On Monday I had several friends lose parents. One to a tragedy, one to a short illness, and another to a long-term illness. All have the same effect...a loss that cannot be filled. A loss that will forever change their families. Their loss and those of others should be our gain in a strange way. We should take stock of our loved ones and truly appreciate what we have.
Loss is a part of every day life. Some of the losses we suffer are insignificant, others shake the foundation of who we are and will become. Oddly enough these losses actually have the capability of teaching us far more than if they had not occurred. We are forced to learn to deal with the fallout of a person passing away, the loss of jobs, the loss of friendships, or the loss of a dream we've held so dear.
How we choose to deal with or ignore the changes brought about by these losses defines who we are. Will you fall apart? Stand firm? Be the rock that others lean on? Take chances that you wouldn't have otherwise? Reevaluate your priorities? The possibilities are endless and have an endless number of answers. The true test is not in what the right answer is, but in how you deal with whatever answer you choose.
Dealing with life and all the various curve balls it throws at you defines who you are. It makes you contemplate your values, your aspirations, your strength, and your faith. You may have to reconsider all you ever thought your life was going to be. Sometimes, this isn't a bad scenario. Loss makes us who we are. It is our choice whether we get swallowed whole or stand firm in our foundation.
What will you choose???
God Bless,
Tammy
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
3-28-2011 Things that make you smile...
It is so easy to get lost in all of the things that go on in our lives to bring us down. Every day there is something that happens that could easily pull us down into a pit that will take us a long time to free ourselves from. For most of us, we don't have the luxury of wallowing in self pity, hurt, or despair. We have to pick ourselves up, dust our butts off, and move one foot in front of the other to whatever responsbility lays ahead. What we have to start doing is fully being aware of those little things that make us smile. We need to seek them out, pay them attention, give thanks for them, and find ways to do small things to make other people smile...I can guarantee that they need it as much as you do.
Every day I thank God for the many blessings that I have in my life. Every day I also pray for the things in my life that are causing me or the people I love unrest. What I don't always take the time to do is let these people know that I am praying for them. That is just as important as actually saying a prayer I believe. Last night I got an unexpected email from a friend saying that I had been on their mind the past week or so and that they had been praying for me. How awesome is that??? They felt compelled not only to be in prayer for me, but to let me know it. I can't tell you how much that lifted my heart!
Take the time to do those little things that make you and/or someone you love smile. In most cases it only takes a few minutes and it can make all the difference. Here are just a few things that make me smile that I know would do the same for others. Do you have some suggestions as well? Leave a comment.
* send a "snail mail" card to someone
* put a flower on your best freind's car while they are at work with a little note
* stop in to see a shut in relative or friend
* send a text to someone you haven't seen lately and let them know you are thinking of them
* make dinner for your parents/friends/siblings/etc.
* cut your neighbors grass
* pick your niece/nephew up and go to the park and play
* say hello to every stranger you meet today and give them a big smile :)
* buy the meal for the person in line behind you at McDonald's (or wherever)
The list could go on and on...whatever comes to mind, just do it...you'll get more than a smile out of it I know :)
God Bless,
Tammy
Every day I thank God for the many blessings that I have in my life. Every day I also pray for the things in my life that are causing me or the people I love unrest. What I don't always take the time to do is let these people know that I am praying for them. That is just as important as actually saying a prayer I believe. Last night I got an unexpected email from a friend saying that I had been on their mind the past week or so and that they had been praying for me. How awesome is that??? They felt compelled not only to be in prayer for me, but to let me know it. I can't tell you how much that lifted my heart!
Take the time to do those little things that make you and/or someone you love smile. In most cases it only takes a few minutes and it can make all the difference. Here are just a few things that make me smile that I know would do the same for others. Do you have some suggestions as well? Leave a comment.
* send a "snail mail" card to someone
* put a flower on your best freind's car while they are at work with a little note
* stop in to see a shut in relative or friend
* send a text to someone you haven't seen lately and let them know you are thinking of them
* make dinner for your parents/friends/siblings/etc.
