Rare is Beautiful

Diamonds are rare.
They are beautiful.
White tigers are rare.
They are beautiful.
Double rainbows are rare.
They are beautiful.

More beautiful than any of those, by far,
are those incredible souls who battle rare diseases.
Today is National Rare Disease Day.

The resilience on continual display
by these warriors
is a sight that will both humble and inspire you.
The tenacity and tenderness
so closely intertwined you cannot tell one from the other.
The voracity and vulnerability
joined at every intersection.

Fight on warriors.
You are beautiful!

Enjoy!

Hello world, it's just me, in my rise to mediocrity
I offer, give and do support my fellow kindred spirit sort
I listen, lend an open ear; extend a hand to needs sincere;
A welcoming hug to downtrodden souls; to incite passions, I'll fan the coals.
We exist in life for other folk; to clear a path through mystic smoke.
Do not seek self-served applause. Focus, instead, on a purposeful cause.
Take each trial as a lesson learned; every set-back as a desire churned;
Each triumph as a goal attained; another plateau reached with muscles strained.
Set another task and reach again. Forget the "if," strive for "when."
Your wealth in life pertains to growth; give & grant - combine them both.
Do not cry for things you've lost, or the evil ones whose paths you've crossed.
Smile instead for the wisdom gained and for revenge from which you've restrained.
Your length of time on earth's unknown. What you've reaped, you've also sown.
Plant wisely with abundant seed. Water frequently. Fervently weed.
You are the one who makes your bed and creates the silver-spoon from which you're fed.
Seek the guidance of those before. Don't restrain the young with tales of yore.
Live unfettered, free from hate. Let your worries dissipate.
The brass ring's there for you to grab. Forget the footwork; throw the jab.
When opportunity knocks, grab on when you see them.
Carpe the hell out of every diem!

As you could tell, I took liberties with many little quips and quotes
and stuck them all together. Lots of lessons in a pile of prose!
Hope you enjoyed!

Open

Open ears.
Open eyes.
Open arms.
Open heart.

So much better than the alternative.

What the World Needs Now . . .

You know you're singing it.
Now go share the snot out of it.

Is LOVE sweet LOVE!!!

It's the only thing
that there's just too little of.
Spread your fabulousness around.
Share all the kindness inside.
Infect the earth with your incredibility!

Today's Objective

Some folks place undue burdens upon themselves.
Some folks seek unrealistic achievements.
Some folks look to alter reality.

Today's Objective:
Be better than you were yesterday!

Tiny triumphs in lessening the burdens.
Baby steps in reaching those goals.
Careful inches toward the reality you want.

Comfort

Being comfortable isn't about having a bazillion dollars in the bank.
Being comfortable isn't about having a Porsche in the driveway.
Being comfortable isn't about having the latest iphones or computers or toys.

It is ALL about who and what you surround yourself with.

Let in the light and your world is very happy.
Let in the love and your world is very joyous.
Let in the kindness and your world is overwhelming.
Give those things and the effects are multiplied exponentially.

Find faith.
Seek support.
Accept the love.

Find comfort in yourself
and you will surely find it everywhere else.

The Ties That Bind

Such interesting tethers these ties that bind.

They can either strangle you,
entangle you,
or carry and support you.

I am so blessed to have such positive tendrils
out amongst the masses.
I thank you to those that have always
carried and supported me.
Sometimes those cords of connection
are stretched across the miles
(and the heavens)
but those that are sturdy
will always be stable.

She Was Right

As annoying as Taylor Swift's songs can get,
she's right.

Doesn't matter what kind of good you foster.
Doesn't matter what kind of positive you provide.
Doesn't matter what kind of wellness you offer.
There will always be haters.
Let 'em hate.
Shake It Off!

Your mission is bigger than their petty ego.
Your purpose is greater than their jealousy.
Your light shines no less brightly because of their dimness.
Shine on.
Shake It Off!

My Gift

Some fifty-plus years ago today,
the world was gifted with one Victor Nicholas Marinello.
What a lucky world!

Some twenty-eight-ish years ago,
I was gifted with that same individual.
What a lucky me!

He has been and will always be my core.
He makes me laugh.
He warms my heart.
He holds my hand.
He rocks my soul.
He fathers my babies.
He provides for us.
He loves me unconditionally -
and THAT is of more comfort than air.
I am blessed beyond belief
and incredibly content.

Happy Birthday Victor!
Thanks for being you.

Today and Always

Today is National Random Acts of Kindness Day.
It is also National Caregivers Day.
Coincidence?
I think not!

I expect you all out there,
randomly acting kind and giving care.
The ability is available to every one of us.
The responsibility belongs to all of us.

Go care and be kind!

Ch-Angel of Heart

So I have known this Ch-Angel for some nearly FORTY years.
THAT is a long time.

Since day one ~ she was a Giver.
She sang her heart out and continues to do so
with a boldness and a beauty
that is only truly a gift from above.
She shares her time and her talents
with the multitudes
without thought to her own needs or wants.

She travelled from New York to Arlington
for a funeral of a relative of hers,
and putting her grief aside remembered me.
She asked if I'd like her to visit my mom.
She brought flowers and my messages
and sat with her a bit.
It takes a Ch-Angel of grand magnitude
to offer such a selfless gift.
Thank you, Ch-Angel Susan.
You brought some extra joy today ~
as you do every day.

Every Day

My husband is one of zillions of men that are not fans
of Valentine's Day.
Actually, neither am I.
Expectations run far too high.

Let me tell you how to fix the expectations of those
sorts of holidays.
Work hospitality or retail!

