Terribly Important

When you believe that you've tried everything,
done all you can,
claimed complete concession,
drained every ounce of energy,
are fatigued beyond belief,
when you have exhausted all possibilities,


remember this . . .


you haven't!

Ch-Angel Time

So every now and again, I get back to acknowledging the reason I started this blog.
I recognize those Ch-Angels, those people who make a real difference,
for simply existing and doing what comes naturally to them.
Today, I am giving a big shout out to my Ch-Angel LMR.


I have no idea what I did to deserve this bundle of energy and love,
but I'm sure thankful God stuck her in my path.
She has been an instant friend; a confidant; a supporter; a cohort; and just
fabulous company.
She's made work and life, in general, a thousand times more enjoyable.
She's shared from her heart; ranted from the depths; and boy have we laughed.


When counting my blessings,
I count my Ch-Angel LMR several times.
Thank you!

Travel Well

From Beverly Sills:


"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going."


Meaning . . . ?


To me, sometimes the journey may seem like you
ought to receive hazard pay,
but the view from the apex is breathtaking.
Life's journey is not always smooth.
It is filled with potholes and mountains and desserts and storms.
But each of those, in their own right,
is a lesson, an expedition, a voyage.


Take advantage of whatever is in your path.
There is beauty in every thing.
Lessons in every outing.


Enjoy the trip!
Travel Well!

Pencil

Who'da thunk?
Bon Jovi came up with this little marvel . . .


"Map out your future,
but do it in pencil."


I absolutely LOVE this!
Get your pencil.

Thrilled to have a drink!

Some folks whine because roses have thorns.
I am thrilled that thorns have roses.


Some folks complain about the afternoon deluges.
I revel in the morning sunshine and the evening light show.


Some folks whimper with every ache and pain.
I am thankful that I am able to feel each one.


Some folks grumble about work, work, work.
I am pretty grateful that I have a job.


Some folks are dismayed at the aging process.
I am blessed for being gifted another day.


How will you face your time here?


Half Empty?
Half Full?
Thrilled to have a drink!

Memorial Day

A day to reflect and remember and celebrate
those who have chosen to take up arms and stand up for our freedom.
A day to acknowledge those brave souls
who chose honor and country before themselves.
A day to respectfully and reverently recognize
so many for their sacrifices of time, health, and even more.
And to those that continue to do so.


God Bless You!
Thank You!

Just Do It

We are all given gifts.
We are all given talents.
Some of us know immediately what they are.
Some of us search a little longer to find them.
When you realize your opportunity . . .
Just Do It!


Follow your dreams.
Beat a path through whatever stands in your way.
Stay focused.
Stay driven.
Stay determined.
You are unique and amazing.
Share yourself with the world.
Just Do It!


Be Bold.
Be Daring.
Take That Step.
Just Do It!

Surrounded

I was most hesitant about yesterday.
An early, busy morning; followed by a lengthy shift at work;
hectic afternoon; and then a most incredible evening!


Not only was I accompanied by my son
to a function celebrating volunteering for children,
but I spent a block of time with a beautiful Ch-Angel Ann
who ~ whether no filters or no profits ~ is sheer genius
and complete and unconditional love. What a treat.
The function surrounded me, literally, by a table of
beautiful souls in a room of mostly genuine, giving, selfless people.
It is truly magical what folks can do when they
come together to do the right thing.


Surround yourself with Angels
and you'll be amazed by the blessings you will see.


Have a beautiful day.

Happiness

Today's little inspirational tidbit comes from Aleksei Peshkov.
When I first read it, I really liked it.
Something hooked me.
As I sat and thought about it, it enveloped and encased me.
THIS . . . is good stuff!


"Happiness always looks small while you hold it in  your hands,
but let it go,
and you learn at once how big and precious it is."


Share.
Happiness is exponentially infectious!

Move Along

So, as is usually the case, in the midst of conversing
and listening and trying to help a friend . . .
I have helped myself.
What a wonderful thing.


She wanted to know why people behave a certain way.
She wanted answers for their poor and despicable choices.
She wanted closure before allowing their betrayals to dissipate.
Today, I was going to post something directed at a specific someone, to make a point.
To create a statement.
To try to alter their thinking, their behavior, their choices.


I said to my dear friend,
'What difference does their behavior make?
Does it really matter to you and your situation?
Wouldn't it be better to surround yourself with positivity
instead of sinking in the mire that is their existence?'


And so . . . I am going to listen to myself.
Evil, ugly hearted, poor behaving people . . . have a nice day.
I will move along and enjoy all the blessings and beauty that surrounds me.
I will move along and absorb the sunshine, the kindnesses,
the countless good things that come my way
and not try to understand your sad, pitiful, woeful behavior.


I will move along.
Will you?

Ties that Bind

There are so many threads that hold us to the past
and connect us to the future.


Phrases we say.
Actions we take.
Songs.
Poetry.
Art.
Memories.
Laughter.
Moments.
Love.


I am thrilled to be bound
in this web of wonder.

Enjoy your day!

From Anatole France:


If the path be beautiful,
let us not ask where it leads.


