Peace

At any given moment,
no matter the turmoil of your situation, day, or life,
you can choose peace.


You can choose inner peace.
You can choose peace between friends.
You can choose peace with your enemies.
You can choose peace for your planet.


It begins with a sincere heart and a single gesture.
One tiny step in the right direction
can alter all the rest of your days.


What path will you choose today?

Long strides

In conjuring up ways to make a big difference,
do not forsake the small, daily opportunities
to aid in some small way which,
over time,
will add up to big differences
we often cannot foresee.


Baby steps bring forth long strides.

The Color 9

Trying to understand the behavior of some folks is like trying to smell the color 9.


People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.


The color 9 is not all it's cracked up to be.
Be kind and happy and honest anyway.
Do good and give your best.

Count

For you SNL-ers, they are the Debbie Downers.
For others, they are the Negative Nellies.
Some folks equate them to Eeyore.
Whatever the title, they are the folks that focus on the bad stuff.
They revel in the repulsive or the revolting.
They thrive on sucking the life and joy from a room and from others.


Count, instead, the blessings you have.
All the green lights on the way to work.
The smell of jasmine right outside your window.
The crisp warmth of the sun on your skin.
Ice cold water on a sweltering summer day.
The joy you feel at the sound of children giggling and playing.
The euphoria of an infant's smile.
Puppy breath.
Holding the hand of the person you love.
Snuggling.
Finishing a crossword puzzle.
A long, lazy walk on a beautiful night.
The morning bird's song.


You don't need to win the lottery to be lucky.
You need only look around you to realize how blessed you are.
Count your blessings.
And, while you're counting, you'll soon forget any negative things exist!


Go ahead . . . count!

Be Nice

You never know what anyone else is facing.
Their troubles could be monumental.
Forgive their actions and be nice.
Someone could have had a seriously bad day.
They could be rushed and frantic.
Forgive their harsh words and be nice.
The bitterness from and belittling by someone
is a sure sign of self-esteem issues.
Forgive them their problems and be nice.


Retaliating, Reacting and Vengeance
never gets you anywhere but in the same boat
with the person who upset you.
Instead . . . be nice.


Until, of course, it's time to NOT be nice.
At that point . . . just breathe and walk away.
Your integrity is far more important
than making your point.


Wave while you walk away.
It's the nice thing to do.

What's in a name?

Names can carry great weight.
It is quite interesting and fun to learn the origins and meanings of your name.


My husband's name means:  Victorious champion of the people
My name means:  Waterfall song
My daughter's name means:  Beautiful or heavenly calm
My son's name means: Merciful son of the conqueror


If you use different pages or methods, you'll find many varieties of meanings.
Do you live up to your name?


Hubby sure is what his name implies.
Me . . . eh? If we're talking loving the outdoors - ok!
My daughter exudes her name.
My son . . . absolutely.


So did we name them right or did they become their name?
What's in a name . . .

YOU

This just seemed to be so very appropriate currently as I'm walking several people through this right now and am able to do so because I believe in it so strongly:


Be who you are and say how you feel.
Those who mind, don't matter,
and those who matter, don't mind.


As I said to these folks, and I've preached to my kids for eons, be YOU!
Don't change yourself to meet the needs of other people.
Be the most spectacular version of you that you can be.
Why be a cheap imitation of someone else?


If you remain constant; steadfast; honest; and true to yourself;
you never have to remember how to behave with whom.
You're just you!


Spectacular, amazing, incredible
YOU!

A spectacle for spectacles

YOU are a spectacle for spectacles!
YOU are amazing and fabulous and wonderful and exciting.
YOU have so much to give and to offer and to share.
YOU are beautiful and rare and indescribably incredible.


Your value does not decrease
based on someone's inability to see your worth.


They just need some new lenses.

Wooooosa

Movie folks will understand the title, but for everyone else . . . basically, it just means to chill out, relax, unwind, de-stress, unclutter, and free yourself.


