Express Yourself

Did you hear what I was feeling?
Do you see what I was thinking?
Do you feel my insecurities?
Do you understand what I was hoping?
Did you grasp my intentions?

None of that makes any sense.
And yet … it all makes perfect sense.
This world is a crazy, mixed up, jumbled mess
moving at speeds that put The Enterprise to shame.
There is hardly any time to convey your thoughts,
and even when you do,
those thoughts and their intentions will surely be skewed.

Wouldn't it be wonderful
if folks just took a whole undistracted moment
to say what they mean,
mean what they say,
act from their heart,
transmit from their soul?
No static, white noise, nonsense.
Just the truth in its rawest form
delivered unencumbered by societal dust.

Go.
Express Yourself.

Ooh! Ooh! This!

So very short and sweet
but largely impactful and powerful:

Don't treat people
as bad as they are,
treat them
as good as you are.

What If...

What if ...
we didn't work so hard to prove our viewpoint?
we didn't push our values on others?
others didn't push their values on us?
we allowed others to simply be themselves?
we didn't judge by looks or accessories
          (baubles or human)?
we didn't only speak of inclusion and acceptance?
we listened to hear instead of to respond?
we cared about others as much as we do ourselves?
we cared about ourselves as much as we do others?
we just simply cared?
we loved?
we prayed?

What if ...

Come on

So, I seriously jump at every opportunity
to leave a day better than I find it.
Apparently … someone agrees:

One of the most spiritual things you can do
is embrace your humanity.
Connect with those around you.
Say, "I love you!" "I'm sorry." 
"I appreciate you." "I'm proud of you!"
… whatever you are feeling.
Send random texts, write a cute note,
embrace your truth and share it ...
cause a smile today for someone else ...
and give plenty of hugs.
~ Steve Maraboli

I mean, come on.

Enjoy the journey

Whether you are 18 or 58,
starting fresh is difficult.
Doesn't matter about your finances,
or your fortitude,
that first step is a doozy.
That simple staggering choice
is overwhelming and exhilarating
and exhausting.
To all those brave warriors
who decided to begin again,
I applaud your grit,
your faith,
your hope,
your strength,
your stamina.
Difficult roads often lead
to beautiful destinations.
Enjoy the journey.

Fully You

From Doctor Brown:

Belonging so fully to yourself
that you're willing to stand alone
is a wilderness -
an untamed, unpredictable place
of solitude and searching.
It is a place as dangerous
as it is breathtaking,
a place as sought after
as it is feared.
The wilderness can often feel unholy
because we can't control it,
or what people think about our choice
of whether to venture into the vastness or not.
But it turns out to be
the place of true belonging,
and it's the bravest and most sacred place
you'll ever stand.

Greatest Kindness

The greatest kindness
we can show one another
is to pray
for each other.

Pray for one's health.
Pray for one's recovery.
Pray for one's interview.
Pray for one's kids.
Pray for one's marriage.
Pray for one's understanding.
Pray for one's heart.
Pray for one's soul.
Pray for one.
Pray!

Wings and Roots

Quite simply today ...

I wish you wings
so you may spread them
and see where your
aspirations take you;

and roots
to keep you grounded
in the foundation
of faith
and family
and friends.

Happy Heart

Remember getting writing prompts in elementary school?
We'd get a starter thought
and we'd have to create an entire piece.
Well … I'd probably get points off for bad structure,
but a solid A for substance.

My heart is happy when:

I see beautiful vistas.
I see creatures in their element.
I have time for a great book/movie.
I am enveloped by good music.
I achieve a goal.
I am inspired to write.
I control my reaction.
I can celebrate someone's victory.
I can help.
I can make your day better.
I am surrounded by friends.
I hear from family.
I chat with my children.
I am in hubby's arms.
I am gifted with bliss bombs.

What about you?

NHD

National Hugging Day!

Oh what fun.
What a beautiful way
to express your inclusion;
to fill a chasm;
to hold someone together;
to spread a little love;
to provide hope;
to give joy and acceptance;
to care!

Go and wrap your arms
around another human being.
Not one of those loose, weak,
ass-out, back-patting hugs.
I'm talking
full on, squishing,
bone-crushing,
air-deflating,
putting all your feelings
into one single action
sort of hug.
The kind of hug
that leaves you truly feeling
enveloped and loved.

DIRFT

We Marinello folk have a whole library
of interesting phrases, quips, quotes and acronyms.
DIRFT was drilled into the children
at a very young age.
And, as it is MLK Day,
it's a good day to share.

His quote:
The time is always right to do what is right.
The Marinello equivalent:
Do It Right the First Time.

And if you DIRFT at every opportunity,
the world would be in much better shape.
Enjoy your Monday!

Be Present

You can get presents,
or (one of my favorites)
you can give presents,
but the best thing is

to BE present!

Work will wait.
Texts will wait.
Calls will wait.
Bills will wait.
Emails will wait.
Instagram will wait.
Twitter will wait.
What won't wait?
The moment.

Be present.

Be alive to what's beside you.
Embrace adventure and life.
Love who matters now.
Life is far too fragile and short
to do anything but

Be Present.

Every Single Bit!

Found this little quote
and ... kind of fell in love with it!

I understand now that I'm not a mess
but a deeply feeling person
in a messy world.
I explain that now when someone asks
'Why do you cry so often?'
I respond:
'For the same reason I laugh so often -
because I'm paying attention.'

Don't let the mess mess with you.
Tears are not signs of weakness.
Laughter is beautiful freedom.
Embrace all that you are.
Every single bit!

