Good Advice

Smile while you talk.
Listen with your heart.
Say 'Yes' a lot.
Hug with your whole being.
Exist clothed in love.

Wonder

Whatever your age,
no matter your circumstance,
regardless of your finances,
without thought to social stature,
never
EVER
lose your wonder.

Be in awe of blooming flowers.
Be amazed by the ocean's power.
Be invigorated by the wood's quiet.
Be thrilled by love.
Be buoyed by hope.
Be enveloped by blessings.

Get lost
in all kinds of wonder.

Please and Thank You

What ever happened to Please and Thank You?
Seems like such an easy thing to do.
Seems like such a simple activity.
Yet in this world of instantaneous everything,
we expect perfection,
demand respect,
abhor differences,
and can't seem to 'lower' ourselves
to actually appreciate anything.

Please . . . take a moment today.
Exercise your 'Please'.
Watch what a difference it makes.
The recipient may be terribly shocked
and ultimately stunned.
And when someone is pleasant,
or even if they're not,
make use of a 'Thank You'.

The difference in the world
begins with you!

Thank You.

Grrr!

Just saw a post that 'spoke to me'.
I have learned that when things connect,
I need to share ~
that someone (me included) needs to see/hear/read it.
So . . .


You may see me struggle,
but you will never see me quit!


This is one of those inner strength quips
that truly motivates me.

I have struggled.
Mightily.
But you will NEVER see me quit!
And I hope that I have been an example;
a light;
a lesson;
a witness;
to the power
of faith;
of hope;
of tenacity;
of grit.

Don't ever forget
how very strong and amazing
you are!

Really?

That is my phrase of choice
when I just don't understand someone's actions or speech.
It's like 'Here's your sign,'
but with less condescension.
Great alternative to road rage.
Much nicer than slinging obscenities.
Better than lowering yourself.
Safer than trying to look good in orange.

Breathe before reacting.
Try a 'Really?'

One Vessel

You only get one chance at life.
The vessel that you've been given,
much like the car you drive,
or the boat you use,
or the tools you own,
needs to be maintained.
It requires rest, nurturing, food,
water, laughter and love.
It thrives on positive energy.
It excels under pressure.
It blossoms in good conditions.

Now . . . ponder this . . .

We are each our own vessel.
A craft that needs all those things above.
Now understand that we, as a collective people,
are one vessel, too.
This larger vessel is in no less need of all that
rest,
nurturing,
food,
water,
laughter
and love.

Sail your ship wisely
so you might help others do the same.
We are all One Vessel.

Children are Ch-Angels

When my son was sick and took up reading,
we soon became avid (or rabid) Barnes & Noble-rs.
When my daughter began dabbling in art,
we cheered her on through every medium -
colored pencils, gel pens, paint, canvas.
When Deanna began to pursue photography,
we inquired about lenses and cameras and pushed her to chase that dream.
When Miles grabbed on to movies,
we'd accompany him and although I still watch for pure entertainment,
I have begun to notice many more things about how they shoot things,
scripting, lighting and love to listen to him jabber on.
When both became obsessed with travel,
I had my reservations (lol - see what I did there?),
but eventually learned to let them go.
See the world.
Experience what you can.
Explore. Absorb.
Of course, I always tell them to 'Make Good Choices,"
but it fills my heart with joy to see them spread their wings
(both literally and figuratively)
and do what brings them joy.
They may be a product of my husband and I,
but they are extraordinary human beings all on their own.
They bring so much to the table ~ any table.
They amaze me and astound me and fill me with pride
that they have chosen their own paths,
overcome their own obstacles,
and have become incredible people.
It is hard as a parent not to control or persuade,
but if you can find that uncomfortably thin line and walk it,
the results are simply overwhelming.
Charge on Ch-Angels!

Hmmm

Here is something that I saw yesterday AND this morning.
I hope, no matter your preference,
it truly makes you stop and think and behave a little better.

What if I told you that
the left wing
and the right wing
belong to the same bird.

Therapy

I've long been a proponent of therapy writing.

If you're angry - write a letter.
If you're disgruntled - write a letter.
If you're bitter - write a letter.
If you're hurt - write a letter.
If you're lost - write a letter.
If you're unhappy - write a letter.

No where in there does it say
SEND the letter.

Sometimes, just the exercise of venting,
expelling those feelings,
extricating your emotions
is the best thing for you.

Holding things in is unhealthy.
Spewing hatred helps nothing.
Letting go of the baggage . . .
euphoria!

It feels good . . .

to do good!

When was the last time you did a good deed
without any possible chance of a thank you
or any acknowledgement of your actions?

Today is a great day to do just that.

One single RAK (random act of kindness)
can ripple far beyond your knowledge
and create a beautiful day for someone
you don't even know.

The reward is not in kudos.
The reward is that gooey warm feeling
in the pit of your soul
that says you made a difference!

Go!
Get warm and gooey!

A Good Spin

Anyone who knows me
and reads this blog with any regularity
knows that I'm all about
finding the silver lining in bad times.
In getting back to reading books,
such a blessing to be able to,
I came across this spin on things.
I rather like it.

When life brings hardships beyond our understanding,
it's not up to us to look for the silver lining.
We are the silver lining.
We become God's well-tuned instruments of peace,
His gift to one another,
each of us a miracle,
according to His strange and wonderful plan.

How is THAT for a meaty Monday morning?!

Daddio

Daddio, Pop, Alfred, "Phil", Sal, Victor ~ I've had my choice of picks.

