Your mother was right!!!

Actions speak louder than words.
Your actions show what your heart is made of.
Actions, with expectations, are sad attempts of claiming something you never had.

Go . . .

Give
Share
Donate
Volunteer

Work for a cause, not for applause.

Have an eerily fantastic and safe Halloween!

Have at it!

Wherever there is a human in need,
there is an opportunity for kindness
and to make a difference.
                    ~  Kevin Heath

Life Lesson #6,248

There is a difference between giving up and knowing when you've had enough.
There comes a time in your life when you need to walk away from all the drama
and from the people who create it.
Surround yourself with people who make you laugh and appreciate life and the
blessings that abound.
Forget the bad and focus on the good.
Love the people who treat you right and pray, real hard, for the ones who don't.
Falling down is a part of life. Getting back up is living.
Life is too short to be anything but happy.
So dance like there'll be no tomorrow.
Sing like the notes don't exist.
Laugh til your stomach hurts.
And love.
And the greatest of these . . . is love!

Plant Some Trees

Sometimes, at the most insignificant or irrelevant moments, inspiration strikes.
During a conversation with someone, this phrase popped up and I was struck by its enormity.
Let me share . . .

We have all been hurt by someone in our lives.
We have had an old boyfriend or girlfriend break our hearts.
We have had a 'friend' betray us or lie to us.
We have had someone talk badly about us, or say hurtful things, or just be mean.
We have been bullied or badgered or belittled.

The normal reaction to this threat is to throw up a wall.
This is typical and common, but there is a problem with it.
We are not all masons.
Some folks just slap a few boards up, but those inevitably fall apart.
Some folks put up a chain link fence, but those are full of holes.
The masons, of course, build beautiful walls but to their own detriment.

When we build walls around ourselves, we believe we are protecting ourselves.
This, in fact, in not true.
We are, most definitely, confining ourselves.
We are cutting ourselves out of the world because someone else chooses to be mean.
Does that make any sense?

Here's an idea . . . Plant some trees!

What a beautiful way to keep out what ails you.
If the problem persists, plant more trees.
Have you ever stood in the quiet reverence of a forest?
Why remove yourself from the beauty of the world because someone else decides to be negative?

Plant some trees!
The critters will come. The birds will sing and nest. Beauty and growth will surround you.
Flowers will bloom and a productive, positive rebirth begins.
There is no longer a need to erect those walls.
Live within the harvest you create and love what you let in.

I'll get your shovel.

MAD

Gotcha!

I'm not mad!
I really try to keep that word out of my vocabulary, and that feeling out of my emotional resources.

It's M.A.D.
National Make A Difference Day!

So go ahead!
Get MAD!
Go and Make A Difference!

Do something crazy.
Buy someone a coffee.
Pay for some groceries.
Help a neighbor with yard work.
Perform a random act of kindness.

And be sure to say, "Have a Great Day Pumpkin!" while you do it,
as it's also National Pumpkin Day!

Go Get MAD!
I'm going to leave a trail of MADness wherever I go!

National Frankenstein Friday

A little Halloween silliness.

Today is National Frankenstein Friday.

As weird as this sounds, this struck me as an opportunity to share. I know, I'm a special sort of twisted, right?

Frankenstein was a mish mash of pieces and parts, put together with the intent of making something alive and wonderful. Aren't we all a little Frankenstein?

How many scars do you carry? How many skeletons are in your closet? How many times have you managed to stand back up and carry on after someone knocked you down? How often have you polished the bolts and strutted around instead of being defeated or belittled?

We've all had our share of chipped and broken hearts, shattered dreams and injuries.
Don't let them win. Be better for them.

Be alive! Be alive!

Happy Frankenstein Friday!

Time for a Ch-Angel

Today's Ch-Angel is someone who I have not known all that long.

When I met her, I was at a charity function that someone else was supposed to be running, but I somehow got roped into leading it. Ahhhh . . . such is life! Without having been pushed into the position, I would not have been able to befriend this Ch-Angel!

She was a vendor who, when given the opportunity to speak about why she was helping out All Children's Hospital, absolutely silenced the room. She spoke of two sick boys - her only children. She spoke of the trauma of all that she has watched unfold for them and how ACH helped them and is continuing to help them - in many ways.

A few days later, she appeared at a meeting to join our ACH group, where she further expressed other family issues she is embroiled in. Hollywood could not have created a more heart-wrenching scenario.