* cut your neighbors grass
* pick your niece/nephew up and go to the park and play
* say hello to every stranger you meet today and give them a big smile :)
* buy the meal for the person in line behind you at McDonald's (or wherever)
The list could go on and on...whatever comes to mind, just do it...you'll get more than a smile out of it I know :)
God Bless,
Tammy
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
3-22-11 SPEEDBUMPS
Which way should you turn when every direction seems to have a speed bump along the path? Speed bumps come in every shape and size. Some are so small you barely notice them. Others are so big that you feel as though you'll need an oxygen tank to reach the summit and begin your descent. Every one of them causes you a pause in your journey and more often than not plants a kernel of doubt deep in your mind.
So, how do you avoid these bumps in your life? You don't. When you look up the definition of life in the dictionary it reads: the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual *. Nowhere in the definition is the word EASY. Life just simply isn't supposed to be easy. Life is all about the living of it. Muddling through as best we can with the tools/skills that we have picked up along the way. The key to success is knowing when you are beaten and when you should ask for help. Whether by a loved one, a friend, or from the Almighty.
I don't know about you, but hitting a speed bump, literally or figuratively, whether it's anticipated or shows up unexpectedly is irritating. You are either wasting time as you slow down to manuver it or you are so jostled by it that you have to take a minute to get back on track. Both scenerios require the exertion of energy that could be better spent on something else. The trick is learning how to deal with them head on.
You don't have to keep pulling forward and backing up over them. You get the same result as if you were beating the proverbial dead horse. It won't do you any good to keep revisiting it. Slow down, speed up, go around it, hit it dead on...just deal with it and move on with your LIFE. The life that isn't easy and never will be, but it's the only one you have. It's up to you to make the most out of it.
Speed bumps, stop signs, caution lights, yield signs, and the like are all there for our safety. They are early warning signs of what is to come. How great would it be if our "life road" had these cautionery signs. Even better, what if there were exit signs that said, "Boyfriend #3, 2 miles ahead" or "Career path #1, 5 miles ahead, then left" or possibly even "Falling Rock ahead". How awesome would that be? Then maybe we could at least make sure our seatbelts are securely fastened and brace for impact!
Alas, that is not the case. We are simply and extraordinarily human. There's no Cliff's notes for our lives or "how to" manuals. All we have are our experiences and the good Lord to turn to in times of unrest or absolute need. So, prepare all you want for the speedbumps of life and you will still get jostled by them. Learning how to deal is the only choice we have.
God Bless,
Tammy
*taken from Miriam Webster online dictionary
So, how do you avoid these bumps in your life? You don't. When you look up the definition of life in the dictionary it reads: the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual *. Nowhere in the definition is the word EASY. Life just simply isn't supposed to be easy. Life is all about the living of it. Muddling through as best we can with the tools/skills that we have picked up along the way. The key to success is knowing when you are beaten and when you should ask for help. Whether by a loved one, a friend, or from the Almighty.
I don't know about you, but hitting a speed bump, literally or figuratively, whether it's anticipated or shows up unexpectedly is irritating. You are either wasting time as you slow down to manuver it or you are so jostled by it that you have to take a minute to get back on track. Both scenerios require the exertion of energy that could be better spent on something else. The trick is learning how to deal with them head on.
You don't have to keep pulling forward and backing up over them. You get the same result as if you were beating the proverbial dead horse. It won't do you any good to keep revisiting it. Slow down, speed up, go around it, hit it dead on...just deal with it and move on with your LIFE. The life that isn't easy and never will be, but it's the only one you have. It's up to you to make the most out of it.
Speed bumps, stop signs, caution lights, yield signs, and the like are all there for our safety. They are early warning signs of what is to come. How great would it be if our "life road" had these cautionery signs. Even better, what if there were exit signs that said, "Boyfriend #3, 2 miles ahead" or "Career path #1, 5 miles ahead, then left" or possibly even "Falling Rock ahead". How awesome would that be? Then maybe we could at least make sure our seatbelts are securely fastened and brace for impact!
Alas, that is not the case. We are simply and extraordinarily human. There's no Cliff's notes for our lives or "how to" manuals. All we have are our experiences and the good Lord to turn to in times of unrest or absolute need. So, prepare all you want for the speedbumps of life and you will still get jostled by them. Learning how to deal is the only choice we have.
God Bless,
Tammy
*taken from Miriam Webster online dictionary
Saturday, March 19, 2011
3-19-11
Finding the right words...
