Goodbye November...now what's next?

It is most difficult to believe that November 2010 will come to an end in less than two hours and December, the month of giving and receiving, wishing and hoping, longing for things we really do not need and receiving many things that will only take up space, begins with everyone consumed with Christmas. I am no less guilty than so many others that I allow my life to be consumed with "things" whether it is December or June.

Why do we feel this incessant need to possess or be surrounded by so many "things" that we may never use or know what to do with once we own them? Do we possess them or do they possess us?  That question will most likely not be answered by me today in this space and time. What happens if we begin ridding our lives of these things and replace them with the truly important people in our life?  Begin giving those we love the time and energy needed that we devote to other distractions and I honestly believe that God will take care of the rest. As He tells us, put Him and others before self and we will begin reaping the rewards that will lead us to heaven.

As this year begins to draw on its final month, the air brings a renewed feel to our skin that the sun has baked during the warmer days and is producing allergies like I haven't experienced in years. But regardless of those superficial feelings, I do know one thing is constant, and that is the love that God gave us by giving His only Son in order that we might have the hope of salvation and dwell in heaven one day. May peace come to those who have patience, love, faith, hope and a kind heart.

There is no doubt in my mind that I was raised by wonderful, loving parents who, like most of us as parents, did the best they could with the knowledge they had. How I do wish that I could have learned to have more confidence in myself at a younger age, but I know that the generation of my mother and grandmother was molded by the expectations of rural, southern women. How difficult is it to have the perfect balance as a southern lady to be confident, but not come across as haughty, b*tchy or unapproachable! Do wish that I had the answer to that and many other questions that swirl so freely in my head.

Why do I struggle to become a dedicated writer? When I was in college and graduate school, I really did enjoy the required research and writing of papers for classes. My daugther-in-law is an avid writer and does it beautifully. She journals, and I want/need to do better.

The need part comes from a desire for an outlet to remove the words from my mind and transfer them outside my body onto paper, thinking that it might hopefully remove them from my head and continually invading normal thoughts that help me survive the grueling daily schedule that I have.

Maybe I am unrealistic thinking that I will be "smarter" than I truly am if I could just release some information from my head. Others seem to retrieve needed information at will, and I have to think though my thoughts and ideas before I establish my reply. Does this make me appear "dumber" or clueless...I often wonder. Maybe I am fooling myself into thinking that I am a deep thinker.