Packing Up

As we prepare
to shut the door on 2019
and see what fresh adventures await us in 2020,
I'd like to have you take a moment
and really ponder the past 365.
It's probably safe to say
that it wasn't all peaches and cream,
but look how far you've come,
marvel at how much you've grown,
be astounded with your accomplishments.
Sure you get a flat tire every now and then,
but the journey is far greater
than a setback or two.
You will wake up tomorrow
to 365 more opportunities,
12 months to create what you want,
4 seasons to be wowed by the Grand Illustrator.
Pack up those precious memories of this year.
Lay them as a strong and sturdy foundation
for next year.
The world is your playground,
and your vision is 2020.

OMG Yes, this!!!

Not sure who said it,
or quite how it really goes,
but something amazingly like this:

Do not
adapt to the energy
in the room.
Instead,
influence the energy
in the room.

There is love

With the end of 2019 coming up on us quickly,
I find it a normal act to reflect
on the past twelve months.
There have been tears.
There have been laughter.
There have been hard work.
There have been set backs.
There have been miracles.
There have been adventures.
There have been disappointments.
There have been great accomplishments.
And through it all,
no matter what,
there is love.

And I am certain,
that no matter what 2020 can throw at us,
love remains.

Be alive!

There are plenty of scary things out there.
Sickness,
loss,
unemployment,
ugliness,
bitterness,
betrayal,
mean people,
hate.
But do not be afraid.

Be alive!

Because there is also every opportunity for
health,
longevity,
dream jobs,
beauty,
kindness,
loyalty,
Angels,
love.

Be alive!

To Give

I find such a
great warmth in giving.
Not just the tired matching pajamas,
or the silly, sarcastic t-shirts,
but in searching and seeking,
listening and learning,
finding something unique and special
that touches a heart
or even a few
and makes a soul smile.
There is nothing quite so fulfilling
as to generate a memory,
lift a heart,
hear laughter,
fill a void.
It is a beautiful blessing -
to give.

Your Table

As you prepare your holiday tables,
please remember
an empty seat and place setting
(literal or not)
for those that cannot join you.
Keep memories alive,
traditions strong,
and love in all you do.
Also,
place the joy of the season
at the feet of He who deserves it.
A tiny babe
alive to bless us all.
Merry Christmas!

Enjoy! Every! Second!

Might take a hiatus
at least for tomorrow
to enjoy our own festivities!

I believe this!

The answer to 'why'

when bad stuff happens

is this:

Some day,

you will share your story

of your heartbreak

and your struggle

and your victory

and

it will be

someone else's survival guide.

Sing!

Sing!
Sing today!
And always!
Remember that we each have a tune to share,
but also too
that we are all part of a much larger choir.
Sometimes,
you will have solos
and you will shine and be spectacular.
Sometimes,
you will not sing at all
and simply listen to the beauty of the song.
Most times,
you are an integral part
of a beautifully meaningful harmony,
lending your share
to a grander
more wonderful and joyous melody.
Your song is important.
Your song matters.
Sing!

Simon Says

Read this.
Then read it again.
And one more time for good measure.

I love living,
I have some problems with my life,
but living
is the best thing they've come up with
so far.

~ Neil Simon

A morning smile

And here is
a sweet little tidbit
meant only
to make you smile -
inward and out:

If you were able
to believe in Santa
for like eight years,
you can
believe in yourself
for like five minutes.

You have everything you need
to be extraordinary.

All those Whos down in Whoville

One of the classics at Christmas
is The Grinch.
A tiny heart with evil efforts
attempting to thwart
a glorious day.
Now,
we all know that Christmas
is about far more than packages and bows,
and beyond the scope
of that tiny, impossible mountain town,
but all those Whos
down in Whoville
are pretty perceptive.

Christmas day is in our grasp
as long as we have hands to clasp
...
Welcome Christmas, bring you cheer
welcome all who's far and near
...
Christmas day will always be
just as long as we have we.

Reach out this Christmas.
Treat someone with the flawless gift
of thought and love and kindness.

Gift

As 'that time' of year
rushes at us,
calendars get full,
to-do lists get long,
traffic … nevermind,
we must take a moment.
Remember the reason
for this season
and realize that the best gift
you can offer another human
is your self.
No tape.
No ribbons.
No fancy paper.
No tags.
Just the selfless offering
of who you are.
We were given quite a gift
at Christmas.
Let us pay it forward.
Give the gift of you.

Fierce Anonymity

Love
and Act
and Pray
and Give
and Lead
boldly
with no agenda,
with no expectation,
with a fierce anonymity.

Crooked

If you see something beautiful in someone
speak it.
I am constantly reminded
that viewpoints differ
and what one finds attractive
is not necessarily
the tangible,
but what lies beyond it.
I am not a fan of my crooked smile.
Have always hated it.
And yet,
there are so many folks
that tell me it's that smile
that draws them in,
disarms them,
and envelopes them in love.
So who am I to critique God's work.
I will always smile.
No matter my thoughts.
Because my heart is happy.
We are all crooked
in our own way.

Participate

Make a choice
to be present.
In every day,
in every event,
in every effort,
in every thing!!
It is so powerful to realize
what can occur in the moment
when you choose to participate.

Do You.

If you enjoy dancing;
dance.
If you love to sing;
sing.
If you like writing;
write.
If you enjoy photography;
click away.
If you lean toward painting;
grab a brush.
If you favor travelling;
hit the road.
If you are bound
by the opinions and expectations of others
your cage becomes very small.
Do You.

Good Ol' Red

Saw this quote and it just grabbed me.
There is just something in here
that beckons to be dispersed!
I hope that it finds the person who needs it.

Dance above the surface of the world.
Let your thoughts lift you into creativity
that is not hampered by opinion.

~ Red Haircrow

Press On

Sometimes life gets difficult.
Press on.
Sometimes we are greatly weighted.
Press on.
Sometimes, it seems, we are followed by a black cloud.
Press on.
Sometimes the pain is unbearable.
Press on.
Sometimes we fear the anger might break us.
Press on.

Beyond the daily mayhem,
past the chaos and the turmoil,
after the storm has caused its damage,
there is clarity;
there is a peacefulness;
there is a quiet serenity
within you.

Press on.

But still ...

As I sit and prepare to scribe, saddened by the daily diatribe
I lift my eyes toward Heaven's way, I fold my hands, bow my head and pray
The chasm that has torn apart the world's very core, it's struggling heart
Is deep and dark and sad and wide with millions of folks all stuck inside
In our simply pitiful naivete, we truly have just lost our way
We're numb to loss and quick to hate. We want it now, no time to wait
Lies are spread like marmalade. All our business on the web displayed
We're eager to judge, refuse to converse. Want to be one, but stand as diverse
We label and point and hashtag and tweet, glued to our screens and feel incomplete
We've taken the human from humanity. We're quick to a fight but too blind to see
We challenge each other. You must choose a side. Complete discontent till we all have complied.
A hug is taboo, we need our personal space. The lack of compassion's an utter disgrace
There are streaks of brilliance in heroic deeds, but only if captured on Instagram feeds
We've got hundreds of followers; we're liked by the pack,
            but need a reminder that our kid's in the back?
We hand out awards like sand on a beach then struggle with discipline because what we teach
The left says it's white. The right says it's black. The west calls for love. The east says attack.
We've all lost our marbles in the breadth of the scope. Madness prevails, but still … I have hope.

I have weathered the storm and basked in the glow of the beautifully promised arched rainbow
I've seen glimmers of kindness in average folk; flashes of brilliance that truly invoke
That hope is alive and thriving and well; that each little bliss bomb's ripples expel
An outreach of good radiating in waves, lapping toward people in natural naves
Strangers whose hearts command them to act. Just doing what's right without thought of impact
Giving so freely of effort and time so others, ever briefly, can see the sublime
Hearts so accepting without reservation; arms always open with no declination
A peaceful locale just dripping in love. I've seen and felt it, this gift from above.
If we just take a moment before we respond and hurtfully, with someone's dignity, abscond
Think back to our childhood and the rule that was golden,
            choose not to degrade, but uplift & embolden
Imagine the scope of the good we could do if we just took a second and broadened our view
We don't have to agree, but we don't have to fight; perhaps there are multiple ways to be right
This utopian dream is just within reach, if only we'd minimize the hate in our speech
See positives, so small, in every day. Use inspiring words in all that you say.
Good vs. evil's fought on a slippery slope. Madness prevails, but still … I have hope.
~ Lyn Marinello

True Belonging

This is taken from Brene Brown.
I wish I could take credit for it.
It surely speaks volumes.

True belonging
is the spiritual practice
of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply
that you can share your most authentic self
with the world and find sacredness
in both being a part of something
and standing alone in the wilderness.
True belonging
doesn't require you to change who you are;
it requires you to be who you are.

Go. Be you.