Hubby and I had yesterday off together. It was a beautiful Easter day and it was wonderful to celebrate THAT before moving on to anything else. He went to work out. I stayed home to work out. Afterward, we lounged and just enjoyed one another's company and the squeals and laughter of the neighbor children playing. In an effort to actually do something, he told me to get in the car. Off we went to who knows where. We ended up at the new Trader Joe's in Tampa and giggled our way through the entire store. We picked up a few things and then, saying that he forgot something, he ran back in and emerged with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for me. Back home to watch the Rays and Lightning lose (although the hockey should have gone to overtime) and to dine on a sumptuous plate of steak and scallops and veggies. With a wee bit of energy left, we then took a nice long day's end stroll to see if we could spot some otters or, perhaps, the Easter bunny. Of course, there was much more laughter, hand-holding, exploring and . . . we did happen upon a bunny. What a spectacular day!


In reflection, we all need those sorts of days every now and again . . . or, if you're lucky, a few moments like that each day; . . . just a while to get away from the nonsense, the rat race, the absurdities of people and problems and life's antics.


I think I will strive for more days like yesterday.
Here's wishing the same for you.


Wooooosa!!!

Thank You

As I sift through my friend's Facebook posts and read about rough days and terrible hours and mean people, it is a rarity that you find someone who is positive.
I, too, am guilty of the above, but I really do try to stay light hearted and positive in my outlook on each and every day and each and every situation.


I know the rough ones teach me patience.
I know the terrible hours teach me persistence.
I know the mean people teach me forgiveness, resilience and to be a better person.


Whatever the source of your faith . . . be thankful for the things you have.
Instead of pleading for your wants; be thankful for what you have.
Far more often than not, we have plenty.


So . . . to the rough days . . . thank you.
To the terrible hours . . . thank you.
To the mean people . . . thank you.
For another day . . . thank you.
For a chance to do some good . . . thank you.
For my friends, my family, my health (in whatever state each exists) . . . Thank You!

Forgive them

For today . . . and every day . . .


Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.


On so many levels, in so many ways, these are words to live by.


Most malice is brought on by self-pity.
Most detriment comes from not understanding peace.
Most evil is due to a lack of love.


Do not harbor hate or anger or bitterness.
Forgive them . . . for they know not what they do.

Purpose

It was said by Tenzin Gyatso:


Our prime purpose in this life is to help others.
And . . .
if you cannot help them,
at least don't hurt them.


I cannot tell you how often those seeking glory or notoriety have inadvertently squashed the hopes and dreams of those attempting to make things better.
A louder voice doesn't make anyone listen more intently.
A more stern hand doesn't make anyone behave any better.
A belittling attitude doesn't positively adjust anyone else's.

Get Naked

No! No! No!
Do not take that literally!


What I mean is to release all the facades.
Be yourself.
Your REAL self.


I was told a story yesterday of how a little down syndrome boy walked up to a friend of mine in a store and said, very quietly, "Jesus loves you." My friend, caught a little off guard, kneeled and said back to this child, "Jesus loves you, too." And, to her amazement . . . this child's whole personae changed as he beamingly said to her, sharing an enormous smile, "I know! I know!"


Let that innocence and belief come back to you.
We get so wrapped up in daily nonsense and gossip and order and parameters.
We need to get naked.
We need to lighten our loads, release the baggage we lug around, and take note of the simple joys and blessings around us.
We need to really see what truly matters; what we can change and what is out of our control.
We need to get naked.

Super Heroes

Not all super heroes wear capes.
Some wear military uniforms.
Some wear police, fireman and first responder uniforms.
Some wear white coats with stethoscopes.
Some create the core of the previous.
Some mold the minds of children.


My favorites, though, are those in jeans and t-shirts.
Those folks who wander through the day and, in the face of adversity,
rise to a level of yet-unknown-strength to perform a feat of significance.
Or perhaps those children whose innocence and simplistic views truly
clarify what we adults muck up way too well.
The unassuming, inconspicuous people who do the right thing,
not for the notoriety; not for the fame; not for the tv time;
but for the most basic reason.
It's the right thing to do.


THOSE folks . . . they are the Super Heroes.
Ch-Angels in the greatest form.