In the midst of all the mayhem that swirls daily in her life; she spends every free and available moment reaching out to others. She's constantly conjuring up opportunities to help the needy; give to those with less; and offering her time, energy, abilities, business, and heart. She is just an amazing person to know and I am a better person for having crossed paths with her.

Ch-Angel Tonya . . . please know what a magnificent difference you make in the lives of so many folks who are in need; who are without; who lack so much. And know, too, that you make a tremendous difference in the lives of those who are not so much in need; but are truly inspired and are in awe of your daily efforts and heartfelt actions!

Thank You!

Peace

There really is a peace that comes with learning to let go of the drama; the folks that bring it, carry it, create it; and pointing your shoes in another direction.

In expressing my frustration with not having control of some situations, my wonderful daughter explained to me that she downloaded the 'Magic 8 Ball' app and she now just asks it the questions that frazzle her. I believe I may try to find that app myself!

There is peace in joy.
There is peace in simplicity.
There is peace in commitment.
There is peace in a giving heart.
There is peace in selfless volunteering.

Oh, sweet peace . . . consume me!

Self-taught

This little Ch-Angels blog was started to honor the most amazing Ch-Angel ever  ~  my mom.
I have always tried, no matter what else might have been going on, to remain positive and leave a healthy and productive note each morning that I write.
Most times, I respond to a friend's troubles or tribulations and am really trying to convey a little bit of wisdom or assistance to help them get through their day.
Yesterday was no different.

"Hang On" was written with two specific friends in mind.
What happened though, as mysterious as He usually is, is that I needed that message more than either of them yesterday.

Surrounded by folks who held no esteem for speakers; carried on conversations without care or concern for what occurred around them; focusing blankly on what THEY wanted instead of what might be best in the long run; skipping blindly toward an end goal that made them happy instead of really listening and trying to react to a current need. These things drive me completely insane! I cannot fathom the immaturity level it takes to be so very selfish and rude; yet . . . there was positive!

As I wrestled the day away feeling frustrated and frazzled; I realized I must just Hang On.
I know where I need to go.
I know where I need to be.
I know what I need to do.
I know how I need to behave.
And I will do just that.
The actions of others can only affect me if I choose to let them.
I am teaching myself to Hang On.

I hope, today, that you are Hanging On as well!
Make it a great one!

Hang On

There is nothing worse than someone who finds it necessary to belittle or degrade others to feel a little better about themselves. It is not only petty, but very sad. The fact that they think so very little of themselves that they must tear down another human being speaks volumes about their character ~ or lack thereof.

To those that have been attacked ~ myself included . . . Hang On!

The blackness of night cannot extinguish the light of just one candle.
Behold your brilliance.
Know your value and your worth.
Realize how very important and special you are.
Don't ever take a degrading word as an attack on you.
It is a mechanism of the other individual to try to lift themselves up.

Hang On to the fact that you are beautiful.
Hang On to the fact that you are loved.
Hang On to the fact that you are unique and perfect - EXACTLY as you are.
Hang On to the knowledge that we all have a place and a purpose on this earth.

Hang On!

The Best Revenge . . .

We have all been in a situation where you'd like nothing more than to poke the eye of the person who hurt you, either physically, mentally, or emotionally. It is a normal, human reaction.

The problem is this . . .

The effort it takes to plan and carry out the revengeful deed robs you of the energy to create a new and better life.
The time it takes to plan and carry out the revengeful deed robs you of the time you could be heading to a new and brilliant destination.
What is worse than all of that is the fact that by planning and pondering about 'getting even,' you are actually becoming that person that hurt you. You are stooping to their level. You are lessening yourself and your ethics and your morals, to 'teach' them a lesson.

The absolute Best Revenge is being happy.
The absolute Best Revenge is smiling.
The absolute Best Revenge is moving on with your life.
The absolute Best Revenge is hoping, with all your heart, that that poor schlep figures out what a truly horrible person they have been and tries to change.

Sometimes, the reason a door closes is because there is a window open.
Go grab what is in front of you.
Don't spend so much time in retrospect that you forget to look where you're going.
The future is whatever you decide to make it.
Don't fill it with trying to rectify something that already happened.
Spend your precious minutes creating memories worth remembering; laughing with friends; travelling to unseen destinations; embracing new experiences; and loving what's before you!

The world is your oyster!
Grab a cracker and some hot sauce!

