Don't be scared

Boo!
It's Halloween.
Don't be scared.


The ghosts and goblins,
princesses and pirates,
minions and munchkins
that come to your door are only looking for candy.


Enjoy the evening in all its silliness.
Have a frightfully, freakishly fun evening.

Do Nothing

With the holiday season fast approaching,
and bringing with it all its ensuing insanity,
I would urge you to please just take a moment . . .


and do nothing.


Don't fret about Christmas cards.
Don't worry about buying gifts.
Don't worry about visiting every soul you ever knew.
Don't get crazed with decorating every nook and cranny.
Don't get entangled in every vendor's mad dash for cash.
Don't run yourself so ragged that you can't remember what day it is.


Do NOTHING.


Take an extra few minutes and enjoy your morning coffee.
Drive along the water on your way home and soak in its serenity.
Drive through the woods and breathe in all its beauty.
Meet a friend and enjoy, really enjoy, their company.
Listen to the birds, or the waves, or the wind, or the quiet.


Stop and do nothing.

With You Still

A beautiful prayer sent by a beautiful friend
that just really touched me on many levels.
I think it will touch many others as well.
Thanks, my Ch-Angel WB! 




I give you this one thought to keep
I am with you still I do not sleep,
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone,
I am with you still in each new dawn.

For Sure

My tears continue,
but I am reminded repeatedly
about how much Skippy just like to laugh
and enjoy the world around him.
So . . . in honor of Skippy . . .


Today is National Chocolate Day!
If he were here and read this,
he'd be the first person at my door
with a 10 pound Hershey bar.
For Sure!


Today . . . in honor of Skippy . . .
no matter your diet (unless you're allergic or diabetic),
please . . . go enjoy a little chocolate.
It makes your heart happy.
It makes you smile.
It is terribly difficult to be sad while eating chocolate.


For Sure!

Time for a Ch-Angel

A Ch-Angel for sure . . . Skippy!


A gentle giant.
My 'little' brother, who towered above me, on so many levels.
We grew up together.
We were silly together.
He was a brilliant mind, in a simple human.
He merely wanted love and to give love.
He loved to laugh with a remarkable wit.
He loved to give and gave whenever he was able.
One of my teariest memories of Ch-Angel Skip was while doing the
All Children's Hospital Telethon and hearing that Al Herrmann is donating
money from Afghanistan. What an absolute gem!
I am privileged to have shared so much with him.
Anyone who spent any time with him knows the joy he spread.
I am honored to have been his little big sister.
Fear your demons no more, sweet brother.
Rest in peace and know you're so very loved.
Thanks for all you've done and been.
Fly home, Angel!
xo

Fighting Demons

We all have demons.
Some of us learn to fend them off better than others.
Sadly, some of us do not.


Whatever your demon,
know that you don't ever have to fight alone.
Phone a friend.
Visit family.
Talk to God.
If all else fails, email me!
I will be here - to listen, to console, to advise if you choose, to love.


Don't let your demons win.
Please.
You are far too valuable in this world.

Lunch?

There is a question often asked that if you could have lunch with anyone, living or passed, who would it be and why?


My answer, for the past several years, has been my mom.


I'm sure I could learn from great historical figures.
I'm sure I could educate myself from philosophers and brilliant minds from long ago.
I bet I could lose myself in a world of art and music and literature from past masters of their crafts.
I bet I could find several realms of serenity sitting with Gandhi or Buddha.


And yet, I'd do just about anything for just one more game of Scrabble.
Just to hear her laughter, or see that crooked, impish grin.
One more "You Bet!" or "Next!"
Another family band night would be amazing.
I'd love to just chat one more time, about nothing important. Just chat.
I'd even settle for just sitting quietly next to one another.
Just to feel her close to me one more time.
Lunch?
I'm sure it would be dessert!


Who would you want lunch with?

Inspiration

What inspires you?


Is it a goal?
An event?
An obstacle?
A dream?
A person?
A passion?


Find what inspires you and use it as fuel to fan the flames of your activity.


My husband, children, and mom inspire me most.
My drive is derived from giving back to those that have supported me/us.
I would say that my inspiration is built upon ALL of the above.