High Hopes

Today is National Reach as High as You Can Day!
Like that little old ant . . .
You are your own worst enemy.
Don't let outside negative influences stop you.
Believe you have the capacity, the power, the potential, the talent to reach your dreams.

Young at Heart

As I age, I tend to view things a little differently.
This is one of those statements.
I used to think that it meant you were only as old as you felt.
Well, since that would make me about 180 years old, I choose to view it from another perspective.
It was actually another snippet that changed my view.


The Heart Has No Wrinkles.


It does not age.
What you feel for someone when you love them does not diminish with age or hardship or loss.
In fact, it is amplified.
The heart has no wrinkles.
It beats as strongly, or stronger, for those you love whether you are 9 or 90.
It's rhythm increases with the nearness of family and dear friends.
We are ALL young at heart . . .
The heart has no wrinkles.

Failure . . .

is not an option!
It is a tool, a stepping stone, an opportunity.
Failure comes in all shapes and sizes.
Failure comes whenever it chooses to.
Failure is only as potent as you allow it to be.


Persist.
Learn and become smarter.
Challenge yourself.
Failure is not an option!
Failure is simply life in lesson form.


Use it.
Gain strength from it.
Become better and wiser for it.
Failure is not an option!

Light Yourself on Fire

Ok. Wait.
Not literally!


A spark is a little thing,
yet it may kindle the world.


A movement comes from a single action;
a single thought;
an idea for change and betterment.
Each of us has the ability to bring about some sort of added beauty to this world.
Find your niche.
If it doesn't exist ~ create it.


Be the spark
that kindles the world.

Rules of Life

Life has TWO Rules:


#1:  Never Quit


#2:  Always Remember Rule #1

Pull-ups!

"There are two ways of exerting one's strength:
one is pushing down,
the other is pulling up."


Pushing down is almost always easiest, but the effect is almost always negative and what have you really accomplished?
Pulling up offers assistance, help, assurance to another that they have a second chance.


How about for today, we try pull-ups!

The Three D's

What we hope ever to do with ease,
we must learn first to do with diligence.
~ Dr. Samuel Johnson


I learned to golf when I was young. There were seven children so each of us having a set of clubs was not really an option. We were each given a single club and a quarter. The quarter was used to change the angle of the club so we were able to create anything from a 3 iron through pitching wedge and putter. No woods. No drivers.


I enjoyed the outdoors and took to the sport immediately. Although I was not very good, the premise of getting exercise while getting some frustrations out was very alluring. I practiced and practiced and played and played and then practiced some more.


Within a few years, I had earned myself an inexpensive unmatched set of clubs. I played and played and practiced and practiced and then played some more.


I got good enough that I wanted to play on the kids team at the golf course we attended. They did not have a ladies team and so they jokingly said I had to play with the boys. So . . . I challenged my way through 12 to 16 boys to get from the B Team to the A Team and travel to compete at other courses. My best score at Wiltwyck in Kingston, from the men's tees, was an 80! Not too shabby for a 16 year old girl!


Very rarely do we instantly succeed. Diligence, determination and dedication.
If you want it . . . go and find a way to get it.

Persistence

There have been countless times in my life when giving up would have been the convenient thing to do. Oh, it would have been so easy to just cave, or slink away, or quit or hide from difficult situations. But that is not who my mother raised.


When my boyfriend, who moved me from NY to Georgia, decided to cheat on me, I could have run away back to NY. That's not my style. I pawned the ring he gave me, moved in with his best friend and basically just hung out to make him crazy. He thought I would leave. He really had no concept of who he was dealing with.


When the gym owner had me train for several months to be an aerobics instructor and then abruptly told me that no one would take my class because I'm 'too young and far too enthusiastic', I could have just given up. Well, I didn't get certified, but I joined the gym and was there about six days a week . . . making him crazy.


When my son was diagnosed with a life-threatening auto-immune disease, sure . . . our world came to a screeching halt . . . BUT . . . it did not end! We made adjustments, kept laughing, and pushed on through. That's what we do. It's who we are.


