Ch-Angels Abound

Those folks that pop by your cubicle just to say 'hi!'.
Those folks that squish you terrifically in a hug.
Those folks that are honestly concerned with your answers.
Those folks that give unprovoked compliments.
Those folks that sit quietly beside you - just because.
Those folks that are unconditionally supportive.
Those folks that understand you - and your heart.
They are everywhere.
Embrace each and every single one.
They are a precious gift
given to lighten your load,
ease your worries,
warm your heart,
heal your soul.
Being one isn't such a bad idea either!

What do you see?

When you rise each morning,
give thanks for a brand new day.
When you look into that mirror,
praise God for the
beautiful,
intelligent,
charismatic,
passionate,
incredible,
amazing person
that stares back at you.
The world is a better place
because you're in it.
I am a better person,
because of you!

What do you see?

Wisdom from Pooh

Boy howdy,
did I love Winnie the Pooh
when I was younger.
In fact, one of my nicknames was
'Lynnie the Pooh".
Used to watch the specials whenever they were on.
One of my favorite parts
was when Pooh might have come across
a rather confusing situation;
something that perplexed and bothered him greatly;
one that distracted and distorted his otherwise happy life . . .
and he would sit
(usually on a big log or rock)
tap his little head with his cute, round bear paws
and repeat over and over and over again:

"Think. Think. Think. Think. Think."

Perhaps a lesson for all of us.

The same

It is amazing to me
those who feel unnoticed;
those who feel unloved;
those who feel unimportant;
those who feel unworthy.
These are some of the folks
I am in awe of;
I am in inspired by;
I am respectful of;
I am enveloped by.
We never know another's shoes;
another's journey;
another's angst;
another's pains;
another's story.
Don't be so quick to judge.
We are all very different.
We are all very much the same.

It takes work

It would seem, sadly,
that things today are too disposable.
We've created a society that just
throws things away,
blocks what they don't like,
hurls typed insults from behind closed doors,
quits jobs, friendships and marriages
simply because they are upset.
We've got to come to grips with the fact that
PEOPLE take work.
Relationships take work.
Marriages take work.
Answers take work.
Communication takes work.
Progress takes work.
Possibilities take work.

And only by working
cohesively
unitedly
committedly
purposely
compromisingly
positively
will things improve.

Balance

Living with inner ear issues,
I have learned to appreciate balance.
But balance moves beyond the horizontal hold.
We must have balance throughout our lives.

Balance between work and rest;
serious and silly;
passion and compassion;
speaking and listening;
learning and educating;
hugging and getting hugged;
giving and giving (yes - taking is terrible);
struggle and triumph;
hard work and hope;
defeat and victory;
loving and loving (because hate is not an option).
family and friends;
sweatin' and chillin';
work and play;
tears and laughter;
loud and quiet;
mobs and solitude;
and finding contentment throughout.

Listen

Such tremendous tranquility in listening.

Listen to the birds.
Listen to the waves.
Listen to the whisper of the trees.
Listen to the critters.
Listen to sweet music.
Listen to laughter.
Listen to the wind.
Listen to love.
Listen to the rain.
Listen to each other.
Listen to your heart.
Listen to peace.
Listen.

It's There

Yesterday we took a small jaunt,
down the road a piece,
to Lake Rabun in Georgia.
We were able to drive pretty much around the entire lake
(although some of that road was just a tad bit sketchy -
even had to 'forge a creek' - in the car).
Beautiful houses.
Beautiful vistas.
Stunning natural quiet.
Even though it was a little gray
and dreary
and raining off and on
it was an extraordinary adventure.
It always is
if you take the time to drink it in.
The awesomeness is there.

It's There!

Thin Veil

A thin veil often separates what we see and what we feel
The façade we paint for others vs the truth that's all too real
The picture-perfect family that leads a picture-perfect life
Often times traps and confines an abused and battered wife
The child who's so involved with accomplishing every deed
Simply seeks approval - an integral, primal need
The man who makes a fortune with the beautiful trophy spouse
May come home to loneliness in a cold, unloving house
We say that we are passionate. Fight for a cause we stand behind
But in focusing on one sole point we've, in other things, gone blind
In pointing and accusing, we are not resolute
Compassion's full of compromise. Few things are absolute
We point and laugh at heavy kids, completely unaware
They may be sick, on steroids, and they'd just love for you to care
The mom who's not so fashion smart and often looks a tad askew
May be working sixteen hour days. Oh, if we only knew
And the child who struggles daily with bullying and strife
May just 'seem quiet' to most of us, but tomorrow takes his life
Or the pendulum swings widely when we ache and must avenge
And that 'loner' of a youngster may scheme to seek revenge
Honesty has been consumed by popularity and pride
Respect is chivalry's companion in death, a speech-less, love-less 'omni-cide'
We've got to come back to core; to the values we once held dearly
The thin veil needs to rise so we can see and love each other clearly.

~ Lyn Marinello

Rak 'em up!

I may have written the exact same thing a year ago.
It needs repeating.
Today . . . and EVERY day!

It is NOT a typo.
It is Random Acts of Kindness Day!
So . . . Rak 'em up!

Do some random, unthankable deed.
Do it not in search of glory or headlines,
but instead, for the sheer joy of sheer joy.

Perhaps a little more 'rak-ing'
and a little less finger-pointing, blaming,
division, hatred, greed, and nastiness,
might be the beginning of something beautiful!

Rak 'em up!

Which will you choose?

There are only two ways to live your life:

One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as if everything is.

Which will you choose?

