Dad's Going All Out

Author: Joseph Sandoval

      When my dad decided he wanted to move out of our guest house and into a place of his own, I was a little nervous. Mom’s been gone for a while now and while dad is mentally just as young as ever, I worry that since his body’s a bit frailer he may have a hard time taking care of himself. The good news is, he moved out about six months ago and things are going great! He loves the independence of being on his own again and I feel much better since we got him a security system from allhomesecurity.com and a nurse to check in once a week. Jenny helps dad shop for groceries and clean the house a bit which allows him to do the things he really loves like napping and fishing! I’m glad we were able to come to a compromise when it came to dad moving out – the last thing I wanted was for him to feel like I was mothering him! He’s happier now than ever and so are we.

Ease and Comfort Equals Security

     Since I moved here in Nogales, I am already accustomed to see trucks with green stripes of border patrols, blue stripes of custom officers, plane white of national guards and the typical while cars of the local police and sheriff office. Statistically, the number of authority in uniforms is way more than the actual number of the local residents in our city. The presence of these uniformed officers bring feeling of security and assurance that committing  an illegal intrusion to properties is just like committing a suicide. Personally, I was thinking that way before an event that changed my perspective occurred.
     I was living in a two-door apartment. I love the location of my apartment because it literally overlooks  the city. I like the serenity of my neighborhood because majority of the houses are not fully occupied with many people. There are at least 1 or two people living in each house. Every afternoon, I enjoy walking around and looking into beautiful and well maintained yards. I noticed few signs of security devices installed in the front lawn of some houses. I did not give much attention to them. I go to work and come home everyday feeling certain that things are just fine. Until one afternoon, I arrived with police cars parked in front of my apartment. I went to see the happenings and I came to know that unit A was robbed. Someone had cut the round bars of the windows and got inside the place to loot some appliances. The event awaken my senses that there is no assurance for security.As soon as I got myself settled in my place, I was scrambling into my mouse searching the net information on home security.  In my search, I come into the www.allhomesecurity.com where I found a very functional security system.The site offered me information and outline of the system I needed.  Few contacts and discussion with the house owner and I am off into having my own system at home.
     The installation of this new system gave me some opportunities for new learning and discovery but most of all, it gives me a real sense of steadiness. It is often true that I felt comfortable that I am living in a safe place but a  concrete evidence that I am protected makes a difference. I can be away from my place for days and not worry if somebody had already taken over my little acquisition in my humble abode. I enjoyed time more than I did before. I might be living alone but I knew that within each complete cycle of the clock somebody I can rely is monitoring me. Every morning as I walk around, I always stop infront of my yard to look at the little sign that shouts ease and comfort, my security warning sign!

Wasted

     Many times, I worried about a lot of things like an application submitted to a certain office, travel plans for next month, possibilities of keeping my job or visa application status. My worries sometimes affect my ways of doing things. Worse, they held me to accomplish so many little things that need to be completed everyday. I overlooked so many beautiful things like  a smiling friend, a new rose petals in my garden or the simple wag of my dog's tail. I only saw the gloomy side of life.

    I simply missed lots and lots of moments that I could had been spending enjoying the so many blessings I have. What a foolish way of neglecting life! What an irresponsible action to utilize time! How many are not lucky enough to see another day of their lives? How many has no capacity to explore and grab the beautiful flower in front of them? How many has no way of seeing the lively blue color of the sky? How many has never heard the sweet singing of the doves and cardinals? Alas! Here I am. I am capable of enjoying everything yet I am so fool to neglect them. I had wasted too much time worrying about things beyond my control. I had wasted moments that have not yet given to me. I am glad, I finally knew that my treasures are wasted.

First Timer's Luck

       In all events of life there is always a first time. First time is always memorable because it marks the beginning of taking courage in order to act. This is also an initiation that will open the possibilities of learning. Sometimes, it is also called taking chances. The enthusiasm of this experience leads to some realizations that may make or break the goals. However, it is often experienced that the first try is successful. It is called "the first timer's luck."
     Experiencing the first timer's luck ignites encouragement and promotes bravery. It awakens aspect of confidence that motivates additional push to continue. It achieves pride and fulfillment that  speaks possibilities of every endeavor. Often, the person will forget the hesitation and will continue to do the action with hope for more. Whether the action is good or bad, the doer believes that luck will be just around the bend and success is inevitable.
    For me,  this phenomenon is always set with a definite purpose.  It is to show me what is really hidden behind the chances. Life will show it's how, what and why so that I can reflect critically whether the value of the experience is worth keeping. Whether the gain is more than the lost, vice versa or it is just break even. It exposes the parameter of risk that needs to be calculated the moment a decision of taking another chance is about to be taken. This is one ways of life's fair treatment . It gives me  a fair chance to become better traveler in  life's highway.
     Since life's courses are taken based in different speed and calculation, they vary according to my capacity to analyze everything that is included in each course.The courses are harsh because they will first provide the experience before they will teach the lesson. In my experience, it took me sometimes to understand this process. It was because often I am caught in the illusions that the first timer's luck lasts forever. Now, I knew that it will not. By knowing this, I found life easier and more exciting. I become more encouraged to take more daring moves and decisions. I love savouring the joys of my first timer's luck. I become more passionate to discover what possible returns my actions will bring. I love calculating the risks of my decisions and learning from the consequences. Life is a passion that is filled with many mysteries. Unfolding the mysteries makes it more beautiful. I take chances because I knew there is no lost the moment I live my life. I will always gain new wisdom that will enable me to see things beyond their limits.
      In the end, I might be asked if "am I living a perfect life?" Definitely not but knowing that I will have new lucks tomorrow makes a big difference.Whenever I can, I take advantage of my first timer's luck. The second time, I am already aware that I have to face the consequences of either making or losing it. Indeed, life is fair!!!