Happy Birthday!

The candles on your birthday cake
Have not seen fire for several years
But your wisdom and your guidance
Still echo clearly in my ears . . .

Get up every morning
Thrilled that you have woken
Choose your wording carefully
You can't retract what you have spoken

Make time to enjoy the day
Sing with the radio, play a game
Go outside and jerk around
This day will never come again

Chase your every dream
Leave no passion unfulfilled
Plant your seed wherever you go
Ensure every relationship's been tilled

And within the confines of each day
You should, without fail, be nice
Until you've reached your breaking point
Then it's time to NOT be nice

Love with all your worth
See the positive without fret
Life is just a gamble
Are you a winner? Yup! You bet!

Happy Birthday Momma! I miss you!
Love you to pieces.

SAVE

Today is National Teach Kids to Save Day.
Of course, most folks think of banking.
Not me! Because, you know, I'm special.

Yes, by all means, teach them about finance ~
credit, debt, loans, putting money away, etc.

But, perhaps more importantly,
teach them about saving time.
Don't fritter it away always working.
Make time each day to enjoy what's around them.
Make time each day to talk to people you love.
Make time each day to just exist - no craziness, just breathing.

Teach them about saving people.
None of us gets out of here alive.
Teach them to nurture and care for others.
Teach them to help when they can.
Teach them to be a good neighbor.

Teach them about saving memories.
When surrounded by the right people at the right time,
the memories will be unbelievable.
Intangible to others, these are treasures we keep,
held close to our hearts for eternity.

Teach your kids to save.
Teach them to save the right things.

Contentment

Some people chase the all mighty dollar.
Others feel the need to see their name in lights.
Still others search for notoriety on a grand scale.

Me?

I search for beauty all around me.
I find pleasure in the laughter of a friend.
I find joy in doing something good
without the possibility of reciprocation.
I find peace in a child's smile.
I find happiness in drama-free simplicity.
I find serenity in a hug and in the
quiet existence alongside a dear soul.
I find great pleasure with my family.
I find contentment when I am untethered
to the nonsense of the day.

Where do you find contentment?

Weeding Your Garden

Now as nice as it is to sit in wonder at your garden,
it is imperative that you weed your garden.
You must pull out those things that cause mayhem.
You must destroy those things that are unattractive.
You must eliminate those things that cause imbalance.
Your garden is yours to maintain.
Remove the weeds.
Remove the rubbish.
Remove what doesn't make you happy.

Get it?
Garden on.

Joy in the Garden

I have never pretended to have a green thumb.
I don't have much luck with tending to plants.
But, I am fantastic at enjoying the beauty around me.
The blooming jasmine.
The green of the palm trees.
The multitude of colors in every little flower ~
from the perfect rose to the simple daisy.
I adore the smell of fresh cut grass.
To breathe in pine tree is total bliss.
The creeping vines to the yet-to-be-seen Redwoods.
I am in awe of all the incredible diversity around me.
It is simply stunning.
Be sure to take a moment out of your busy day
to enjoy the blessings around you.
Find joy in your garden.

For Your Health

There are boot camps,
gyms galore,
pilates, yoga, zumba, barre,
water workouts,
marathons,
free weights,
triathlons,
circuits,
crossfit,
intervals,
super sets,
and a million other ways to exercise.

The simple best thing
that you can do for your heart,
your body, and your health . . .

is to give assistance
to another human being.

Go . . . get healthy!

Happy Saturday!

Two quotes in two days came my way.
Coinkydink?
I think NOT!
Pay attention people . . . the signs are everywhere!

From Marcus Aurelius:

Very little is needed to make a happy life;
it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.

From the Dalai Lama:

The purpose of our lives is to be happy.

Happy Saturday! And every day.

