Ebb and Flow

Ups and downs.
Back and forth.
Good and bad.
It is not a battle.
It is the continual energy
that moves life along.
We have beautiful births
and sorrowful passings.
We have joyous weddings
and bitter divorces.
We have positive impacts
and terrible setbacks.
And so . . . we cha cha through life
hoping to gain some insight,
learn,
grow,
cry,
smile,
and wait for the next adventure.

Your Piece of Happy

Life may sometimes be rough.
Life may throw you curveballs.
Life may knock you down.
Life may even be mean.
But, there is NEVER a time
when you cannot claim
your piece of happy!

You don't need to be rich.
You don't need fancy gadgets.
You don't need sunshine and rainbows.
You simply need to grab
your piece of happy.

Take a walk.
Write.
Paint.
Take pictures.
Go to the water.
Go in the woods.
Watch a sunrise.
Watch a sunset.
Sit in a garden.
Take a hold of
your piece of happy!

All Gave Some. Some Gave All.

I do apologize for those unaware that I was going off-grid for a few days.
I am back and back to blogging.
Here's hoping you enjoy today's offering . . .

Happy Memorial Day!

A day and weekend where most enjoy outdoor activities,
family gatherings, and bar-b-ques.
Let's not forget, however, the real reason for the holiday.

Let us commemorate and hold high the sacrifices
made by so very, very many in our Armed Forces.
Folks who volunteered and served in the defense
and for the betterment of our great nation.
Folks who sacrified everything for our freedoms.
Patriotism deserves a resurgence.
These selfless souls deserve our respect and reverence.

Today, and every day,
remember that you are free because of the brave!

Thank you for your service!

C's the Day

Connect.
Confess.
Confirm.
Confide.
Care.
Console.
Caress.
Collaborate.
Charm.
Calm.
Consume.
Compliment.
Captivate.
Create.
Change.
Communicate.
Chill.
Conserve.
Converse.
Comfort.
Cleanse.
Cavort.
Chat.
Counsel.
Climb.
Comprehend.
Chuckle.
Commit.
Contribute.
Compassion.
Cherish.
Celebrate.

Sarene and Strong

Today is my daughter's birthday.
Deanna Sarene  ~  Beautiful Calm
We were hopeful.

She has walked a hearty road through life - even at just 26.
And yet she is kind, gentle, loving, philanthropic, giving, and generous.
She lives up to her name without effort.

But . . . she is also many other things.
She is direct, honest, unfiltered, loyal, dedicated, tenacious, and a fighter.
She is also creative, expressive, passionate, and exquisite - inside and out.

What a gift I got on her birth day!
Happy Birthday Baby!

Together

Together
is a wonderful place to be.

Whether surrounded by loved ones;
seated next to your spouse;
playing with your kids;
talking on the phone;
or simply messaging ~
There is a plethora of opportunities
to be together.

It really is
a wonderful place.

Thank You

It's just two little tiny words.
Two single syllables.
It only takes a fraction of a second to utter.

and yet . . .

It can express so very many things.

Respect.
Gratitude.
Appreciation.
Love.

And for those lazy folks . . .
a simple 'Thanks!' will do.

LGLG

We tend to think we steer our ships.
To a certain degree, I guess we do.
I believe, though, that there's a 'Higher Breeze' at work.

When the storms come,
when the waves try to swallow you up,
when the boat is rocking,
when the rocky shore seems imminent,
Let Go. Let God.

Sail well, my friends!

Celebrate

It makes me sad when people say they don't want to acknowledge their birthday.
That it makes them ponder that they just another year older.
Well . . . plllllllllll!!!

Every birthday is an opportunity to celebrate!

Realize what an impact you have on the world around you.
Realize how inspiring you are to some folks.
Realize your value inn the lives of family and friends.
Realize your worth to your community and to your little 'corner of the world.'

A birthday is an event not given to everyone.

Remember how very special you are.
Remember you have a purpose.
Remember what a gift you are.
Remember that I love you!

Celebrate!

Fight!

Martial arts teaches you to only fight
when it is absolutely necessary.
I concur.

Fight for what you love.
Fight for your passion.
Fight for your dreams.
Fight for family.

