Just another manic Wednesday

Life is good and busy and in the midst of all of it, I'm feelin' real good today. A few thoughts:

-There's been far too much stuff already this winter. Lots of illness, sudden travel plans and new life changes on the horizon. But I feel good and still today, so I'm going with it and we're not dwelling here. God, we might need a break soon, ok?

-I'm coming to terms with the fact that life is what it is. Sometimes it's just enough to get out of bed and get through your day. Sometimes that's your first sign that you have to change something and adapt.

-I watched a sinfully good movie by myself last night - Amanda Bynes in Sydney White. Wow. Certainly not academy award caliber, but just perfect for unwinding after a long day. I had a Black Dog Ale to counteract the cheesiness.

-I'm subsequently grateful for said Black Ale. 1 1/2 of them could also be the reason I enjoyed the movie.

-I'm also learning that life doesn't look like the past. I don't know when I started thinking that we master things and keep them forever, but baby, it just keeps on rolling ahead. Onward we go...

-It's fun to try and find new ways that God impresses you. Bright skies, pomegranate tea, Broken Social Scene on a Wednesday, boots and hitting the snooze alarm to snuggle longer with my honey. All beautiful gifts.

-Barack is OWNING the primaries. I'm just curious why McCain won 2 states and "sewed up the nomination" but Obama's winning streak is still "tenuous." Can't wait for November, President Obama. It's gonna be glorious. I'll be hopeful once again.

What's up out there, blogger commenters? I feel like it's been far too long...

Thursday riffs

As you can tell, this week got off to a crazy start. Sanity has resumed and after 2 days battling some devil stomach bug, I'm feeling noticably like Ally again.

In honor of the days of old, I'm back with some bits of gratitude for small (and large) blessings as of late:

- For all of you that have been tracking it, I'm happy to report that my buddy Julius seems to be doing well in spite of all that he's navigating in Kenya. I've actually heard his voice via phone, and that set my heart at peace. For continued updates, keep checking Soulfari Kenya's blog.

- I'm reclaiming confidence again. Negative thoughts are something we all struggle with, and on Monday night, I found that I hadn't let myself get quiet enough to shut them up. We're working on replacing them (as Sarah calls them, our "inner gremlins") with good thoughts, so repeat after me, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough..."

- I'm also hoping to spend some good reflection and reverence time now that Lent has begun. In the last 2 years I've found this season to be particularly healing and cathartic, so I'm ready to begin again. As usual, I doubt I'll give anything up, but will be taking something on...though I'm not sure what that'll be yet.

- I re-found Iron & Wine again last night as a little pre-bedtime tuneage. I don't mind if their songs all sound the same...I just could listen to "Naked as we Came" on repeat until forever comes.

That's the newness here kiddos. I feel confident that six weeks into '08, I am now ready for it.

And you call me again...

"You, oh God, have a heart to feel what others turn away,
You, oh God, have arms to hold the hurting one in pain."

Today's soundtrack: Always Beautiful - Enter the Worship Circle (Second Circle)

This afternoon, I sit at my desk all tenderhearted, in and out on the verge of tears. I have no idea why.

I have no idea why sadness comes, why joy lingers, or why there are such highs and lows to this world. I also have no idea why they sometimes come with no provocation.

I can offer very little insight into this. I just feel like a drive out to the park for a good talk with God might be due...especially since today I feel like I really get that David guy who wrote all the bipolar psalms.

**Ed. note: E, I am coming more and more to the conclusion that the idea of balance is something unachievable and as you attest, we'll be better off ridding our minds of this lunacy.