The Journey in Etheree
by Lisa A Kramer
For the poem, I attempted another etheree, as I thought it would create the image of words moving into the distance down the road. It reads as follows: Now Begins The Journey Moving onward into the unknown. In the distance, a choice as yet unseen, a tunnel a fork in the road to somewhere beyond the knowledge and the dreams and plans of the woman who moves forward bravely. ____________________ Today's Quote:
"It is better to travel well than to arrive. " Buddha
On the Road Again . . . Into the Unknown
by Lisa A Kramer
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v9-InvDwMw]
I've always had the secret fantasy of becoming a singer in a band, sharing music with the masses as I travel from town to town. I have the hidden urge to be a song writer, but that would require me to become much more fluent in the language of music then I currently am. Of course, I can read it a little better now, since I decided to start studying piano last year, but I lost the fluency of my youth.
But this post isn't about music, or about my secret dreams. It is about journeys and our path through life. I would have to argue that "journey of life" is one of my guiding metaphors, but I've forgotten that recently....
I've always had the secret fantasy of becoming a singer in a band, sharing music with the masses as I travel from town to town. I have the hidden urge to be a song writer, but that would require me to become much more fluent in the language of music then I currently am. Of course, I can read it a little better now, since I decided to start studying piano last year, but I lost the fluency of my youth.
But this post isn't about music, or about my secret dreams. It is about journeys and our path through life. I would have to argue that "journey of life" is one of my guiding metaphors, but I've forgotten that recently....
Luck, Life, and Inspiration
by Lisa A Kramer
My mind is working at a frenetic pace, bouncing from thought to thought, image to image, idea to idea. It almost feels like my brain is full of thousands of fireflies, butterflies, and hummingbirds racing around in a magical dance whose meaning I could understand and interpret if only I knew the secret language of their nearly silent song.
Despite this chaotic dance, I feel the need to post. Writing for me is a way of making meaning, yet, even as I write I still feel confused. So today I want to share some of the fleeting thoughts and images that have added to the mental disarray.
This week the world offered me many messages. So I will share with you the...
Despite this chaotic dance, I feel the need to post. Writing for me is a way of making meaning, yet, even as I write I still feel confused. So today I want to share some of the fleeting thoughts and images that have added to the mental disarray.
This week the world offered me many messages. So I will share with you the...
Advertising Self
by Lisa A Kramer
Our world runs on advertising. Homes for sale or rent, products to sell, places to visit, services . . . we all find them through advertisements.
But advertising, as I was reminded quite painfully yesterday, can be false. (Where do people think of these scams?)
I've been thinking a lot about advertising lately, as I try to figure out how best to move forward into the next adventure of my life. I have to advertise myself. I have to advocate for myself as well. I have to promote and sell myself, and I simply don't know how. I can do it for other people really well, but when it comes to self-promotion or self-advertising I...
"Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on First"
by Lisa A Kramer
The logic of this advice given by most airlines makes sense. You cannot help your child get her oxygen mask on if you are gasping for breath yourself.
Yet how often do we ignore this idea in our own lives? I am guilty. I have spent many years giving everyone else the oxygen they need, little recognizing my own blueness of face and gasps for air.
Yesterday, as Nathan and I took a walk in nature lit by moonlight, we talked about the future and what this upcoming move meant for us as a family and for me as an individual. We had just finished watching Crazy, Stupid, Love which, while fun and funny, also hit a few nerves in some ways. The...
Yet how often do we ignore this idea in our own lives? I am guilty. I have spent many years giving everyone else the oxygen they need, little recognizing my own blueness of face and gasps for air.
Yesterday, as Nathan and I took a walk in nature lit by moonlight, we talked about the future and what this upcoming move meant for us as a family and for me as an individual. We had just finished watching Crazy, Stupid, Love which, while fun and funny, also hit a few nerves in some ways. The...
It's All in the Perspective
by Lisa A Kramer
"I can't believe we have a summer home!" Sarah KramerLee
Nathan and I couldn't help but laugh at Sarah's perspective on our summer lives. While my idea of a summer home might be more like this:
with the ability to do this on a regular basis:
to Sarah that doesn't matter. In her mind, and her perspective, this simple little cabin is our "summer home."
