100 Days of Writing – Day Thirteen

“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” (Baba Ram Dass)

What does this quote mean to you?

For the most part, I tend to be a rather quiet person. Some find this to be unusual for someone who’s spent his life as a teacher. But more times than not, I tend to be quiet. I have found you can learn a lot more from listening to others than you can from feeling the need to always be talking.

I have found that if I’m quiet, whether in the presence of others or not, I tend to be more introspective. When I was growing up, I would take a tape recorder with me when I went riding my bike and record all the surrounding sounds. When I returned home, I would play the tape back and be amazed at all the sounds in my presence of which I was not aware.

For most of my life, I have had tinnitus, a constant ringing in my ears. While it’s something that you eventually get used to, it does keep you from having a full range of hearing. This is another reason I try to listen more closely to those sounds around me, whether it’s a person conversing or the multitude of sounds that nature has to offer.

Perhaps the most challenging listening I’ve had to learn to do is when in conversation with others. My Attention Deficit Disorder creates situations where my mind wanders when talking with people. So I have to make a concerted effort to focus on the content of what’s being shared so as not to appear rude. This can be especially difficult when the person I’m talking to is rather long-winded or is talking about things of which I have little or no interest.

For today, let me be a good listener. Let me be reminded there’s a good reason why I have two ears and only one mouth. Let me fully experience life and all the myriad of sounds it has to offer.

100 Days of Writing – Day Twelve

Why do I write?

I started writing nearly twenty years ago in the first days of recovery. It was suggested by a therapist I was seeing at the time.

I purchased a small journal and started writing and have written most every day since that time.

I see writing as a form of therapy

I take my thoughts and feelings, as well as the words of others, and put them on pages of my journal. I have filled hundreds of volumes in all these years of writing. It is so very helpful to put all those thoughts out of my mind and onto paper. I highly recommend it to anyone just starting as recovery as a log of where they are and hopefully one day will be.

I write because it gives me a sense of security

I take a journal with me wherever I go and I feel somewhat out-of-sorts if I don’t have it. I’m able to stop at any place, at any time, and put pen to paper. It offers a sense of relief.

I write because it helps me to remember what I’ve been through in life

I always put the date, day of the week, time, and location to start each day’s entry. Subsequent entries for that day contain just the time and location. I can read back days, weeks, months, or years later to see where I was, what I was doing, and perhaps most important, my way of thinking at that particular point in time. Perhaps at some point others will read my writing (when it’s legible, that is) and be able to tell what my life was like.

These are just a few reasons that I write. I only wish I had started this helpful habit sooner in life.

100 Days of Writing – Day Eleven

“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are an entire ocean in a drop”

What does this quote mean to you?

We are but an infinitesimally small part of the “big blue marble” we call Earth. Indeed, when viewed from the perspective of the entire universe, Earth itself seems inconsequential. So how are we, as humans, supposed to consider ourselves as an entire ocean in a drop?

I have heard the phrase “I may not be much, but I’m all I ever think about.” All the while, those voices in our heads are giving commentary on what’s going on in the world around us. But those “voices” are not who we actually are. They’re a compilation of viewpoints that come from our previous experiences and the knowledge we’ve gained on our path. In the words of author Michael Singer, we’re actually the ones who are listening to all those voices.

While my contributions to the world at large may be limited, I know that I have added to the lives of the limited number of people I know. Whether this has had a lasting effect on them, I cannot tell you. But especially in my job as a classroom teacher, I’ve tried to instill a love of learning and worthwhile character in each of my students. Some of those efforts have been more successful than others. But I’m hoping that at least some of my former students have achieved success because of something they learned while in my classroom.

I don’t think we can compare what we’ve achieved in life in comparison with others. While there are those who receive more notoriety and achieved more in practical terms, we all have our parts to play in the whole of it. There are many moving parts that make up complicated machines and the Earth is no different. It takes many of us working together to get anything accomplished.

I don’t know that this completely answers the question at hand, but it’s what comes to mind at this point in time.

Until we meet again, press forward!

Random Writing – Fear, the evil and corroding thread

Fear has been called “the evil and corroding thread that weaves its way through the very fabric of our existence.” (1) . That certainly has been and can be the case with me.

I went through a particularly tumultuous time in my life and would find myself awaking each morning in terror and dread, filled with fear. Fear of what might occur on any given day clouded my first thoughts upon waking.

I didn’t understand why this was happening, for I had been asleep until that point. I even developed resentment against God in the process, for in working a twelve-step program, I had prayed that my fears would be removed. Yet, most mornings they were still rearing their ugly heads and begging for my attention.

It’s hard to describe exactly what fear feels like. It’s a deep-seated feeling that something awful is going to happen and there’s nothing that I can do to keep it from occurring. These “worst-case scenarios” would twist and turn in my mind and in turn, creating an even higher level of anxiety.

