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Reflections from an RV 051712

May 17, 2012 By 4 Comments

Traveling in an RV is a good test for how strong your relationship might be. This morning Dave got up and said, “I think this is going to work.”
“what is going to work?

“Being in this RV with you for six months is going to work.”

We had a lovely first day together, driving from Titusville to Kings Bay Submarine Base, in St. Marys, GA. We have a very nice lot, overlooking the lake. It’s peaceful, quiet and very safe. Both of us had to show our military ID’s in order to drive onto the base, and the guards have guns!

Where was that guard when we were packing up this week and discovered that another GPS is missing. We had one in both our cars and the one from Dave’s car was missing.  At least it was the one that I liked the least.

Dave has checked out what’s around here and we plan on driving to Brunswick to explore the city this week. Sounds like a fun place to explore. He also found some info on kayaking so we’ll check that out too. Our goal on this trip is to check out local places and see some of this beautiful country of ours. I have done a lot of traveling outside the country for the last few years and I’m looking forward to planting my feet on USA soil for a while. What better way than in a motor home?

You know we dealt with mice in our house last week and I think I cured the problem before we left. My good friend, Julia is checking on our house and if it becomes evident that the mice are still there, she’ll work with our pest control guy to get them out. So I’m not worried about it. I was starting to wonder however, if Mother Nature had put out a message that the Helms’ were critter friendly. On Tuesday, Dave opened the door to the RV and in flew two little birds. He convinced one to leave right away but the other became disoriented and avoided the door. It took both of us shooing the little chickadee with towels to get her tired enough to fly low and find the door. That’s team work, but I’m hoping that it isn’t a test for future animal adventures! Glad they both found freedom with a minimum of anxiety.

I do have some work today –  a radio show at 1 pm EST, if you can really call that work. Its really a lot of fun being a guest on radio shows! Tune in if you are so inclined. It should be fun. I’ve not any more work then until Tuesday so we can make our plans to play for a few days.

I want to check out the exercise facility here on the base – no bike riding without a helmet and I really don’t want to buy one for just a week. I don’t really need one on a 3 wheel recumbent so it’ll stay hanging on the back of the coach for now. We’ll be in Yemesee, SC next week and hopefully there’ll be places that I can exercise on my bike. I really prefer being out in nature instead of in a gym.

You know, I’m a Certified Spiritual Coach, and what’s that have to do with RVing? Well, there’s spirituality all around us, when our hearts are open to it. Last night when Dave walked the dogs, he called me outside, and there stood a deer, off in the distance by the lake looking back at him. It was a quiet moment, and I appreciated my life so much at that moment.

When you concentrate on what you have and not worry about what you don’t have, life really is a spiritual experience.

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Happy Easter

April 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Easter Sunrise

Good morning, and Happy Easter to my Christian friends. And a blessed Passover to my Jewish friends. We started our day out with a beautiful sunrise Mass at our little church, Blessed Sacrament in Cocoa, FL. The sun did rise with some brilliance but then disappeared behind a cloud for most of the service, which was a good thing, as we faced east.

Perhaps it is my imagination, or perhaps just my own stuff, but it seemed to me that there was alot of excitement about Easter this year. Many Christian friends posted notes throughout Holy Week, full of anticipation of the Ressurection. My reaction was more quiet and reflective on Good Friday, thinking about where I am and what I’d like to do differently. And then I awaited Easter Morning. This morning it truly felt like a day to celebrate. I don’t quite know what is different, but it feels like change is on my horizon.

We have finally outgrown the “Easter Bunny.” This is my eighteenth year of no sugar, so of course, no chocolate bunnies for me. We were shopping yesterday and I asked Dave if he wanted some candy, but he thought it’d all be half price tomorrow and he’d wait. I didn’t even decorate eggs. No grandkids to celebrate with me this year, as they stayed in Atlanta for the weekend.

Easter can just come and go for me, or it can be an opportunity to make a difference. I feel like that difference for me this year is to be more quiet.  I don’t have to be running the show all the time. I also am really going to slow down, travel less and do some nesting. The next two months are hectic travel-wise, but there are less trips scheduled over the summer. I want to concentrate on me, my almost ten-year marriage to David and our home.

