It is wine o'clock and I wanted to share a pray today. It's from a prayer cube given to me by a family member I love and admire! It's one of my favorite prayers and I think it's perfect for Thanksgiving!
Dear God,
thank You for my loved ones, and for choosing me from all others to love and care for them. Fill me with Your Spirit to share Your warmth and love with my dear ones, and bless them with Your joy, peace, and grace. May we come someday as one family to live with You forever in heaven.
Amen
Wow I'm fa-clement! What a great prayer for today! I know sometimes families and loved ones are tough. So many emotions good and sometimes painful. But I'm reminded of a thought I heard in church months ago. Maybe we are with our specific families for a reason. If we have strife with one another maybe that's why we are connected. There is a purpose. Something we need to learn or perhaps teach. Again I come to the answer the wine give me:
Unconditional Love. The end.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Inner Strength
"Inner Strength". What is it? What does it look like? Where does it come from?
Is it staying "true" to yourself" when you're being pushed another way. Is it standing up for what you believe in or for your own wants, needs, or desires in the face of opposition?
Is it "bending" without breaking for the benefit of someone else. Strong enough to put aside your own needs for the needs of someone else?
Is it the ability to compromise for a mutual benefit?
Or is it simply just "keeping on" when you feel weak, tired or like you can't continue?
Is it one of these or all these? And how do you know what and when?
When are you being "true to yourself" and not being selfish?
When is it bending with the strength to not break for the good of someone else or just giving in to someone else will?
Is it staying "true" to yourself" when you're being pushed another way. Is it standing up for what you believe in or for your own wants, needs, or desires in the face of opposition?
Is it "bending" without breaking for the benefit of someone else. Strong enough to put aside your own needs for the needs of someone else?
Is it the ability to compromise for a mutual benefit?
Or is it simply just "keeping on" when you feel weak, tired or like you can't continue?
Is it one of these or all these? And how do you know what and when?
When are you being "true to yourself" and not being selfish?
When is it bending with the strength to not break for the good of someone else or just giving in to someone else will?
- “Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out.”
- Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.
- Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as true strength.
- When I discover who I am, I'll be free.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
- All that we are is the result of what we have thought.
- Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair but manifestations of strength and resolution. ~
Thursday, September 2, 2010
"Thin Places"
Yesterday I was "running"ha ha, in the morning on the canal that backs up to our house. It was about 6:00am and there was a cool breeze blowing. I noticed the sound of the leaves rustling and the way the light reflected off them. I looked at the ripples the breeze created on the water in the canal with the light dancing off them. It was beautiful and peaceful. I was thinking about why. Why did the simple breeze, water and leaves seem so beautiful to me? Why did they create a feeling of peace and calm in me? Maybe it's because these things are of nature and that the light and spirit of God is in them. Something so simple as a cool breeze rustling the leaves of a tree can be so calming and connect us more to ourselves if we take the time to experience it.
That morning was Sept 2nd. Its now Sept 27 and I have just read a chapter in the current book I'm reading.
The Chapter is called Thin Places Opening the Heart. "Thin Places" is a metaphor from Celtic Christianity that began in the fifth century. It's a way of thinking about God that sees God as "the More," as the encompassing Spirit in which everything is. God is not somewhere else, but "right here" This way of thinking affirms that there are minimally two layers or dimensions of reality, the visible world of our ordinary experience and God, the sacred, Spirit.
One of the authors favorite quotations expressing this understanding of God is from Thomas Merton, a twentieth-century Trappist monk:
"Life is simple. We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent, and God is shining through it all the time. This is not just a fable or a nice story. It is true. If we abandon ourselves to God and forget ourselves, we see it sometimes, and we see it maybe frequently. God shows Himself everywhere, in everything-in people, and in things and in nature and in events. It becomes very obvious that God is everywhere and in everything and we cannot be without Him. It's impossible. The only thing is that we don't see it."
The author says occasionally we do "see it", do experience God shining through everything.
"Thin Places" are places where these two levels of reality meet or intersect. He goes on to say that a thin place is anywhere our hearts are opened. A thin place is a means of grace. He says there are many kinds of thin places for example nature, especially wilderness areas, music, poetry, literature, the visual arts, and dance can all become thin places in which the boundary between one's self and the world momentarily disappears.