The first thought in contemplating any action regarding the fears was to run and hide. Anything to keep from having to face the dreaded situation. But then there was the realization that fleeing from fearful thoughts many times just increased their power over me.

I’ve also realized that fear and the anxious thoughts that can cloud my mind are never totally going to exit my mind’s way of processing life.

I’ve learned to move forward with courage, knowing that life is most of the time unpredictable and that most fears I’ve played out in my mind never actually transpired as I may have supposed.

If the fears actually come to fruition, as they sometimes will, I will be able to handle those situations the best I can.

(1) The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

100 Days of Writing – Day Ten

Get Up and Go

What gives you purpose? Do you have a dream or passion that you share with others?

I don’t have to ponder too long to answer the question about what gives my life purpose. For the past forty-one years, including twelve after my “retirement,” I have been a classroom teacher.

Each assignment I’ve been placed in has given me an opportunity to practice what I love most – teaching.

Whether the subject matter is math or science, drama or language arts, I feel like I’m having a positive influence on the students I teach and that gives my life purpose. It also happens to be what I’m most passionate about. I truly feel at home in the classroom.

And while I hope I do an adequate job of helping them learn the subjects matter at hand, I think my true purpose goes far beyond that.

I hope that…..

  • my off-brand sense of humor makes their days a bit brighter and brings laughter into their lives.
  • my acceptance of students from diverse backgrounds helps them to be more accepting of those who are different.
  • making the subject matter relevant to their daily lives causes them to look for connections with what we’re learning in the classroom and the outside world.
  • my caring attitude, even when there are undesired behaviors, teaches them the practice and attitude to become productive citizens one day.
  • when they say that Mr. Moser was one of their teachers, they’re able to smile and have fond memories.

And that is what gives my life purpose.

100 Days of Writing – Day Nine

A Place in History

What historical event or contexts – way back in time or more recently – have affected you individually or as a family?

I would have to say that the coronavirus pandemic has had a huge effect on me individually, on my family, and on society as a whole. Little did we realize in March of 2020 how our world was getting ready to change.

The virus at first was something that we heard about happening in “other places.” China and countries across the big pond seem to be most affected. Then we heard of cases in the United States, but those seemed to be confined to New York and other northern states.

Eventually, cases made their way to North Carolina, but still, even then, it seemed so far away. When the governor said we would be taking a break from schools on March 13th, it began to ring a more serious note.

Then there was the lockdown. Living on my own at the time, I wondered how and if it would directly affect me. That question was soon answered, as I went for days at a time without seeing anyone in person. When cases started showing up in the county and city I live in, it really began to hit home. Then there were people that I knew who contracted the virus. And the eventual people I knew had actually died as a direct result of contracting the virus. It truly had hit home in a seemingly short period of time.

I always thought I knew what it was like to be isolated and alone. But when you’re not able even to go to your favorite cafe’ to be around others, it really has a huge effect. I never knew how much I depended on being around others, whether I knew them or not. And perhaps most noticeable of all, the traditional family Sunday dinners we had always had were discontinued. We attempted to do video conferences and get-togethers using various platforms, but it never was quite the same.

I think fear played a large part in many people’s lives, including my own. Fear that somehow we’d contract the virus or perhaps unknowingly pass it along to someone else. Masks had become a part of everyday life and even those didn’t seem to prevent some from contracting covid. Vaccines would become available months down the road and even then, there were no guarantees of immunity.

Our lives had definitely changed. Things that we had taken for granted became more cherished, especially time with friends and family. Things would eventually return to normal in some respects, but in many ways our lives had changed forever. I’ve got a lot more to say on this topic, but for now, that’s it.

100 Days of Writing – Day Eight

Explore your spirituality

What does spirituality mean to you?

The root word of spirituality is “spirit” and I contemplate what this means on both a personal and worldly plane.

I, first of all, believe in a creation much bigger than myself. Some choose to call this being a “Higher Power”, some say “God”, and there are any one of a number of other terms that people can be heard using. Over the past twenty years or so, my ideas on all that have changed greatly. My personal belief system is that there are many paths to the mountain top. So much of what we believe on a spiritual level can be attributed to ancestry, geography, and so many other factors. Above all else, I don’t think it’s my place to tell anyone else what their spiritual beliefs should be. To each his/her own.

I had what I will call a “spiritual awakening” nearly twenty years ago that is still in progress to this day. My involvement in a twelve-step program led me to a deeper understanding of myself and as a result, my personal spirit. I do faithfully believe there is a God and that God watches over all. We all do have free will to do with as we wish and some of the things we find ourselves doing can block us off from the sunlight of that spirit. One of my daily goals is to turn my selfish self-will over to the God of my understanding and ask for the guidance, wisdom, and strength to do what He would have me to do.

