You!

People will love you.
People will hate you.
None of it will have anything to do with you.
Wherever there is a human being,
there is an opportunity for kindness.
If you don't believe in miracles . . .
perhaps you've forgotten . . .
you are one!

Ch-Angel Dawnelle

The Good Lord sure knows how to post a billboard in front of you when you most need it, eh?


Last night, up beyond my normal bed time, I received a phone call from my beautiful daughter. It seems she has a friend - a beautiful, young soul - who would like to start a non-profit to assist the less fortunate. She is determined to help make the lives of other people better by doing whatever she can without kudos, attention, or spotlights.


Can you say "Ch-Angel"?


Not only did this sweet, unblemished, bold and brilliant young adult make a decision about going beyond herself for the sake of others, she called me to inquire about assistance. Now . . . before you get all squirrely . . . I'm not taking credit for anything more than sending an email. What makes this so moving, is that I was questioning if there were any of these sorts of folks left. I wasn't sure if any selfless folks were still up and coming. I was losing hope in goodness.


It was truly a blissful and grace-filled way to get tucked-in last night.


Thanks Deanna.
Thanks Dawnelle.
Thanks God - for the billboard!

Happiness

You are, most assuredly, free to choose.
But . . .
you are NOT free
from the consequences of your choice.
There is no path to happiness.
Happiness IS the path.
It's a good day to have a good day.

Go. Do.

Forget past mistakes. Forget failures.
Forget everything except what you're going to do now
and do it!
Encouragement is the oxygen of the soul.

Inner Strength

I've written before of my days of body building and working out and how that strength is only minimal compared to what kind of bench-pressing the human soul can do. It's time for a recap . . .


The most beautiful people I have known are those
who have known defeat,
known struggle,
known loss,
and have found their way out of the depths.
Through adversity, not only are they given
an opportunity to discover their inner strength,
but they are also given an appreciation,
a sensitivity, an understanding of life
that fills them with compassion,
with gentleness, a deep loving concern,
and a gift of foresight so they can shine a light
for others who go through the experience after them.
Strength doesn't come from what you can do.
It comes from overcoming the things
you once thought you couldn't.


This inner strength resides within each of us.

The Best Of . . .

This is a compilation of snippets that I gathered and mashed together.
Some may seem almost incongruent, but . . . life ~ is incongruent.


You were given this life because you were strong enough to live it.
Anyone can give up. It's the easiest thing in the world to do.
But to hold it together, when everyone else would understand if you fell apart,
that's true strength.
Hate no one, no matter how much they've wronged you.
Live humbly, no matter how wealthy you become.
Think positively, no matter how hard life is.
Give much, even if you've been given little.
Keep in touch with the ones who have forgotten you.
Forgive those who have wronged you.
Do not stop praying for the best for those you love.
If you cannot be positive, then at least be quiet.
I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be,
for I have learned from experience that
the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions
and not upon our circumstances.
And, between hurt and loss, the most painful tears are not the ones
that fall from your eyes and cover your face.
They are the ones that fall from your heart and cover your soul.


Things to ponder . . .

Hope

So yesterday was an interesting day.
Started off great, followed by total crap, followed by lunch with my daughter, then of course rush hour traffic, followed by a short email from a friend that touched my heart and healed some hurt.
I was asked yesterday to pray and search my soul for an outcome to an issue.
This issue has been going on for about a year. This directive came from a person who has only heard, from me, a minute and miniscule portion of what's been done and said. Still, I believe in the 'respond, don't react' theory and I went home to pray and search my soul.
In doing so, the word that kept coming to me was "Hope".


"Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us."
"Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are:
something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."
"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul - and sings the tunes without the words -
and never stops at all."
"There is no medicine like hope."


And, in pondering all of these wonderful things that caught my eye, I was contacted by someone who needs this MUCH more than I do. So, was it for me? Was it for her? Was it something we both needed to see? Are there others who will benefit?


