Depths of Strength

"In the depths of winter I finally learned 

there was in me an invincible summer."

(clipped to polyvore.com)

Book Lovers

"But I do go in for books. I love to own books. Though I read few books twice, I have filled every shelf in my house with books, have had more shelves made and filled those too. My books surround me like a cocoon. When I run my finger along the backs of my books they feel like the ribcage of an old familiar lover. Visit my shelves and you will learn much about me."

 — Joe Bennett, Beside Lovers

Cheap Pleasures

Cheap Pleasures, originally uploaded by Diana827.

"That man is the richest whose pleasures are the cheapest."

We've been enjoying 'cheap', but rich pleasures like campfires, dancing, and music lately.... life is so good with God!

“The whole world is a series of miracles, but we’re so used to them we call them ordinary things.” 

—	Hans Christian Andersen

Words & talking Birds.

Quote by

Sy Rosen and Christian Williams,  

Northern Exposure, On Your Own, 1992

Artist Unknown.

"Tip-toe o'er the floor..."

"...what are you waiting for?"
Agnes Obel - Just So

Black turns beat me bright, turning on the light
Today is gonna be the day, you hear some body say
We need you right away

Tiptoe over the floor
What are you waiting for?
So so and no more
That's all to be, so before.

Today is gonna be the day, you hear somebody say,
We need you right away
You hear the moments kick and play.
The order of the day is already in your way

The widow shade, the nurse and maid,
To let it all just work away,
From head to toe, where shadow grows,
Since forever and a day

Quiet moments home
Where some do you roam?
Today is gonna be the day
You hear some body say
We need you right away.
No time for tea or lemonade.
Some moments of the day
Were only half awake.

Drink a toast to the sun
To the things that never go,
To the break of the day
That is all that I say

{Just a Few Little Things}

Our crocuses are blooming now...

..and we found quite a few pretty seashells while in Florida...

...all  the while Mom's paper whites were blooming back home inside!

 

Love is not blind - it sees more, not less. 

But because it sees more, it is willing to see less. 

~Julins Gordon

Twain Quips on Life Again ;)

 Oh, the fun & irony of this quote! ;)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - * Happy Winter! *

Thinking...

by HEH

:: Thoughts fly and words go on foot. ::

I read a book last month called Thinking in Pictures: My Life With Autism, by Temple Grandin. She talks about her life as an autistic person, bits of her childhood and growth as an adult. But, as intersting as I usually find biographies, what really caught me about this book was when she tried to explain how she thinks. Like the title implies, she thinks in pictures, but also--in video representations. In her head! It was amazing reading and trying (oh trying!) to understand how this could be possible, let alone normal cognitive functions for someone! Amazing. When presented with a concept needed for a project, she 'sees' in her mind 'videos' and 'pictures' of the thing (whatever it is) flooding her head. They seem to be automatically sorted, regulated, and---AND-- serviced and updated by her own mind.

For example, Temple is an animal scientist. She works as a designer/planner/engineer for making cattle equipment. (In fact, she has designed over one-third of ALL the cattle equipment facilities in the U.S.) If she ever needs to design a new, say, cattle washer system, she has live images and videos stored in her mind that she can bring upon need of recall for all the other facilities that she has built like it. Amazing, huh? But there's more! She claims she can even 'turn' the objects over in her mind, just like a high-tech computer animations program. I think that's astonishing and very cool, of course. (Does she close her eyes whe she visualizes these things or keep them open, I wonder?)

However, besides just marveling in Temple's pure genius abilities, I was wondering about how I think. How do I think, as a 'normal person'? How do you think? In 'pictures' like Temple does? Or in...
Well, what are the other ways we think?

Now, I have not done any further research (i.e. reading books, blogs, or articles one the subject) but I have been mulling it over. Research notes will have to be for a later date. Right now, I think I'll just bang out what I've been thinking, plus some dictionary definitions (because they always help.) Be sure to go look at each of the linked pages; each have some very interesting information & definitions to be read.

Definitions of:

   thought   thinking   pictures   visualize

I believe that I think in words. It seems like the easiest way for me to remember concepts or ideas are seeing them in word form, especially on paper. Also, when I hear something, like the word 'combination', for example, the first thing that happens in my head is I can see the letters, spelling themselves out: "c-o-m-b-i-" etc... This is almost always the case (i.e. 99.999% of the time.)

If someone mentions a name of someone I know {Annie} ...
Or is explaining something {"This is how you would do it..."} ...
Or if I hear a Scripture or quote...

I immediately think of how it spells out, in letters, in my mind.
So funny, but it makes perfect sense to me. And my Daddy apparently; he thinks this way as well. :) Now, this is not the way everyone thinks (obviously). Two of my other siblings claim that they think in visual 'pictures' and or videos. When they hear 'obviously', they may think of the face someone makes when they are saying that "Well, OBviously" to someone, or they may see the word on paper or screen as they last (or first) saw it. That doesn't happen to me, but it is fascinating nonetheless.

Others, like Temple Grandin, visualize concepts, ideas and words as live videos in their minds. Which seems like the 'coolest' way to think, doesn't it? :) However, it is for this very reason --thinking in only visuals-- that can make spelling, writing and communicating with words very difficult for those who think that way. So, take your pick. There are several ways of thinking. :) Whatever way you think has it's strengths and yet it still requires that you compensate for the lack you have in not thinking another way.

(For example, I have a hard time remembering or visualizing what people are saying to me verbally--unless I take the time as they are talking to try and convert the conversations into words in my head. Sometimes this occurs naturally and effortlessly for me; other times, well...those other times are the time when I just couldn't/didn't remember what you said! lol Send me an email, it'll last longer.)

Here are a few articles I read on the subject that are informative & quite interesting in and of themselves.
- Cognitive Structures
-Definition of Cognition
"Conceptual knowledge is needed to classify objects and events in the world. Some aspects of conceptual knowledge are innate or emerge very early in development, while others are acquired through learning and inference."

Now, enough ratting on the subject, and down to business:
How do you think?

P.S.~ Blogger is being ridiculous and unfortunately, I have not been able to comment on any of my blog posts or others'. So, if you commented: I read it! Thank you for commmenting. :)

It Will Be Worth It

You say: It’s impossible
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: I’m too tired
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: Nobody really loves me
...God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: I can’t go on
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalms.91:15)
You say: I can’t figure things out
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: I can’t do it
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: I’m not able
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: It’s not worth it
God says: It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)
You say: I can’t forgive myself
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: I can’t manage
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say: I’m afraid
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: I’m always worried and frustrated
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
You say: I don’t have enough faith
God says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
You say: I’m not smart enough
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: I feel all alone
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

~~~

It's easy to feel like giving up. I admit I wondered halfway through the day why I even got out of bed! But then I remember, I'm living now because I'm meant to be, and I live in Christ now & as long as I do stay here on this earth to be a light. To bring some joy, some kindess and love as I can to others.

I'm going to keep doing just that. Especially on the days when I need it most myself...
What resonated with you today, or this week? Was there a truth, or a thought that lifted you up out of the ordinary into the bigger picture of things? I'd love to hear it. :)