A very good friend of mine refers to the idea of taking a deeper dive. I am hoping to continue a deeper dive into my life. Sort of a sabbatical to stop and reflect on what my life should focus on going forward.
This entails, reflection and listening or prayer – a dangerous activity. A little like high-diving because it feels like free-falling, you never know where you may end up.
My hope is to examine what I’ve learned over the past few years, explore new areas of interest and meet new people along the way.
Education is so important. Questioning is the foundation of education – and education is the basis of our formation, growth and personal development for Catholics. This is why there are Catholic universities, hospitals and centers of learning.
Questioning is the only way we begin to clearly see systemic injustice. Until we see it we can’t work to change it.
To be Catholic is to question everything.
“What gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know. It’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so.” – Mark Twain.
You may remember that in adding romance to my life this year I decided to add some to our living space. I started with the bedroom and bathroom. The dining area followed. Now the living room.
You can see the inspiration ideas from a previous post here. Below is an inspiration picture that I liked for its energy, lightness and fun colors.
Photo Angie Hranowsky
Our space needed to lighten up. I wanted joyful color with plenty of white and a summery feel. My desire was to add more layers, with space for books, candles, plants and space to entertain. The futon would remain, as it serves double-duty as a guest bed. Plus the space needed to be compatible with adjoining dining area and kitchen spaces since those are being re-done as well.
Whatever was done would need to flow with the rest of the townhouse. Colors shouldn’t be jarring with the bedroom and bathroom. And of course it shouldn’t cost much. I prefer to donate money rather than spend it on decorating. But economics shouldn’t prohibit creating a beautiful space with light, energy, warmth, casual feel and hospitality. At least it’s never stopped me in the past. 😉
I forgot to take a before picture – but previous colors were red, gold, sage, white with light teal. A sage blanket was on the sofa. A brown runner anchored the sofa and coffee tables. It was OK, but some new energy was needed.
Here’s a picture from three years ago so you can get an idea of the space.
I removed pillows and other accessories. The sofa, now a futon, has since moved to the opposite wall. The coffee table was given to a friend and the two end tables serve as coffee tables. Last summer, book cases from the small bedroom were moved to the wall opposite the sofa (not seen in this photo).
Searching my linen closet, I found the rag rug for the table and an Indian cotton throw for the sofa in similar colors. A new candle and some fun toys (jacks, Silly Putty, Playdough et. al.) in the glass hurricane on the coffee table are just for fun. Next, new cotton rugs were layered under the tables. I purchased four new colorful pillows and pulled one from a bedroom. We found the rose-colored chair and ottoman on Craigslist.
Now the space is totally changed. Before, the artwork seemed to compete with the room. Now the artwork sets the color and tone, supported by the entire room. Candle light adds to the warm, romantic look.
Here’s the more romantic after.
Photo R. Meshar
Now it’s light, bright, relaxed. We enjoyed dinner in here tonight. Easy and comfortable . . .
“It started out innocently enough. I began to think at parties now and then
— just to loosen up.
Inevitably, though, one thought led to another, and soon I was more than
just a social thinker.
I began to think alone — ‘to relax,’ I told myself — but I knew it
wasn’t true. Thinking became more and more important to me, and finally I
was thinking all the time.
That was when things began to sour at home. One evening I turned off the
TV and asked my wife about the meaning of life. She spent that night at
her mother’s.
I began to think on the job. I knew that thinking and employment don’t
mix, but I couldn’t help myself.
I began to avoid friends at lunchtime so I could read Thoreau, Muir,
Confucius and Kafka. I would return to the office dizzied and confused,
asking, ‘What is it exactly we are doing here?’
One day the boss called me in. He said, ‘Listen, I like you, and it hurts
me to say this, but your thinking has become a real problem. If you don’t
stop thinking on the job, you’ll have to find another job.’
This gave me a lot to think about. I came home early after my conversation
with the boss. ‘Honey,’ I confessed, ‘I’ve been thinking…’
‘I know you’ve been thinking,’ she said, ‘and I want a divorce!’
‘But Honey, surely it’s not that serious.’ ‘It is serious,’ she said,
lower lip aquiver.
‘You think as much as college professors and college professors don’t make
any money, so if you keep on thinking, we won’t have any money!’
‘That’s a faulty syllogism,’ I said impatiently.
She exploded in tears of rage and frustration, but I was in no mood to
deal with the emotional drama.
“I’m going to the library,” I snarled as I stomped out the door.
I headed for the library, in the mood for some Nietzsche. I roared into
the parking lot with NPR on the radio and ran up to the big glass doors.
They didn’t open. The library was closed.
To this day, I believe that a Higher Power was looking out for me that
night. Leaning on the unfeeling glass, whimpering for Zarathustra, a
poster caught my eye. ‘Friend, is heavy thinking ruining your life?’ it
asked.
You probably recognize that line. It comes from the standard Thinkers
Anonymous poster.
This is why I am what I am today: a recovering thinker.
I never miss a TA meeting. At each meeting we watch a non-educational
video; last week it was ‘Porky’s.’ Then we share experiences about how we
avoided thinking since the last meeting.
I still have my job, and things are a lot better at home. Life just seemed
easier, somehow, as soon as I stopped thinking. I think the road to
recovery is nearly complete for me.”
Using a small, wide-mouth mason jar, serve BBQ chicken with wooden cocktail skewers, outside on the patio. Add a beer or sangria and it’s a relaxing evening with friends (Fresh Home Spring 2010).
This idea is a great platform for other ideas –
Why not grilled shrimp with pineapple and lime?
Or yellow and red cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cubes or bocconcini and basil?
Or chicken breast cubes, mandarine orange slices and pitted Kalamata olives?
When you live in the Twin Cities, an evening at Lake Harriet is a rite of summer – or at least hoping summer will arrive and stay awhile.
Our friend J suggested we meet tonight at the Lake Harriet Bandstand and hear Dan Newton’s French Acadian folk music.
The weather was perfect. The lake was calm. The sail boats drifted on the lake across the windows of the bandstand. The company was relaxed and relaxing. Even the dogs enjoyed it. What’s not to like?
