Souvenir

A picture postcard; a folded stub;
a program of the play.
File away your photographs of your holiday.


And your mementos will turn to dust
But that's the price you pay
For ever year's a souvenir
That slowly fades away.


Keep joyous memories alive and well
by carrying with you all the things you love.

Laughter

Whether you're nervous,
anxious,
depressed,
demoralized,
irate,
humiliated,
or
hurt . . .


laughter truly is
the best medicine.


More times than not,
those overwhelming feelings
consume so much of your time and efforts
that you cannot see how very little those issues
truly impact you.


Today,
laugh a little.

Shhhhhhh!

Lao Tzu said:


Silence is a source of great strength.


Far too often, folks speak to be heard.
The fodder that falls from their mouths isn't really important,
they just want to be heard.
This could stem from low self-esteem, belittlement, or
some sort of authoritarian complex.


Sometimes, the best way to make your point . . .
is to say NOTHING!


The loudest voice doesn't always win.
The longest dissertation doesn't always reign victorious.


Sometimes . . .


Shhhhhhh!

Change your seat

Life, in fact, can get messy.
It is hectic, stressful, crazy, demanding and nutty.
It is full of folks that make you wonder, make you angry,
make you cranky, make you sad, and make you snap.
It is full of actions that make you sometimes simply
scratch your head.


It is also full of wonder and beauty and kindness.
It is full of generosity and simplicity and nature.
It is full of hearts and shoulders and ears.
It is full of hugs and laughter.


What you see is up to you.
If you're not happy with your vista,
change your seat!

Stressless

So yesterday, a Ch-Angel friend told me that
I was really very good at helping my friends to
face and alleviate their fears and to eliminate their stress.
She also told me, as good a teacher as I am,
I am a terrible student.
And she is right!


And so . . . starting today Ch-Angel April,
I am going to make a concerted effort to decompress,
dispose of the worry of things beyond my control,
expel the doubt and focus on what keeps me happy.


Thank you for those wise, wise words.


I hope you all follow the same path . . .

See what's really there.

Addison loosely:


Real blessings often appear to us
in the shape of pains, losses, and disappointments.
Let us have the patience to see them in their proper figures.


How many times have you pricked yourself upon the thorns
in an attempt to retrieve the beautiful rose?
Gasped for air while climbing the mountain,
to be rewarded with the indescribable vista?
Stumbled and doubled over with pains
on your way to crossing the finish line?


See what's really there.

A step toward positivity

In order to maintain a healthy and positive attitude
we must learn to let go of that which no longer serves us.
Whether it's drama, negativity, self-loathing, gossip,
close-mindedness, or whatever might be holding you down.
Let it go.
Free yourself from the bondage of all that nonsense.
Face a bright and happy future.
Take that step . . .

PIFfing

There is nothing more rewarding than the exercise of


Paying It Forward


Whether it's a coupon, a kindness, a gesture, a smile, a hand,
a hug, a heart, a shoulder, an ear, a story, a blessing, a tear,
a little time, a little effort . . .
It's ALL worth it.


Today . . . and EVERY day . . .


Do a little PIFfing!

Meaningful

Not everyone can donate a bazillion dollars to their charity of choice.
Not everyone can spend years lobbying for a worthy need.
Not everyone has the chance to speak to millions of people to bring about change.


But . . .


Every single person; every single one of us
can do something each and every day that gives purpose to our lives.
To touch another human soul, either literally or figuratively,
is within reach for absolutely every human being out there.
Whether you choose to make it positive or negative ~ is yours alone to make.


Make it meaningful.

The Answer

When life seems a little demanding;
When things seem to be all snarled up;
When problems arise at every turn;
When belittling and berating seem the norm;
When there are issues all around you;
When you just want to curl up and cry;
When you just can't stand it any more


. . .


Kneel!

The four sides of a circle . . .

Love requires sharing.
Sharing requires struggle.
Struggle requires faith.
Faith requires love.

2 4 1

Although it was kind of a brutal work day yesterday, it turned out pretty awesome.
Late night the night prior, up super early, forgot to eat breakfast and a coupon crazed
community. Sure makes for a fun morning.


