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Cricket’s Thoughts

Cricket's Thoughts

Spread Kindness

With life a little bit crazier (and crankier) than normal these days, it is more important than ever to spread kindness. We all need to do our part to bring the world some joy.

When you see that frustrated mama in line behind you with a fussy baby in the store, let her go in front of you, even if she has a full cart.

You see that homeless person sitting in the doorway? If it is cold out, bring them a cup of hot chocolate. If it is hot, bring them a bottle of cold water. Even better, how about a hot meal?

Do you see trash in your local park or on the trails? Pick it up.

Check on your elderly neighbor. Ask what you can do to help them. Run an errand? Rake their leaves?

When you get good service anywhere, take the time to not just say thank you but tell their manager as well. Let them know they are appreciated.

Don’t just ask someone how they’re doing, actually wait for their answer and listen.

Leave a bigger tip than you normally would.

Take the time to smile.

Autumn Is My Favorite Time of Year
Cricket's Thoughts

My Favorite Time of Year

“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.” Sarah Addison Allen

There is something about seeing signs of autumn showing up makes my heart sing.

  1. All my favorite colors are wrapped up in one season.
  2. It’s not too hot and not too cold. It’s simply perfect.
  3. The amazing smell of steak grilling. It’s BBQ season!
  4. It’s the absolute best time of year for camping!
  5. Do you even need to ask? Coffee over the campfire.
  6. Hiking on the trails is so much more pleasant.
  7. Watching the squirrels go crazy storing up food for winter.
  8. Most importantly? It’s time to take the hoodies out of the closet.

What is your favorite season? Why?

Cibolo Creek Trail Art
Cricket's Thoughts

Courage And Strength

“The courage and strength that you so desperately seek is right there within you. Close your eyes and feel it. It has been there all along…” (Cricket Walker)

My brain has been cluttered with a thousand thoughts, but mostly just profound sadness for the horrendous amount of anger and hate I have seen in the world lately.  I will need to focus on finding the good stuff in life, the everyday heroes, and people making a difference.

When the darkness threatens to overwhelm me, I know it is time for me to head out into nature. It’s the one place where I can find the tranquility I crave. It brings me peace.

Folks often ask why I often turn my nature photos into filtered paint images instead of just showing the scenes as they are. I think maybe I see the world differently than others do.

The photo you see above is what I saw in my head as I stood there taking in the sounds of the trail. I paused in that spot to allow a squirrel I had startled to find his way back up the tree. The woods were vibrant with color. Magic was all around. I captured what I saw through MY eyes…

– Cricket

 

Where The Heck Did My Motivation Go?
Cricket's Thoughts

Where The Heck Did My Motivation Go?

I have spent the vast majority of the last 16 months or so, planted in my command center, working. Don’t get me wrong, that is actually a good thing. I am blessed to absolutely LOVE my job, which tends to lead to me spending way too much time working. I am determined to find a healthy work-life balance. Whatever that is. Does it actually exist?

So, where the heck did my motivation go for actually LIVING life outside of work?

I honestly don’t have a clue where to start. I just know that it is beyond time for me to start taking action because I am certainly not going to find whatever it is that I seem to be searching for without taking some actual steps to get out of the rut I seem to be in.

“The courage and strength that you so desperately seek is right there within you. Close your eyes and feel it. It has been there all along…” (Cricket Walker)

This process is definitely going to be baby steps for me. Even if I just write a few words on my blog.

– Cricket

Cricket's Thoughts

Looking Through My Eyes

I think that maybe I see the world differently than a lot of folks. It’s not something I consciously do. It just happens.

Where some may see a gnarly old tree, through my eyes, I see life in nature that has seen many storms and still survived. Instead of scars, I see magnificent colors, shapes, and lines filled with stunning art.

The world is filled with beauty all around us. Close your eyes for a moment and then take another look. See if you see what I see.

Cricket Walker

Get Busy Living
Cricket's Thoughts

Get Busy Living

Somewhere along the way, I stopped doing those things I am the most passionate about. I am not certain when or why that happened. I only know that it has been an extended period of time since I have done those things I used to be the most passionate about, writing and serious photography. The simple explanation could be that I got bored with it all. That may still be true but I think perhaps that it is more than that. I seem to have forgotten that there is a big difference between simply existing and actually living.

Finding My Passion Again

If I am going to find my passions again, I need to start exploring more avenues in life. I need to find out what does excite me about living again. I may choose the wrong paths along the way, but that is what learning to live again is all about.

Where the heck do I start? Is there a magic secret to it all?

Start Learning Again

One thing I do know about myself is that when I don’t have new challenges, I tend to get bored. When that happens, I just sort of go on autopilot. I go through the motions, but the excitement dissipates quickly. For me, it is like hiking the same trail over and over again. Even though you see new things each time you go, eventually it just gets old. Step one for me will be taking some random online classes to check out things I may not have considered before. Maybe even learn a new language?

Time To Stop Dreaming And Take Action

I have spent a few years now dreaming about converting my van into a camper and using it to explore more of the world around me. Weekend camping trips would do more for my current state of apathy than anything I can imagine. When I am out in nature, I am in heaven. It’s the one place I find peace within myself.

So why haven’t I done anything about it? I wish I had the answer to that. It comes down to procrastination, money, and a feeling that if I can’t do it right, why bother. Ya want the truth? They are all just excuses. If you really want something you have to actually take action. If I want to walk 5 miles, it all starts with that first step.

Get Back In Fitness and Health Mode

I have always been an all or nothing type of person. I don’t seem to have that inborn ability to find the balance in things. My goal is to find a balance with fitness that doesn’t make the task overwhelming enough that I give up. Why does this matter? Of course, health is the primary motivation behind it, but for me, it’s about mental health. When I spend time actually moving, instead of always being behind the computer screen, I just plain feel better.

Ongoing Journey

Every journey starts with that first step, even knowing that there may be several course corrections along the way. It’s not enough to dream and plan. At some point, you have to take action, even if you’re not quite sure where you’re headed.

Cricket Walker