scene had caused the outage. He'd been stuck in his truck the whole time. I am grateful this fellow knew enough to stay put.

What Are Your Intentions Toward Yourself?

I’ve been thinking about the power of intention. I use it as part of my morning prayer cycle. I put out to the Universe what I want to get done in the day and commonly that’s exactly what happens.

Stating something has an interesting twist to it. It can make that something real or it can take away its power.
That’s the general idea behind talking about something in order to feel better. Life’s problems aren’t so quite so bad once the words are out.
It’s still intention, though. You intend to feel better by talking, so therefore, you are. You made it real. You switched the power around and put it to work for you.

This brings me to my point. What are your intentions toward yourself? What needs some power behind it?
Here are a few ideas to get you going. Feel free to use them as is or adapt them for your own needs

I intend to eat well.
I intend to exercise.
I intend to be published.
I intend to be successful.
I intend to be my own woman and live the life I want.
I intend to be happy.
I intend to stand up for myself.

Go ahead. Make a commitment to yourself and put it out to a Higher Power whether that is God, the Universe, or Fuzzy Bunny.
Make it real and watch it work.