Be Incredible

Varied just a tad from what Carl Sagan said:


Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be done by someone extraordinary.


Don't look to the horizon.
Don't look to the person next to you.
Don't look in hope at someone else.


Some where is here.
Some thing is what you choose.
Some one extraordinary is you.


Go be incredible!

B Healthy

Living in Florida, I have come to realize the benefits of Vitamin Sea!


I enjoy the serenity of lapping waves.
I lose myself in the endless blue horizon.
I find great comfort in the warm, soft sand.
I know the value of some quality Vitamin Sea!


Having grown up in upstate New York, I know the value of fresh air.


Oh, to sit within a field of flowers and watch the clouds roll by.
The excitement of a trek across a trestle high above the river.
The fun and innocence of a pumpkin patch, an apple orchard, or a corn field.


I have visited the greatness of Yellowstone, I know the merit of exercise.


The priceless vista after having climbed a mountain.
The sheer, heart-stopping thrill of witnessing mother bear and cubs.
Riding a plodding horse next to the most photographed barn in America.
Simply absorbing all there is to see is literally exhausting.


By grace, I have been through The Black Forest in Germany. Keep learning & seeking.


Sights and scenes and vistas and valleys - indefinable.
Architecture so elaborate and history so obvious - inspiring.
It is an entirely different world. One worth visiting and educating yourself about.


Take your vitamins, get plenty of fresh air, lots of exercise and keep on learning!
B Healthy.

True Wealth

The things of this world will never complete you or make you whole.
There will always be a bigger house, a newer gadget, a brand new style.
Contentment will never be found in this realm.
Awards, trophies, and plaques will fade and crumble.
Banners and baubles will remain when you have moved on.
Real fulfillment comes not in the material possessions of this earth;
but rather in the lives you've touched and the memories you've etched.
Be careful to tread lightly, yet profoundly.
Be sure to lift up and support, instead of demean and degrade.
Be sure to selflessly give without expectation of accolade.
Therein lies the true wealth of existence.

Focus

I am NOT a fan of whiners.
I do NOT like complainers.
I choose NOT to associate with whimpy people.
I completely understand that life sometimes will throw you wicked curve balls.
I realize that some days will totally just be garbage.
I know what it is to start a day and wish it was over.


BUT . . .


No matter WHAT is going on with your mood, your day, or your life;
it is all about the focus you have.
For far too long, I focused on the idiots.
I focused on the bad things they did.
I focused on the bad drivers, the disgruntled shoppers, the angry-souled humans.
I let them steal my joy.


Then I got my eyes checked!


I realized my focus was on the wrong things.
I began to focus on my friends who are ALWAYS supportive.
I began to focus on my family.
I began to focus on laughter and silliness and light and beauty.
I began to focus on faith and blessings.


It is the same world.
I am still walking and/or running in the same circles.
I have simply chosen to affix my focus on positive.


Now, is this post really about me?
Or is it about every single person out there?
Hmmmmmmmmmm

Wild & Free

Summertime usually allows us the opportunity to get out a bit more,
but today . . . I am urging you to get a little Wild & Free.


We all enjoy the beach.
We all enjoy a walk in the park.
We all enjoy a good book on a comfy couch.
We all enjoy a nice vacation to a favorite destination.
Today . . . and forever . . . remember that it is not only HEALTHY to let her proverbial hair down,
it is ESSENTIAL!


Get crazy.
If you enjoy the beach, bring buckets and shovels and build a giant sand castle.
If you enjoy a walk in the park, instead lay in the grass and watch the clouds go by.
Grab a smutty book and go outside and read.
Find a brand new destination to call your favorite place.


If you don't ever try new things, how will you know what you like.
You don't have to jump out of airplanes, to alter your regular routine.
But hey . . . if that's what you want to do . . . have at it!
LIVE!
Write that bucket list and start crossing things off.
Tomorrow is promised to no one.
Enjoy every breath; every moment; every opportunity that is available to you.


Be Wild & Free!

Courage

Always do the thing you fear the most.
Courage is an acquired taste.