A Gift

While my son was visiting,
we happened upon an unusual store
here in Franklin.
One might consider it normal up here
but what we came across inside was truly incredible.
The craft produced was amazing.
The workmanship was astounding.
The chance to be so close to some was unbelievable.
But . . . the real gift . . . was to chat with the owner.
A brilliant man who has truly figured some stuff out.
His favorite saying:  "This is NOT a dress rehearsal."
Let that sink in.

Grab what you're after.
Don't wait til this or that or the other thing.
Go do what you'd like to do.
Go see what you'd like to see.
Use the good china.
Eat dessert first.
Spend time with those you love.
Laugh, explore, dream.
What a gift to meet you.

Have a Heart

Today,
along with being mush-filled Valentine's Day,
is also National Organ Donor Day.

So . . .

Have a heart.
Give a heart,
or kidney or lung
or pancreas or cornea
or whatever.
Be sure you're a donor.
The gift of life is extraordinary!

Happy Valentine's Day!

On the Eve

This day before Valentine's . . .
the over-marketed, ridiculously demanding,
shockingly lucrative holiday . . .
just a few hints:

You do NOT need to spend a fortune.
You do NOT need to outdo anybody else.
You do NOT stop at the gas station coming home
tomorrow from work to get 'a little something'.

You simply need to share your heart.
If you love someone - tell them.
If you care about someone - show them.
It is a day far better shared from your own heart,
than by purchasing and delivering ones from the store.

I love you.
Happy Valentine's Day! (Eve)

Hmmmmm

So I read this quote
and it really made an impact.
I couldn't decide what kind of impact,
but it kept rolling around in my head.
There are so many people
that I could send this to
or share it with
depending on how you interpret it.

When your work speaks for itself,
don't interrupt.

What do you think?

Gems

Living in the Gem Capital now,
one can see all the gem joints all around.
Folks can spend a few hours or all day
sifting through soil to see if they
are lucky enough to find a 'hidden gem'.

Here's a news flash!
One doesn't need to work nearly as hard,
or traverse so very far,
to find such spectacular gifts!

They could be standing in front of a class;
or seated next to you on a subway;
or perhaps at your lunch table;
or waiting for your arrival at home.
They are your family, your friends,
and sometimes, if you pay attention,
strangers with a simple gift to share.

You are wealthier than you know.
'Dripping in diamonds' if you will.
You need only look beside you,
for a gracious heart,
a kind gesture,
a warm smile,
love.

Rock your bling today!

Your Glass

So much discussion about
is it half empty?
is it half full?
It's an utterly ridiculous debate!

You have a glass!

What's most important is WHAT you fill it with.
Drink the right Kool-Aid.

Acceptional

Nope.
Not a typo.
(Well, actually it is, but its intent is purposeful.)

How about,
as the world comes together,
to begin another Olympics
we really attempt to become one human collective?!

Let's be exceptional
at being
acceptional!

Same skeletal structures.
Same blood and muscles and goo inside.
Different wrappers.
Accept the wrappers!

Ooh! A Smile!

So, there is really nothing quite like
causing another human being to smile.
A simple hello.
A smile.
A hug.
A little gift.
The tiny task of actually thinking about someone
other than yourself
can make the world a beautiful place.

You don't need to gift them with a spa day,
or a lavish vacation,
or a fancy new car.
Just simply making them realize
that someone is thinking about them
(which doesn't take much effort)
does more for their welfare
than most understand.

Give it a shot today ~
and realize how infectiously gratifying
a smile can be!

Celebrate!

Today,
although this day is shared with several close friends,
I celebrate my son!
Miles came into this world 25 years ago today.

His entry was not very easy.
His life has not been very easy.
Challenge after challenge after challenge.
With the support of his beautiful sister,
a fabulous smathering of incredible friends,
and an amazing support system,
he has managed to rise to each test;
conquer each mountain;
grow stronger with every test;
and become an extraordinary human being.

If you're having a boring sort of Tuesday,
I give you permission
to celebrate Miles!
Have a beverage. Eat cake. Frolic.
And know that if a young man
who has faced so much adversity
can continue to excel - in spite of it all -
you, too, can do anything!

Strength

I believe we each have,
buried deep within us,
a strength unrivaled by any superhero.

We can endure so much.
We can traverse so far.
We can survive such malevolence.
We can rebuild from devastation.
We can rise from the depths.
We can be as ok as we choose.

It helps to have a support system.
It helps to stand on faith.
It is vital
to believe in you!

Happy February

I have a secret.
I'm going to share.

There is so much love in my February
that I barely think of Valentine's Day.
Three of my six brothers have birthdays this month;
two of them are actually two years apart ON the 14th;
one of my faux brothers' birthdays is this month;
my son and my husband celebrate birthdays this month;
my grandmother - Popparootie - is caking it up up in heaven this month;
my faux mom's birthday is this month;
my best score in floor exercise came in February;
and a plethora of friends' birthdays and anniversaries are also this month.
Do I expect candy? No - I don't need it.
Do I expect flowers? No - I don't like when they die.  :-(

I am wrapped in love all month long.
Giving is always so much more fulfilling than receiving.
Hoping your February is just as special.

And hey . . . I Love You!

Life is Precious

Life is precious.
Enjoy every second.
Accept the hugs.
Listen to stories.
Share a belly laugh.
Sing the song.
Draw or write or dance
or take pictures or sculpt
or all of the above.
Take long walks.
Soak up the quiet.
Converse with others.
Smile.
Be generous.
Be honest.
Be sincere.
Life is precious.

Bob and Weave

Nope.
Didn't get new puppies.
This is the new exercise as of late.
Imperative for all to learn.

Life throws a jab . . .
you bob.
Life throws a right cross . . .
you weave.
Bob and Weave.
Bob and Weave.
And you keep on fighting!

Thank God for my Grandfather!