What about you?
Grab hold and enjoy the ride!

Ch-Angels

Ch-Angels are those beautiful creatures that walk the earth,
often times unaware of the joy and love and happiness that they spread.
Ch-Angels are those delightful souls that act without malice,
perform with only good intentions,
believe they can (and do) make a difference,
share their hearts and their talents freely,
give without expectation of acknowledgement or reciprocation.


Some say I might view the world through rose-colored glasses.
I prefer to believe my eyesight is focused on feathers and faith!


I am blessed to be surrounded by Ch-Angels.
Thank you one and all.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

I'm not asking for anything.
I'm not begging for support.
I'm not looking for love.


I'm here to say Thank You!


Thank You for the trials.
They have shown me patience.
Thank You for the bullies.
They have shown me my own strength.
Thank You for the failures.
They have shown me success's sweetness.
Thank You for the brick walls.
They have shown me how to think outside the box.
The bad stuff is not always bad.


And,
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
for family, babies, laughter, love, puppies, music, art, poetry, freedom, friendship,
travel, wonder, beauty, kindness, forgiveness, free speech, hugs, quiet, the ocean,
the woods, the meadows, flowers, understanding, communication, support, faith,
exercise, children, weddings, first snows, spring flowers, summer sun, autumn colors,
good hair days, memories, unexpected phone calls, positive reinforcement, . . .


feel free to add your own


Realize the magnitude of what you have!

Chivality

Civility is defined as:


courtesy; politeness


Chivalry is defined as:


the sum of ideal qualifications of a knight, including courtesy,
generosity, and valor


How about, moving forward, we teach our children a little


Chivality

Go create wonder

The greatest deed you can ever do
is one without the chance of accolades.
Anonymity lightens your heart.
Those random acts of kindness
will come back to bless you in ways you never imagined.
Seek not the bright lights, fame and fortune.
Instead, choose a less travelled path from which you watch
the ripples of your positive efforts spring forth
a delicate and beautifully intricate web of wonder.


Go create wonder.

Sparkle On

Don't let anyone dull your sparkle.


You were made to shine.
You were made to share your brilliance.
You were made to be a beacon.
You were made to bring joy.
You were made to make a difference.
You were made to bring hope.
You were made to fill a heart.
You were made to give your gifts.
You were made to sparkle.


Sparkle On!

Live Out Loud

Live Out Loud.


How to you define this?


To me, it means to live as you believe
and do it freely and openly.
It doesn't mean to shove your opinions and thoughts
down other's throats.
It doesn't mean you are right or above others.


It means you are comfortable in your own skin;
happy with your own heart;
purposeful with your passions;
and tenacious in your trek.


I encourage you to Live Out Loud today.
Be who and what you were meant to be.
We are each gifted with incredible talents.
Use them.
Share them.
Show them.


Live. Out. Loud.

Puzzling . . .

Don't start today
with the broken pieces of your yesterday.
Every day is a fresh start;
a new piece to the puzzle that is your life.
Each morning is a new beginning;
a fresh blank table in which to lay your perimeters and fill them in.
Each blessed time you wake up,
you have the chance to create your own masterpiece.

Take Care of Business

Your smile is your logo.
Your personality is your business card.
How you leave others feeling after being with you becomes your trademark.


What kind of business are you running?

Two for One

Today, two quotes that seem to be somehow intertwined for me.
Each of us has gifts to give and each day is an opportunity to share them.


I arise full of eagerness and energy,
knowing well what achievement lies ahead of me.
~ Zane Grey


Let each man exercise the art he knows.
~ Aristophanes


Do not squash the dreams of others.
Awaken each day with the realization
that you can help another achieve their dreams,
and in doing so,
you are achieving your own.


Go be bold and beautiful and daring today . . .

Alone

Learn to be alone and like it.
There is nothing more freeing and empowering
than learning to like your own company.


This beautiful sentiment needs to be read and absorbed by so many.
Far too many folks believe they need another human to be complete.
You are perfect and absolute all on your own.
Find contentment within your own marvelously wonderful self.

Warm Fuzzy

I try, every day, to offer a positive outlook on whatever it is you might be travelling through.
I try to make sure you see a silver lining in every circumstance.
I try to make sure you are aware of how valued and loved you are.


