Happy Birthday Merril!!
Different day today.  Big start.
I have guys over the 2nd Saturday of the month.  A couple of guys cook sausages, bacon and onions on the BBQ, and Merril graciously does eggs and then disappears.  We eat, then have a guy speak about things that matter to them, then we go home.  For me that is not far.
And today happens to be Merril’s birthday too.  I went shopping yesterday morning.  Merril had something she went to, and I took the car.  She had said “have fun shopping.”  Really I wondered if those words go together.
I had decided that Friday was the day I would get presents and take them home and wrap them. Then go pick up Merril.
It actually went according to plan.  I managed to get presents from four different places.  Someone else bought me a present for Merril from a place they were visiting.  I actually had not realized it was a group post saying they were going to a certain place.  So I asked if something cold be gotten for me as a present for Merril.  I did not realize my post had gone to Merril to.  Doh! It was going to be a surprise to us both.
I won’t go into what I got as Merril has yet to open her presents.  But I was quite pleased.  It is hard buying for someone who cannot say what they want.  I actually understand that as I once got a “belly button warmer” addressed “to someone who has everything.”  The reason for that impression was that I did not know what I wanted.
I must say.  Well, “must” is probably not right.  I do say that it is had when you have enough and are content.  I consider we in this country and in our circumstances are blessed.  As far as I can tell we have a lot to be thankful for.
Anyway today sees a big start and then things settle.  Right now it is all go.  Down the track it will be more “chill.”

I never know what will make an impact.  Friday is the James Clear email day.  It seemed to arrive early today.  I am glad it did.  It contained this.
"Two is twice as good as one, but one is infinitely better than zero….
Sure, it might be ideal to spend an hour doing … things, but one minute gets you in the game. Now you're learning. Now you're improving. Now results are possible. One doesn't seem like much, but it's something real. At zero, you're still dreaming."
I found that very applicable.  It is my thinking that zero is dreaming but one is doing.
I very much feel there is a time to dream.  A time to imagine the possibilities of something I would like to do.  Not dreams that lead to destruction, but dreams that lead to liberty.  Also not as the cartoon I recently put on Facebook, dreams that justify napping.  But dreams that lead me to engage in what is good for me and others.
But dreams alone remain alone.  I am totally for dreams that lead to positive actions.  And that is where one comes in.
So often I can set the bar too high.  I have done it in the past and been discouraged.  I have changed my ways and am really enjoying the new way of doing things.  It is not making unrealistic demands on myself but doing something as opposed to nothing.  Too often I have tried and seen others totally give up on something only because the demands were too difficult.
So what came today reinforces what I feel.  To do something is better than to do nothing.  To do minimal inspires me to do more.  That has been the thing for me.  Doing a little of what I want to do I tend to do more.  It is born not of obligation but of desire.
It is funny when I have plans to do something around the place, I write it down giving myself a certain time.  I know it actually may take more time, but it is making the start that matters.  Inspiration comes with doing and not just dreaming.  If I do no more than the time allocated, it is infinitely better in my mind than to have done nothing.
Anyway this email has been a good thing.  As it says, I feel like I am in the game.

“Patience Walking Dove.”  I have said that and sometimes I know I need it.  I actually saw a cartoon that said “patience tested while you wait.”  Ain’t that the truth.
What happened last night was a real “first world problem” thing but it did highlight the need for patience.  We went to a drive through.  Upon joining the line we had no idea it would take as long as it did.  The thing is once someone is behind there is no getting out of the line.
Other issues are bigger for sure.  Sometimes I need patience for what I want to see happen in someone’s life.  It is obvious to all that a change of attitude or out look would do the world of good.  Well not quiet obvious to all.  All but the one it could do good.  It can and does often go on for years.
Good thing though I have seen change.  Earlier would have been nice and helped to avoid much heartache.  Tet early or late does not matter as much to me as that it does happen.
Maybe it is not associated with Patience as much but I do think it takes courage.  Courage to keep hands off.  My inclination is to want to intervene but the best case scenario to me (apart from actual change) is resentment.  I know someone telling me what they think is best for me gets my back up even if they re right.  I must be ready to change to change.
So for me the hands off scenario is really hard when I want what is best.  It reminds me of helping an animal out of its shell.  All may look good but the animal is weakened for life because it needed to exercise strength when getting out of its shell.
Another thing I try to avoid big time is grumbling.  Ok I do believe we are inclined to the negative yet I know grumbling does me no good and the situation no good.  For me there is a time to vent but it is never to someone who is powerless to alter the situation.  Nor I do not think it is ever to the one who could benefit from change.
I ask myself, “what inspires me to act?”  For me it is knowing something will do me good and it is seeing positive outcomes in someone else who faced what I am facing.
I was going to say what I say often and that is “easier said than done.”  That is true but it is needed no matter how I react.  Reacting incorrectly I reckon can lengthen rather than shorten an issue.
As a Christian I pray and love.  To me that is the way to go.  Love combined with prayer is to me an irresistible force.