I Love You

With February fast approaching,
we are inundated with reds and pinks and purples
and hearts and cards and candy and flowers.

Think back.
(For some, WAY back.)

Do you remember elementary school?
We made a Valentine card for every single classmate.
We didn't pick and choose.
We didn't select who garnered our attention.
We didn't exclude certain people.
Let's get back there.
I cannot afford to send you all cards and candy and flowers,
but know ~ beyond all doubt ~ that

I Love You!

Competition

In light of the upcoming Superbowl
and in eager anticipation of the Olympics,
competition is the topic today.

I've been a sportsman since forever.
Gymnastics, Tennis, Golf, Track, Football, Bodybuilding, Basketball,
Racquetball, Swimming, Boxing, Martial Arts, Baseball and more.
It is the friendly, albeit sometimes aggressive,
challenge that spurs one on to become better.
I chose many sports where the competition began with being a better me
to assist in a broader team scope.
I love me a grand give and take, a sparring of the mind and body.
Competition is a great tool to motivate
and to create a better athlete.

There is no room for that same competition
in religion, beliefs, choices, and compassions.
You aren't better than me.
I am not better than you.
Let us leave the fighting in the octagon or perhaps in the ring.
We've got to come together; fight as one collective unit;
to be victorious over so many atrocities.
Combine the efforts. Work in unison.
This competition is not between us!

Roar

"It is better to be a lion for a day,
than a sheep all your life."

~ Elizabeth Kenny

So, when an occasion arises,
that needs a little attention . . .
Roar!

It's In There

Galileo Galilei:

We cannot teach people anything;
we can only help them
discover it within themselves.

Whatever battle you're facing;
whatever demons you're battling;
whatever troubles you're traversing;
the ability for victory
lies completely within you!

Hats Off

There are moments
when you realize
that you must simply concede,
amongst all your faults,
that you've somehow done a good job.
This is how I feel when I interact with my children.

They both have overcome much.
They have stretched and reached more than most.
They have sacrificed.
They have had setbacks and trials.
They have suffered great loss.
They have also learned and grown from every single event.

They are bright, resilient, persistent, communicative,
talented, educated (beyond books - but there, too!),
kindhearted, philanthropic, genuine, witty, strong,
straightforward, caring, compassionate, dedicated,
determined, fighters, and survivors.

So hats off to me (and hubby). We done good.
And hats off to you, too.
I'd love to hear about your where your hat dwells . . .

Inch by Inch

Some folks wait 'til they're rich'
to try to make a difference.
Unfortunately, that may take a while ~
if ever at all.
And so, what are we left with?

Take each day as it comes.
Make a small effort
at creating a better world around you.
Smile at a stranger.
Lend a hand.
Be kind and supportive.
Be positive.
Be polite.
Help where and when you're able.

We may not be able to change the whole world,
but we can make small differences
that change the world we're in.

Pay Up

Today is National Compliment Day!

So . . . Pay Up!
Pay someone a compliment.

Be pleasant.
Be nice.
Be kind.
Be supportive.
Be helpful.
Be friendly.

And, by the way . . .

You look maaaaahvelous!

Share

Share your heart.
Share your feelings.
Share your passion.
Share your wit.
Share your wealth.
Share your talents.
Share your stories.
Share your troubles.
Share your triumphs.
Share your ideas.
Share your worries.
Share your travels.
Share your pains.
Share your kindness.
Share your joy.
Share your love.
Share your self.

Share.

Opposition

Many fear opposition.

I'm pretty sure I got this from my Mom, too,
but opposition drives me.
When someone tells me I can't do something,
you can bet your arse I'll get it done.
When someone says I can't perform,
I'll show up in a tutu and tap shoes.
When someone says I'm too one thing or another,
I will prove them wrong at every turn.
The kite rises against, not with, the wind!
Go fly your kite!

Thanks Mom!

Simply the best

I was always taught that
the simplest and best way to feeling better
is to help someone else.

When you focus your attention
on others,
you lose sight of your own issues.
When those are out of mind,
you are less likely to attempt to control things
you simply cannot control.
Your selflessness
creates the opportunity
for your knotted problems
to untie themselves.

Quite simply,
it is the best
to work on the troubles of another
to alleviate your own.

Side by Side

So, the trifecta of nonsense occurred.
I started back to my second job,
(still working the first job,)
it snowed and got terribly icy,
(hubby had to drive me to work the last two days)
and in going thru cd's for work,
I came upon one that Momma made for me.
Odd as it sounds,
this is all very comforting to me.
To know I'm being productive.
To know I'm being protected.
To know I'm not alone.
Reminded of a song my parents used to sing.
The journey isn't nearly as important,
as realizing you're not alone.

