Daily Ramblings – Thankful Thursday – Sisters

Tags

enjoy, family, Fun, Games, Good Food, Good times, Movies, Relax, Sister

My sister just left for home. It was a nice 5 days. We watched movies, got take out, hung out in the living room and chatted, and she even watched me play some Call of Duty with my brother. It was a great visit! She likes coming down and hanging out with Dad because we don’t know how much longer Dad will be with us. Last night, they watched some Star Trek movies (Dad loves those).

It’s terrific to have family visit. The folks get a kick out of it, and it’s always fun to catch up. When I have a family member visit, you’ve probably noticed a little inconsistency with my postings. I put everything I am doing on hold when family comes to maximize my time with them.

Anyway, I’m grateful for the time we had together. It was great fun!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Update – Sister Visit

Tags

Dad, Dad-Daughter time, family, Movies, Schedule, Shows, Sister, Television, time, Translation

Hi folks!

For those of you who follow my blog consistently, you’ll notice I missed yesterday’s posting and today’s is not a video from Ted Talks or TedEd. My sister is visiting. When she comes my schedule goes out the window, to accommodate her and her visit. We always have a great time when she comes over. So this is what I wanted to pass along.

Her schedule is pretty open, so I don’t know if she’ll be staying much longer or hitting the road today. Either way, my schedule of postings will be interrupted for a bit, while she’s here, so I can maximize my time with her. She lives a few hours away, and we talk over the phone and stuff, but it’s not the same as her being here. For those of you with family scattered all over, you know what I’m talking about. I always maximize my time with my sister and brother when they visit, because it isn’t often.

Right now, her and Dad are downstairs watching Star Trek on Amazon. Dad loves television shows and movies, and she and dad always get in one day of watching shows when she visits. It’s their time, and I squeak away to get some of my things done when she does this with dad. Dad has been deteriorating lately. He doesn’t eat as much, sleeps most of his day away, and that’s just what happens when people get close to passing. It’s like God prepares them for the next step on their journey by keeping them in the dream worlds more and more as they approach the end.

I realize this may sound a little melodramatic, but I noticed this type of behavior in our dog Goldie when she was getting close to passing. The elderly just sleep. When the passing time comes, we call it translation in Eckankar; the individual is well-prepared for it. This is what I see with Dad. So when Deb comes over, I let her maximize her time with Dad. I am with him every day, and I don’t need the time she doesn’t get while she is away.

Well, that’s it for today, folks. I hope you all are having a great Tuesday!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Ted Talk Tuesday – Update

Tags

family, Family Time, Good Food, Have Fun, Movies, Relax, Sister, Talking

My sister is visiting and I’ve been spending some time with her the last few days. I’ll be back on schedule with my blog once she heads home. I hope all of you are having a great week!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Saturday – Watch What You Let In

Tags

Books, Movies, Negativity, News, Positivity, social media, Spiritual Saturday, spirituality, Video Games

I read an article a little while back and the article was about a spiritual leader who realized that the negativity in our lives is due to what we let in. He went on further to explain that negative books, movies, video games, music–anything that brought in any type of negativity would result in projecting that negativity in the world. 

Have you ever analyzed how you feel after you’ve watched an hour of the news? How about reading the news? How about watching news on YouTube? How about discussing a posted news article on Facebook? I’ll tell you how I felt. I felt like throwing my laptop through a window. 

Who wants to be bombarded by COVID, lives being ruined by riots, cities on fire, etc. Who wants to watch news reports of “non-violent” riots with buildings burning in the background?

I gave up the news months ago and already notice a huge difference in my stress levels. I’m just calmer. I still scan the news, but don’t watch it, don’t listen to it, and do not obsess over it. Yep, COVID is still around. Yep, the riots are still going on across the country. Yep, Biden and Trump are still at one another’s throats for the election. Not much has changed.

If you are stressed out or negative, take a look at what you are letting in.You may be impacted by what you read, watch, or listen to. Pay attention to how you treat other people. If you notice a change or realize people are being more negative toward you, this is the indicator. You see, the world reflects what is inside you. The more negativity you let in, the more negativity you broadcast. Conversely, the more positive you bring in, the more you broadcast positivity. 

Take a look at what you are bringing in. My simple act of reducing my news consumption has made a huge difference in my life. 

Have a great Saturday, folks!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Thankful Thursday – Music

Tags

Gratitude, heavy metal, Meditation, memories, Movies, Music, Reading, Soundscapes, Thanks, Writing

I have always enjoyed music. It seems that we are all wired to music, in light of how popular it has been throughout history. Music entertains. Music reminds. Music inspires.

I like to listen to music when I read. I can’t listen to music with words, because it is too hard to concentrate, but instrumental music is a common partner when I read. I also enjoy listening to music when I write.

Again, I have to refrain from listening to music with words while I write because it is too hard to concentrate on what I’m doing when I listen to the words. Interestingly, I have found that listening to certain types of music invoke emotions that are helpful when I am writing an action scene or an emotional scene. I can’t listen while I write, but I do listen before I write.

Another type of music I like listening to is trance while I do cardio or heavy metal while I lift weights. Trance helps me deal with the monotony of cardio, while heavy metal helps me achieve the aggression I need when I’m trying to push myself to my limits.

I like listening to Asian music, sound scapes, and other cerebral music when I meditate. It helps my mind calm down, while I concentrate on the breath.

