Positivity – Page 6 – downtoearthpositive

Rebel of a Man

My Great-Grandfather, Mr. George Bunting was an intriguing man. I wish that I could travel back in time to meet him. He served in the United States Navy during the Spanish American War. I am fortunate to have a few of his log books, filled with meticulous notes of what foods and items were used in the ship’s galley. He also kept a personal diary of the ship’s journeys, mostly port to port with the dates they sailed and landed. One day they came across a ship that was sinking and they took the sailors on-board, saving their lives from the treacherous sea. He was a sailor and I call him rebel but that’s not the full story!

My Great Grandfather was more than brave and adventurous, he was homesteader! After the war, he relocated his wife and five children to Montana from Maryland. Imagine with me if you will, it is around the year 1899. Times were tough and this young father hears that there may be good opportunity to settle and thrive in a distant land. I’m not sure how they got there, or how they moved their things, it may have been by horse, train, or both. What I do know is that they risked EVERYTHING to homestead. They struggled in ways that we of the 21st Century will never understand. Many years later, they lost the farm, but his son Lewis’ favorite stories came from this time of his life. I can still hear my Grandpop’s voice telling me, “You think it’s cold and snowy here in New Jersey? Well, let me tell you, the snow was so deep in Montana, we used to sled off the barn roof!” His Daddy was a rebel, but that’s not the full story!

My Great Grandfather was strong. He picked up the pieces of their broken lives and moved back east to farm near family. I know they were poor. I know they struggled. My Great Grandfather was a rebel in that he looked at the enemy of disappointment, loss and struggle smack in the face and said, “I will go on!” I’m grateful to have his DNA!

May we all find our rebel within!

Enjoying the Adventure!

Dr. Dink

Pingback: Daily Prompt

Negative Blindness

So, Yeah, I realized this morning that I have a case of negative blindness. It makes it very difficult to see, you see, and that is a good thing!

Last week I made a commitment to write about positive things. I’m just so tired of being bombarded by negative voices. These voices may be heard on the news, late night talk shows (whatever happened to comedy?), or a feed in social media. Negativity enters into many aspects of life when we are constantly hearing that voice and seeing those images. It just gets tiring, actually quite boring, reminding me of a skipping skipping vinyl record . . . blip, blip, blip. I decided to do something about it and guess what has happened in a very short time? I’m blinded! I’m having difficulty seeing it.

Consider me an optimistic cynic. I do ask questions, I do wonder what truth is, I do realize that bitching about something is perfectly normal & guess what? I’m not naive, I know that there will be plenty of time for bitching! That doesn’t necessarily take away from trying to have a more positive outlook, it just recognizes the reality of life is not a perfect rose-garden with sunshine & lollipops all the time. Shit happens & darn it, that just sucks.

One can easily get caught up in that last paragraph and be blinded from seeing beauty, grace, laughter and yes, sunshine & roses. However, wouldn’t it be wonderful if the entire world could just embrace positivity for a day? One day would lead to a week, month and so on. I like that I’m literally seeing things with a positive world-view. It changes everything.

Enjoying the Adventure & Quite Happy to Be Blinded!

Dr. Dink

Pingback: Daily Prompt: Laughter

Holding Hands with Nanos the $5 Alligator

Yes, I agree with you, it is a bit skewed to be holding hands with a $5 alligator. Nanos came to us last year, when I found him on clearance at the local market, I thought Jake might enjoy floating on him in the pool. Little did I know that Nanos would last longer than the $5 expectation.

This creature has been thrown, drug around, pounced on, hung on the wall & used as a runner in the playroom. He’s probably been peed on by the dogs too. (Don’t worry, he’s plastic, anything will wash off!)

I’ve been enjoying Nanos therapy almost every afternoon while here in Arizona. When your helping with a two year old and that two year old takes a nap . . . let me tell you, you relax too! Really, I have no guilt floating in the pool, getting a great tan. (It’s called survival of the fittest.)

Today, as I was floating, I mused over different things I’ve read, seen and experienced and I looked down & Nanos was holding my hand. Well you have to rest your hand somewhere! When I realized all the fun, relaxation and discounted therapy Nanos has brought, I found myself in a place of gratefulness. Nanos lead me to think of other things that I am grateful for too. Wow! Forget extravagance! I’ll take the $5 joy any day! I hope find your Nanos too!

