Happy, At Ease...2003 New Year!
:)

Anyone familiar with the military and its rules, regulations, formations etc. would know exactly how wonderful it is at certain times to hear the command....”At Ease!”
During troop formations, moving even one foot is not allowed unless the command is given.
Inside a building, say a mess hall while the troops are eating, if a ranking officer walked in, the order given would be....”At Ease!”
This granted permission for the troops to continue what they were doing.
In essence they did NOT have to snap to attention as required.

Regimentation and discipline is a must for training and serving in the United States Military. This, also, finds its way into a military family, as I well know from the years my husband, Charlie, served as an U.S. Army Paratrooper and Artillery career military officer.
Our family with our three children Lynn, Chuck and Chad moved when the military orders said to move.... took ‘leave’ when it was convenient to the ‘Command‘ and went wherever the paycheck sent us.

What does all of this have to do with entering a New Year?
By personal experience I have found that more and more I have to give myself ‘permission’ to ....relax....be ‘at ease’.
The fast pace world of which I am a part ....tends to place me in the midst of much activity.....this often results in stress, pressure, anxiety etc.
I have absolutely forgotten how to relax....even when I can.
My ‘fun’ activities of which there are many with my family and nautical friends....become a ‘work to have fun’ time.
My friends call me “The Electric Woman” because of all the ‘energy’ of life that I possess...
......This year I am determined to be.....At Ease.... continually!
Breaking habits....good or bad....takes discipline.
I will take the time.....even if it kills me....to slow down and smell the roses, have quiet times of ‘non-doing’, walk the beach in tranquility, and serenity, and most of all to learn again this military command ....“At Ease!”
I pray that my husband makes this same “At Ease"resolution since he thinks that he still has a ‘one man/woman squad'!
.....I don’t think so!!!
Yes, 2003 IS FOR ME!