Your People

We are given each day a set of people.
Some are strangers.
Some are family.
Some are friends.
Some are agitators.
Some are soothers.
Some are lifters.
Some are oppressors.
Some are pushers.
Some are pullers.
Each plays a role ~
in the moment,
in the day,
in your story,
in your life.
Find strength in the good.
Find lessons in the not-so-good.
Find purpose in your people.

Legacy

I am NOT about fame.
I am NOT about fortune.
I am NOT about headlines.

I am about the positive.
I am about the silver linings.
I am about the happy.
I am about making things better.
I am about being a difference.
I am about faith.
I am about love.
I am about you.

What will your legacy be?

Where Did That Come From?

We all have our comfort zones.
Our little areas we do not leave.
Our self-made havens of security.

Whether we choose to venture beyond those walls,
or we are forced to step outside those boundaries,
there's something I want to assure you of:

You'll be ok!

There is a strength,
a determination, a perseverance,
a full-on pink-bunny revelation
that comes out of nowhere
and allows us to continue;

one more step,
one more hour,
one more day,
one more hurdle.

And that journey, beyond those boundaries,
is worth every ounce of anxiety, of stress,
of questioning that takes place.

Go! Find amazing.

Sweet Success

There are many definitions of success.
Financial security.
Endless free time.
Gathering of gadgets and gizmos.
Race cars and race horses and racing lifestyles.
And you are entitled to chase whatever definition motivates you.

I believe my success is measured
by the positive impact I can provide each day.
If I can provide a better environment,
I'll fight for it.
If I can provide a little assistance,
I'm rolling up my sleeves.
If I can make you feel a little more secure,
I'll be your personal bodyguard.
If I can get you to chase after your dreams,
I'll tie your shoes.
If I can give you a glimmer of hope,
I have achieved sweet success.

What can I do for YOU today?

Be the oak

Be the oak.
Tall and mighty and firm in your roots.
Don't be swayed by the whims
of whatever direction the wind is blowing.
Know where you come from.
Stick steadfast to that foundation.
Grow and blossom and be grand.
The weather will come and go.
The seasons will ebb and flow.
Be true to what you are.

Safe Place

When the whole world seems to knock you down;
when the rat race seems to be pushing too hard;
when life just seems to be beating you up;
when every day is elbows and punches;
the safest place to be
is on your knees.

Searching

Searching.
We are all searching.
Some for jobs.
Some for homes.
Some for love.
Some for understanding.
Some for hope.
Some for forgiveness.
Some for kindness.
Some for faith.

It begins with a single step.
Seek and ye shall find.
Be bold enough to step into the unknown;
for therein lies the answer.

Search on.

Half Full

Today I turn 50!
Wow!
Half a century!

It has been an interesting life so far.
Lots of pain and hurdles and hardships.
Far more laughter and joy and love.
The latter is much more enjoyable
because of the former.

Here's hoping your day is a 'half full' kind of day.
Half full of
kindness, care, compassion,
faith, family/friends, fortitude,
happiness, hope, health,
embraces, enjoyment, enlightenment,
smiles, strength, and silliness.
And always . . .
with room for more.

Thanks for adding to the journey.
You make it better.

Silly Saturday

Remember to always have a little fun -
no matter your circumstances.

Today, I want you to beware of the three N's:

1. Negatives
Don't let them drag you down.
You have the choice to turn every one into a positive.

2. Nonsense
It doesn't have to be your circus or your monkeys.
You have the choice to walk away.

3. Nincompoops
This would be the problem of the aforementioned - not you.
You cannot be held responsible for the choices of the feeble minded.
You can be helpful, compassionate, and kind ~
but you can't fix stupid.

Enjoy your Saturday . . . N-less!

Hi Sunshine!

This is a greeting that I use frequently.
It serves many purposes.

It offers whoever it is delivered to a bright little point to their day.
Who doesn't want to know they light up the day?!

It gives me pause to realize that this person makes the day better.
No matter what's happening, it can get better now.