To Nathan this place is "like going back for a family reunion after not seeing them for a while." It is a place...
with the ability to do this on a regular basis:
to Sarah that doesn't matter. In her mind, and her perspective, this simple little cabin is our "summer home."
To Nathan this place is "like going back for a family reunion after not seeing them for a while." It is a place...
All We Need to Know About Life
by Lisa A Kramer
I don't know where this originated but I stole . . . um borrowed this from my friend's Facebook page because I found it full of inspiration and truth.
Here's the thing, life is not worth living if we spend all our time worrying and stressing over things beyond our control. Life should be something we embrace every day with passion and joy.
I am hereby making a promise to myself to live my life as joyously as possible. I'm going to trust the universe to provide what I need, and meanwhile I am going to continue to work towards achieving the dreams and goals that I have for my life.
What exactly are those dreams and goals? Well they seem to be...
Here's the thing, life is not worth living if we spend all our time worrying and stressing over things beyond our control. Life should be something we embrace every day with passion and joy.
I am hereby making a promise to myself to live my life as joyously as possible. I'm going to trust the universe to provide what I need, and meanwhile I am going to continue to work towards achieving the dreams and goals that I have for my life.
What exactly are those dreams and goals? Well they seem to be...
Pursuing Passion and Creating a Life in a World Gone Mad
by Lisa A Kramer
I have never really followed a traditional career path.
Don't get me wrong, I've had tons of jobs, and have been successful at each one. Give me a challenge and I live up to it and surpass that challenge. Most of my employers would hire me back in a second.
But I'm not really a 9-5 kind of gal. I can work 40 hour weeks, and I often work more than that, but I function best in jobs that offer variety and flexibility. When I do have full-time office jobs with regular hours, I tend to fill my other time with other kinds of work to fulfill this need for diversity. At the same time, I try to go above and beyond...
Don't get me wrong, I've had tons of jobs, and have been successful at each one. Give me a challenge and I live up to it and surpass that challenge. Most of my employers would hire me back in a second.
But I'm not really a 9-5 kind of gal. I can work 40 hour weeks, and I often work more than that, but I function best in jobs that offer variety and flexibility. When I do have full-time office jobs with regular hours, I tend to fill my other time with other kinds of work to fulfill this need for diversity. At the same time, I try to go above and beyond...
The Power of Social Media, College Networks, and Support Systems
by Lisa A Kramer
I have made a discovery!
In my panic of the past few days as I struggle to figure out how to move a family from Kansas to Massachusetts in less than a month without having to give up my dog babies, I have tried to expand my search for both housing and work. I announced the move on Facebook. I've updated my LinkedIn profile. I joined an alumnae group for Smith College on LinkedIn. And I've written posts here.
An amazing thing has started to happen. No, I haven't found a place to live or a house yet, but suddenly I feel less alone. First came the wonderful and supportive comments on my posts here. Then came e-mails from the alumnae group--one...
In my panic of the past few days as I struggle to figure out how to move a family from Kansas to Massachusetts in less than a month without having to give up my dog babies, I have tried to expand my search for both housing and work. I announced the move on Facebook. I've updated my LinkedIn profile. I joined an alumnae group for Smith College on LinkedIn. And I've written posts here.
An amazing thing has started to happen. No, I haven't found a place to live or a house yet, but suddenly I feel less alone. First came the wonderful and supportive comments on my posts here. Then came e-mails from the alumnae group--one...
A Letter of Apology
by Lisa A Kramer
Dear Kansas,
I am sorry if you think I hate you. I don't. I have struggled in my time here, but only because of my own problems not because of you.
I recognize the many wonderful things about you. I've been so impressed by the volunteerism in this community, from helping with arts programming to giving time and supplies after natural disasters, this community supports each other. I've met incredible people here, especially some lovely women who have become the woman I want to be, living vibrant fulfilled lives fighting for what they believe in, and creating what they want to see happen. I have had great opportunities here, to do interesting work with wonderful people.
Yet,...
Speeding Back into the Unknown
by Lisa A Kramer
It looks like I’m back on that speeding roller coaster carrying me on a crazy ride to destinations unknown. While this change was something I’ve been looking for, now that it is here I feel overwhelmed with the speed and the unclear destination at the end. Will I crash into a brick wall? Will I be flung off the track into the icy waters lying below? Will I pull safely into a station and be welcomed with open arms? Only time and the ride will tell.
