I attended a free concert tonight put on by our local library. The performers were the New York Chamber Soloists. I was pleased that my seven year old son enjoyed the performance. I was soothed by the music after a long day at work. My older daughter enjoyed herself as well.
The point is that listening to a small group of talented musicians was a very enjoyable experience and relaxing. I recently acquired a violin in the hopes that one of our kids would show interest in learning to play as we have a friend who will teach them for free. Instead, I am in negotiations to learn to play.
I am seeing it more and more as something that my family will need in the future. Whether it is piano, violin, drums, fiddle, guitar, or another instrument that you may play, the fact that you could provide entertainment for not only yourself, but also for family, friends, or those who are down and out, is a blessing to be shared.
I am beginning to truly believe that it will be very important to have those skills to share.
- Mark
Value is based on perception.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Mental Preparation
How well do we prepare for unforeseen events that are not catastrophic but are sometimes hard to endure? I was reminded of this today as I sat in major traffic jams going to and from work.
The first was in the midst of light snow and icy conditions as the highway patrol extricated a semi that had jack-knifed and was blocking the pass to the next valley. Sitting several miles from the accident and creeping along, I had to keep reminding myself that I was trying to work on patience and that I needed to relax and just wait until things got moving. I had classical music playing on the radio and thought about more important matters than how delayed I was.
Coming home, I had left work early for an arranged date with my wife but was once again held up due to a major pile-up between a couple of semis and several cars. By the time I hit the backup, I was still miles away from the accident site. I knew it was going to be a long crawl home. I again reminded myself to be patient and enjoyed the music.
By the time I got home, I was too tired for the special outing we had planned, so we changed our plans and went out for a quiet dinner together. Though the evening wasn't the special event we had planned, it was still a nice time together. Despite the difficulties, my attitude had helped to slavage what could have been a terrible day.
If we aren't preparing ourselves to deal with disappointment and trials, we will not have the mental strength to say, "It's OK. I'll go on despite this." How are you trying to prepare yourself?
- Mark
Value is based on perception.
The first was in the midst of light snow and icy conditions as the highway patrol extricated a semi that had jack-knifed and was blocking the pass to the next valley. Sitting several miles from the accident and creeping along, I had to keep reminding myself that I was trying to work on patience and that I needed to relax and just wait until things got moving. I had classical music playing on the radio and thought about more important matters than how delayed I was.
Coming home, I had left work early for an arranged date with my wife but was once again held up due to a major pile-up between a couple of semis and several cars. By the time I hit the backup, I was still miles away from the accident site. I knew it was going to be a long crawl home. I again reminded myself to be patient and enjoyed the music.
By the time I got home, I was too tired for the special outing we had planned, so we changed our plans and went out for a quiet dinner together. Though the evening wasn't the special event we had planned, it was still a nice time together. Despite the difficulties, my attitude had helped to slavage what could have been a terrible day.
If we aren't preparing ourselves to deal with disappointment and trials, we will not have the mental strength to say, "It's OK. I'll go on despite this." How are you trying to prepare yourself?
- Mark
Value is based on perception.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Vacuum Canning and You
My wife got a great introduction to vacuum canning last month. If you want to make your nuts, chocolate chips, candy bars, dehydrated fruit and much more stay fresh for at least a year, vacuum canning may be for you. It takes a FoodSaver and a jar sealer for the FoodSaver along with a mason jar and lid.
My wife and I have been putting up almonds, dried peaches, candy bars, dried bananas, chocolate chips, marshmallows and bubble gum with a lot more on our list like dried herbs. The idea that we have long term storage of some of these items is comforting to us to know that we will have something put up for our family, no matter how economically stressing times may become.
- Mark
Value is based on perception.
My wife and I have been putting up almonds, dried peaches, candy bars, dried bananas, chocolate chips, marshmallows and bubble gum with a lot more on our list like dried herbs. The idea that we have long term storage of some of these items is comforting to us to know that we will have something put up for our family, no matter how economically stressing times may become.
- Mark
Value is based on perception.
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