I can count on one hand the number of times
we've gone out to celebrate a holiday on an actual holiday.
Every day is Valentine's Day.
Every day is a Birthday.
Every day is Christmas.
Every day is Mother's/Father's Day.
You don't need the calendar to be nice to each other.

Find a need and fill it.
Find an empty heart and love it.
Find an empty hand and hold it.
Find an empty soul and guide it.
Don't wait for a date.
It's EVERY day!

Share Your Heart

Today is Valentine's Day!
It is not just a day for lovers.
It is a day to profess your love.
It is a day to proclaim your affections.
It is a day to share your heart.

Know, too, that it is also
Organ Donor Day.
So here's hoping your license is up to snuff
and you've got that box checked,
so you can really Share Your Heart!

Enjoy the day and all its joys.
They are there for the taking!

Frinesday the 43nd

Hate to see all the mopey Monday nonsense.
If you want to appreciate Monday and despise Friday, work retail.
Hump Day is only fun because of the camel and the voice.
The thirteenth is only as unlucky as you choose to have it be.

Don't be afraid or anxious about certain days.
They are the same twenty-four hours as the prior day,
just later or sooner than the next.
Make them what you will.
Don't let it dictate you.
Create your day.

Enjoy whatever day you might be in.
They are each a gift.

Have a Great Day!

Busy Yourself

There will always be those that like to chat.
There will always be those that enjoy condemning.
There will always be those that look for something wrong.
There will always be haters.

Busy Yourself
with bettering yourself!

There is no time to spend on those folks.
They are the weight of life that drags you down.

Busy Yourself
with being amazing!

It Matters

When you believe you have issues,
when you are depressed,
when you are hurting,
when you are frightened,
when you are anxious,
when you are tired,
when you are lonely,
when you are bitter,
when you are defeated,

have Faith.

Other Mother

I have written before about 'framily';
those folks that are not blood relatives
but who are far more like family than some family.
Well, today is a special day.
It is the birthday of my 'Other Mother'.
I'm not quite sure how long this beautiful Ch-Angel
was friends with my mom,
but I know that she knew me before I was me.
She's encouraged me to write.
She's listened when I needed to vent.
She's calmed me when near hysteria.
She's guided me through nonsense.
She's supported me through trials.
She's loved me through some serious hurts.
She might not have birthed me,
but she's certainly earned her title.
I hope you have a fantastic sort of day.
Please know how very much you are loved.

And for those out there simply reading,
I hope and pray with all my heart
that you've got someone like this person in your life.

Just a Reminder

Today - it's not a National Day.
(I'm sure it is, just not one I want to comment on.)
It's not any relative's birthday
(that I'm aware of).
So I will steal the opportunity with

Just a Reminder

that you are extraordinary.

Yes. You!

You are unique.
You are special.
You are blessed.
You are talented.
You are beautiful.
You are graced.
You are gifted.
You are strong.
You are able.
You are supported.
You are loved.
You make a difference.
And I thank you for being here.



(btw - Happy Birthday SG!)

SWAK

Today is National Send a Card to a Friend Day.
Here's your chance to spread a bit o' cheer.

Get out your writing implements.
Get out a blank card.

Now . . . think of someone who might need a little pick me up,
stuff all kinds of love into a small page of personal expression,
and SWAK!

I'll be waiting by the mailbox!

Birthday Ch-Angel

Today is my son, Miles' birthday.
I could talk about my children for EVER.
Yes, I'm a doting mom, but it's far more than that.
My husband and I created some pretty incredible human beings.

In twenty-four years, my Miles has faced more than most do
in a lifetime.
He's had plenty of hurdles to climb and chasms to cross.
He has taken every obstacle in stride.
Sometimes those strides were messy and awkward,
but he never let anything beat him.
He faced each hardship with
laughter
sarcasm
wit
brilliance
sarcasm
kindness
compassion
sarcasm
and love.
He is who I want to be like if I ever choose to grow up.

Happy Birthday Ch-Angel!
Enjoy your day.

Kindness

Kindness doesn't cost a single penny.

You don't need a degree or technical training.
You need not be destitute nor born into wealth.
You don't have to be jacked-up or a muscle head.
You don't have to be well read or scholarly.

You just have to be nice!

Red

It is National Wear Red Day.
This could be one of my favorite days.
I adore red ~ the redder the better!

Now, you could be red with anger,
but why would you do that
when it's such a spectacular color?

Wear red for healthy hearts.
Wear red for giving blood.
Wear red for Valentine's Day.
Wear red for L.O.V.E.!

I'm going to go get my red on!
What about you?

Have a Lot of Heart

February is Heart Health Awareness Month.
You have to have a healthy heart
to share in all the love of Valentine's Day!

Seriously,
tomorrow is promised to no one.
Keep that ticker tickin'.
You've got all kinds of reasons
to stay healthy.
You've got talents to share;
gifts to bestow;
a beautiful light to shine;
hugs to offer;
wisdom to impart;
smiles to create;
life to live;
and love to give!

Stay healthy!
A healthy heart is a happy heart.

A Ch-Angel for the Record Books

This Ch-Angel has been a part of our lives
for the better part of two decades.

She gives tirelessly of herself.
She molds and shapes young minds.
More than that, she shapes young lives.
She volunteers.
She prays.
She walks in faith.
She offers guidance.
She gives great hugs -
the kind that put you back together.
She teaches - so much more than math.
She listens.
She loves.

Vanessa - you deserve every accolade you receive.

Thanks for perching your little Ch-Angel self
in our lives.