Wings of Angels

I am not one
who normally asks for help.
It is not so much pride
that stands in my way,
but more a sense of tenacious determination.
If I set my mind to something,
it will get done!
I might not have the proper tools.
I might not take the 'schooled' approach.
I might not look pretty doing it.
But it will get done!
However ...
when faced with daunting tasks,
I will occasionally reach for assistance.
And what I've learned in the 1000 years I've been here
is that when you humble yourself and ask,
you are far more often than not
met with the wings of Angels.
I love my Angels!

This Stuff

Simple things
like this quote
are the things which
completely unravel me.
Just those
totally piercing words
that knock you off your feet.

If you listen carefully,
the silence is deafeningly beautiful.

Have an extraordinary day.

You

You are amazing.

You are not your past.
You are not your mistakes.
You are not your poor decisions.
You are not your circumstances.

You are amazing.

Give

Today is the National Day of Giving
or Giving Tuesday.
It is quite simple.
No embellished description needed.
If there is a charity
that you are connected to,
feel compelled to assist,
that has helped you,
that you are an advocate for,
go ...

give.

Walk On By

Some of you might already be singing,
and that's a beautiful thing.
I have had, in just the past few days,
the opportunity to
retort, react, and colorfully respond
to several interesting posts.
These posts were ignorant.
These posts were childish.
These posts were ugly.
These posts were mean.
These posts were hurtful.
Do you know what I did?

(Go ahead, sing it again!)

I chose to walk on by.
I let ignorance and ugliness and childishness
and meanness and hurtfulness simply fester.
You see, those are qualities I don't like.
I will not give them my time.
Nor should you.

Walk On By.

Focus on the beauty and the blessings,
the good and the gracious,
the kind and courageous.

Haystacks or Gift Stacks

Another Maraboli message here
(or at least part of one)

...

Happiness should not be
like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Happiness is within.
Therefore ...
Happiness should be 
like finding a gift in a stack of gifts.

If you don't like what you see,
change your viewpoint.
You can either have
haystacks or gift stacks.
You choose.

Blessings

Ah, what a week.
It started with Grateful,
then Joyful,
Prayerful,
Thankful,
and now ...
Blessings.
It's a beautiful way to view a week.
But, why not make it a way of life?

Wake up with a grateful heart.
Find joy in what's around you.
Pray for those in need.
Be thankful for all the blessings you have.
Sleep sweetly.
Wake up.
Repeat!

Blessings abound
if you choose to look for them.
Enjoy your day and your weekend.

Thankful

Oh,
there is so very much
to be thankful for.
Moments.
Memories.
Magic.
Sights.
Smiles.
Songs.
Hope.
Hugs.
Happiness.
Family.
Friends.
Framily.
Lagniappes.
Life.
Love.
I am thankful for each of you.
Thankful for your time,
your comments,
your friendship,
you.

Prayerful

We've covered grateful
and joyful
and now ...
prayerful!
Pray without ceasing.
Praise all of your blessings,
seek guidance through storms,
hope for help for the troubled,
envelope all in your love.
Prayer is a powerful tool.
It is that light in the darkness.
It is that buoy in raging waters.
It is the path to all we need.
It is the reason we are grateful.
It is the foundation on which to be joyful.
In all matters, be prayerful ...
and you will be thankful.

(But that is for tomorrow...)

Joyful

A joyful heart
is good medicine.
Find joy
in everything you do:
work, relationship, efforts.
Joy is what happens to us
when we choose to recognize
the positives around us.
When you live
with an open heart,
unexpected joyful things
will happen.
It is not joy
that makes us grateful,
it is gratitude
that makes us joyful.
Joy is a choice.
And in your joyfulness
you'll see the light of others shine.

Grateful

You'll understand the theme
as the week progresses,
but today ...
I am Grateful!

Grateful for my past.
Grateful for my present.
Grateful for my future.
Grateful for my family.
Grateful for my friends.
Grateful for my struggles.
Grateful for my strengths.
Grateful for tears.
Grateful for laughter.
Grateful for grace.
Grateful for love.
Grateful for blessings.

How about you?

Light It Up

Don't feel bad
when your prayers
seem to go unanswered.
You might be
the answer
to someone else's prayers.
It won't be easy
having a kind heart
in a cruel world.
Be kind anyway.
Don't feel bad
if people remember you
only when they need you.
Feel privileged
that you are the candle
they chose to light their way.

Dust

I'm not sure who wrote this. 

It wasn't me.

But I really like it.

Enjoy!

Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better

to paint a picture or write a letter

bake a cake or plant a seed

ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time

with rivers to swim and mountains to climb

music to hear and books to read

friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there

with the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair

a flutter of snow, a shower of rain

this day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind

old age will come and it's not kind

and when you go - and go you must -

you, yourself, will make more dust.

Make the day matter.

Give It Away

I was reminded yesterday,
while communicating with a friend,
about something my Momma used to say to me.
It happened to be
in reference to my writing and poetry,
but it truly applies to
whatever gifts the Good Lord gave you.
She would tell me,

It doesn't do any good
kept to yourself.

Share what talents you are given.
Sing, draw, photograph, write,
dance, play, cook, command.
Whatever you were blessed with...
give it away...
it doesn't do any good
kept to yourself.

The 3 P's

We are all familiar with reading, writing, and arithmetic
(which really aren't three 3 r's -
and could quite possibly be why some kids are so messed up).
I'm talking today about the 3 P's:

Praise, Positivity, and Productivity

Wake up each morning
with a thankful heart.
Seek guidance and grace.
Leave every person and situation
in a better, happier state
than how you found them/it.
Be busy.
Accomplishment and achievement
are of little concern if you are
earnestly working toward a goal.

Enjoy your 3 P's today.
Create a better world right where you live
and send others off to do the same.

Just In Case

As a mom,
I've always kept a 'hefty' purse,
just in case.
There was everything in there
that a person could need,
just in case.
As a volunteer
you are always available,
just in case.
Your talents
are always at the ready,
just in case.
As a giver
you're always looking,
just in case.
Ready to listen,
ready to hug,
just in case.
And if I'm not near you,
I'm still ready to help,
just in case.
And if no one's told you lately,
you're important and worthy and loved.
Just In Case.

PTO

PTO
No, not paid time off.
Although, now that I type that,
it doesn't sound half bad.

The PTO
that I'm talking about today is
Praise The Opportunity.

Don't condemn the circumstance.
Don't falter in the failure.
Don't slam the slow down.
Don't grieve the gloom.
Find the silver lining.
Choose to see a chance.
Learn the lesson.
Savor the sabbatical.
Revel in the relationship.

Praise The Opportunity.

Yaaaaass!

Stumbled across this quote
and could not wait to share it.
Perhaps ...
it will find its way
to the person that needs to see it.

You are far too strong
to be the only thing
standing in your way.

Oh Happy Day!

Oh Happy Day!
I am actually feeling
incredibly exhausted and drained today,
but ...
what a glorious day it is.
Although it should be practiced every day,
today is
National Philanthropy Day!!!
What a glorious thing to celebrate.

Defined as:
An altruistic concern
for human welfare and advancement,
usually manifested by donations
of money, property or work to needy persons ...
and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.

Advocate for those
who cannot fight for themselves.
Be a voice.
Be a catalyst.
Philanthropy comes in a plethora of opportunities.

Pick one!
(or two, or three, or …)

Yes, This!

I'm really digging Steve Maraboli ~

The past has not
defined me,
destroyed me,
deterred me,
or defeated me;
it has only 
strengthened me.

WKD

Today is World Kindness Day!
While it should be every day,
let's grab hold of the opportunity
and
open a door,
deliver a compliment,
pay for the person behind you,
say please and thank you,
be nice,
be supportive,
be responsive not reactive,
listen and learn,
share and teach,
behave,
give of your talent and time,
be kind.
Make today
the sort of day
that you would like to have.
Go be extraordinary.

Is love

I have a great group of very diverse friends.
They come from all walks of life,
all sorts of backgrounds,
varying belief systems,
an incredible array of interests,
and a plethora of problems.
A common thread between them all
is love.
My favorite people just ooze love.
They reek of it.
It flows freely from them as if an open wound.
Some face staggering health issues.
Some struggle financially.
Some romp around the world.
Some have not a money matter at all.
Some have seen horrible things.
Some have been through horrible things.
But what brings it all full circle
is love.
A kindness that seeks nothing.
A joy in the success of others.
A thrill in giving.
It is there in each of us.
No matter our past or our problems.
The one thing we all own, can share, can do
is love.

Thank You

Sacrifice:  to surrender or give up, or permit injury or disadvantage to, for the sake of something else.
Service:  an act of helpful activity; to supply with aid or other incidental services.

