Mad Macedonian

Opt For Optimism Challenge: Day 26

Today marks Day 26 of Frost's 30 Day Optimism Challenge. You can play catch up by starting with my intro to this series and following the "next" link from there.

Today Frost asks participants to "Leave Your Phone Behind & Take a 20 Minute Walk."

Frost says, "take a deep breath and just enjoy being outside with no agenda beyond a bit of you-time."

Since I don't drive, whenever I do not ride my bike or the bus, I am on foot.

It is easy enough for me to keep the cell phone turned off, when out and about, as I don't expect phone calls and rarely get any since few know my number.

I walk at least 2 miles a day, including a 20 minute round trip during my lunch break at work, after eating my lunch.

For anyone who wants to make walking, alone or in a group, part of their regular routine I recommend considering joining both the American Volkssporting Association (America's Walking Club) and an associated local club near you, and/or Everwalk (Join EverWalk Nation,  and take the pledge to walk a minimum three times a week, no matter the distance.").

You can also check them out on Facebook.

I joined both and enjoy myself emensely.

NEXT UP: Opt For Optimism Challenge: Day 27

 

 

 

Opt For Optimism Challenge: Day 25

Today marks Day 25 of Frost's 30 Day Optimism Challenge. You can play catch up by starting with my intro to this series and following the "next" link from there.

Today Frost asks participants to "Send Flowers To Someone You Care About Just Because."

As Frost explains it:

"Surprising someone with a gift “just because” is a great way to spread optimism. And it doesn’t have to be flowers. Bake some cookies or give someone a copy of your favorite book; it's the thought that counts."

Wish I could. There are more than a few people I'd send a thank you bouquet of roses to, or a book, but can't afford to do so, there are so many.

If all goes according to plan, I WILL be taking a friend to lunch, or dinner, when she passes thru on her cross-country journey, next month, though. :-D

NEXT UP: Opt For Optimism Challenge: Day 26

 

 

 

Opt For Optimism Challenge: Day 24

Today marks Day 24 of Frost's 30 Day Optimism Challenge. You can play catch up by starting with my intro to this series and following the "next" link from there.

Today Frost asks participants to "Before You Go To Sleep Tonite, Reflect On What Went Well Today."

As Frost explains it: 

"Take some deep breaths and let the stress of the day slip away. Now play the day back in your mind and enjoy the things, big or small, that went well."

Opt For Optimism Challenge: Day 23

Today marks Day 23 of Frost's 30 Day Optimism Challenge. You can play catch up by starting with my intro to this series and following the "next" link from there.

Today Frost asks participants to "Leave a Thank You Note For Your Mail Carrier".

As Frost explains it:

"Nobody pays more service visits to your home than your mail carrier. Taking time to thank someone for a job that’s all too often thankless is a great way to connect with a vital person in your neighborhood."

Because of my work schedule, I rarely see my carrier.

Over that few years I have lived at my current address there have been a few times when I had issues with a carrier and even one major dust-up with the Post Office branch which delivers the mail and packages, over delivery of a package (I had to go up a level, to the district office, to keep my package from being returned to sender.)

That being said, the current carrier appears to be doing a fine job and so I think deserves a thank you....delivered with my trademark humor.

I found a page of Ben Franklin Quotes...Ben being the 1st Post Master General of the United States appears not to have had anything quotable to say about the Postal Service, that I could find in a Google Search, anyway, so...

I decided to misquote him, hee, hee!

My note reads:

MISQUOTING BEN FRANKLIN

The 1st Postmaster General of the United States

1. Never leave undelivered until tomorrow what you can deliver today!

2. A full mailbox can possibly make a poor man richer. One only full of junk mail...not so much.

3. Drive the mail truck (safely!), it won't drive thee!

4. Do not anticipate trouble (or bad weather!), focus on delivering the mail.

5. Being a mail carrier is no shame, but being ashamed of it is. 

 

Thank You for the job you do! I know it is not easy. 

Kiril

 

NEXT UP:  Opt For Optimism Challenge: Day 24

 

 

Opt For Optimism Challenge DAY 22: Goals for Emotional Health

 

Today marks Day 22 of Frost's 30 Day Optimism Challenge. You can play catch up by starting with my intro to this series and following the "next" link from there.

