Off Key

I hear the sound of my voice and though I am speaking out loud, it still sounds alien and unfamiliar. To my ears the sound is tinny and slightly off key. And far, far away. Perhaps this is a reliable clue to the fact that I am not myself. Off kilter... perhaps to the left, I think. But then, what the hell do I know? Today... not much. Perhaps the inconsistency has more to do with my disposition than the reverberations of the voice in my head. And the feeling I have today of being far removed from myself comes from...?

Hope

Hope...a word that brings to mind a vast array of emotions and images to anyone who hears it. Definition wise... "a feeling that what is wanted will happen; desire accompanied by expectation." It can have religious connotations of faith and belief, the anticipation and desire of lovers, or the longings and dreams of an artist. Wish...opportunity...conviction...aspiration...trust.
All words synonymous with hope. Often times we frivolously hope for concrete things...I need... I want... I deserve. But hope has a genuineness symbolizing so much more. It's deeper in it's essence than just the mere "I hope this or that" we spout off daily. It is a word full of endless possibilities...a work in progress. Hope is what keeps us motivated to do and be. It's what gives passion to our very existence. If you have hope, there is inevitably a chance for tomorrow. As if a higher power were helping guide your destiny...albeit haphazardly at times. Having hope promises the greatest joys you can imagine, or perhaps the deepest sorrows when your desires take a detour your expectations didn't know about. Nevertheless, experiencing both joy and sorrow is how you know you are truly alive. You cannot know one without the other. However, in order to fulfill wishes and dreams, the hope you have must be accompanied by some kind of movement. Hope alone without action is hollow. But when the two are joined, the potential is limitless...

New Year's Thoughts

Happy New Year!
Our little 3 person family went to a friend's party for New Years last night. I was a bit apprehensive b/c I only knew the host. It was a kid friendly New Year's party and I can tell you that I never ever thought I would enjoy a kid friendly event of any kind so much. I suppose your values change once you have a kid...and realize the world is not always kid friendly!
I had forgotten how much I like meeting and laughing with new people...and how much I enjoyed watching my son play with new friends. My husband was quite the culinary hit with his scrumptious appetizer and dessert...(he is currently attending culinary academy so my contribution to his food treats was that I am helping to pay for the tuition! Good enough for me....