Wow! This reminds me of that morning I wrote about on Sept 2nd and about so many other moments! It's cool.
There's more about it in the book but one key thing is that the spirit of God operates through "thin places" to open hearts.
That morning was Sept 2nd. Its now Sept 27 and I have just read a chapter in the current book I'm reading.
The Chapter is called Thin Places Opening the Heart. "Thin Places" is a metaphor from Celtic Christianity that began in the fifth century. It's a way of thinking about God that sees God as "the More," as the encompassing Spirit in which everything is. God is not somewhere else, but "right here" This way of thinking affirms that there are minimally two layers or dimensions of reality, the visible world of our ordinary experience and God, the sacred, Spirit.
One of the authors favorite quotations expressing this understanding of God is from Thomas Merton, a twentieth-century Trappist monk:
"Life is simple. We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent, and God is shining through it all the time. This is not just a fable or a nice story. It is true. If we abandon ourselves to God and forget ourselves, we see it sometimes, and we see it maybe frequently. God shows Himself everywhere, in everything-in people, and in things and in nature and in events. It becomes very obvious that God is everywhere and in everything and we cannot be without Him. It's impossible. The only thing is that we don't see it."
The author says occasionally we do "see it", do experience God shining through everything.
"Thin Places" are places where these two levels of reality meet or intersect. He goes on to say that a thin place is anywhere our hearts are opened. A thin place is a means of grace. He says there are many kinds of thin places for example nature, especially wilderness areas, music, poetry, literature, the visual arts, and dance can all become thin places in which the boundary between one's self and the world momentarily disappears.
Wow! This reminds me of that morning I wrote about on Sept 2nd and about so many other moments! It's cool.
There's more about it in the book but one key thing is that the spirit of God operates through "thin places" to open hearts.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
So I was flipping the channels the other nite and I stumbled upon HBO's broadcast of the Rock and Roll hall of fame 25th anniversary.
U2 was the "house band" and they did the following number. Wow! Bono and Mick. (Ferggie's in there too.) This is just a utube clip. It doesn't do it justice. The DVD comes out in September.
Love the BONO and Mick what can you say. Nobody moves like Mick!
U2 was the "house band" and they did the following number. Wow! Bono and Mick. (Ferggie's in there too.) This is just a utube clip. It doesn't do it justice. The DVD comes out in September.
Love the BONO and Mick what can you say. Nobody moves like Mick!
Monday, August 23, 2010
"What's the end game?"
So I've been thinking about expanding the "viewability" of this blog and I was getting close to just making it open so anyone who wanted to read could; I mean really, how many people would be interested in reading it anyway! So I was getting brave and getting close to opening it up when I asked someone what they thought. This person said well "What's the end game?" I said, "There isn't an end game." Well what's the point of it? are you connecting it to your work? or anything? I said no. It's personal. Nothing to do with work. Then what's it about? and what's the point of doing it if you don't put it out there?
This got me to thinking why am I doing it? Why does anyone do it? Some to promote their business or to give information or create a business.
Some say it's about a need for validation, or Ego or the Freudian "id"That sounds bad!
So far for me it's just been thoughts, kind of like a journal but usually journals are kept private.
So I've been thinking about this.
For me I think it's about connection and sharing.
Sharing of thoughts, music, feelings- anything and what it's all like at "wineoclock" uninhibited and loopy! Also, maybe validation, but sharing and validation require replies and comments and more thoughts than mine and since I only have two people who can read it that's not happening too much.
So........
Maybe I could open it up and have additional authors that can post their wineoclock thoughts.
I don't know. Even now it's hard for me to click "post"
So I've been thinking about expanding the "viewability" of this blog and I was getting close to just making it open so anyone who wanted to read could; I mean really, how many people would be interested in reading it anyway! So I was getting brave and getting close to opening it up when I asked someone what they thought. This person said well "What's the end game?" I said, "There isn't an end game." Well what's the point of it? are you connecting it to your work? or anything? I said no. It's personal. Nothing to do with work. Then what's it about? and what's the point of doing it if you don't put it out there?
