Don't Sweat It

There is a phrase that comes to mind this morning,
instead of a day off - I got a phone call at 7 am
to come work for a good portion of the day.
Never mind that I couldn't sleep, so at 1:30 AM
I got out of bed and got a glass of water and took a PM.
So . . . a 7 am wake-up call was a little hurtful.

Someone called out of work.
They need help.
I live about 6 minutes away from the store.
Could I grumble about having to drag myself
out of my cozy bed and shower and go to work.
Of course I could.
Does anyone want to hear it?
NO!

I'm doing the boss man a favor.
They need help.
I am close AND able.
So . . . Hi Ho!

Don't Sweat the Petty Stuff!
And please . . .
Don't Pet the Sweaty Stuff!

This too shall pass.
Breathe and move on.
Have an extraordinary day!

Hey Neighbor

We all want peace.
We want to live in a friendly place.
We want to enjoy what's around us.
We want good neighbors.

Rule #1 to having good neighbors:

BE a good neighbor!

Practice what you preach, folks!

MAD

It's really very rare that I am angry.
So, wishful thinking you'd catch me being 'mad'.
It is, however, a grand national celebration day ~

National Make A Difference Day!!!

Now, is about the only time I'd tell you to get MAD!
Get out there.
Be kind and generous
and supportive and helpful
and nonjudgemental and hopeful
and sincere and philanthropic
and available and loving.
Make A Difference.
Where ever you are.
What ever you do.
Whom ever you're with.
When ever you can.
Without a reason Why!

Just go get MAD!

Under Pressure

There would be no diamonds
without pressure;
there would be no pearls
without battling irritants;
there would be no heroes
without overcoming obstacles;
and there would be no Ch-Angels
without brokenness that needs mending.

You may feel overwhelmed
by whatever is in your way.
You may feel irritated
by those who are self-centered.
You may feel challenged
by the trials before you.
You may feel weary
from much betrayal.

Know that all this pressure
is only polishing you up
for a grand reveal!
You are destined for victory.
You are created to be amazing.
Make use of that pressure.

Shine brightly, my gem!

Unwrap Yourself

You,
yes . . . YOU,
are a gift to this world.

You bring unique and special talents
to others.
You have your own charm;
your own beauty,
your own grace,
your own vibrance,
your own wit,
your own flavor,
your own grandeur,
your own intensity.

Unwrap yourself
and offer all those blessings
to those around you.

High Hopes

Just what makes that little ol' ant,
think he'll move that rubber tree plant?

He's got High Hopes!

Folks seem to either
live up to or down to
the expectations you set for them.

Let's all set some
High Hopes
and see what kind of betterment
we can achieve!

Fabulous Footsteps

We are not always sure
where our paths might take us.
We are not always certain
of peaks, valleys, chasms and vistas.
We are not always confident
of climbing some rocky portions.

What we need to be fixed on
is that you leave behind you,
no matter where you travel,
a landscape that is far improved
than when you arrived.

Leave flowers
and fauna
and trees
and fertile soil.
Leave laughter
and hugs
and happiness
and love.

You may not improve the path you're on,
but for those that follow,
you've allowed an indelible beauty
that will be always cherished.

Searching

When the world seems harsh;
when times may be tough;
when you're feeling blue;
when you cannot seem to find a Ch-Angel . . .

be a Ch-Angel!

In the offering of your self,
you find so much more!

Drifting

There are times
when we feel we are adrift.
Wandering.
Floating aimlessly.
Baffled by choices.
Bewildered by options.
Pained because of betrayal.
Untethered because of loss.

Know this:
There are always ports.
There are always safe havens.
There is always support.

You are NOT alone.
You are NOT lost.

There is hope and acceptance
and guidance and love.
Unfold the map.
Adjust your sails.
Dust off your compass.
It may not be the destination you thought,
but it just might be the best spot for you.

Kindness Matters

In the face of a hard day,
a hug helps.
When irritated by idiots,
an open ear helps.
When frustrated by road blocks,
some support helps.
When feeling dejected,
a real friend helps.
When the blues settle in,
a smile helps.
When helplessness comes,
generosity helps.
When rejection hits,
laughter helps.

Simple gifts are priceless.
Kindness matters.

Vs.

Much like the dash
between your birth date and 'expiration' date
having so much meaning,
there is the versus or vs. in life.

There is defeat vs. victory,
loathing vs. loving,
grieving vs. growing,
broken vs. believing,
trials vs. triumphs,
greed vs. generosity,
chaos vs. kindness,
bitter vs. brave,
envy vs. empathy,
cruelty vs. compassion.

The battle is daily.
The choice is yours.
Which side of the versus
will you stand on?

Hi!

My name is Lyn.

How simple is that?
Within a rather lively conversation with a dear soul yesterday,
I came to a conclusion that I've reached countless times before,
but it needs repeating.

Hi! My name is Lyn.

I do not walk up to folks and say,
"Hi!
I am a caucasion, short, Catholic - practicing Christian,
Greek by blood, Italian by marriage, green-eyed, female,
heterosexual, happily married, non-high-fashion,
conservative-leaning, pro-life, pro-gun, mountain-hiking,
beach-loving, sports-crazed, hug-loving, victim of abuse,
voting, pro-art, dreaming, fund raising, passionate about
children and their health/welfare, passionate about standing
up to cancer and defeating illnesses, advocating for those
that cannot speak for themselves, pet loving, freedom loving,
free speaking, hard working, not looking for handouts, hopeful,
helpful, loving, caring, expressive, positive, practical, polite,
respectful, patriotic, independent, kind and generous person."

I just say
"Hi! My name is Lyn."