Drink in what is available to you.
Absorb the splendor.
Digest the word, the tones, the blessings.


Enjoy your day!

Babies

There is nothing quite so grand as a wee little person.
Such innocence and pure joy.
I truly have a hard time at work not stealing people's babies
just to coddle and snuggle with them.
To welcome another Ch-Angel baby into the world
is such an indefinable privilege.
God bless you baby Thor!
I cannot wait to hold you and hug you and love you!
For those of you with little ones,
enjoy the smell, the softness, the tenderness, the sounds,
the giggles, the swelling heart, the love.
Babies are gifts!
Unwrap them gently and
shower them with every earthly bit of love
and protection you possess.

Bye Bye BB

What a loss to say goodbye to BB King.
But let us not mourn his absence.
Let us rejoice in the incredible gift he gave us:


Nearly 70 years of heartfelt blues;
mentor to some of the greats;
countless albums;
his girlfriend 'Lucille';
teaching us to 'feel' the music.


The Thrill is Gone, but you will live forever.

Your Heart

One of the simplest things you could ever do
is to give freely of your heart.
It is also one of the hardest things to do.


Any person who has ever been hurt, misled,
betrayed, lied to, or broken-hearted
knows the pain associated with that free giving.


It is imperative, however,
to realize that those injuries are not permanent.


They are wounds to teach.
They are scars to remind.
They are lessons learned.


A heart exists to love,
to give,
to offer itself.
Your heart expands the more you share it.

Bravery

This is for a few folks I know
that are going through scary, rough, and turbulent times.
You are the bravest folks I know . . .




Bravery is
being the only one who knows you're afraid.


~ Franklin P. Jones




Go . . . be brave!

Mother's Day

What an interesting time.
Such a push/pull day.
Yearning for just one more day with my amazing mother,
and yet wanting to spend as much time as possible with my 'babies'.
One could be moved to tears quite easily.


For those of you whose moms are still here . . .
Call them.
Go spoil them.
Love them.
Spend time with them.
Laugh with them.
Enjoy them.


For those of you who are moms . . .
Enjoy your children.
They are precious and each is perfect in their own way.
You created something extraordinary - love them.
Laugh and love and learn together.


And there are those who are pseudo-moms.
Incredibly selfless people who give of themselves
freely and unconditionally.
You are inspiring.
Thank you!


Enjoy your day!
Enjoy what you have!
Happy Mother's Day!

Short and Sweet

No, you silly people. I am not writing about myself.


This tasty little tidbit is a favorite of mine.
I have not seen an author for I would surely give credit where due.
This is just basic and simple and terribly, terribly true!


How beautiful a day can be
when kindness touches it.

The distance is relative

Sometimes,
we are bogged down by details and daily detriments.

Remember how far you have come,
not just how far you have to go.


You may not be where you want to be,
but remember too,
that you are no where near where you used to be.


No one may know your battles.
No one may know your struggles.
But share your every victory.
Celebrate!


The distance is relative.

I Quit!

I quit allowing others to walk on me.
I quit accepting less than what should be done.
I quit taking apologies for poor behavior.
I quit being ok with complacency.
I quit permitting stupidity.


I am worth more.
I am valuable.
I am important.
I am.


As are you!

Blessed

I must take a moment to say thanks!
In my thoughts and prayers each evening,
I ask God to watch over certain folks and groups of people;
to keep claim to my family and to guide me where He wants me.
I also always start every evening with a Thank You!


I may not be as healthy as I once was, but I'm pretty ok.
I may not be quite as nimble as years gone by, but I do all right.
I read and learn and am blessed to be able to do so.
I work out and sweat and am blessed to be able to do so.
I have two amazing children that are healthy and happy and focused.
I have an incredible husband who just lights up my world.
I have the most fierce and loyal friends a person could ever hope for.
I have enjoyed some wonderful moments, carry forward beautiful memories,
triumphed over vicious obstacles, and continue to smile.
I am blessed with a positive attitude and a tenacious personality.


I am really, truly blessed!


How about you?

Spring

Directly stolen from Therese of Libjeux:


The splendor of the rose
and the whiteness of the lily
do not rob the little violet of its scent
nor the daisy of its simple charm.
If every flower wanted to be a rose,
spring would lose its loveliness.


Of course, this applies to Springtime,
but . . .
it applies to so much more . . .

Time

Time truly is fleeting.
I'm watching children I've known since kindergarten graduate from college.
I'm watching kids I love as my own having babies of their own.
I'm watching babies grow up into toddling balls of energy.
I'm watching marriages and passings
and successes and trials
and miracles and moments.


The clock just keeps on ticking.
It doesn't matter what you do.
You cannot stop it.


So grab every event.
Create a memory.
Make every single second count.
Laugh.
Love.
Live!

Aaah May

May is an extraordinary month.
It is full of birth and life and blooming.


May you enjoy what is around you.
May you breathe in the fragrant flowers.
May you take in the vistas before you.
May you choose the path less travelled.
May you offer smiles on your journey.
May you walk in sunshine and good health.
May you witness miracles.
May you feel the love.
May you enhance the lives you contact.
May you be well and wonderful.


Aaah May!