For your sacrifice and service,
we - as a nation - salute you.
Thank you for your commitment
to an honor larger than yourself.
Thank you for your efforts
in battles beyond contemplation.
Thank you for your time
from home and family and dreams.
Thank you for you
for your sacrifice and service.

A Few Drops

Realize
that true happiness
lies within you.
Waste no time and effort searching
for peace and contentment and joy
in the world outside.
Remember
that real happiness
is not in having or in getting,
but only in giving.
Reach out.
Share.
Smile.
Hug.
Happiness is a perfume
you cannot pour on others
without getting a few drops
on yourself.

Really?!

So apparently, today is
"Parents as Teachers" Day.
Really?!
I thought that was every single day.
Although I immensely admire and respect
those that choose teaching as a profession,
when you opt to have a wee one,
you are exactly that without a degree.
There is no educational premise.
There is no guide book or work book.
Raise a decent human being.
Love them.
Support them.
Guide them.
Discipline them.
Set boundaries and expectations.
Listen and speak.
Hold and push.
Cry and cheer.
Fight and forgive.
Example is an extraordinary teaching tool.
Lighting a lamp for someone else
brightens your own path, too.

Hey You!

I do believe that there might be
a couple people out there
who should see this, read this,
and let it seep into every part of their being.

The smarter you get,
the less you speak.
You grow to realize
not everyone is worth confrontation.
Your time is valuable.
Your energy is priceless.
Don't waste either
on people who don't deserve them.

Realize and remember
how important and loved you are.

Shhhhh. Listen!

Listen to the wind,
it talks.
Listen to the silence,
it speaks.
Listen to your heart,
it knows.
Listen to your spirit,
it guides.
Listen to your soul,
it loves you.

Possibilities

Possibilities abound.
They may disguise themselves as
troubles,
set-backs,
failures,
denials,
betrayals,
hardships,
heart break,
but when viewed correctly,
every single one of them
is a possibility.

Fantastic!

Came across this little treasure
and I know of a great many friends
(and occasionally my own self)
who could stand to see this.

If your path demands
that you walk through hell,
walk as if you own the place!

Little Gifts Along the Way

Far too often people become focused
on the troubles,
on the hurt,
the unending parade of nonsense
in their daily lives.
It is human.
It is natural.
What is not natural is to remain in that funk.

Beyond the betrayal
there are blessings.
Aside from the struggles
there is spirit.
Traversing the troubles
you'll find triumph.
There are always
little gifts along the way.
A stranger's kind word.
Running into a dear friend.
One of those put-me-back-together hugs.
A favorite song.
A memory-invoking smell.

Focus not on your grievances,
but on your gifts.

Good Morning!

It has been discussed
that you have two choices every morning:
Happy or Crappy.
If you open your eyes,
it's already a victory.
How you choose to view your day
is entirely up to you.
You can have setbacks or lessons.
You can have hurdles or high jump.
You can be angered or inspired.
You can be a weight or offer wings.
I know what I'm doing.

Good Morning!

Bars

Ever feel trapped?
By jobs, decisions, choices?
By failures or misdirection?
Never be a prisoner
of your past.
Remember
it was only a lesson,
not a life sentence.
The bars you stand behind
are self-imposed.
Freedom is as easy
as filtering
and moving forward.
Your sentence
could end with an exclamation point.
The choice is yours.

Carry On

I am not perfect.
I have made mistakes.
I will continue to make them.
It is by the grace of God
that I continue to walk the earth.
It is through the blessings of God
that I am allowed to share my gifts.
I write with a passion.
Not to preach or mandate or influence,
but to uplift and inspire and ignite.
There are days
that I write to share my feelings,
days that I want to share inspiration,
days that I want to acknowledge Ch-Angels,
days that I simply want to let you know
that you matter.
Because you do.
We all fall short.
Rise up and carry on.
You've still got things to do.

As the Season of Giving Approaches

Steve Maraboli states:

Give yourself entirely
to those around you.
Be generous
with your blessings.
A kind gesture can reach a wound
that only compassion can heal.

Parts

I am only using just a portion of this quote
by Cristina Marrero.
I think it is the most important portion,
the part that strikes the most dramatic chord.
I hope that whoever needs to read this today
really lets it sink in and work its magic.

… Love with full sincerity,
believe with true faith,
and hope with all your might.
Better to have lived in truth
and discovered life,
than to have lived half-heartedly
and died long before
you ever ceased breathing.

A little I & I

We all know about R & R,
and if you can grab some, get all you can!
Yet very few have heard of I & I.
Those little stickly, gangly, malnutritioned letters
that carry so much weight.
On this national day of making a difference,
a little I & I is absolutely perfect.

Inspire and Impact!

This entire blog today has been brought to you
courtesy of a special Ch-Angel friend,
AMB,
who is anxious about an upcoming trip.
I seriously believe she doesn't understand
what kind of I & I she wields.
This opportunity before her,
much like the one before you every day,
is the chance to enlighten and uplift,
to educate and open eyes,
to open minds and open hearts.
She does this daily and effortlessly.
I admire her abilities and grace.
And I admire you.

After your R & R,
be certain you share some I & I.
You have so very much to offer.

Autumn

It is said that time is fleeting;
that it goes too quickly;
it passes too fast.
Try this perspective...

As I'm sitting at my computer,
staring out at the multitude of colors
in my yard and beyond,
this image came to mind.
It is as though
nature is dressing up
in her fanciest and most brilliant attire
to dazzle her date
before a glittery evening
of celebration
and then a long, sweet slumber.

Let that one sink in.

Age

As the number increases,
and the aches and pains follow suit,
the good part, I have found,
is becoming comfortable within your own skin.
Not in an outward, runway sort of thing,
but more realistically at ease.
This is me.
Like me, hate me, love me.
This is me.
This is who I am.
I am happy with this person.
Your approval is not necessary.
I miss certain attributes and certain people,
but I am blessed beyond measure.
I rise each morning in anticipation
of what the day holds
and how I can impact it for others.
If I disappoint you,
it's because your expectations are your own.
If I anger you,
it's because you have your own issues.
If I hug you,
it's because you're special to me.
If I reach out to you,
it's because I trust you.
If I love you,
you'll never know anything more fierce.
I am okay with all of that.
Wisdom really does come with age.

Truth!

Above all else,
go with a sense of humor.
It is necessary armor.
Joy in one's heart
and laughter on one's lips
is a sign that a person,
deep down,
has a pretty good grasp on life.
The choice is yours.
How you react and respond
to the daily disasters,
the mundane mayhem,
the ludicrousness of life,
directly impacts the quality
of your being
and those around you.

You Are So Special

No one else has access
to the world you carry around within yourself;
you are its custodian and entrance.
No one else can see the world
the way you see it.
No one else can feel your life
the way you feel it.
Thus it is impossible
to ever compare two people
because each stands on such different ground.
When you compare yourself to others,
your are inviting envy into your consciousness;
it can be a dangerous and destructive guest.

- John O'Donohue

Perfect for Monday

Forget yesterday - it has already forgotten you.
Don't sweat tomorrow - you've not yet met.
Instead ...
open your eyes and your heart and your mind
to a truly precious gift ...
Today!

Be the Cause

Be so incredibly kind today,
by doing simple, sincere gestures,
without expectation of acknowledgement,
that someone out there finds faith in the
goodness of humanity again.

Yes, be the cause of that.

Yes, sir, Mr. Peterson

Walk with the dreamers,
the believers,
the courageous,
the cheerful,
the planners,
the doers,
the successful people
with their heads in the clouds
and their feet on the ground.
Let their spirit ignite a fire within you
to leave this world better
than when you found it.

Moments

Thirty-one years ago today
I was proposed to in a very fancy Italian restaurant.
At any given time,
memories of that day will flit through my mind,
and my heart,
and I will smile.
It was a horrendous workday
and we came home to news of San Francisco falling apart
but everything in-between was sheer bliss.
Magic.
Beautiful.
A Moment!
Since that day, there have been births and birthdays,
celebrations and graduations,
marriages and journeys and hikes and dinners,
challenges and trials, laughter and excitement,
tears - both of sadness and joy.
Each moments in their own grandeur.
Precious and perfect and preserved in my heart
and etched upon my soul.
Cherished.
Cherish your moments.

Coincidence?

Today is National Boss's Day
and also National Liqueur Day.
Coincidence?
I think not.
Make the best of any and every day before you.
Preferably without the liqueur
and probably without the boss.
Smile and go face your Wednesday.

Today!

Why an exclamation point?
Because 'today' can be as exciting as you choose for it to be.
You're in control.
You decide.
I saw this quote and enjoyed most of it,
so I will take the parts I liked and share them with you.

(Did you see what I did there?
I filtered.
I only carried with me the parts that made me happy
or the parts that make sense or a difference to me.
You can do that, too!)

Renew. Release. Let go.
Yesterday is gone.
You can't "should've" done something.
(I absolutely love that line!!!)
You can only DO something.
Today is a new day.

