Discovering Wristwatches Anew

Friday, September 19, 2025

In my outside job, I work in a department where I frequently sell high-end watches. At first, I was fascinated to discover how many customers still enjoy studying and wearing traditional wristwatches. I wondered why they bothered with conventional styles when smart watches can do so much more—letting us know when a phone call or text arrives, reminding us to pause, breathe, and reflect, and so on. I’d been almost satisfied with my smart watch.

Almost—because I’ll admit, those sudden prompts to “pause and breathe” or “note your feelings” often left me annoyed. Meanwhile, through the process of presenting and selling traditionally styled watches, I became intrigued by their strong points: accuracy, battery technology, sturdiness, dependability, and, not least, their wearable beauty.

On impulse, I ordered two wristwatches online. One is a refurbished brand I’ve been selling—a high-end, good-looking piece that is fashionable, accurate, and reliable. The other is a $9 rugged-style timepiece that has unexpectedly become my favorite. Sporty and lightweight, it offers day, date, time, alarm, seconds, and stopwatch functions. My only concern is whether its “crystal” (likely hardened plastic) will scratch easily. But at $9, if it does—who cares?

So, I’ve retired my smart watch. No more charging, no more unwanted nudges. I’ll miss alerts to incoming calls, but my phone is usually in my pocket with a ringtone I can hear. I might miss step counting, but I know my daily steps already run into the thousands.

Reflecting on this change, I’m reminded again how learning shifts perspective. For years, I never once considered wanting a traditional wristwatch. Now, understanding their dependability, durability, and sheer beauty has made them alluring—and even a “heapy-cheepy” rugged model proves that simple technology can be capable and cool.

Perhaps best of all, my own experiment gives me more insight—and more articulate ways to share the appeal of high-end wristwatches with customers.

— Diana

Finding Balance in a Competitive Workplace

Thursday, September 18, 2025

Sometimes my outside job feels overwhelming. This past week included incidents that upset me enough to wonder if I should quit. In a different retail department store, I might have started the process, but my current workplace is so family-like most of the time that I genuinely enjoy being there.

I work in one of the store’s few departments where sales earn commissions. That naturally creates a competitive environment, and my struggles stem from a long-time employee—my co-worker—who, in my view, crossed a line. That left me feeling discouraged and out of balance.

I’m not easily intimidated, but I do prefer to avoid conflict. My goal is simple: show up, do my job as well as I can, and feel supported by management. Most days, that’s exactly what happens.

This time, however, upper managers recognized what had occurred. They spoke with both my co-worker and me, and I felt they truly understood my concerns. They reminded me that competition in sales is never easily solved, but they also reassured me of their support. Their advice was that I learn to defend myself—something easier said than done by one who’s new to a competitive workplace.

Still, knowing management stands behind me eased the anger enough for me to stay and focus on how I can adapt. For me, it isn’t about commissions. It’s about fairness. What makes staying and working on the problem worthwhile is the fairness of being listened to, heard, supported, and encouraged.

At the end of the day, my workplace feels like a genuine family, and I find myself wanting to stay more than I want to leave.

— Diana

Finding My Voice!

Saturday, September 06, 2025

I recently listened to an interview with Robert Reich about his newest book, Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America. One of the themes he spoke about was “social bullying,” which he described as a “social constant.” He suggested it may have been more visible in his own youth, but he emphasized that bullying in any form can quietly suppress people’s ability to get ahead.

His words stirred up memories for me. Growing up, I often felt “bullied”—not by fists or shouts, but by a steady stream of signals that I was “less than.” Less, for being a woman. Less, for being single. Less, for carrying just enough extra weight to feel unattractive. I absorbed it all without knowing how to push back.

My turning point came from a college-educated co-worker and friend, who refused to let me give in to those doubts. She ignored my protests that I wasn’t smart enough or didn’t have time. She kept insisting that I enroll in a college-level evening course until I finally did—and to my own surprise, earned an A. That single step propelled me into nearly twenty years of night classes, where I eventually earned three accredited diplomas, including a Ph.D. That education became both an instant negotiating tool and a foundation for new opportunities in work and in life.

