A Puppy, A Gas Station, A Blessing in Disguise

Day #5 ~ #YourTurnChallenge is a 7 day blogging challenge inspired by Seth Godin.

I was ready to leave the humid Florida panhandle, damp maps tucked under my arm for my long journey home to Missouri. In preparing for my trip, my friend’s brother was kind enough to help me with directions and also suggested that I stop at this specific gas station in Alabama before the long trip home for some low-cost quality gasoline.  I was then delayed because I was headed in the wrong direction but found my way back, arriving at the designated gas station. While filling up my tank, an elderly man standing next to my car asked, “Do you want to see my puppies?”  

I peered over to see a weathered cage on his wooded trailer, big enough to carry his five young puppies, a mixture of Boston terrier and Chinese pug.  “Why, yes!” I quickly replied.  They were nestled together on this warm day, experiencing life for the first time away from their mother.  I held the puppy. I couldn’t resist how adorable it was and responded, “You’ll just have to give me one”.  He said, “No, they’re all taken. But you can ask my wife.”  His wife walking from the building looked at me and said yes.  I hastily gathered all of the puppy’s information from her owners, found a box and bought some food and went happily on my way, just me and my puppy.

As my new puppy lay on my lap, I was thinking of what just happened! With all the excitement of being lost, arriving at the gas station, meeting this kind man with all his puppies, and now I find myself with my new pal, an innocent, furry, black little puppy. What just happened? I didn’t recall wanting a puppy but it all happened so fast and I decided just to have faith. I trusted that at some point it will all make sense.

It was a long day so I decided to find a place to stay overnight, even though it would be falling short of my expected destination to Huntsville, Alabama.  The hotel made accommodations for the two of us in the same area with the rest of the pets and their guests.  At the back of the building, there were many acres of grass, small mounds and trees.  I dutifully found the small grassy area where tired animals exercised after a long trip.  I noticed an older lady sitting nearby; noticeably upset and we began to talk.  She said she was passing through town for a short time to rest with her daughter and grandson, heading for Mississippi. They were ready to leave, loading up their van then unexpectedly their dog ran out the door!  As I listened, I felt so bad and said I would pray for its’ safe return. 

As we were talking, we watched my tiny puppy frolicking in the grass. I was commenting on just how precious her pug nose was and how it looked just like a “teddy bear’s face”.  She looked up and tearfully said that Teddy Bear was her lost dog’s name.  When I said those words, I then realized the dog belonged to her.  I quietly said, “I want you to have this puppy”.  Her joyful look on her face told me that I may have indeed come this far to deliver this puppy to her, without being aware of it. All this made sense now. I handed the puppy over to her. Having said my goodbyes, I was on the highway heading home. I was reflecting on everything that happened at the hotel. I see how it all fell into place; leaving Florida at the time that I left; getting lost; arriving at the gas station at that particular time to meet that certain man who gave me this specific puppy, and arriving to this particular hotel at the right moment to meet the lady who lost her dog and having had the opportunity to give her this gift!  Maybe I was the messenger. Maybe it all fell into place just the way it was suppose to happen.  It may be that all along it was their puppy to have. I just delivered it.

Adrenalized Aging

Day 4 ~ “Teach us something that you do well” #YourTurnChallenge

Eternal student. Loving life. Inspiring blogger.  Adrenalized aging.

Since birth I questioned things. I like to know why. I wanted to experience life.

Life inspired me to be more adventurous to be more. Learn more. Everything in my life started with an idea, a voice, or a notion, and then jumping into it.

Literally.

I skydived, free falling 14,000 ft, traveled alone across the country, and hiked Yosemite are some of my own over-50 year efforts. And I’m blogging.

Sometimes I didn’t see the whole picture so I had to trust to move forward. I am grateful that I did. I grew from every experience.

Living life this long gave me reason to believe that everything happens for a reason. Some good. Some not so good. Always something to learn.

Each experience led me to something greater.

I have memories of sitting in the backseat of an old sedan, traveling with my mom and her sister across the country to visit her friends and not enjoying it. It was on a budget. It was fun when my cousin came and we giggled all the time even though it wasn’t a ‘kid vacation to Disney World’, I made the best of it.

Years later, I look back on those times and see how it made me who I am today.  What it gave me was the open-road awareness of anything is possible on a budget and seeing my mom doing something she was passionate about.

Now I remember and appreciate their funny and insightful conversations. I see it now as a comfortable experience that I grew up in, giving me the confidence and freedom I needed today to explore my life even more deeply. Freedom of the open road.

In September, my friends and I are planning a cross country road trip to Yosemite, on a budget. Another adventure. 

What’s next for today?

Challenging myself blogging every day with deep inner feelings of prospective in my life.

Eternal student. Loving life. Inspiring blogger.  Adrenalized aging. 

What If I Fall...

 On Day 3 on my #YourTurnChallenge.

“Tell us about something that you think should be improved”

What if I fall, Oh my darling, what if you fly?

Midlife has some perks. When you reach this age, a realization comes that you did the best you could with what you had at the time. 

There isn't anything you could have done differently and the past is behind you so acceptance is ideally what you desire.

Everyone has regrets, that’s human nature. There are some amends you can do but time has a way of moving past some memories for people. So what’s left?

Me. 

All the time that I have spent helping, nurturing, comforting others has not been wasted because I am grateful that it’s in my nature to love.

I am at the time of my life where gratitude is alive and well. 

Is it because I have more time now on my hands to look at me?

Midlife gives me the opportunity to explore and discover a deeper meaning of myself.

I am ready for the challenge.

What does it mean to me? Doing things differently.

