Too Much

As November closes,
there is much to be thankful for.
Faith.
Family.
Friends.
Health.
Hope.
Happiness.

Life will always throw you curveballs.
There will always be struggles.
There will be sadness and there will be pain.
It is ok to duck, swear, cry and moan.
But it is NEVER ok to quit.

There is too much to love;
too much to embrace;
too much to learn;
too much to give;
too much to share;
too much.

Giving

Today is National Giving Day.

I have my passions and those places I will donate to.
What are your passions?
Where does your heart lead you?

Giving isn't about always opening your checkbook.
Not everyone is blessed with abundance in that area.
Sometimes, giving is about time and talents.
Give what you are able.
Give of your self.
Give of your heart.

It is one of the healthiest exercises you could ever partake in.

Be Intelligent

In order to survive,
one must be not only able, but willing,
to listen, educate, and make informed decisions.

I am a big softy.
I wish every day for everyone to get along.
I hope each minute for peace and compassion.
I realize that's a big ask.

I am not so gullible, however,
as to simply believe whatever I hear.
I ask questions.
I will go to the source, if it's available, and tear it up.
I read. I learn. I ponder. I search.
Sometimes, I will separate myself  from what I love so dearly,
as to understand things better.
That is a painful task for me, albeit necessary.
I don't judge you from your past.
I base opinions on actions and direct speech that I hear.
Gossip is only good for making gardens grow.

Love who you'd like.
Open your heart entirely.
Give unconditionally.
But be intelligent about it.

Spiteful Ambition

To those who were the kindling;
thank you.
To those who told me I couldn't;
thank you.
To those who said I won't;
thank you.
To those who judged me;
thank you.
To those who assumed;
thank you.
To those who confronted me;
thank you.
To those that bullied me;
thank you.

You have filled me with Spiteful Ambition -
the most dangerous kind.

I will succeed;
I will improve;
I will be bold;
I will step out;
I will overcome;
I will follow my heart;
I will be a better me;
I will be strong;
I will be faithful -

In spite of you!
Thanks!

Seussism

One of my favorites . . .

Don't cry because it's over,
Smile because it happened.

This, of course, can be applied to Thanksgiving dinner,
but it can also be applied to just about a million other things.

Seek the deeper meaning
and realize its value.

And Smile!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Give Thanks!
Today and every day.

For love; for loss,
for passings; for births,
for pains; for triumphs,
for anger; for peace,
for trials; for victories,
for betrayals; for balance,
for friends; for family,
for tears; for laughter,
for trepidation; for bravery,
for every little thing.

Every moment is a gift,
a precious time to live and love and laugh.
Enjoy it all.

I am thankful for YOU!

Many Thanks

We are all one people.
I am thankful and grateful for each of you.

Dankie
Shukran
Do Jeh
Tak
Kiitos
Merci
Danke
Efharisto
Toda
Sukria
Terima Kasih
Grazie
Arigato
Kamsa Hamnida
Salamat Po
Dziekuje
Obrigado
Spasiba
Gracias
Istutiy
Asante
Tesekkur Ederim
Thank You!

Enjoy your day.

Thank You!

I am a very thankful person.
I have learned an important life lesson.
I have learned to be grateful for ALL the people in my life.
Not just the ones who love me and care about me and support me.
I am appreciatve of those folks who told me "No!";
of those folks who teased me;
of those folks who judged me;
of those folks who belittled me;
of those folks who betrayed me;
of those folks who lied to me;
of those folks who cheated me.

Those that love and care and support are my foundation.
They are my core, my heart, my soul.

Those that have done the other things,
they taught me strength;
and resilience;
and compassion;
and self-reliance;
and tenacity;
and honesty;
and independence.

You may have hurt me momentarily,
but you built someone with an extraordinary gentle ferocity.
I embrace your shortcomings,
your need to demean,
your pitiful actions.

Thank You!

Happy Heart

Whether racing beside you
or simply beating in rhythm,
my heart is Happy when I'm with you.

Find who you're happy with.
Keep that happy in your heart.
No one can ever take it away!

Connected

There are some gazillion people in the world.
It is hard to conceive that we are all connected.