It allows you a moment to realize things aren't so bad.
No matter the weather, the sun will return.

It reminds me that things aren't so bad.
The warmth of the sun is never further away
than your choosing to bask in it.

So . . . Hi Sunshine!
Enjoy your day.
Thank you for making mine.

Good Morning!

Greet each day cheerfully and with great enthusiasm.

No matter where you are;
no matter what your circumstances;
no matter your current situation;
you've been offered another day,
another chance,
another opportunity
to do the right thing,
to be a better person,
to change someone's life,
to make a difference.

Good Morning!

Spirit

By Henri Frederic Amiel:

Any landscape is a condition of the spirit.

By Lynette Carol Rider Marinello:

And quite conversely, any condition is your spirit's landscape.

Chew on THAT!

Run From The Front

So, as if the Olympics were not inspiring enough,
there was a piece on an African long-distance runner.
When learning the sport, it was shared
that most runners huddle in the pack until the final lap
and then they unleash whatever reserves they have
to finish the race.

He didn't quite understand this concept.
His theory was:

Run From The Front Without Any Fear

Think on that for a second.
Wow!

(Oh and by the way - he's won Gold . . . TWICE!)

Anyway

People will be childish.
Be kind anyway.
People will be hurtful.
Be helpful anyway.
People will lie.
Be honest anyway.
People will whine.
Work hard anyway.
People will demand freebies.
Give graciously anyway.
People will be hateful.
Love anyway.

You are not a reaction.
Be a constant.
Be a beacon.
Be an example.
Be better.

Be you anyway.

Believe in You

It is not til you are tested
that you realize how strong you are.
It is not til you are beaten
that you realize how resilient you are.
It is not til you are broken
that you realize how tenacious you are.
It is not til you are hollow
that you realize how full life is.

You have within you
more courage
tenacity
strength
perseverance
faith
and fortitude
than you might ever realize.

Believe in You!

Surviving Chaos

Chaos
is nothing more than the devil's hand
stirring up the nonsense pot.
Although I know of no one who isn't immediately effected by
obstacles, turmoil, hardship, or curveballs . . .
it is how you respond that truly matters.
It's ok to fall apart.

It's ok to cry.
It's ok to rant and rave.
It's ok to snarl and even snap.
But then . . .

breathe . . .

and realize that it is nothing more that the devil's hand.

It will not win.
There is no victory in its actions.
You are better than that.
You are stronger than that.
You are braver than that.
You are much more intelligent
than to fall victim to such trivial rubbish.

You will survive!

The Best Gifts

I know that the holiday season is a ways off,
and believe me - being in retail - I'm not rushing it.
But I'm making an entirely different point.

The Best Gifts
aren't found during Christmas
or birthdays
or holidays of any sort.

The Best Gifts
are the friends you surround yourself with.
The ones who lift you up.
The ones who bring a smile to your face.
The ones who make your heart happy.
The ones who bring joy to your day.
Oh to open my life to them each day.
What a glorious gift to receive.

Thank you!
To The Best Gifts EVER!

What a Find!

Sometimes we are blessed
with what we need right when we need it.
I came across this yesterday, after a stressful day at work,
with a bit too much on my plate outside of work,
and the general insanity of life:

There's two things I judge harshly on;
the inability for one to admit when they are wrong,
and the lack of courage to say I'm sorry.
We are all wrong at some point,
but not all of us are sorry.

Fess up.
Be real.
Own your errors.
Clean the slate.
Move confidently on
in the direction of your dreams!

And Stuff!

So there's a little Ch-Angel with a birthday today!
She's an extraordinary human being,
but it's the 'and stuff' that makes the difference!

The support;
the determination;
the steadfastness;
the inner glow;
the shoulder to lean on;
the fellow delinquent;
the listener;
the hair cutter;
the selflessness;
the badassery;
the confidant;
the boldness;
the perseverance;
the laughter;
the peaceful, quiet coexistence;
the venting;
the omnipresence;
the love;
and stuff!

Everyone should have a friend like my Ch-Angel!
Enjoy your day!