Today Frost asks participants to "Write Down A Goal Related To Your Emotional Health".

As they explain it:

"Taking care of yourself in this busy world can be a challenge. Maybe you need to find your work-life balance, or maybe you just need some quiet time regularly to unwind. Whatever it is, write it down and go for it."

In 2015, there being only one November 2015 in my life, with no do-overs, I decided, on the spur of the moment, to go for it and, despite my work schedule, doctor and vet appointments and concerns about paying bills and putting food on my table, week to week, write a daily series of posts on the topic of "Never Giving Up."

I had no idea where it would lead me or if anyone would read a word of it, much less share it around.

I wasn't even sure I'd manage 30 posts! But I did!

A check, this moring, of my Shareaholic shows, amazingly, that all of the series, except one, were shared on Facebook...a total of 110 times combined, including several that were shared 6, 7, and 9 times.

I invite readers to check the series out, share and comment.

On Never Giving Up - The Series

I live alone, my only companions are 3 cats.

In the 6 years I have lived in Houston I have been unable to build much of a social life, or a collection of friends and associates, or other connections.

Working the 3-to-closing shift every day, for most of my 5 years at Wal-Mart, and not having fixed days off, meant little opportunity to do things and go places, even if doing so was free, much less make a connection with people and organizations.

While I like many of my co-workers and trust a few of them enough to accept rides to the bus stop or home, from time to time, there has never been a chance to do more, or build more complex relationships.

Opt For Optimism Challenge: DAY 21

Today marks Day 21 of Frost's 30 Day Optimism Challenge. You can play catch up by starting with my intro to this series and following the "next" link from there.

Today Frost asks participants to "Donate Any Items in Your Closet You Didn't Wear in the Last Year."

Donations to Goodwill have been something I have done, off and on, for years.

In a way it is paying forward all that Goodwill, Salvation Army, Veteran's Thrift Store, and House of Ruth, in the Pomona, Ca. of my childhood thru college years did for me, my sisters and mother.

It was these stores, and others, far lesser known, as well as yard sales and garage sales, that provided much of our clothing, among other things, growing up.

For me, though, I think the most important thing shopping at these places did for me was to spur my imagination and creativity, through reading.

It was here that a worried and confused young boy of 10, whose father was in the beginnings of spending his last 20 years suffering from mental illness, discovered Frank, Joe & Chet as well as Nancy Bess and George and forever changed his life.

The Hardy Boys & Nancy Drew books were first published in the late 1920's and there was one a year thru around 1980 until the original publisher sold the rights to a mass market publisher who, while keeping the original series going, with more frequent output, thought it smart to publish all sorts of more modern takes on the characters.

That pissed me off no end, but, anyway...

Where was I? Oh, yeah...

Opt For Optimism Challenge DAY 20: A Message From a Houston Walking Dude & The Cycling Dude

 

Today marks Day 20 of Frost's 30 Day Optimism Challenge. You can play catch up by starting with my intro to this series and following the "next" link from there.

Today Frost asks participants to "Spend As Much Time As You Can Outside Today".

Where to begin with this?

If you are unable to do any other of the Optimism Challenges at least do THIS ONE!

As Frost explains it...

"Physical activity is a proven way to increase happiness and decrease stress. So get out there and enjoy yourself."

  I am 58 years old and do not drive.

I have numerous aches and pains in my hips, legs and feet and plan on my 1st physical in 2 years, next month, to see just what shape this body is in...but I am an avid walker (Longest walk? In recent times 9 miles) and recreational cyclist (Longest ride 66 miles).

 I lived most of my life in Ca., In LA County, The Inland Empire, and the OC.

 I walked, biked used the extensive Mass Transit System to explore 5 counties, from Ventura to San Diego, Santa Monica to San Bernardino & Riverside.

 I have been writing about my walking and cycling activities on my blogs since 2002.

 

 

I am a recreational cyclist, commuter and safe cycling advocate, a poet, storyteller and journalist of sorts, who has even, a decade ago, given a couple of talks on bike commuting.

I wrote this in 2016:

I want to do my first Century (Maybe even a Double!) someday.

I want to get away...on a good bike.

One I can trust to get me where I want to go.