Enjoying the Adventure!

Dr. Dink

Lawn Ornament?

At first I thought it was a yard ornament, but I was walking so as I passed by I noticed movement. Although I’m not a suburban girl, one thing nice about the “planned community” is the wonderful walking paths. This community in the Southwest has six foot concrete walls separating house from house, neighbor from neighbor, dog from dog and turtles from the water they long for on the other side. I wondered, how did this huge hard-shelled creature get over the two foot dividing fence between park, lake & fountains? Maybe Mr. Turtle was an adopted pet. Maybe he was a Ninja & could do parkour to get to the other side when no one was looking.

In all seriousness, it was a wonderful reprieve to stop, wait for that turtle to move again & forget the rapid pace of the world around me. Just a few streets away the morning rush hour was noisily running toward the stress of the day. I am convinced that in order to “be more positive” you must make and take the time to do so. Who knows what you might see when you do!

Enjoying the Adventure, (Because I make the time to do so!)

Dr. Dink

via Daily Prompt: Rapid

Trypophobia

I’ve been helping out my daughter for the past few weeks, she hasn’t been feeling well. So go ahead! Twist my arm & ask me to stay and play with my grandbaby, otherwise known as my heart. I forgot (30 years later) just how energetic, loving, crazy, psycho and draining a two year old can be!!!

He was pretty upset with me because I told him it was time to stop watching TV. Oh don’t judge! We were watching learning videos about colors, numbers & letters. I thought, “I’ll get him in the bathtub, that’s always fun.” No, it wasn’t. He fought the whole way in. Oh this sounds really bad, he’s a good little boy, but this was the worse I’ve seen as far as, “What can I do to get my way?!?!” Of course I had to show him I was more stubborn than him. When I ran the bath water, I added some bubbles. I mean really, bubbles would melt the heart of any soon-to-be-a-man, don’t you think?

At first he was interested in the bubbles, but then they stuck to his arm. The screaming was epic. He was terrified of those beautiful bubbles attached to his arm. What is a grandma to do? Please tell me, how do I fix this one? Somehow through my antics, a two year old switch flipped and he decided that those bubbles were the coolest thing ever. Phew! Do you see me wiping my forehead? Can you feel the relief? I don’t ever want to be the one of eight grandparents that caused him to have trypophobia. Where could that lead?

I knew that phobias were named using Greek words & I was quite the Greek freak in school, so I looked up and found Trypophobia, which is a new term that has been adopted by unofficial sources to describe “fear of small holes”. These small holes can be from many different sources of which one is bubbles. Evidently, it can cause great fear in those who suffer from the issue. Can you imagine family reunions? What if Jake would be afraid of blowing bubbles with the other kids because of Dink, tisk, tisk.

It was pretty easy to convince a two year old that bubbles are awesome. But when we get ourselves stuck in a proverbial bubble as adults, sometimes it’s not so easy to pop it, eh? I’ve done it myself, you know, wrapped myself up in an attitude, fear of trying something new, or thinking that what I was experiencing at present was my new reality for life. For some it leads to prejudice, complacency, negativity and more.

Bubbles are fragile. All they are is soap, water and air. The bubbles of life that keep us from moving forward from a negative situation or attitude can be popped. Usually, all we have to do is decide to break it. You may be stuck in a life bubble, if so . . . What is holding you in a small place? What are you afraid of? Who is it affecting? Are you, in effect, screaming like a two year old with white stuff attached to his arm, when in reality so much more is available to enjoy?

All this talk about bubble baths, I think I need to go have one myself! Don’t you have a big red tub in your pickup too?

Or, at the very least, go to Walmart & buy a bottle of bubbles and remember. Remember what it’s like to be a kid, free to enjoy, get caught up in the beauty, magic and simplicity of bubbles.

Enjoying the Adventure!

Dr. Dink

via Daily Prompt: Bubble

Something to Live By . . .

Want something to live by? We’re All Gonna Die! Let’s face it, ALL of us are heading to death. Now, that is unavoidable and can be scary.