We are either related,
choose to be 'related',
tethered by friendship,
fastened through fate,
united by passions,
partnered through efforts,
joined in faith,
and all bound by love.

Enjoy the ties that bind us.

Home

A tiny little word,
with enormous value!

Anyone can own a house,
but it takes something special to have a home.
Whether it is for solitude,
for a relaxing couple,
a hustling, bustling family,
or a pile of critters . . .
a home is the extension of the love it is filled with.

It doesn't have to be a mansion.
It can be a tent.
It doesn't have to be fancy.
It can be barren.
The only requirement
is love.

Your Cheerios

There will always be folks
whose greatest joy is peeing in your Cheerios.
(I'd really like to know where that quote originated.)
Although I occasionally have to deal with them,
those folks are not really my cup o' tea.

I prefer those who add strawberries,
or peaches,
or berries,
or a spoonful of sugar . . .

or just offer Frosted Flakes.

Go have a sweet day!

Entertaining Angels

Be not forgetful to share kindnesswith every stranger,
for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

They really are everywhere.
Kindness matters.
Kindness counts.
Kindness is imperative.

Whispers

There are ALWAYS whispers.
What whispers do you listen to?

Do you listen to the faint gurgle of jealous tongues
that waggle with harmful insults?

Do you listen to the ripples from deafening screams
from those so desperate to be heard?

Or do you listen to the quiet voice inside your heart
that speaks of kindness
and love
and generosity
and giving
and support
and hospitality
and hope?

I know the whispers that fill my head!

Difficult Roads

Difficult roads often lead
to beautiful destinations!

There really is no need
for much elaboration or embellishment.
Go read that first line again.

Think about where you are.
Think about how far you've already come.
I think you're doing pretty well.

Fear not the journey,
for the culmination is extraordinary.

Vista

What you see out the window
and what I see out the same window
can be two very different sights.

I cannot alter your vision.
I see a beautiful horizon.
I cannot move what you see as obstacles.
I see opportunities and exploration.
I cannot change your glass's lenses.
I see sunshine and a new day.

And yet, we look out the same pane.

What vista will you choose?

Comfort

Ah . . . the comfort of my own computer.

Back to normalcy, except of course . . .
I have no desk,
I'm sitting on the floor,
there are raging wild fires far too close,
my feet are freezing cause I can't find my slippers,
can't drink my coffee while typing cause there's no place to set it down,
and I'm a little sleepy cause I can't seem to sleep through the night.

But, I'm comfy.

I'm writing . . . to you all.
I'm sharing positive thoughts,
pleasant tones,
uplifting vibes,
and unceasing faith,
back in my happy place.

THAT is what makes me comfortable.
How about you?

New Beginnings

Sorry I was MIA.
There was a 28' tractor trailer in my driveway, new floors to put in, paint to be painted,
wallpaper to be ripped down, things to be cleaned, and much to learn.

New beginnings are exciting.
They are also exhausting.
(And a wee bit chilly!)

But every new beginning holds opportunity.
And every day is a new beginning.
It is a chance to create what you'd like.
To build what you envision.
To envelope the positive.

Go and have a glorious new beginning today;
and every day!

What are YOU thankful for?

Today, and every day,
I am thankful for the wonderful things in my life.
I'm thankful for my husband.
I'm thankful for my children.
I'm thankful for my family.
I'm thankful for my friends.
I'm thankful for my health.

But . . .
I'm also thankful for
pain
betrayal
loss
ugliness
anger
hate
bitterness
childishness
stupidity.

Having to deal with these things,
rise above them,
defeat them,
and realize where they dwell,
has made me stronger,
smarter,
craftier,
more resilient,
braver,
and self-reliant.

What are YOU thankful for?

Be You!

You are extraordinary!
You offer such unique and amazing traits
to this world.
You are beautiful.
You are kind.
You are graceful.
You are formidable.
You are strong.
You are incredible.

Don't ever try to be anyone else.
Then who would be you?

Grateful

November brings a flood of all sorts of good stuff;

Food
Thankfulness
Family
Gratitude
Warmth
Friends
Comfort
Hope

Here's hoping that yours begins with bountiful blessings.