When the coursework ended, I faced the deeper battles within myself. Therapy became the next step, giving me space to untangle old knots, discover new perspectives, and slowly reshape how I lived. Nothing changed overnight, but with time and persistence, I learned to recognize joy, create opportunities, and trade old doubts for steadier confidence.

Looking back, I see that each step—education, therapy, and my own dogged persistence—wasn’t just about survival. It was about rebuilding a life that finally fit me, and still does.

That long-ago friend and I remain close. I think of her insistence as “good bullying”—a relentless encourager who pushed me in precisely the way I needed. Listening to Reich reminded me that harmful bullying is not always loud; often it’s woven into the silences and unspoken judgments of daily life. But with persistence, coaching, and healing, those silences can be overcome.

Dear friends, persistence and healing helped me trade old battles for a steadier self.

—Diana

Jittery Edge

Thursday, March 06, 2025

I’m feeling pretty down this morning—the stock market is crashing again.

Those who pushed for a “strong” right-wing leader are now facing the fallout. Under this new administration, layoffs are rising, prices are climbing (or about to), climate progress has been abandoned, and personal freedoms are teetering on the edge.

Businesses are uneasy, investors are on edge, and uncertainty is dragging the market down.

In an attempt to counterbalance personal stress, I am evaluating a couple of recently-ordered mood enhancers: KSM-66 Ashwagandha and L-Theanine. Given this morning’s chaos, maybe this is a good time to put them to the test. I gather that both are known for their ability to support stress relief and mood balance. They are supposed to work in different ways.

Ashwagandha is supposed to help regulate cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. It’s said to build resilience against anxiety and sharpen focus—exactly what I need while dealing with market swings.

L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea. It’s supposed to promote relaxation without causing drowsiness and increase the alpha brain waves associated with a calm yet alert state. People often use it to ease caffeine jitters or stay sharp under pressure.

I don’t recall exactly what led me to order them, but here they are. Given the emotional rollercoaster of this current market, I’m going for it.

And now, a lighter moment from yesterday: As I placed a bottle of wine in my shopping cart, a fellow shopper pointed to it and said, “My grandma used to say, ‘With that in the cupboard, it’s going to be a wonderful evening.’”

We laughed, knowing Grandma was absolutely right!

Dear Friends: I’ll be experimenting with mood enhancers for the next four years. Diana

Keyed-Up

Sunday, February 23, 2025

Yesterday was supposed to be a day off, but I got called to work during the store’s opening shift. Before leaving home, I opened the drawer where my car keys are typically stored. Those I wanted were missing—misplaced. I hurried around looking and trying to recall when I last had the keys. I couldn’t find them, and luckily, other keys in the drawer let me drive to work.

Throughout the years, I have misplaced car keys often enough that doing so again isn’t surprising. I repeated routines by double-checking jacket pockets, the car’s inside, and other spots and areas, but now they’ve been lost for days.

Losing something as routine as car keys—especially when they’re usually carefully stored—suggests possibilities depending on the context. The cause could be an abstraction, a break in routine, a memory lapse, an outside interference (the “Cockatoo took ’em”), or something symbolic.

I lean toward symbolic meanings, which turns me toward uncertainties caused by this nation’s current political leadership. Losing my keys is a signal of my high discontent.

Keys are symbols likely related to access, control, and movement ideas. Misplacing my keys could reflect my increasing concerns about impending fallouts from “external instabilities.” I feel alarmed by the thought that I/we will face fewer reasonably predictable and reliable possibilities related to our preferences and choices ahead.

The inconvenience of lost keys is one thing, but anticipating insecurity in a broader sense is something else entirely. The signs of growing hostility, division, and extremism make it feel like we’re edging toward something ominous. I fear some sort of Kristallnacht event suddenly occurring–a terrifying point.