So, Happy Easter to you. What will this day bring for you? Is it just another day, or an opportunity to experience the greatness of change?

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Spiritual Tip of the Day – Unconventional Meditation

October 14, 2010 By 1 Comment

I have come to believe that unconventional meditation is what works for me. I’m not one to sit quietly for a period of time – my mind wanders too much. But stick me on a bicycle in a quiet woodsy setting, and my mind clears like magic. I am open to God’s message for me.

This morning, I woke up while it was still dark; in a few weeks that will change, when we set the clocks back an hour.  So, my bike ride started out in limited visibility. There’s very little traffic in my neighborhood that early - mostly other bikes, a few dog-walkers, and a golf cart or two. The lawn crew gets out around seven, but when I saw a vehicle approaching, I’d just flick on my little  flashlight so they could see me.

It was comfortable - short sleeve weather in the mid sixties and I enjoyed the quiet time. I ride about 3.5 miles – my bike has no gears so if I want to go faster, I must pedal harder. What a great way to combine exercise with meditation – multi-tasking at it’s finest!

While I was riding, I thought about my day yesterday, and reviewed my opportunities to be of service to others. Presently my husband is the regular recipient of my giving. He broke his wrist about eight weeks ago and the cast came off on Tuesday. I’ve been applying lotions and creams to his dry skin as he requests it. He’s rather self sufficient. I think part of service to others means not to shove it down their throat. I have learned with Dave, to offer, and then let it go. He will ask when he needs help. My part will be to stop what I’m doing, whenever possible, and help. He doesn’t ask that often so I need to be ready.

In thinking about today, I know I will see several people, as I run errands and keep appointments in the ‘big city’ (Orlando). When I pray in the morning to be of service to people, it sets the tone for the day, and I find myself looking for opportunities. Sometimes it is to give anonymously, and others, just striking conversation with a stranger. It’s right there, when my heart is open to giving.Wildlife & Animals 24637

I also think about others as I ride, and pray for them. My sister is waiting for some test results, so I prayed for good news. A neighbor is traveling – I asked for their safety. Keeping it simple, just kind of talking with God like I would a friend on the phone, works best for me.

So, I’ll probably never qualify for guru of Tibet status, but meditation on the bike for me. Thinking outside the box can result in finding what works for you too.

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Creating Memories

September 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Grandparents uid 736109How many retirees are sitting in their easy chairs, flipping channels and wondering where their lives have gone? Will you be someone who looks back and regrets all the things you haven’t accomplished? Not me!

I highly suspect that no senior will be making the comment, “I wish I could have worked more. Forty hours a week just wasn’t enough.” Don’t get me wrong, when I had a fast-paced corporate  career, I put in an honest day’s work for my salary. Some days were longer than others, if deadlines loomed ahead. But when the work day was done, life was mine!

I know that in my golden years, I can look back and feel pride about publishing several books. When I tell others that I’m an author, the most common response is, “I’ve always wanted to write a book.”  This dream cannot happen until one actually picks up the pen, or in today’s environment, sits down at the computer.  Are you one of those people who always wanted to write a book too?

I fly frequently which gives us free airline tickets. Next week, Dave and I are heading to Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta. I’ve always wanted to see this, but until we actually made the reservations, it couldn’t happen! As soon as two more comp tickets come through, we’ll plan a trip to a place we’ve never been. Our country has some fantastic sights – the Grand Canyon, Niagra Falls, San Francisco … what wonderful memories for my golden years.

I don’t have to hop on a plane to create memories – just a morning bike ride can be a visual treat. I’ve often seen deer, raccoons, an occasional bobcat and some gorgeous sunrises on my trek around the neighborhood.

Sometimes after dinner, Dave and I will drive over to Canaveral National Seashore and just walk. It’s a quiet beach and there have been occasions when we were the only visitors, save a sea gull or two. We don’t have to drive very far for a quiet, spiritual experience!

It is not too late to plan your future memories by living out your dreams today. Whether it is tap dance lessons, a new exercise program, a puppy or just a new recipe, grab hold of tomorrow’s fond recollections – today.

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