Bam!

In the very eloquent words of a Frenchman . . .

When deeds speak,
words are nothing.

Bam!

Something to Think About

Are you the 'half empty'
or the 'half full' person?
Here's something to think about . . .

How about ~ you have a glass!

You can have it half full,
half empty,
full of ice,
full of flowers,
full of seashells,
full of change,
full of whatever you want!
It's your glass.
Do what you want.

Breathe

Today . . . there will be madness.
There will be stampedes
and haggling
and raised voices
and yelling
and pushing
and shoving.

I want you to breathe.

The holidays are not about the gifts.
The holidays are not about the deals.
The holidays are not about the coupons.

Breathe!

The holidays are just a tiny bit more important.
Faith. Family. Friends.

Breathe.

Be polite.
Be pleasant.
Be nice.
Be kind.

Breathe.

Thankful

Embrace the day!
Grasp every blessing.
Take a hold of all the laughter
and love and keep it close in your heart.

Be thankful for every little thing.
For pain.
For the overcoming of it.
For sorrow.
For the strength you gain from it.
For defeat.
For the resilience you find from it.

Be thankful for every little thing.
For hugs.
For friends.
For laughter.
For memories.
For love.
For strength.
For awe.
For inspiration.
For family.
For tenacity.
For health.
For grace.
For your gifts.
For giving.
Your blessings far outweigh anything else.

Be Thankful!

Rewards

Life is full of rewards ~
you just have to know where to look.
I'm not talking about trophies, headlines, accolades, or lotteries.
I'm referring to REAL rewards.
The ones you feel deep in your bones.

At my crazy job, that makes me nuts and tired and loopy,
I had several guests yesterday that helped me to remember
the real rewards in life.

The first was a regular.
She was buying pants for her mother who was recovering from surgery.
She didn't have a lot of money because she herself is on her last round of chemo
for breast cancer.
I walked her across the store and helped her find some good sales.
She ended up in my line - and there were tears in both our eyes as we wished
each other a Happy Thanksgiving ~ each thankful for the other.

The second was an elderly woman.
She was frantic about buying the perfect shoes for an upcoming event with
very limited funds to do so.
She had a coupon and rewards and her shoes were on clearance.
When I told her that her shoes were free, she too started crying.
She said I was an Angel and she was thankful for me.

I didn't do anything but my job.
But, in doing so I touched a heart.
There is nothing as rewarding as to improve the life of another human being.

Holiday Math

By G.K. Chesterton:

I would maintain that
thanks are the highest form
of thought,
and that gratitude is happiness
doubled by wonder.

Go get your math on!

What's the Difference?

Some days
I just don't want to write.
I would like to stay snuggled in my bed,
cozy and comfy and drifting in and out of sleep.
Some days
we are just too tired to produce that smile.
We'd like to just put our head down,
trudge through our tasks and finish up the day.
Some days
we are consumed with activities.
We don't recognize
the blessings and the joys that surround us.
Some days, we take the introvert road.
That's not good.

Think about:
When someone says, "Today's blog really made me think," or "Today's blog was great!";
When your smile changes someone else's mood, or behavior, or day;
When you truly count your blessings and realize the value of what you have . . .

What's the difference?

YOU are the difference!
Go . . . be the difference.

Move!

I might have posted this prior,
but it seems rather poignant these days . . .

If you don't like where you are, move . . .
You are not a tree.

So very simple and yet . . . duh!

What do you see?

When you look in the mirror,
what do you see?
Do you see what I see?

Strength
Beauty
Grace
Determination
Spirit
Faith
Fortitude
Brilliance
Joy
Tenacity
Love
Kindness
Hope

You are amazing.

A Special Gift

There is a present out there;
so interesting,
so amazing,
so intriguing,
so beautiful,
so special,
so valuable,
so spectacular,
so extraordinary.

It is delivered in incredible fashion.
It is wrapped exquisitely.
It is inspirational.
It is awe-inspiring.
It is vital.

It is YOU!

Harmony

When things seem fractured,
do what music does . . .
create a harmony.
Put parts together,
that might not always seem to mesh,
and blend something beautiful.
Sometimes,
there is no 'right' answer.
What one sees as correct,
another sees as unfathomable.
Bring them together
and create something
unbelievable.
In diversity,
there is magic.
In unity,
there is strength.
Let's create a little harmony.