Hocus Focus

(See what I did there?)

What are you focusing on?

When you focus on the hurt
you continue to suffer.
When you focus on the lesson
you continue to grow.

There is no magic.
No special spells.
Not one waving wand.
This is entirely up to you.

What are you focusing on?

Music of Life

Gifted by my Momma,

I have a ferocious love of music.

All kinds, mostly.

From the 40s through the present - 

excluding rap -

I'm hooked.

Love classical, jazz, country,

classic rock, a cappella, head-banging,

and just about everything in between.

But my absolute favorite?

The Music of Life!

The rhythmic lull of hubby's breathing.

The tintinnabulation of a baby's coo.

The dulcet waves of your child's laughter.

The melodic pulse of family.

The chime of a friendly email.

The mellifluous ring of an awaited phone call.

The sonorous steps of an arrival home.

The tune of life is full

of pianissimo and staccato,

turn it up and play it smooth,

crescendos and allegros,

highs and lows,

and it is all absolutely beautiful!

Dance.

Sing along.

Enjoy your tune.

You Know Who You Are

So, again, when I see things multiple times,
or I hear things multiple times,
I take it as a sign to absorb and share.

For all of you,
you know who you are,
this is for you:

"You have been my friend,"
replied Charlotte.
"That, in itself, 
is a tremendous thing."

Thank you.
It means the world.
I am humbled.
I am honored.

Wise Weis

My family can attest to the fact
that when you have 'that moment'
to open your mouth and make a real impact
you somehow, inexplicably forget how to speak.
This clears that up:

Words can never fully say
what we want them to say,
for they fumble, stammer, and
break the best china.
The best one can hope for
is to find along the way
someone to share the path,
content to walk in silence,
for the heart communes best
when it does not try to speak.

Self

As a volunteer with a terrible problem saying 'no,'
it is only fitting that I'm surrounded by people
who 'suffer' from the same affliction.
I am not bashing volunteering.
Every single human being should offer
their time, talents, funds, and attention
if they have even a brief few fleeting moments.
It is enriching and humbling and rewarding and grounding.

But ...

You need to also take care of your self.
If you are broken, you cannot fix another person.
If you are sick, you cannot take care of someone else.
If you are sad, you cannot perk someone else up.
You matter.
You are important.
You do amazing things.
Take care of you so you can continue to do those wonderful things.
Self-care,
self-love,
self-assurance
is not to be thrown to the wayside til you have a minute.
Being your best self
is the grandest way to take care of everyone else.

Raining Ch-Angels

So yesterday I went to a party.
It wasn't a get-all-dressed-up fancy party.
In fact, it was just a come-as-you-are party.
Ok ... actually … it was a pity party.
Table for three.
Yup, that's right folks. I'm not always pooping rainbows.
Shocker, I know.
But it's also helpful to realize that everyone is human.
And so,
without decoration or balloons or even cake
I sat miserable, on my sofa, feeling all kinds of blah,
self-loathing and feeling generally worthless.
And when I reached out - there they were.
A pair of Ch-Angels!
Without judgement or preaching or condemnation.
Just listening and loving.
They walked me over my small abyss
and guided me to a better evening.
My thanks is just not enough.
I owe you my sanity.
Love you Lisa and Amie.
Ooh, and on a positive note ...
the party got better - hubby bought me ice cream!
Love me some Ch-Angels!

3:28

Saw this yesterday
not once,
not twice,
but THREE separate times
in three separate places.
That would be that tired inner voice
screaming at me to share it.

There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free,
there is no male and female,
for you are all one
in Christ Jesus.

Do Something Nice

Today is National Do Something Nice Day.
Visit someone who can't get out.
Bake some cookies and hand deliver them.
Help someone at the grocery store.
Prepay for someone's coffee or meal.
Open a door.
Give a sincere compliment.
Smile.
Share some of what makes you so wonderful.

Plant

Do not judge your days
be the harvest that you reap;
but by the seeds that you sow.
Give, lift, support, love.
What comes back to you
will feed your soul for eons.

A Query

And boy howdy, it's a doozy:

If the world was blind
how many people
would you impress?

Yasssss!!!

You are far too strong
to be the only thing
standing in your way!

Short and Sweet

No, silly,
this isn't about me.
It is in reference
to this nifty little snippet
that someone might need
to see today:

Change
how you see
and
see
how you change.

Yeah ... that

Have you ever been bullied? It's terrible, right?
Isn't it great when the bully is caught and punished?
NO!
That will only incite him further.
How about we figure out why he feels the need to do what he does.
How about we help him. How about we fix him.
Yeah … that.
And isn't social media just despicable?
People are so divisive and mean and ugly and hateful.
So we post about their ignorance and stupidity and childishness.
Just because we disagree.
Do we not see it's all the same?
It's all hurtful. It's all ugly. It's all mean.
It's all divisive and hateful.
Let us stop the vicious circle of insanity.
Change starts with every single one of us.
How we respond. How we react. How we choose to behave.
It makes a difference and it is noticed.
Choose kindness. Choose love. Choose hope.
Choose open and enveloping hearts and arms and minds.
Change doesn't mean for folks to think and act like we want them to.
Real change … beneficial change … will only occur
when we allow each other to be each other
and to accept that 'other' in all their imperfect glory.
Yeah … that.
And how about we just kind of relax a little bit.
Let's stop being offended by every breath and word and action.
Let's coexist with listening and laughter and love.
Yeah … that.

Recycle Yourself

The Recycling phrase is
reduce, reuse, recycle.
That's great for helping to clean up and save our Earth.
But ...
ummmmmm ...
how about cleaning up and saving your self?!

Refresh
Regroup
Recuperate

Take a moment.
Let the dust settle.
Indulge in you.
You are worth more than you'll ever imagine.
Take care of you.

Share

Folks are folks.
You are you.
You are in charge of you.
You are NOT in charge of folks.
Folks will behave
in a manner befitting their circumstances.
You should behave
in a manner befitting of yourself.
Anger, hate, ugliness, impatience ...
that's not you.
You are composed of
beauty
and joy
and love
and hope
and spirit
and support
and kindness.
You are so full of these things,
that there is enough to share
with those folks
who can't seem to find
or who may have lost theirs.
Share!

As I write ...

Every morning, except on Sunday,
I put this blog together.
Sometimes I am awakened
with some topic or string of words
that are rolling around in my head
and they need to be put to 'paper'.
Other days,
I am moved by an email, a post, a friend
or something that just needs to be shared.
And … sometimes …
I stare blankly at the screen for a long time.
I will pray for inspiration,
look for guidance,
hope for my fingers to find their way.
And,
as I write ...
I find it incredibly interesting
that one post might go unnoticed that I thought was amazing;
and the next day while staring blankly,
the blog that tumbles out is simply gobbled up.
You never know what someone is searching for.
That is why I believe that if you throw enough positive things out there,
whoever is in need of them, will eventually find them.
I do not share to preach.
I share to reach.

L

It's not a capital 'L'.
It's your corner.
We each have our L.
What are you doing to make yours better?
Are your manners up to snuff?
Is your kindness unconditional?
Is your energy put to positive use?
Do you lift others up?
Do you embrace each person you meet
(figuratively or literally)?
Are your prayers for hope?
Take your corner.
Make it the best little corner there is.
Heck, make it a competition.
Imagine if we all tried to 'out-nice' each other.
What a wonderfully cornered world we would have.

Walk

I am learning
to love the sound
of my feet
walking away
from things not meant
for me.

Age

Ah, yes, that glorious subject
that just seems incredibly perplexing.
First, we celebrate ONE!
Milestones of walking and words.
Then something happens.
Terrible two's?!
Fabulous five's where there is actual communication.
This turns into the dreaded teenage years which defy any description or explanation.
They it's off to rejoice in licenses, graduations, marriages, houses, and more babies.
And as one portion begins the process all over again,
another portion begins an entirely new realm.
Where did I get that bruise?
What can't I fit in these?
Can you read that?
Running is for the young.
Does that really matter.
Relax. Slow down.
I hope they call today.
Another memorial.
Loss.
To witness the cycle is a gift.
To be a part of the cycle is a blessing.
Embrace every day.
Learn to laugh because of or in spite of yourself.
See through a child's eyes.
Live through the elder's stories.
Age is really just a number.
What counts to you?

Bonds

I find myself, quite frequently,
terribly tangled up
and loving it!
The bonds that tie folks together
may not be tangible
but they sure are strong.
I am tethered to a great many souls
who have lifted me up,
grounded me,
guided me,
followed me,
shared with me,
cared with me,
and loved me.
I am grateful for those bonds.
I am thankful for the stability
that comes from the invisible cords
of framily and friendship.

Happy

Today's blog is also my day's Facebook post.
Sometimes … you just have to make a point.