Wasn’t that nice of me to remind you that are going to die? You know, just in case someone hasn’t shared this nasty truth with you yet. Your welcome! I’m not so concerned with death, as much as it is an unwelcome part of life. Rather, I am more concerned with life. How will you choose to live your life? Will it be one of ultimate doom, “I’m dying, so why bother?” rather than, “I’m going to do my best to take each and every day for what it’s worth and look forward to the next.”

I think that every human being has his or her place in history. Some are known more than others. Some acquire super-stardom. Others end up working at a dead-end job, going through the daily routine, just biding time. Most of us are somewhere in the middle. Then others just stop living. On the other hand, there are people of every race, gender, creed and economic strata that LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!

I am convinced that life is what we make it. I will be the absolute first one to admit that life can be pretty freakin’ shitty sometimes. Ask me, I’ve been there on more than a few occasions. You name it, I’ve either lived through it myself, or have walked with others in the middle of horrible life circumstances. Because of this, I have adopted an attitude of “making the best of today”. I think that might be the answer to not getting stuck in a pile of shit. After officiating more funerals than I can count or remember in 22 years of ministry, I realize that I may live to 104, or die in a tragic accident today. So, what does that leave me? Today, simply today. That doesn’t change the fact that there is a future to plan for and things to look forward to, but they are not guaranteed. Only now is guaranteed.

Over the years of officiating funerals, I’ve celebrated the lives of young children to, yes, 104! They represent community leaders and heroes, people from big families, little families & just normal everyday people. However, there are two that really stand out because it was so difficult to do their eulogies. The first was a guy, I’ll call him Tim. When I met with his family, I asked many questions about his life. All I could remember was them telling me, “He was a no-good-rotten-son-of-a-bitch!” Literally, the only positive thing they could tell me was that he donated his organs. On the opposite end of the spectrum was a woman, let’s call her Mom. She had no accomplishments, no group memberships, few interests other than weaving plastic canvas & she made the best potato salad ever. Hers was a very short eulogy. She was simply the “best mom ever!” Two opposite lives. Both influenced the lives of others. At the end of the day, the important thing is knowing that our effect upon others results in knowing they were loved. It doesn’t matter what titles we have, what awards we’ve received, or the amount of money we’ve made. It is what we do in our everyday lives with the people we encounter along the way that is appreciated now and remembered later.

So, what will you do with today? What dreams need to come out from your thoughts? What project do you want to accomplish? What beautiful things are there to see right beside you, in your yard, 20 miles away or across the world? What recipe have you been wanting to try? What words will you chose to use? Most importantly, how will you express to those that you love how much you truly do love them?

Enjoying the Adventure!

Dr. Dink

Project Positive 101

I’ve noticed that there is an awful lot of complaining on social media about all the negative posts many people are making. They can be upsetting or just plain annoying. There are some things that you can do to change what you see! Social media is controlled by algorithms. Please don’t ask me to explain what that is —-consider it the brain of your favorite site!!! I’m just proud of myself that I know the word.

The algorithms of various sites work together too, for instance, have you ever looked up something on Amazon & before you know it, you see that product showing up in ads on Facebook? So, here are some ideas you can do to help the algorithm understand you better –I’ll use examples and vocabulary from Facebook, adjust accordingly for other social media:

Do a slew of searches for things that you DO want to see.

Search for pages of topics that your interested in & “like” a few
Join groups of interests you have. (Can you guess that I’m in German Shepherd groups? Yes, the beauty in the photo above is Auggie, I just wish she would stay off social media, I mean, really —go outside & fetch a stick, or race a Harley or something!
Do searches on sites like Amazon & Google—-I guarantee you will start seeing similar ads & posts.

“Like” pages and posts with positive influences, or pictures of bunnies and puppy dogs, or whatever it is that makes you happy.

Unfollow Friends that constantly post Toxic Shit

Sorry, but it’s true, there are people that you truly do like, but they have gotten into a negative roll of BS. I know . . you look at the things they post & are like, “WHAT?” You really don’t have to volunteer your time, your eyes & psyche to the negativity!!!!!!
If you “unfollow” they don’t get some notification in red that says, “Guess who doesn’t want to see you on their wall anymore!” Nope, you are the only one that knows. You can still search their name every now and then to see how their dog is . .
You can also unfriend. (Oh, ouch, but are they really a friend?)

