"Our name is our virtue" is a line from a song I like ("I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz...link to it on the sidebar).
It got me to thinking about names. We humans have a proclivity to naming....everything! That includes ourselves and each other, of course. It is a way of defining that which separates us from the rest of the world. Our names come to have meaning and connotation as well. It is an important rite to name the child when it is born. Most parents, I dare to say, give it a good deal of thought, not only for how the name sounds but also for what the name means. As we grow into adulthood, our names become inextricably entwined with our identity.
Do I like my name? What does my name mean to me? How does it sound? Does my name define me to others?
I confess, I do not completely like my name. I accept it, but I don't exactly love it. It's sound of the "dith" part I am not fond of. I like the "Me" and the "red" and even the "Mer" and, yes, I suppose, the "Mere." I just can't get over the "dith " and the "edith." I also don't like that people frequently misspell it, and sometimes mispronounce it (hint: there are THREE syllables, not two! It's MEHR - eh - dith, not MARE-dith!)
My name in general has been unusual. One doesn't hear it as often as more popular names. It always gives me a little thrill to hear someone say my name in public, for that very reason. I swivel around, to have a look at the other Meredith. I wonder, is she like me? How does she like her name?
"Our name is our virtue." Our name is our virtue? Anyone have a clue what that means? Do my best qualities dwell in my name? Is all my untapped potential hidden there? What is in a name?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Happy Anniversary, Baby
For better.
For worse.
For richer.
For poorer.
In sickness.
In health.
To love.
To cherish.
From now until the end of time.
This is my solemn vow.
Amen.
For worse.
For richer.
For poorer.
In sickness.
In health.
To love.
To cherish.
From now until the end of time.
This is my solemn vow.
Amen.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
One Word Answer Quiz
1. Where is your cell phone? pocket
2. Where is your significant other? work
3. Your hair color? brownish
4. Your mother? cupcake
5. Your father? heavenly
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? dreamy
8. Your dream/goal? peace
9. The room you're in? yellow
10. Your hobby? puzzles
11. Your fear? heights
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? curious
13. Where were you last night? bed
14. What you're not? ambitious
15. One of your wish list items? longevity
16. Where you grew up? Connecticut
17. The last thing you did? bus
18. What are you wearing? sweater
19. Your TV? off
20. Your pet? nada
21. Your computer? humming
22. Your mood? restless
23. Missing someone? YES
24. Your car? dirty
25. Something you're not wearing? jodhpurs
26. Favorite Store? Target
27. Your summer? lovely
28. Love someone? everyone
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? unsure
2. Where is your significant other? work
3. Your hair color? brownish
4. Your mother? cupcake
5. Your father? heavenly
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? dreamy
8. Your dream/goal? peace
9. The room you're in? yellow
10. Your hobby? puzzles
11. Your fear? heights
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? curious
13. Where were you last night? bed
14. What you're not? ambitious
15. One of your wish list items? longevity
16. Where you grew up? Connecticut
17. The last thing you did? bus
18. What are you wearing? sweater
19. Your TV? off
20. Your pet? nada
21. Your computer? humming
22. Your mood? restless
23. Missing someone? YES
24. Your car? dirty
25. Something you're not wearing? jodhpurs
26. Favorite Store? Target
27. Your summer? lovely
28. Love someone? everyone
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? unsure
Sunday, October 19, 2008
T.G.I.S.
My favorite day of the week is Sunday. It is usually the one day I can sleep late - not that I do, but knowing that I could somehow makes it feel different. Certainly, I can laze about for a bit, and not pop up and out of bed almost as soon as the alarm goes off (or sooner!). Again, not that I always laze, but knowing that I could is the important thing.
I could like Sunday because of the Sunday New York Times with all its juicy Sunday sections. But the fact is, we get most of those ahead of time, on Saturday. If I'm lucky, I have already read most of the good Sunday stuff, unless I purposefully save some, which I do sometimes.
Then, there is always the making of the Sunday breakfast. But, alas I make breakfast for those critters every morning, so there is nothing really special to like about Sunday breakfasts.
A lot of times, we do something together as a family, like take a hike or maybe once in a while go to a movie or out to lunch. That is certainly a highlight.
