Twilight brings a special serene mood. 6 word Saturday

Bed Stretches

This morning I woke up naturally on time.

I always like waking that way instead of the rudeness of an alarm clock.

Previous mornings I would do a few hand stretches before getting out of bed.

But this morning I did many stretches for my whole body.

Years ago I went to a stretch class twice a week.

As I was stretching this morning I recalled those instructions.

I did them slowly and gracefully.

I transitioned from one to another as my intuition seemed to prompt me.

For some reason my ankles wanted special attention today.

I injured them many years ago.

Because I was self paced instead of in a class I took all the time they wanted.

After doing all the stretches I could while in bed I stood up.

Then I did more stretches on my feet.

Most of the time I had my eyes closed.

I was paying close attention to how my body felt.

I stopped many times to rest briefly.

This took a long time but it was a pleasant way to start my day.

Previously I did some full body stretches after I got up and had a bath.

But this felt much better coming from the relaxed state of sleep.

It is my intention to do this more mornings and hope it becomes a natural habit.

Note that stretching is very important for me.

Most of my days and nights are sitting at the computer or driving.

I must make a special effort to go for a walk in the neighborhood.

Other than walking I do not get much exercise.

Keeping my body limber helps with my thinking and emotions.

When my mind, body and emotions are in good order then I am more productive.

That can be measured in my life by the quality of my writing and peacefulness of my conversations. 

Just Another Uniform

A man’s business suit is his workplace uniform.

This uniform is expected by lawyers at the courtroom.

Most business executives wear a similar outfit.

On one hand this kind of attire is special.

But on the other hand consider others that wear uniforms.

Consider the police officers, fast food clerks, fire fighters, janitors and soldiers.

On college campuses there are less clearly defined uniforms.

But when the uniforms of the cliches are contrasted then patterns emerge.

Consider the jocks, nerds, fraternity brothers, druggies, etc.

Redeeming My Time While Driving

Recently living in the now has helped me while driving.

I can invest some time during driving to use my mind to solve problems, plan and review my priorities. But there is only so much I can accomplish while there.

There have come times when I ran out of items to mentally process. But my brain was still in gear. It was processing useless considerations or going around in loops.

Fortunately I have noticed myself in those silly spirals. So I just gently placed my attention on the here and now.

Yesterday for example it was partly cloudy. The clouds were especially lovely. They offered a wide range of fluffy white clouds with patches of gray.

Sometimes the trees, hedges and landscaping are a useful focus for my attention.

While on boring parts of highways I pay attention to my breathing. I follow each inhale and exhale as best I can.

Another way to get into the here and now is to pay attention to parts of my body. One by one I feel my hands, feet, back, neck, etc.

Driving had been a source of stress and fatigue. But as I come back to the here and now it is not as draining.

Shakers Wait

Waiting patiently at the restaurant table the salt and pepper shakers wait.

The standard condiment dispensers are ready at hand for all who sit there day or night.

I see you there silent partners. 

Birdie Resting

Birdie on the barbed wire fence is resting between flights.

Patches of Light

Patches of light and shadows appeared on the large two story house.

They were caused as the setting sun passed through the huge tree across the street.