Breathe in
the positive
the beautiful
the kind
the good
the uplifting.
Breathe out
the negative
the ugly
the mean
the evil
the naysayers.
Live where your heart is happy.

Y-O-U

You can search
throughout the entire universe
for someone who is more deserving
of your love and affection
than you are yourself,
and that person
is not to be found anywhere.
You, yourself,
as much as anybody in the entire universe,
deserve your love and affection.

Choose Joy

Oh, my. Yes! Yes! Yes!

Choose to Live in Joy

Life goes by in the blink of an eye.
It's too short to live upset, angry, resentful or ungrateful.
If you look for the good, you'll find it.
Choose to be happy, to be at peace.
Decide that each day is going to be a great day and
grab each moment and make the best of it.
Refuse to let negative thoughts take root in your mind
and refuse to let negative people and situations drag you down.
Trust your journey
and know that if you make a mistake; it's okay.
See it as a lesson learned and keep moving forward.
Spend less time worrying
and more time being grateful
for those who love you and all of life's goodness.
Choose to Live in Joy!

~ C.M. Richey-Bentley

Pay Attention

So, in the past two weeks or so, the following has been posted or sent to me
no less than three or four times.
I'm going to pay attention to the signs that come my way.
Obviously, I need to see it,
but perhaps there's someone out there that needs to see this, too.
Enjoy.

Sea Glass

I want to age like sea glass
Smoothed by tides, not broken.
I want to ride the waves, go with the flow
and feel the impact of the surging tides.
When I am caught
between the rocks and a hard place,
I will rest.
And when I am ready,
I will catch a wave
and let it carry me where I belong.
I want to be picked up and held gently
by those who delight in my well-earned patina.
And appreciate the changes I went through
to achieve this luster.
I want to enjoy the journey
and let me preciousness be, not in spite of the impacts,
but because of them.
I want to age like sea glass.

~ Bernadette Noll
                           

Chill

So, I moved from the hustle and bustle of a thriving suburban area in Florida
to the foothills of the mountains of North Carolina.
In Florida,
sometimes within walking distance (even when it's hot),
I could get to a hundred different stores.
Any kind of food I wished for was literally within reach.
Any sort of shopping I chose to do was quite literally at my fingertips.
My neighbors, though nice, were about 16 feet away from me.
The Gulf of Mexico was two miles away.
I kept trying to get exercise and speed-walk on the causeway,
but was an abject failure at that because I became so easily distracted
by the dolphins or boats or just the beautiful water.
In North Carolina,
everything is still within walking distance,
I just would probably need a tent and supplies to get there.
Food consumption has changed, but it is totally for the better.
Everything is (for us) fresh fruits, veggies and a protein.
No more fast food, quick meals on the run.
Shopping is still at my fingertips, but most of it's on-line.
My neighbors … it's all good. I've got over an acre of land.
My back porch is picturesque and serene and peaceful.
No causeway here, but we have a greenway along the river.
I still can't get in a speed-walk because of the
critters, friendly chatter, or just the beautiful surroundings.
It's relaxed. It's different. It's slow.
It's definitely not for everybody, but it's an experience
I think everyone should have.
Find time to disconnect, breathe, unwind, absorb, relax.
Chill.

Tell Them

Tomorrow is not promised.
Take a moment
whenever you can,
whenever you are able,
to tell someone close to you
that you care about them,
that you love them,
that you're proud of them,
that they matter.
Life is far too short
and way too precious
to leave anything
but absolute certainty.

I appreciate you.
I thank you.
I think you're awesome.
I love you.

Re-

Reset.
Refocus.
Readjust.
Restart.
As many times as you need to.

NDE

Today is National Day of Encouragement!
I'm not quite sure when it came into existence,
but who really cares?
And why isn't it every. single. day???

It takes not a penny from your pocket.
It takes just a speck of effort.
There's no detailed planning involved.

Just be kind.
Be helpful.
Tell someone something nice.
Tell them you're proud of them.
Give them a nod.
Acknowledge their efforts.
To give encouragement is easy.
To receive encouragement
may be life changing.

Never Forget

For a multitude of Americans
today is a day unlike any other.
We witnessed or watched atrocities
that will forever be etched in our psyches.
We each carry with us those images that,
though unfathomable, were real.
We hold within our hearts
the pain of loss and the comfort of unity.
We are a nation of overcomers.
We are a nation of survivors.
We are resilient and brave and courageous.
We are at our best
when we come together as one.
United we stand.
Never Forget.

How Beautiful

How beautiful it is
to stay silent
when someone expects you
to be enraged.

IT

Don't blame the clown
for acting the clown,
ask yourself
why you keep going to the circus!

Wisdom

Do not judge
by appearances;
a rich heart
may be cloaked
in a poor coat.

Just Wow!

These are just bits of a letter written by a 26 year old
who passed from cancer just a day after releasing it.
In true Ch-Angel fashion - focus on the positive ...

1. … I want people to stop worrying about the small, meaningless stresses in life
and try to remember that we all have the same fate after it all, 
so do what you can to make your time feel worthy and great, minus the bullshit.

2. Get out there and take a freaking big breath of fresh air deep in your lungs,
look at how blue the sky is and how green the trees are. It is so beautiful.
Think how lucky you are to be able to do just that - breathe.
3. … bad traffic, restless night, bad hair day, nails chipped, boobs too small,
cellulite, not in shape … let all that shit go. It is all so insignificant when 
you look at life as a whole.
4. Appreciate your good health and functioning body - even if it isn't ideal.
Look after it and embrace how amazing it is.
5. Be ruthless for your own well-being.
6. Be grateful for each day.
7. Whine less and help each other more.
8. Give, give, give. Value other people's time. Value your own time.
9. Use your money on experiences. Get amongst nature. Be in the moment.
10. Listen to music, cuddle, talk to your friends, put down your phone.
11. Work to live, don't live to work.
12. Tell those you love that you love them - always and often.

Thanks, Paul, for sharing. The whole thing was extraordinary.
Hope I captured some of her best advice.
To leave this legacy and impact is so amazing.
Just Wow!

Be Yourself

This could be one of my absolute favorite quotes EVER!!!

Be Yourself!
People do not have to like you.
You do not have to care.

Beyond the Sky

The sky has never been the limit.
We are our own limit.
It is then about breaking
our personal boundaries
and outgrowing ourselves
to live our best lives.

~ author unknown
although I tweaked it a smidge anyway.

Balance

Having been a gymnast for years,
balance is extraordinarily important.
(Mind you, I was never very good on beam,
so I'm forever working on this.)
After you work, play.
After you earn, spend.
After you sweat, relax.
After you win, celebrate.
After you fail, learn.
After you create, admire.
After you pray, believe.
After you love, be thankful.
Everything in balance.
Always.

RWE

Ralph is really becoming a favorite.

We are all inventors,
each sailing out 
on a voyage of discovery, 
guided each by a private chart,
of which there is no duplicate.
The world is all gates,
all opportunities.

SWAK

Folks ask me why I still send birthday cards
or anniversary card.
Why go through the trouble
when you can just text or message or Facebook
or Snapchat or Instagram or Tweet?

There is something so exciting,
so heartwarming,
so comforting,
so uplifting,
so cheering,
so caring,
so loving
about another individual
taking a moment out of their crazy life
to choose a card, sit down,
jot a note, address it, stamp it
and mail it off to you.

It is tangible love - in an envelope.
It is hugs and concern and support
and faith and hope and care
in a folded piece of paper.
It is one heart shared with another.
It is sealed with a kiss.

Brilliance

So this is actually a quote from a tv series
that we really enjoy.
I loved the quote when I watched this episode.
Just saw it again and it struck a chord.
You know what that means, right?
Someone out there needs this ...

Care less
about who you might offend.
Care more
about who you might inspire.

No Questions

Saw this post and just loved it.
Want to share it with whomever might need it.

Real strength
is when you admire
someone else's beauty
without questioning
your own.

Let that one sink in.
Have a nice day, beautiful!

Your truth

We don't ever know
what demons others are battling.
No one else's heart
will ever match your own.
Your kindness,
your strength,
your tenacity,
your voracity,
your grace,
your determination
is yours alone.
Do not attempt to
expect the same from others.
Do not be swayed
by disappointment or disgust.
Simply lead by example.
Be your most amazing you.
Someone is watching.
Someone is learning.
Your truth is your own.

Happiness

Happiness
cannot be
traveled to,
owned, earned,
worn or consumed.
Happiness is
the spiritual experience
of living every second
with love, grace, and gratitude.

Beautifully stated.

The things my mother did to me ...

Well, my goodness,
the things my mother did to me.