Let's lose the labels folks!

National Boss's Day

Today is National Boss's Day!
Whomever you work for . . . be nice to them today.
Not because they are fantastic, but because YOU are!

And, while we're on that topic . . .
who is more the boss of you, than YOU?

Be nice to YOU today.
Celebrate YOU!
Celebrate your faults.
Celebrate your weaknesses.
Celebrate your beauty.
Celebrate your strength.
Celebrate your uniqueness.
Celebrate your value.
Celebrate your worth.
Celebrate your SELF!

Happy YOU Day!

Scars

Do not hide your scars.
Do not forget their lessons.
Do not demean their power.
We obtain scars because we live.
We fight. We battle. We challenge ourselves.
Our scars do not diminish us.
They define us.
We become stronger.
We become bolder.
We become braver.
Our scars do not weaken us.
They warrant us.
We learn.
We grow.
We gain.
Bare those scars with pride.
Explain them.
Expose them.
You've earned them.

Dear Me

Try this exercise . . .
Sit down and write yourself a letter.

Just the same as you would build up a buddy;
uplift a weary friend;
support someone in need;
lend advice to a pal who is lacking motivation;
share your heart with one who needs love;
tell yourself all those things!

You deserve to hear how good you are;
how unique you are;
how vital you are;
how tenacious you are;
how loved you are.

We all do.

It is not conceit.
It is not self-righteousness.
We have all fallen short at times.
We have also overcome those times.
We've made mistakes.
We've also learned from them.
You have within you this incredible source
of strength,
of resilience,
of grace,
of dignity,
of brilliance.

Dear me,

Be Still

It doesn't matter what time it is.
It doesn't matter whether it is am or pm.
It doesn't matter where I am.
A little quiet time;
some might call meditation;
I just call it serenity.
I think it is vitally important
to gather your thoughts, your ambition,
your vision, your self.
You can talk to God.
You can find your center.
You can stretch and chill.
You can sweat and dance.
You can walk or just sit.

But . . .

Be still.
Realize your value.
Be still.
Realize your worth.
Be still.
Realize your blessings.

Be still.

S S S S

No, I'm not deflating.

Today is National Stop Bullying Day.
I remember who bullied me on the school bus.
I remember who tormented me in school.
THAT, my friends, was a looooooong time ago.
It leaves a mark. It affects you. It changes you.
Some folks get it way worse than I did.
Social media only makes this problem worse.
Lack of proper ethics and morals doesn't help either.


So S S S S!
If you See Something, Say Something!


Make a difference.
Sometimes just showing up deters the bully.
Be bold and brave and brazen. Stand up when others cannot.
You might be the only chance they've got.

Love is . . .

Love is the best thing in the world,
and the thing that lives the longest.

Give it.
Share it.
Bathe in it.
Dress yourself with it.
Lose yourself in it.
Enjoy every second!

You Bet!

That phrase, "You Bet!" was one of Momma's favorite.
I think she would have liked this quote:

"Our deeds determine us,
as much as we determine our deeds."
~ George Eliot

Make it all good!
You're worth it.

Wow!

Watched a video on Facebook
that had a patch that truly struck a chord with me.
I had to watch several times to get it right.
The whole speech is extraordinary,
but this little line was simply brilliant.

"Ego is the anesthesia
that deadens the pain of stupidity."

Wow!

Be Kind Anyway

There are, sadly, a plethora of ugly people out there.
There are those who bully.
There are those who belittle.
There are those who lie.
There are those who cheat.
There are those who think they are superior.
There are those who deny accountability.
There are those who don't understand hard work.
There are those who don't get ethics.
There are those without morals.
There are those that lack self sufficiency and blame others.
There are those who hate your success.

Be Kind Anyway.

Their actions speak volumes about them.
Do not let your reactions mimic their behavior.

Be Kind Anyway.

You are wiser than that.
You are braver than that.
You are stronger than that.
You are far greater than that.

Be Kind Anway.
Your heart and soul with thank you later.

Choice

Today, you can do whatever you want.
It is, however,
National Do Something Nice Day.

So . . .
what choice will you make?

Make it a good one!

Peace

Peace is something that we all want.
It is a common thread.
A critical bond.

I face ordeals and trials with humor and sarcasm.
Some folks might find that offensive.
Doesn't mean I'm taking things lightly.
If you know me, you know that's the farthest from the truth.
I face defeat and betrayal with a ferocious optimism.
A 'kill them with kindness' and 'make 'em wish they'd chosen differently'
sort of thing.
Some folks might find that offensive.
Just because I don't fight the way you fight,
heal the way you heal,
believe what you believe,
think what you think,
doesn't mean I don't want the same end result.

People . . .
stop with the labels,
the hatred,
the vile spewing ugliness.
Listen.
Read.
Watch.
Educate.
Do no harm.
Do not separate, but unify.
Do not segregate, but envelope.
The peace you seek must begin with you.

The Original & Ultimate Power Couple

What are you looking for in here?
Is it EVER what you expect?

I am referring, today, to
Father Time and Mother Nature.

Father Time.
Constructed of wisdom and tenacity
and endurance and acceptance and pliability
and generosity and kindness and protection
and continuance and evolution.
Loves the Mrs. without question or end.

Mother Nature.
Strong and sturdy and no-nonsense
and brutal and tender and diversified
and giving and protective and cleansing
and vibrant and caring.
And so bad-ass she didn't change her last name.

Enjoy both!
Often.

Strength in Numbers

Every voice has an impact.
But there really is strength in numbers.
United we can do a multitude of things.
Combined we can create great change.
Cohesively we can heal many hurts.
We are all intertwined.
Let us behave as such.