• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Baseball ’19
  • Day Zero 3
  • Earl
  • My list
  • Photo Blogging Challenge

A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

A year’s worth of reflection

February 12, 2012

Sometimes, it's worth taking a seat and staring into nature to get into a good place.

On this cold and somewhat snowy Sunday (winter? Really?), I wanted to post a short blog about some things I’ve realized a bit more lately.

I know it sounds cheesy and cliche, but I’ve had a bit of time to reflect the past few days. You see, Saturday was the one-year anniversary of my personal “Crap Day” as I’ll call it. The day I was unceremoniously told my services would no longer be needed as my position had been cut.

The year has been long and, at times, quite hard.

Alas, I plug along. I keep applying. I keep interviewing. I keep pushing along. Something will eventually happen. Of that, I’m sure.

My spirit remains decent, I’m usually optimistic and I try and remain upbeat.

Still, in trying times like this, one tends to look around and see things a bit differently. Items such as taking a different route in your life and where that may have led you, instead of where you are now. Alas, every turn can have positives and negatives. Should I have taken a different turn years ago, maybe I wouldn’t have the same set of friends I have now — ones who I’ve been close to for a decade or more. I’ve had the chance to see then have kids and succeed in life and for that, I’m truly thankful.

‘Tis hard as well at times, knowing the past year has pushed me backward as I see younger folks continue to push forward. It’s not easy being green, as the great prophet Kermit the Frog once said.

With all the turmoil in this world, however, it’s hard to look at things too harshly. For things like this, my mind makes the rest of my body and world realize that pushing forward can be a blessing of sorts.

But enough of the jibber jabber. How about a point?

Over the course of the past year, I’ve realized the importance of touching base with friends and family of the past. There’s certain things that are necessary to do — and the keeping touch part is one that I am trying to do better with. Now, realize this, I’m not an “add everybody to Facebook” sort of guy. By that I mean that I won’t add people on that social network just because I knew somebody one day in the past (and, to be fair, I don’t usually add people I only know online — I like to know someone in person).

So that means I don’t connect with all of my past acquaintances.

But this weekend was a nice one.

I went twice to Cooperstown for its winter Carnivale and connected with a couple of friends of old. It’s not that I don’t see them or talk to them — I do at times either on the phone or if I run into them. But this was different. I stopped in each day and chatted with them and got to see their two-year old. I couldn’t believe that it might have been the first times I had seen their child.

Crazy, right?

But seeing both of them in their daughter really made me realize something.

Losing touch with people of your past — people that mean something to you — can also make you lose touch with your future.

It’s things like this in life that make you stop for a moment. In reality, none of us know how long we have on this planet or what awaits us after. So one needs to stop and, for lack of a better cliche, smell the roses.

Believe me, I won’t be in a rush to go adding people on Facebook. I’m just not that interested in many things from my past.

But that handful of people you’ve always called friends, make an effort. You might be surprised at the outcome.

Family, too.

I still look back at this past summer and the family reunion we held and am shocked at how many new family members I know.

I know some of this has been in past blogs. But one year is a long time. A long time of plodding along and having time to think, reflect and see the world slowly turn.

A few other things I’ve really started to notice over the past year:

  • Smile. It’s good for you as it is someone else.
  • “Thank you” goes a long way.
  • The speed of technology isn’t going to slow down, so embracing it is something that needs to be done.
  • Everyone has a story to tell, if you listen.
  • And for those of you with a camera, photographs are everywhere. Just look outside the box.
One other thing I’ve really learned? Find some parks around you and explore. Walk the trails. Sit on a bench and stare out over things. I’ve really learned that the simple things in life can be some of the most beautiful. Don’t take advantage of that amazing sunset. Or a wonderful blue sky on a bitter winter day. Things like this are amazingly beautiful and well worth stopping and looking at.

It’s my hope that one year from now, I won’t be doing another reflection post because things haven’t improved for me. By then, my smiles and spirits probably would have been nailed into a tree!

The world is a crazy place, people. Connect, re-connect and see things in a wider view. You’ll be surprised at what you can see.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Job hunt, My world Tagged With: connect, facebook, family, friends, job hunt, photography, reflection, smile, technology, unemployment

No Comments

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Welcome to A 'lil HooHaa!

This is a personal website covering many topics! We host a monthly photo blogging challenge, and then every January hold a fun writing challenge.

Thank you for stopping by and hope this becomes a stop for you!

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Follow

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 876 other subscribers

Instagram

hoohaa29

She was so still for this photo. Make sure you f She was so still for this photo. 

Make sure you follow her on Instagram at: @harper_dublin !

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun
Life is good. #goldenretriever #dog #bestfriend Life is good. 

#goldenretriever #dog #bestfriend #dogsofinstagram #selfie #lifeisgood #enjoylife #instagood #iphonephotography #photography
After a nice snowy walk! ❄️❄️❄️ #gold After a nice snowy walk! ❄️❄️❄️

#goldenretriever #snow #winter #dog #dogsofinstagram #photography #photooftheday #ınstagood
Harper is counting down to Santa Paws! You know, Harper is counting down to Santa Paws! 