Sometimes this is the hardest thing to do. Anytime you have to engage in a conversation that you know is going to upset someone you hope that the right words will come to you. You want to convey your concern, anger, agitation, hope, or advice in the best way possible so that they fully comprehend your meaning and motivation. This is most difficult, I feel, when the person you need to speak to is extremely close to you and you are concerned for them and for the choices they are making.
How do you get through to them without their feeling that you are being judgmental of their actions? Would I do the things they are doing? No, but my motivation is concern for how their actions have and will affect them in the near future and further down the line. When you see someone blatantly playing with fire and doing things that are completely out of character you become deeply concerned. Not solely about their actions, but the motivation for those actions. What deep seeded issue(s) are causing them to "act out"?
Perfect is not a word that has ever been used to describe me nor should it ever be. I do not have my life in order and may not ever, I have many issues in my own life that I don't know how to fix, and I am very discontented with many things. Does this lack of perfection exempt me from having helpful insight into someone else's issues? I hope not. I would hope that if any of my friends and/or family saw me spiraling down the wrong road that they (with their own imperfections and issues) found it in their hearts to try to help me get back on track.
That's what we do...we draw from our experiences and observations and use those to make the best decisions and give the best advice that we can. Will we always be right? No. Will we make incorrect assumptions? Probably. Should we steer clear of difficult situations because we haven't been in that person's shoes? I don't think so. Love is love and sometimes it is the hardest thing about being a human being. You have to love others enough to hurt their feelings and try to do what you think is best for them.
I sure hope that the right words come to me. I pray that God gives me the strength and fortitude to follow through with my friend that needs help right now. Most importantly, I hope that my concern is overwhelming apparent. I don't want them to feel judged or looked down upon. I only want them to feel love and to feel that there is hope in having someone give a crap about them...Lord, be with me.
God Bless,
Tammy
Sometimes this is the hardest thing to do. Anytime you have to engage in a conversation that you know is going to upset someone you hope that the right words will come to you. You want to convey your concern, anger, agitation, hope, or advice in the best way possible so that they fully comprehend your meaning and motivation. This is most difficult, I feel, when the person you need to speak to is extremely close to you and you are concerned for them and for the choices they are making.
How do you get through to them without their feeling that you are being judgmental of their actions? Would I do the things they are doing? No, but my motivation is concern for how their actions have and will affect them in the near future and further down the line. When you see someone blatantly playing with fire and doing things that are completely out of character you become deeply concerned. Not solely about their actions, but the motivation for those actions. What deep seeded issue(s) are causing them to "act out"?
Perfect is not a word that has ever been used to describe me nor should it ever be. I do not have my life in order and may not ever, I have many issues in my own life that I don't know how to fix, and I am very discontented with many things. Does this lack of perfection exempt me from having helpful insight into someone else's issues? I hope not. I would hope that if any of my friends and/or family saw me spiraling down the wrong road that they (with their own imperfections and issues) found it in their hearts to try to help me get back on track.
That's what we do...we draw from our experiences and observations and use those to make the best decisions and give the best advice that we can. Will we always be right? No. Will we make incorrect assumptions? Probably. Should we steer clear of difficult situations because we haven't been in that person's shoes? I don't think so. Love is love and sometimes it is the hardest thing about being a human being. You have to love others enough to hurt their feelings and try to do what you think is best for them.
I sure hope that the right words come to me. I pray that God gives me the strength and fortitude to follow through with my friend that needs help right now. Most importantly, I hope that my concern is overwhelming apparent. I don't want them to feel judged or looked down upon. I only want them to feel love and to feel that there is hope in having someone give a crap about them...Lord, be with me.
God Bless,
Tammy
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
3-16-2011
Getting it right...is that really such an impossible feat? I was thinking about this all last night as I watched Glee. Yes, I watch Glee! It really does have some great lessons and wonderful music. The past few episodes have really had some thought provoking issues. One of which is one of the main characters feelings that she hasn't gotten anything right and wondering how/if she ever will.
