Saturday Musings

Usually in this blog, I do a post on Saturday, called Saturday Musings.  With my new emphasis, (see previous post),  I will be moving this weekly post  to my new blog   And in keeping with the theme of this blog, instead of a Saturday post, I will be doing a Sunday post--Sunday Sketches hosted by Sophia of Blue Chair Diary.  I have done these before, but not on a regular basis.  Looking forward to expanding my creativity with the exercise and discipline of sketching.  Hoping you enjoy  my sketches, as well as those who also participate in this exercise.

See you tomorrow!

Saturday Musings--Creative Ideas come from . . .

This week has been and is still full of activity thru the weekend!   Part of this week, I was a captive audience to whomever wanted to talk to me.  I was at a craft show, manning my own booth and couldn't leave.  One woman who came up to my table, just wanted to talk.  The show was pretty slow, so she held me  captive forever, it seemed like.  She wasn't interested in buying anything, just telling me the "blow by blow" of her own creativeness! I tried to stay engaged, and not be rude, but it truly was difficult.  But, as sometimes happens, she was successful, unknowingly, in giving me an idea!  When she left, I began bouncing ideas off what she had been telling me.  After some time, I came up with my own idea for several products for Spring! Ideas come from the strangest places! Yea! Creativity!

Saturday Musings--The GIFT of Family

The best thing in life is FREE! . . . Family!

I have the most wonderful family and I was reminded of that fact on Thanksgiving, with 30 of us gathered at my son's house. Even though my son had just been in a car accident the week before and was still uncomfortable, he hosted his chaotic family! It's because of unconditional love that these gatherings are so memorable and enjoyable . . . . . and such a work of cooperation!

Each of us are different--and that's the way it should be--even when we all come from the same parents. Some of my clan are givers, some are authoritarian administrators, some are teacher-like in personality, some have great compassion, some are perceivers, and some are various combinations of traits all rolled into one lovely person! How do we all get along, with all the differences? We love each other! UNCONDITIONALLY!

Unconditional love is a decision and takes work! We have to overlook a fault, bear one another's burdens, and enjoy what we can (what we PURPOSE to love!) In our family, we have a prankster, a cynic, a "you should have", a cryer, and a bossy one. But each of these loved ones have some very enduring traits too! The prankster would do almost anything for you if you were in need. The "you should have" loves the children and has a great sense of humor. You get the picture.

I know, some of you may have had a dysfunctional family situation, but there are good things in everyone and good memories to look back to, if you try. Memories are wonderful; and they sometimes, with time, gloss over the pain, that makes them wonderful!

Saturday Musings

I've decided to keep writing this little column on Saturdays. As always, you can read or not read, that is the question.

I am a person of strong emotions and opinions. I'm not intending to be political in these little writings on Saturday; I'm not into politics that much. It tires me to listen to all the spin and hype and promotion. I will not take one side or the other, for politics' sake. But I do have opinions about 'people' topics and relationship issues and about life in general that I hope will be interesting to read.

After last weeks start (earlier post) to this series, I had an experience with a co-worker that had to do with NOT listening. So, maybe I had better NOT speak up again--it seems you get what I "asked for" or, what I wrote about! . . . NOT! I'll still keep musing and speaking (blogging), because that's just who I am.

Anyway, in a small gathering of co-workers, I heard one person make a statement that slightly offended me and that I believed was . . . well . . . no judgements or politics, now! So, at a later time. I asked that person if I could talk with them about it. I explained my hurt feelings, mostly because the statement related to a previous emotional hurt of mine. I was hoping to get a "I hear you saying . . . . " and, then, get an opportunity to discuss the matter. But instead, that person was defensive of their position/thinking and placed a judgement on me! Ouch! That hurt! Agreement was not what I wanted--nor judgement! All I wanted was to be heard! And considered. Enough said about that.

So, a skill that I would like to present and that might help promote listening, is to acknowledge that you heard what the other person said whether you agree with it or not. This skill, after actually listening, would be to say: "I hear you and I think that you are saying . . . ." Response and restating what the other person said, helps them feel like they are NOT talking to a wall. This lets the person know that you, indeed, heard what they said and opens the door to discussion. Using this little skill will go a long way to creating a sense of well being and understanding for everyone.

Just saying . . . .

Saturday Musings

Caution: Not my usual blog genre. It varies from my usual pattern and may be a little more overt than you might want to read. That's OK. I just need to be honest today.

My daughter has a blog that she calls "Musings." She talks about her life--plainly--and honestly. It's not a blog for everyone, maybe just an outlet for her. She doesn't publicize it. Most of us in the family know it is there, but it is not a place that we can't wait to get to. It's a bold thing to do--exposing one's thoughts--because most people are just into their own lives and really are not that much into what you, as a blogger or a person, are thinking and going through. It's a superficial world out there.

So today, I want to write a 'musing' of my own. I am seriously thinking about writing something like this every Saturday. A risky move. I know, this blog thing is supposed to be an upbeat thing. Sometimes a vehicle for social networking and/or marketing, and, heaven forbid, we get downright personal or honest. I know, we are not supposed to reveal to much of ourselves here, because it is a scary world out there. So we wear blog masks. We talk about how we make blogs, how we wear them, how they function, all the while giving only little glimpses of the real person behind the blog.

My musing (soapbox, if you like) for today: We don't listen. We don't listen enough to what others are really saying. Hearing what others think takes listening. Most of us are busy thinking what we will say in response, instead of listening. We are conditioned to NOT listen with so much superficial chatter going on around us. When someone does get honest, we are a little uncomfortable. We seem not skilled enough to deal with reality.

As creative bloggers, we are all into 'doing' and learning how to 'do'. In the blog world, there are treasuries, tutorials, and pictures but not much deep thought. We call ourselves "peeps" and not writers. I'm resolving, a little early--Not New Years yet!--to listen. This will mean, in the blog world, that I READ more, not just look at who is responding to my blog. In all this, I am hoping to find some honest stuff that will inspire friendships that will go the distance.

Just saying . . . .