I guess I'm a people watcher. Not that I like to go to the mall and watch people, more like I just observe their behavior.
And weird things always seem to happen in front of me.
They are renting the downstairs apartment in our house. My window over the kitchen sink looks out to the driveway. So, I'm looking out the window washing dishes in the middle of the day.
And a guy in a white jimmy drives up, gets out, lets his dog out and starts looking around. The apartment is one of those weird numbers- 139 1/2 - not A or B or downstairs-- and it's not well marked so we get lots of people asking us where it is (or just walking into our house, but that's another story).
The guy starts walking toward the backyard. He shuffles his feet and watches his dog. Then he just calls his dog, loads up and leaves.
For real. He pulled into our driveway, let his dog out to his business and LEFT.
And I have all these thoughts and I really want to march out there and ask him. They keep bouncing around in my head. Like; hello! at least pick up the poop will you? do you really think that's socially acceptable? do you do this often? why did you chose our house? Is something wrong with you?
I'm not sure I wouldn't come off condescending and rude, but still....
I told my friend, who lives further down the street, about this incident. I thought it was pretty weird,and at least something to laugh out. But she comes up with all these things that would have made it okay. Like, maybe he knew the neighbors, (that they don't live there anymore). Or maybe he owned the property or maybe he use to live here.
Would it really still be okay? Really, is that kind of behavior ever okay?
Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Journals. Part 2.
Part 2: Benefits.
I found this article really insightful about the benefits of keeping a journal. Did you know keeping a journal can:
- help you deal with emotional pressures
- can also be a tool for self-evaluation and self-improvement.
- experiences gain validity by being recorded.
This article, names more benefits of journaling. Scott says,
"Journaling allows people to clarify their thoughts and feelings, thereby gaining valuable self-knowledge. It’s also a good problem-solving tool; oftentimes, one can hash out a problem and come up with solutions more easily on paper. Journaling about traumatic events helps one process them by fully exploring and releasing the emotions involved, and by engaging both hemispheres of the brain in the process, allowing the experience to become fully integrated in one’s mind.
As for the health benefits of journaling, they've been scientifically proven. Research shows the following:
•Journaling decreases the symptoms of asthma, arthritis, and other health conditions.
•It improves cognitive functioning.
•It strengthens the immune system, preventing a host of illnesses.
•It counteracts many of the negative effects of stress."
Pretty cool if you ask me.
I found this article really insightful about the benefits of keeping a journal. Did you know keeping a journal can:
- help you deal with emotional pressures
- can also be a tool for self-evaluation and self-improvement.
- experiences gain validity by being recorded.
This article, names more benefits of journaling. Scott says,
"Journaling allows people to clarify their thoughts and feelings, thereby gaining valuable self-knowledge. It’s also a good problem-solving tool; oftentimes, one can hash out a problem and come up with solutions more easily on paper. Journaling about traumatic events helps one process them by fully exploring and releasing the emotions involved, and by engaging both hemispheres of the brain in the process, allowing the experience to become fully integrated in one’s mind.
As for the health benefits of journaling, they've been scientifically proven. Research shows the following:
•Journaling decreases the symptoms of asthma, arthritis, and other health conditions.
•It improves cognitive functioning.
•It strengthens the immune system, preventing a host of illnesses.
•It counteracts many of the negative effects of stress."
Pretty cool if you ask me.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Journals. Part 1
JOURNALS.
PART 1: Background Information
Michael and I maintain journals,though neither one of us is really consistent at it. Michael told me, he dreads it because he feels like he has so much "catching up" to do. I'm better, but I feel like I'm missing a lot. See, I have a stack of about 4 journals -- one for my goals, one fore scripture reading, one as personal journal and one as a family journal. Our family blog helps because many times it acts like a family journal and I try to post 1-2 times a week. But it's overwelming to try and keep 4 journals! I honestly keep them in 3 different books, but I've thought about going to a "all-in-one" method but I wonder if that would be too messy for me.
As much as I love to take pen to paper and just write, I don't find myself doing it like I should to keep all those journals the way I should. But each type of journal is important to me. So, here's an overview of the types of journals I have been keeping and I think I will continue in these areas.
Personal HistoryWe decided we really wanted to work on our personal histories. During a sunday school lesson, one man shared how he does his personal history. He started by brainstorming a timeline of his life.. just major events that had happened. This started out as sort of a Table of Contents. Then, each Sunday he would take one of those events and write about it. If he remembered any other events, he would keep adding to that timeline and keep writing about them. He said it took awhile, but soon he felt like he had a good personal history,but he continues to add to it. Our goal is start on our personal histories, and start a family history this way. Wouldn't that be neat to have on your parents? or grandparents? I want this for my prosperity to know who I am, the world I live in, and to learn from me and my experience. I also want to start/continue this for my children. My mom made me a baby book, and it is one of the best resources to find out about me as a baby. I'd love this for my children and maybe something a little more.