Do I still make mistakes? Yes, I am still very human. But I’m also aware that a part of spiritual growth is to realize the mistakes we all tend to make and make amends where called for and try to learn important lessons along the way so that the same mistakes don’t become habits.

I could continue to write on this topic for quite some time, but for now that’s all I have to say…to be continued.

100 Days of Writing – Day Seven

Remember a loved one…

Think about someone you have known who has died. What conversation would have with them if you could?

Abby – I want you to know how much you meant to me in the twelve years we were together – and how very much I’ve missed you in the month-and-a-half you’ve been gone.

I remember the day I picked you out at the animal shelter. I had seen your picture and description online and already knew I wanted you for my own. I also remember they said that you weren’t there, but I saw you sitting in the corner and knew you were the one I had come to get.

You were the best of companions and I never had to worry about having to have a home security system with you around. But even though you were always protective, you were one of the most loving and gentle beings I’ve ever known.

I always knew you would be there to greet me when I got home from work, even if I could tell you had to jump off my bed and come to the door. I still sometimes think you’ll come around the corner when I go to the house we lived in together and have to remind myself that’s not going to be.

Yes, there were those times you’d test my patience. I’d come to the conclusion if you had gotten loose and were running around the neighborhood, it was my place just to wait until you got tired and showed up at the back door.

One of your claims to fame was surviving not just one, but two times of getting hit by cars. I can still see your scars on pictures I have of you and know that without a doubt you were one lucky girl (Actually I was the luckiest of all).

I remember when the neighbor’s dog had been hit by a car and run off into hiding. We humans couldn’t find out where she had gone, but you were able to sense where she was hiding and sat there until we noticed you there with you. On that day you were the angel, a special kind of hero.

I was quite amazed that you were able to adjust to being in a new environment just before you died. You had learned how to use the doggy door, gotten along with your new sisters, and had learned not to be so anxious around strangers. Little did we know how short your stay would be.

As your last hurrah on the day before you died, you caught a bird in the backyard and proudly paraded it around for all to see. You certainly didn’t want to let anyone take it from you, but finally did. You always loved to hunt squirrels and rabbits and perhaps fitting you got a bird on the day before you got your wings.

The news of your terminal cancer was not easy to receive. The veterinarian said the end would be soon, perhaps within a week. It was far too quick for me to fully comprehend that the end would be so near.

That Wednesday morning will forever be etched in my mind. I had taken the day off work and I think you had waited for that time to let us know that it was your time to depart. The decision was not an easy one to make, but I knew it was best for you to end the pain and suffering you had been experiencing. The vet concurred.

I’m sure you understood how difficult it was for me to make that choice as I lay on the floor beside you on the examining room floor. You had fought so hard and never gave up until those last few hours. But your time on this earth, our time together had come to a close.

Until we meet again my good and trusted friend, my Abby.

Random Writing – It’s HOT outside!!!

Summer is definitely here. Although it says it’s only eighty-seven degrees, it feels more like it’s one hundred and seven degrees. I realize that accurate temperatures are supposed to be measured in the shade and I was sitting in the direct rays of the sun, but still, it’s hot!

I sometimes wonder how people before the advent of air conditioners managed to live in the heat of the summer’s rays. I guess a part of it is that they didn’t know of anything else, any other way to be. Perhaps we’ve gotten spoiled at the slightest hint of high degrees of heat and retreat too soon into the cool house.

I also have the utmost respect for those who work out in the heat much or all of the day. Watching workers lay shingles on the roof of a home is quite amazing. And I’m standing there watching, not actually doing any work.

Pictures that I’ve seen taken in the 50s and 60s at major league baseball games usually show the men dressed in long sleeve shirts and ties. Not to mention the flannel uniforms that the players wore during those times. It certainly would seem to make either watching or playing the game much less enjoyable. But once again, maybe they didn’t know any different.

The Upper Deck of the Polo Grounds, where Barney Doyle was watching the Giants-Dodgers game on July 4, 1950.

So here we are, on the first day of July, and I’m already waiting in anticipation for the cooler days of fall to arrive. Until then, I think I’ll tend to stay inside for much of the day and let the heat be in control outside.

100 Days of Writing – Day Six

“Old ways won’t open new doors.”

What does this quote mean to you?

If I keep doing the things I’ve always done, I’m going to keep getting the results I’ve been getting.

If the results of my efforts are desirable, then I likely should keep doing the same thing.

If the results are undesirable, then I to change what I’m doing in expectation of the desired results.

I also know that with most things in life, there is something called persistence. Many times we might be doing the “right thing” but not get what we’d like right away. Someone trying to lose weight by dieting comes to mind. One may have to stick with a newly acquired habit for a period of time before the desired results are realized. In other words, don’t let short-term results get in the way of long-term goals.