I had a guest yesterday who was doing some retail therapy before her final Speech class.
She was terribly stressed out that she had left her most despised class for last
and her final project was speaking in front of a large group ~ a genuine fear of hers.
I asked why she had left Speech for last.
She said because I hate it.


Had she tackled Speech as her first class,
she could have finished up her degree taking a class she enjoyed,
with the added confidence of having conquered Speech long ago.


Meet your fears head on.


I abhorred public speaking.
So I became a home party consultant.


Growing up with six brothers, I'm much more comfortable around men.
So I joined a fundraising group of women.


I have a healthy respect for firearms.
So I went to the shooting range.


Whatever it is that restrains you,
hit it head on and become a better you!


Always do the thing you fear the most.
Courage is an acquired taste.

Fertilizer

This quote is from Joel Osteen - one of my favorite folks.


Instead of thinking, “This stinks, I can’t believe this happened.”
Have the attitude, “It’s just more fertilizer. God’s getting me prepared for something greater.”


You see . . . it's all in your perspective.
It doesn't matter how bad things appear.
It's just fertilizer.


Dig in. Grow strong.

Summertime

And the living is easy.


Enjoy your hazy, lazy, crazy days of Summer.
Be mindful of the sun and children around pools.
Spit your watermelon seeds.
Freeze your fruit juice.
Splash.
Laugh.
Play.

Word

The tongue just might be the strongest part of you.
It is small in comparison to other muscles, but it can crush a spirit in an instant.
It can, in contrast, also lift a spirit just as easily.


I was given a tremendous gift yesterday.
Someone, whom I admire and respect dearly, acknowledged my worth.
She did not shower me with accolades.
She did not hurl glorifications my way.
She simply said, "I believed in your passion."
And . . . let me tell you . . . it was absolutely wonderful.
I could not have asked for a grander gift from a more special person.
Thank you for that.


Realize the power of your voice.
It's not the volume or frequency that makes a difference.
It is the content!

Better

I am in competition with no one.
I have no desire to play the game of being better than anyone.
I am focusing on being positive.
I am steadfast in my desire to learn something each day.
I am open and honest and supportive and loving and kind.
I try to walk away from drama instead of allowing it to consume me.
I create goals and work toward them.
I believe in being polite and courteous and friendly.
I believe in caring and sharing.
I am simply trying to be a better person today than I was yesterday.


Join me.

Mistakes

Do not fear mistakes.
There are none.
No matter the circumstance,
there is a lesson.
No matter the faux pas,
there is a voila!
Each loss can be made into a victory.
Each hurt can be turned into determination.
Each set back can be used to fuel a passion.
Do not fear mistakes.
Embrace them.

Battling the Bully

This is how the bully operates:


He/She locates the haters, fools and idiots.
Then . . . follows this simple human nature process ~
Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots.
He/She looms over the situation and treats the world as if it owes him/her something.


To battle the bully:
Believe in yourself.
Believe in truth and honesty.
Believe in doing the right thing.
Believe in integrity - of principle and self.
Believe that you are worthy.
And possibly, the most important thing, when you have been pushed
beyond your mental/physical/emotional capacity . . .
speak!
You need not speak harshly or rudely or curtly.
Speak from your heart and from your soul and from that space within you
that is illuminated with fortitude and determination and perseverance.


And remember that a bully's behavior
says nothing about you . . . but speaks volumes about them!


In dedication to another brilliant Ch-Angel ~ my dear friend Dianna!
You are braver than most. I stand in awe!


Go battle your bully!

Time for a Ch-Angel

Today's Ch-Angel is a person I've known a relatively short time,
but it sure feels like I've known her for eons.
We instantly clicked.
We think the same, believe the same, and focus on the same things.
She is a constant breath of fresh air.
She tends to believe in the positive, faith first, and doing the right thing.
She lifts me up when I am down.
She grants me room to vent, to cry, to be silly, and to be myself.
She has many issues to deal with, but chooses NOT to dwell on them.
Instead, she smiles and says, "It's those dark days when I picture God holding me."
What a beautiful way to live life.
And so . . . to my Ch-Angel April . . .
I want to say 'Thank You' for being you.
I want to say 'Thank You' for having crossed my path.
I want to say 'Thank You' for being my friend.
You are, indeed, a treasure!
Today . . . I hope you encounter a Ch-Angel like my April!