Take a Hike

Today is
National Take a Hike Day!

Now, for those than can,
please . . . literally . . . go . . .
Take a Hike!

For those of us who are working,
understand that 'taking a hike'
can come in many forms.
Sit outside for your meal break.
Enjoy the air.
Read a little.
Listen to some tunes.
Embrace time away from the grind . . .
even if it's just behind a door.
Take a moment for yourself.
'Take a Hike' from the norm.
Seek respite from the rat race.
Open your eyes to the
beauty and blessings around you.

Take a Hike!

Light

There is a light
within each of us
that cannot be extinguished
by hurtful words,
unkind actions,
treachery or terror.
Do not let your light be dimmed
by the action of cowards.
Shine on ~
in remembrance of those lost.
Shine on ~
to guide others.
Shine on ~
to be a beacon of love
of peace
of hope.
Be the Light!

Off-Grid

It is imperative
that every once in a while
you simply go
Off-Grid.

Unplug.
Turn your phone off.
Shut off your computer.
Nix the tv.
No tablets, no laptops,
no I-anything.

Sit outside.
Enjoy your family.
Breathe in nature.
Listen to the waves.
Find yourself again.

Laugh

One must exercise.
One must eat properly.
One must ensure a safe environment.
One must sleep well.

But, equally as important,
One must Laugh!

Enjoy the silliness around you.
Laughter is good for the soul.

Sacrifice

To honor our Veterans today,
I'm writing about sacrifice.

The choice some brave men and women make
to give up their time,
their youth,
their families,
their livelihood,
their health,
and sometimes their lives . . .
so that so many others may live freely.

For your selfless sacrifice
of so very much,
I salute and admire you.
Thank you for all you are and do,
and have done prior.

True

I'm a massive fan of honesty,
but the 'true' I'm referring to here
is more about realizing your own value,
your own worth,
your own passions,
your own vision,
your own core,
and being 'true' to that.

In that, there is honesty.
Honesty to yourself.
That's where it all starts.

When you find yourself lost,
confused,
questioning . . .
strip yourself down to the core.
Find your real self.
It is never too late to start again.

Be True
to you.

Ch-Angel Nick

As Veterans Day approaches,
I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge
one of my most favorite Ch-Angels . . .
my nephew Nick.

A young man in years,
yet he has made quite an impact already.
He is a volunteer fireman,
business man,
a wonderful son,
a fabulous brother,
an incredible nephew,
proud poppa of his furry child,
and just returned yesterday from Afghanistan . . . again.

He is a giver.
He is a fighter, but gentle and a giant teddy bear.
He is a kind and loving and wonderful soul.
He is a protector of both his family and country.
It is an honor to be family, his aunt, and his friend.
There should be more 'Nick's'.

Thank you Ch-Angel.
Know that you make a difference.

Ness

I am a firm believer in
always looking forward.

Toward a new day,
new hope,
new adventures,
new ideas,
new people,
new opportunities,
new choices,
new lessons,
new "Ness."

Go find your Ness.

Doubt

Doubt is a horrible weight
to carry around.
Face each day,
each choice,
each burden
with a 'when,' not an 'if.'
You can do this.
You were made to do this.

Neighbors

There will always be the
Debbie Downers,
the Negative Nellies,
the Bullying Betties,
the Woe-is-me Wilmas.
Death by association is
a slow and painful end.

Associate with those folks
that lift you up,
bring you joy,
offer you peace,
allow you to be you,
love you,
enlighten you,
encourage you.

Your neighbors are everything.
Choose wisely.

Work

"We either make ourselves miserable,
or we make ourselves strong.
The amount of work is the same."

Hmmmmm

Little Things

It surely is the 'little things'
that create the bounty of our lives.

Of course, the obvious is infants.
The innocence, dependence, snuggly,
cuddly, giggly, wriggly, smiley,
lovable little humans that need
us larger people to survive and thrive.

I mean the compliments,
the smiles,
the assistance,
the kind gestures,
words of encouragement,
hugs,
companionship,
laughter,
comfort,
respect.

You need not be wealthy
to make a difference.
It takes exactly ZERO dollars
to be a decent human being.

Go, share some little things . . .

Everything

To have a sense of self worth,
is basically,
to have
everything!