I sure HOPE so!

Things could be worse . . .

Should you ever find yourself the victim of other people's
bitterness,
smallness,
insecurities,
cruelty,
anger,
hypocrisy,
jealousy,
stupidity, or
insipidness,
remember that things could be worse . . .


You could be them.


Smile! Have a grand day!

Listen

From Stephen Covey:


"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand;
they listen with the intent to reply."


I have implored prior to always respond and not react.


Same principle.


If folks gave understanding just a little more effort than being heard,
the world might be a nicer joint.

See what happens

You don't always need a plan.


Sometimes . . .
you just need to
breathe,
trust,
let go,
and
see what happens.

RAKD

Some days it takes me a while to be inspired to write.
Some days it's like a big old brick slams me square in the head.
Today . . . it's a brick day!


In conferring with my "National Days" calendar what pops up for today?


It is:   National Random Acts of Kindness Day!!!


This is the stuff I speak of almost daily.
One tiny good deed, that may seem like such a small, insignificant act to you, could mean the absolutely world to the recipient.
You don't understand the power that you wield.


You have the power to change the world ~ one smile at a time.
Go . . . be kind!

Much Love

At the end of a long, long day yesterday, my daughter and I managed to pull off a surprise birthday celebration for my son's 21st birthday.


What a fabulous way to spend Valentine's Day!
It was a whole lot of love and laughing and chatting and 'car bombing' and existing together.
I cannot thank my daughter enough for her endeavors. You are amazing.
Thank you, too, to all those folks who travelled from near and far ~ on Valentine's Day ~ to share an evening celebrating a much deserving young man who was thoroughly surprised.
It made a mom's heart soar!


It didn't hurt that I had all my little family together, in one place, if only for a short while to stand in the midst of all that camaraderie and friendship.


Thanks for the love and for one of the best Valentine's Days EVER!

Love You!

Ahhhhhh Valentine's Day!
Eagerly awaited by card shops, florists, chocolatiers, and delivery companies.
Dreaded by husbands, boyfriends, and significant others.


Let me let you in on a little secret . . .


Flowers are beautiful!
My mom taught me the more exotic or 'different' the better. You don't have to spend a zillion dollars on roses. A single wild flower can sometimes incite more that you could ever anticipate.


Cards are always interesting.
Do I get a mushy one, a dripping-with-sentiment one, a silly one?
If you get one, just be sure it is signed with all your heart.


Chocolates are really a sure thing.
Inevitably, however, you'll have those few that no one wants to eat and then the . . . "Now I'm going to have to go to the gym eight times this week." always follows. There is always a little guilt in those decadent pleasures.


As for delivery companies . . . please tip them well.
They are working their butts off while you're waiting for cards, flowers, and chocolates.


The key to Valentine's Day is simple.
LOVE!
It doesn't matter if there are three dozen roses, a single flower, the three-month supply of chocolate, or a single Kiss. It doesn't matter what sort of card you choose. What matters most is to put your heart into whatever you do.


Make coffee with kindness.
Create breakfast with bliss.
Lunch date with eagerness and anticipation.
Dinner reservations without a care in the world of what they're serving . . . only emphasizing who you're dining with!


Share your heart today!
LOVE!

Choices

I sometimes write with a particular individual in mind. I am hoping to somehow, via verbiage, reach out and touch them. I find it most rewarding when someone, completely unrelated, tells me how much the day's blog meant to them. Makes it worth while!


Today's is definitely directed at a particular individual. I am using a 'life story' to make a point. I sure hope this helps!


Years ago, when my whole family was taking martial arts classes, we were dabbling in jiu-jitsu and ground grappling. The son of the owner, a several-degreed black belt, decided it would be fun to partner up with me. So . . . I happily took on the challenge. Our sparring almost immediately went to the floor where he tried to arm-bar me and put me in several other debilitating positions. With all of my gymnastics and dance training, I'm very bendy and was able to elude capture. He could not get me to tap out or even into a compromising position. When I had the opportunity, I sprang to my feet and walked away. He kept yelling at me to come back, get on the floor, and continue fighting.