This got me to thinking why am I doing it? Why does anyone do it? Some to promote their business or to give information or create a business.
Some say it's about a need for validation, or Ego or the Freudian "id"That sounds bad!
So far for me it's just been thoughts, kind of like a journal but usually journals are kept private.
So I've been thinking about this.
For me I think it's about connection and sharing.
Sharing of thoughts, music, feelings- anything and what it's all like at "wineoclock" uninhibited and loopy! Also, maybe validation, but sharing and validation require replies and comments and more thoughts than mine and since I only have two people who can read it that's not happening too much.
So........
Maybe I could open it up and have additional authors that can post their wineoclock thoughts.
I don't know. Even now it's hard for me to click "post"
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Bridge over Troubled Water
I'm reading a book called "Belong to Me " by Marisa de los Santos. It's about what it means for one human being to belong to another. (I know this cause I read it on the jacket cover!)
I just came to a part where one of the main characters, Piper, a woman caring for her best friend Elizabeth, who is dying of cancer listens to her most beloved, best friend in the world sing a lullaby to her two young children. It's the same one she's always sung and now barley has the strength to do. It's "bridge over troubled water" by Simon and Garfunkel. Piper recalls how familiar the song was and how she couldn't believe all the years she spent not realizing that it was about motherhood. I can't believe all the years I've spent not seeing the same thing. It's such a beautiful song and is really be about many different kinds of relationships but I didn't see it in that light. Did you?
I think we all "belong" to many people in our lives and in many important ways. Sometimes in ways we aren't even aware of. That's one reason why I'm not so sure about the agreement (one of the " four agreements") "Don't take things Personal". I know it has it's usefulness. Especially when people are being (insert expletive here). People are coming from their own worlds and so are we. I believe It's in the intersection of the worlds, in the connection of our worlds that we find love, joy, happiness and yes pain, anger, regret, and hurt. I'm not sure if you can separate any of it. Maybe you can if seek to understand the other persons world and accept that it's where they live and have some empathy for them if it's painful all the while accepting that you're world remains as well.
That's a tall order! and yes the wine is flowing. I'm on vacation!
I just came to a part where one of the main characters, Piper, a woman caring for her best friend Elizabeth, who is dying of cancer listens to her most beloved, best friend in the world sing a lullaby to her two young children. It's the same one she's always sung and now barley has the strength to do. It's "bridge over troubled water" by Simon and Garfunkel. Piper recalls how familiar the song was and how she couldn't believe all the years she spent not realizing that it was about motherhood. I can't believe all the years I've spent not seeing the same thing. It's such a beautiful song and is really be about many different kinds of relationships but I didn't see it in that light. Did you?
I think we all "belong" to many people in our lives and in many important ways. Sometimes in ways we aren't even aware of. That's one reason why I'm not so sure about the agreement (one of the " four agreements") "Don't take things Personal". I know it has it's usefulness. Especially when people are being (insert expletive here). People are coming from their own worlds and so are we. I believe It's in the intersection of the worlds, in the connection of our worlds that we find love, joy, happiness and yes pain, anger, regret, and hurt. I'm not sure if you can separate any of it. Maybe you can if seek to understand the other persons world and accept that it's where they live and have some empathy for them if it's painful all the while accepting that you're world remains as well.
That's a tall order! and yes the wine is flowing. I'm on vacation!
Simon And Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water Lyrics
When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all
I'm on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all
I'm on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Grace
I was listening to my ipod on the plane home Sunday from the Dallas market and "Grace" by U2 came on. It's such a beautiful song. The lyrics are so poetic (here's the wineo'clock coming out). I came home and found the lyrics. I wish I could figure out how to get a music player on here!
Here's the lyrics anyway. If you don't have the song already I recommended you buy it!
U2 Lyrics - GraceGrace
She takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name
Grace
It's a name for a girl
It's also a thought that changed the world
And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness in everything
Grace, she's got the walk
Not on a ramp or on chalk
She's got the time to talk
She travels outside of karma
She travels outside of karma
When she goes to work
You can hear her strings
Grace finds beauty in everything
Grace, she carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips between her fingertips
She carries a pearl in perfect condition
What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings
Because grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things
Grace makes beauty out of ugly things
I JUST LOVE BONO!
