Sometimes when my kids are just sitting around, I will say to them, "What are you thinking right now?" An amazing question to ask, and amazing answers to get from them. The answers are sometimes suprising. Brady is usaully thinking of some invention he can rig up,if he can get away with it!!... but often they tell me thoughts and feelings that I may have never heard before. Sometimes I ask my husband this. It often leads to interesting conversations. We get so caught up in everyday events, I forget how witty, funny, and interesting he is.

So if you get the chance, just ask someone you love, "What are you thinking right now?"

Anyone want to give it a try?...

I am thinking some about all the work I need to do today, also about how people seem to try to hurt each other. Can't ever understand people's animosity towards one another. I don't mind if peope think differently, but it is so hard for people to disagree with kindness and respect.

Some people live life very hard. I think it is hard to be some people. I have a little boy in my pre-school who never has fun, he takes life very hard. I like to take life at a flowing pace, some attack life with a vengeance, and aren't very happy for it.

I am thinking about our Christmas dinner,and my aunt won't be there this year. She won't be here. I can't get it through my head... What an empty hole in our family. I think of the prayer I will say ask God to bless our family and help us as we travel through life, and to help heal the hole in our hearts.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 13, 2001

Answers

You really had to ask this, didn't you?;) Once I start thinking about what I'm thinking about, I end up analyzing it to the root and back up again, I can pick a thing to pieces just so I know why(survivor tactic).

So I'm wondering how I got this virus or whatever, I don't go much so it would be hard to get it from somebody, could it be from the chemtrails, and why do we as a whole let the world come to a place where there's be chemtrails in the first place.

I'm also thinking about how hard it is to live out of boxes for me. I want my stuff unpacked and organize, yes I can organize it in boxes but then I have a fear, from experience, that temporary can become permanent.

Along those lines I'm pondering about being a pioneer and how hard it was to do things similar-yet different to how I've been doing them. I said I'd live in a tent if we could just get moved. We didn't do the tent thing, but I think for a while it would have been easier, both dust wise(allergies) and looking at the whole picture.

After starting in here-moving in, I thought maybe I'm not the pioneer I thought I was, then it hit me that those that were, didn't know of running water and modern plumbing. They worked with what they had. And then again, they didn't have all the options and distractions, and they 'had' to do it, we don't, but I want to.

The other thing that's on my mind is: why do I have all this stuff? I know I can live without it, but it makes life easier, and most of it goes along with the way I want to live-homesteading. And then thinking that so many people in the world don't have enough, but if they lived in a different country they would.

Maybe I should stop thinking for awhile.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001.

I am thinking about all the things I wish were done or done different. I think about how I should be in my own house with my own stuff, not crammed into an attic digging thru boxes to find anything. I am thinking how my son deserves a father. I am thinking of how Christ died for me and how I need to spread the good in my heart. I am thinking of the scarfs that still need to be finished for christmas, the food that needs cooked, the animals I have and those I want. When I think about things, there are certian things that surface first and may seem bad or depressing, but then comes the good, our health, our freedom,and it overrides the bad. I have learned that I wouldn't change my life for anything, the bad has made me what I am today. I can honestly say , I am a good christian person, a wonderful mother and friend. We all our. We are too afraid to take credit. So next time I have time to think, I will skip over the bad, and share the good with others. What we have each went through in our own lives has made us what we are today. Be proud of what we have accomplished and what we share with others. I think of all the people who share on this forum and I am proud to be apart of a good wholesome environment we create her. Be proud of who you are and share your thoughts with others. You never know, they could be thinking or feeling the same thing. God BLess

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), December 13, 2001.

I write how I think and I am usually scatter brained. My poor friend Johnny that I write to never knows what to expect next. I will be talking about one thing go to another then come back to the first thing I was talking about.

Right now, I am thinking about the move to the new museum. We are doing a lot of hiring and I am wondering what will happen to me. I will be working under the coo of the museum but I don't know to what capacity. Will it be as his assistant like was mentioned briefly or will I move into another clerical position that is coming open that means a whole lot more money. we only have 24 full time positions that are going to be hired for and the rest will be part time. I am union and I know that I will have a job. Unless something crazy happens.

Other than that, I am trying to make a difficult decision of wether to go to the kids Christmas program tonight or to go to a different party. It should be a given to go to the kids thing. But, it will mean getting home after 10:00 because of the busing we will have to do and dinner problems.

Going to the party there will be food and it is close to home. It is for the whole family and the kids will have a really good time.

I really want to go to the program though, the kids have been working very hard for a long time. Marques is a snowman, Jalynn is playing the handbells and Journey is going to be a animal around the manger scene.

I have probably already made up my mind. It is just that my mind has to keep working so I put thoughts in my head to keep it working.

I am also thinking of this weekend and how close it is to Christmas. I can't believe how fast this month is going. There is so much to do and so little time to do it. Thank God the weather has been as good as it has.

-- melinda (speciallady104@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001.