Hmmmmmmmmmm . . . NO!


When you have overcome obstacles you did not think you had a chance of surviving; when you beat the odds of being in an abusive situation; when you have figured out how to get up, get out, survive and thrive . . . make the right choice and walk away. Why, for God's sake, would you go get back on the mat, or put yourself back into harm's way? You have nothing to prove to anyone, except your own self. People will always attempt to knock you down, put you in prickly situations, hurl accusations and defamations at you. Live so that none of that matters!


If you made it off the mats . . . point your shoes in another direction.
If you survived the prickly, hurtful, debilitating situations . . . do NOT repeat them and do NOT go back for more.
If you managed to avoid the train wreck, why continue walking on the tracks?


Make good choices!
Do what's right and best for you.
I did NOT go back to the mat.
I may have been sweaty and beat up and battered . . . but I am here to share this story!
Make good choices!

20/20

You might THINK you know what I'm going to write, but with just one single letter change, it brings about a whole new meaning!


Kindsight is 20/20!


Stop looking behind you.
Learn your lessons from whatever sits in your past and move forward.
There will be those folks who want to pitch a tent there.
That is not your concern.


Wake up today and smile.
Face your day with an open heart and an open mind.
Envelope the opportunities and possibilities that are before you.
Always turn a Kind eye!
See each individual as a vessel of hope.
Offer your talents, your time, your self.
There is no greater gift.
View the world in all its glory!

Let it go

As it usually does, inspiration interrupts my sleep!
Not sure if that's good or bad, but it occurs nonetheless.


I woke up this morning with two distinct individuals pictured in my head.
The giant blinking billboard above them pretty much said:
"Yes, they have hurt you. Yes, they were mean. Yes, they said and did ugly things to you. Yes, it is ok to feel angry and upset . . . but . . . does that help?"
The dream went on to elaborate that no matter how I respond, those folks will still hurt other people.
No matter how I respond, those folks will still be mean.
No matter how I respond, those folks will still do and say ugly things.
Their actions define THEM.
Your response defines YOU.
You have to pay for extra bagging when flying.
LET IT GO!


It serves no purpose to carry around the dead weight of folks who don't matter.
Lighten your load.
Fly high. Fly free.
Let it go.

Growth

Joel Osteen said:


You need to associate with people that inspire you,
people that challenge you to rise higher,
people that make you better.
Don't waste your valuable time
on people that are not adding to your growth.
Your destiny is too important.


There's almost too much in there to elaborate on.
Focus on this:


You, my friend, are a person of value and worth.
You have something amazing to do.
Surround yourself with positive, productive, philanthropic people.


Grow!

Greener

The saying goes that the 'grass is always greener' on the other side of the fence.
It would seem most folks are always in search of a better spot, a higher perch, a richer platform,  a 'greener' pasture.
Well, thank you Ch-Angel Claire for bringing this wonderful tidbit to my attention . . .


The grass is not greener on the other side.
It is greener where YOU water it.


What you sow, so shall you reap.
Till deep, water well, weed often ~ enjoy your bounty!

Keep it real

When I was growing up, there was a phrase that was thrown around that went like this:


"Keep it real."


I wasn't really sure what it meant, but now I think I have a wee grasp on it.
As my 'baby' just turned 21 and my incredible daughter will inch nearer to 25, I'm beginning to learn what 'real' is.