There are a lot of nice things about Sunday. But my favorite part is something that is missing. What's missing is the dread I used to feel, back when I worked outside the home. The dread had to do with Monday morning. It was a physical feeling, almost a sadness. In point of fact, the actual experience of Monday was not nearly as gruesome as the anticipation of it. Which is funny, when you think about it.
So now, I can love Sunday for what it is, a nice and usually relaxing day. I am thankful for that.
I could like Sunday because of the Sunday New York Times with all its juicy Sunday sections. But the fact is, we get most of those ahead of time, on Saturday. If I'm lucky, I have already read most of the good Sunday stuff, unless I purposefully save some, which I do sometimes.
Then, there is always the making of the Sunday breakfast. But, alas I make breakfast for those critters every morning, so there is nothing really special to like about Sunday breakfasts.
A lot of times, we do something together as a family, like take a hike or maybe once in a while go to a movie or out to lunch. That is certainly a highlight.
There are a lot of nice things about Sunday. But my favorite part is something that is missing. What's missing is the dread I used to feel, back when I worked outside the home. The dread had to do with Monday morning. It was a physical feeling, almost a sadness. In point of fact, the actual experience of Monday was not nearly as gruesome as the anticipation of it. Which is funny, when you think about it.
So now, I can love Sunday for what it is, a nice and usually relaxing day. I am thankful for that.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Two Pages
All these writing exercises come from a book "Thinking of Memoir" by Abigail Thomas. They each begin with "Write two pages of..."
I was going through them in order, but I have changed my mind, and am now going to pick "at random."
"Write two pages of lies." Oh, by the way, the reason I didn't put the "two pages" in before is that I didn't want to feel obligated to write two whole pages. Anyway, what does that mean - two pages? How big are the pages? How big is the writing? I just found the "two pages" dictum constricting. Nobody likes a constricting dictum, eh? Probably, "dictum" is not the right word to use, but I just like the alliterative sound to the whole thing, so I'm going with it.
ANYway, so, the REAL reason I am going to start putting the "Write two pages of..." is that many of these dicta (!) make more sense when they are begun with those words. I am not sure but I think it is the "of" that does it. Further study is needed.
OK, back to the lies. Perhaps I have been reluctant to get on with the lies. The whole concept of honesty , in general, has a bit of a hot button-ness to it. Is that a word - button-ness? See how I am procrastinating? It is not as easy as it looks - to be open about lying! Think about it!
It just may be that I am not in the mood to lie today. Does one even need to be in a particular mood, in order to lie? Well, now, see I have learned something about myself right there. Apparently I correlate some kind of mood with the ability or the desire to engage in deceit. Which is strange in itself, because in point of fact, I happen to be in somewhat of a upbeat and energetic mood, bordering even on joviality. To me this would almost seem to predispose me to, at the very least, a bit of mischievousness. And that is certainly one road to deception. So, all of this is becoming a little confusing to me. That brings me to the conclusion that this whole post is nonsense, and you could certainly classify nonsense as a bunch of lies, loosely speaking. I guess I accomplished the task after all. On to bigger and better lies, darling.
I was going through them in order, but I have changed my mind, and am now going to pick "at random."
"Write two pages of lies." Oh, by the way, the reason I didn't put the "two pages" in before is that I didn't want to feel obligated to write two whole pages. Anyway, what does that mean - two pages? How big are the pages? How big is the writing? I just found the "two pages" dictum constricting. Nobody likes a constricting dictum, eh? Probably, "dictum" is not the right word to use, but I just like the alliterative sound to the whole thing, so I'm going with it.
ANYway, so, the REAL reason I am going to start putting the "Write two pages of..." is that many of these dicta (!) make more sense when they are begun with those words. I am not sure but I think it is the "of" that does it. Further study is needed.
OK, back to the lies. Perhaps I have been reluctant to get on with the lies. The whole concept of honesty , in general, has a bit of a hot button-ness to it. Is that a word - button-ness? See how I am procrastinating? It is not as easy as it looks - to be open about lying! Think about it!
