Critters

I live on a fairly naturally secluded subdivision on the side of a mountain, within the city boundary. A huge Target-anchored shopping center is one mile away, at the base of this mountain. A SuperWalmart on the other side. I bought the house because of the view, but a second and best feature is the deep lots. Lots are the 100-ft standard width, but 350 feet in depth, due to a slope ordnance, which mean lots of trees and undeveloped back yards that in turn draw critters of all types.

I have tons of songbirds that come to my many stocked feeders, but also raptors, squirrel, chipmunk, foxes, raccoon, groundhog, possum, deer, skunk, turtle, snakes and who knows what else. Now, I've got to admit that I do feed them all, and that I delight in seeing all my backyard acquaintances. They are entertaining but yet not draining in the sense that if I have to go out of town for work or vacation, I toss gobs of stuff out and let them fend for themselves... like the wild animals they are. The only pet I keep in the house is Rover, my iRobot Roomva vacuum cleaner, that runs around 7-8 pm daily to welcome me home.

I've been learning the names of the different birds that come by to say hi. Many of them are transients. Right now the Ruby Throated hummingbirds are on their way thru. A couple of years ago I heard the very unusual high-pitched sound of the Cedar Waxwing as the pack devoured a berry bush in the side yard. Sometimes these transients have a narrow window... but there's Mockingbird, Cardinals, Wren, Finches, Titmice, Nuthatches and Chickadees permanently here.

I sometimes see other critters while I bike commute or hike, but mostly hear them. Every morning I say hello to Phoebe the Chickadee, Titiu the Killdeer and Twiddle the Wren. My buddy that cuts my grass left me a small 4' copperhead right by my back door, but called me to complain about the pets I keep, so I saw it coming. I bought an inflatable Dolphin and put it in my neighbor's pool while he was on vacation... big goldfish or carp would have been better.

In essence, it's like I live in the country but a mile away from civilization, and I like it.

- © 2008 by Willy
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Today's Prayer

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

Father, thank you for this day, today. Help me to start this day with a good attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of every minute. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me clear my mind and focus so that I can hear you and yours. Continue to use me to do your will, and give me discernment. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. You have done so much for me. You keep on blessing me. Please forgive me if I have done, said or thought something that was not right.

Father, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Let me not complain over things I have no control over. Let me remember that others learn as they struggle, and I should help but not do for them.

Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak, and smart so I can teach them. Stay close that I may have encouragement for others. Continue to send me your angels, and those who make me smile.

I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know you. I pray for those that don't believe. I pray for all my brothers and sisters. I pray for peace, love and joy for us all, and that their needs are met not only through you but also through their own hard work. People change through you.

When this world closes in on me, remind me of Jesus' example to find a quiet place to pray... it's the best response when I'm pushed to my limits. I know that when I can't pray, you listen to my heart and mind.

Let me see sin through your eyes and acknowledge it. When I sin, let me remember to repent, confess my wrongdoing, receive your forgiveness, and change.

I know that there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than you. Every battle is in your hands for you to fight. I place my problems and battles in your hands.

I pray that these words be trully received into my heart.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen.

- not © by Willy

P.S., Lord, thank you for all the opportunity to be courageous, solve problems, exercise serenity, and all the others... but could you please have pity on me and lighten the load? Thanks.

Kindness

Kindness is helping someone in need, not in return for anything, nor for the advantage of the helper, but for that of the person helped (Aristotle). At least that is the classical thought and definition.

It is a rare delight to meet that unusual and admirable person with the easy-flowing kind words and nice smile. Nice words don't cost a cent but produce miraculous results to a wounded spirit. But take another look at this kind person, and recognize what this act of kindness does back to him or her.

It is said we should be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle... you and me both.

How necessary is kindness? I can't think of anything more important in life. Like love, kindness is its own language, and can be sometimes confused with love. Kindness and love are the most curative agents in human interaction (Nietzsche). And this cure affects both the doctor and the patient.

Choose to be kind and good-natured... you will do irreparable good to yourself.

- © 2008 by Willy

P.S., How do you change the world? One small act of kindness at a time.

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Change The World...

... from the inside and from the bottom!

Some old people take a devil-may-care attitude in their later years and go for the chocolate. I've taken that tact in a different way. Instead of indulgences, it's been activity.

From youth, I was a bookworm and a tinkerer, like any engineer. Due to my hyperactivity, I've had no problem reaching my professional pinnacle. I am respected for my organizational and technical abilities, have a great boss and am in high demand. I wear 5 hats and have dozens of helpers. I mentor those helpers because they will inherit my job sometime.

At 40 I began physical activity... a new parallel sideline... transforming myself into the physical. Ten years ago I won a benchpressing trophy, and I have the current record for my gym (all ages!) and enjoy pressing with the youth, motivating them and encouraging them. I train, hike and bike more now than I ever did. I hike 8 to 12 mountain miles every weekend. This year have two Smokeys hikes (I did a 6-hour 8-mile straight up hike to LeConte in 4-hours two weekends ago), a Rockeys hike next month and a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike in September. I do this because I enjoy nature... scenery, wildflowers and birds. I continue bicycle commuting to work daily (when I can), and ride a 35-55 miler on the weekends, with the goal to bicycle back from the beach (400 miles) this fall... just because I enjoy the wind in my hair. I'm very vocal and active in promoting bicycling to work, having taken part in news stories, videos and newspaper articles. I'm don't train specific but am a unusual generalist with muscles and cardio ability both. I'm proud and smug in my physical prowess... whereas my ex-wife just entered a nursing home, and my peers have trouble with the stairs, I smile instead and suggest an active lifestyple with my example.

My real work is that of a mentor, teacher, and kindness distributor... enabling others. At my job, I call myself The Roto-Rooter Man and have a plunger in my office as a symbol to help make things flow again. I spend a considerable amount of time and money to do this. I'm the vice-chair of the Industrial Advisory Committee for one of the local colleges. I taught 20 years in the evenings, to good reviews. I buy dozens of birthday cakes a year for work and elsewhere, and actively look for possibilities not just to help but to teach 'em to fish. After all, I'm a co-dependent, and I am what I am.

I disagree that happiness is a good relationship. Nor the usual FFF (Friends, Fun, Food) nor PPP (Possessions, Power, Prestige). To me life and happiness is first contributing... from the bottom up... and then being content and proud of what you are and what you have done. I have an enormous amount of power to change the world from the inside and from the bottom, and I'm doing so with very few people noticing.

- text © 2008 by Willy

P.S., How do you change the world? One small act of kindness at a time.

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