Oh we ain't got a barrel of money,
maybe we're ragged and funny,
but we'll travel along, singing a song
side by side.
I don't know what's coming tomorrow
maybe it's trouble and sorrow
but we'll travel the road, sharing our load
side by side.
Through all kinds of weather, what if the sky should fall?
Just as long as we're together, it really doesn't matter at all.
When they've all had their quarrels and parted,
we'll be the same as we started
just travelling along, singing a song
side by side.

Celebrate

January is Celebrate Life month!
And it is during this month
that I celebrate many birthdays.
Danny, Hannah, Joe, Al, Cathy,
Skippy, Cara, Laura, Brooke, Nick,
Mary, Dan, Carmela, Roberto,
Artie, Eric and Billy.

Next month is just as crazy!
Keith, Amber, Lisa, Tina, Don,
MILES, Brianna, Susie, Jim, Jacob,
Jimmy, Danny, Cal, VICTOR,
Clyde, Tana, and Poppa.

The point is . . .
no matter the weather,
no matter the issues,
no matter the strains,
there is ALWAYS
something (someone) to celebrate!

You've each added exponentially to my life.
You've filled it with joy and happiness and smiles
and love.
I celebrate each and every one of you!

Celebrate Life
today, this month, always!

A Gift

Long ago,
I received a gift from someone.
It is an etched stone box
that sits atop my desk and simply states:

Life is not about finding yourself;
It's about creating yourself.

Although the gift itself is priceless,
and comes with precious memories,
it is its message that truly is the gift.

Create what you want.
Each new day is a blank canvas;
a fresh, clean slate;
a beautiful chance to become something
you've never been before.

Where there's a will . . .

there's a way!

My mom should have been
the poster child for this quote.
And she taught every single one of us
to follow her lead.

If you want something,
find a way to work to get it.
If you want something else,
work a little harder.

In my younger years,
I wanted to go to Germany.
I worked for my parents from 8-noon,
another graphics person from noon-5,
trained to be an aerobics instructor from 6-8,
and worked at UPS from 8-11 or midnight.
I went to Germany - for nearly 2 weeks
and paid for my boyfriend to join me.

When you set your head straight,
you can do darn near anything at all.

Find your will.
Have your way.

For The Day

In appropriate recognition of the day:

"Injustice anywhere
is a threat to justice everywhere."

Be bold enough,
be brave enough,
be strong enough,
be passionate enough,
to speak up ~
to speak out ~
to make a difference,
to be a difference.

Wealth

When I was much younger,
I dabbled in Amway.
I sat in fancy cars, fancy homes,
saw all kinds of cash thrown around like confetti.
I dreamed of one day being like that.

Now, so many, many years later,
I have learned a few things.
I have been very poor.
I have lived quite comfortably.
There still is something tainted about money.

Real wealth comes
in a phone call from your kids,
a few stolen moments with your spouse,
a message from an old friend,
the fulfillment of a good laugh,
a memory roused by a favorite song,
the quiet comfort of sitting with family,
the simple joy of holding hands.
No leadership meetings.
No titles necessary.
No fancy jets or sports cars or castles.
Just your health
and the envelopment of those you love.

Full of Something

There are a great many things
that people are full of.

Some are obvious, sadly.
Some are not so blatant.
Some are full of envy.
Some are full of greed.
Some are full of spite.
Some are full of anger.
Some are full of themselves.
Some are full of hate.
I do not understand those folks.

I choose to associate with folks who are
full of joy;
full of compassion;
full of hugs;
full of laughter;
full of generosity;
full of honesty;
full of love.

I will be pleasant with those other folks,
and I will be the best example I can
of what they should be:

fractured and flawed
but full of thanks!

We Are

I have faced a plethora of challenges
over the course of 50+ years.
Sometimes, that crap really threw me for a loop.
Sometimes, I was completely devastated.
Sometimes, I felt unwanted and unworthy.
Sometimes, I felt terribly alone.

But, whether you relate better to
The Phoenix or The Little Pink Bunny,
I rose . . . or . . . just kept going.

We are NEVER alone.
We are worthy.
We are important.
We are gifted.
We are vital.
We are significant.
We are momentous.
We are valued.
We are deserving.

We are.
And THAT is enough!

Carpe Diem

Seize the Day!

Often times we hope for crazy things ~
to win the lottery,
to find buried treasure,
to 'be discovered'.
We spend so much time and energy
looking for the obscure
that we forget about what's right in front of us.
The obvious!

