This Southern Belle's Musings

"Darlin', don't ever take a Southern woman for granted!" [tm]


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Saturday, May 22, 2004

Conversations 



"Once a human being has arrived on this earth,
communication is the largest single factor determining
what kinds of relationships he makes with others and
what happens to him in the world about him."

- Virginia Satir



Conversation . . . is it more than merely the stringing of words together in an attempt to make coherent sentences to express our thoughts, our feelings, our desires, our fears . . . ourselves?     Yes!     The (not-so-simple) act of conversing allows us a glimpse inside the very mind, heart and soul of another human being.     How much, or how little, that person reveals about themselves also lets you know what their "trust-factor" is with you.     Superficial conversations are simply for passing the time, or being considerate to an acquaintance.     It is when we bare the secrets of our soul that we truly connect with another human being.


"We need people in our lives with whom we
can be as open as possible.   To have
real conversation with people may seem like such
a simple, obvious suggestion, but it involves
courage and risk."

- Thomas Moore



Do you have someone with whom you are not afraid to share your secrets?     Do they feel the same way about you?



current mood: listening to the whispers of the heart and soul
current music: SIRIUS Big 80s, Stevie Nicks

(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life


Circumstances 



"Few are those who see with their
own eyes and feel with their own hearts . . ."

- Albert Einstein



Circumstances . . . this thing called l-i-f-e . . . really has a way of catching us off-guard at times, doesn't it?     It isn't as if we wake up one day making the conscious effort to make certain decisions that will ultimately change our current paths forever.     No!     Life is much more subtle than that.     Life is a jokester - an imp - a scamp that takes delight in steering our well-laid plans off course and into uncharted territories.


"Sometimes what seems like surrender
isn't surrender at all.   It's about what's
going on in our hearts.   About seeing
clearly the way life is and accepting it
and being true to it, whatever the pain,
because the pain of not being true to it
is far, far greater."

- Nicholas Evans



Why do we feel it is necessary to fight against what our hearts have to say?     Often, our so-called rational thinking isn't really rational at all; it is merely fear shouting louder than the whispers of the heart and soul.     And, those whispers are the only truth we may ever truly hear.


"I trust so much in the power of the heart
and the soul; I know that the answer to what
we need to do next is in our own hearts.  
All we have to do is listen, then take that one step
further and trust what we hear.  
We will be taught what we need to learn."

- Melody Beattie



But, how do you convince others that they should listen to the whispers, too?



current mood: a little sad, a little confused,
but still listening for the whispers of the heart and soul
current music: SIRIUS Big 80s - Rick James - Super Freak

(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life


Friday, May 14, 2004

Windmills of my Mind 



"I have realized that the past and the
future are real illusions, that they exist
only in the present, which is what there
is and all that there is."

- Alan Watts



I received a most-wonderful surprise yesterday - a telephone call from a very good friend of mine who is currently living in Holland.     We spoke for about fifteen minutes or so, catching up on this and that.     He also wanted me to check into cheap-flights from D.C. to Holland so that I could pop-over for a weekend visit.     Wouldn't that be such a grand treat?     Just the thought of visiting a country that I have only heard vague stories about would be such an adventure.

But, then I got a little silly in my thinking . . . and wondered - strangely, I know . . . how different misdemeanor offenses must be handled in the Holland court system (okay, don't ask! my mind works on a different circuitry board than most.).     I mean, I'm sure they don't have the people show up on Saturday morning, don an orange vest, and pick up trash along the highway, do they?     I'm thinking it would be more like . . .

. . . arrive at the designated location, be assigned your wooden shoes and fancy restaurant-folded swan napkin head-dress, be issued a bag full of bulbs, and spend the day planting tulips along the side of the road . . .

Do you think that is what happens there?



I have two more months before he returns to the States.     I would love to be able to go visit for a weekend get-away!     My favorite artist of all time - Vincent van Gogh was born in born in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands, and Amsterdam is home to The Van Gogh Museum which includes about 800 works of the artist.     It would take me weeks to absorb all of the culture of just that one museum alone!

Something to thing about . . . something to consider, for sure!     Kaleb, it was wonderful to hear from you - I miss you, my friend, and love you very much!


current mood: A little silly
current music: ABBA

(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life



Wednesday, May 12, 2004

What Garfield Personality Do You Have? 


I admit it -- I love fun little quizzes . . . and, I am especially in need of a diversion today . . . and, what could be more fun than a little "Garfield" to cheer me up?!?


sweet
You're the sweet side of Garfield who adores his
teddy bear Pooky!! Awwww...


What Garfield Personality do you Have?
brought to you by Quizilla



(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life


Tuesday, May 11, 2004

All Fear Is Bondage 



"There is a time for departure even
when there's no certain place to go."

- Tennessee Williams



L-I-F-E has a way of complicating things -- whether it is the beauty of a rainbow of bright colours and happy days, or the deep, cold, enveloping darkness of India ink with no peace in sight, or merely the tonal grays that lie in-between.     Whether the complications are of our own doing, or circumstances beyond our control, life can (on more occasion than not) be more cruel than kind.


"We do not remember days,
we remember moments."

- Cesare Pavese



M-O-M-E-N-T-S -- those tiny fragments of time that weave together to make an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year -- that make up our lives.     Yes, it is in those moments that the strongest, and most vivid, memories are cast.     Often, it is those tiny moments of sheer joy that erase those larger spans of pain, disappointment, fear, worry, and many of the other emotions that rip at our very heart.


"To most of us the real life
is the life we do not lead."

- Oscar Wilde



So, it is in these hours of darkness -- these India ink waves that keep crashing, that block the sight of my hands that I know are directly in front of my face -- that I must remember, reflect, and hold on to those moments that gave me happiness, joy and peace.


current mood: Frightened of the unknown that lies ahead
current music: Nothing but absolute silence all around me

(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life






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