In thinking about things, my grandfather ~ Daddio ~ was my first male role model.
He made impression enough that he gave me away at my wedding instead of Pop or Alfred.
Daddio instilled boxing skills and 'jerkin' around'.

Pop - my biological dad - initially failed as a dad, but more than made up for it
in my later years. He was more of a pal than a dad; and that was fine by me.

Alfred brought me my love of golf and
two of the best step-brothers this world could offer.

"Phil" was the one who finally treated my mother the way she deserved.
God bless him for that.

Sal ~ my father-in-law ~ perfection in a tiny frame. Treated me like family always.
Such a sad shame he left us far too soon.
I would have loved to have spent more time with him.

Victor ~ not my father ~ but no one I'd rather to father my children.
I hope they know how lucky they are; how blessed;
how strong and communicative ~ because of their dad;
how vibrant and tenacious ~ because of their dad;
how bold and beautiful ~ because of their dad;
how playful and silly ~ because of their dad.

My point?
Whether by blood or not, you can choose to take with you
the positives of anyone in your life.
Father's play an integral role.
God bless the father folk in my life.
Enjoy the ones in yours ~ in whatever package they arrive.

Leap

"For those who believe,
no explanation is necessary.
For those who do not believe,
no explanation is possible."

Find your passion.
Follow your heart.
Know that you are able.

Shhhhhh!

Sometimes,
in order to win an argument
the best thing you can do
is to be silent.

Sometimes,
the best way to capture
someone's attention
is to be silent.

Sometimes,
the loudest,
most provocative,
fiercest thing
that you can say
is absolutely nothing!

Wave On

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands
one Nation under God
indivisible
with liberty
and justice for all!

M in M's

No, I didn't type it wrong.
Believe me . . . I'm VERY familiar with those yummy little chocolate bits.

I just finished a very inspiring book.
Within those pages four little words jumped off the page
and grabbed me by the soul.

Miraculous in the Mundane

THIS is what you search for.
THIS is what you hold on to.
THIS is what keeps you going.
THIS is hope.
THIS is light.
THIS is life.

Whoda thunk?

Who would have thought that a special day
would be set aside specifically for 'loving'?

Today is National  Loving Day!

EVERY day is National Loving Day, but . . .
if having a certain day might provoke you
to do something a bit more humane than usual,
to do something a bit nicer,
to do something a little sweeter,
to be a little kinder,
to extend a hand,
open your arms,
or open your heart . . .
then have at it!

Know this:

I love you! Today and every day!
You are a gift, a treasure, a blessing.
You've helped to make me who I am
and I thank you.

Have an extra special sort of day!

Pierre was Right!

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin:

The most satisfying thing in life
is to have been able to give
a large part of one's self to others.

Yessirreebob!

Distractions

There is always something to distract us
from attaining goals,
reaching aspirations,
achieving success.
Whether it's something shiny,
something disturbing,
something hurtful,
something evil;
there's always something standing in the way.

My advice?

Run.
Jump.
Dig.
Climb.
Tunnel.
Blaze.

Do what you need to do,
to get where you want to go.

No one said it would be easy.
But any place worth getting to
is worthy of the journey.

Wait for it . . .

When life seems full of dark and gloomy clouds,
there is ALWAYS a silver lining.
When the walls are closing in,
there is always a window.
When the hurt seems almost unbearable,
there is always great joy.

Grit your teeth.
Stand up straight.
Set those shoulders.

and

Wait for it . . .

My Ch-Angels

When life throws us curveballs,
it is comforting to know
that our Ch-Angels are near.

Those folks who lift us up;
who give us shelter;
who give us wings;
who give us space;
who hold us dear;
who support us;
who guide us;
who love us.

I cannot say how heartwarming it is
to get a letter, a note, a text, a message
from out of the blue
just because.

It is that fluttering of Ch-Angel wings
that keeps my heart full and happy.

Thank you!

HELP!

Asking for help
does not mean you're weak;
does not mean you're feable;
does not mean you're unable.
It means you are
smart enough to know your limits;
strong enough to accept assistance;
brave enough to be vulnerable.

Ask when you need it.
Accept it when it's offered.

There is a Choice

When someone does you wrong;
when someone betrays you;
when someone lies to you;
when someone hurts you;
when someone is cruel;
when someone simply disagrees with you . . .

you can fight;
you can argue;
you can crawl around in the muck with them;
you can plan revenge;
you can build up walls;
you can lash out;
or . . .

you can love!

There is a Choice.
You need not forget, but you can forgive.
You need not retaliate, but you take heed.
You need not lash out, but realize your worth.
You need not isolate yourself, but point your shoes in another direction.

Love yourself first.
Allowing others to deal with their issues
gives you time to love those that deserve it.
Pray for their hearts.
Pray for their actions.
Pray that they find love for themselves.

Over and Over

Today is National Repeat Day.
So . . .
imagine this . . .

Wake up. Smile.
Work. Smile.
Be polite. Smile.
Be friendly. Smile.
Be helpful. Smile.
Enjoy your blessings. Smile.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat!

Get Out!

June is Great Outdoors Month!

Get out there.
Explore.
Hike.
Climb.
Boat.
Ski.
Walk.
Wander.
Sit.
Surrender to what surrounds you!

It's a beautiful world.
Take note.
Enjoy!

Today and EVERY Day

Although we should do this every day,
today is a day where it is nationally acknowledged.
So . . . let's have at it.
Let's make an effort.
Let's do the right thing.
Let's make an impact.
Let's start making the world a better place ~ today.

It's National Say Something Nice Day!

Be pleasant.
Be kind.
Be thoughtful.
Be sweet.

Say Something Nice!