Lately I've been thinking how gratefull I am for things. I have been through some really awful times, and though it was terrible at the time, and I certainly wouldn't wish hardship on anyone, I realize now it has made me a much stronger person. (That which does kill us will make us stronger....)There was much much in my life that was not "Fair" or "Right" or That I "desearved" but instead of dwelling on that (which I admit I have in the past) I am at a point where I am so grateful that I have what I have now. Melissa, I feel the same as you-Why why why do people go out of their way to hurt each other? It seems like life is hard enough, but there are people who WANT to make other sad or miserable. I think of them as Vampires-they suck all the goodness out of things. These people are not as overtly evil as, say, Osama Bin Luaden, but in their own way they do about as much damage. My husbands office has been very tense lately because of insinuating gossip and general backbiting nastiness. In our extended family there has been many unkind words flying back and forth and much intentional hurting of feelings-Why? I keep trying to smooth things over but its draining me-and I really need my energy for things going on in my home. I'm balancing what I HAVE to do today, and What I WANT to do-I want to go crawl back under the covers. I have been fighting a sinus infection for almost two weeks-yes I've gotten antibiotics and I'm slowly starting to feel a bit better-its just taking a long time-A doctor told me a month ago my immune system was shot because of all the stress I was under. I'm trying to balance taking care of myself (which women are NOT good at doing) with doing all the things that need to be done.

-- Kelly (Ksaderholm@yahoo.com), December 13, 2001.

Kelly, sounds like you could use a prayer and a hug. God Bless you.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001.

Thanks Cindy-I'll take that E-hug! Oh dear, I hope I didn't sound too whiney, but Melissa DID ask what we were Thinking!

-- Kelly (Ksaderholm@yahoo.com), December 13, 2001.

You're welcome. I don't think you sounded whiney. It would sure be nice if we could really dump our problems on people with proper understanding here, but then again this is the internet and not a safe thing to do. You never know who is lurking.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001.

Nope, that's not whining Kelly. Sometimes it does help to put it into words though. I find that articulating my feelings, and having other people empathize makes such a difference.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 13, 2001.

It's so strange that Melissa asked what we were thinking, and then talked about why some people can be so hurtful. I had a phone call today that left me thinking the same thing. And even though I've just been lurking, this is such a nice group, I was thinking about asking for your prayers. Now I am left trying to decide whether or not to participate in a family get-together that we can't afford (the gift exchange would cost us $140 and my DH lost his job last week, and that would mean exchanging gifts with the people I suspect of causing all the trouble. Definitely not an easy decision. But thanks for listening, it really helps!

-- Heather (hknisley@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001.

I would attend the get-together and just explain that you can't afford to exchange gifts this year. Unless you have a special skill, and can make up something like a pan of fudge, or sew something simple. Most people will understand!! I tell people that their "presence" is their "present"!!!

I had a dear friend one time who grew up in a monetarily poor family (but rich in the Lord, and everything that truly mattered)who told me that when they were kids they wouldn't have cared if their stockings held rocks, they just loved the holiday so much anyways.

It is best to face these types of situations head-on before they become even worse. I have heard stories of relatives who haven't talked to each other for 30 years, and can't even remember why they were mad in the first place!!!! Many times you may have just cause to be upset, but it is much easier to talk it out and then forgive than to hold a grudge. Many illnesses are literally caused from such stress. I hope you can work it out... I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 13, 2001.

When I was a teenager, I got so irritated by my mother asking me what I was thinking. It felt like such an invasion of privacy.

I am a fan of Pat McManus and one of his stories, he says when he is asked that question he answers "Dead flies." People quit asking what you are thinking. I am happy to announce that this reply works very well. I am not sure if it is because of the answer or people just don't care what I am thinking anymore.

I did hear my eldest daughter tell her boyfriend "Dead flies" recently, so our family's weird humor is beginning to escape the confines of our walls. He must be a keeper because he still comes around.

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001.

My hubby and I will ask each other that question from time to time. Usually, when we're driving to the city (45 minutes from home) and realize that we've lapsed into thoughtful silence. It seems like we should answer with something sweet and romantic, like, "Why my love, I was just thinking our lucky and blessed I am to be with such a wonderful person..." HOWEVER, we usually answer with something so off the wall that we'll both start laughing about it. Things like, just what the heck was that kind of cow in our neighbors field? It had small black spots, not big ones like a holstein - about 1/2 white 1/2 black, but more black on its head and feet - and the horns looked like some kind of African cow or something..... always something strange and off the wall. But we sure do laugh a lot! ;-)

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), December 13, 2001.

Laura, I probably would have thought the same thing when I was a tenager!! But I have a different relationship with my children. I guess I have asked this for so long that they just consider it normal.

Cheryl, that happens here sometimes, and laughter is just as good as deep feelings. If you can't laugh with someone, it is hard to cry with them.

Many people carry heavy burdens and while some may consider this question an invasion of their privacy, for others it may be just what they need help with problems or healing.

I remember when my kids were babies, I used to always wonder, what are they thinking. It is such a wonderful thing to now know!!!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 14, 2001.

As a preface, we have 4 children all still at home :) Sometimes I worry that all of our energy is expended on 1 of them, while the other three are left to fend for themselves. It is not always the same child, but, for instance lately our second son is in the drama club, so we had his play practices and play to plan around, next it was basketball practice and games, and concerts and now I volunteered to sponsor his History Day contest group from our school. I hope they realize we love them all equally, not the same, but equally and that things all do even out in the end. Polly

-- (jserg45@hotmail.com), December 14, 2001.

Penny for my thoughts? Was reading Marriage on the Mend this morning. Reminded me how far I have to go to be a good husband.

-- Randal at home in Brazil (randal@rhyme.cjb.net), December 14, 2001.