I feel like this most days. As a child all I wanted to do what make my parents happy and I tried my hardest to appease everyone. That has not changed...ever. To my detriment I have remained the same. I haven't done this or that because it would make someone mad at me. I haven't tried to talk to a guy because someone else liked them or because I didn't think my friends would approve. I finished a degree I didn't really want and got a job in that field out of the overwhelming urge to do what was expected of me. More recently I have stayed in my current career for years longer than I should have because I didn't want anyone to think that I couldn't cut it. Sadly, I could have moved on to something that fulfilled me more if I had just not given a crap what others think of me.
As the possiblity for change comes about I am faced with making some difficult decisions about my future. Where to live, where to move my business, what career path to follow, how to be a better provider for myself, etc. The question that burns in my mind is this...HOW DO I GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME? There are many years left to live of my life and I know that they will continue to be full of changes, some good and some bad. However, I want to make the best decisions that will hopefully make for long-term contentment, happiness, and stability. No pressure there!
Being a grown up sucks sometimes. It would be wonderful if someone would just tell me what to do, how to do it, and what the outcome will be! That is the only true perk of being a kid, you don't have the worries that you do as an adult. It is a blessing that my decisions only effect me at present. Maybe that is why I haven't been blessed with a husband or kids yet...because I have figured out so many other things. Maybe God is waiting for me to catch up with him???
Good, bad, or ugly the future will come. With it will be the necessity to make decisions. Some thought out, some made on a whim, all effecting my life. All I can do is hold my breath and jump into the deep end hoping that I will eventually come up for air. Well, I don't have to hope too much as long as I have prayer and God on my side, but it would still be nice to know what outcome there will be :)
God Bless,
Tammy
I feel like this most days. As a child all I wanted to do what make my parents happy and I tried my hardest to appease everyone. That has not changed...ever. To my detriment I have remained the same. I haven't done this or that because it would make someone mad at me. I haven't tried to talk to a guy because someone else liked them or because I didn't think my friends would approve. I finished a degree I didn't really want and got a job in that field out of the overwhelming urge to do what was expected of me. More recently I have stayed in my current career for years longer than I should have because I didn't want anyone to think that I couldn't cut it. Sadly, I could have moved on to something that fulfilled me more if I had just not given a crap what others think of me.
As the possiblity for change comes about I am faced with making some difficult decisions about my future. Where to live, where to move my business, what career path to follow, how to be a better provider for myself, etc. The question that burns in my mind is this...HOW DO I GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME? There are many years left to live of my life and I know that they will continue to be full of changes, some good and some bad. However, I want to make the best decisions that will hopefully make for long-term contentment, happiness, and stability. No pressure there!
Being a grown up sucks sometimes. It would be wonderful if someone would just tell me what to do, how to do it, and what the outcome will be! That is the only true perk of being a kid, you don't have the worries that you do as an adult. It is a blessing that my decisions only effect me at present. Maybe that is why I haven't been blessed with a husband or kids yet...because I have figured out so many other things. Maybe God is waiting for me to catch up with him???
Good, bad, or ugly the future will come. With it will be the necessity to make decisions. Some thought out, some made on a whim, all effecting my life. All I can do is hold my breath and jump into the deep end hoping that I will eventually come up for air. Well, I don't have to hope too much as long as I have prayer and God on my side, but it would still be nice to know what outcome there will be :)
God Bless,
Tammy
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
3-15-2011
Reading is one of my all-time favorite hobbies. I am easily transported from reality to the ranches of Texas, coastlines of North Carolina, the bayous of Louisiana, the streets of New York City, the woods of Georgia, the rolling hills and bluegrass of Kentucky, and everywhere else you can imagine. It is an escape from all that life throws at me. I have often considered the possibility of writing a book. Nothing complicated or even thought provoking...just a book that will allow someone the chance to get away from it all for a while and hopefully enjoy the read.
I absolutely love books. That is why you won't find a Kindle in my house. Who knows? Maybe one day I will cave in and buy one, but I don't think I will. There is nothing like holding a book, flipping the pages, and feeling the weight of it in your hands. Oh, and they smell good. Well, at least to me. Especially those that I pick up at our local second hand bookstore where they also used to sell pipe tobacco. Every book has that sweet tobacco fragrance embedded in every page. It brings back memories of going there with my grandparents when I was small. Plus, in today's economy it is a treat to be able to trade books :)
At the present moment, I am caught up with all of my favorite author's books. While I wait for the hardback copy of their new books to hit the shelves I am in need of some assistance. What good books have you read lately? What classics should I revisit? I am not a huge fan of historical romances or anything political. I would love to hear from anyone who has read something they really enjoyed. I look forward to your responses. In the meantime, I shall delve into the book that a friend gave me yesterday to read, Get A Life! It Is All About You.
