Beginagain

No . . . it's not a new restaurant.

It does, however, remind of a sign that used to hang in my kitchen in Rosendale
that said, "Kwitchyerbellakin".

It is New Year's Eve.
A day/night to celebrate whatever blessings and lessons 2016 has brought you.

Tomorrow . . .

Beginagain!

Make 2017 what you want.
Make goals.
Make plans.
Know you'll falter.
Know you'll slip.
Stay focused.
Stay positive.
Make it marvelous!

Beginagain!

Ch-Angels Everywhere

I am truly blessed.
I am surrounded by some pretty amazing folks;
Ch-Angels even!

Folks who stay in touch
and have for eons.
Folks who support me
unwaveringly.
Folks who love me
without question.
Folks who just seem to know
when I need a hug,
or a phone call,
or a laugh,
or to vent,
or just to quietly exist in secure comfort.

It's a beautiful thing.
I wish for your 2017 a world abundantly full
of your own Ch-Angels.

A Little More

When your family has all but driven you mad,
love them a little more.
When work has pushed to a 'postal' brink,
breathe a little more.
When your health has reached a breaking point,
rest a little more.
When you're feeling lost and without cause,
give a little more.
When you're sad and feeling a little down,
laugh a little more.
When you can't seem to take another step,
push on a little more.

No matter the situation,
there is always . . .
a little more.

In The Moment

It's a hard one to grasp.

We are either so determined
to figure out he past;
decide what went wrong and how,
how could it have gone differently,
what could we have done

Or so very worried and anxious
about tomorrow;
how can we manipulate the future,
what can we do to stack the deck in our favor,
how do we ensure success

That we forget to enjoy the moment we are in.
The simplicity.
The beauty.
The blessing.
The joy.
The laughter.
The company.
The hope.
The love.

Today . . .
be In The Moment.
Enjoy what abounds around you.

Be Brave!

Things may seem hard.
Be brave.
Things may be difficult.
Be brave.
People may seem ugly.
Be brave.
Situations might seem daunting.
Be brave.
Life may be overwhelming.
Be brave.

You don't need a cape.
You don't need a sword.
You don't need magic powers.

You just need to take
one
more
step.

A Challenge

Today is National Thank You Card Day.
So . . . here's your challenge . . .

Not for anything you received on Christmas,
nor Hannukah,
nor Kwanzaa.

I challenge you (and myself)
to grab a Thank You card ~ or just a blank card ~
and sit down with a writing implement.
No emails or texts.
I want you to hand write a Thank You
to some one who has touched your life,
your heart,
your soul,
and express to them your gratitude
for their existence in your life.

Feel free to get all slobbery and sentimental.
Feel free to lose your emotional boundaries altogether.
Just write.
Then . . . address that baby and mail it off.

Not only will you have wandered through a memory
that has brought back fabulous conjurings of wonderful events,
but you will deliver to the recipient
a joyful tiding of, perhaps, something they were unaware of.

Spread the joy!
Go . . . write.

Celebrate

Merry Christmas!
Happy Chanukah!
Happy Kwanzaa!
Happy post-Festivus!


Whatever you might be celebrating . . .
celebrate wholly!

Enjoy!

As for me and mine,
Merry Christmas and God bless!

Merry Christmas!

The air is crisp,
the frost is nigh.
The brilliance beams
from Angels high.
Lift your heart
with helping hands.
Step away from
earthly demands.
Stand up tall
on bended knee.
Acknowledge all
He's done for thee.
Wrap yourself
in love's sweet bow.
Rest assured
in Heaven's glow.
Open arms
and open hearts.
You are where
the season starts.

Merry Christmas!
Make it bright.

Gifts Abound

You need not be wealthy to be surrounded by gifts.
Gifts abound!

Feel the sun upon your face.
Catch a snowflake on your tongue (if geographically inclined).
Dip your toes in the sand (if geographically inclined).
Listen to laughter, or music, or both.
Read a book.
Take a walk.
Explore a new area.
Stroll down memory lane.
Call an old friend.
Make a new friend.
Extend a hand and feel the love.

Your bounty is limitless
if you choose to look beyond retail.

Unwrap Something Wonderful

There is so much to marvel at this time of year.
The icicles, the snow, the lights.
The shiny papers, pretty bows, big boxes, and little bags.
The decorations, ornaments, nativities.
The smells of baking, the festive music, the tastes of treats.
It's simply a scrumptious feast for the senses.

