Surprise!

How wonderful is a surprise?
Absolutely fabulous!


While working through a tediously grueling shift, I looked up and saw the smiling face of a beautiful friend who came to surprise me.
There was, of course, a hug.
There was chatter and laughter and stories.
There was catching up and, of course, another hug.


She may have chose to come to my place of employment because there was something there she wanted, but she came and looked for me.
What a privilege.
What an honor.
What a treat.


Thank you!


Go surprise someone today.
It might surprise you how much it means to them.

Go be amazing!

Sometimes,
a part of us must die
before another part can come to life.


This may mean leaving a job.
This may mean breaking up with a girl/boyfriend or spouse.
This may mean moving.
This may mean changing your regular routine.
This may mean altering who you associate with.


Growth and progression was never professed to be easy.
Sometimes that first step is a real doozy,
but it can be the first step toward something amazing.
Take it!


Go be amazing!

Be Kind

If you can do good, even a little, do it.
A random act of kindness need not involve money or some grand gesture.
It simply needs to display your heart.


Smile.
Open a door.
Offer a hand.
Speak encouragement.
Be available.
Give of your self.


Be Kind today.

Just Breathe

I may have written about this previously.
It is a reminder for all of us.


There are a bazillion people on earth.
You're going to let just one ruin your day?


Having a seventy pound puppy as I near fifty is teaching me great patience.


The guy who just cut you off may have saved you from an upcoming accident scene.
The shopper who jumped in line in front of you may have an elderly parent waiting at home.
The frantic mother screaming at her children may have many other issues on her plate.
The car line at school might be long, but the children are safe.


Just breathe!


There are many things that are out of your control.
The only thing within your control is how your respond to each.


Just breathe!


Realize that their actions really don't impact your life.
YOU impact your life.
YOU choose what comes in and what you deter.
YOU allow how you feel.


Just breathe!


Make a choice today to breathe and just be happy.

Time Out

In speaking to an old friend last week, I learned that an even older friend's wife was possibly showing signs of serious aging and maybe more. It was a sad discovery. It was a bittersweet moment when the first friend told me that the second friend was actually asking about me.
It made me really stop.


Today, I took a Time Out.


I did something few folks even remember how to do.
I picked up a notebook and a pen and I hand wrote a two-page letter to those friends.
I explained that I thanked them for allowing me into their lives.
I explained that by their inclusion of me, my life was greatly improved.
I explained that each person in that family deeply and truly touched my heart
and seriously impacted my life.
I explained that I thought it necessary and important for me to share this information.
I believe that those I truly love - should know it and why.


Would you take a Time Out?
You don't have to get all crazy. You could type and email a letter,
but imagine the surprise and tangible truth in the hands of that recipient.
Take Time Out today to acknowledge someone who has touched your life.

Forgiveness

This is a lesson a lot of us learn over and over again.
Sadly because other folks take advantage of kind and generous people.


People are confused about forgiveness:


It is not about excusing someone's actions . . .
It is about not allowing their actions to hurt you any more.


Thanks you Sue Fitzmaurice. Your insight is wonderful.


Don't carry anyone else's baggage.
Your journey is yours alone.


Forgive . . . for you!

Autumn

There's a briskness to the day. (Well, maybe not in  Florida.)
There is color on the leaves.
Folks venture out of the air conditioning to enjoy a little fresh air.
It is a season of change in many ways.


Make it a season of change for you, too.


Let go of things you cannot fix.
Hold tight to those you truly love.
Smile at the world - it is a portrait of who you are.
Take on a new task.
Begin a new adventure.
Be bold.
Be unafraid.
Go forth and make a difference.

Stand in the Gap

I attended a function this past weekend regarding Human Trafficking. It was quite an eye-opening experience and I appreciate the invite. It was held at a church and the two women who spoke were obviously very passionate about their mission to put a dent in or eliminate the trafficking of more than 27 million human beings. Do a little research. It's not just third world countries, or 'somewhere else'. It is right here!

One of the things the speaker kept saying, whether it connected with the effort at hand, or on a multitude of other levels, was to "Stand in the Gap".

It made a real impact on me.

 

Stand in the Gap:

Be there to assist

Lend a hand

Be available

Be vigilant

Help

Be a voice

 

It doesn't matter if it's Human Trafficking, a children's hospital, or spreading the Good Word.