I even enjoy listening to movie soundtracks. When I listen to the music of Pirates of the Caribbean, Gladiator, Star Wars, or even the Godfather, I can see the various scenes play out in my mind. It is amazing how much the music impacts a scene in a movie.

Think about the dark music in the original Halloween movie or The Exorcist. When you hear these songs, you automatically think about these movies. It is fascinating.

So today, I am grateful for music that helps me write, workout, relax, and visualize my favorite movies.

Happy Thursday!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Thankful Thursdays – Grateful for Sis

Tags

Enjoyable, family, Fun, Grateful, Movies, Shows, Sister, Talking, Thankful

My Dad had a hernia surgery this week and is recovering nicely. In light of this, my sister wanted to come up and stay with the family to help out when and where needed. Since she, like most folks, is working remotely for her company, it didn’t matter whether she was here or at her place.

My sister is always bringing some humor to the place. She likes to laugh and enjoys watching good movies, hanging out with the family and friends, and talking with friends on the phone. One of her endearing qualities is being so excited to watch a movie together and then falling asleep partway through. This happened when she was over, as we watched Joker for the first time.

So today, I’m grateful for my sister. She’s a good soul who loves life, loves to have fun, and loves to talk. Thanks for coming over, sis. It was a great few days together.

Have a great Thursday, folks!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Spread Your Wings Sunday – Week of June 7, 2020.

Tags

Action, Adventure, Comedy, Genres, Love Story, Movies, Science Fiction, Spread Your Wings, Weekly Challenge

Wow! Another week has passed us by. I think time flies when so many things are going on.

This week’s challenge: Watch a movie in a genre you normally would never watch. For example, if you watch a lot of action/adventure movies, watch a comedy or tear jerker (Steel Magnolias is one example).

In the comments mention the movie you watched and what you thought of it. Did it suck or were you surprised by it?

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Saturday – The Power of Music

Tags

Benefits, Genre, memories, Movies, Music, Nostalgia, Spiritual

Could you imagine watching one of your favorite movies without the music? It would change the experience dramatically. The music adds layers to the story by the pictures and the feelings the music brings to us.

I use music for all kinds of activities. When I am reading, instrumental music works the best, as long as it is not too heavy. I enjoy calming music while I read. Sometimes classical, most of the time sound scapes.

When I’m in a bad mood, I like to listen to upbeat music. When I’m feeling nostalgic, I like to listen to music that reminds me of something. Try listening to the music you liked when you were in high school and then tell me you didn’t see pictures of your proms, trips, and football games playing through your mind.

Then there is the music that is special to you, like a song you and your first boy or girlfriend chose to be yours. I guarantee you’ll see that person in your mind when the song kicks off, along with the things you did together.

Music is also a huge motivator for me. When I’m in the gym, music drives me from one exercise to the next. If I’m lifting weights, there’s nothing like a good heavy metal tune. If I’m doing cardio, my music genre of choice is trance.

I try to listen to music every day. I enjoy the feelings associated with the music I listen to. I don’t have a favorite music, but definitely am not a Country Music fan. I can attribute this to all the country music my grandmother tortured me with when my brother and I stayed over. To this day, I cannot stand Conway Twitty, Gene Autry, or Johnny Cash.

If you have not tried it, try listening to music when you read, write, study, or exercise. It will give you a huge boost. It does for me, at least. I’ll stop here.

I hope all of you are having a great 2020 and getting some rest and relaxation today, after returning to work.

Until next time…

Dave

 

 

Daily Ramblings – Thankful Thursdays – Ah, Holidays!

Tags

Christmas, Coffee, family, Friends, Good Conversation, Good Food, Good times, Grateful, Holidays, Movies, Snow, Thankful, TV

Today, I’m thankful for the holiday season. I don’t really care about the gifts and such, but I enjoy relatives visiting, the Christmas lights, the tree, the snow, and all the food that comes this time of year.

This year my brother and sister are coming to town and it’ll be great. We’ll watch movies, talk as a family in the living room, eat out a few times, and maybe even catch a movie at our local movie theater. Then there’s the Christmas dinner, which will be Mom’s recipe for roasted duck! Yummy!!

Obviously, the gifts are fun, but I get a kick out of people opening my gifts, not so much the gifts I get. It’s nice to get people something you think they’ll like. It’s also fun to just enjoy the vibe of the family being together, reminiscing about times past.

I realize we should all be giving to one another all-year long, but because this time only comes once a year, it is special; you know?

I realize for some this is a traumatic time of year. It brings back memories of family members who have passed and the gaping hole they have left in the family. This is just tough and my heart goes out to all of you who are experiencing this. That being said, I would recommend throwing yourself into a charity or volunteering. I’ve always found that when I give of myself, my problems fade a bit. I know this is probably a simplistic solution to your problem, but I wanted to throw that out there, in case you have never tried it. It works. At least it does for me.

Well, that’s it for today. I hope all of you have a great Thursday!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Spread Your Wings Sunday – Do Something Fun

Tags

Do Nothing Day, Fun, Good Food, Internet, Movies, Spread Your Wings, Weekly Challenge

Challenge #1 (provided by Five-minute Journal): Be extra wonderful to yourself today. I’m talking almond lattes and extra delicious food.

Challenge #2: Treat yourself to a movie and get that popcorn, gummy bears, or ice cream. Make it an event!

These should be easy. Everyone likes movies and good food. Try one or do both. As always, feel free to comment when you have completed one.

 

Until next time…

Dave