But . . .
if you pay attention, God sends you little Ch-Angels to improve your life.
Yesterday, I was blessed with not one, but TWO Ch-Angels!


On the third project of the morning, before 9:30 am, I was on the opposite side of the store.
It's always hectic over there. I had finished helping and was headed back to my department.
In the door walks the most beautiful Ch-Angel ever . . . Ch-Angel Chris!
She just glows with a tenacity and acceptance that is indescribable.
She is an awesome hugger and she seemed to put some of the pieces back together for me
with just one powerfully gentle embrace.
Thank You Ch-Angel Chris!


At the end of the shift, pondering a purchase, with most every part of me beginning to ache,
I was on my way out the door when . . .
Ch-Angel #2!  Ch-Angel Sharon!
Another super hugger . . . Ch-Angel Sharon just amazes me.
She possesses within her more strength and determination than I could ever imagine.
She's overcome so much and still gives back, smiles, and just tries to do so much for
everyone else. She is just an incredibly wonderful human being. She's always telling me
how much I do for her. I don't believe she knows how very much she does for me . . .and everyone else. I got TWO hugs from Ch-Angel Sharon.


Thank you, my friends.
I am so blessed to have such beauty in my life.
My cup overflows with your generosity and kindness.
Thanks for being the Ch-Angels that you are.

You!

There is only one You!


Why try to be like someone else?
Why try to dress like someone else?
Why try to behave like someone else?
Why try to act like someone else?


Doing so only diminishes all the spectacular-ness
that makes You so very spectacular.
You are a gift to this world.
A unique and beautiful treasure.
An exceptional and integral piece to this grand puzzle.


Share your splendor.
Share your incredible attributes.
Share what you've been blessed with.


Share You!

Leading

Leading folks takes great fortitude.


You must be able to speak.
You must be able to listen.
You must be able to guide.
You must be able to communicate.


And maybe, most importantly,
in order to be a great leader . . .
you must confidently walk behind your people.


Support them.
Cheer them on.


If you've done your job . . .
they will excel at theirs.

What I See

Sometimes, I feel badly because I will have spent an entire day
with someone and as we're departing someone else will comment
on their new hair style, hair color, weight loss or other alteration.
The recipient is all giddy and thankful.


Let me explain . . .


It is not that I do not notice a new hair color;
a new hair style;
a more slender you;
a few new muscles;
or other hard work you've put it.
It is more because I don't find it relevant
to my time with you.
I am friends with you because I find your heart beautiful.
The outside doesn't really matter to me.
I am thrilled that your working hard to improve yourself.
I'll cheer you on and help you however I can,
but I will not judge you based on your successes and failures
of things that have no bearing on our friendship.
You are my friend because I love YOU.
Your kind and generous soul.
Your innate goodness and unconditional love and support.


Please know that I'm not ignoring your efforts.
I am appreciating your natural gifts!

A little 'ation' for you today

Today, I wish for you . . .


Inspir-ation
Aspir-ation
Determin-ation
Dedic-ation
Fortific-ation
Ador-ation
Collabor-ation
Medit-ation
Justific-ation
Syncop-ation
Perspir-ation
Vac-ation
Fascin-ation
Educ-ation
Explor-ation
Observ-ation
Utiliz-ation
Convers-ation
Cre-ation
Inform-ation
Adul-ation


and more . . .
What can you add to this list today?

Eyesight

This is a little quip I saw today.
Read it.
Think on it.
Realize how very true it is.


No one ever injured their eyesight
by looking on the bright side of things.


Go.
See things beautifully.

Therapy

When I write, it is usually as an outlet for myself.
Sometimes, when I'm lucky, it effects others just the same or more.
I love those days.
Today is a good therapy day for me.
I know most of us have 'been there'. Please know you can 'do that'.


