Refuse

So short.
So sweet.
So spot on.

Refuse 
to let the world
corrupt you.

Let that one sink in.

Are You Willing

So, not my normal
rainbows and unicorns.
This is a little more
thought provoking.

Are you willing
to listen
to learn
to wait
to lose
to want
to cry
to filter
to be wrong
to begin again?

Are you willing?

Ahhh persistence

So I lived in Florida for many moons.
I loved the beach and water.
I also love my woods and tranquility.
However, today, I will allow my
water-loving side to come forward
because I really am enamored with this quote:

There is nothing more beautiful
than the way the ocean refuses
to stop kissing the shoreline
no matter how many times
it is sent away.

Make A Difference

Today is National Make a Difference Day!

Go.

Make a Difference!

Sure is Special

This oath quote is from/for
Special Olympics athletes,
but . . .
if I dare . . .
it is surely for
every
single
one
of
us.

Let me win
But if I cannot win
Let me be brave
in the attempt

All About the Treats

As Halloween approaches,
although I'm far removed from the
door-to-door event of acquiring candy,
I am all about the treats!

Treating people properly.
Treating people kindly.
Treating people respectfully.
Treating people with dignity.
Treating people inclusively.
Treating people lovingly.

Now . . .
if that comes with a Kit-Kat bar . . .
win-win!

Best View

The best view
is found after the hardest climb.
Through the thickets,
over the rocks,
squeeze through the crevices,
crawl under obstructions,
fight your way through brush,
jumping across the holes,
strolling about the flats,
sweating up the cliffs.
And just when you're ready
to throw in the towel . . .
you reach the pinnacle and
oooooooooooh baby!
What a view!
The colors, the expanse,
the glory, the joy, the beauty.
It is incredible.
Works pretty well with hiking, too.

:-)

Can You Hear Me Now

Oh what a joy it is
to get a phone call from someone special.
To vent to an nonjudgmental ear.
To hear a voice that warms your heart.
To listen with all kinds of love.
To laugh out loud in reality
instead of typing three letters on a keyboard.
To hear an "I love you"
just makes the day unbreakably fabulous.
To know that on the other end of the line
there is a special person so dearly loved
thinking there is a special person so dearly loved
on the other end of the line.
It is a circle of comfort; of trust; of peace.
It is a simple act. Dial and share.
It is an undaunting task for either person;
for any person.

Live

Nelson Mandela:

There is no passion to be found playing small -
in settling for a life that is less
than the one you are capable of living.

Let me repeat that . . .

than the one you are CAPABLE of living

Your life is yours.
Create what you want.
Go where you will.
See what excites you.
Do what thrills you.
Share what you are passionate about.
Don't settle for what you're
supposed to do;
expected to have;
presumed to be.

Go . . . Live.

The Road Less Trampled

This is a public service announcement . . .

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!!!

You are, I'm guessing,
an intelligent human being.
Please do not believe everything
that you see and hear and read.
Take a moment and educate yourself.
Listen without filters.
Read between the lines.
Really see the big picture.
You are not a sheep.
You are not a tree.
You need not baaa with the flock.
You need not stay where you are uncomfortable.

Take The Detour

Some of the best things in life
will be found beyond the exit ramp
of your comfort zone.
(Didn't write it. Wish I had.)

When you dare to step beyond
what you've always known
and what you've always done
and what you're comfortable doing
you will find a certain sort of
tangible anxious excitement
that emanates from learning
from growing
from exploring
from stretching
from actually being alive.
Being alive to newness
to challenges
to experience
to broadening
everything about you.

Take the detour.
It's more than worth it.

Encouragement

Encouragement,
like kindness,
costs you nothing.
Its benefits, however,
are simply extraordinary.
A few small words
can change the entire day.
A brief smile and nod
can refuel the endeavor.
A positive cheer
can reaffirm the effort.
Be the voice you'd like to hear
when you're hard at work.
Be the lift you'd like to have
when you are being diligent.
Be the support you wish was there
when you were in desperate need of it.
Encouragement, sincerely given,
it is a life changer.

Seuss or Pooh

Came across this quote
and although the quote itself didn't really pull me in,
it was the way it was said that drew me.
I cannot decide if it's more Dr. Seuss or Winnie the Pooh:

Life is a mirror
and will reflect back to the thinker
what he thinks into it.

I believe it is the "what he thinks into it" that gets me.
Such a simple concept, but so unused by so many.
Think positive into your life.
Think wellness into your life.
Think happy into your life.
Think beautiful into your life.
Think good people into your life.
Think laughter into your life.
Think peace into your life.
Think love into your life.

You've earned your cape!

Sometimes,
strength does not lie in numbers.
Sometimes,
singularly,
strength lies in fortitude;
the ability to continue each day
despite challenges and hardships,
doing the right thing,
because it's the right thing -
not perhaps the most popular or fun thing.
To face the world
in a constant state of beast mode,
for the betterment of those around you,
is a selfless, noble, strength-filled act.
I applaud those of you doing this.
Waking each morning,
with very little sleep,
to care for, work for, and exist for
others.
It is exhausting.
It does not go unnoticed.
You've earned your cape!