Choice

In the past few months, there have been many well publicized losses of great people.
There have also been less publicized losses of 'other' people
who were no less great, just less well known.
The losses are consuming and overwhelming and devastating.
The losses are heartbreaking and life-changing.
They bring great sadness and many tears.
And, though we must walk through that phase,
I truly believe the healthiest way to look at things is this:

Rather than be saddened by the hole they've left,
rejoice in the memories that you carry forward.
If your life was touched, enriched, bettered, enlightened,
that person was a gift ~ for however long they graced this earth.
Grab that joy.
Hold on to it with a ferocity the likes of which you've not known before.
That piece of them that you own is yours.
That is your treasure, your brass ring, your silver lining.
Keep it deep within your heart.
Wear it proudly every day.

Transformation

Thinking it may be nearing it's end,
the caterpillar seeks a sleepy refuge.
The transformation however
is as beautiful and wondrous as nature could impart.
Shedding the dread of crawling about,
she is born to flight,
to freedoms unknown,
to new life.
Do not be discouraged,
for in your darkest hour . . .
your transformation begins!

Bad News / Good News

I always like to get the bad news first.
It makes the good news all that much better.
This was posted by a dear friend,
and I just found it absolutely fabulous!
Hope you enjoy your bad news / good news.

The Bad News:

You cannot make people
like, love, understand,  validate,
accept or be nice to you.
You cannot control them either.

The Good News:

IT DOESN'T MATTER!

Quickie

Today, from Thoreau . . .

"To affect the quality of the day,
that is the highest of arts."

Go . . .
affect . . .

Mirror Mirror

When we stare into the mirror, far too often what we see
Are the shattered bits and pieces of our own reality
We see our every flaw; cringe at any imperfection
Ponder every choice and drown in each rejection
Outline each deficiency; shrink with every fault
Let me take a moment, to ask you please to halt.
Choose instead to gaze upon the mirror I have found
In the heart and word of God; the difference will astound
Focused on the whole, undeterred by a sordid past
Chooses to see your brilliance, unaware of shadows cast
Unconditionally consumed with your gracious, giving heart
With the joy that you instill and the support that you impart
Indifferent to the scars; impressed by the strength they bring
Empowering your tenacity, battling the cause and sting
Unconcerned with gossip or the choices you have made
Only every deed of kindness that you selflessly displayed
What mirror will you choose with which to view yourself?
Choose the higher source where you'll truly see your wealth
And if you should begin to doubt the value of your soul
Look to friends, your angels, who will, again, make you whole

Walk Tall with Your Army

For those of you who have lost someone recently . . .
here's my theory.

Having sadly said goodbye to my grandmother, grandfather,
several fathers, my unbelievably amazing mother,
and not too long ago, my beautiful brother . . .
I was faced with a choice.

I could crumble in sadness;
in loneliness,
in solitude,
in bitterness,
in disbelief,
or
gain strength in knowing that the army of Angels
that surround me has grown with each passing.

I stand tall and proud
with lessons and memories of each
to take another step toward being a good human being,
toward being kind and loving to others,
to bringing a little of their sunshine and their brilliance
to the lives of others.

Walk Tall with Your Army.

Presence

It is extraordinary
what a little bit of time in the company of the right person
can do for you.
There are people out there
who love you,
support you,
listen to you,
care about you,
uplift you
and just are comfortable to be with.
Find those people.
Wrap yourself in them.
Enjoy every moment in their presence.
What a joy!
What a blessing!
Thank you.

The 3 G's

Grant others the space to be themselves.
Give, not because you have much, but because it's right.
Grace the world with your whole self.

Significant

Far too many people are fixated on riches,
and on the compilation of gadgets and toys.
They believe this gathering will be
a billboard of sorts of their success.
Success is not so much in the amassing of wealth
as it is in being significant.
All the money in the world cannot make a selfish person likeable.
All the fancy cars and pretty jewelry doesn't make an ugly person beautiful.
What you leave behind . . .
how others see you, remember you, and what they take from your days here;
if it is positive, uplifting, helpful, purposeful,
THAT is success.
THAT is helpful.
THAT is beautiful.
Be Significant.