It just may be that I am not in the mood to lie today. Does one even need to be in a particular mood, in order to lie? Well, now, see I have learned something about myself right there. Apparently I correlate some kind of mood with the ability or the desire to engage in deceit. Which is strange in itself, because in point of fact, I happen to be in somewhat of a upbeat and energetic mood, bordering even on joviality. To me this would almost seem to predispose me to, at the very least, a bit of mischievousness. And that is certainly one road to deception. So, all of this is becoming a little confusing to me. That brings me to the conclusion that this whole post is nonsense, and you could certainly classify nonsense as a bunch of lies, loosely speaking. I guess I accomplished the task after all. On to bigger and better lies, darling.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Blog Action Day - 2008
October 15th is Blog Action Day. This year's theme is poverty.
This may be a lone cry in the darkness, but isn't focusing on something prone to giving it more reality? This is a very dangerous area to be treading in.
I am not, repeat not, denying that there are millions living in poverty.
Wouldn't we (those of us who are too far away to help directly in a physical sense)be better serving them by thinking in terms of ABUNDANCE FOR ALL?
I advocate this mindset: there is enough here for all of us.
I pledge to help those in need.
I pledge to pray and act on behalf of those who
who are living in scarcity.
I pledge to remember to share.
I know my place in the world. I know that I am one of the "lucky" ones.
It's easier for me to say all this.
THAT'S WHY I AM SAYING IT.
(Click on the link above if you do want to learn more about Blog Action Day)
I am not, repeat not, denying that there are millions living in poverty.
Wouldn't we (those of us who are too far away to help directly in a physical sense)be better serving them by thinking in terms of ABUNDANCE FOR ALL?
I advocate this mindset: there is enough here for all of us.
I pledge to help those in need.
I pledge to pray and act on behalf of those who
who are living in scarcity.
I pledge to remember to share.
I know my place in the world. I know that I am one of the "lucky" ones.
It's easier for me to say all this.
THAT'S WHY I AM SAYING IT.
(Click on the link above if you do want to learn more about Blog Action Day)
Prosperity
It is better.
It is getting better.
It is all right.
It is going to be, even more, all right.
No one else but me will get what is my fair share.
I need not worry.
What is there for me, will continue to be there for me.
All I have to do now is: relax and get to work.
(with thanks to Abraham)
It is getting better.
It is all right.
It is going to be, even more, all right.
No one else but me will get what is my fair share.
I need not worry.
What is there for me, will continue to be there for me.
All I have to do now is: relax and get to work.
(with thanks to Abraham)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Today
Today I awaken and meet the day.
I choose to feel peace today.
As I go about my day's activities, I look for and find moments of peace and joy.
No matter the challenges and obstacles, I choose to see everything as a learning opportunity.
I choose to feel peace today.
As I go about my day's activities, I look for and find moments of peace and joy.
No matter the challenges and obstacles, I choose to see everything as a learning opportunity.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Unfinished Post
Anything going on in my physical world is directly related to my interior landscape. Reacting blindly to events in my life can prolong the chain of negativity in my own experience. Yet practicing mindfulness in my response to what is happening around me can help me see when a learning opportunity is before me.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Times of Trouble
"Write about when you knew you were in trouble."
Any time that I have THOUGHT I was in trouble, it invariably transpired that the trouble was largely in my own mind. Specifically, I have been fortunate in my life in that I have evaded almost all physical peril, and been spared a great deal of life's troubles in general. Those times that one might think of as trouble have been brief and fleeting. Again, the perception of trouble was the biggest major factor in all of these circumstances. In retrospect, I was never in as much trouble as I thought I was when in the thick of it. Always, always there was the Unseen Hand that was carrying me through the difficult times. Another hard fact: out of EVERY TROUBLE came some good. Always. Always. Always. For this reason alone, I love trouble!
Any time that I have THOUGHT I was in trouble, it invariably transpired that the trouble was largely in my own mind. Specifically, I have been fortunate in my life in that I have evaded almost all physical peril, and been spared a great deal of life's troubles in general. Those times that one might think of as trouble have been brief and fleeting. Again, the perception of trouble was the biggest major factor in all of these circumstances. In retrospect, I was never in as much trouble as I thought I was when in the thick of it. Always, always there was the Unseen Hand that was carrying me through the difficult times. Another hard fact: out of EVERY TROUBLE came some good. Always. Always. Always. For this reason alone, I love trouble!
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