Tag Archives: inspiration

The pursuit of happiness

Posted on July 3, 2011 by stillalife

In honor of tomorrow’s Independence Day, this Sunday’s sermon focused on the lines from the Declaration of Independence that say that all men are created equal and that among our inalienable rights are “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” … Continue reading →

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The sound of one hand blogging

Posted on June 28, 2011 by stillalife

Note to readers:  I had shoulder surgery last Friday and am struggling to become proficient as a one-handed blogger, at least for a month, which is how long I must wear a sling.  Thus the title for this post.  If … Continue reading →

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Becoming my own “tiger mom”

Posted on June 7, 2011 by stillalife

Saturday night, my husband and I heard the Charles Lloyd Quartet with Zakir Hussain. It was a spectacular evening.  We had heard Mr. Lloyd once before, maybe 30 years ago, and were as impressed now as we were then.  He … Continue reading →

Posted in arts and crafts, inspiration, no escape from goals | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Other people’s diaries

Posted on May 31, 2011 by stillalife

Other people’s diaries are often more interesting than our own.  I drew this conclusion recently after reading a summary by my friend Walter, professor emeritus, expert on Ottoman poetry and speaker of many languages, based on diaries he recently obtained and … Continue reading →

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Haiku for the generations

Posted on May 28, 2011 by stillalife

Haiku is one form of poetry that both  children and adults can understand and create themselves;  it is a great tool for helping us focus on our surroundings, especially when we travel.  So says “The Traveling Haiku Contest,” the cover article by … Continue reading →

Posted in books or movies, inspiration | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Are you listening?

Posted on April 28, 2011 by stillalife

Are you a good listener?  I’m not.  Today I found myself reading and replying to an email while someone was telling me a long story on the phone. I thought I had been tracking both conversations, until at some point I … Continue reading →

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Cobwebs are not Halloween decorations

Posted on April 26, 2011 by stillalife

Who is responsible for doing the household chores? This is not a small question at any stage of life.  I had a conversation this week with my Iranian email friend Saeide about the pro’s and con’s of having a roommate.  Saiede … Continue reading →

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Boost your brain, kill your pain

Posted on April 10, 2011 by stillalife

In the middle of my second piano lesson after a six-year hiatus, my teacher said, “You’re playing really well; you’re so much calmer now.”  It’s nice to know someone is noticing a change in my post-retirement behavior, but I never knew that … Continue reading →

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Traveling in reverse

Posted on March 30, 2011 by stillalife

A friend told me that her mother just retired from her long-time job as a prison guard and didn’t know what to do with herself.  She hadn’t wanted to retire, but apparently had reached mandatory retirement age.  Luckily I never … Continue reading →

Posted in changes after retirement, friends and family, inspiration, luxury of time | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Treat yourself right

Posted on March 27, 2011 by stillalife

Thanks to the blog Daily Good, I regularly find topics to write on that interest me and will likely be of interest to others.  Today’s is self-compassion.  New York Times writer Tara Parker-Pope summarizes the big ideas in a book coming … Continue reading →

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