Inspiration

Today is a national day to do with inspiration.
Different people are inspired in different fashions.
I am occasionally to inspired to create prose.
Intermittently I am inspired to sing or read.
I get inspired to work out.
I get inspired to help others.
Most of this comes from something buried deep within,
emotional scars,
or triumphs attained or battles being waged.


What inspires you?
Do your battles deflate you or ignite you?
Do your troubles bring you down or drive you?
Use what you are given to improve yourself.
It truly is amazing what you can achieve . . .
if you are inspired to believe in yourself.

Simplicity at its best!

From Norman Cousins ~


"An individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference.
He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter."


It's just perfect!

Light It Up

From Plutarch:


"The mind is not a vessel to be filled,
but a fire to be kindled."


Light it up.
Read, sing, dance, laugh, draw, write, talk.
See, do, taste, touch, feel.


Go . . . light it up.

Leap

Sometimes, during life, we have to make a choice.
These choices can range from the mundane
to the terribly important.


When you feel you are perched on a precarious precipice,


LEAP


God will either catch you,
or teach you how to fly.


You're going to be ok.

Just a taste

If we did not occasionally taste adversity;
prosperity would not be so delicious.


Whatever you are going through,
know that it will not last forever.
You will get through it.
You will be stronger and smarter and wiser.


And the victory . . .
in your future . . .
will be exquisite!

Pick C! Pick C!

I believe this so very adamantly that I wish I could stuff it
into  every single little person's head.


Alas, we must all arrive at the proper choice on our own terms.


When something bad happens,
you have three choices:


A.  You can let it define you
B.  You can let it destroy you
C.  You can let it strengthen you


Make good choices!

The Three H's

We know all about the three R's,
but very few of know about the three H's.
Maybe, if more of us were aware,
the world would be a better place.


First is Head!
Use your noodle.
God gave you a brain that is magnificent.
Make good choices and good decisions.


Second is Heart!
Use your heart as your guide.
It fuels your passions and your efforts.
Do what you love. Love what you do.


Finally . . . Hope!
Hope is the glue that holds you together.
It is the foundation that connects your
heart and your head.
Hope is boundless.
Hope is beautiful.

Thankful

I know it's the middle of January,
but I just want to remind you that Thankfulness
is not reserved for November.


I am thankful for:


waking up this morning
waking up next to my hubby
waking up because my pooch was giving me kisses
a morning hug
a hot cup o' joe
a morning walk
working out
having a job
having a day off from my job
having amazing friends
having a great family
having a host of beautiful brothers
having incredible children
having a supportive, loving, generous husband
having a roof over my head
being able to pursue my passions
using my God-given talents
touching lives
giving hugs
making a difference
being able to give back
food in my belly
a smile on my face
faith in my heart
love
a warm bed at night


What are YOU thankful for?

Celebrate

Today is National Celebration of Life Day.
I love this.


Although there are many folks that I miss,
folks that meant and continue to mean so very much to me,
there is a responsibility to celebrate still being here.


We've got the opportunity to keep their memories fresh,
their works revived,
their love and spirit present.
We celebrate ALL life today.
Life that is and lives that were.


Every breath is a reason to be joyous.
Every action is a chance to do good.
Every heartbeat is a new rhythm to dance to.
Every day . . . a time to celebrate!

Hugs

Today is National Hugging Day.
Oh happy day!
What better day could there be?


Hugs provide warmth.
Hugs provide strength.
Hugs provide security.
Hugs provide safety.
Hugs provide love.
Hugs provide care.
Hugs provide compassion.
Hugs provide tenderness.
Hugs provide joy.
Hugs provide relief.
Hugs provide happiness.


Now go hug someone.
Make it matter.
Don't do that six inch away, Smeagle, butt-out hug.
Hug someone like there's no tomorrow.
Hug someone like you have no voice.
Speak with your arms!


Go . . .


Hug!

Trust

Trust is just a tiny little word,
but it carries nearly the weight of the world.


We trust others.
We trust promises.
We trust speech.
We trust actions.
We trust laws.
We trust procedures.
We trust our faith.


When that trust is fractured, shattered or broken,
there is a chasm that is difficult,
if not impossible,
to repair.


