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.