She taught me to be me:

If you're telling me a sad story,
I may very well burst into tears on the spot.
If you're explaining how someone hurt you,
I'm going home to put my ass-whoopin' shoes on.
If you find yourself falling apart,
I'll be sitting beside you, holding you together.
If you've got some extraordinary news,
I'll be baking a cake and blowing up balloons.
If you're too tired to get over the hurdle,
I'll get my shovel and dig you a tunnel.
And when words are unnecessary
and you simply don't want to be alone,
I'll just exist with you … watching over you.

She may have left this world way too early,
but she blazed a trail like no one else.
She lived with her whole heart.
She loved with her whole being.
I wanna be like her if I grow up.

Hold On

Life is a fantastical journey.
There are highs and there are lows.
There is joy and there is sorrow.
There is pain and there is laughter.
No one gets out of here alive.
We all share this one tiny place.
Time is precious - waste it wisely.
Create moments.
Hold on to memories.
Share love and light and beauty.
Be present.
Enjoy. Every. Second.

Hope

This is actually a quote by Dean Koontz.
I actually turned it completely around -
started with the last sentence and finished with the first.
It made more of an impact for me.
Hope it helps you get through your day, too.

We travel out of darkness into faith.
Courage is the motor that drives us.
Love is the road that leads to hope.
Hope is the destination that we seek.

I like it better backwards!
Have a stupendous day.

to be a Ch-Angel!

It is National Be An Angel Day!
How special is it, then, for it to also be my birthday?!

To help others,
to sacrifice,
to listen,
to share hope,
to pray,
to offer myself
and whatever gifts I have,
to show compassion,
to give freely,
to care,
to expect nothing,
to believe,
to support,
to shine,
to love.

Oh ... to be a Ch-Angel!

Yes. This.

A meaningful silence
is always better
than meaningless words.
Sometimes
just your mere existence
is all someone needs.
To simply sit beside a friend,
to quietly absorb some pain,
to heal with the heart,
is the most beautiful thing
that you can say.

Circles

Circles.
Round and round.
No beginning.
No end.
No start.
No stop.
Just a continuous cycle
of all things:
joy
anticipation
love
anger
determination
grief
tenacity
futility
hope
joy
anticipation
love
anger
determination
grief
tenacity
futility
hope.
Hang on.
Enjoy the ride.
Create moments.
Make memories.

Two-fer

Today I will share two of my favorite quotes.
Apparently,
as my heart is moved to post this,
someone out there needs to see these ...

Never question who God removes from your life.
He heard the conversations when you weren't around.

and

Often times the relationship that needs the most work
is the one we have with ourselves.

Have a beautiful week.
Know that you are loved and cherished.

The Pale Blue Dot

These words were spoken by Carl Sagan in 1994. It accompanies a NASA voyage.
If you're able to find the video, I'd highly recommend watching it.
It is a little long, but incredibly worth it.

Thank you Lenny for sharing this. Who's better than you?

Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us.
On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of,
every human being that ever was, lived out their lives here. The aggregate of our joy and suffering,
thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager,
every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant,
every young couple in love, every mother and father, every hopeful child, inventor and explorer,
every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every 'superstar,' every 'supreme leader,'
every saint and sinner in the history of our species - lived there -
on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.

The earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena.
Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot.
Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel
on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner,
how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another,
how fervent their hatreds.

Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position
in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light.
Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark.
In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere
to save us from ourselves.

The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, no yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.

It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot. The only home we've ever known.

Short and fabulous

Be yourself.
Everyone else is taken.
People do not have to like you
and you don't have to care.

Love this.

Perhaps

Perhaps
this is the time
you learn a big lesson.
Perhaps
this is the month
you attain a goal.
Perhaps
this is the day
in which you excel.
Perhaps
this is the moment
for which you were created.
Perhaps
this is the second
you realize how amazing you are.

Rather

I would rather be
annoyingly positive
than destructively hateful.
I would rather be
overtly optimistic
than skeptically pessimistic.
I would rather be
happy and content
than angry and aggressive.
I would rather be
faith-filled and hopeful
than doubtful and hopeless.
Make good choices people.
It is up to you
and, yes,
it really is this simple.

A tad snarky

Now this might not be
the most positive post ever,
but it is true
and it made me snicker.

Should you ever find yourself
the victim of other people's
bitterness,
smallness,
or insecurities,
remember that things could be worse ...
you could be them.

Have a totally terrific Tuesday.

Whoda Thunk?

So every now and again,
since marketing is where I'm happy,
I come across a tag line that I just find outstanding.
Sierra Nevada has done it this time.
Now, whether this quote is old or not,
to make use of it NOW is genius.
And, whether you drink their beer or not,
I find this indefinably imperative ...

Trade the traffic
for the trail.

Witness

Witness:  to see, hear or know, or be present at; to testify.

I believe that we bear witness to sights, events, happenings
to share them.
We are all connected.
We are all affected by one ripple.
We are all touched by emotional and physical trauma.
We are all inspired by winning underdogs.
We are all pacified by quiet and serenity.
When we share what we witness,
there is no screaming,
no debating,
no demanding,
no soap boxes,
no right or left.
We simply offer what we see,
what we hear,
what we love,
in hopes that it might help another.

Get Lost

Today is National Book Lovers Day.

When it's raining outside,
you can wrap yourself in an island adventure.
When it's snowing outside,
you can delve into a blissful summer saga.
When it's too hot outside,
you can wander through a snowy mountain mystery.
You can feel loved.
You can feel inspired.
You can feel anger.
You can learn.
You can understand.
You can simply
get lost.

Go get lost in a book ...

Happiness Happens

Today is National Happiness Happens Day!
This unusual burden has been set upon your shoulders.

When you are out and about today,
find the good,
comment on the pretty,
compliment the nice,
showcase kindness,
display your compassion,
help and support,
share your smile,
leave absolutely everyone you meet
in just a little better spirits than you found 'em,
smother your little corner of the world
in happy.

For You

Someone needs to see this today.
It's an oldie, but a goodie!

The three best places you can be:
in someone's thoughts;
in someone's heart;
in someone's prayers.

Light

If you cannot be the beacon
like the sturdy lighthouse in the storm,
then be the streetlight
lighting the way home.
If you cannot be the streetlight,
then be the flashlight
with a single beam to enhance the path.
If you cannot be the flashlight,
then be the candle
that offers hope in the darkness.
If you cannot be the candle,
the be the spark
that brightens someone's day.
We all have light inside of us.
Some days we're the beacon.
Some days we're the spark.
And some days we're in need
of any or all of those ourselves.
Allow the light in.
Shine your light out.

Too Quick

In my honest opinion, I believe that folks are too lazy,
too impatient, too quick
to do far too many things.

Too quick to judge.
Too quick to abort.
Too quick to listen.
Too quick to divorce.
Too quick to try.
Too quick to learn.
Too quick to understand.
Too quick to hate.
Too quick to divide.
Too quick to condemn.
Too quick to give up.

Perhaps, if we learned to
value life,
value time,
value compassion,
value hope,
value faith,
value promises,
value integrity,
value honesty,
value unity,
value diversity,
value love ...
things may not be
so quick to dissolve.

Make it yours

Take today
and make it what you want.
Do not be weighted
by the past.
That is luggage you do not need to carry.
Do not be frightened
of the future.
That is time as yet untouched.
Do not be defined
by the thoughts of others.
Your life, your events, your choices are your own.
Take today.
Make it yours.

Souvenir

A picture postcard
A folded stub
A program of the play
File away your photographs
Of your holiday
And your mementos
Will turn to dust
But that's the price you pay
For every year's a souvenir
That slowly fades away

Make it count.

Love Me Some Gilda

Now, I've learned the hard way
that some poems don't rhyme,
and some stories don't have a clear
beginning, middle, and end.
Life is about not knowing,
having to change,
taking the moment
and making the best of it,
without knowing what's going
to happen next.
Delicious Ambiguity.

That's OK

You are neither big nor small,
you are both.
You are neither weak nor strong,
you are both.
You are neither fierce nor timid,
you are both.
You are neither wicked nor wonderful,
you are both.
There is a time,
and a cause,
and a reaction
for all things.
And that's OK.

Together

So I happened upon a group of posts
that I am far too impatient
to share individually, so ...

No one heals themselves
by hurting another. 
We change the world
by our example not our opinion.
Don't blame the clown
for acting the clown.
Ask yourself why
you keep going to the circus.

Each is magnificently important and fabulous
on their own.
Together, though, what a difference!

Aaah Freedom

Freedom.
It's a wonderful thing.
Freedom
to scroll by posts without commenting.
Freedom
to hear ludicrous statements and walk away.
Freedom
to not attend that circus with those monkeys.
Freedom
to not consume the garbage that's being forced on you.
Freedom
to realize you are not what others think of you.
Freedom
to understand your opinions are your own,
you don't always have to share them.
Freedom
to leave the static and noise for peace and quiet.
Freedom
is a choice.
It's your choice.
Choose wisely.

