THE MEMORY -
This morning was interesting. I had just gotten home, turned the alarm off, kicked of my heels and let the dog outside. My normal routine. Something"out of routine" occurred. As I opened the door to let Lucy out, something compelled me to walk outside with her. Like I said before, that's not the usual. Having a fenced in home, I open the door, let her out, wait a new mins, then let her back in. This time it was different. As I walked outside and shut the door behind me, a gust of cool air blew thru my hair. I stood there, closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling that filled within me. The calm that surrounded me brought a memory of one not too long ago. It was that of when Pete was hours away from his passing. I remember sitting bedside with him feeling nothing but calm. Nothing else mattered. I wasn't scared, wasn't sad .... I was ready. Ready for his spirit to be rewarded for all the good it did here on earth. Today I was able to experience just for a moment, the same type of calm. It felt so good, I felt ready for the day. I glanced down at Lucy. Her hair tied up in a bow and blowing above her head. She stood there like me, looking straight ahead at the fence, enjoying the moment of calm. If Heaven is anything like that ..... I'll be there right next to Pete enjoying my reward.
THE APPLICATION -
I was inspired today quite early. I head off to Atlanta in just a few hours. I am going to challenge myself this afternoon to enjoy a moment of calmness at the most craziest of places ... the AIRPORT! I'm sure it won't be as easy as taking a step outside on a beautiful day, but I'm wanting to give it a try. If I can begin to train my mind to quiet and my heart to open on a regular basis no matter what my location, I believe I can improve the quality of my life. Pete led a life full of quality all the way till the end. A calmed soul is one that is ready for anything.
I'll be sure to blog again in the REFLECTION section below later today with details of my attempt to achieve this ever so desired heavenly calm.
THE REFLECTION - Part 2 of Day 3
On my way thru the airport, on a search for calm, I headed to the sky room. I found a corner by a beautiful window, closed my eyes and thought to myself ...... "ok, this is cheating" The challenge was to find calm amongst all the chaos, and the sky room didn't seem to have any. I finished my coffee, grabbed my stuff and headed down to my gate. They were already in the boarding process. I walked on the plane, sat in my seat and fell asleep. I woke up mid flight and thought to myself "I cheated AGAIN!" Sleeping on a plane doesn't count as seeking out a calm state at a loud airport..... no challenge in that. After I convinced myself I wasn't going to find a challenging enough opportunity to seek out a calm state, I then realized that the feeling of calm comes from within. Maybe I was calm the entire day? Maybe the world around me was crazy, loud and non-stop, but it didn't annoy me like it normally does. As I zeroed in on this thought, I began to hear people's conversations, a baby crying and the pilot over the speaker system. It was nuts aboard Delta flight# 2318 but in seat 23A, it was calm.
Before I ran out of the house to catch my flight, I grabbed a book I just recently started called "How To Practice - The Way to a Meaningful Life" written by the Dalai Lama himself. I picked up where I left off about a week ago and began to read. I almost fell out of my seat when I read the words " Calm Abiding ( concentrated meditation ). Be calm even when the external environment around you is confused or complicated; it will have little effect if your mind is at peace". I then closed the book, put it aside and enjoyed the rest of the flight in a concentrated meditation.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Silence Is Golden - Day 2 of 365
THE MEMORY-
As I was driving to class, out of habit, I turned on the radio. A picture of Uncle Pete popped into my head. Him taking a drive. I clearly remembered how it was always in the quiet. Hardly ever would there be any music - in fact if there was, it was because someone in the passenger seat was uncomfortable with the silence and would reach over to turn the radio on. That passenger was usually me. I would turn the radio on, and he would give me a playful slap on the hand and say in a caveman voice "My radio, I want off". I would giggle, roll my eyes and sit along with him in silence. And on rare occasions, he would either be listening to an audio book or NPR. As a child, my first reaction was to ask him if he was ok. He was more than ok. His response to my question would be a loud "O YAH" and he always said it with a smile. Wether he was telling the truth or not, it didn't matter. I could see a man before me simply happy and content in his own company and of those around him. I guess there is no need to fill the air with noise when it's already filled with love. What a wonderful thing.