I hope you are able to immerse yourself in all of that.
I hope you can truly enjoy the joyfulness of the season.
Moreso . . . I would love to see the excitement in your eyes
when you unwrap something wonderful.
Your Own Self!

Unwrap that inner child.
Unwrap that gleeful wonder.
Unwrap that giving heart.
Unwrap that eager hug.
Unwrap that gracious joy.
Unwrap your many blessings.

Unwrap Something Wonderful!

Christmastime

I love to be with family at Christmas.
The rituals we share each year are priceless.
The smiles and laughter and goofiness are blessings.
This year, it will not be.
My heart is heavy, but . . .
and listen to me carefully . . .

I understand that folks are by themselves.
I understand this may be the first celebration without someone.
I understand tensions are high.
I understand finances are always a mess.
But . . .

We are NEVER alone!

Psalm 73:23
Yet I am always with you,
you hold me by my right hand.

It is a season of believing.
A season of faith.
A season of knowing we are never alone.
That those that have blessedly passed sit beside His throne.

God bless and keep you.
Enjoy His Company.

A Beautiful Gift

So I received a gift on Saturday.

It wasn't a car with a ginormous bow on top.
It wasn't gemstones all sparkly and brilliant.
It wasn't a sack of cash for my every whim and fancy.
It was a magnet.

It said,

I think I'll just be happy today!

From a beautiful soul,
with a generous heart,
and a glorious friend.

It is perfect!
Thank you . . .

for the gift, and so much more.

Now . . . go be happy today.

Let Go

From one of my favorites - C.S. Lewis:

Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars,
you have to let go at some point in order to move forward.

Scary.
White-knuckled.
Dangling.

Reach, in faith, for the next rung of whatever comes.
Enjoy the journey.

Underdog Day

It is National Underdog Day!

I'm not sure if we're supposed to celebrate the little cartoon pooch,
or if every single person . . .
no matter their financial status,
no matter their free time,
no matter their ability,
goes out and makes a positive impact
on someone else's life.

As much as I like Shoeshine Boy,
I'm going with the second choice!

Decorate Your Life

Christmas is not about presents.
It is not about ribbons and bows.
It is not about twinkly lights.
It is not about how much stuff is under the tree.

It's so much more.
Decorate your life.

Hang happiness on your every limb.
Sprinkle joy all over.
Light up the days with your smile.
Twinkle for all to see.
Don your beaming star
or break out your Angels.
Your presence is vital.
Be the gift someone needs.

A Stolen Gem

I 'borrowed' this from a friend.

This is for moms.
And, by moms, I mean the folks who have birthed babies,
taken on the roll of raising babies,
quasi-adopted and love lots of babies,
and those that generally feel all babies belong to them:

My children ask...what do I want for Christmas?
The real answer . . . I want you.

I want you to keep coming around.
I want you to ask me questions, ask my advice,
tell me your problems, ask for my opinion, ask for my help.
I want you to come over and rant about your problems, rant about life, whatever.
Tell me about your job, your worries, your relationships, your friends.
I want you to continue sharing your life with me.
Come over and laugh with me, or laugh at me. I don't care.
Hearing you laugh is such a priceless treasure.

I spent a good part of my life raising you the best way I knew how.
Now I want to sit back and admire my work.
I want to hear your ups and downs.
I want to know your goals and ambitions.
I'd love to sit and play a game.
Raid my refrigerator. Help yourself.
I really don't mind.
In fact, I wouldn't want it any other way.

I want you to spend your money making a better life for you.
I have the things I need.
I want to see you happy and healthy.
You've already given me my gift all year and every year.
I want you. 

The Greatest Joy

The Greatest Joy:

It is not marriage,
it is the joining together of two destined souls.
It is not the birth of a child,
but the giving of life.
It is not the milestones we reach,
but the good they produce.
It is not the obstacles we overcome,
but the lessons we learn.
It is not in purchasing the perfect gift,
but in giving of yourself.
It is not in loving the masses,
but in simply opening your heart.
It is not in acquiring wealth,
but in realizing one another's value.

Have a joyous season!

Take a Walk

Although it's currently raining,
and taking a literal walk right now would not be a lot of fun;
there are many ways to do so.

Grab a yearbook.
Listen to some old music.
Take out a photo album.
Call an old pal.
Take a stroll through the cobwebbed corners of your mind.
Memories are a beautiful gift.
They cannot be stolen.
They cannot be destroyed.
They may fade,
but can easily be dusted off and relived whenever you choose.