Maybe such concerns are making me do some things differently, such as adjusting routines, paying closer attention to new sources, or considering practical precautions. Sometimes, when uncertainty looms, small actions, like losing keys, can reveal a loss of personal control.

Staying informed, connecting with like-minded people, and having contingencies in place for unexpected shifts are helpful solutions. The disappearance of those keys is likely related to my stressful feelings about increasing uncertainty.

Dear Friends: Because “talking” always helps, those keys might turn up today. Diana

Heating Up

Sunday, July 07, 2024

The cool of this early hour is ideal for tackling outdoor chores and sprucing up the property. Soon, the sun will blaze overhead, and any trace of refreshing coolness will vanish. Temperatures of 101 degrees are predicted for today and tomorrow here in Central Oregon. That gets worse on Tuesday, with our anticipated heat reaching 104 degrees.

Global warming is a deeply concerning issue. For instance, I try not to dwell on its impact on polar bears and places like Iceland. However, experiencing extreme heat firsthand reinforces the reality of the situation and makes it clear that this is not just a local issue. The stark reality is that we all are interconnected, and on a global scale, climate change has consequences that impact individuals and locations.

Personally, experiencing these very high temperatures makes me realize that I’m coping with some emotional distress, and it’s related to climate change. I am gathering, too, that anxious feelings like mine are becoming more common. They’re often referred to as climate anxiety or eco-grief.

Well, today’s environment creates such new “anxiety tags.” I did some research and learned that “Climate Anxiety” is a chronic fear or worry about the future due to the effects of climate change. More research also clarified “Eco-grief” as a profound sense of loss and mourning for the already occurring environmental damage and the potential loss of ecosystems, species, and even entire landscapes.

Climate change is a global crisis. It affects every corner of our planet and evokes personal grief. I’m challenged to comprehend the complex and often contentious political landscape surrounding the issue, and internationally.

As more people accept the reality of climate change and learn to move beyond personal grief, we may gain a better understanding of the global political conflicts surrounding climate change, commerce, and power. More understanding could empower us to have a greater influence on these issues.

Dear Friends: The thermometer’s reality extends beyond mere temperature. Diana

Presence

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

I’m in an excellent mood and unsure why my brain feels happier than usual. Maybe it’s to offset inner anxiety because I anticipate finding myself in trouble when I arrive at work this afternoon. Yesterday evening, while closing my department, I didn’t take care of two routines. The evening had been quiet, so my slips weren’t critical, but I am charged to do them always.

I must be authentic in considering all this, as brains don’t technically “feel” emotions like humans do. Some physical and social activities can release certain chemicals that induce the brain states we associate with happiness. Some factors that contribute to a “happier” brain are exercise, social connections, sleep, and purpose. Some or all might be fueling my brain with “happiness” chemicals (e.g., dopamine) in these moments.

Physical components are also involved. Exercise, sunlight, and gratitude are some of the things that might be helping to fuel today’s “high.” My exercise routines still aren’t enough, but are happening. The days are abundantly sunlit. I have worked on focusing, being aware, and expressing gratitude for some time.

Why do I feel happy today despite anticipating worrisome workplace problems? Well, complex brain chemistry forced me to do some research. Now I understand, that even in the face of impending problems, a brain can release neurotransmitters (like dopamine or endorphins) that lend temporary feelings of happiness. Maybe those are why I’m feeling happier today, with an upped willingness to go to work and face the music.

Everyone experiences emotions differently. Although feeling happy in the face of problems might be a healthy coping mechanism for me, that’s unlikely to be the same for everybody. I am accustomed to working at recognizing and comprehending my emotions, but often, that means wading in deep and complicated waters.

Dear Friends: Focusing on the present moment can increase happiness. Diana

Mind Full

Thursday, May 09, 2024

A PBS documentary focusing on human memory suggests that truth and reality, seen through the filter of our memories, are not objective facts but are subjective, interpreted realities. Memory research shows that our brains interpret the past. We tend to correct ourselves, add bits and pieces, and delete uncomplimentary or disturbing recollections. Essentially, our brains sweep, dust, and tidy things up.