My Ch-Angel

I have acknowledged my husband on prior occasions, but I will do so again.

Last night, on the 24th anniversary of him asking for my hand in marriage, he took me to see a band we'd seen 23 years prior in Chastain Park in Atlanta. If any of you have had the privilege of attending anything in that venue, it is spectacular.

Last night's venue may not have been as intimate, but Straub Park in downtown Clearwater, under a nearly full moon with a beautiful breeze and the stars blazing to once again see and listen to Chicago was absolutely amazing!

An awful lot has happened in that 24 year span.
There have been many painful things that have occurred.
There have been many overwhelmingly beautiful events as well.

While singing along to every song, holding the hand of my most favorite man in all the world, my thoughts wandered to hearing my parents sing those songs; to hearing my brother's jazz band play their songs; to crying to those songs when I broke up with my first boyfriend; to realizing my kids would be thrilled to be where I am and how happy that makes me that they like GOOD music; to dancing with my husband to some of their best known hits. It was a roller-coaster on the inside while being one of the calmest, most peaceful nights I've had in a long, long, long time.

My Ch-Angel . . . my Victor . . . always at my side.
Always making things special.
I am so blessed!

Positive

I am definitely one who looks on the positive side of things as often as possible.
No matter the situation, no matter the calamity, no matter how dire . . .
there is a silver lining somewhere.
I spent my younger days having my heart broken.
I did not have many boyfriends - precisely TWO!
One I dated for about three years and the other for about two and a half.
I am an all or nothing sort and they decided to take all and leave nothing.
I harbor no ill will.
With each step backward, I gained the strength to take ten to fifteen forward.
Pain, and the overcoming of it, make us stronger, more durable, more resilient and better people.

Twenty-four years ago today, there was a horrible earthquake in San Francisco.
It was devastating.
It was the earth realizing that it could no longer keep me down.
It was the day my Victor asked me to marry him.
Such a revelation that the world shook!

Of course, I am joking.
But in the midst of a terrible tragedy, I became engaged to the most amazing gentleman I know.
He is my best friend, my play mate, my rock, my life.

Maybe . . . just maybe, it was all the earth trembling and falling, finally, into place!

Find the positives!

Hope

Some days, there is the anticipation of something wonderful that gets you up and out of bed.

Other days, we may lay there wondering what chaos we will face.

Those days, we must look toward HOPE!


"The capacity for hope is the most significant fact of life.
It provides human beings with a sense of destination
and the energy to get started."
~  Norman Cousins


Today . . . I pray that you are filled with HOPE!
It is a vast and expansive entity.
Fill it with whatever your needs might be.

If not you . . .

Sometimes, volunteering can be very draining.
It takes a toll not only on your spare time, and even your work time and family time, but also on your emotions and faculties.
There have been many nights of no sleep, and many days of simply running around in circles.
There have been plenty of "No's," "No Thank You's," and "Not at this time's".
There have been lots of empty pockets and empty hearts.

But one must persist . . .

If you want to make a difference, you really do have to BE the difference.
Lead by example.
Give freely of yourself.
Give freely of your time.
Give freely of your talents.
Give freely of your heart.
Expect no reward, no kudos, no grandeur. (That's what "freely" means!)

I have also been blessed with joyfully tearful stories of families we have helped.
I have been overwhelmed with thanks and gratitude.
I have been the recipient of prayers and well-wishes for philanthropic prosperity.
I have been astounded by "Yes's" and overflowing pockets and hearts so filled with an eagerness to assist, it has truly been amazing.

We are one little family.
Four little people.
We have raised tens of thousands of dollars.
We have helped bring joy to many children facing terrible odds.
We have helped bring awareness and opened the eyes of folks to a world they knew nothing about.
Who are we? We are no one special.
We just wanted to help.
If not us . . . then who?

If not you . . .

Cue the Rocky Music

For those of you who remember the 'Rocky' movie series, you'll get it.
You could also apply to Mike Tyson.
Or, perhaps, even yourself . . .

A true champion is someone who gets up,
when he can't.

Gathering and garnering the strength and tenacity to pick yourself up just ONE MORE TIME than you've been knocked down is truly the feat of a superhero.
We all have that ability within us.
It takes no training.
It takes no positive-thinking books.
It takes no special breeding.

All it takes, is the will to believe in your beautifully, amazing self.