THE APPLICATION -
Being in the entertainment industry, I live my life "out loud," with music as my soundtrack. Since music is a huge part of my life, when I listen too it, I normally am not living in the present. Present in the song, but not present in the moment. I would even play music when I had people in the car. My mind would be stimulated by new songs to the point I simply wouldn't notice anything but the song and the car ahead of me. Not great when you have company with you. Tonight, I was given the opportunity to sit in silence, in my car and notice the world around me. The sunset, the architecture of the buildings, and the bustling city around me. It was nice to not think but rather to just "be" - not to mention my driving was much more focused! I actually fought my habit at one point. The phone rang, I answered it and when I hung up, my hand went right to the radio dial! I quickly turned it off and for a 30 min drive, lived as Pete would. I learned about the quiet - that it wasn't something wrong, it was something right. It was divine contentment.
THE REFLECTION -
Next time you're driving, and reach for the radio to fill the silence with noise, fight the urge and enjoy the ride.
As I was driving to class, out of habit, I turned on the radio. A picture of Uncle Pete popped into my head. Him taking a drive. I clearly remembered how it was always in the quiet. Hardly ever would there be any music - in fact if there was, it was because someone in the passenger seat was uncomfortable with the silence and would reach over to turn the radio on. That passenger was usually me. I would turn the radio on, and he would give me a playful slap on the hand and say in a caveman voice "My radio, I want off". I would giggle, roll my eyes and sit along with him in silence. And on rare occasions, he would either be listening to an audio book or NPR. As a child, my first reaction was to ask him if he was ok. He was more than ok. His response to my question would be a loud "O YAH" and he always said it with a smile. Wether he was telling the truth or not, it didn't matter. I could see a man before me simply happy and content in his own company and of those around him. I guess there is no need to fill the air with noise when it's already filled with love. What a wonderful thing.
THE APPLICATION -
Being in the entertainment industry, I live my life "out loud," with music as my soundtrack. Since music is a huge part of my life, when I listen too it, I normally am not living in the present. Present in the song, but not present in the moment. I would even play music when I had people in the car. My mind would be stimulated by new songs to the point I simply wouldn't notice anything but the song and the car ahead of me. Not great when you have company with you. Tonight, I was given the opportunity to sit in silence, in my car and notice the world around me. The sunset, the architecture of the buildings, and the bustling city around me. It was nice to not think but rather to just "be" - not to mention my driving was much more focused! I actually fought my habit at one point. The phone rang, I answered it and when I hung up, my hand went right to the radio dial! I quickly turned it off and for a 30 min drive, lived as Pete would. I learned about the quiet - that it wasn't something wrong, it was something right. It was divine contentment.
THE REFLECTION -
Next time you're driving, and reach for the radio to fill the silence with noise, fight the urge and enjoy the ride.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Guilty Pleasures - Day 1
THE MEMORY:
Our family was very similar to the "Everybody Loves Raymond" show. We were a tight nit Italian family who's personal business was always out in the open. It was special, it was love, it was all we had. After the passing of my Grandma Jackie, the DeLuca family consisted of my Father (Tony) my Mother (Angie) my Brother (Christian) my Uncle (Pete) and myself. Small but very tight! Between joining the service, working his way up in the book industry and taking care of his ill mother, my Uncle never had the time to create a family of his own. We were his family, Christian and I were his kids. Without a doubt, Peter played many roles in our lives. Uncle, Friend, Teacher, Comedian and on some occasions, Santa Claus! All of which came from one man and one man only. Peter DeLuca.
In Pete's last few years of his life, we had the opportunity to live with him day in and day out. The fun would usually happen at night! Sometimes we would catch him tip toe downstairs in his flannel pj's and slippers. He would sneak around the corner closest to the fridge. A light would shine from the kitchen and then we heard the famous "Schhhhhhhh" sound. Ya know, the sound a can of whip cream makes when you squirt it on top of your ice cream. Yup, Pete had a sweet tooth like no other!