Stand in the Gap

 

Be the buoy.

Be the life preserver.

Be the difference in someone's life.

 

Stand in the Gap

Reflection

It is Saturday.
It is time to reflect upon a long week of ups and downs,
positives and negatives,
tears and laughter.


Tomorrow I go to celebrate the life of a very special human being,
and yet it will be time to say goodbye.
Tomorrow I celebrate the birthday of a beautifully wonderful Pink Princess,
and yet wish I could see her more often.
Tomorrow I celebrate the birthday of a rare young man who has blessed the life of my son,
and yet wish they could see one another a little more frequently.
And that is just tomorrow.
This past week was filled with all the same whirlwind roller coaster of emotions.


And that is life.


Up and down.
Round and round.
Laughter and tears.
Positives and negatives.
Lessons and learning.


And the greatest of these . . . is love.
Enjoy your reflections.

Live On

As of late, I have had the sad reality of consoling others for their loss of loved ones.
Any time I shed tears for others, I inevitably think about my grandparents, dads, father-in-law, and
always . . . of course, my mom.


I saw this quote from Norton yesterday and it just screamed to be shared.
So for those going through a recent loss,
or being reminded of one that continues to tug at your heartstrings,
read this:


Those we hold most dear never leave us.
They live on
in the kindness they showed,
the comfort they shared,
and the love they brought into life.


Live On

Cherish

I am mixing things up this morning.
Sometimes, I am bombarded with the same message from several directions.
Sometimes, I see a common thread between poignant info.
Sometimes, I am just given the gift of fingers that move across the keyboard.
Either way . . . I enjoy the opportunity to come to you each day and offer up a little positivity.


Do not dwell on those who let you down or hurt you.
You did not sow that.
You do not need to reap that.
Those weeds are not for you to pull.
Cherish those who love you, support you and hold you up.


Make today what you want it to be.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is promised to no one.


Take time today to share your heart.
Take time today to tell those you love, that you love them.
Take time today to call those you miss.
Take time today to visit with a friend.
Take time today to care about and tend to one another.


Life is a precious gift.
Open it excitedly each day.
Play with it to great extent each day.
Enjoy what matters. Walk away from what doesn't.
Take delight in all its blessings.


Enjoy today.
I appreciate you all.
Thank you.
Love ya!

New Meaning to 'Skin Deep'

I believe the old adage is "Beauty is only skin deep."


This brings, to a very solid and powerful point, a new view to that statement:


"If the words you spoke,
appeared on your skin,
would you still be beautiful?"


There is such weight and magnitude to your voice.
Use it wisely.

Light

Not light on your feet.
Not excessively skinny.
Not fluorescents at Home  Depot.


I'm talking about what comes from INSIDE.


There is a brilliance inside each of us.
Some have tarnished it with poor choices.
Some have shaded it with poor intent.
Some have masked it in the name of 'mood lighting'.


Don't hinder the beacon.
Let your light shine.
Your megawatt glow has many facets.
It can easily change your day for the better.
It can even more easily change the day of someone else.
It can guide the timid, the faltered, the wary.


Open yourself up to the radiance that is you.
Shine on!

Looking

Looking behind I am filled with gratitude.
Looking forward I am filled with vision.
Looking upwards I am filled with strength.
Looking within I discover peace.


Q-ero Indians

Strength

I have written about strength in regard to working out.
Exercising the body is essential to a healthy life.


I have written about strength that dwells deep within each of us.
Finding that strength is essential to a healthy life.


The strength I am writing of today is from another Source entirely.
Strength, from the knees up.
Whether you are facing financial woes, health issues, obstacles that seem insurmountable,
you need to find your strength, from the knees up.
You probably won't find a bucket of money.
You probably won't find an answer to 'why?' for your health issues.
You probably won't find the open door to a path around your troubles.


Should you, however, find the humility and humbleness to find your knees,
your questions might dissolve in the strength from something far greater than your own efforts.
Find your strength from the knees up.

Always

Whether it is yesterday,
a year ago,
a decade ago,
or eleven years ago . . .
the images of the event of September 11, 2001
will be forever emblazoned in my brain.


