Lead the Way

If you'd like the see something change,
don't complain . . . Lead the Way.
If you'd like the find another way,
don't wait . . . Lead the Way.
If you'd like the live a little better,
don't anticipate . .  Lead the Way.
If you'd like a more peaceful world,
don't hesitate . . . Lead the Way.

You are THAT special.
You are THAT inspiring.

Lead the Way . . .

Share

We learn, perhaps unwillingly, as youngsters to share.
We share our toys, our food, our table, our time.
Not quite sure when that becomes such taboo, but
we've got to continue to do so.

We share our good times.
Folks like to know you're happy.
We share our triumphs.
Folks like to know you've succeeded.
We share our good fortune.
Folks sometimes need a little help.
We share our love.
Folks adore knowing they are cared about.
We need to share our failures.
It holds us accountable and resets the opportunity.
We need to share our frustrations.
For when we do, we essentially are asking for help.
We need to share our weaknesses.
In humbling ourselves, we allow growth and strength.
We need to share our pain.
In sharing this, you never know who you will connect with.

Sharing doesn't end at adulthood.
It is a lifetime attribute that is nothing short of beautiful.

Go . . . share!

Magic!

There are several magic words and phrases
that one needs to be a successfully product human being:

Please
I need help
Can I help you?
Thank you
I love you

Not much more.
Practice often.

Blessons

It has been often stated that
everyone you meet
or every situation you encounter
is EITHER a blessing or a lesson.

Let's start something refreshing!

To keep things on a positive tract -
to stop dividing things -
how about whatever it is you are dealing with
is a Blesson!?!

Since we can always find a silver lining
in any thing or any one we are dealing with,
there can really be no negatives.
We might learn a great deal from either;
therefore . . . it makes every day a . . .

Blesson

Enjoy your day.
Enjoy your blesson.

Precious Little Gifts

Oh life is so good.

Believe me,
parts hurt,
things ache,
stuff doesn't work right,
my feet are cold,
I'm sniffly and coughing,
but life is good.

God gives us Precious Little Gifts.
Every. Single. Day.

Whether it's deer feeding in your front yard;
a snarly, wiggly dog that runs to greet you;
a message from a dear friend;
the laughter of your children;
a package at the door;
a beautiful sunrise . . . or sunset;
an unexpected compliment from a stranger.

Those are precious.
They might be little,
but they are glorious gifts
given to pick us up, to lift our spirits,
to make us smile.

Be that Precious Little Gift
for others!

Simpler Times

Ah!
The sweet joys of childhood.
Literally running around town,
sometimes barefoot,
daringly crossing tressels,
hiking into the woods
without hesitation or concern;
knowing that even though Mom supported the family,
she was always home.
Ah . . . it was glorious.

What I wouldn't do to Bewitch-ingly wiggle my nose,
or cross my arms and blink
to fix so many things about today.

I can only speak positively.
Hug those who might need it.
Lift those who seem down.
Share my trials and triumphs with others.
Be a light.

But, boy howdy,
what I wouldn't do for a night of
The Dictionary Game at Poppa's house
or a Saturday morning wrestling match.

*Sigh*

Glass Houses

I was taught:
If you don't have anything nice to say, shut your pie hole.
Treat other people the way you would like to be treated.
Behave in a manner that no one can speak ill of you.
Leave nothing but smiles and warm hearts behind you.
Live so that no one would believe any ugly words regarding you.

If you want love,
offer love.
If you want compassion,
offer compassion.
If you want decency,
offer decency.
If you want discussion,
offer discussion.
If you want peace,
offer peace.

Be, in this world, what you'd like to see in this world.

Hugs

Today is National Hugging Day!

Wherever you are,
whoever you are with,
whatever you might be doing,
share a hug.

It is a simple and delicious way
to radiate love and hope and support.

Here's to Hugs!

GBU

Having a hard day?
Get back up.
Feeling a little battered?
Get back up.
Betrayed and belittled?
Get back up.
Hurt and hassled?
Get back up.
Set back and stymied?
Get back up.
Failed and forgotten?
Get back up.

It is unimportant how many times we fall.
It is imperative that we Get Back Up.

What Do You See?

What do you see?

I see a new horizon.
I see possibilities.
I see hope.
I see chance.
I see potential.
I see strength.
I see fortitude.
I see love.

What do you see?

Faith

We all run into issues.
We have illnesses.
We have troubles.
We have doubts.
We have anxiety.
We have problems.

We also have the answer.

FAITH!

Simple.
No frills.
It is there for the taking.

Two GREAT Days

In keeping with yesterday's blog theme . . .

William Barclay fittingly stated:

There are two great days in a person's life . . .
The day we are born
and the day we discover why.

I hope you discover your why!

Those Days

There will be 'those days'.

When you feel like the little black cloud sits atop your head.
When the traffic all seems to be coming head on.
When the struggles seems a bit more obtrusive.
When the world seems a little less kind.