Betrayal and Beyond


I used to look upon you as a source of strength and light
A foundation piece to build my faith; a wealth of what was right.
I gave to you my everything. I was eager to always please
I exercised great selflessness to eternally appease.
But when I had some issues; when concern became the norm
I brought to you my reservations in hopes you'd alleviate the storm.
You assured me all'd be well. You asked me to stay the course
You initiated nothing. You downplayed your worth of force.
And then the drama began; tears and pity and 'woe is me'
Instead of proving what I'd said and hearing you agree
You looked me squarely in the eyes and these are the words you spoke
"You've got to do some praying!" And my heart just simply broke.
All the trust I'd freely given; the bond I thought we shared
Twisted, crumpled, mangled . . . destroyed beyond repair.
And though the pain was awful; cutting directly to the bone
I dragged myself back to my feet. I knew I was not alone.
My calling and purpose refused to wane. The urgency was not gone
And by the masses friends stood by, to eagerly cheer me on.
Take your efforts elsewhere. You've far too much to give.
Do let the actions of another change the way you live.
What you do is meaningful. There's an end result to reach
Rise above the immaturity ~ here's an opportunity to teach.
I did not succumb to your poor behavior or your actions so unfair
I've overcome. I'm moving on. You're not my cross to bear.


You've got this. You're stronger than you know, smarter than you think,
braver than you'll ever give yourself credit for!

Ol' Blue Eyes

I watched a documentary on Frank Sinatra yesterday.
I learned some things I didn't know.
I saw a zillion pictures I'd never seen.
And I got lost . . .


I just closed my eyes and listened.


These were songs I grew up on.
My parents sang these songs during dinner,
during car trips, and during their band practices.
What a beautiful stirring of emotions to hear such great music
that brought about such great memories.


One of my absolute favorites that I can hear my momma singing . . .


There's a somebody I'm longing to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I know I could always be good
Someone who'll watch over me


Smiles and Tears . . . 'Smears'!
Thanks Ol' Blue Eyes.

Go, Glow, Grow

There is, I'm certain, a goodness within each of us.
There is, hard wired, the option to do the right thing.
We each possess the ability to share the light within us.
We can be a beacon to those around us.
We can provide a helping hand, an open heart, and generosity.
And, when we share those gifts with others,
we increase our own self confidence and abilities.


Go!
Glow!
Grow!

Leave good footprints . . .

In the grand and giant scheme of things,
most of us will only ever touch a tiny portion of the world.


Why not leave a footprint
of peace, love, compassion, determination, inspiration,
positivity, grace, beauty, and kindness?


If every footprint were filled in this manner,
the world would be overrun with blessings.


If your every action held only good intentions within it,
what incredible change could you instill?


Go . . .
Leave good footprints . . .

Do You Measure Up?

Steve Jobs said:


Be a yardstick of quality.
Some people aren't used to an environment
where excellence is expected.


How do you measure up?

True Wealth

The be-all and end-all of life
should not be to get rich,
but to enrich the world.


~ Bertie Charles Forbes

THIS . . .

"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

You are amazing!

Very recently my son received a book he created when he was first diagnosed with dermatomyositis.
It was most interesting to see how far his artistic talents have improved.
It was a pendulum of emotion as he read to me:


What foods do I like?
What makes me happy?
What makes me sad?
What do I like to do?
And all the answers from his nine year old little self struggling with a serious illness.


It is also most impressive to see how much he has accomplished since then.
How much he's grown ~ as a human and as an intellectual.
How far he's come ~ physically and actively.


I believe he is a better person for having gone through what he did.
I believe it is vital to ANY person to remember where you've come from.
No matter what battle you might be facing,
realize all the battles you've already overcome.
Bring forward with you your tenacity, your strength, your determination.
Stand on the knowledge of your victories.
Fight with the courage you've collected.
Be brave and be bold.
You are amazing!

Purpose

I've never been a big fan of April Fool's Day.
I like it even less now.
Five years ago today, about this time, I held my mother's hand
and urged her to take those last few steps toward freedom.
As sad as remembering that day makes me,
I gravitate toward a much more positive legacy that she left behind:


PURPOSE


She touched so many lives.
She made folks sing.
She made folks dance.
She made folks laugh.
She made folks gamble.
She made folks live.
She welcomed you.
She loved you.
She cherished you.
She made a difference.


This was her purpose . . .
to leave the world a little better than she found it.
She accomplished that . . . and so much more.
Wouldn't it be nice
if we would all try to walk in those crater-esque footsteps?