Integrity

Integrity is defined as: adherence to moral and ethical principles;
soundness of character; undiminished; honesty.

There is very little in this world as important as one's word ~
or one's integrity.
It is what is done when there is nothing to gain;
nothing to prove;
nothing to achieve.
It is, quite simply, the core of one's self.

If one maintains honesty ~ there's no reason to remember stories.
If one maintains principles ~ there's no reason for false facades.
If one maintains character ~ there's no reason for altered behavior.

Consistency is key.
Kindness is integral.
Honesty is vital.

Take the integrity pledge:
I am me.
I am happy with me.
I will follow my path ~ no matter how unpopular
I will do the right thing ~ undeterred.
I will always be me ~ and that is fantastic!

Now, go be amazing!

Your Job

I was raised to respect the janitor as much as the company president.
Neither man is more important than the other;
and both must function to their fullest
in order for the other to be successful.

If you are a ditch digger,
dig the best, most beautiful ditches there ever was.
If you are a waitress,
tend to those guests as though they were family.
If you are a receptionist,
greet those folks with the warmth of pure sunshine.
If you are a cashier,
smile and take care of every customer as though
they were the ONLY customer.
If you are a president,
work with your people, lead by example,
set guidelines, applaud exceptional service,
be the reason your employees want to advance.

We can't just do the part of the job we like.
You have to do your whole job.
For if you only do a portion, you are burdening others
with the work you've left undone.

If we all work together,
in compliment,
oh . . . what a wonderful world it would be.

The 3 B's

We know the 3 R's.
I've written about the 3 P's.
Today, I implore you to exercise your 3 B's.

Be Giving.
Be Kind.
Be Loving.

There are about a million other things we should be,
but those probably top the list. And then, perhaps . . .

Be Well.
Be Happy.
Be Wonderful.

I'm pretty sure though, that if you own the first three,
the second set comes naturally!

Enjoy your day.

Li'l Sweet

No, silly person, I'm not talking about the diet Dr. Pepper mascot.
I'm talking about those tiny things that people do
that truly touch your heart.
Doesn't need to be a bucket o' money,
or a new car,
or fancy jewelry.

Sometimes, to round a corner and hear someone talking nicely about you,
without provocation, want of reciprocation, or reward
just makes your heart sing.
Sometimes to get a text that says
"All will work out because you're good people."
makes the whole day better.
Sometimes just a wee phone call faux yelling at you because you're moving
just wraps you up in warmth and love.

Today, go out there and do a Li'l Sweet.
Don't complain.
Don't gossip.
Don't condemn.
Do a Li'l Sweet and see what comes back at you!

Helping

Listened to a dear friend tell me a story about her son.
He felt like he should do more to help other people.
So, one day he did.
And when he got to his job that he was about to lose,
he was offered another position within the company.

Coincidence?
Believe what you want.

I choose to believe that the best way in which to help yourself
is to help other people.
When I get so knotted up in my own nonsense,
I take a deep breath, look around, and listen.
I find someone in need, someone hurting, someone down.
I do whatever I am able to assist, to soothe, to lift them up.
And, by the time I'm done exhausting myself for them,
my issues seem to have untangled themselves.

To put another soul before your own
is a blessing for that soul,
and a beautiful gift to yourself!

Don't get any on ya!

There comes a time
when the smartest, healthiest, wisest, safest
thing that you can do is
NOT to respond;
NOT to react;
NOT to plot;
NOT to argue;
NOT to fight;
NOT to scream;
NOT to participate.

The best thing to do is
to simply smile, nod, and walk away.

To leave a hot mess
with integrity, dignity, and morals
is a beautiful thing.

Don't get any on ya!

Simple Things

Do not get all tangled up
in the tendrils of societal nonsense.
Instead,
breathe . . .
enjoy and embrace the simple things . . .

mists over meadows,
sunbeams through the clouds,
moonlight on water,
happy chirping birds,
lazy, lapping waves,
winding wooded pathways,

and knowing you are loved!