Okay, time to leave this metaphor behind and be specific. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XWYefe9EzI] At the end of August, we are going to leave Kansas and move to Massachusetts as Nathan has accepted a position as technical director at Worcester...
Okay, time to leave this metaphor behind and be specific. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XWYefe9EzI] At the end of August, we are going to leave Kansas and move to Massachusetts as Nathan has accepted a position as technical director at Worcester...
Pompous Verbosity for Fun (100 Word Challenge)
by Lisa A Kramer
For this weeks 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups, we must incorporate the following words into our post: Ripple Brood Evocative Lilt Untoward. These five words come from the list of "103 Most Beautiful Words" posted by another blogger. I, in my state of (I'm making up a word here) frustratedboredommixedwithwriter'sblocktiredofwaitinglimbo decided to extend my own challenge by using as many of the beautiful words as I could in my post, knowing--of course--that I would come off sounding like a pompous jerk who uses big words when simple ones will do. The red highlighted words are from the challenge. The purple highlighted words are from the list. Enjoy, join the challenge, and visit some of the other participants.
As I sit in limbo brooding...
As I sit in limbo brooding...
Lost in Limbo
by Lisa A Kramer
I am so tired of waiting. It seems like I am consistently lost in limbo, waiting for someone or something to happen so that I can take the next steps that I need to take.
I'm sure some of you are thinking, "Well then, don't wait. make things happen on your own. Take action."
I'd love to, but sometimes the next step, the next action is dictated by something outside yourself. So, here I am stuck waiting.
And the clock ticks slowly . . . tic tic tic tic.
There is no speeding up time. There is no making days move faster either, and sometimes the waiting depends on days rather than minutes.
Waiting for bureaucracy. Waiting for returned phone calls. Waiting for the next...
I'm sure some of you are thinking, "Well then, don't wait. make things happen on your own. Take action."
I'd love to, but sometimes the next step, the next action is dictated by something outside yourself. So, here I am stuck waiting.
And the clock ticks slowly . . . tic tic tic tic.
There is no speeding up time. There is no making days move faster either, and sometimes the waiting depends on days rather than minutes.
Waiting for bureaucracy. Waiting for returned phone calls. Waiting for the next...
To Help Us All Relax . . .
by Lisa A Kramer
In response to all of the wonderful comments on my previous post, and recognizing that many of us seem to be in the world of the frazzled today, I offer all of you wonderful people a little bit of this:
and maybe some of this:
Or perhaps you prefer this:
Tori suggested this:
Or maybe we simply need a little bit of this: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIb6AZdTr-A]
Or this: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-8DO6k3HJ8]
and maybe some of this:
Or perhaps you prefer this:
Tori suggested this:
Or maybe we simply need a little bit of this: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIb6AZdTr-A]
Or this: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-8DO6k3HJ8]
Too Scattered to Write
by Lisa A Kramer
Have you ever had one of those days when your mind is going a mile a minute and you cannot accomplish a single thing because of it?
Today is one of those days for me.
The list of things I could be doing or might be doing grows, and yet I fritter around like a hummingbird in a field of flowers, unable to rest, to calm, to think, to breathe or to write. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzCG-MNx590&feature=related] And, in the typical irony of fate, today seems to be the day that I should be producing a high-quality fabulous post to thrill the masses. Why? Well, yesterday I had one of those randomly successful days on the blog, with the most visits ever for me--and today, without me...
Today is one of those days for me.
The list of things I could be doing or might be doing grows, and yet I fritter around like a hummingbird in a field of flowers, unable to rest, to calm, to think, to breathe or to write. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzCG-MNx590&feature=related] And, in the typical irony of fate, today seems to be the day that I should be producing a high-quality fabulous post to thrill the masses. Why? Well, yesterday I had one of those randomly successful days on the blog, with the most visits ever for me--and today, without me...