Although we say we will Never Forget . . .
let us Always Remember


Remember the lives lost
Remember the heroes made
Remember the sacrifices
Remember to stay vigilant
Remember.


Always!

Ch-Angel time

There are folks who are friends,
and then . . .
there are Ch-Angels!


Those folks that, without thought, expectation, or effort, simply go beyond the norm
and excel in amazingness.
Ch-Angels like Ann, Edie, Leslie, Amie, Winnie, Sharon, April, Lenny, Kerry, Chris, Jackie, Dianna, Joyce and Donna.
I hope that your life and your days are filled with folks like these.
So selfless and so giving and so very kind and loving.
So supportive and generous and honest.
Oh, you've no idea the joy you give just to realize that you are a boundary
between myself and the opposite sort in the world.
Thank you Ch-Angels!
Thank you!

Phoenix

Not the city . . . never been there.


This is the more about the rising up,
the dusting off of ashes,
the becoming more and better and being transformed.


Do not let the fires
of contempt,
of evil,
of hatred,
and jealousy consume you.


Do not let the flames
of discontent,
of malevolence,
and burn you.


Rise up!
Stand in all the glory and beauty and greatness
that you were created to be.
Fly.
No . . .
Soar!


Begin again.

Discover

Today is an awesome day.
It is another opportunity to open a new gift; a new talent; a new possibility.
Your life can be deeper than any ocean,
bigger than a Montana sky,
and richer than all the money you could ever lay your hands on.
You are chock full of potential.
You are filled to the brim with capabilities.
Do everything you dream of.
Keep reinventing yourself.
Go discover all the things that you can be.

Celebrate

Whether it is a first step,
first word,
good grade,
new job,
goal obtained,
task completed ~
Celebrate!


If you stood up for yourself,
stood up for someone else,
or simply stood up ~
Celebrate!


If you took a leap of faith,
fell down,
or finished a marathon ~
Celebrate!


Every occasion is a joyous reason to acknowledge ~
and Celebrate!


Behold . . . you are amazing and resilient and tenacious and determined.
Celebrate!

Embrace

Of course I could be talking about one of my favorite things ~ hugs, but I'm not.


Today, I'm asking you to embrace life.
Embrace the trials.
Embrace the triumphs.
Embrace the pain.
Embrace the paradise.
Embrace the hurt.
Embrace the hurrahs.
Embrace the struggles.
Embrace the stamina.
Embrace the detours.
Embrace the doors.
Embrace the broken.
Embrace the blessings.
It all gels together to create the most unique and beautiful you there can be.


And hugs don't hurt either!

Be that again

I saw this today and it really hit home.


Remember when you were a kid
and were happy for no reason?
Be that again.


It could be, too, that I just watched "Heaven is for Real" last night
and was thoroughly reminded of a childhood innocence far too many of us have
forgotten, buried, or simply seriously subdued.


Be happy.
Be that again.

Packaging

Oh, the world is a beautiful place filled with beautiful packages.
Red headed, blonde, brunette, black, and even a few more brightly covered tops.
Big packages, little packages, large packages, small packages.
Round packages, petite packages, well-kempt packages, slightly disheveled packages.
Bald packages, furry packages.
Happy packages and not-so-happy packages.
The plethora of pickings is amazing.
The options are astounding.


What's so incredible, however, is that no matter the variance on the outside,
the insides are all the same.


A heart, looking for love and support and acceptance.


Do not ever judge a package by its wrapping.
Love it, cause it's just like you.

Meaning

This was sent from another source.
I cannot take any credit - but I will happily and eagerly pass it along.
There are multitudes that need to read, hear, and see this:


You do not go to find meaning in your life.
You bring meaning to your life.


Meaning isn't something out there waiting for you to discover.
The meaning of your life is what you infuse it with ~
beauty or ugliness,
positive or negative,
passion or drama,
happiness or sadness.


It is totally your choice.

Resilience

This is written, of course for me, but for a multitude of others as well.
It is in general . . . but also terribly specific!


To those that believe I am disposable.
To those that believe they can simply discard me.
To those that believe they can mightily and handily defeat me . . .


Be afraid.


For when you throw me to the wolves . . .
I will return leading the pack!


Today, I wish you much resilience.