Looking at my life with new eyes. Questioning the way I've been doing things.

Recently I took a trip to Columbia, Missouri. I pride myself in being prepared. This time, I trusted where my destination was, not gripping my phone with the Maps APP. The directions were vague. I shut off my phone and enjoyed the ride. The good news is that I found it! Check that off the list.

While driving down the highway, I interrupted my thoughts of ‘wishing to travel more’ to a place of gratitude of ‘I am traveling now’ moving into the light-bulb moment of reality. I am grateful.

Speed or not to speed. I give myself permission to take my time, slow down and appreciate being a tourist.

Exercise is key to my health. I love to walk in nature. It is wintry cold outside. I chose to walk the stairs many times to reach my goal.

Keep it simple. One step at a time.

How?

First I pay attention to the way it feels on my body when I’m doing something differently. I pause. Breathe. I take the time to explore my feelings. How am I feeling about all of this? When I’m ready, I move forward and trust the process. 

A change in my thinking has really diminished my fear. When I got busy, I got better. 

For me, it really is that simple.

What if I fall, Oh my darling, what if you fly?

My Columbian Jaunt

Columbia, Missouri

With so much to see, one could spend more than a weekend exploring Columbia, Missouri. This Midwest gem is located in northern mid-Missouri, 120 miles west from St. Louis, and one of my favorite places to visit. As a college town, the city has a reputation and a huge emphasis on education but its main street charm with art stores, coffee shops, makes the trip worthwhile.

My first stop was Fretboard Coffee, located on Walnut Street, is a family owned business that prides themselves on “each cup of rich, harmoniously blended Fretboard coffee that touches your lips will be roasted just for you”.

Meeting Austin, the Barista, was really fun! He created a Chia blend with espresso and topped it with a heart! Delicious! Austin has a sense of heartfelt passion that shows in his work! 

Next stop was meeting Sami at the Root Cellar Grocery. Their mission statement is to support Missouri’s diverse farmers and artisan food products by providing a high-quality outlet for consumers. They are a retail grocery store in downtown Columbia that features Missouri-raised farm and food products. It was fun listening to Sami, explaining the grocery’s Box Program with passion. It is a weekly food subscription program to make healthy, local eating convenient and affordable. I agree that buying local food changes everything. Sami was delightful!

As an avid crystal admirer, my trip was made complete by checking the local crystal shops. The Wild West store was the high point of my trip! I loved talking with Don, the owner as he has many years of experience with crystals and gems. I bought a beautiful Chinese turquoise necklace that I treasure!

When planning my trip, I came across Boone County Museum & Galleries located at 3801 Ponderosa Street. It is a non-profit organization committed to preserving and interpreting local and regional history. By the early 1980’s, the Society drafted plans for the museum and began to seek public support for its construction. It was completed almost entirely with private contributions, volunteer and donated materials. In 1994, the Montiminy Gallery was built highlighting the work of regional artists.  I took a walk around the beautiful grounds to see an Italianate style house that was built in 1877, also found on the property was a carriage house and a lake. Talking with another admirer, I learned of a Heritage festival they have in September. That is definitely another reason to visit again soon.

These are just the highlights what I saw on this trip to Columbia. The different variety of places really intrigued me to come back soon to explore more of their diverse city. 

What Does It Matter?

I accepted a Challenge! Writing 1 blog post every day for 7 days. It began when I first started reading Seth Godin's Blog, it unleashed my writing adventure. 

Today is my first day! I am excited for this new adventure!

Day # 1

What does it matter if I take this challenge or not? 

I can think of many things I could do instead.  So why would I consider this? 

Let’s begin to explore.

Question 1: Why am I doing the Your Turn Challenge?

Reason 1 ~ I discovered a passion of writing that I truly enjoy.

Reason 2 ~ This is an innovative way to grow experimentally.

Reason 3 ~ Because if I don’t get on board, then I believe I will let myself down.

Reason 4 ~ I am giving myself permission to keep it simple.

Reason 5 ~ I am ready to move forward in being my creative self.

Reason 6 ~ I believe that I will grow in many ways.

Reason 7 ~ Wanting to explore an uncomfortable path I was afraid of.

Reason 8 ~ I’m ready.

Fighting For My Seat

After listening to words of wisdom at a recent retreat, I wanted to express my gratitude to the speaker so I got in line to talk to him.

What I heard in his speech was encouraging, honoring my feelings of being valued. I walked away with inspiration, understanding at a deeper level that everything and everyone has worth and what we say is important. 

I was up next.

There were people scattered around talking, among them was my friend standing next to me.

When it came to my turn, two men suddenly jumped ahead of me and started talking with the speaker.

Wait a minute. What just happened?

Didn't they see me? I was next.

Standing there feeling humiliated, my friend validated my feelings, telling me I deserved my place in line, ironically hearing the same message from the speaker. 

Feeling empowered, I nudged myself forward, squirming my way to where I belonged, fighting for my seat.

I have value. What I have to say is important. It’s my turn.

It was one of those times when I had that ‘aha’ moment, then a chance to experience the lesson at the same time. It was divine timing.

The first words that came out of my mouth was, ‘I am fighting for my seat’, and we all felt the spirit of the lesson.

Is there a time in your life when your place in line has been threatened? Do you have to fight for your seat?

Everyone has value and what we say is important.

For me, it all came together in a moment of clarity just when I needed to hear it.

There are times...
When the best thing you can do is not think...
Not wonder,
Not imagine,
Not obsess,
Just breathe...
and have faith
that everything will work out for the best.

At this moment, keeping it simple. Pause. Pray. Proceed.

Doing the next right thing is all that might be necessary.