Water Wisely

We each begin with a blank slate,
a barren canvas,
an open opportunity.
No one can walk your path for you.
No one can fight your battles.
No one can feel your grief.
But isn't it wonderful to know that
there are multitudes to walk the path beside you;
to pick up arms for you;
to support you?
Embrace the good.
Engage in the positive.
Envelope those that lift you up.
Your Path is yours to choose.
What you allow to grow around you
is your choice.
Water Wisely.

Great Day

There is nothing spectacular about today.
There is no monumental movement going on.
It's just a great day to have a Great Day!

If things are not going right for you, turn left.
If you are unhappy about a situation, change it.
If someone is depressed, listen and enlighten.

YOU have the ability to make it whatever sort of day you'd like.
Smile through the pain.
Give when you've got nothing.
Feeling sad? Pick someone else up.
The day is yours.

Have a Great Day!

Reconnecting

Reconnecting is a beautiful thing.
To simply sit with an old friend,
laughing,
chatting,
sharing a beer,
working on projects,
realizing that whether it's one day
or ten years,
the time between visits is inconsequential
when the bond is true.
Thank you to the rare few
who possess those features
and dare to be my pals.

You know who you are!

Gem

Just as a gem cannot be polished without friction;
nor can a life be improved without trials.
We are what we allow life to make of us.
You can fall trampled beneath the mounds of madness;
or you can rise up, enlightened, stronger, more brilliant.
You can be minimized by each defeat;
or you can become more resilient, smarter, wiser.
You can allow the small and trivial to shake your foundation;
or you can stand firm in the knowledge that your integrity is solid.

Go, be that polished gem.
You are that polished gem.

Shine!

A single candle can illuminate the darkness.
We all know that.
But did you know that you, yes you, can be that candle?

No matter how dismal a day may seem.
No matter how heavy a heart may be.
No matter how fretful a situation feels.
A single candle can illuminate the darkness.
YOU can shed a little peace,
a bit of tranquility,
a ray of hope,
an opportunity of light.

Will you join in the misery?
Will you add to the pain?
Will you wallow in the waste?
Or will you shine?

Shine!

HOPE

Today is a National Day of Hope.
I believe EVERY day is a day of hope.
But . . . if we want to honor it today, I'm good with that.

I am hoping for kindness.
I am hoping for gentleness.
I am hoping for sweetness.
I am hoping for tenderness.
I am hoping for understanding.
I am hoping for acceptance.
I am hoping for accountability.
I am hoping for decency.
I am hoping for peace.
I am hoping for love.

HOPE!

Be Nice

My mom taught me something very pertinent
in the world and in my life.
She would always say, "Be Nice!"
Grand advice!
Except she wasn't finished.
She would continue, "Until it's time to NOT be nice."

She never said to be mean.
She never said to do bad things.
She simply meant that at some point,
you stop allowing people to walk on you,
belittle you,
degrade you,
and you stand up for yourself,
speak your mind,
defend your own space,
realize your value.

Today . . . Be Nice

. . . until . . .

Happy

I did not write this . . . although it's everything I believe.

Happiness is a choice,
not a result.
Nothing will make you happy
until you choose to be happy.
No person will make you happy
unless you decide to be happy.
Your happiness will not come to you.
It can only come from you.

Choose Happy!

PC

I am NOT here to be politically correct.
My mother taught me to listen,
to educate myself,
and to speak up when necessary.

I am not here to coddle you.
If you are wrong, fix yourself.
I am not here to do things for you.
I will walk with you, love you and support you
through whatever you are facing.
I am not here to fill your head
with whatever it is you want to hear.
I will be honest and sincere.
I am not here to listen to your whining.
It helps nothing and solves no problems.
I am not here to bow to your every whim.
I have a brain and am not afraid to use it.

I may not be politically correct,
but I am, unequivocally,
Politely Consistent.

That's OK

Some folks say I'm strong.
Some folks say I'm confident.
Some folks say I'm a leader.
Some folks say I'm bold.

But there are days when I am none of those things.

I want to cry
and cringe
and hide
and fall apart.

And that's OK.

Do what you need to do
to be the best you you can be.