Day 25~ Triad Challenge

Welcome to gratitude.
I am grateful to the generosity of others. The ability to give from the hear is what makes this a better place to live. Some have however missed the meaning and the reason we have Thanksgiving. It is not to have to much to eat and drink and open family wounds. It is to come together as a community and enjoy the fact that we have food to eat and a table to gather. There are people in your community that may not have a family or a table. There are organizations there to help those with out. The Idaho food bank is one of many in our community that try to bridge the gap. The have many events though out the year to help end hunger in Idaho. My most loved event is Empty Bowls. It happens on the Friday after Thanksgiving. You go to the Boise Center on the Grove. Pay for a hand made ceramic bowl and get a bowl of soup. Please think about joining us.  I am grateful you are reading this. 

Day 24~Triad Challenge

Welcome to gratitude.
It is Sunday, a day traditionally destined to be one of rest and community.  If you have ever had the pleasure of cooking for a large group of people you know that it is any thing short of restful. I was visiting with a friend from the Netherlands, talking culture and food. Here in America EVERYTHING is about food. Every occasion, every event is about food. Please note that hospitality is important in every culture, it is just how we go about it that is my fascination. Here we have a snack of cookies, cake, popcorn, candy. In the Netherlands a snack is an apple or a a handful of raisins. I like the thinking of the Dutch.
I am grateful that I live in a world of abundance. My focus today as I travel to community gatherings will be the people. I am so blessed by the light of the beings that I call friends. 
As you go about your day walking, stretching and eating green and purple vegetables enjoy the people.  
Namaste

Day 13~ Triad Challenge

Welcome to something daring.
Mind: Puzzles, new hobby, new language, anything that you do to challenge your brain it will benefit your gray matter. Keep it up.
Body: Stand with your eyes closed for a few moments. Take a deep breath, unless your hiding in the stinky bathroom at work. This is best done outside in the fresh air, in a park or your yard, with nature and beauty all around you. Hold your breath for a moment then let it out, do this a few times.

Spirit: What feelings, situations or problems have you been holding on to that you really don't serve a good purpose? Let them go with the air from your lungs. If this involves the actions of another then ask them about what you understand. You may be surprised by what you learn. Makes me think of the statement of don't be critical of another until you have walked a mile in their shoes.   

Day 5 ~Triad Challenge

Welcome to something meaningful.
Mind: Play your music very quiet today...listen carefully to the words. Concentrate on hearing the words. did you hear something different?
Body: Replace one soda today with water. Walk the long way around.
Spirit: Be forgiving and compassionate. You do not know the struggles others have. When we make mistakes and ask for forgiveness then give it. Let it go and move on.
Recall what you were taught in kindergarten, be nice, say you are sorry, share and everyone deserves to be loved.
Keeping this one super short: had two challenging appointments, one with an orthopedic for my knee, made it hurt crazy bad, the other was the Adult Committee Meeting for scouts lots of voices, lots of conversations all at the same time...Very hard on the brain...to much to process. Some of the biggest struggles are can not be seen. Be Kind.
Blessings

Community

Divers: di-vers

Adjective

1.       of varying types: several

Community: com·mu·ni·ty

noun

2.     a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

3.     a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

"the sense of community that organized religion can provide"

I am often struck by the historic advances of my divers community. What I refer to as the Clan of Marie. It all started about two years ago with the life altering words: You have cancer. In the last few days I have been acutely aware how my community is never stagnate or boring. There are opinions… LOTS of opinions on the state of the government shutdown. Weddings. Vacations. Trips to see children move on in adult hood.  Babies. Death. Happiness and sorrow. Misunderstandings and encouragement. Love and Loss. Seeking and knowing.

Technology has made so many of the functions of a community on fast forward or turned up on full volume. I read a book set in 13^th century Wales. It was interesting to think of how much that community of castle dwelling, horse riding, sword wielding is much like the one I see on Facebook, twitter and the food market. One thing remains constant in all world, centuries and communities, our need to connect with each other.

I have a community that my common bond is breast cancer survival. We are all in a love hate relationship with Pink, Pink Ribbons and Breast Cancer Awareness. We each have a same different story that we never want anyone to ever experience. But dam glad to know we are not alone. We have love and support that we would never want to give up but hate each new invitation to our community. This is a community no one want to be a part.  I encourage you to stay out. Walk extra mile every day, eat your vegetables and beans. Drink more water.

I have a community that my common bond is scouting, a very large and formidable group. That is focused on providing an amazing way to live for the youth of our world.  We again have the same different story of why our children are in scouts and why adults that have a warm comfortable bed are willing to leave it for the great outdoors two nights a month all year long. This is a community that many people want to be a part of, but sometimes are concerned what others may think or what it might cost, or I don’t have a the right equipment.   I encourage you to look around and see just how much fun it can be to hang out with 30 young people ages 10 to 21 all doing the same thing for different reasons but trusting and supporting one another to achieve the goal. You don’t have to have children to be involved with scouting. Everyone has knowledge and experience to share, be a Merit Badge Counselor, be a unit commissioner.    Be, Know, Do and Teach.

I have a common bond with a community that believes there is a God, a higher power, a spiritual source of the universe. There is a same different story as to how we have come to know and celebrate our beliefs.  I have always sought more understanding of how and why we do the things we do in church…regardless of the church.  Celebrate your belief and honor that of your neighbor.

I have a common bond with a community that knows that Idaho was made late on the 6^th day because God wanted a special place to rest. We have come to this great state and community through many routes. our stories of arrival are very divers but we have the same love and pride that was shared with a young California girl in the form of a white cowboy hat. I pray that in days to come she will return to Idaho and see beauty and love.

I have a common bond with a community of people that are my history, family and friends of friends, past co-workers and students. They post pictures of camels, on Wednesday, and of things that make me smile, laugh and scratch my head. They, we have some amazing stories.   

  

 Look around your communities in the next few days, enjoy your communities, acknowledge your sameness and your differentness. Honor the person next to you, they are someone's community.