Right now, my life for the most part is pretty chill. Things are going well. I will always have those maternal stresses. Nothing will change that. I do, however, have dear friends who keep life in perspective for me. These dear chums are fighting their own battles and it is an honor to don some armor and fight alongside them. It keeps me sharp and on my toes and humbles me at the same time.


Just remember, my friends, that persistence really is key. Baby steps. Crawl if you need to, but just keep moving forward. You can conquer whatever comes your way. You are stronger, braver, more resilient and more amazing that you could ever comprehend.


Go be your amazing, persistent self!

Thanks Momma

This quote from Bertrand Russell might as well have come out of my mother's own mouth.


The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.


Momma was a firm believer in the fact that no matter how hard or how often you worked, you needed to match that effort in play time. Whether it's playing music, sports, writing, taking pictures, working out, or just chilling on the sea shore being lulled by the surf. There is a NEED to separate yourself from all the demands and chaos of the day ~ and tend to yourself.


I was in the grocery store yesterday and one of my buddies there said to me, "You look tired. It looks like you need temple time." When I looked rather puzzled, she explained . . . YOU are your temple. Take care of yourself. It is nice that you volunteer and work and give and help others; but you have to give just a little time to yourself, too. I'm thinking my mom sent her to remind me of that terribly important message.


So, I'm going to tend to my 'temple'. I going to carve out a little me time each day.
Thanks Cheryl and thanks Momma . . . I got the message . . . loud and clear!


What are you going to do for you today?

Purpose

"I think the purpose of life
is to be useful,
to be responsible,
to be honorable,
to be compassionate.
It is, after all, to matter:
to count,
to stand for something,
to have made some difference
that you lived at all."


~  Leo Rosten

Row!

If the wind will not serve,
take to the oars.

Hi Mom!

Hi Mom! It's me. How are you today?

I thought I'd check and see if you're ok.
The kids are doing great. They both seem quite content
Occasionally with issues, they'll call to scream or vent.
But they both send their love. They miss you quite a bit.
You'd be proud of all they are; full of fire and charm and wit.
Deanna's photographic talents are progressing every day.
She's thriving in her schoolwork, though, like you, she loves to play.
She knows the value of a dollar; unafraid of working hard;
Commands respect, tenacious too, persistent even when scarred.
She's grown to be quite beautiful; bubbly from the inside, out.
Her infectious personality is what she's all about.
She very much like you. She takes everyone to heart.
She spreads job and love and laughter. She is gracious, kind and smart.
Miles is doing super! Off at school and on his own.
You'd be so very, very proud of the man into which he's grown.
He's had his share of troubles. Of this you're well aware.
But that grit and determination is blatantly always there.
I'm thankful you helped me instill that. He's stronger than most I know.
You'd love his wit and talent. Combined they're a brilliant show.
His smile melts your heart. His hugs melt your troubles away.
His heart, though sarcastic, is golden. I'm blessed by his phone calls each day.
Victor is working hard. He's been so focused all his life.
But as of late, he's been quite doting on me, his most lucky wife.
We share most every evening holding hands while watching TV,
Laughing or talking or just sitting; he's my favorite place to be.
Know that he makes me happy. He's a great provider, an amazing dad.
My heart is safe within his hands. I'm happiest when Victor-clad.
We had to put down old Max. That day was a little rough.
But together we cried, holding memories and united, we're weary, but tough.
Well, I just wanted to say hello. Let you know I miss you tons.
That your Florida clan is A-OK and I continue to check in on your sons.
I'm still listening to all kinds of music, and singing along while I do.
Playing word games and doing puzzles; whatever helps me think of you.
I continue with my writing; a gift you encouraged for years.
Blogs and posts and poems and more ~ through anger, smiles, and tears.
I still can't believe you're gone. The stinging ache just won't go away.
There are so many things I see and do that remind me of you every day.
I am proud to be your daughter. I aspire to emulate you.
You're in my prayers each evening. You are evident in all that I do.
Fourteen-hundred and sixty days have slowly ticked on by
Since I held your hand and helped you to enter the Other Side.
I thank you for raising me right. You shine through me ~ that is clear.
Mom, I couldn't miss you any more. I wish you still were here.