We

There comes a time when we heed a certain call
when the world must come together as one
there are people dying and it's time to lend a hand
to life, the greatest gift of all.
We can't go on, pretending day by day
that someone, somewhere soon will make a change
we're all part of God's great big family
and the truth, you know, is that love is all you need

We are the world
We are the children
We are the one's to make a brighter day
so let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true, we'll make a better day, just you and me

Now, sing THAT song all day long.
What a wonderful thing to have stuck in your head . . .
and heart!

Whoda Thunk?

Whoda thunk
that simply asking for help
might get you some?
Whoda thunk
that being persistent
actually pays off?
Whoda thunk
that unwavering support
is good for other people?
Whoda thunk
that giving unconditionally
actually comes back to you?
Whoda thunk
the believing that you can
really improves your chances?
Whoda thunk
love really is the answer?
Whoda thunk
that being your self
is the best person to be?

The Human Spirit

To watch the ravages of Hurricane Harvey
in Texas is terribly disheartening.
The devastation is enormous and wicked.
What strikes me even more, though,
is the grand illumination of The Human Spirit.

As on 9/11, Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina,
the Boston Marathon Bombing and
so many other despicably awful events,
there is a bonding that arises.
A need and a response for kindness,
for generosity,
for love.
It pays no heed to race, color, gender.
It is a gracious hand lent by a stranger.
It is survivor helping survivor.
There is a resolve to assist someone
who is in need.
There is no reward.
There is no victory dance.
There is no 'yay me' party.
It is simply The Human Spirit
in all its glory.

Today, I am wishing
that the whole of humankind
takes a lesson from these Texans.
The hate, the division, the violence,
can actually be overcome.

The Human Spirit is truly remarkable.

Vital Import

From Mother Teresa:

If we have no peace,
it is because we have forgotten
that we belong to each other.

Comfort

Comfort is one of life's necessities.

One draws comfort from simply being with your soul mate;
from a hold-me-together hug;
from honesty;
from laughter;
from hard work;
from fresh air;
from lapping waves;
from a mountain view;
from a good book;
from a friendly visit;
from your passion;
from love.

Today,
I hope you find comfort
in whatever it is that you are doing.
Mostly, from love.

Laugh

As a family,
we have faced some pretty messed up stuff.
We have cried and ranted and screamed and been angry.
But . . .
through every issue,
every trial,
every betrayal,
every pain,
every ache,
and every tear . . .
there has been laughter.
Sarcasm and wit create the foundation of our home.
We live through movie quotes and tv lines.
Learn to weed through the static
and embrace what really matters - family.
Ours is a house not everyone understands.
You've got to let the coolness get into your vertebrae.

Follow Your Heart

Being wealthy is not all it's cracked up to be.
Being famous is not the end all be all of life.
They say, "If you love your job,
you haven't worked a day in your life."

Follow your heart.
Pursue your dreams.
Chase the passion that consumes you.
Make a difference through your talents.
This is why we are alive.
To offer ourselves to the world around us.

Be A Ch-Angel

Yesterday was my birthday.
It was a grand day
full of laughter and adventure and silliness.
It was also 'be an Angel' day.
How blessed am I? Right?!

So, today,
and literally every day hereafter
I will declare as
Be A Ch-Angel Day!

Make a difference.
Give freely of yourself.
No expectation of reciprocity.
Be kind and generous.
Be respectful and sweet.
Each life is precious.
Every minute counts.
Face each day
with those efforts at hand
and your life
and the lives of millions of others
will be positively impacted.

Go.
Be A Ch-Angel!

The Back Nine

Those that know me know
that this doesn't really have as much to do with golf
as it does with this day!  :-)

The Back Nine

As I approach the tee, the back nine lies ahead...
I ponder what I played before & how I got to where I'm led
I survey the hole before me; the slope, the trees, the traps
Do I play the dogleg or the straightaway perhaps
Scrub up my little golf ball, grab a tee from in my bag
Wondering if their quality is worth the cost of all the swag
I take a couple practice swings before stepping up to drive
Breathing in fresh-cut-grass air. Thrilled to simply be alive
Believe me when I tell you; I've sliced more than my fair share
But practice makes you better. Perfection's nothing I would dare
I've survived on mulligans; taken countless 2-point penalties
Even kicked my ball from in the rough and hoped nobody sees
My goal is always par, although a birdie would be grand
Bogey's must be minimal. Course strategy must be planned
I've lost several integral caddies. Those that guided me thru the game
The journey remains consistent, but playing's not the same
I've learned to really appreciate the stunning beauty of the course
In awe of rolling fairways and respectful of its source
Steering clear of bunkers, trying not to lose my balls
Enjoying each hole's diversity as before me each one sprawls
I may not be on the PGA, but I'll swing away in bliss
Grateful for the back nine and the holes that've led to this
And when I reach that 19th hole, thirsty for what comes beyond
I hope the legacy of love of game is what's left when I am gone
Please respect the course you play on, replace divots, fix the sod
The beauty's not found in a hole in one, but in walking this course with God!

Fear

Anything worth doing in our lives
will always have some fear attached to it.

Fear need not be immobilizing.
Fear need not be debilitating.
Fear need not be a detractor.
Use it.
Make fear your fuel.

Sometimes,
your most extraordinary endeavors
are achieved in the midst of fear.

Have at it.

Share

Share a hug.
Share a story.
Share an adventure.
Share a heartache.
Share a chore.
Share a burden.
Share your soul
Share your work.
Share your success.
Share some tenderness.
Share your weakness.
Share your pain.
Share your triumph.
Share some love.

