Spontaneous Musings

Which I'm growing weary of, as are you, no doubt.

The prompt is What bill are you grateful to pay?

Frankly my internet and cable bill, although also rent bill. And very grateful that I have health insurance. I'd be dead without it.

The prompt is What are you grateful for in your country?

Various freedoms that I've begun to realize that I've taken for granted.
Freedom of speech/expression in particular. Not everyone has it.

I dated a doctor from Shang-Hai, China once and he explained to me that while the health care in his country was admittedly better - they didn't have some of our freedoms. For example, he explained, we wouldn't be having this conversation in China. We couldn't have it. If we did, we'd be thrown in jail for sedition.

The Freedom of Speech/of expression - is a right that we constantly have to defend, and we should not take for granted. It's a pesky one though - because other people get it too. This means, I have to tolerate forms of speech from others that are offensive.

But, it does come with restrictions - hate speech generally speaking is not allowed. I got into an argument once with George RR Martin on Live Journal over this. He insisted it was, I said, no, speech that incites others to kill or maim or hurt falls under hate speech and is not permissible. There's a test, of course, and it's rather rigid, but certain types of hate speech can be prosecuted and are, under the Civil Rights Act, and are not protected under the First Amendment. In addition, pornography isn't permitted, in particular pornography that puts another in danger or is harmful or seditious such as child pornography. (Mapplethorpe is okay.)

Overall though, our freedom of speech is pretty all-encompassing and because of it - I can post entries on the internet critiquing my government without worrying about anyone arresting me. I'm grateful for that. Not everyone has that right.

Day #25 of 60 Day of Gratitude Meme.

The prompt is What about your city, town or area are you most grateful for?

The Mass Transportation System - the intricate interlocking system of subways, trains, buses and ferries that make it possible for me to go anywhere I desire without a car. I've not had to drive in over 20 years, and I feel liberated. I can go anywhere in my city, and travel to places out on Long Island, outside of New York, upstate, without a car.

So many New Yorker's take it for granted, but without it - there would be gridlock 24/7, and you can get places quickly and efficiently. I've read on the subway, written on the subway, listened to music and books on the subway, and watched musical acts.

New York City wouldn't be New York without the subway.

The prompt is What aspect or app on your phone are you grateful for?

Remember the days in which it was enough that the dang thing rung and took messages?

I'm grateful for the health app at the moment - it keeps track of my blood pressure readings, walking, health tests, etc. All in one neat little place with no paper. YaY!

The prompt is impossible again...

What are you grateful for in your daily life?

I don't know. Having a good job and being financially independent? I've been in the situation in which I've had neither, so I don't take that for granted.

Mainly, I'm grateful that I can buy whatever food I want or need. And haven't had to worry about that. So many people in my country and around the world don't have that privilege.

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I am grateful there are organizations that give to the hungry at least.

This gratitude meme is not easy, just saying..

Today's prompt is What trait do you have that you are grateful for?

I suppose they mean something other than a physical attribute? Otherwise I feel like I already did this one.

I'm an empath. I can feel energy in living things, locations and have a natural ability to see another person's perspective and feel their emotions, although I don't always understand where they are coming from.

This is a gift and a curse - but I'm grateful for it. It's kept me safe for the most part. And it's helped me understand others. I thought everyone had this trait, but apparently not. I realized this when I saw my grandmother's body and instantly knew her energy or soul was gone. It was empty. No one had to tell me. But other people didn't pick that up at all.

It's hard to explain to people - and I've always had it. I just thought everyone did. It took me a very long time to realize this is not the case - and it is a gift, for which I should be grateful.

This Day #16 of 60 Days of Gratitude Challenge

Today's prompt is What "band" are you grateful for?

I'm assuming this is a musical band.

Okay, fine, I'm picking the one who I own the most music from...



Their music was versatile and influenced so many others, while they themselves were influenced by so many...

This is Day #14 of 60 Days of Gratitude Challenge

The prompt is What rejection are you grateful for or name a rejection you are grateful for. (It was most grateful for - but it's hard enough as it is.)

I don't know. I try not to remember the rejections. Also there's been a lot of them. I survived, obviously, and moved on. Rejection - I've learned has very little to do with me - and a lot to do with the person doing the rejecting. It's not personal.

I suppose I'm grateful that I didn't get those law jobs I applied for in Missouri and Iowa. I'd have been miserable in them.

This is Day #12 of 60 Days of Gratitude Challenge

Today's prompt is Name three living people in your life that you are grateful for.

(I changed it a little.)

1. My mother - who is my best friend, confident, and cheerleader.

2. My niece - who gives me hope and keeps me sane.

3. Jay - one of my bosses at work - who helps keep me centered and mindful

Here's a picture of one of these women, with her cats...of whom I'm also thankful.

This is Day #10 of 60 Days of Gratitude Meme

The prompt is Name something from your childhood that you are grateful for.

Theater for Young America in Kansas City. In the fifth grade - I was introduced to Theater for Young America. We had recently moved to Kansas City, and my parents took me to a live children's theater presentation. I fell in love.

For a shy, awkward child, with a speech impediment (a lisp) - theater was a godsend. Because of theater - I no longer have a lisp, or any speech impediment.

My parents enrolled me in various classes, during the school year and in the summer. I did two long summer programs - we'd take classes, and perform in a theater production for about a month. During this - I performed in The Hobbit as the Great Goblin (I was five foot ten in the sixth grade and towered over almost everyone). Also in Midsummer Night's Dream. And I learned how to sword fight on the stage with glowing swords.

I'm grateful for this experience and for organizations like this one across the US.

"Theatre for Young America (TYA) began in 1974 at the Waldo Astoria Dinner Playhouse. In 1977, the troupe became an independent organization and moved to Overland Park, Kansas, where it performed for 17 years in a converted cinema theatre. During this time the organization grew from 4 productions to 7 or 8 per season, added drama classes, summer workshops and summer productions, and outreach workshops in schools. TYA operated in the Mission Center Mall from 1994 to 2003."
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