The documentary included interviews with Lisa Genova, a trained neurophysiologist and best-selling author. She supported the documentary’s points that memory isn’t accurate but interprets the past. She also shifted a bit by asking, “Do many of us spend time practicing gratitude?”

Genova’s writings often make me pause to consider and research the topics she presents. The question about practicing gratitude made me wonder: Do I actually practice gratitude, and if so how? My cloudy memory on this topic had me ask basic questions: What is “practicing gratitude,” and how does one do that?

I gather there are gratitude exercises for training a brain to focus on the positive aspects of life, whether they’re big or small. Gratitude exercises can be a learned skill–like strengthening a particular muscle. Over time, consistently practicing gratitude develops an appreciation mindset that gradually becomes a natural behavior.

Wishing to “appreciate gratitude” means learning how to notice “good things” more readily and preserve them.

Research teaches ways of learning how to focus on gratitude. That might start with a daily gratitude list of 2-3 things and continue by learning to explore what resonates. Maybe by creating a daily gratitude journal, taking walks, or learning how to meditate. A caution is to avoid being grateful for obvious things, like health. Instead, to reflect on specific things, really appreciated–like a good night’s sleep or being able to exercise.

In time, a learner will understand that feeling gratitude goes hand-in-glove with being mindful. Mindfulness is a learned skill about being attentive in present moments and recognizing positive experiences. Appreciation is another learned skill about knowing how to save and savor moments of positive experiences.

Dear Friends: I enjoy thoughts about practicing mindfulness and appreciation. Diana

Mind Journey

Sunday, April 28, 2024

I wonder if others like me periodically discover themselves feeling an occasional sudden restlessness. The best I can explain is that when that occurs, it confuses my feelings, causing confusion and discomfort with daily routines, forcing thoughts about my short-term (and by association, long-term) goals. Suddenly, I want to start changing things, but I feel like a fish fighting in choppy waters without a defined direction.

I’m in a mode of “needing to change things,” but now I am pausing and wondering how to quell those feelings without my usual response of changing routines. Changes do distract my brain by making it process lots of new information. However, I hope to refocus this time and comfortably maintain the status quo.

Mindfulness skills make sense; they’re a way of paying attention to the present moment without making judgments. It’s brain training to heighten awareness of thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. Careful mindfulness, or pausing and thoughtfully evaluating the present, may calm and reduce misunderstandings that might feel overwhelming.

Focusing on what’s happening now without worrying about the past or future should avoid feeling judgmental. Instead of labeling thoughts and feelings as good or bad, it’s best to observe them simply, with curiosity and acceptance. Comprehending my inner experience might heighten my self-understanding and guide me to more logical responses during stressful moments.

Dear Friends: I can get started online with guided meditations and exercises. Diana

…To Our Ears

Wednesday, April 09, 2024

Recently, I began learning more about our brains, including the phenomenon of “brain noise.” For example, a surgical procedure called “focused ultrasound” converges sound waves into a tiny area deep within the brain (e.g., the thalamus) and creates heat. This heat disrupts abnormal brain activities causing recurring tumors. Similarly, in another human problem, focused ultrasound can pinpoint and address the area in a human brain that consistently demands drugs.

Now, I’ve begun learning more about music and the human mind. Renowned soprano Renee Flemming is behind a book entitled Music and the Mind, designed for a general audience. Its chapters explore music’s power relative to human health and the brain and discuss such topics as childhood development, cognitive neuroscience, evolution, and music therapy.

It stresses music’s impact on healthcare, musical education, music and social cohesion, and the future of music in medicine.

Reading this book was easy and also jolting. I could feel my brain spontaneously and often recalling musical phrases and life episodes, long forgotten or seemingly so. I’ve been surprised to rediscover long-ago music and associated learning, still lasting and inspiring, in my brain’s regions.

Dear Friends: All amazing, the incredible capabilities of our magnificent brains. Diana