Feeling Good
I feel good -- real good.
On Friday I went to an appointment with a psychologist in the office of Employee Assistance and Wellness. I do this every year or two just to pose some questions or ask for books, options or suggestions related to something that I’m trying to understand or interested in learning. As I left, she said “I’ve enjoyed this. It has been stimulating!” I agree. It was enjoyable and stimulating. She is intelligent, thoughtful, knowledgeable, sincere and genuine.
On Saturday, I took a class on greywater at the community college. Honestly, I didn’t learn much because I have read quite a bit and there wasn’t much new to learn. In spite of the lack of new material, I met people who were alive and excited and I was infected with their excitement and enthusiasm. One woman, probably in her late fifties, was moving to an area near town and wanted a greenhouse and garden. Because they will have a cistern and haul water, her husband told her to figure out some way to make it happen and she was taking classes on rainwater harvesting and greywater. Another woman, about 70, spoke with a European accent and explained her plans for conserving water. One of the men was designing and building a motorcycle shaped like a human skeleton. During a break he put a drawing on the board and it became obvious that he had creativity. A young lady in her early twenties was enthralled with the subject of sustainability which was new to her. The ten of us, four women and six men, came from various backgrounds and shared knowledge and experiences with one another and with the instructor.
Last night we attended a lecture at the university. As we waited, more and more people came in. It was almost 6 PM but one student appeared to have gotten out of bed a few minutes before and was carrying a box of cereal. The somewhat frail white-haired lady seemed anything but frail in spirit. A young lady escorted an elderly man, leaned close to his left ear and said something. He leaned on his cane for a few moments and she returned with a chair and placed it close to the door and helped him sit. I was impressed with his interest and the look on her face as she cared for him.
I glanced around the auditorium and there appeared to be at about one thousand people present. Professor Carl Ernst began speaking on the topic “Islamic Ethics: From the Pre-modern to the Post-Colonial.” His lecture was informative, balanced and impressive. At the conclusion of his presentation, he responded to several questions. I left the lecture feeling good! How could I not feel good after hearing his knowledge and his passion for the subject. He communicated without bias or prejudice. He painted a picture that was neither optimistic nor pessimistic but factual. That was refreshing!
On the drive home, Julie unexpectedly asked “If something happened to me, would you continue to live here?” I answered her question and she said “I think I’ll always live around a college or university town. There’s so much stimulation and so much to do.”
Yes, we are fortunate!
I live among a varied community of people who are young and old, from various ethnic backgrounds, and with a multitude of dreams. Each day is an opportunity for a new adventure in learning, relating, hoping and dreaming.
How could I not feel good?
On Friday I went to an appointment with a psychologist in the office of Employee Assistance and Wellness. I do this every year or two just to pose some questions or ask for books, options or suggestions related to something that I’m trying to understand or interested in learning. As I left, she said “I’ve enjoyed this. It has been stimulating!” I agree. It was enjoyable and stimulating. She is intelligent, thoughtful, knowledgeable, sincere and genuine.
On Saturday, I took a class on greywater at the community college. Honestly, I didn’t learn much because I have read quite a bit and there wasn’t much new to learn. In spite of the lack of new material, I met people who were alive and excited and I was infected with their excitement and enthusiasm. One woman, probably in her late fifties, was moving to an area near town and wanted a greenhouse and garden. Because they will have a cistern and haul water, her husband told her to figure out some way to make it happen and she was taking classes on rainwater harvesting and greywater. Another woman, about 70, spoke with a European accent and explained her plans for conserving water. One of the men was designing and building a motorcycle shaped like a human skeleton. During a break he put a drawing on the board and it became obvious that he had creativity. A young lady in her early twenties was enthralled with the subject of sustainability which was new to her. The ten of us, four women and six men, came from various backgrounds and shared knowledge and experiences with one another and with the instructor.
Last night we attended a lecture at the university. As we waited, more and more people came in. It was almost 6 PM but one student appeared to have gotten out of bed a few minutes before and was carrying a box of cereal. The somewhat frail white-haired lady seemed anything but frail in spirit. A young lady escorted an elderly man, leaned close to his left ear and said something. He leaned on his cane for a few moments and she returned with a chair and placed it close to the door and helped him sit. I was impressed with his interest and the look on her face as she cared for him.
I glanced around the auditorium and there appeared to be at about one thousand people present. Professor Carl Ernst began speaking on the topic “Islamic Ethics: From the Pre-modern to the Post-Colonial.” His lecture was informative, balanced and impressive. At the conclusion of his presentation, he responded to several questions. I left the lecture feeling good! How could I not feel good after hearing his knowledge and his passion for the subject. He communicated without bias or prejudice. He painted a picture that was neither optimistic nor pessimistic but factual. That was refreshing!
On the drive home, Julie unexpectedly asked “If something happened to me, would you continue to live here?” I answered her question and she said “I think I’ll always live around a college or university town. There’s so much stimulation and so much to do.”
Yes, we are fortunate!
I live among a varied community of people who are young and old, from various ethnic backgrounds, and with a multitude of dreams. Each day is an opportunity for a new adventure in learning, relating, hoping and dreaming.
How could I not feel good?
posted by Paul at 8:04 AM
7 Comments:
Paul, I feel better just reading your post. I spent ten years on a college campus. You have reminded me how much I miss that environment. Thanks for bringing back so many wonderful memories for me. I'm excited for you. :-)
Concerning feeling good, I have made a point lately of striving to actually notice when I'm feeling good, as opposed to feeling sick, like having a cold. When you actually stop and savor it, feeling well feels....well.....GOOD!
Diane Reem on NPR has had several shows lately that hosted some prominant Islamic theologens who have explained Islam from the moderate perspective, which has been very interesting and informative. It doesn't make me want to run out and embrace the teachings of the prophet Mohammed, but it does assure me that for the most part, the terrorists are not getting their license from the Koran, any more than the Baptists are speaking for Jesus. Great post, Paul!
If you always do what you have always done.........You will always get what you always got....
time for a song me thinks
I've always lived in small towns until now. I'm not knocking small town life, but for me I always felt like I was in a rut.
Diverse opportunities are available for me now; it makes life more interesting...
Visiting here is up there with having lattes with a favorite friend.
:)
A man, a person, such as you are should always feel good. You certainly make me feel good when I read you.
Paul, when I read your posts, I imagine that you live in a community much like the Village of Ordinary. You and Julie easily could be one of the villagers.
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