To start out with, I have a Samsung cell phone, because my mom got it for me. My other “luxury” is a refurbished Apple iPod. Other than that I’m the off-brand kind. On a rather small monthly budget, well known brands aren’t an option regularly. When I was still working, I didn’t need to turn every penny twice and could afford to purchase expensive things, just because I wanted to have them, not because they were a necessity. Among other things, I always had the newest model cell phone, Skechers shoes, Bruce Makowsky purses, pricier perfumes, Starbucks coffee 2-3 times per day and Victoria’s Secret clothing. Truth be told, I don’t miss those days, believe it or not. Subsequently I learned, that all these expensive goodies pacified the unhappiness and drama in my personal life. Since moving back to Germany and the circumstances I find myself in these days, due to mental health concerns and early retirement as a result, I am much more in touch with reality again. Off-brand items do just fine, I have everything I need and that’s good enough.
Category: Question
Spirit Sister
Just recently, the realization hit me, that I’ve always felt drawn to people, who are going their own way, or don’t really “fit into the system”. You know the kind of person, who isn’t all that involved, impressed or interested in what everyone around them is up to. They live their lives exactly how they see fit, won’t be forced into social norms if unacceptable to them and don’t concern themselves a whole lot, if at all, with how other people feel about it [without deliberately harming or upsetting anyone, of course]. That’s the kind of person I admire the most. Only one person fits that bill: my former friend and spirit sister Jamie. She has that quiet confidence. She’s not pushy, not loud, she doesn’t offend anyone or knock them down to get her way. And still, she is always unapologetically true to herself. Jamie won’t compromise a whole lot, or bend herself into a pretzel for anyone, when it comes to things truly dear and important to her. Even if she’s met with criticism and conflict, it makes no difference, she won’t budge. She has a truck load of quirks, that only “the right people, meant for her”, could embrace or find endearing. I don’t know how many times someone would roll their eyes up to high heaven because of how Jamie behaved, or something she said. All too often rude comments were directed at her. Whenever someone rejected Jamie, for whichever reason, she wasn’t fazed by that. A common response of hers was “Okay good, it’s your loss. Anything else? ‘Cause we’re losing daylight and I’d like to move on with my life”. Perhaps it takes a like-minded person to admire such qualities, I don’t know. Others may find behavior like this rude, self-centered, childish or whatever else. Jamie embraces who she is meant to be and is at peace with herself. She doesn’t need cheerleaders for her unique ways and quirks, nor anyone’s attention and approval. I have always admired Jamie for the way she is, and no matter what anyone else thinks, that will never change.
Because It Matters
Yes I do. To vote in political elections is both a privilege and a duty. With all the conflicts and challenges around the globe, even the very last snoozer should have realized by now, that every vote matters.
Aimlessly Wandering
I used to have a little compass within, buried deep somewhere. Turns out, it’s been broken for over a decade. It stopped working when I moved back to Germany, to be precise. I left my life and my goals in America – that’s how it feels, anyway. Now, I’m just aimlessly wandering through each day, month, year… I’m well aware that it is up to me, to get myself unstuck. I just don’t know how.
A-Z Challenge: Zip, Zero, Zilch
Okay, you know what? I’m not even going to attempt one of the crazy “z-words”. Instead, I am grateful to everyone, who accompanied me this month and read my articles for each letter of the alphabet. Maybe I’ll do it again in the fall, with the season being my theme? Stay tuned to find out. Thank you so much for your visits to my blog, for your likes, comments and general interest in the topics I write about. Please take care and be well until our paths cross again, hopefully in the near future.
A-Z Challenge: YouTube
Sometimes I wish, someone would control my online time every day. The internet and all of those cool websites, or apps are like rabbit holes: time flies while you’re having fun. I was quite active on WordPress lately, as well as Canva [because I am “learning”]. But YouTube takes the cake, honestly.
Some people are so quick to judge, but truth be told, YouTube taught me quite a few things already. I’m not just watching craft videos, no. There are awesome tutorials about cooking and baking, how to make minor repairs around the apartment, you can find interesting documentaries, among other watch-worthy content. So, while I really should keep an eye on my daily screen time, I’m also trying to learn something new. And that is positive, don’t you think?
Deeply Connected
“I can only connect deeply or not at all.”
– Anaïs Nin
Ready For Takeoff
I would love the experience of being a pilot for one day. If it weren’t for the impossibility in real life, this would be my dream job 🛫
A-Z Challenge: X-Rays
We’ve all had x-rays taken a time or twenty-five. Almost eight years ago I had my last x-rays taken, because I had to have surgery on my left wrist for the second time. I hate that scar, because people who don’t know me always wonder whether or not I tried to slice my wrist open on purpose [definitely not, instead I broke it due to a slip and fall on black ice back in Wisconsin]. Therapists flat out ask – well they have to, I guess. In any event, it is not a preferred conversation starter.
Full Speed Mornings
I can best concentrate and am most productive early in the morning. As the day progresses, it takes increasingly more conscious effort to motivate myself and remain focused on the tasks at hand.
Trivialities & Intricacies 
You must be logged in to post a comment.