LIKE & LIKE & LIKE & HEARTS & SMILEY FACES & WOWS!

I think this is the most effective. Just let that old algorithm know what you’re interested in. Have some fun in the next few days—- look through and respond with positive signs some posts that you enjoy & even as fast as tomorrow—- you will see more like it!

I hope this helps in your quest for a more positive world. Let me know how this works for you!

Enjoying the Adventure!

Dr. Dink

A Good Word

This is what I asked people as they passed by: What’s a good word for today? Here they are in the order I heard them, they speak for themselves!

Starbucks

I don’t know

Hope

Jesus

Beautiful

Sunshine

Joy

Education

Kindness

This question resulted in people smiling back at me and four great conversations about:

good coffee,
faith
what a local elementary school is doing to promote a healthy-attitude-environment for kids.
the need for people to be more positive in such a negative world.

So, it’s your turn . . . What’s a good word for the day?

Enjoying the Adventure!

Dr. Dink

Chance Encounter

OK, so the first thing I said to one of the ladies was, “I love you, you are my new best friend!!!!” I was heading to my favorite area to walk and was pulled by this magnetism from a mile out of the way. I mean, really, don’t yard sales pull you in too? When I arrived, she started googling over my grandson. She was instantly in love with his two year old self, then I overhear her saying, “Are you taking a nice walk with your Mommy?” (Meaning me, lol). She said it about 5 times when I said, “Mommy is at home—- I’m Grandma.” Her response? “You’re so pretty!” Now, let me ask, “don’t you want her to be your best friend too?”

I spent a while there looking around, mostly because I was enjoying their company so much. I did buy a couple of tank tops, but most of the clothes were out of my league. The casual dresses were so pretty & fashionable that I think if I bought one I would be compelled to join the local country club so I’d have a place to wear them! Not my down-to-earth style.
As I was getting ready to leave, I said to them both, “You two women are so wonderfully positive! You have made me smile the entire time I’ve been here. I’d like to know what drives your joy —can you tell me a story about your life? Your day? Was it the 8 cups of coffee you drank this morning?”

One Sister looked at the other and said, “Tell her.”

She began by saying, “I’ve had a lot of tragedy in my life.” Personally, I thought, “Did you not understand the question?” Her story was fascinating. Many years ago, she had been involved in a vehicle accident and was left for dead. Miraculously, physicians were able to revive her and after years of recovery, she had her life back. She embraced life with the attitude, “I guess God wasn’t done with me yet.” As she continued, I heard of an illness that nearly resulted in, “this doctor about killing me again!” They came from a family of 14 children, two had died, one of which was murdered.

I interrupted her, asking, “Many people would be bitter, sad, or fearful, how do keep that beautiful smile?” Her answer was something like this: she has always been grateful. It seems that having near death experiences have brought her to a place of embracing life to the fullest each day. Who has time to waste on negativity?

Then she giggled and told me about her zip-lining experience a couple of years ago. I shook my head and snickered as I remember the thrill of zip-lining myself. Imagine my shock when she said, “It broke!” As it turns out, something was wrong with the line and when she jumped off the platform the apparatus broke. She ended up hanging by the line for a long time and then her hands could no longer hold. . . yes, she broke her back in the fall. (Darn, Karen, this is supposed to be an uplifting blog!) Amazingly, she had a smile on her face the entire time she was talking. I walked away grateful for life, grateful for health, grateful that my zip-line trips have held tight & grateful that someone else was crazy over my grandbaby!

I believe that when you set out to embrace the positive that it will draw you in like a magnet. These beautiful sisters got up this morning, not knowing how much they would touch someone else’s life, but by chance, I am wonderfully changed by their stories.

Enjoying the Adventure!

Dr. Dink

Two Turtles, A Duck & A Big Ass Bass

I experienced such a sense of peace this morning as I took a morning walk. Here in the Sonoran Desert, the earlier the walk the better, before the hot sun does what the sun does. There is a beautiful walkway with a pond and fountains near my daughter’s house. On the way in, I saw turtles sunning on a rock and stopped to see them, but they dove into the water because I scared them when I stopped. On the way back, hoping to see the turtles at the same spot, I approached slower and observed quietly, hidden by a bush. I did see the turtles again—-but they had a buddy sitting with them.