Ch-Angel-a

Sometimes those Ch-Angels arrive
in the most unexpected places.
It could be at a gas station.
(Yes, I have a story for that.)
It could be at an island marina.
(Yes, I have a story for that.)
It could be during fierce life battles.
(Please!)
It could even be at the hair salon.
When you come across someone
so completely unassuming,
genuinely polite and personable,
overwhelmingly supportive,
incredibly kind and commiserative,
truly inspiring,
you might be inclined to 'self-trim'
just to get a chance to see her again.
Thanks for being you.

Be

Be.

Be kind.
Be fun.
Be compassionate.
Be helpful.
Be spontaneous.
Be honest.
Be supportive.
Be attentive.
Be open.
Be hopeful.
Be inspired.
Be inspiring.
Be eager.
Be positive.
Be daring.
Be determined.
Be thoughtful.
Be aware.
Be happy.
Be loving.

Be all that you can be.

Your Mission

Should you choose to accept it ...
(insert Mission Impossible music here)
is to find peace with exactly who you are,
to take pride in and embrace
your thoughts and ideas,
talents and flaws,
and to stop worrying about
how to make folks love you.
Realize your value and worth.
Grab a hold of your visions and dreams.
Ride the wild carpet ride of life.
And ...
Enjoy. Every. Second.

Which do you have?

It was once said
that if you gaze upon the people
'in your circle'
and you are uninspired,
then you are not in a circle,
you are in a cage.

You are the Ch-Angel

Our past may have helped to mold us,
but we are responsible for the shape we retain.
Broken homes don't make broken children.
You are what you create for yourself.
Sometimes, that leap of faith,
into the unknown,
shows us not only how strong we are,
but
how resilient, determined, and capable we are.
Leaving behind negativity and betrayal
and the weight of hurtful people
is baggage that can be left
at the unclaimed counter.
There's no reason to carry it with you.
You are you.
You are not 'them continued'.
You are here for a reason.
You are loved and you are worthy.
You are extraordinary.

Oh My! YES!

This Christian D. Larson quote:

Believe in yourself
and all that you are.
Know that
there is something inside you
greater than any obstacle.

The magic that is you

Ahh!
The magic that is you.
You are more amazing
than unicorns and sparkles
combined!
Now go share your incredible self
with everybody out there.

Ahhh Success!

It is said that a successful relationship
requires falling in love many times,
always with the same person.
Deeper and deeper each time.
Each time on a new level.
If it seems as though you've plateaued,
stop generalizing.
Behold the intricacies that you each are,
embrace them,
the tiny moments,
the happy memories,
the swoon,
every note of laughter,
each teardrop of gained strength,
and
fall in love yet once more.

Happy Pants

Every morning, as you're getting dressed,
you have a choice -
what to wear.
I find it most interesting
that with all the choices there are,
why would anyone decide on anything but
happy pants!
Sometimes, yes, the world sucks.
Sometimes, yes, you feel like crud.
Sometimes, yes, things are really hard.
Sometimes, yes, you might be crying inside.
But . . . who can be sad with happy pants on?
Your perspective changes your outlook.
And, more amazingly,
it might change the outlook of others.
Your new style
may actually make them
go dig out a pair of their own.
Wear 'em proudly!

Back to the beginning ...

This was the very first post for Ch-Angels … Angels of Change.
It still bears the same weight and necessity as it did all those many years ago.
If you find that you enjoy the blogs, or a specific one might touch you,
please feel free to share and allow my Ch-Angels to lift others up.

Angels of Change

In my many years on earth, a glaring clarity has always proven itself ... I have Angels watching over me. Anyone who knows me for any period of time, knows that Angels are one of my favorite topics. I believe that as the hand of God reaches this earthly realm, it is transformed into an Angel. This Angel could be a stranger, family, a friend, a directive … just about anything.

I will attempt, in this blog, to share a few of my Angels with you. Folks that I know that touched my life to the nth degree and beyond. Events that have altered paths, decisions, and behavior. thus, the name: "Ch-Angels". It just seemed appropriate.

I hope that you find a respite, if only brief, in these words. I believe that, in sharing, some will find exactly what they are looking for. That is how the good Lord works; not always how we would like, but in the way that we need. I may share a word, a writing, a book, a story, or a person.

If there is something that has sparked your thoughts, or interests, please let me know. If there is someone I should meet, learn about, something I should read or study, please le me know that too. I mean only to share. I do not mean to force my self, my beliefs, or my actions on anyone else. Take this as you will. Filter it; take what suits you, leave what doesn't. I hope you will at least feel lighter, happier, and a bit more positive about the world you live in when you leave here.

"Outside the open window the morning air is all awash with Angels." ~ Richard Purdy Wilbur

Accept and Love

One does not walk into the forest
and accuse the trees of being out of line.
One does not visit the beach
and call the waves imperfect.
We accept the incredible beauty,
respect the delicate balance,
breathe in the delicious aromas,
bask in the wonder we are part of.
Can we not do that
in the midst of our fellow humans?

Make Up Your Mind

Your mind will always believe
whatever you fill it with.

Feed it hope.
Feed it truth.
Feed it kindness.
Feed it compassion.
Feed it strength.
Feed it determination.
Feed it tenacity.
Feed it love.

Simplicity

Today is National Simplicity Day

So . . .
let's use small words
and make this easy.

Be nice.
Be sweet.
Be kind.
Be present.
Listen.
Learn.
Support.
Love.

Pretty simple.

Famous

Want to be famous?
Want to be rich?

Be known
for your kindness
and grace.

Thank You!

To those that listen, when I rant;
To those that guide, when I am lost;
To those that lift, when I am down;
To those that sing, when I am sorrowful;
To those that laugh, when I am sad;
To those that hug, when I am hollow;
To those that preach, when I am astray;
To those that support, when I need encouragement;
To those that suppress, when I need grounding;
To those that see, when I cannot find my way;
To those that whisper, when I need a hint;
To those that shine, when I need a way;
To those that push, when I am stagnant;
To those that pull, when I have stopped;
To those that pick me up, when I have fallen;
To those that teach, when I should learn;
To those that learn, when I can teach;
To those that love, when I feel unworthy;
Thank You!

You Matter

Be the love you constantly searched for.
Be the acknowledgement you never got.
Be the listener you always needed.
Look within yourself
and give yourself
the things you've always wanted and needed
from others.
To be seen by others,
you must first see yourself
as a person of value and worth.
You matter.

Oh Yes!

Faith tells me
that no matter what lies ahead,
my Angels
are already there.

These are a few of my favorite things . . .

These are a few of my favorite things ...
Hoping they reach whoever needs them.

The world is changed by your example,
not your opinion.
Our days are happier when
instead of giving people a piece of our mind,
we give them a bit of our heart.
There is no need to be perfect to inspire other.
People are inspired
by how you deal with your imperfections.
I am learning to love the sound
of my feet walking away
from things not meant for me.

A New Day

Sometimes,
you have to go through the darkness,
to get to the light.
Beautiful sentiment.
True, too.
Think simply of
a new day.

Independent

Independent - defined as:
freedom from the control, influence, support, aid,
or the like of others.

Let us follow in the footsteps of our forefathers
and see to walk our own paths.
We need not follow the masses.
We are intelligent, eager people
(for the most part)
who seek to improve and move ourselves forward.
Let's do more of that.

Happy Independence Day!
Celebrate what you have.

Time for a Ch-Angel!

It's been a bit since I actually
referenced a Ch-Angel.
This one is kind of special.
A meek and mild, mousy beauty.
She does not want attention,
but draws it anyway.
She is a champion of many battles,
but wants no victory parade.
She is a deliverer of good news,
but wants no thanks.
She simply is.
She is honesty and grace.
She is blissful and a blessing.
She is determined and undeterred.
She is steadfast and faithful.
Her smile truly brings light
and her words always bring warmth.
What a privilege it is to call her friend.
Thank you, Ch-Angel Morgan.
Thank you for absolutely everything.

These Things

It is said that one needs:

food, sleep, shelter and clothing

to survive.

I disagree.

To thrive in love and in life one must:

bear

believe

hope

endure.

A Nutshell

This is so very 'me'!
I didn't write it, but I could have.

Laugh when you can,
apologize when you should,
and let go of what you cannot change.
Kiss slowly,
play hard,
forgive quickly,
take chances,
give everything
and have no regrets.
Life's too short to be anything
but happy.

There are a few things in there
that are a continual work in progress,
but if it were a nutshell,
I'd be in it.

A little Angel-ou

Maya Angelou wrote:

I can be changed
by what happens to me,
but I refuse
to be reduced by it.

Self Defense

So, another true story that screams life lesson.

