Powerful storms

I've been thinking this past weekend of the power and selective nature of some storms that come through my area of this time of year.

Last Saturday, I witnessed about 30-45 minutes of heavy wind, horizontal rain and sudden darkness; then stillness. I looked out my windows to find only a couple of smaller branches had fallen and was able to breathe a sigh of relief. Just a bit later, I'd lost power and decided to hang out at a friend's house that evening. On the way into "downtown" Vicksburg, I see what appeared to be hundred-year-old trees wish-boned in half, pine trees the height of a three-story houses uprooted in a local playground. The free standing sign of a Family Dollar shattered - only the border remains.

The odd thing is this - only a small percentage of the area (and trees) were affected. Further north, only a small spring shower was experienced.

I wonder why, with my house standing adjacent to a bit of farm land , hidden only by a thin row of trees, have none of these trees fallen on my house, cars, etc?

I also wonder why, while driving through the middle of one of these said storms a couple of years ago, was I able to stop my van (with 0% visibility, mind you) right next to the only two large trees within a mile, only to have the front of my 6-day-old van crushed by one of those trees. Was the power of that wind enough to roll my van with me and two children in tow if I hadn't stopped by those trees? Did the tree fall just inches from my head without so much as a scratch to me or my children just to wake me up in my seemingly meager existence and realize what a gift life is?

Well, the latter is what my interpretation was to this event in my life - and I have been the better for it. During another one of my epiphany moments (while mowing my lawn), I decided to take heart the words of William W. Purkey when he said,
"Dance like there's nobody watching
Love like you'll never get hurt
Sing like there's nobody listening
Live like it's heaven on earth
And speak from the heart to be heard."

...and I've been trying to live this way ever since. It's not easy. It's many times uncomfortable, but I've met lots of amazing new people I never would have met as a wall flower. I've had conversations I never would have had before. I've had experiences I could not have conjured in a dream. Life is a work in progress, but if you're going to create, make it a masterpiece!

Guitar Hero on a rabbit farm

Our gift to the family this year was to join ranks with many Americans enjoying the mass hysteria that Guitar Hero has caused. It's like the whole "Jeep thing". If you've never done it, you wouldn't understand. I'm not a self-proclaimed video game fiend, at least I try not to be. I tell myself I have too much to do each day to get caught up in video games...until I picked up my first 5-button wireless guitar. I'm now officially hooked. We started straight away with Aerosmith. I liked many of their songs, so I thought I'd try it out. I'm now the guitar-laden maiden of this castle and find it difficult to share. After my first battle with Joe Perry, there was no going back. Carl and I are now comparable players, so this truly has become a family strengthening tool, but he looks better holding the guitar. We're now looking for challengers or friends open to an 80's Rock 'n' Roll themed get together if anyone is interested. :)



The second bit of excitement this holiday season is the new arrival of our SECOND litter of rabbits born 12/31/08, a mere 9 kits this time. We're still working on adopting out the first batch, along with their parents - the current rabbit count is 13. All suspect bunnies are now separated, yet we now have to wait an additional 8 weeks to rid our home of it's "farm status". As cute and cuddly as they are, the little fuzz buddies are literally eating away at our budget and each day I am caring less and less regarding the manner in which they leave our little compound. Bunnies, anyone?

Liberation

I think thinking outside the box is essential for living. Einstein is my hero...and I think I got his hair. I think people don't begin living until they finally realize they are going to die -some just realize it too late. Carpe Diem.


"Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate: our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God; your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others the permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

I am working everyday to get over my fears. A few years ago, I would seize up with anxiety at the thought of introducing myself to someone new. Finally, after over twelve months of sharing my voice with others close to me, I can finally sing without feeling like I'm about to toss my cookies. There is a God. He is good.