This Day!

Did you wake up? Victory!
Do you have a job to go to? Awesome!
Are you relatively healthy? Super!
Have a friend you can call? Amazing!
Did you happen to eat today? Fabulous!
Did you thank God for it all? Marvelous!

The necessities are covered.
Everything else is icing.
Seize the Day!

Seize the Freakin' Day!

Blessings

Some folks think life is dismal,
bent on destroying them,
throwing up road blocks,
giving them grief.
Don't ever think I don't have bad days.
They exist.
I just choose not to dwell there.

Take for instance, this morning,
Worked a 5 am - 2pm shift yesterday.
Came home, tried to nap so I could watch the game.
That didn't work.
Made it through some of the third quarter.
Bama won. I wanted Georgia to win.
I'm exhausted and hungry and wiped out.

But . . .

This morning, what do I wake up to,
instead of the few deer that fill my back yard,
two of them . . . in my front yard . . .
about 30 feet from my window.
I tried to take a picture.
Didn't work, so I realized,
I'm just supposed to enjoy my blessings.

Maybe you should too!

Diver City

No . . . not talking about Tarpon Springs
where the Epiphany dive just occurred.
Just a little fun with words.

The children must be taught
that in diversity
there is great beauty
and incredible strength.

The adults must be reminded
that in diversity
there is great beauty
and incredible strength.

Embrace what is different.
Enjoy what is new.
Envelope the variants.

Love My Ch-Angels

God surely puts folks
directly in our paths for a reason.
These are our Ch-Angels.
Why did we pick this house?
Perhaps to be by these specific neighbors.
Why did we pick these jobs?
Perhaps to meet specific co-workers.
Why do our kids have such good support systems?
Perhaps because they truly deserve it.
The Ch-Angels are out there.
Happily and eagerly whiling away the hours
being good people,
doing good things,
dusting us off,
lifting us up,
sharing,
caring,
loving.

I adore my Ch-Angels.
I am blessed.

And so are you.

Call Me Silly

For a very long time,
perhaps influenced by my Mom and Grandmother,
I have made it a habit to open my mouth.
If I see something that isn't right, I will speak up.
If I see a situation that is strained, I will speak up.
If I see that someone's in need, I will speak up.
If I find a wrong doing, I will speak up.

It has gotten me in big trouble.
I almost lost a dear boyfriend at the time.
I had to remove myself from a beloved group.
Co-workers didn't speak to me for months.
I got 'fired' from a volunteer position.
I was unfriended by more than one person.

And, call me silly,
but I'd do every single instance over again.

Nothing will ever change if you don't open your pie hole.
Nothing will magically improve because you're sad.
Nothing will instantly change
because you've crossed your arms and blinked.

You don't have to scream.
You don't have to cause a scene.
Speak.
Open up the dialogue.
Begin the ripple of change.

Why?

There are many moments in life
when one might ask, "Why?"
Continuous struggle.
Loss of a job.
Sickness.
Betrayal.
Death.

I have a theory.

We stumble through our strife
to gain insight and strength
to pass along to others
we may meet later
that need it.

We may not be an answer.
We may not be a solution.
We may not be clarity.
But sometimes, all another person needs,
is to know they are not alone and that
someone has walked their path before.

It is comforting

Why?
So you can help someone else.

Go Ahead

Make mistakes!

Far too often
we are confined in a situation
because we are afraid of failure.

Failure to step out.
Failure to try something different.
Failure to change our mindset.
Failure to surge ahead.
Failure to walk on that thin little branch
before leaping.

Without failure
we do not learn.
Without failure
we do not improve.
Without failure
we do not advance.
Failure is a grand facet
of success.
Enjoy the adventure.
Embrace the lessons.
Envelope your dreams . . .

and go ahead . . .
make mistakes.

PBS

No. No. No.
This is not the Public Broadcast System.
I'm referring to the 'Pink Bunny Syndrome'.

The condition in which,
no matter how tired,
how exhausted,
how battered,
how sleepy,
how spent
you may be . . .
you just keep going.

Someone really ought to shoot that dadgum rabbit!

Seriously,
enjoy the day;
do your stuff;
be pleasant;
be diligent;
be content;
be kind;
then enjoy the down time!

New

Happy 2018!
It's a new year.

A new opportunity.
A new start.
A new you.
A new dawn.
A new chance.
A new time.

Make it fresh
and positive
and blessed
and happy
and kind
and generous
and hopeful.

Happy New Everything!