All very worthy of the bruises.

Thank You

Thank You!

To those of you that helped create and mold who I am.
To my mother who instilled integral life skills
that I'm still discovering.
To my husband who is always my rock and safe haven.
To my children who have always just been my heart beat.
To my friends who have always been so loving and supportive.
To my less-than-friends who have helped me be strong
and realize my value and worth.
To my self ~ each day, another step, another chance.

Happy Mother's Day

To those of you who have birthed children;
to those of you who have adopted children;
to those of you who raised other's children;
to those of you who help guide children;
to those of you who teach the children;
to those of you who wish for children;
to those of you who lost children;

Thank You!

Motherhood ~ in any capacity ~
is an incredible gift,
not to be taken lightly,
but to absorb and immerse yourself in fully;
despite the anguish,
the tears,
the pain,
the struggles.
The opportunity in and of itself
is a gift unworthy of words
or proper description.
Revel in the joy,
the laughter,
the tiniest of moments.
They are each spectacular!

Happy YOU Day!

Make It Happen

Don't wait for the stars to align.
Reach up and arrange them
the way you want.

 ~ Pharrell Williams

Kindness

Kindness costs you nothing.
Kindness provides hope.
Kindness envelopes others in a security
you might not even understand.
Kindness allows a beautiful ripple effect
to occur in the world.
Kindness offers a better day ~
for both the recipient AND the giver!

Go Be Kind.

Rules for Being Amazing

Saw this.
Loved it.
Sharing.

Risk more than is required.
Learn more than is normal.
Be strong. Show courage.
Breathe. Excel. Love. Lead.
Speak your truth. Live your values.
Laugh. Cry. Innovate. Simplify.
Adore mastery. Release mediocrity.
Aim for genius.
Stay humble.
Be kinder than is expected.
Deliver more than is needed.
Exude passion.
Shatter your limits. Transcend your fears.
Inspire others by your bigness.
Dream big but start small.
Act now. Don't stop.
Change the world.

In Its Own Way

Everything is beautiful.
In its own way.
Like a starry summer night
Or a snow covered winter's day
And everybody's beautiful
In their own way
Under God's Heaven
The world's gonna find a way.

Keep singing . . .

Join Hands

Today is National Join Hands Day!

Unite.
Embrace.
Love.

Do some good stuff today!

Inspiration

As you follow your passion,
you might find inspiration
in a great many things.

My mom inspired me ~
to write, to play, to sing, to help.
My friends inspire me ~
to continue, to stand tall, to reach.
My family inspires me ~
to laugh, to explore, to give, to hope.
My surroundings inspire me ~
to stop, to breathe, to enjoy, to live.

Find what inspires you.

Keep it close, let it free,
watch what it does for you.
It's extraordinary!

Renewal

Today is National Renewal Day.

Whether you want to renew your vows,
renew your passion,
renew your hope,
renew your vision,
renew your drive,
renew your spirit,
renew your dreams . . .

today is a grand day to have at it!

Who's Your Woobie?

It is an integral piece of life:
to feel safe,
to feel secure,
to feel enveloped,
to feel defended,
to feel loved.
As Linus needs his 'security blanket,'
each of us needs our own 'woobie'.

Your woobie can often times be your spouse.
Your woobie can be your children.
Your woobie can be your pet.
Your woobie can be a best friend.
Your woobie can be some quiet time alone.
Your woobie can be all of those or
any combination thereof
depending on the day and situation.

At 50, I am not ashamed to say,
I still need my woobie.

How about you?
Who's Your Woobie?

Fun Advice

Recently given to a friend . . .

When folks are making you nutty;
when work seems to be smothering you;
when bills seem to be insurmountable;
when things are not going your way;
when every little discord frays your nerves;
when the whole world seems to be bullying you;
when you've just become entirely too wound up . . .

spin the other way.

Family

May is Family Month.
Whew - thank goodness it's a long month.
I am one of seven ~ six brothers and myself.
My mom is the eldest of eight.
My father-in-law is the eldest of eleven.
Although family ties may ebb and flow,
the core and root remains.
There may be trials.
There may be hardships.
There may be feuds.
But there is simply always family.

ALWAYS!