to slow down

As I was contemplating what I could write today, I thought about how fast paced my life is right now. I thought about how crazy Mondays can be as the week gets started with a jolt. And I imagine many of you are running around as much as I am with trying to fit the daily writing in on top of all the other stuff going on. So I want to share something that helps me slow down a bit when life is running me over.

I listen to music. Not just any music though. It has to have a calming effect. Maybe you do that too?

For today, we shall have a little listening exercise. I know you probably don't have a lot of time, so I'll  keep it short, but I want you to just try it. Who knows? Maybe you'll hate my taste in music. But it can't hurt to try it out. Maybe we can all partake of a deep breath together, a slice of slow to savor.

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no games

Do you ever want to slice about something, but you don't all at the same time? I wonder if I just write this much, and you will get my meaning. 

My life is as free of game-playing as I can muster, yet I keep on getting shoved back into the game no matter what I do to stay out. It's just so irritating. Kind of like this superbly vague slice of life I've been writing. 

I can't stand it when other people go off on these rants that are so vague no one knows what they are reading/supporting/rejecting. It's pathetic. Well—call me pathetic, I guess. And a hypocrite. haha. 

I'm just worn out by it all, but I don't want to say so much that I tattoo these feelings onto my heart. I'm all done with that mess, and that's what I'm entirely in charge of. No more games with this heart if I can help it. 

Also, sorry about being pathetically vague! 

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humbled

I've not kept my struggles too much of a secret here, but I want to share a slice more.

Life has been tough financially because of the way the divorce went—to say the least. And so I'm trying to find ways to dig my way out of this fog of constant financial worry. I don't want to be a beggar forever. I want to go places and help others and be more free to get old and take care of myself.

Long story short (because this is a slice, not a book), I shared my needs with a friend, and she went out and rallied her troops to come help me. There will be people helping me who I do not know because of her generous heart. I feel anxious about strangers helping, but at the same time, the blessing that this is, the answer to prayers that this is, cannot be ignored.

I am completely humbled and thankful and in awe that someone would tap into their network to help me.

I'll probably write a follow up slice about how it goes. We shall see…

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light bringers

Thinking about light right now, its presence and absence, and I immediately consider the people who bring it. 

You know, there are just some people who, no matter what's going on, light up your day with a word or a smile. Their presence makes life better. Their absence does the opposite. They simply have something about them that lifts your spirits. I wonder if I'm ever that person for others. I can be so hard on myself that I don't dare say I am one, but I can always hope that I make a positive difference shining my light as brightly as I can and do as a teacher, mother, friend, sister, neighbor, and so on. Being part of the light in people's lives is invaluable to me. 

A couple of questions to ponder: 

Who are the people who bring light for you? Are you a light bringer? 

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every little thing

For the past six months or so, I've had a recurring dream of sorts. I can recall it happening three or four times at least. I didn't think much of it until it happened again last week after sharing my thoughts about writing every day in March. In the moment as I awoke, I felt so thankful for my subconscious trying to help calm my anxiety. I guess I even try to help myself out in my sleep! 

So anyway, it's just a couple of phrases from the song "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley running through my head over and over until I wake up.  "Don't worry about a thing…every little thing's gonna be alright." This message is vital to understand even without my brain trying to hit the message home while I sleep. 

Worrying isn't the same as pondering with a purpose to help yourself or others. And worrying does nothing to make life better. When you stop to think about it, worrying is plain old self-destruction. I'm not typically a big Bob Marley fan, but the smooth groove of this song has always made me smile. And now there's even more reason to love it. 

Looking ahead, these thirty-one days of writing slices of this treasured life of mine should be filled with watching for how everything is going to be alright. I want to show myself some compassion and try to remember to focus my perspective in this direction. 

I look forward to your comments and slices too. Don't forget to put your slice of life links in the comments or just write a comment to share! This month is about connecting and sharing!