You know, of course, Santa Paws travels with Santa Clause, making sure to find treats and toys for all the good little doggies! (We know they are all deserving, right?) So, Harper put out some milk for the big guy, carrots for Rudolph and the reindeer, and special cookies for Santa Paws! She is ready! 

#SantaPaws #Christmas2022 #HarperChristmas #MyDogHarper #GoldenRetriever #DogsofInstagram #PhotoOfTheDay #Photography #Christmas #IPhoneography
One of the best parts about having Harper as my be One of the best parts about having Harper as my best friend… ❤️
Couldn't resist stopping on the way to work to sna Couldn't resist stopping on the way to work to snap this shot. The colors in the sky were fantastic and the scene was nice looking (though, to be fair, I drove by what I think would have been a better scene -- the valley and hills full of snow etc.)

#Snow #Winter #Sky #Color #InstaLove #photooftheday #picoftheday #iPhoneography #nature #love #instalove #photography #happy #smile #photo
The best of times??? 🤪🤪🤪 The best of times??? 🤪🤪🤪
Just a break on our morning walk … #goldenretri Just a break on our morning walk …

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #mydogharper
Tired. Tired.
Harper is ready for tonight! Let’s go Phillies! Harper is ready for tonight! Let’s go Phillies! 

#phillies #ringthebell #baseball #dog #goldenretriever
I look at her and sometimes still can’t believe I look at her and sometimes still can’t believe I have her. It’s been a year and four months and she makes me smile and laugh more each day. It’s amazing how much a dog changes your look on life, and how much joy they can bring. 

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun #iphoneology #retrieveroftheday #ilovemygolden #dogstagram #dailygolden #dogsofinsta
I’ve recently realized how many photos I have to I’ve recently realized how many photos I have to post here, as well as on Harper’s (@harper_dublin) account). So, as I start to transfer photos, I’ll try and catch up. So photos coming could be from all seasons and who knows when. 🤣

This one is recent from the courthouse square in Delhi. We had some pretty good fall colors this year. 

#fall #delhiny #seasons #iphoneonly #love #photography #photooftheday #instagood #happy #picoftheday
From a few weeks ago. I was trying to get Harper t From a few weeks ago. I was trying to get Harper to put her paws on the bridge and looked out, but she was more content jumping on me and looking up. I do love the way she seems to be looking at me.
Instagram post 17992900117561614 Instagram post 17992900117561614
Couldn’t resist a quick stop this morning with t Couldn’t resist a quick stop this morning with the fog and frost settled in. 

Hamden Covered Bridge 

#coveredbridge #coveredbridges #bridge #fog #frost #nature #upstatenewyork
Harper’s friend Lucy is around this weekend! #g Harper’s friend Lucy is around this weekend!

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun #iphoneology #retrieveroftheday #ilovemygolden #dogstagram #dailygolden #dogsofinsta #outside #sunshine #friends
So… @harper_dublin wants to know why she can’t So… @harper_dublin wants to know why she can’t have @mallons_homemade_sticky_buns.
This is why we can’t have nice things. Saw this This is why we can’t have nice things. Saw this on me morning walk Friday with Harper. Likely some college kids, but also as chance at local hooligans. I had Harper so not a lot I could do, but I managed to get the cart off the chair. (See second photo) This was in a local park.
Harper is ready for #nationalfetchday on October 1 Harper is ready for #nationalfetchday on October 15! @chuckitfetchgames 

Should be fun! @discgolfdarren @harmm23
Starting to feel like fall! #fall #nature #autum Starting to feel like fall! 

#fall #nature #autumn #colors #foliage #instagood #seasonchange #leaves #leaves🍁
Load More Follow on Instagram

YouTube

P.J. Harmer

P.J. Harmer
A video looking at my first year and a half of owning a golden retriever, my first dog. It's had its ups and downs, but I've truly loved the ride and look forward to the future. 

Music: Happy before we get old by Michael Shynes via Artlist. 

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow Harper on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harper_dublin/
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog

Thank you for watching. :)
When these boxes come, there usually some excitement. But this one ... is the ultimate unboxing! 

#cielovideo52 #52weekchallenge #week5 #weeklychallenge

Music: Happy to be Happy (Dapun)

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/softball29
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog
I hate being in front of the camera, but also realize sometimes it's not the worst thing in the world. So, I'm getting better with it. Week 4's theme was all about us and having us in front of the camera, so I tried to come up with a creative way to do it. 

#cielovideo52 #52weekchallenge #week4 #weeklychallenge

Music: Infinite Wonder (Ben Fox)

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/softball29
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog
Load More... Subscribe

Archives

Categories

Calendar

March 2023
S M T W T F S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  
« Feb    

Search The Site

Site Information

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

A 'lil HooHaa © 2023 · Created By Coded Creative

Copyright © 2023 · Ava Mae on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in