God Bless,
Tammy
I absolutely love books. That is why you won't find a Kindle in my house. Who knows? Maybe one day I will cave in and buy one, but I don't think I will. There is nothing like holding a book, flipping the pages, and feeling the weight of it in your hands. Oh, and they smell good. Well, at least to me. Especially those that I pick up at our local second hand bookstore where they also used to sell pipe tobacco. Every book has that sweet tobacco fragrance embedded in every page. It brings back memories of going there with my grandparents when I was small. Plus, in today's economy it is a treat to be able to trade books :)
At the present moment, I am caught up with all of my favorite author's books. While I wait for the hardback copy of their new books to hit the shelves I am in need of some assistance. What good books have you read lately? What classics should I revisit? I am not a huge fan of historical romances or anything political. I would love to hear from anyone who has read something they really enjoyed. I look forward to your responses. In the meantime, I shall delve into the book that a friend gave me yesterday to read, Get A Life! It Is All About You.
God Bless,
Tammy
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
3-8-2011
This week I will be teaching my Sunday School class while the regular leader is out of town. The lesson is called "Choosing God's Forgiveness" and it focuses on Hebrews 12: 1-11. So far a few of the daily readings had these questions:
* What in your life is hindering you from following Christ in obedience?
* Would you say that your eyes are fixed on Jesus or on something else?
* What causes you to "grow weary and lose heart" the most in your life?
All of these are questions that I must admit I am reluctant to answer. Not because I am unsure of the answers, but just the opposite. I do know and I ashamed of the answers. I know that by putting my answers on paper or talking about them will be an admission of guilt. I am guilty of letting the world and its "treasures" come before my Lord. Who wants to openly admit that?
I realized that I was falling and deeper and deeper into a pit about 6 months ago. That is when I started actively seeking out somewhere to worship that I was happy with, a group of like-minded people to share Sunday School with, and I began a daily devotion to seek out God's Word. You can't know what you're doing wrong until you understand the guidelines.
I am actively working to get my eyes set on God now. However, it is hard to know when you are simply living your life and doing what is expected of you (by other earth dwellers aka people) and when you are straying from the Lord. I feel that I am back on track and I am anxious to see where I end up. Even with all the anticipation of the future I still have a few things that cause me "to grow weary and lose heart"...
These issues weigh on my mind daily and are things that I put a great deal of focus on. What to do? How to do it? Who to do it with? Etc, etc, etc. There's so much fear, unease, and lack of commitment to move forward. Most of the time, a forward move isn't in the picture because of other things that need to happen. You know...the old domino effect.
Some day I hope to have things straightened out. Some day I hope that my answers to the above questions will be NOT APPLICABLE. Seeing that I am a human being though I don't think that will occur anytime soon, but at least I am aware of the situation and am actively working on myself :) Sometimes, I think that is all we can do.
God Bless,
Tammy
* What in your life is hindering you from following Christ in obedience?
* Would you say that your eyes are fixed on Jesus or on something else?
* What causes you to "grow weary and lose heart" the most in your life?
All of these are questions that I must admit I am reluctant to answer. Not because I am unsure of the answers, but just the opposite. I do know and I ashamed of the answers. I know that by putting my answers on paper or talking about them will be an admission of guilt. I am guilty of letting the world and its "treasures" come before my Lord. Who wants to openly admit that?
I realized that I was falling and deeper and deeper into a pit about 6 months ago. That is when I started actively seeking out somewhere to worship that I was happy with, a group of like-minded people to share Sunday School with, and I began a daily devotion to seek out God's Word. You can't know what you're doing wrong until you understand the guidelines.
I am actively working to get my eyes set on God now. However, it is hard to know when you are simply living your life and doing what is expected of you (by other earth dwellers aka people) and when you are straying from the Lord. I feel that I am back on track and I am anxious to see where I end up. Even with all the anticipation of the future I still have a few things that cause me "to grow weary and lose heart"...