Pain seems minimized
and elation seems maximized
when we Share them.

Peace

Wouldn't it be outstanding
to live within a peaceful society?
It begins with you.

Peace takes root within your soul.
You radiate that serenity to others.
They soak it up and renew themselves.
They then pass it along its way.
It is a ripple that needs to start somewhere.
Why not with you?

Be a source of strength;
a fountain of faith;
a professor of positivity;
a beacon of beauty;
a king of kindness.
It begins with you.

Good Stuff

When I see kindness;
when I witness generosity;
when I feel compassion;
when I am enveloped in love;
when I am steeled by support;
I am refreshed and renewed.

When I provide kindness;
when I freely give;
when I care unconditionally;
when I open my heart;
when I stand by those in need;
my heart is happy.

What a grand thing it is
to be refreshed and renewed
with a happy heart.

Love

Enjoy the company
of the person next to you.
Enjoy the friendship
of the village you've built around you.
Enjoy the person
that you are.

Love what is available to you.
Assist what needs help before you.
Give what you're able to those in need.

Be happy with you
and you will find much less fault with others.

Escape

Not all who wander are lost.

Today we start a small adventure.
We explore a little further out from where we live.
It is always chock full of the unknown.
We cannot control anything but our destination.

Absorb everything on your journeys.
Take in all of the bounty and the beauty.
The bills will wait.
The worries will remain.
The anxieties may persist.
But, for a few days,
escape.

Find a little peace!

Fauxcade

Why?

Is it really necessary to portray yourself
as something that you are not?
Humble yourself.
Be honest ~ with yourself and others.
We are all broken.
We are all scarred.
We are all cracked.
We are all a tad askew.
We are extremely left of perfect.
There is nothing wrong with that.

Our imperfections make us who we are.
We derive our strength from our failures.
We draw our character from aspiration.
We are not defined by what we lack.
We are motivated by our shortcomings.

Be real.
Be you.
Be.

HIHO

Hope
In
Hope
Out

Sing it!
You know it's stuck in your head now.
Just a new way to ponder things!

:-)

Be Nice

This was one of my Mom's most redundant rules.
To seven children, "Be Nice!"
To nasty people, "Be Nice!"
To haters, "Be Nice!"
She taught us that being kind matters
and that niceness comes in a variety of platforms
and it really is as easy and simple as
"Be Nice!"

She also taught us,
much later on in life,
once that first part was securely tucked into our genetic makeup,
that there is a second half to that statement . . .

"Until it's time to NOT be nice!"

Be kind, always,
but do NOT be a doormat.
Do not EVER undervalue yourself.
Do not allow other folks to belittle you.
Do not accept less than you deserve.
You do not have to be mean or hurtful,
but . . .

"Be Nice . . . until it's time to NOT be nice!"

Have a great day!

Here I Am

This is not just about me.
This is every single one of us!

Here I Am.

I am tall.
I am short.
I am fat.
I am thin.
I am a person.
I am not a color.
I am muscular.
I am wiry.
I am witty.
I am brilliant.
I am a leader.
I am a follower.
I am a scholar.
I am a tradesman.
I am beautiful.
I am special.
I am unique.
I am me.
I am.
Me.

Here I Am.

NHHD

So, it's raining. Pouring actually.
You're a little sad?
You're not feeling 100%?
Things are going well?
You're sleepy?
You're lonely?
You're weepy?

You know what?
It doesn't matter!

Today is:
National Happiness Happens Day!

Find the fabulous tree
and shake that dadgum thing!
Gather the fruit that falls.
Pick the blossoms that open to you.
Pluck those seeds and plant them for yourself.

Happiness is a state of mind.
You must first decide
that you will come across positive
and beautiful gifts.
And you will!

Make your happiness happen!

Shine Your Light

Each of us has within us
a beautiful light;
a beacon for others and for ourselves.
There are plenty of shadows,
negative walls and obstructions
to squelch that brilliance.
Never let that occur.
A single candle
can light an entire room.
Your single flicker
can literally save a life.
Shine your light.
Shine!

Purpose

Each of us has a purpose.
Each of us has a passion to share.
And sometimes,
when the Heavens smile down upon us,
our passion and purpose
are intertwined.
Follow your passion.
Fulfill your purpose.
Here's hoping they are one in the same.

Principles

By Thomas Monson:

The principles of living greatly include the capacity to face:
trouble with courage;
disappointment with cheerfulness;
and trial with humility.

Up To You

Is it a dreary, rainy day?
Or are the flowers being watered?
Is it awfully hot and sweaty?
Or are you being kissed by the sun?
Is it brutally frigid and snowy?
Or is it a winter wonderland?
Is that snicker directed at you?
Or do you enjoy the hearty laughter?
Is the solitude driving you crazy?
Or are you comfortable in your own company?
Are the crowds creating claustrophobia?
Or do you find amusement in people watching?

It is a matter of choice.
YOU decide how you perceive any situation.
Your reaction is entirely
Up To You.

Surrender

When we can learn to surrender
to the truth
to reality
to honesty
to humility
we can grow and blossom and achieve.
Stop the drama.
Stop the self-centric nonsense.
Stop the finger pointing.
Stop the blame game.
We must throw away the notions
of perfection
of judgement
of collecting
of pride.
We must remove the falsehoods
of wealth
of fame
of notariety
of perception.
We need to accept and love;
to care and support;
to nurture and guide;
to give and be glad.

Legacy

August is
"What Will Your Legacy Be?" month.

Legacy is defined as:
A gift of property, especially personal.
Anything handed down from the past.

What you work for now
might be impressive.
What you leave behind you
is much more important.