The walk you take doesn't have to be sad.
It may bring tears, but it need not be melancholy.
Cherish the time and events together.
Bask in the glories of your escapades.
Envelope yourself in the joys you were blessed with.

Go . . .
give a gift to yourself.
Take a Walk.

Human, Right?

Today marks Human Rights Day.
A day to celebrate and uphold every person's choice to be themselves.
I'm all for it.
Be whoever you want to be.
Believe whatever you'd like to believe.
All I ask is that if you'd like for me to respect your choices,
you do the same for me.

If we choose to acknowledge Human Rights,
we must each first be Human, Right?

Fantasmagorical

Stop whatever you are doing.
Put down whatever you believe to be so important.
Quick!
Find a mirror.
Now look at the incredibly beautiful soul in there.
Yes . . . the one looking back at you.

Know what an extraordinary being you are.
Realize your value.
See the worth.
Understand the significance with which you exist.

Now,
smile and go grab the day!
Make it fantasmagorical!

Wonderful!

Had a dear friend post a picture that said,

Always believe something wonderful is about to happen!

She couldn't have been more spot on!

Now I am aware that there are always extenuating circumstances.
I realize there are all kinds of obstacles - if you choose to see them.
But there is also always all kinds of wonderful.

Let it engulf you.
Let it sweep over you.
There are bumps and bruises and dangers and whatever,
but . . .

there is also Wonderful!

That's OK

When I was very young, I tried Brownies/Girl Scouts.
It was fun, but it wasn't for me, and that's OK.
I took dance lessons for eons and learned a lot.
I didn't pursue it and that's OK.
I tried to learn to play the piano. I can play and read music.
I'm no maestro and that's OK.
I learned to play golf and beat a lot of the boys (from the men's tees).
I could have chased that dream, but didn't, and that's OK.
I spent years doing gymnastics. (The dance helped).
I was decent but not spectacular, and that's OK.
I joined the track team. Loved to run and jump.
Sprints were my bag, no long distance . . . and that's OK.
I write poetry and blogs and stories and letters.
I'm able to touch a few and that's OK.
I do a lot of volunteering cause it feels like the right thing to do.
I can help a soul or two and that's OK.

I don't need accolades or spotlights or trophies or medals.
I don't need participation awards.
I don't need back pats or headlines or bi-lines.

I know I try.
I know I do my best.
I know I attempt to make a difference.
and . . .
That's OK.

How about you?

A Joyful Noise

I have moved several times in my life.
Each time, I gathered up what belongings I had
and traversed to a new place.
No matter my baggage,
the people who 'travelled' with me were most important.
Things will be obtained and lost,
bought and sold,
built and broken.
Those that reside in your heart,
will live there for eternity.
Yesterday, I was blessed with a lengthy phone call
from a friend that I just left in Florida.
The day before that was another lengthy call
from a friend, and stuff.

What a joyful noise!
What a beautiful conversation!
What a full and happy heart!

Thank you!

Enjoy whatever joyful noise fills your heart.

Move Forward

Moving forward is not always as easy as it sounds.
Sometimes, we are mired in fear;
sometimes frozen in anxiety;
sometimes stuck in our own excuses.

No matter how minute.
No matter how tentative.
No matter how frightened . . .
move forward.

It is that first step,
though it may be a doozie,
that gets you started toward adventures unknown;
potential unrealized;
dreams now dormant.

Move.
Move Forward.

It's up to you

Only as high as I reach can I grow;
only as far as I seek can I go;
only as deep as I look can I see;
only as much as I dream can I be.

~ Karen Ravn

It's up to you.

Do The Right Thing Anyway

There will always be those
who speculate as to your reasoning.
There will always be those
who question your motives.
There will always be those
who are uncertain of your efforts.
Do The Right Thing Anyway.

There will be those
who dislike your methods.
There will be those
jealous of your actions.
There will be those
spiteful of your achievements.
Do The Right Thing Anyway.

When you do what you should do,
regardless of the outcome,
regardless of the accolades,
regardless of the honor,
it's called integrity.
Do The Right Thing . . . Any Way!

Thank You

Two little angels visited me yesterday.

One said that I am too sugary sweet.
The other said that I am a source of their strength.
Thank you both.

For my 'sugary sweet' friend . . .
it is ok to indulge every now and again.
It is not a lack of practicality that I suffer from,
but rather a direction of hope.

And for my 'source' friend,
it is that hopeful direction for which I strive.
Whether it is solely for myself,
or if I have touched another life in a positive manner,
that I am a success.

Thank you both.