About a hundred years ago,
in the midst of taking taekwondo,
the school dabbled in jiu-jitsu - ground grappling.
As luck would have it,
the owner's son, a several degreed black belt,
picked me to teach. Oh goody!
So, we are rolling around on the floor.
For a very long time.
I am (was) very flexible and kept getting out of holds and bars.
I finally freed myself of his grasp entirely.
I stood up and walked off the mat.
He was not a happy camper and kept requesting my return.
I replied, "You're teaching me to defend myself.
Why would I return to a place where you want to hurt me?"

Still think I'm talking about a dojo?
Still think I'm talking about taekwondo?
Still thinking I'm talking about jiu-jitsu?

I am, emphatically, talking about self defense!

Control

So many of us
try to control everything.
There are some serious control freaks,
and then there are those
who attempt to be meticulous with
time and goals and dates and achievements.
People ...
there are only two things
you will ever be in control of:

Your attitude
Your effort

Keep those in check
and you're going to be fine.

Amazing

That first step
is always a doozy.
Whether it is
literally your first step,
a new school,
a fresh job,
a first love,
a new home,
a heartbreak,
a graduation,
a wedding,
a vacation,
a birth,
a loss,
a set back,
a victory.
Taking that first step
is always the scariest effort
that you can put forth.
Once that's taken ...
you're already a warrior.
Carry on.
You're going to be amazing.

Storms

Do not be dismayed
by the storms in your life.
They do not always come
to disrupt your days;
but rather
to clear a path.

Table for One

Comprehend the value of your being.
Realize how integral and important you really are.
Understand you're beautiful.
Appreciate your worth.
Know what you bring to the table
and never be afraid
to dine alone.

Thank You

Today is Summersgiving.
Who knew?
It's basically Thanksgiving while it's warm.

Since it needs to start somewhere ...

I am thankful for the day.
I wake up appreciative for another chance.
I can do some good and make a difference.
I am thankful for my family.
My hubby is a keeper and my kids are my heart.
Moments with them make my day seems better, lighter, fuller.
I am thankful for my extended family.
My brothers may not all be speaking but they speak to me.
Maybe, one day, they will once again unite.
My nieces, nephews, and beyond create a beautiful array of hope and love.
I am thankful for my friends.
Some of these folks far surpass 'friend'.
They have gone beyond 'framily'.
They are truly and simply 'something else'.
I would not be what I am and could not imagine life without them.
I am thankful for my battles.
I may have been knocked back and knocked down
but every tribulation has been met and defeated with grace, determination and grit.
I am thankful for my blessings.
What God has brought into my life, what has been listed above,
is a reason to rise each day with joyous anticipation
and to rest my head each night with thankful appreciation.

Another RWE

You can never do 
a kindness too soon
because you never know
how soon it will be too late.

Get out there.
Be kind.

The Special Ones

In your lifetime,
you will make an abundance of acquaintances.
You will have a few good friends.
And then … there are
The Special Ones.

The ones who can see
the sorrow behind your smile,
the love behind your anger,
and the reason behind your silence.

Keep those people.

Life

My grandfather was known
to want to show folks his scars.
We laughed at that as kids.
Poking fun as he told his stories.
As I age,
I am realizing that we all should
follow in his footsteps.
We may not have actual battle wounds,
but we all have scars.
Broken hearts.
Battered egos.
Devastating pain.
Fractional defeats.
Anxiety-ridden questions.
These are not things to hide.
These are moments to share.
Your heart is mending.
Your esteem is growing.
You've overcome your
pain and defeat.
You're taking baby steps
each day
toward a new you.
We experience these things
not to limit or deter us,
but to bolster us
and to allow us
to offer, to the next fighter,
a tale of victory.
A champion. You.
Life.

The Moment

Stop!

Stop waiting.
Stop waiting for the weekend,
for summer,
for pay day,
for the right person,
for the stars to align,
for the weight loss,
for the perfect wave,
for the opportune time,
for the fairy tale.

Happiness is found in
The Moment.

What's in your luggage?

What do you choose
to cart around with you?
What do you keep packed up
and dragging behind you?
Is it the weight of the past?
Is it the heaviness of your anxiety?
Is it the sorrow of things gone too soon?
Is it the bulkiness of worry?

Unpack that nonsense.
Leave those bags at the next station.

Travel light.
Carry sunshine on your shoulders;
compassion in your actions;
kindness in your heart;
and love throughout your soul.

Life is not a burden
to be trudged through.
It is a blessing and a gift
to be explored.

Thankful

I know it's not November,
but perhaps I'll start a movement.
I would like to urge folks
to be thankful EVERY day.

Thankful for a new day.
Thankful for the sunshine.
Thankful for the rain.
Thankful for family.
Thankful for memories.
Thankful for laughter.
Thankful for nature's beauty.
Thankful for connection.
Thankful for hugs.
Thankful for time.
Thankful for support.
Thankful for hope.
Thankful for love.

If you have shared,
provided,
allowed,
reciprocated
any of the above with me ...
then I am
Thankful for you.

Storms

Storms don't always come
to destroy everything.
Sometimes, they come
to simply clear a path
we didn't know
needed clearing.
There is a cleansing
in that rain.
There is a brilliance
in the lightning.

There is a beauty

in that rage.

Keep searching

An indomitable spirit
in a weighted frame
is constantly in battle
with itself.
You cannot
profess positivity
and scream foul
at the same time.
They cannot exist
simultaneously.
If you choose
the bright side,
your negative happenings
become stories to share,
blocks to build on,
experiences with which to console others.
It is ok to stumble.
Hell, it's ok to
fall flat on your face.
It is not ok to stay there.
It is not ok to blame others.
It is not ok to expect others
to always pick you up.
Your best source of strength
lies very deep within you.
Keep searching.

Purpose

It is a grand notion
to think you've found
your 'purpose in life.'
I really believe
that that function
is ever-evolving.
We serve one purpose
as a young adult;
another as a spouse;
another as a parent;
another as a friend;
another as a worker;
another as a volunteer;
another as a caregiver;
another as we age.
And each of those
has its own ebb and flow.
Find your purpose -
in every phase -
and serve it well.

Make Life Beautiful

Today is
National Make Life Beautiful Day.
EVERY day
is make life beautiful day.
But ... let's work extra special hard today
to see beyond the hate,
the look past the hurt,
to focus on tiny victories,
to acknowledge the positives,
to embrace what's good.
If you cannot see what's beautiful,
be what's beautiful.

What will you focus on?

The world
can really make one sad.
There seems to be
so much anger and hatred,
bitterness and ugliness,
sorrow and despair.

The world is also full
of so many beautiful reasons
to be happy.

What will you focus on?

Share Yourself!

Someone out there
needs your song,
needs your poem,
needs your story,
needs your strength,
needs your victory,
needs your grit,
needs your heart,
needs your hope,
needs your love.
Share yourself!
You have no idea
who needs you.

What are you fishing for?

What are you fishing for?
Compliments?
Promotion?
Fame?
Fortune?

Don't forget
to enjoy the sun,
the spray of water,
the excitement of the hook,
and the vast expanse
of where you are.

Fish all you want.
Catch the moment.

What a Gift

In sudden loss
there is no time
for bracing or preparing.
It is just a hole.
A gaping wound.
An unending ache.
The chasm is bridged
with faith and friends
and support and love.
And then we must learn
to carry with us
the goodness and joy
that our departed ones
shared with us.
It is an homage;
it is an honor;
it is a blessing
to carry their essence forward
so that others can know
what a gift we were given.

What's In a Name?

Having spent a full day
enjoying the great and grand outdoors,
I took note of something
that many folks might take for granted.
The vistas we were blessed with
stretched literally for miles.
Slopes and hills and mountains and flats.
Each and every area filled with shrubs and trees.
They did not compete with one another.
They did not belittle one another.
They complimented each other.
The towering pines;
the mighty oaks;
the flowering rhododendron;
the weeping boughs;
the brilliant leaves;
the tiny flowers.
Each bringing its own beauty.
Each providing its own charm.
Each sharing its own qualities.
They did not seek titles.
They just grew and existed
in all their glory.
Still think I'm talking about trees???

Moments

I've been sharing photos of a brief vacation with the hubster
to a Florida beach.
I was enamored with the moments
where I found myself alone or with very few people
to absorb all the beauty that surrounded me.
The white, soft, cool sand
gathered in snowy dunes.
The multi-colored, clear water
that went on forever.
The sunshine that poured out all day.
Yesterday,
he and I took another adventure
to the Blue Ridge Parkway
between Balsam and Waynesville.
Completely different sights.
Just as indescribably breathtaking.
Every outlook was another opportunity
to realize how magical God is.
The layers and layers and layers of mountains
fading into a blue horizon.
The incredible shades of green
as every tree wanted to grab your attention.
Wildflowers lining each curve
and nestling in cliffside crags.
Photos will never do justice
in sharing the inspiring moments
I've been blessed with.
Go - have a moment.
See what's out there.
Find your moment.