Pannier, lights, odometer and all.

Explore places, stop a lot just to take photos.

Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at joints no-one but the locals have ever heard of.

Take the time to observe my surroundings and admire the view.

I want to make memories to share through my writing and camera.

I want to feel alive!

 

I bought a new bike, last Spring, a 2017 version of the same bike I rode for 15 years, beginning in 1998.

I call him "Slowpoke 1". You can explore The Cycling Dude (2003-10) and my adventures since 2010, in an archive on this blog, at your leisure, and comments are always welcome.

Opt For Optimism Challenge: DAY 19

 

Today marks Day 19 of Frost's 30 Day Optimism Challenge. You can play catch up by starting with my intro to this series and following the "next" link from there.

Today Frost asks participants to "Sign Up to Volunteer Locally".

In the glory days of my youth, 1975 to 1985, I was an active volunteer with a small group of Pomona citizens called a Community Alert Patrol.

Pomona was a majority-minority city in the making since African-Americans began moving in in the late 60's to join the enclaves of Hispanics already there and soon to grow even more.

2 members of our band were a wonderful black couple in their late 50's, with a janitorial business in town.

My mom was a member, as were 2 very fat sisters, with horrible teeth, and a history not many talked about in polite society, who were our neighbors, and 1 Pentecostal preacher who was an unofficial Grandfather and another neighbor.

We spent several nights a week patrolling the city in 2 person cars ( our own ) for about 5 hours, using walkie-talkies provided by the police, tuned to a special frequency.

We acted as simple eyes, and ears, reporting on anything suspicious we saw.

We also provided security at the local Moose Lodge on Bingo Night, across the street from a notorious gay bar, and traffic control at the city Xmas Parade, and in, and around Ganesha Hills, every night of the LA County Fair every year.

We got in the paper a few times and got numerous civic commendations for our various activities.

I raised a few ruckuses with letters to the editor and comments at city council meetings which we all frequently attended.

I was the youngest member by 30 years.

Those were the days! Hee, hee!

The group was disbanded as the cops started dealing more with building up Neighborhood Watch Programs, and members quit due to moving, or old age.

Opt For Optimism Challenge: DAY 18

Today marks Day 18 of Frost's 30 Day Optimism Challenge. You can play catch up by starting with my intro to this series and following the "next" link from there.

Today Frost asks participants to "Take Someone You Want to Know Better to Lunch".

This will have to be a goal for the future.

When you don't get out much, especially to group activities and events where you might have a chance to make connections...

When you can't go on group walks or bike rides with clubs you joined due to work schedule and/or the bus not being able to get you to the start point...

When online efforts to reach out locally and make connections don't get far because your comments and emails don't lead to responses or feedback on blog posts...

Even if you had the extra funds to go somewhere, participate in some event, or take someone to lunch...

Starting next month my work schedule changes for what I hope will be the better.

I will work the weekends (Friday-Sunday or Sat-Mon) from 2 to 11pm, thus getting home by midnight.

My 2 days off will be weekdays and I will have a couple of 8 to 5 days.

This will give me the chance to attend events, especially if they occur 7pm or later.

For example, I have put in a request for a day off at work so I can attend a free Street Safety Summit Walk & Symposium, at Rice University, on Sept. 27.

By planning ahead when I find something to do I hope to begin to give myself a chance at a personal life, at last, after 6 years in Houston.

 

NEXT UP: Opt For Optimism Challenge: DAY 19

 

 

Opt For Optimism Challenge: DAY 17

Today marks Day 17 of Frost's 30 Day Optimism Challenge. You can play catch up by starting with my intro to this series and following the "next" link from there.

Today Frost asks participants to "Reach Out to a  Mentor, or Teacher, to Express Your Thanks."

In my 20 years online, 16 as a blogger, there have been many people who have been mentors, teachers, encouragers and inspiration to me, and they know who they are and how grateful I am, but this task allows me to do something I have put off for 8 months due to uncertainty.

A Google search, this morning, gave me a near confirmation of what I know in my heart may be true (There can't be 2 old men, with the same name and ties to SoCal, living in the same Arizona city, can there?), and a lead to someone on Facebook who may be able, if they are truly connected, if willing, to confirm with certainty.