Blessings, affirmations, grace, and reflection

 I love Dinah Washington's style of singing. Unfortunately I can't embed the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtJLZ2zL2Os

Can we honestly say this? We all have judgments. We all have opinions. We were trained that way. I remember being in school learning to write and we had to write an opinion piece. I struggled with it. I never really had strong opinions about anything other than eating beets or wearing certain clothes before that time. Should we strive to not not judge others? We all know the saying, "only God can judge me." Yet, we are judged by the world every second of the day. When you step on a bus or walk down the street someone is judging you. Is judging fair? Forcing your opinions on other people's lives? My environment is wearing me down. I know I am being judged and I in turn judge others harshly. Fear breeds contempt and I live in a community where in the millisecond your life can take a turn. Yet, we continue to sweat the small stuff. When I was getting myself all bent out of shape because of my phone situation I had to talk to myself. I told myself that this is minor is...

I still hurt. My heart aches with the remembrance of massive loss on that that fateful day 10 years ago. I have been avoiding the TV hype about the 10th anniversary, yet I still find my heart is heavy. I think about my former coworker who was at the tower that morning for a meeting. A helluva guy! Friendly, family oriented, hard working. Gone in the blink of an eye. We are not promised tomorrow. Let us cherish each second of each day just as John did. I will forever have warm memories of his smile and easy conversation. I could only hope to be remembered as fondly as John is remembered by those who were touched by his spirit.

This is my season of discontent. So, this is my second day back to work and I am so unhappy. There are others also unhappy which means the overall energy is low. I hope I am so ready to move on. I hope things either get better, I learn to cope, or an opportunity presents itself that will give me an out.

I am loving the quiet lull of the city that is partially shut down due to Hurricane Tropical Storm Irene. No buses or subways running. No sirens, minimal traffic. I could get used to this!

Man, listen! I ain't playing with this storm. I know it will be little of nothing by the time it finally makes its way up here, but I'm not letting her play me. Everything they said to do, I did! I have fresh batteries for my flashlight, everything charging, windows closed, tub filled, and fridge turned up. I have a bottle of water in my fridge and another in the back of the car. I even parked on a hill! I have a full tank of gas and a go bag packed.  I have a few candles, although I didn't go buy a 7 day candle. I ain't playing witchu, Irene! Not today! Crazy thing is that my cell phone - my new cell phone - decided to stop working yesterday. The company I have been with for so many years because they have always provided such great service is about to make me regret my decision to sign another contract with them. I'm tired of these trashy phones they keep selling me. All of the services they used to provide - in store tech support, replacement models in stock - ar...