Know this . . .
People will lie.
Promises will be broken.
Speech with be delivered with a forked tongue.
Actions usually have agendas.
Laws have loopholes.
Procedures sadly have double standards.
But faith . . .


Faith is a beautiful thing.


I will trust my unknown future
to an all knowing God.


Amen and have a beautiful day!

Believe

There are a few phrases that I've always found to be fabulous:


"Throw me to the wolves,
and I will return as leader of the pack."


"But what if I fail?
Yes, but what if you fly?"


or perhaps the scrawny kitten who stares in the mirror
and sees the mighty lion.


Life is a series of choices.
Some are fantastic.
Some we learn from.
Some we run from.


Believe that there is something innately amazing about you.
Believe that you are worthy and meaningful and beautiful.
Believe that you can do incredible things.
Believe that your integrity and value come from deep within,
not from what this crazy world decrees.
Believe that you, my dear,


yes you . . .


the person reading this . . .


Believe that you are special!


Believe!

Finding Treats

I have lost much in these last few years.
I could wallow, for sure.
I could find ways daily to be sad and bitter and angry.
I could find things to cry about.
I could find reasons to be despondent and disappointed.


But I choose, instead,
to find treats.


I could have cried yesterday knowing my baby brother is gone.
Instead, when I went outside early this morning,
the crooked sliver of moon seemed to be smiling at me.
Hi Skippy!


I could be sad on a continual basis missing my mom.
Instead, I sing along with the radio
remembering how she said she loved to hear me do that.


I could be sad my grandfather, so very dear to me, is no longer here.
Instead, I channel my inner boxer and take it out on the kick bag.


Life is about choices.
Each day is as simple as "Happy or Crappy".
I choose Happy.
I choose to Find Treats.


Go Find Treats!

Heaven

Because someone we love
is in Heaven . . .
there's a little bit of Heaven
in our home.


You are thought of.
You are missed.
You are loved.


Thanks for sprinkling little bits of yourself
around here for us to find and smile on.

Circles

On this great big ball of dirt,
we come into existence wanting only love.
As we get a little older,
we desire acceptance from others.
Older still, we look for freedom,
both financial and physical.
Some go on to seek out power
and accolades and achievements.
Then we search out life's meaning
and health and wellness.
And finally, we realize,
we're back to simply wanting love.


Whether your circle is tiny,
or your circle is enormous,
don't ever lose sight of what is at its core.


LOVE!

Art

On my inspirational calendar this was today's word.
It has always touched my heart.


My life is but a weaving
between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily . . .
The dark threads are as needed
in the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
in the pattern He has planned.


Your life, and your self,
are as beautiful as can be.

Be careful

Often times we don't realize the power that we own.
Our words,
our actions,
our efforts,
have a tremendous impact.


We all touch each others' hearts.
We grasp the fragile hopes of others in our hands.
We mold and shape one another's dreams.
We raise or destroy a human being with what we say and do.


Be careful!

Troubles

Every one of us faces our own troubles.
We have our own hurdles to jump,
our own crosses to bear,
our own mountains to climb.
Often we bog ourselves down with WHY?
I've got the answer . . .


We endure our tribulations
so that we may lighten another's journey.


In the midst of my children's ailments,
I spent many an afternoon sobbing in my closet.
When we decided to give back and help others,
a whole new world opened up.
Did our troubles go away?
Oh heck no! Sometimes they were worse!
But . . .
We were focused on helping other people.
We were focused on sharing our knowledge
and efforts and what we've endured so that
another person wouldn't feel so alone.


In helping others,
your burdens are lightened
and your hearts are filled with something
joyous and beautiful.
Your troubles do NOT define you.

For You . . .

So a dear friend, who I have known for many decades,
posted something yesterday basically about
never being able to be happy because of what life has handed her.


I beg to differ!


Not only is this person incredibly talented and tenacious,
she's smart and beautiful and bold and daring.
Life is not about the trials we navigate through.
It is entirely about how you choose to wade through them,
what you learn from them,
and how you move forward after them.
Every now and again it is ok to feel a little downtrodden.
Then, shake it off, and get on with the miracle that is life.
Remember that there are always folks that are worse off than you.
You are never alone in your heartache and your efforts.
You are full of the ability to overcome any obstacle in front of you.