What was weird about the whole thing was we never saw him leave to his room with anything. No spoon, no bowl, no ice cream! Come to find out his late night guilty pleasure was that of tilting his head back and over flowing his mouth with whipped cream!!!!! As he would call it "Whipp-id Cream" I never understood it until today. That memory stuck with me for a long time. It was the first time I had witnessed whip cream enjoyed from can to mouth! YUCK!
THE APPLICATION:
Today, while I was putting away my leftovers, the bottle of Redi-Whip caught my eye. I immediately knew what my first blog would be about! As I reached for the can, I closed my eyes and shouted out "This one's for you!" I happily tilted my head back, pressed the tip of the can and over filled my mouth with whipped sweetness. A tear rolled down my cheek at the same time I leaked out a giggle. Flashes of Uncle Pete trying to be coy and sneak to the kitchen as an adult seemed funny to me. If he did that today, I would join him in a heartbeat. I have to admit, a mouthful of whipped cream was yummy and gross all at the same time. I felt like a kid again doing something I was always told NOT to do, only this time there was no one scolding, I wasn't afraid and it was totally awesome! A moment of pure independence and over indulgence all contained in a $3 can of whipped goodness.
THE REFLECTION:
Today, enjoy a guilty pleasure for what it's worth. If it's a sweet one, DON'T feel the need to head to the treadmill right away. It wouldn't be a GUILTY pleasure if u immediately burned it all off!!! Pin point what your guilty pleasure is, enjoy it and be proud that it's yours!
Our family was very similar to the "Everybody Loves Raymond" show. We were a tight nit Italian family who's personal business was always out in the open. It was special, it was love, it was all we had. After the passing of my Grandma Jackie, the DeLuca family consisted of my Father (Tony) my Mother (Angie) my Brother (Christian) my Uncle (Pete) and myself. Small but very tight! Between joining the service, working his way up in the book industry and taking care of his ill mother, my Uncle never had the time to create a family of his own. We were his family, Christian and I were his kids. Without a doubt, Peter played many roles in our lives. Uncle, Friend, Teacher, Comedian and on some occasions, Santa Claus! All of which came from one man and one man only. Peter DeLuca.
In Pete's last few years of his life, we had the opportunity to live with him day in and day out. The fun would usually happen at night! Sometimes we would catch him tip toe downstairs in his flannel pj's and slippers. He would sneak around the corner closest to the fridge. A light would shine from the kitchen and then we heard the famous "Schhhhhhhh" sound. Ya know, the sound a can of whip cream makes when you squirt it on top of your ice cream. Yup, Pete had a sweet tooth like no other!
What was weird about the whole thing was we never saw him leave to his room with anything. No spoon, no bowl, no ice cream! Come to find out his late night guilty pleasure was that of tilting his head back and over flowing his mouth with whipped cream!!!!! As he would call it "Whipp-id Cream" I never understood it until today. That memory stuck with me for a long time. It was the first time I had witnessed whip cream enjoyed from can to mouth! YUCK!
THE APPLICATION:
Today, while I was putting away my leftovers, the bottle of Redi-Whip caught my eye. I immediately knew what my first blog would be about! As I reached for the can, I closed my eyes and shouted out "This one's for you!" I happily tilted my head back, pressed the tip of the can and over filled my mouth with whipped sweetness. A tear rolled down my cheek at the same time I leaked out a giggle. Flashes of Uncle Pete trying to be coy and sneak to the kitchen as an adult seemed funny to me. If he did that today, I would join him in a heartbeat. I have to admit, a mouthful of whipped cream was yummy and gross all at the same time. I felt like a kid again doing something I was always told NOT to do, only this time there was no one scolding, I wasn't afraid and it was totally awesome! A moment of pure independence and over indulgence all contained in a $3 can of whipped goodness.
THE REFLECTION:
Today, enjoy a guilty pleasure for what it's worth. If it's a sweet one, DON'T feel the need to head to the treadmill right away. It wouldn't be a GUILTY pleasure if u immediately burned it all off!!! Pin point what your guilty pleasure is, enjoy it and be proud that it's yours!
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