Robin
Music: U2
Lyrics: Bono
Synthesizers/programming: Brian Eno
Additional Guitar: Daniel Lanois
Produced by: Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno
Engineered by: Richard Rainey and Alex Haas
Assisted by: Chris Heaney
Mixed by: Brian Eno
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Monday 5-3-2010
Ok so I've changed the name of the the blog to wine o'clock thoughts per your suggestion Shelly I hope all my followers will be able to see it still Ha Ha. Send me a comment if you see this new post then I will know it's working.
Today I had one of those days where you live in your head. You know when you're with yourself most of the day and the thoughts are non-stop. When you're trying to solve a problem you have no control over. When you play the "what if" game. "what if I would have done that, what if they wouldn't have done that or did this instead. what if i do this. will they do that or THAT. oh no not that. I shouldn't have done that. How could they have done that. why don't they do this. then comes the self pity. how could they have done that, it's not right, what about me, blah, blah, blah, BLAH!
According to Elizabeth Gilbert in the book Eat, Pray, Love.( I liked the eat part, loved the pray part, hated the love part) the Buddhists called it the "monkey mind" "the thoughts that swing form limb to limb, stopping only to scratch themselves, spit and howl." Can you dig it! Now, she's talking about an experience of trying to meditate but I experience it wide awake walking around!
Joyce Meyer says to "knock it off." Stop it"
So I will. Finally. Maybe next time I'll stop it sooner and then next time sooner, and the next time sooner, till I can stop it before it gets going too fast to take me on the swinging ride with the spiting monkey.
Not swinging from the trees.
rob
Tuesday 5-4-2010
This song came on my ipod during my jog this morning. Perfect Timing!
Nada Surf: Always Love
To make a mountain of your life
Is just a choice
But I never learned enough
To listen to the voice that told me
Always love Hate will get you every time
Always love Don't wait til the finish line
Slow demands come 'round
Squeeze the air and keep the rest out
It helps to write it down
Even when you then cross it out
But Always Love Hate will get you every time
Always Love Even when you wanna fight
Self-directed lives
I want to know what it'd be like to
Aim so high above
Any card that you've been dealt, you...
Always Love Hate will get you every time
Always Love Hate will get you...
I've been held back by something
Yeah. You said to me quietly on the stairs,
I've been held back by something
Yeah. You said to me quietly on the stairs.
You said
Hey, you good ones.
Hey, you good ones.
To make a mountain of your life
Is just a choice
But I never learned enough
To listen to the voice that told me...
Always love hate will get you every time
Always love hate will get you?
I've been held back by something
Yeah, You said to me quietly on the stairs,
I've been held back by something
Yeah, You said to me quietly on the stairs
You said..
Hey, you good ones
Hey, you good ones
Hey, you good ones
I'm aiming high today.
Rob
Ok so I've changed the name of the the blog to wine o'clock thoughts per your suggestion Shelly I hope all my followers will be able to see it still Ha Ha. Send me a comment if you see this new post then I will know it's working.
Today I had one of those days where you live in your head. You know when you're with yourself most of the day and the thoughts are non-stop. When you're trying to solve a problem you have no control over. When you play the "what if" game. "what if I would have done that, what if they wouldn't have done that or did this instead. what if i do this. will they do that or THAT. oh no not that. I shouldn't have done that. How could they have done that. why don't they do this. then comes the self pity. how could they have done that, it's not right, what about me, blah, blah, blah, BLAH!
According to Elizabeth Gilbert in the book Eat, Pray, Love.( I liked the eat part, loved the pray part, hated the love part) the Buddhists called it the "monkey mind" "the thoughts that swing form limb to limb, stopping only to scratch themselves, spit and howl." Can you dig it! Now, she's talking about an experience of trying to meditate but I experience it wide awake walking around!
