Finding Peace

Windmill Beach, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Photo by:  Terie Cornelio

It has been a long time since I dedicated any time to this blog. One reason is our slow internet, it doesn't get better or faster with time but it is what it is and if I want to read other blogs, research topics, and write my own stuff then I need to dedicate three times more energy and time then when I lived in the states. Fortunately for my family we live in a place where every minute is spent doing real things, living life to it's fullest and really taking advantage of this magnificent place.  There's also the issue of finding that bit of time early in the morning when I don't have to go somewhere to exercise, walk the dog, volunteer at an event...crazy busy but loving it.

Today I woke up feeling refreshed, decided not to go for my weekly Saturday Morning long run and chose instead to go back and look at some of the scenes that took my breath away.  This is one of many.  To me, there's no sound more peaceful in nature than to listen to the fury of the ocean.  I know, it's sort of an oxymoron to put peaceful and fury in the same sentence.  I could sit on this shoreline for a long time with no other sound but the waves crashing against the rocks. I don't have to do anything, just sit and listen.

I know what lies beneath this area of the ocean and realize that life under the waves is very peaceful and calm, but this to me is like looking at young kids, playing and making their kid-like noise.  They just come and go with unending energy, without a care in the world and like the waves, it's best to not get stuck in the commotion of their play time because one might get hurt.

Yup, it's early morning, its peaceful and it's about to become loud in my house so I think I'll finish sipping my coffee, stare at the water just a little bit longer and then enjoy the day with crashing waves in my own house--my children.

Enjoy a Peaceful Day,

Terie

Life IS short...now what?

I have been reading a self-help book by Loretta LaRoche called "Life Is Short--Wear Your Party Pants" and once again, a year later, I decided to give it a second chance.  The first time around I focused on the humor in this book and thought that there were many usable ideas that I could apply in my own life but I didn't, just laughed at the sense of humor the author clearly uses to keep the reader engaged. She's hillarious!

I started reading it again this week and this time I am really listening and trying to apply the advise given to my own life.  Chapter one I have read several times and I keep going back to one key point:

"An Amazing Life Requires Resilience"

This section talks about stress and points the amount of time we spend trying to find cures to our stress then just living in the moment and embracing the stress we have.  I realized how often I spend my time venting to a friend or reading about ways to get rid of my stressors.  Then I read this:

"Stress isn't something to try to disguise or eradicate. Stress is a signal.  When you learn to recognize it and work with it, instead of against it, you can learn a lot about what to do to be happier and healthier. Stress is a actually a blessing that can help you realize when you need to make changes in your life." (LaRoche, pg. 2)

Well I listened and made some changes.  One of my many stressors was our morning routine.  The kids waking up late, lunches, breakfast, book bags, laundry, all happening in the morning, within that one hour we should be spending getting ready and eating breakfast and making sure we're catching the bus on time.  I can't get rid of the kids (or can I?), I'm kidding, I love that they are part of my stress but I can teach them to prepare the night before and spend a little more time immediately after dinner getting ready for the next day.  Did all that for one week and our mornings were actually pleasant.  We gained so much time that now Nat has time to take Honey for a 20 minute walk and still manage to catch the bus and get to school on time.

Michael and I have time for a short chat before heading to work, there's time to consider what to make for dinner, there's time to sip a cup of coffee.

I agree with Ms. LaRoche and I'm glad she reminded me to embrace my stress; to Say YES to Stress!

Until next time,

Terie

Heart aches of a mom

Today I woke up with really mixed up feelings about a lot of things.  First off I wondered if I hurt anyone's feelings this week.  My circle of friends is important to me and the last thing I want to do is hurt them but sometimes we protect our heart so much that it is inevitable to hurt others, unknowingly.  If I did, I hope they'll forgive me, my heart is a little achy these days.  I'll explain why.

I recall how I felt a few years ago when my eldest child, my son, graduated High School.  Not only did I have to turn him lose into a brave new world but I was also leaving the country and losing my ability to be there for the occasional hug, lunch, movie, visits home, and the all too common, mom here's my laundry during school breaks.  Family members got to that instead and while I'm grateful, I am also saddened because it wasn't me.

I have helped in so many ways and I know he appreciates every thing and every penny but it's just not the same as being able to physically visit and give him a hug when he needs one.

This week he moved out of the dorm and into his own apartment, which he shares with a couple of students from school.  A huge move but he did it all on his own, with a little guidance from mom and dad.  Again, living in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has offered a lot of different things to do and a different lifestyle but it has stripped me of the ability to get up and go hug my kid.  My husband service to our country is certainly full of surprises.  But it is this service, his and mine, that helped my son become so well rounded and brave.  Leaving his comfort zone is scary but not an issue and I am proud of him for taking this huge step.

Still here I sit in the only gated Navy Housing community in the world, surrounded by the most beautiful coral reefs, amazing view of the bay, great friends, a supporting husband and three other children to mold and still my heart aches for the one I can't reach. I'll be fine and he will too but I wont deny myself the occasional sadness or tears that come when I miss my children.

For now I guess I'll have to settle for the occasional phone call, email, and instant messages and he'll have to get my hugs in the way of gifts for his new place, like food.  I know he'll make the right choices so I have already arranged for him to visit his local Farmers Market and Trader Joe's to pick up the foods we used to enjoy together before the big move.

Can't wait to see you this summer Josh! You are doing a great job! You will be fine, as will I.