Day 2304: What do we value?

Today’s blog post, inspired by this photo …

… might seem like a logical extension of yesterday’s post, if logic is something you value.

I also value this opportunity to explore what we value and devalue in our culture, including older people.  During the  last few months, I have

• heard  and read many jokes about older people, focusing on lack of ability, attractiveness, and other things we value,
• defended the benefits of growing older to  groups of  younger people expressing nothing but fear about aging,
• been told by an otherwise culturally sensitive younger person that “people of my generation” think and act a certain way, and
• experienced my own internalized ageism, as I struggle against devaluing myself for looking and growing older.

What do I value about my photos from yesterday?

I value our home, so I took this photo yesterday of a water stain on the ceiling.  We want to watch that stain, so our home doesn’t decrease in value as we and our home age.

My friend Jenn values pugs and I value Jenn, so I take pug-related photos and send them to her.

I value cats, so I took this photo at the supermarket yesterday evening.  I also noticed a Life Magazine about Dogs and remarked to my valued boyfriend Michael that the Dogs Life Magazine cover did not promise a feature on “DOGS vs. CATS.”   Michael — who values dogs  and cats and who doesn’t value conflict — had nothing to say about that.

I took this photo because I value expressing joy,  and I assumed I would be able to use that image  very soon.  Sure enough, people I value shared some good news within the hour and I sent that image in an email.

I value great people and I value puns, so I knew I could use this in today’s blog post, no matter what the topic.

I value myself and other people, even when we’re procrastinating.  As is usual for me during this time of the year, I am procrastinating completing my taxes, because I value doing almost anything else more.

I value all the meals Michael makes for me, even leftovers, because they are so delicious!

I value this video I found on Youtube by searching for “what do we value ageism”:

… and this one:

 

What else do I value?  Your comments and expressing gratitude, here and now.

 

Day 2186: Animals

In two thousand, one hundred, and eighty-six days of daily blogging, I’ve never written a post with “animals” in the title. That seems strange to this blogging animal, since there are so many animals in my blog posts.

What animals will be inside my post today?

 

 

 

Here are some musical animals …

… and more here.

 

Feel free to make animal noises in the comments section, below.

I wonder what animals feel gratitude? I know I do, so thanks to all the animals who helped me create today’s post and — of course! — to YOU!

 

 

Day 1945: Adventure Awaits

Yesterday, when I was on an adventure awaiting the end of a wonderful day, I saw this.

I love seeing life as an adventure, even when things happen that I don’t like. It’s good to know that wherever I am, adventure awaits.

Exactly a year ago, after awaiting a long time, I first saw the house where we now live.  Thus began our by-the-sea adventure.

New photos await, from yesterday’s adventure.

 

 

An explanation awaits for that last photo — it’s a memorial at a high school for a beloved teacher. The complete works of William Shakespeare include this quote about adventure:

The day shall not be up so soon as I

To try the fair adventure of tomorrow.

SgtPepper1200’s original song “Adventure Awaits!” awaits you on YouTube.

 

The comments section awaits you, below.

No need to await my gratitude for all who helped me create today’s post and — of course! — for YOU.

Day 1909: Reasons Not to Read This Blog

While I appreciate every reader who visits this blog, here are some reasons not to read it.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques make you angry.

• You dislike cats and/or dogs.

• Water views make you squeamish.

• You avoid puns.

• You are in therapy with me. If that is the case, there might be Too Much Information in this blog, which could interfere with the important work we are doing together.  If you are in individual and/or group therapy with me, I strongly recommend we have a conversation about this.

 

• You don’t like music videos.

 

• You find gratitude annoying.

Warmest thanks to all who help me create this daily blog and — of course! — to YOU.

Day 1881: So much to love about —

There’s so much to love about my co-worker Juli, who offered me this Rice Krispies treat yesterday.

So much to love about —

• Rice Krispies treats,
• Generous people,
• The world,

• Bunnies,

 

• Dogs,

• Life,
• Stories,

• Writing,
• Singing,
• Balloons,

• Birthdays,
• My son Aaron, who turned 20 yesterday,
• Memories of past birthdays,

• 11 year olds,
• This video Aaron made when he was 11 years old,

• Comments on this blog,
• Everyone who helped me create today’s post,
• You, and
• Thanks!

Day 1768: Difficult conversations

Yesterday, in a therapy group, people had a conversation about difficult conversations.

What makes a conversation difficult?  Have you been having difficult conversations lately? What helps you start and make it through difficult conversations?

If I notice an elephant in the room, I feel the pressure to name it and invite difficult conversations.  While that might make a mess, I trust that cleaning up that mess together will promote growth.

Are there any difficult conversations in my other photos from yesterday?

 

With the conversation in that last photo,  it’s not difficult to choose today’s video. Here  are Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake having a conversation about Toto‘s Africa at  summer camp:

 

Feel free to start any conversation, difficult or otherwise, in the comment section below.

It’s not difficult to express gratitude to all who helped me with the conversations in this post and — of course! — to YOU.