It is the loss of parents.
It is the aches and pains of age.
It is the chronic question of 'what have I accomplished?'
It is the comprehension of limits.
It is the understanding of beliefs.
It is the strength gained from battles.
It is the knowledge that I am worthy.
It is the fortitude to follow through.
It is the perseverance to survive the imbeciles.
It is the intelligence to walk away from drama.
It is the acknowledgement of true love.
It is the comfort of hand holding.
It is the softness of a simple stare.
It is the joy of a good morning kiss.
It is the acceptance of bliss in what surrounds you every day.
It is differentiating between what truly matters and what is useless clutter.
It is living each day as if it is the best, most beautiful gift God created!


Keep it real, my friends!

Miles-tone!

Today, I am celebrating!
My 'baby boy' turns 21!
To most, this is a simple right of passage into adulthood.
To most, this is a just a time to overindulge and do stupid things (that you should NOT call and tell your parents about!).
Miles is NOT like most!


Starting with the chord around his neck at birth, I listened during labor, as each contraction brought the slowing of his heartbeat from the monitor.
To being hospitalized at just nine months for 'the worst case of whooping cough' the doctor had ever seen.
To having nearly had his eye poked out with a ridiculous toy at age four.
To being diagnosed with a life-threatening auto-immune disease in the third grade.
To finally weaning off meds and being able to play, only to 'take a tumble' and break both bones in his forearm.
To the finality of that first girl friend while being so far away from home.


And . . .


To face it all with the wit, humor, sarcasm, and brilliance that simply oozes from him.
He is an amazing young man.
He is full of life and laughter and he's surrounded by folks that truly care about him and support him.
He is weathered beyond his years.
He is wise beyond his education.
He is strong, yet compassionate.
He is confident ~ in his own comfort and time.
He is remarkable!


Happy Twenty-One Son!
Enjoy! And make good choices!

Travel wisely

So, I am a firm believer in the fact that we have obstacles placed in our path very specifically.
We have these 'mountains' to scale on purpose.
At the time, we may just believe the whole world has turned against us, or simply forgotten us.
But, with fortitude and perseverance, we arrive on the other side of that mountain as a much different person.
We may not be better or worse . . . just different.
And with that difference comes an understanding, a compassion, a sympathy, a passion that was placed within our hearts to pour on someone else in their time of need.

Do not let your burdens harden you.
Do not let your troubles weigh you down.

You are looking directly into the eye of a beast, because you'll need the skills to conquer it, when assisting someone else in the future.
Rise up.

This is an opportunity ~ not a punishment.
This is a chance to gather strength, to garner wisdom, to be able to help another soul.
Sometimes . . . more times than not . . . the journey has NOTHING to do with you.


Travel wisely.

Architect

Everyone has gone through something
that has changed them in a way
that they could never go back
to the person they once were.


Some folks find this sad or depressing.
I find it exhilarating!


I'd be foolish to say I have enjoyed everything I've gone through.
Some of those lessons were devastating.
Some of those lessons were debilitating.
Some of those lessons were so destructive, I didn't think I'd survive.


But . . . survive I did!


I may not be stronger, but I am wiser.
I may not be more flexible, but I educate myself.
I may not be a super hero, but I can do amazing things . . .
because I have been forged by life!


Life is a gift.
EVERY lesson!
EVERY day!
EVERY opportunity!


I am the architect of my life.
What will you build of yours?

Balance

One good

deed

can shift the

balance

of the whole world.

Saturday Silliness

A small concoction to make you act, think, and smile!
Have yourself a wonderful weekend.


You're going to come across people in your life
who will say all the right words at all the right times.
But in the end, it's always their actions
you should judge them by.
It's actions, not words, that matter.
~ Nicholas Sparks


Don't waste words on people
who deserve your silence.
Sometimes,
the most powerful thing you can say,
is nothing at all.
~ Mandy Hale


A doctor on TV said that in order to have inner peace in our lives,
we should always finish the things that we start.
So, I looked around my house to find what I'd started and hadn't finished.
I finished a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Chardonnay, a bodle of Baileys,
a butle of wum, the mainder of valiuminun scriptins, an a box a choclutz.
You has no idere how fablus I feel rite now.


:-)