This is how I handle those days.
Like Grandpa taught me:  bob and weave
Like Poppa taught me:  say what you want
Like Momma taught me:  NEXT!

And, when I put myself into bed,
I thank God for the day;
for the lessons, for the struggle, for the traffic, for the rain, for the ugliness;
for the blessings, for the ability to fight, for the car, for fresh growth, for my heart.
I ask Him to look after my kids, my hubby, and our families.
And then I ask Him to lead me where I'm supposed to go.

When I awaken,
it is a fresh slate, a clean canvas, a brand new adventure.

Enjoy and embrace your days -
no matter what.

Hi!

Hi!
My name is Lyn.

What you need to know ~
ALL you need to know ~
is that I am kind, loyal, giving, helpful, and loving.

The color of my skin,
my sex,
my orientation,
my history,
my lineage,
my political stance,
my religious beliefs,
my background
is of no consequence.

We were not born to be labelled.

We were born to excel,
to achieve,
to teach,
to give,
to embrace,
to hope,
to listen,
to learn,
to love.

A bit o' Ben

Since it's January . . .
and we're on the 'new beginnings' kick,
I thought I'd throw this Ben Franklin blurb out there:

Be at war with your vices,
at peace with your neighbors,
and let every new year find you a better man.

Sound advice!
Have at it.

F & F

Some of you will have noted that I blogged on Sunday.
I normally take Sunday as a day of rest.
Someone wise and fantastic said to do that.
Well, truth be told,
I'm heading off grid for a few days.
Not for R & R . . . but for F & F.
Family and Frivolity.

My babies are headed up here.
We go grab them today and spend every second of quality time
we can with them.
If you've got folks by you that you care about,
please . . . grab 'em.
enjoy 'em.
squish 'em.
snuggle 'em.
hug 'em.
love 'em.

Have a little Family & Frivolity time!
Enjoy!

Cold

There are many levels of cold.
There is Florida cold - when it 'plunges' below 60.
There is new North Carolina cold - when it struggles to find 10.
There is Bismark cold which doesn't even register on a dadgum thermometer.
All are ridiculous.
All are ludicrous.
But . . . each is livable.
Each area contains the strategies and tools to survive the surroundings.

The most bitter cold.
The one that is most unsurvivable . . .
is the coldness of one's heart.

When you allow the world,
in all of it's craziness, to creep inside . . .
to slither its icy tendrils toward your soul.
THAT is a cold that frightens me more than any other.

No matter your situation.
Keep your heart warm.
Know that you are a human worthy of love and grace and accomplishment
who, in turn, can bring those values to other folks.
A giving heart is a toasty heart!

Go be toasty!

Blissful Quiet

I lived in NY for 21 years.
I moved out of GA when over a foot of snow fell.
Then I threw my patio furniture in the pool for hurricanes for a couple of decades.
Since moving to NC we've survived a horrid drought.
We've squeaked beyond crazy forest fires.
Last night we got about 5 inches of snow.
Life offers us many options and opportunities.

It has been eons since I lived in snow country.
There is such a peaceful serenity to its arrival.
Out here, where there's land and landscapes,
its majesty is unrivaled and calming and mesmerizing.

Now, if only someone else would shovel it . . .

Mash Up

So here are a few quotes
that seem to have all come around the same time
and they just kind of go together.
Coinkydink?
I think not!

Speak in such a way that others love to listen.
Listen in such a way that others love to speak to you.
Live with purpose.
Say the courageous thing.
Celebrate the simple thing.
Never apologize for your enthusiasm.
Follow your dream.
Be someone who makes everybody feel like a somebody.

Now go be the extraordinary person
that you were meant to be.

Be

Be strong.
Be brave.
Be bold.
Be courageous.
Be generous.
Be kind.
Be loyal.
Be silly.
Be diligent.
Be gracious.
Be tenacious.
Be loving.
Be doting.
Be happy.
Be willing.
Be eager.
Be lieve!!!

You are Entitled to . . .

NOTHING!
You were gifted with being born.
You were gifted with air to breathe.
You were given hands to work with.
You were given legs to use.
You were allowed a heart to feel compassion.
You were offered a mind to make a difference.
You were spoiled with your first breath.

Now,
go and make the most of all those gifts.

No hands out.
No expectations.
No freebies.

If you want it,
work for it and get it.
You were given all the things you need.

Have at it.
See what extraordinary things you can do.

Enough!

Found this posted and absolutely LOVED it,
so . . . I thought I'd share.


You are enough.
You are SO enough.
It is unbelievable
how enough you are!


Let THAT sink in.

New and Better

In my 50 years,
I have seen much.
I've been hurt,
betrayed,
stepped on,
abused,
punched in the gut,
wind taken from my sails,
called names,
accused,
suffered great loss,
anguished over decisions,
and more.
But, as a new year begins,
it always reminds me
that I am still here!

None of that has defeated me.
None of that has stopped me.
None of that has changed me.
None of that has killed me.

I chose to survive.
I chose to win.
I chose to start over.
I chose, each time,
to be new and better.

What will you do?