There is nothing better than a good Warm Fuzzy!


That feeling when someone creates such an pocket of comfort
that you are completely at ease.
That feeling when you realize you truly matter.
That feeling when your heart expands and your eyes well up
simply by understanding that someone truly cares.


Today, I wish you a good Warm Fuzzy!


And I'd like to thank those who recently have afforded me the same.
Some are friends and some are strangers.
The feeling isn't any different.
The appreciation is just as grand.

Listen!

I'm currently talking a few folks through difficult times.
It is a privilege and a joy to be able to walk someone through a storm
and see them emerge as stronger, better, more resilient people.
Sometimes, I need to talk to myself!


There are times when I get very angry.
I must remember what I say to others - Does it really matter?
There are times when I get very hurt.
I must remember what I say to others - It's sad that others feel the need to be so mean.
There are times when I am very lost.
I must remember what I say to others - Chin up! Knees down!
There are times when I am not sure what to do.
I must remember what I say to others - Listen in the quiet. The answers will come.


Listen to your own self.
You know what's best.
You know what's right.
Believe in your ability to do the right thing . . . for others . . . and for yourself!


Listen!

You Never Know

Each morning I sit to write this blog.
I go through my ritual of emails and Facebook and calendars and some quiet time.
I am usually influenced by one or more items that tend to stand out and touch me.
Today, it was a little abstract, but that little voice kept poking me . . . until I listened.


You Never Know whose life you will touch.
You Never Know whose heart you will change.
You Never Know whose attitude you will lift.
You Never Know whose mind you will open.
You Never Know.


So do the right thing.
Be kind. Be thoughtful. Be generous.
Give if you're able.
Give if you're not.
A simple smile, kind word, or good action can make all the difference in someone's day.


You Never Know.

Courage

Courage . . .


Is faith.
Is tenacity.
Is strength.
Is fortitude.
Is persistence.
Is determination.


You may not be able to see your goal, but you move ahead anyway.
You might be told "No!" but you move ahead anyway.
You might feel intimidated, but you move ahead anyway.
You might feel overwhelmed, but you move ahead anyway.
You might be exhausted, but you move ahead anyway.
You might feel defeated, but you move ahead anyway.


Courage is not reserved for special folk.
Is lies within each and every one of us.
Follow your heart.
Follow your dream.
You have the courage to do any thing!

The Postage Stamp

A little light-hearted Monday morning food for thought . . .


Consider the postage stamp:
its usefulness consists
in the ability to stick to one thing
until it gets there.
~ Josh Billings


Be the Postage Stamp.
Stick to it!
Set a goal and get there.

Build Wisely

Where does your house sit?


I'm not talking about your physical living accommodations.
I'm talking about the house your head sits in.


Dwell in possibility.
Build a second story of positivity.
Be sure your foundation is in faith.
Always open your doors to opportunity.
Stairs should always spiral to contentment.
Windows should have the vista you choose.
Live in love.


Build Wisely.

Length or Width?

An age old debate . . .


But today's post is on another topic entirely!


I don't want to get to the end of my life
and find that I have just lived the length of it.
I want to have lived the width of it as well.
~  Diane Ackerman


And to apply it to my football friends . . .


Go wide! Go wide!


Enjoy your day.

Sing

I was raised in a house filled with music.
I went to school that offered all kinds of music.
My family created at least three different bands.
We also had family band evenings.
Music is an incredible tool.


When I sat bedside while my mother was waning,
I sang to her.
I'm no songbird, but she loved when I sang.
I sang Spanish Harlem - one of her favorites that her brother sang.
I sang Bridge Over Troubled Water - one of my personal favorites.
I sang.
And sang.


When my son was receiving treatments for his illness,
the hardest part of the entire process was getting the IV started.
The ritual always included headphones and a seriously awesome playlist.
And there was singing.


I cannot fathom any situation where singing wouldn't help.
OK - maybe not in the middle of some tedious accounting meeting,
but then again . . . it may be exactly what is needed.


Singing is not only a positive activity.
It's healthy. It engages your lungs and gets your heart pumping.


Sing some today.
For you. For those around you.
Sing