I speak to you from experience.
I speak to you as your cheerleader.
I speak to you as your friend.


You are amazing!


And this is NOT just for her . . . it is for all of us.

Resignation

We've covered Reconnecting.
We've gone over Restoration.
Now . . .


Resignation!


I want you to focus on resignation.
Removing yourself . . .


from doubt.
from worry.
from stress.
from drama.
from OPI (other people's issues).
from things you cannot change.
from nonsense.
from insanity.
from immaturity.
from bullying.


Get back in touch with those that made a difference.
Fill yourself with the things that matter.
Filter out the things that weigh you down.


The 2015 'Three R's"!
Have a great day!

Restoration

I find it odd that during all the resolutions going on,
it's always a 'new' you,
a 'new' attitude,
a 'new' job,
a 'new' goal,
a 'new' vision.


Sometimes,
a little restoration can do wonders for a soul.
Revisit some of your favorite places.
Reread some of your favorite books.
Rekindle some of your favorite friendships.
Rearrange some priorities.
Restore yourself!


Find those things you loved about you ~
hobbies,
habits,
happy times.
Restore those!
Sometimes,
fixing up the good stuff that's just a little rusty
is WAY better than trying to create new stuff.

Reconnecting

As the first few days of 2015 have come and gone
I've seen a definite 'sign' of something of great importance.
I have learned to pay attention to things that continually pop up
in my work, my play, my passions and my pursuits.
This year it would seem that 'reconnecting' is very important.


Facebook and other social media has made it easy
to get back in touch with friends from years gone by.
That's a great tool for keeping abreast of one other.
What I'm referring to is REALLY reconnecting.
Not just a hello and not just with every
Tom, Dick, and Harry that has ever crossed your path.


I'm talking about letting someone know how impactful
they have been in your life.
Humble yourself enough to pour your heart out,
maybe even in a paper-to-pen tangible letter,
to someone who has helped you in the past;
someone who has greatly effected you;
someone who has made a difference.
Odds are, they had no idea.
Wouldn't it be a grand treat to realize you helped someone?
And, believe me, it is a great release to write it as well.


I challenge you to one person a month through 2015.
Just twelve letters to twelve people.
Make someone's day.
And, in doing so, you do something extraordinary for yourself.
It's a beautiful ripple of thanks and kindness and gratitude
that can be started with a simple 'Thank You'.


Reconnect today.

Burst Your Bubble

It's the New Year!
You've got all kinds of fancy resolutions to test you.
You've got all kinds of plans.
You've got all kinds of dreams.


Well . . .


I don't mean to 'burst your bubble,'


but if you're not outside of your comfort zone,
those resolutions, plans, and dreams will fade like last night's sunset.


Burst Your Bubble!


Get out there.
Do stuff you've never done.
Try things you'd never do.
Experience new adventures.
Chase that vision.


Move beyond what's comfy and cozy.
Get dirty.
Get silly.
Get busy.
Challenge yourself.


Burst Your Bubble!

'Nuggling

One of my favorite things to do:


'Nuggling!


To just 'be' with someone - comfortably, casually, cuddly.


You could just be sitting together.
Holding hands.
Walking side by side.
Chatting about nothing.
Raving about everything.
Silently coexisting.
Cooking together.
Reading together.
A hand on a hand on a knee.
Sharing a stare.
Wrapped in a hug.
Laughing.
Loving.


'Nuggling is a snuggle of the heart.
Today . . . I wish you 'nuggles.

One Two

Buckle your shoe!


Happy January 2nd.
How are those New Year's resolutions doing?
Hopefully you've managed to succeed through day one.


Remember as you continue through 2015,
that it is ok to make mistakes,
it is ok to falter,
it is ok to backslide,
it is ok to be distracted.
Just know it.
Fix it.
Move forward.


A positive attitude
and realistic expectations
can combine to create amazing things.

Hello!

Good morning!
Hello 2015!
Whatever shall we do together?


Let's dance
and sing
and laugh
and love
and play
and try new things
and meet new folks
and see old friends
and travel
and enjoy what's around us
and lend a hand
and offer help
and sweat a little
and rest a little
and be in awe
of every day!