The Sea, KoktebelIvan Aivazovsky
1853
This week I have been participating in one of the most interesting yet grueling tasks I have ever done. Whenever I start to feel overwhelmed with things, I have a recurring dream that I am in a tidal wave. I was once in a tidal wave that devastated our town, and it was loud, frightening and lasted for a very long time. One can feel completely helpless in a situation like that, because there is no way to reason with the forces of nature. So, with the feeling that I had to completely re-wire my brain to "think outside the box", by Wednesday I was feeling overwhelmed and the waters came rushing at me. I dreamt I was swimming in Hawaii and suddenly the water retreated. That's not a good sign. And then the dark, green water came back in full force, bubbling and churning. Thank goodness I woke up in time. Phew!
All week long I lived in dread of having to give my presentation at the end of our week-long meetings. My head was vibrating with acronyms and business-speak. New paradigms, sustainability, pulling information, forward-planning. Goodness... But, apparently my presentation was very good. Who knew! As my friend Russell says, a speech should be like a women's skirt -- short enough to be interesting, but long enough to cover the subject. Very good advice.
Today, the sun is shining through the clouds, the dreadful cold, snowy weather of the past week has gone, and I'm looking forward to spending some time with two very special little people -- well, not so little anymore -- who always make me laugh.
Tidal wave averted ... for now ...
I'm glad for your happily ever after! There's nothing quite like when the sun is shining even if your eyes are closed! (<-- Does that make sense? I think it does... er, I hope you know what I mean.) Have a wonderful day with the two little special people!
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Enjoy the little ones!
ReplyDeleteYour friend's advice is indeed very clever and helpful.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the laughing with your grandchildren!
I never heard that before. Excellent.
ReplyDeleteLong ago I used to have a recurring dream of a tidal wave. It was always coming at me in the form of a wall of water, and I can remember holding on to trees, or posts while the water washed away all my loved ones. I haven't even thought of it in a long time, but your post reminded. Glad your presentation went well!!
ReplyDeleteLike you, Jo, I'm always seeing either a tidal wave or I'm on a raft with my family; we're being tossed about, and I'm going into the water for the children. Even though all my children are over 40, I still get that dream when things get stressful.
ReplyDeleteI just love what Russell said and when I told my husband, he got quite a chuckle - we will remember that one!
Stay warm... Diane
I will remember the speech saying, let's hope I remember it correctly.
ReplyDeleteYou've given me an idea for a blog post...I have a recurring dream when I am getting sick. It also involves water but it is a lake flooding..
Have a great time with the grandkids!
Sounds like you did brilliantly!
ReplyDeleteyou were in a tidal wave?! Wow!
Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
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The sage advice about giving a speech was given to me in high school by our speech teacher.
ReplyDeleteThis was in the 1960s and, of course, there were a few parents who felt she should be fired for using such a sexually explicit expression (!). It was then I started to become aware of how ignorant some people can be.
If "short enough to be interesting but long enough to cover the subject" was - according to these religious zealots - immoral or somehow perverted, I wondered about the wisdom of organized religion in general.
My belief would only grow more and more over the years as I witnessed the crazy and very awful things so many people did in the name of Jesus or religion in general.
I do believe if Jesus Himself were to walk around today, not only would the Believers find Him repulsive (an unemployed man with liberal beliefs) but He would find them repulsive, too.
Glad you like the expression. Sorry to get waaaaay too serious here!! Heh!
I just loved the words of wisdom from Russell. My daughter has a presentation this next week end and I am going to pass that on.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with your family.
A tidal wave is a wonderful analogy for being overwhelmed. I can relate. It is also one of the few extreme acts of nature I have not experienced.
ReplyDeleteSo glad your presentation went well, and that you have the Munchkins with you. Enjoy your day!
I'm glad it went well! I read Russell's advice to my dad & he loved it. He'd also love Russell's comment on here :)
ReplyDeleteHope you had fun with the not-so-youngins!
Recurring dreams are interesting. You reminded me of some that I have had...one in particular. Glad your speech went well!
ReplyDeleteI love Russel's view of the speech and I fully agree with it. As for the tidal wave. get yourself a nice big surfboard and ride it out.
ReplyDeleteSo glad your cold snowy spell has gone - we are snowed in here - Day 5 of the heavy snow. Brrrrrrr!
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