Cosmic Dance
by Lisa A Kramer
This post comes from the inspiration of three different women, which just shows the power and complexity of this magnificent world I call the "Blogosphere". Today, Darla at She's a Maineiac wrote the lovely poem called "Radiance at Last" in response to a challenge made by Val Erde who provided inspiration in the form of this magnificent painting by her
A few days ago, Priya at Partial View wrote "Dismissed too Soon"a magnificent post that incorporates photography and poetry to explore issues of life and death. She used the form of etheree, which she also explains: An etheree comprises of 10 lines. It begins with a one syllable line, increasing one...
A few days ago, Priya at Partial View wrote "Dismissed too Soon"a magnificent post that incorporates photography and poetry to explore issues of life and death. She used the form of etheree, which she also explains: An etheree comprises of 10 lines. It begins with a one syllable line, increasing one...
Simultaneous Stories
by Lisa A Kramer
I wake up and somewhere a child falls asleep. I turn on my computer to start writing a blog post, and another blogger starts typing hers. People dance in one part of the world while people die in another.
I walk outside to answer the call of the moon, and elsewhere others see the same moon as I do, while still more rise to worship the sun.
We all live simultaneous stories.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT_UmBHMYzg]
This movie intrigues me for a number of reasons. One is simply that one of my high school friends contributed to it. But, the idea of simultaneous stories intersects all of my writing lately.
Stories are what connect us and what divide us. As a newborn takes his first breathe in one...
I walk outside to answer the call of the moon, and elsewhere others see the same moon as I do, while still more rise to worship the sun.
We all live simultaneous stories.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT_UmBHMYzg]
This movie intrigues me for a number of reasons. One is simply that one of my high school friends contributed to it. But, the idea of simultaneous stories intersects all of my writing lately.
Stories are what connect us and what divide us. As a newborn takes his first breathe in one...
Following Intuition and Learning from Oprah
by Lisa A Kramer
I have Nathan well-trained. When we go through the check-out at grocery stores he goes ahead to take care of paying while I get my fix of the headlines on all the magazines lining the aisles. I particularly love to read the trashier headlines because they either make me giggle or cringe out of share absurdity. I rarely, if ever, purchase an actual magazine (except for the inevitable holiday cookie one that always entices me with alluring new cookie possibilities).
Yesterday, however, O: The Oprah Magazine caught my eye as it often does, because the covers are always gorgeous. I admit to the occasional purchase because O always includes articles that speak to things I might be going through.
"Let Your Intuition Be...
Yesterday, however, O: The Oprah Magazine caught my eye as it often does, because the covers are always gorgeous. I admit to the occasional purchase because O always includes articles that speak to things I might be going through.
"Let Your Intuition Be...
I'm Not Old Enough
by Lisa A Kramer
This is my response to the fabulous Tori Nelson's post called "old enough."
I'm Not Old Enough . . .
. . . to give up my dreams in the face of other people's sense of
what is appropriate;
. . . to sit in a corner gathering dust
while younger generations act like my time has passed;
. . . to fade quietly into an existence defined by other's
and yet society wants to make that so.
I'm not old enough . . .
. . . to live without the joys of childhood
like ice cream on a sunny day
or conversations with stuffed animals.
. . . to live without singing and dancing
for the pure joy of song and movement
. . . to be afraid of getting dirty
with paint...
Bizarre Twists of Fate
by Lisa A Kramer
"Fate, or some mysterious force, can put the finger on you or me, for no good reason at all." (Martin Goldsmith)
Fate twists a strand of curly blond hair around her finger and laughs a wicked little giggle.
"Sisters," she says. "It is time to push buttons for our favorite playthings. They have become a little complacent, and need to be nudged. "
"But not delicately," the red-headed sister adds. "Let us shove rather than nudge. It is so much fun to watch them squirm as we throw the unexpected in their way."
"Let's do it!" The raven-haired sister calls out and begins to dance.
All three sisters spin and twirl, moving slowly at first. Then...
Fate twists a strand of curly blond hair around her finger and laughs a wicked little giggle.
"Sisters," she says. "It is time to push buttons for our favorite playthings. They have become a little complacent, and need to be nudged. "
"But not delicately," the red-headed sister adds. "Let us shove rather than nudge. It is so much fun to watch them squirm as we throw the unexpected in their way."
"Let's do it!" The raven-haired sister calls out and begins to dance.
All three sisters spin and twirl, moving slowly at first. Then...
