Everything Breaks!!!

Just as I was preparing to write a new post on my blog, my laptop died. What an excruciating experience. Fortunately, I do keep all important documents backed up to flash drives and my new novel is always on a flash drive so the data wasn't at risk; however, it's the issue of whether or not it's the hard drive crashing or did the operating system decide to blow up??? And where are all of those program disks that came with the system??? (Very important!)

So I was over a week without the use of my laptop as I know it, and did manage to check e-mail remotely through web mail just to put out fires, but try being without immediate access to the computers to which we have become enslaved and see how it feels. You may find that you accomplish some household projects that would have otherwise been once again delayed, but I have to tell you that I felt as though I had been cut off from civilization. Additionally, I don't like having to reschedule clients, which is exactly what I had to do since I was unable to function efficiently.

Thank God there is a local guy that I call Jim, The Computer Guru, who has me up and running and able to attempt to catch up with everything that has been put on hold. Thank you, Jim!!

As I thought about how instantaneously a computer can cease to operate, it occurred to me that eventually almost everything breaks. Think about it. Computers, cars, our bodies, pets, appliances, houses, HVAC systems--everything has a life expectancy. If we're fortunate, these things may operate beyond that time frame but eventually everything needs repair or replacement. Sometimes we feel as though products were designed to fail twenty-four hours following the last day of the warranty.

The interesting thing is that everything else can break, but not our souls. The body will decline, die, and decay, but our souls continue throughout eternity. They have no shelf life, and what a blessing to consider that in the BIG picture, all of this stuff that seems so important to us that breaks, was only temporary anyway. But the soul.....the eternal soul.....an overwhelming concept. So the words of inspiration today are from Psalm 62:5--"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken."

I wanted to start with something inspirational this time before moving on to the subject of exercise because in my last blog post, I was so caught up in describing the unusual restrooms at the Broadmoor Spa, I realized that I didn't write ANY words of inspiration, and I don't like to neglect to do that, because God truly is my rock and I always want to give Him glory for everything that is accomplished in my life.

With regard to exercise, my 40th High School Reunion is RAPIDLY approaching, and have I met my exercise goals? I really believe so. I have been using my jogging trampoline almost every day and feel very comfortable that I am not bursting out of my clothing. I, personally, love a jogging trampoline because I can park it right in front of "Dancing With the Stars" and just keep jogging along without even realizing the time. I don't recommend this for everyone, however, because some folks report a feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness when using this form of exercise equipment, so if you have this tendency, a jogging trampoline is probably not your best choice. I think that regardless of how we choose to do it, the object is to keep moving, and to try to approach it as part of a daily routine...just like brushing our teeth and flossing. We can't wait until we're in the mood to exercise, because it probably isn't going to happen! I'm looking forward to writing a blog post about the reunion! It should be mighty entertaining.......

On the subject of memoir writing, there has been an interest in giving gift certificates for family members who want to write their own stories, but just don't know how to get started on a memoir project. This can be arranged! I will work with individuals (even long distance by telephone) to give them all of the information that I provide in my local workshops. Don't hesitate to contact me for the details if this interests you as a gift for a loved one!

Now that my laptop is once again under my fingertips, I have a great deal of catching up to do so I will sign off now, but I am HAPPY TO BE BLOGGING AGAIN!