National Flag Day

Ye old Stars and Stripes! It's a grand old flag! It's a high flying flag!


The flag is a symbol of our great nation.
The thirteen stripes (alternating red and white) represent our thirteen original colonies.
The field of blue represents the freedom to expand and explore the world and beyond.
The fifty stars each represent a state and are also a symbol of the heavens to which we aspire.
The red stands for hardiness, valor, bravery and sacrifice.
The white stands for purity, peace and innocence.
The blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.


Forever in peace may you wave!

C that you do the right thing

This is one of my most favorite quotes:


A credible message
needs a credible messenger
because charisma without character
is catastrophe.
~ Peter Kuzmic


This could not be more true!
The truly successful leaders are so passionate about their purpose
that their excitement creates ambition, desire, and dedication in others.
I have met only a few of those sorts in my time.
I absolutely adore them!

Go build something amazing!

There comes a point in your life
where you figure out what is really important and what really matters most.
Sometimes, this occurs because of some catastrophic or major incident.
Sometimes, it is just the inadvertent light bulb that goes off and illuminates the simplistic truth of life.
Either way, it is quite a revelation to conceive.
To realize that you have the ability, within your own self, to take charge of each day.
You allow how people will treat you.
You direct your path to destiny.
You are in charge of your feelings, your emotions, your actions, and your life.
It is yours to mold.
It thrills me to see that my children have grasped this eons before I did.
Wealth and riches and tangible ownership is dismissible.
Family, health, laughter, true friends, sense of purpose, and integrity . . . these are the mortar on which a solid life is built.
Go build something amazing!

Three Bones

To thrive in life you need three bones:


A wishbone  ~  to declare your faith in the good things that will come to you.
A backbone  ~  to stand up for yourself and the passions you are alive to.
A funny bone  ~  to remember to always be a little crazy. A little crazy is good!

God is Good

Before I left for a mini-vacation last Wednesday, I was tormented with a few issues that were out of my control and beyond my comprehension.
I had been praying that God direct me to a place I should be to be more focused on Him.
What better place than the North Florida woods?!
Nothing but chirping birds, mutant squirrels, wild turkeys, beautiful scenery, incredible people, and a heartwarming purpose.
Peace and serenity.
Laughter and silliness.
Far from the nonsense, the useless clutter of stupidity, the rats in the race.
I have come home, been to work, done chores and I must say that the prior issues are of little consequence these days. I have moved beyond them. I have seen that the issues are not mine to fix, finagle, or fuss over. That fun belongs to the owners of the issues.
I have been bathed in warmth, friendship, puppy love, and wonderful friends.
God is good.
Enjoy the day!

National Best Friends Day

Today is National Best Friends Day!
How terribly appropriate seeing as how I just got back from a wedding and a weekend of folks who have known each other for what seems like eons.
It is a beautiful thing to have a 'Best Friend'.
It is an extraordinary thing to have 'Best Friends' for decades and decades and to be able to cast off time and pick up like it was yesterday that you were all together.
It is an exceptional thing to marry your 'Best Friend'.
My weekend was full of all of those things.
It was a beautiful wedding filled with beautiful people and shared with my own personal 'Best Friend'.
I am a blessed and lucky person.
I hope that today . . . and every day . . . you are blessed with at least one Best Friend!

Just a thought . . .

If you attempt, every day, to treat every person you meet, work with, or live with with a positive attitude, love, and respect ~ imagine what the world might be like.
Just think . . . if each person you encountered continued on their journey in a happier and better mood . . . you literally just made the world a better place.
Every action, every word, every deed can make a difference.
Make it a positive one.

Rules to live by

Do what you can, from where you are, with what you have.
The smallest act of kindness is worth more
than the grandest of intentions.
Be sincere, be real and simply do the right thing.

LOVE

All you need is love.




That is all!
Have a nice day.