Joyce Meyer says to "knock it off." Stop it"
So I will. Finally. Maybe next time I'll stop it sooner and then next time sooner, and the next time sooner, till I can stop it before it gets going too fast to take me on the swinging ride with the spiting monkey.
Not swinging from the trees.
rob
Tuesday 5-4-2010
This song came on my ipod during my jog this morning. Perfect Timing!
Nada Surf: Always Love
To make a mountain of your life
Is just a choice
But I never learned enough
To listen to the voice that told me
Always love Hate will get you every time
Always love Don't wait til the finish line
Slow demands come 'round
Squeeze the air and keep the rest out
It helps to write it down
Even when you then cross it out
But Always Love Hate will get you every time
Always Love Even when you wanna fight
Self-directed lives
I want to know what it'd be like to
Aim so high above
Any card that you've been dealt, you...
Always Love Hate will get you every time
Always Love Hate will get you...
I've been held back by something
Yeah. You said to me quietly on the stairs,
I've been held back by something
Yeah. You said to me quietly on the stairs.
You said
Hey, you good ones.
Hey, you good ones.
To make a mountain of your life
Is just a choice
But I never learned enough
To listen to the voice that told me...
Always love hate will get you every time
Always love hate will get you?
I've been held back by something
Yeah, You said to me quietly on the stairs,
I've been held back by something
Yeah, You said to me quietly on the stairs
You said..
Hey, you good ones
Hey, you good ones
Hey, you good ones
I'm aiming high today.
Rob
Sunday, April 25, 2010
The shack(it's a book if you didn't know)
Relationship
The trinity in relationship
not power, not a hierarchy
free will
choice
love
We have a choice always. ch0ose love,
peace out.
rob
The trinity in relationship
not power, not a hierarchy
free will
choice
love
We have a choice always. ch0ose love,
peace out.
rob
people you work with
you spend possibly a third of your life with people you work with. If you're fortunate you like most of them. At the very least, you can appreciate who they are and their uniquesness. So these are the thoughts I had after a recent appreciation dinner where one of our long time 18 year associates retired.
people
connection
appreciation
respect
love.
wine oclock thoughts
Rob
people
connection
appreciation
respect
love.
wine oclock thoughts
Rob
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Ok so here's my wine o'clock blog. I think there is a "space between" where the wine takes you. Maybe between the right and left brain where you are more of yourself. Yourself amplified. I've been reading a book " My stroke of insight by Jill Bolte Taylor that talks about the right brain. Very interesting reading.
This blog started with my very super special friend Shelly telling me I should blog what I was telling her. It started with wine o'clock thoughts. So here they are.
Feb 29, 2010
Unconditional Love. The end.
March 2-2010
One life, one time, one gift.
Freedom
This is what I wrote.
Must go now,
Amos Lee is calling
Rob
This blog started with my very super special friend Shelly telling me I should blog what I was telling her. It started with wine o'clock thoughts. So here they are.
Feb 29, 2010
Unconditional Love. The end.
March 2-2010
One life, one time, one gift.
Freedom
This is what I wrote.
Must go now,
Amos Lee is calling
Rob
Hey Shelly,
Well I started a blog just for you! I don't think I'm a natural blogger. I'm a fraidy cat! so I don't know if how this will go. I did want to give you the secret to happiness though that we talked about the other night. According to The "Reb" who is the Rabbi in Mitch Albom's book have a little faith, a true story, it is as follows
"Be satisfied."
"Be grateful"
"For what you have. For the love you receive. And for what God has given you."
That's it.
So I don't think that's really a blog. It's probably an email. We'll see. Maybe the next time it's "wine o'clock" I'll be brave and blog what we talked about.
Rob
Well I started a blog just for you! I don't think I'm a natural blogger. I'm a fraidy cat! so I don't know if how this will go. I did want to give you the secret to happiness though that we talked about the other night. According to The "Reb" who is the Rabbi in Mitch Albom's book have a little faith, a true story, it is as follows
"Be satisfied."
"Be grateful"
"For what you have. For the love you receive. And for what God has given you."
That's it.
So I don't think that's really a blog. It's probably an email. We'll see. Maybe the next time it's "wine o'clock" I'll be brave and blog what we talked about.
Rob
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