Wednesday, June 13, 2007

BIG LAUGHS...

That's me, not really caring what anybody thinks of my goofy face! Today is my birthday, you see, and I figure I've come to a stage in my life where what other people think just isn't that important. It's not such a bad place to be. As you might have guessed. I'm 40, today, and I'm pleased as punch to be here. As you might also have guessed.

I just loved Crater Lake, Oregon. Such quietude I've never known. It gets very quiet here on the prairie, in the winter, but there is always the wind or a distant train filling the air with...something! In the summer there are bug noises and birds singing. At Crater Lake, during the evening hours... nothing. Just the sound of your own breathing to keep you company. You can feel really, really small in a place like that and you can't help but to think about life on a much grander scale than just the piddly things that you were thinking were oh-so-important. Certainly puts things in perspective.

But then I got to thinking... yeah, I know, it's dangerous. But why can't we create an inner place of quietude where we can sit and... do nothing. Just breath and regroup our priorities. Take a look at where we're headed and if we really want to go there and maybe what it would take to change directions. I've always said that life is more than scenery. I haven't found a place, yet, that didn't have some sort of beauty of it's own. So really, it shouldn't be the scenery, or the place we are standing in, that motivates us to think about what's really important, but the space we've created, within. We are masters of our own inner universe and we can make things in there any way we want. That's a powerful thought. We are the only ones accountable for how we react to the things going on around us. Yes, other people and circumstances affect us, but we are responsible for how we react and the space inside is the reference to that. If my space inside is full of clutter and noise, well, of course I'm gonna be overwhelmed by little external things and find it very difficult to handle even small upsets. But if I am somehow able to set aside the racket of negative thoughts and feelings and keep my space clear, than I might be more able to set aside unimportant negative influences and cherish those sweet sounds of all the good things in my life. Well, it seemed like a clear thought at the time- though not nearly as clear and deep as that lake up there!

14 comments:

Pamela (Peni) Teel said...

You're VERY WISE for JUST 40!!! I'm happy you're here, too. XOXO Mama

McIrish Annie said...

Wise beyond your puny 40 years!! (says the lady with almost 50 under her belt)LOL.

Happy Birthday!!! and many more. Your blog and your life on the praire are a joy to read about, and of course, the quilting!!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Happy 40! I just love that picture of you - and look at the scenery! Wow, I would love to go there!

Isobel said...

Happy birthday, sweetie. I can't believe you are 40.

marisa said...

happy birthday to you.
My birthday was on june 10th.I'm 48.Ciao from Italy

Angie said...

Happy, happy birthday, Nines!! That's a lovely picture of you! Such a warm, sweet, engaging smile you have!! :D You're cute as a button!

QuiltingFitzy said...

Happy, happy Birthday!

Darcie said...

HAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPPYYYYYYYYY BIIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRTHDAAAAAAAAAAAY TOOOOOOOOO YOUUUUUUUU!!!

Such tranquility running through you! Such wisdom. Such soul. That's so you!

All of yours and Sarah's talk about your birthday bash...and not ONCE did I ask when it was!!! Sheesh.

teelduo said...

I wanna go to Oregon just to take pictures! JUST BEAUTIFUL!

OXOX
Happy Birthday sis

Anonymous said...

Have a VERY happy birthday!

Saska said...

Happy Happy Birthday!

Unknown said...

Happy belated birthday!!! Hope it was great!
God bless :)

atet said...

Perfectly clear thought to me -- Happy B-day!

Carol E. said...

Wow! Recently there was a sermon at church on this same topic. I like the way you expressed it better! May you enjoy another 40+ years of happiness and sweet sounds of all the good things in life.