Where am I?

Driving in an unfamiliar area, walking downtown, riding the MAX or METRO...all situations where I have stopped and asked (either out loud or to myself) "Where am I?"

I've been teaching, facilitating a group, or giving a message, and gone off on a tangent, or stopped to field a question, then looked at my notes (mental or written) and asked, "Where am I?"

Recently my home has been going through a major reorganization. On more than one occasion I have gone upstairs to put something away, stopped to do some laundry, which led to putting it away, then finding a note that needs attention. Without fail, my attention is drawn in another direction with the ringing of the phone or being beckoned by the boys. Eventually I stop and ask, "Where am I?"

Regardless of the setting, I realize the value in stopping and asking that simple question. To be reoriented is a good thing. It gets you back on track. It allows for you to become face to face with the "map" and ask for guidance.

This summer has been one of sailing through the neutral zone, "no man's land" as one has said. I've asked "Where am I?" on many occasions, only to be tossed about in a different direction. What I thought were buoys, lighthouses, significant sailing partners joining me ON the journey, I have realized were markers and rather temporary.

This has gotten me down.

I've been known to get seasick. On the ferry between Maine and Nova Scotia and on Dennis' dad's 47' sailboat in the ocean near San Diego. There was not much I could have done on the ferry to make the nausea subside, but there was on the sailboat. I found that the seasickness came when I was just sitting there, not participating in helping the boat on it's journey. If I had a job and was part of the team, I felt fine.

This summer has been more of a solo-trip, with frequent newbie deckhands with the names Wil and Ben. We are sailing towards the land of September. This is where school starts for them, and then me. Not an unfamiliar journey through summer; however, this is the first time in my life that I can recall being truly out there in the open waters like never before.

Familiar ports were closed. As one who loves adventure you might think I'd sail on happily. Yes and no. I am thrilled about where I am going in regards to the scholarship and going to school full time. What I struggle with is the feeling of being rejected from ports that have been integral parts of my life, where I once belonged.

This is the neutral zone.

Set sail from one side and not yet received on the other.

How you navigate the neutral zone determines your arrival on the other side. ya ya ya

I teach it, I preach it, and now I'm living it like never before.

I know I will get through this. I also know it will be a significant mark on my spiritual journey. For I know this to be true... while some call this "No man's land" I call it "no man's land - just 'God and me' land."

So where am I? I am bobbing about the rest of the summer's journey. And will be for some time.

Am I lost? not so much, just not in familiar territory.

And trying to keep my foot dry. (it is healing well, I understand as Paige said, "it's a healthy pink and scarring really well)

Rites of Passage

Wil is 12. 1 month away from 13.

This evening I have the honor of watching a classic movie with him. One of the best movies of all time..."Wayne's World".

Priceless mother and son moments =)

"Excuse me, I'd like to get by now"

memories and souveniers

The Reynolds Family is certainly a fun and well-connected group.

We just returned from the 2009 Family Reunion. The majority of

us get together a few times each year, holidays and such. The whole

gang tries to gather every three years or so, whether we want to or not -

hahaha

This year we celebrated mom's 80th birthday and welcomed friends,

old and new. Lots of superb memories and thanks to my cousin, Steve,

I have the souvenier of burn on my foot.

Oh well.

He scarred me at age 5 on my left ankle... what's another scar at 41?

Until another gathering at Alpine Chalets on the beautiful Oregon coast...

the Reynolds' clan will gather when and where possible, in whatever grouping

is available.

Compassion, conviction, compulsion

which is it?

July 31, 2009

nothing spectaluar about today so far...

just the awareness of it's placement in the calendar and my life.

2009 is more than 1/2 way over. huh? I can certainly say it has been full of opportunities, rich experiences, and vision and hope for the future.

I turned in one paper today and have 2 due next week.

My house re-oranization experience is more than 1/2 way done.

Our Reynolds family reunion starts this week.

The fall course schedule is now available.

more opportunities and vision and hope for the future!

My calendar for the rest of the year has 2 catagories of entries, so far...

birthdays and the start and end of the term.

There are activities and such waiting to be scheduled, but no rush.

I like that.

The Great Slide Puzzle

Remember those thinker toys called slide puzzles?

There are usuallly 16 spaces for 15 tiles.

or some other matrix with one less tile than spaces.

I have often referred to life as a slide puzzle.

This week I am living it!

Since my job has ended and I only have 6 credits

of school this term, I have time (and no excuses)

to organize!

Yes, the garage, the main living area, and eventually

each of the bedrooms and the laundry room.

It's not as easy as put this here and that there.

NooOOOOoooo.

This stuff is gone through and sorted.

That stuff is moved over here so I can move the shelves over there, THEN, it can be put on them.

For those who have been in my home, the pew is now in the garage and the wooden shelving moved one turn to the left and is on that wall. I was given an old entertainment center and will be receiving a work bench tomorrow. I am creating my "Christy Space". If I were male, it might be referred to as a 'man cave'.

Nonetheless, it's quite a chore! And each time a box or bin is touched, it is gone through.

My goal...to have a place for everything (that is kept) and everything in it's place.

I cannot promise it will stay that way. In fact, I can guarentee it won't.

But at least this huge sliding of the puzzle pieces will be significant and make a big difference.

(YAY! Freecycle! and Good Will)

It is what it is.

A common phrase used in many areas of life these days.

According to the Urban Dictionary, it's along the lines of "whatever, screw it, forget about it".

It's use in my world is somewhat "self-leveling". The situation may not be what we want, it may not be what we'd hoped or worked for, it may not even make sense, but "it is what it is".

(You know... you don't get what you want, you get what you get.)

So what is "it"?

"It" is the reality of the situation.

"It" is the realization of the limits or boundaries of something.

"It" is the acknowledgment of one's concluded thoughts after serious contemplation.

"It" is something we cannot control, and we have the power to not let it control us.

"It" exists and our responsibility is to figure out what to do with "it".

What are your thoughts?

Would you respond, "They are what they are?"