Day 3376: Assumptions

I’m assuming I’ve written about assumptions before. That’s because so many people assume and if you’ve heard the joke about people who assume and asses and you and me, you could assume that assumptions can get us into trouble.

Do you have any assumptions about why I’m writing about this today?

Somebody posted that on Twitter yesterday and I assume this is relevant, here and now, because assumptions are everywhere. I assume that if I look at the news, I’ll find assumptions wreaking havoc all around the world.

Now I’m checking my assumption that there are some great quotes about assumptions.

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Do you have any assumptions about the rest of my images for today?

I have no assumptions about why March 30 is such an action-packed National Day. My assumption is that I could take a walk in the park on National Virtual Vacation Day because I’m working virtually from home and I’m off on Wednesday afternoons. However, because assumptions often don’t come true (which I assume you’ve gleaned from this post), I may not be in control on National I Am in Control Day.

If you looked at all of my images above, I assume that this song might be going through your head:

I don’t have any assumptions about what kinds of comments I’m going to get about this “assumptions” post.

Regular readers of this blog probably have assumptions about my ending this post with gratitude, and they’re right!

Day 3123: What do you collect?

Yesterday, when I was collecting new experiences and memories, I posted this on Twitter:

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As people were collecting their thoughts about that question, that tweet began collecting lots of interesting answers.

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As you probably know, I also collect photos and other images along my life’s journey. Here are some more I’ve been collecting lately.

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I also have a small collection of pins.

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When I search YouTube for “what do you collect”, I find this …

… and this:

What do you collect? I look forward to reading your collection of comments, below.

As noted above, I also collect expressions of gratitude, so thanks to all who have helped me collect thousands of posts in this daily blog, including YOU!

Day 3068: Contempt

In Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink, Gladwell explores, among many other topics, the toxic effect of contempt on human relationships. Researcher and psychologist John Gottman, who tapes and analyzes the interactions of couples and the outcomes of their marriages, says that contempt is the single most important predictor of whether a marriage will fail. Contempt (“any statement made from a higher plane” … “trying to put that person on a lower plane”) is “closely related to disgust, and what disgust and contempt are about is completely rejecting and excluding someone from the community.”

Yesterday, I was embraced by the Twitter community after I posted this:

Here were some non-contemptuous and very helpful replies:

You may be worrying and wondering — how could I have a day where FOUR people I didn’t know showed contempt to me? Well, three of them were customer service people who talked to me from a higher plane on the phone, without helping, when I was trying to resolve a health insurance issue. The fourth was a person I didn’t know who talked down to me after I snapped one of the photos I have to share with you today.

Well apparently the Daily Bitch is familiar with contempt.

Here are a few more non-contemptuous exchanges on Twitter:

Sometime, when people treat me with contempt, I get out my negative feelings by pretending to drum along with Billy Cobham.

… and that helps me feel more like a pleasant pheasant.

Feel free to express your thoughts and feelings about this “Contempt” post in a comment, below.

Thanks to helpful communities everywhere, including this one!

Day 2503: Don’t assume

To assume that I and I alone have all the answers is to eventually find myself entirely alone without any answers. — Craig D. Lounsbrough

I always assumed that everybody shared my love for overcast skies.  It came as a shock to find out that some people prefer sunshine.  — Glenn Gould

Assumptions are quick exits for lazy minds that like to graze out in the fields without bother. — Suzy Kassem

Before you assume try this crazy method called “asking.” — curiano.com

I don’t assume there’s a song called “Don’t Assume.”  I’m going to ask YouTube about that.

It took a while, but I found “Don’t Assume” by Nichols’n’Nu (Maggie Nichols and Peter Nu).

Don’t assume that Maggie’s name is always spelled correctly on that album cover.

I don’t assume

• what feelings or thoughts you have about this post or
• whether you’ll leave a comment below.

Don’t assume that people know how much you appreciate them.  Thank them every day.

Day 2445: What makes you feel better

Yesterday, in a Coping and Healing group, we made a list of “What makes you feel better.”