Smile

Smile, though your heart is aching.
Smile, even though it's breaking.
Turn your frown upside down.
You're never fully dressed without a smile.
Everyone smiles in the same language.
A smile is an inexpensive way to upgrade your wardrobe.

There are so many little quips and quotes and songs about smiles.
It takes so very little to express your joy.
And, when you do . . . the world smiles with you.
When you share your happiness with a pearly grin, the ripples created are endless.
It's truly a miracle to behold!
If you don't have a smile, I'll give you one of mine!

"Smiling is infectious, you can catch it like the flu.
Someone smiled at me today, and I started smiling, too."

Start a ripple today.
Smile! And see how far you can pass it along.

And, perhaps, the best reason EVER to SMILE . . .
it'll drive your enemies crazy!

YOU

I don't think there's a human being out there who hasn't wished, at some point, that they were a little less heavy; a little more muscular; had a better haircut; had a better smile; could have a super-stylish outfit; have a little more bling; could wear the most fashionable stilettos; could date some hunky movie star; or something along those lines.

We wish, on occasion, we could be as thin as Susie; or as shapely as Debbie; or a number of other things and we seem to knock ourselves down the peg board of humanity just a little.

This needs to stop!

What you don't realize is that there is someone out there who is wishing they could be more like YOU!

YOU are exactly who you are meant to be. YOU exist for a reason and a purpose and a value and a mission. It may be to effect just one little life. It may be to effect millions. But YOU are here to make a difference and YOU are brilliant just the way you are!

Embrace your wonderful self!
The world needs YOU!
Go be YOU!

You are Beautiful!

Not sure if this will work, but I'm going to try to get this out there!'


http://youtu.be/C5w6uSrceo8


This really is powerful.
And, for my male friends, I apologize that this is not directed at you, but . . . it is!

You are Beautiful!

Thank you Nancy and Jamie ~ two of the most powerful, amazing, beautiful, awesome, incredible women I have EVER had the privilege to encounter!

Thanks!

Yesterday, I was in a funk.
I'm not really sure where it came from, what started it, or why it just seemed to consume the entire day with that proverbial dark cloud sort of ominousness, but there it was.

Before I left for work (which might have something to do with it - LOL), I asked on social media for a hug. The response was just delicious! You have absolutely no idea how much you all just buoyed my spirits and lifted the burden from my heart. I owe you all my thanks!

And this left me thinking . . .

How many days do folks feel this way and they go un-hugged?
How many days does this dark cloud encumber someone's life without any light poking through?
How many days does that manifestation of malevolence dwell in a life without hope?

It's sad to think about it, but . . . I am the perfect example of opportunity.

Ask for help.
Ask for a hug.
Ask for a hand.
Ask for hope.

It will come.
And then, ALWAYS, give thanks!

Matter

Every tiny grain of sand,
each unique and dainty snowflake,
every drop of water,
each molecule of air,
has a purpose, a place,
a need to make a difference.

As do you.

Good vs. Great

A good leader inspires others with confidence in him;
a great leader inspires them with confidence in themselves.

This is such an important concept.
Far too often, those in power simply what to impress upon others how much others should love, admire, and respect them.
In fact, if those in power enabled those with ideas, energy, innovation, and motivation ~ oh, how the world would be a much better place!

Something to truly ponder . . .

Poetic Realism

This is how my brain thinks. This is what I am all about. This is my life philosophy and how I go about each day.


It is by spending oneself, that one becomes rich!


Give it a ponder!

Determination

Persistence is key!
Determination is powerful!

There are no magic potions.
There is no fairy dust.
No one can push you there.
No one can do it for you.
It is, quite simply, just one determined foot in front of the other . . .

No excuses

I cannot change the direction of the wind,
but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
~  Jimmy Dean

There will always be obstacles.
There will always be those that tell you no.
There will always be hurdles and hardships.

No journey worth taking was ever simple.

Set your course and get there.
Just find a way and go!
No excuses.

Quest

I absolutely LOVE this. It is so very true . . . and maybe a little sad. Too bad more folks don't learn to enjoy the moment.

Life begins as a quest of the child for the man,
and ends as a journey by the man
to rediscover the child.
~ Sam Ewing

I believe we should grab that inner child and never let go! Adulthood comes no matter what. Take a moment each day to go pick flowers, or jump in puddles, or lay in the grass and stare at the clouds, or each chocolate, or giggle, or watch butterflies, or dance, or sing, or whatever it is you want to do.

It's not only healthy . . .
it's essential!