2Turtles

What great delight to see, two turtles and a mallard duck, sharing a small rock just doing what turtles and ducks do. Then, I see movement in the water and here’s the tail of a big ass bass swimming around that same rock. Three different species doing what they do, being fish, turtles & ducks. I wish I could have taken a photo, (this one is similar) but I knew I would mess up the intricate balance that they had negotiated so that they could share this rock in peace.

There are a lot of different birds enjoying this suburban oasis. About mid-way through my walk there were Canadian Geese. Three full grown and three goslings. I also stopped to admire those cute little furry baby birds. But I knew, to keep the peace, I had to keep my distance and could not approach those little ones. Because I respected their space and kept quiet, they didn’t see me as a threat. However, had I walked toward those babies —– well, let’s just say there wouldn’t be any more peace for Karen!

rattler

As we prepare to move here to the desert, especially out where our property is, I know that I need to continue to learn. Back east, surely there are ducks, turtles, bass, and, of course, Canadian Geese, but in the wilds of the desert, there are different rules to living with wildlife. Can people, rattlesnakes, javelina and mountain lions get along on the same rock? Absolutely not! But we can get along on the same mountain. If I respect their territory and if I am smart about hiking, gardening, and other things it is possible. These dangerous creatures are basically shy and are as terrified of me! As I do what humans do while respecting what rattlesnakes do—- it is possible to co-exist.

To take this theme a step further . . . I wish humans of the 21^st Century understood this. We are living in a time where “our species” is becoming more and more stratified. There is such a sense of distrust of our own kind. Surely, we come from different countries, races, political agendas, religions, (go ahead and add to this list). But as the world gets smaller, the population grows, and travel is easier and less costly than ever, rather than embracing our differences and learning from each other, or simply avoiding what makes us uncomfortable, it seems that there is a greater sense of control issues, criticism, defensiveness and many other negative responses. This isn’t only from country to country, but it has spiraled down to neighbors and even family members. I believe that we humans all want peace, but inner and outer war is at hand in too many ways.

So, I guess the question begs to be asked, “If I can move into an environment where I need to learn how to enjoy my life while at the same time realize that I have to respect a rattlesnake for being a rattlesnake, or, I might find myself dead—–why can’t humans do the same thing?” “Why not learn new strategies for getting along with our Species?” “Why can’t we learn to bask in the sun on the same rock in the same way turtles, ducks and fish do?”

Turtles follow turtle rules

Ducks follow duck rules

Big Ass Bass follow bass rules

Rattlesnakes & javelina follow rules too

Let one of them break the barriers, yes, they will lash out. Rattlesnakes will strike, javelina will use those nasty teeth. Human beings will lash out too, and sometimes that lashing out is appropriate. Appropriate lashing out is not what I’m trying to point out. I’m of the impression that humans, at this stage of the game, are lashing out, not because of impending danger, or loss of territory. The human species is lashing out because of assumptions, unidentified fear and an inability to negotiate space on the rock. Peace sometimes “just happens”, but the truth is that peace is something that we all must work toward. Peace is work but the rewards are worth it!

peace heart We can learn from two turtles, a duck and a big ass bass—- I think it’s worth looking for ways to bring peace to this world. In our homes, in our communities, yes, social communities too. Turn off the negativity, look for the beauty, seek how to enjoy the peace. (I had to “work” / think about how I could approach this rock without scaring the inhabitants. I simply slowed down and got quiet as can be, it was “work” in the sense that I had to do something different to become a part of this peaceful scene. We can all do the same in our everyday lives as we endeavor to live among other species and humanity.

Enjoying the Adventure!
Dr. Dink

__________

Photos:

Turtle & duck: dinascitywildlife.com

Rattlesnake, https://sunnyrunning.com/2013/05/21/what-to-do-if-you-run-into-a-rattlesnake/ Google Imaages

Javelina: http://tucson.com/news/opinion/fitz/fitz-blog/the-ten-most-significant-javelina-pet-peeves/article_09266699-518c-5b39-9450-4dc405fb0240.html

Heart /Peace: https://publicdomainvectors.org/en/free-clipart/Peace-sign-and-heart/54253.html