Scripture Study or Tender Mercies Journal
I saw this article on sugardoodle.net, and absolutely loved her journals. It made me feel guilty, and yet gave me like a glimpse of what could be, yet I know I will never be that neat and clean and cute and organized. My brain jumps all over the place and my handwriting is sloppy trying to catch up. (randomly did you know I can type one thing and be talking about another?) I started a scripture study journal when I was in seminary, it was helpful to me mostly just because my mind goes a mile and minute and I had a hard time concentrating on my scripture study, but having to journal about it- even just summarize it- engaged my mind. I just think that if I could engage my mind like and come out with something like her journals. I would be way more spirtualized. I also mesh my 'tender mercies' or just a record of the way I have found the Lord blessing my life and my family and the way the Holy Ghost promopts, comforts and guides me with my scripture journal. I find this extremely important to building my testimony because it helps me remember those moments.
Goals
I also keep a journal about my goals. Really. I'm not always as self-motivated as I seem. One day, I decided what I really motivates me is accountability. So, to make many of my personal goals more accountable, I started to write them down, track my progress and accomplishment. Some of these goals are very easy; like lose 5 lbs, keep the house cleaner. Some are not so easy; like be more compassionate, be a better mother or wife. Either way it helps me break them down and be accountable daily for my goals. Maybe one day I will get to be the person I want to be...
Dear Readers,
What journals do you keep? Why?
Anymore you would suggest? Any I can do without?
Do you keep yours in seperate books or are you all-in-one?
PART 1: Background Information
Michael and I maintain journals,though neither one of us is really consistent at it. Michael told me, he dreads it because he feels like he has so much "catching up" to do. I'm better, but I feel like I'm missing a lot. See, I have a stack of about 4 journals -- one for my goals, one fore scripture reading, one as personal journal and one as a family journal. Our family blog helps because many times it acts like a family journal and I try to post 1-2 times a week. But it's overwelming to try and keep 4 journals! I honestly keep them in 3 different books, but I've thought about going to a "all-in-one" method but I wonder if that would be too messy for me.
As much as I love to take pen to paper and just write, I don't find myself doing it like I should to keep all those journals the way I should. But each type of journal is important to me. So, here's an overview of the types of journals I have been keeping and I think I will continue in these areas.
Personal HistoryWe decided we really wanted to work on our personal histories. During a sunday school lesson, one man shared how he does his personal history. He started by brainstorming a timeline of his life.. just major events that had happened. This started out as sort of a Table of Contents. Then, each Sunday he would take one of those events and write about it. If he remembered any other events, he would keep adding to that timeline and keep writing about them. He said it took awhile, but soon he felt like he had a good personal history,but he continues to add to it. Our goal is start on our personal histories, and start a family history this way. Wouldn't that be neat to have on your parents? or grandparents? I want this for my prosperity to know who I am, the world I live in, and to learn from me and my experience. I also want to start/continue this for my children. My mom made me a baby book, and it is one of the best resources to find out about me as a baby. I'd love this for my children and maybe something a little more.
Scripture Study or Tender Mercies Journal
I saw this article on sugardoodle.net, and absolutely loved her journals. It made me feel guilty, and yet gave me like a glimpse of what could be, yet I know I will never be that neat and clean and cute and organized. My brain jumps all over the place and my handwriting is sloppy trying to catch up. (randomly did you know I can type one thing and be talking about another?) I started a scripture study journal when I was in seminary, it was helpful to me mostly just because my mind goes a mile and minute and I had a hard time concentrating on my scripture study, but having to journal about it- even just summarize it- engaged my mind. I just think that if I could engage my mind like and come out with something like her journals. I would be way more spirtualized. I also mesh my 'tender mercies' or just a record of the way I have found the Lord blessing my life and my family and the way the Holy Ghost promopts, comforts and guides me with my scripture journal. I find this extremely important to building my testimony because it helps me remember those moments.
Goals
I also keep a journal about my goals. Really. I'm not always as self-motivated as I seem. One day, I decided what I really motivates me is accountability. So, to make many of my personal goals more accountable, I started to write them down, track my progress and accomplishment. Some of these goals are very easy; like lose 5 lbs, keep the house cleaner. Some are not so easy; like be more compassionate, be a better mother or wife. Either way it helps me break them down and be accountable daily for my goals. Maybe one day I will get to be the person I want to be...
Dear Readers,
What journals do you keep? Why?
Anymore you would suggest? Any I can do without?
Do you keep yours in seperate books or are you all-in-one?
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