To Do List

Gather
Listen
Assist
Love
Repeat

Ch-Angel Candace

So, during one's lifetime,
we cross the paths of thousands of people.
Some we just bump into.
Some we befriend.
Some are just absolute blessings.
This Ch-Angel, my giggling friend,
is just this beautiful soul
that people literally clamor to be around.
She exudes kindness and gentleness;
understanding and compassion;
bravado and boldness;
simplicity and sweetness;
joy and jubilance;
with just a smidge of crazy!
She embraces everyone.
She's an encourager, a cheerleader,
a warm and fuzzy comfort.
It has been an honor to work for you
and a privilege to befriend you.
Thanks for making life better
for everyone you touch.
Thanks for being you ~
and what a beautiful you you are!

Be The Hero

You don't need a cape.
You don't need a secret lair.
(Although that might be pretty nifty.)
You don't need a bunch of money.
You don't need all kinds of muscles.
You don't need to be a giant.
You don't need to a fancy costume.

You simply need to be kind.

Be Available.

Listen.
Assist.
Hold.
Share.
Hug.
Care.
Love.
Be Kind!

Be The Hero
that dwells within you.

The Key is Kindness

Today is National Stop Bullying Day!
The key to this is be kindness.
To the victim, of course,
but perhaps even more importantly . . .
to the perpetrator.
They are, in every sense,
weaker than the victim.
They are lashing out.
Seeking attention.
Trying to garner strength
as they wallow in their own shortcomings.
Just as we try to enforce the fact that
you cannot shine brighter by
dimming the light of another;
you cannot change the actions of a bully
without changing the heart.
Let's love EVERY one through today.
It is the only way to really effect change.

Memories

The tangible things of this world;
the money,
the gadgets,
the vehicles,
the homes,
the notoriety,
cannot hold a candle
to a singular beautiful memory.

Enjoy them.
Make more.

Facade

After an overwhelming response to finish (or expand) this,
it is done.
This comes from so many levels, is truly multi-faceted,
and contains within it an incredible amount of angst and peace.
I am kind of proud of this one!  :-)

Façade

You do not know your neighbor's woes
Not every wound is one that shows
Their smile is a false façade
That cloaks the weight with which they plod
A bravado that is Botox born
Wielded to mend a heart that's torn
Caked-on make-up to mask the guilt
Dermabrasion to cleanse the silt
Enhancements to overcompensate
A sad attempt to squelch self-hate
Tuck the tummy and slim the nose
The doubt of worth that only grows
Medicate to ease the pain
Attired in pretense to conceal the stain
The mirror shows, with monstrous dread,
The insecurities within the head
We judge instead of holding dear
Another - or our own - human life in fear
You do not know your neighbor's woes
Not every wound is one that shows

Yessirreebob!

Saw this quote
and knew it needed to be shared.
More often than not,
simple and straightforward
is the best way to go.
No static. No bs. No nonsense.

One chance is all you need.

And it really is.

Testing . . .

Life will always be testing you;
throwing you curve balls,
knocking you down,
harshing your mellow,
pushing your buttons,
doing some eye-poking,
stubbing your big toe,
and the like.
Not everyone
will behave as you would like them to,
treat you as you'd treat them,
have the heart that you possess,
care as much as you do.
The answer to passing the test?
It certainly isn't easy.
It's one of the hardest things you'll ever
thank yourself for later.
Continue to be you.
Continue to be kind.
Continue to be fair.
Continue to be sweet.
Continue to be generous.
Their actions are theirs to carry.
You just ace this test called life,
remember how genuine and real feels,
and know how extraordinary you are.

Harmony

In music,
it makes for incredible audible magic.
In life, however,
it seems to be far more difficult.
When the morning's met with thankfulness,
there is a harmony to your day.
When you greet friends and strangers the same,
there is a harmony to your heart.
When you share your talents and gifts freely,
there is a harmony in your soul.
When you allow and embrace differences,
there is a harmony in your life.
When you realize your own value
along with the value of others
there is a harmony in your existence.
Rise above the chaos.
See beyond the static.
Speak without the gossip.
Love without condition.
Harmony is a magic made for more than music.

Begin

Today is a great day
to begin.

Begin writing.
Begin reading.
Begin walking.
Begin exercising.
Begin classes.
Begin singing.
Begin a new job.
Begin a new hobby.
Begin tackling a fear.
Begin exorcising demons.
Begin stopping bad habits.
Begin listening.
Begin hoping.
Begin praying.
Begin helping.
Begin loving.
Begin being the amazing you
you sre meant to be.

All the beautiful things . . .

Mornings
Smiles
Hugs
Children
Spouses
Moments
Memories
Laughter
Chatting
Weddings
Kisses
Babies
Quiet
Puppies
Angels
Engagements
Contentment
Holding Hands
Sandy Beaches
Wooded Pathways
Scenic Vistas
Great Music
Good Reads
Friends
Family
Love

Light It Up!

Some say sit down.
Some say be quiet.
Some say behave.
Some say be one.
Some say go dark.

That is not me!
I have never been ANY of those things!

If you've got a story to tell, tell it.
If you've got a message to share, share it.
If you've got a song to sing, sing it.
If you've got a wrong to right, right it.
If you've got a light to shine . . . shine it!

No contempt.
No motives.
No deceit.

No evil.

No hate.

Just shine your light.
You are a beacon.
Your light will not shine brighter
if you dim another.