What’s on your personal list of “What makes you feel better”?

What makes me feel better includes creating these blog posts and taking photos:

Also, Michael’s meals, voting, helpful rules, and flamingos make me feel better.

Here‘s KIRA with “If It Makes You Feel Better.”

If it makes you feel better, please leave a comment.

As always, it makes me feel better to express my gratitude to all who help me create better posts, including YOU.

 

Day 2413: This & That

I’m on vacation this week & next!

During my vacation I’ll be

• staying at home & traveling overseas,
• taking Oscar & Harley to the vet,
• seeing a lawyer & changing my will,
• attending the Edinburgh Fringe Festival & performing there,
• doing this & doing that.

I noticed this & that yesterday:

 

 

The Stop & Shop and this & that appear in this song by Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers:

 

When I feel great, I fear that something bad will follow. Good things & bad things happen, but not necessarily in that order.

 

Last night, when I was feeling great about this week & next, that crown fell off.  My dentist — who is wonderful & enjoying a much earned vacation in Florida — reassured me & texted another dentist at Beacon Hill Dental Associates.  On Tuesday, I’ll take the cats to the vet & see that dentist.

Are you reading & commenting today?

Thanks & more thanks to all who helped me create today’s post & to you (including my wonderful dentist!) for reading, here & now.

Day 2397: A Day in the Life

A Day in the Life …

• could be the title of this blog, instead of The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally,
• can be described with words and pictures,  and
• came to mind yesterday because of this:

That billboard commemorates a day in the life when Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (the movie) opes in America.  On this day in the life, I’m learning the film version has a 12% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

I’m thinking other things must have happened on the day of July 24 to celebrate, like:

1965  Rock group “The Animals” 1st time in British charts

1967  The Beatles sign a petition in Times to legalize marijuana

1974  Supreme Court unanimously rules Nixon must turn over Watergate tapes

1979 Red Sox Carl Yastrzemski hits his 400th HR

1986 13th Commonwealth Games open in Edinburgh, Scotland

Yesterday, my day in the life included work that I love, meeting up with my old friend Isaac, an incredible Mexican lasagna made by Michael, and many facial expressions.

 

 

 

 

I wonder what I’ll find for “A Day in the Life” on YouTube.

What are your thoughts and feelings on this day in your life?

As always, I’m grateful for every day in this life, so thanks to all who help me create this daily post, including YOU!

Day 2125: The truth

The truth is that I knew the title of today’s post even before I reviewed my photos from yesterday.

The truth is that when I think of the truth these days, I’m on the verge of tears.  The truth is that the truth seems to depend what side you’re on. The truth is that I can never remember people being so divided about what the truth is.

The truth is that I keep inviting people in my therapy groups to write helpful truths on post-it notes (which, in truth, I call “stickies”).

The truth is that the post-it note above describes the Four Agreements and the truth is that you can read more about those here.

The truth is that I took more photos yesterday.

The truth is that I didn’t mean to take the last four.

The truth is that this sign …

… includes the word “true” in it, which I just noticed.

Here’s “True Colors” by Cindi Lauper.

Is it the truth that the truth was simpler in 1986, or is that just an illusion?

The truth is that I hope you share your truth below.

The truth is that I’m always grateful for those who help me create this blog and — of course! — to YOU, for being true.

Day 2034: Is this good news?

If you look at the good comments in yesterday’s post, you might notice that some good people had some trouble discerning whether that post had good news.

The news in today’s post is that I can relate to that confusion.  When I look at the news these days, I often ask myself and others, “Is this good news?”

It’s probably not news that I’m going to share many new photos and relate them to today’s topic.  I ask you, good readers,  is this good news?

 

 

Is this good news that my son Aaron took so many photos of camera-shy Michael? I guess it depends on your perspective and on who you are.

Is “Good News” by Manic Drive good news?

By the way, I continue to get good news about my dentist‘s recovery from a double lung transplant.

I look forward to all the news in your good comments.

Is this good news that I always thank those who help me create these posts and — of course! — YOU?