thefouramigosblog

What strategies do you use to increase comfort in your daily life?

What do I do to increase comfort? I start my day slowly with coffee, meditation, writing, and relaxing.

I workout. Working out helps alleviate the pains and aches in my body,

I chat with friends and family.

And I laugh. Laughter heals.

I’m retired so rushing to work is no longer needed. My children are grown so they don’t need to be tended to.

Actually, I have a very comfortable life!

What are you most excited about for the future?

I live for today!

What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony?

I live for that. When I live in harmony, all is right with the world.

I’d let go of toxic relationships, even with family members if they affected my harmony.

I’d give up traveling if it started to cause too much anguish thus affecting harmony.

I’d let go of all that creates drama and chaos in my life.

Actually, I’ve done most of these things with the exception of travel. That still fills me with positivity.

What is your favorite genre of music?

I really love music. It depends on my mood which is my favorite. In July 4th at the fireworks, the band played a lot of rock oldies from 60s and 70s – some CCC, Rolling Stones, Cream, Who. It was a blast.

I like Broadway show music if I want to do a singalong. And I love folk music.

But I like going to the symphony. I enjoy all the masters,

I like Celtic music. And I like tribal music.

Music is what ignites me or quiets my soul.

Describe your most memorable vacation.

I’ve had so many memorable vacations traveling the globe enjoying different cultures, eating different foods and meeting some very interesting people. But by far my trip to Uganda, climbing the Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest stands out. For one, Africa and the great apes have been on my bucket list since I saw my first Tarzan movie as a very little girl.

Our trek was 2 hours up a mountain and partway down the other side, where we finally encountered the gorilla family.

This was Rohendeeza – the oldest gorilla known at this time in 2011. I was about 5 inches away from him before I took this photo.

We also spent time checking out other wildlife such as the chimpanzees.

And giraffes!

On what subject(s) are you an authority?

I am a jack of all trades and a master of none. I know a little bit about a lot of stuff. Sometimes people think I know more than I do. That’s what gets me in trouble.

Things I’m best at are finding discounts on travel and bargain shopping.

But by no means am I an expert. Just good.

What’s your definition of romantic?

One of the most romantic nights I can remember was on lake Atitlan in Guatemala.

The moon and stars shown above this tiny inn. There were only about 10 cabins and the paths were lit by tiny lights that sparkled like fairy dust.

We ate dinner under the stars, lit by candles with the lake and volcanoes in view.

There was something magical about the place.

How do you express your gratitude?

I try to express in gratitude all the things I am grateful for, such as waking in the morning, seeing the sunshine, hearing the birds sing. We often forget to be grateful for these simple things.

If I am grateful, I am positive. I give out positive vibes. If I’m not focused on my gratitude, I become negative. Negativity breeds negativity and often creates diversion in relationships.

So I start my day in gratitude and end my day in gratitude. When life happens, it always does, I work harder on gratitude. I write a gratitude list. I read my gratitude list.

Maintaining a life filled with gratitude is what gives me peace and serenity. It aids in building positive relationships.

What are you most worried about for the future?

This year’s election is making me worried. For a country like the United States, to have the choices we have for president is shocking and alarming.

I’m not a real political person but for the past 20 odd years, the US has become more and more divided. We have extremists on the right and the left.

If Biden wins the election, the far right will again think the election was rigged, especially after the poor showing he had at the first debate. Will the far right take up arms? Could this lead to revolution? Who knows but its a scary thought.

If Trump wins, will the next four years have him fighting battles like he had during his first term. Will Americans stop being friends with each other if they supported this man. And will he be able to muzzle himself so that he can at least appear somewhat presidential?

So yes the election worries me because at this point it is a lose lose situation.

What makes a teacher great?

I had a gifted teacher once. She was my English teacher in high school. What made her gifted. She encouraged her students. She treated each student as individuals not as one. She understood what worked for one student might not work for all.

It was this teacher that encouraged my writing. She guided me without criticism. She helped me get out of my shell.

So what makes a teacher great? Of course what I mentioned above. Having patience. Knowing when constructive critiques will work and frame it in a way that the student will hear.

A great teacher also has a vast knowledge. They continually work on improving their own skills. They are also aware of their own limitations. They don’t come across as all omnipotent. They are human.

A great teacher is able to see all sides of something. They are not locked into their own belief systems.

Teachers are not only those in educational environments but also in work environments and home environments. Great teachers can be found everywhere.