These issues weigh on my mind daily and are things that I put a great deal of focus on. What to do? How to do it? Who to do it with? Etc, etc, etc. There's so much fear, unease, and lack of commitment to move forward. Most of the time, a forward move isn't in the picture because of other things that need to happen. You know...the old domino effect.
Some day I hope to have things straightened out. Some day I hope that my answers to the above questions will be NOT APPLICABLE. Seeing that I am a human being though I don't think that will occur anytime soon, but at least I am aware of the situation and am actively working on myself :) Sometimes, I think that is all we can do.
God Bless,
Tammy
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
3-1-11
Good grief...March already? Time sure does fly the older you get. Before you know it we'll be hearing "Jingle Bells" as we walk through the mall. If only we could go back to when we were kids and soak up the lack of responsibility, ease of life, and the "I don't care" mentality. The following is a little list of my all-time favorite things from my childhood:
* playing outside from sun up to sundown...you know when we actually used our imaginations as we built forts, played in gravel, rode bikes, and swung until we were nauseous!
* the absolute perfection of a POP ICE on a hot summer day...you know the Popsicles that are basically koolaid in a tube :)
* playing arcade games at Hucky Finn's (my Hoptown friends will understand)!
* slumber parties...pj's, board games, NKOTB videos (New Kids on the Block, yes, they were around back then too!), all the pizza and sweets you could stand, "light as a feather", midnight walks around the neighborhood, etc
* scavenger hunts- a lost art form I feel...they were fun before we could drive, now they just are GREAT. I think I will have to plan a party that involves one soon :)
* field trips- there is just something cool about spending all day with your friends, having a good time, eating a ham sandwich, chips, an apple, and chocolate milk out of a brown bag!
* cartoons- back in the day we actually had really great cartoons, not this crap they have now...Transformers, Smurfs, Snorks, Gummi Bears, Looney Toons, Tom/Jerry, Care Bears, Jem, GI Joe, He-Man and Sheera...
The list could go on and on...being a kid is great! Well, at least it used to be. I don't know that the quality of life has progressed for kids. Now they spend their time with their nose in a game, texting, tweeting, and watching TV all the time (thanks Hannah Montana!). I suppose they are being overly prepared for adulthood since we seem to do a lot of the same minus Hannah Montana of course.
I think we should all slow it down and take in our world around us. There are so many wonderful, beautiful, and awe-inspiring things that we don't take the time to appreciate or don't have the time to even take a second glance at. I hope to reconnect with my inner child and start to look at life differently...I think we'd all be the better for it :)
God Bless,
Tammy
* playing outside from sun up to sundown...you know when we actually used our imaginations as we built forts, played in gravel, rode bikes, and swung until we were nauseous!
* the absolute perfection of a POP ICE on a hot summer day...you know the Popsicles that are basically koolaid in a tube :)
* playing arcade games at Hucky Finn's (my Hoptown friends will understand)!
* slumber parties...pj's, board games, NKOTB videos (New Kids on the Block, yes, they were around back then too!), all the pizza and sweets you could stand, "light as a feather", midnight walks around the neighborhood, etc
* scavenger hunts- a lost art form I feel...they were fun before we could drive, now they just are GREAT. I think I will have to plan a party that involves one soon :)
* field trips- there is just something cool about spending all day with your friends, having a good time, eating a ham sandwich, chips, an apple, and chocolate milk out of a brown bag!
* cartoons- back in the day we actually had really great cartoons, not this crap they have now...Transformers, Smurfs, Snorks, Gummi Bears, Looney Toons, Tom/Jerry, Care Bears, Jem, GI Joe, He-Man and Sheera...
The list could go on and on...being a kid is great! Well, at least it used to be. I don't know that the quality of life has progressed for kids. Now they spend their time with their nose in a game, texting, tweeting, and watching TV all the time (thanks Hannah Montana!). I suppose they are being overly prepared for adulthood since we seem to do a lot of the same minus Hannah Montana of course.
I think we should all slow it down and take in our world around us. There are so many wonderful, beautiful, and awe-inspiring things that we don't take the time to appreciate or don't have the time to even take a second glance at. I hope to reconnect with my inner child and start to look at life differently...I think we'd all be the better for it :)
God Bless,
Tammy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)