Hib

So today is my 'little' brother's birthday.
Six months younger, and a good foot taller,
he was my best friend growing up.
Sadly, he exited this world way too early.
And, although I will shed a tear or two today,
it is what he brought to this world
that is so extraordinary -
not that he left so soon.
He lived on his own terms;
did his own thing;
made up languages,
made up songs,
stole dogs (for car rides),
left gifts without reason,
laughed infectiously,
joked incessantly,
and loved without condition.
I miss you bro!
Thanks for shining so brightly
on so very many people.

Ch-Angel AMB

So my little Ch-Angel pal, AMB,
is getting ready to retire.
She already spent a lifetime
showcasing incredible children,
their struggles and victories,
raising awareness of their plight,
and raising more money
than you could imagine.
In her second chapter, she chose to work with
another organization that focuses on cancer patients
and research to bring that monster an end.
She's spent her work life creating and doing more good
than most of us can ever dream of.
She's 'mothered' hundreds of kids and raised them amazingly.
They are all better adults because she touched their lives.
Her words met countless eyes and
plucked the strings of countless hearts.
She changed lives at every opportunity.
I am saddened that the world will no longer be treated
to her visions or her words or her gifts.
I am thrilled beyond words
that this truly talented and selfless wonder
will now give herself time to enjoy the world around her,
to travel and laugh and visit and relax.
She very much deserves it.
Enjoy!
My Ch-Angel AMB!

"Whatchou got?"

Ashes to ashes ...
none of us is getting out of here alive,
so ...
what will you leave?
What kind of legacy are you offering?

I'm not speaking of self-monikered buildings.
Nor am I talking about a trail of trophies
or an avalanche of accolades.
I am referring to those things
that will truly make an impact.

Is it kindness?
Is it compassion?
Is it morality?
Is it tenderness?
Is it love?

Fame and fortune fades.
To give hope and shed light,
to prepare a path for others ...
THAT is a legacy.

Mo T

We're talking about Mother Teresa here.
I was just trying to make her more relevant
to the younger folk.
Try this one on for size:

Let no one ever come to you
without leaving better and happier.
Be the living expression
of God's kindness;
kindness in your face,
kindness in your eyes,
kindness in your smile.

I really, really try to live this.
What objective could be more important?

Definition

Never let another person
define you as a human.
You are not their expectations.
You are not their limitations.
You are not their ideology.

You are you!

You are this magnificent creature
who has a boatload of talent
and a beautiful heart
and a soul chock full o' kindness
just waiting to be shared.
Don't allow the darkness of others
dim your light.
Create your own brilliant definition of you.

Beautiful.
Strong.
Bold.
Resilient.
Enduring.

Scratch & Dent

I am more
(she said with a gulp)
than half a century old.
I was blessed with an extraordinary mom
who instilled in me fantastic values,
who led by amazing example,
who pushed me to push myself.
Now, alllll these years later,
she watches from above -
still pushing, leading and instilling.
One of my favorite lessons
was learned by watching - not by listening:

Her life was not perfect, nor easy.
She fought and clawed her way
out of every chasm that swallowed her up.
She learned lessons from selfish, lazy people
and built incredible things
from the hardships she endured.
There were scratches and dents
and still she knew her worth.

As should you.

Oh my, yes!

I know that I've been posting
a lot of quotes as of late.
I do apologize.
I will return to my normal rantings soon.
But, for today ...
chew on this one.
I believe we all need to hear this,
and work on it,
repeatedly!!!

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

(drop the mic)

Mae the force be with you

Miss Mae West offered this up for us:

You only live once;
but if you do it right,
once is enough.

Good stuff to hear.
Great stuff to do.

Mish Mash

A little of this
and a little of that.
Hope you enjoy.

Always hang on tightly
to your sense of humor and your patience;
remember that beautiful things
have dents and scratches, too;
search for moments of peace and beauty
amidst the chaos;
be grateful for every blessing
that has been given to you;
be sure that your compassion is deep enough
to include yourself;
remember how very talented and
courageous you are
and that you already have within you
whatever it takes to deal with what's around you;
and that you are worthy of your own love.

Great Word

Have seen this several times
over the last few weeks.
That usually means
that someone out there needs to see it.
So ...

Do not despair.
Do not fret.
Everything is
figureoutable!!!

You can handle
whatever life dishes up.
You are extraordinary.
You are amazing.
You are brilliant.
You are extrilliazing!!!

Leftovers

We've undoubtedly all suffered loss.
We've hobbled through hurt.
We've bawled through betrayal.
Schuller best put it when he said:

Never look at what you have lost.
Always look at what you have left.

The things and the people you have lost,
may have made remarkable impacts on you,
on your life, on your psyche, on your soul.
The pain of loss is unbearable, but those impacts are leftovers.
Savor them. Cherish them. Live them.
The hurt you have suffered is crippling,
but you've emerged from it.
You are a different person learning to be;
stronger, wiser, bolder, braver.
That hurt was unbearable, but those lessons are leftovers.
Savor them. Cherish them. Live them.
The betrayal cut you to the bone,
but you realized your value and your worth;
your integrity and morals; your boundaries and your expectations.
The backstabbing was brutal, but those scars carry in them
your resilience, tenacity and fortitude and are your leftovers.
Savor them. Cherish them. Live them.

Never look at what you have lost.
Always look at what you have left.

Real Power

Respect.
Respect your efforts.
Respect your self.
When you have both firmly under your belt,
that's real power.

~ Clint Eastwood

The more I read it ...

It would seem that
the more I read this quote
by Lucius Annaeus Seneca
the more I like it.
Hope you do too.
And here's hoping
that you find happiness
within you.

True happiness is to enjoy the present,
without anxious dependence on the future,
not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears
but to rest satisfied with what we have,
which is sufficient,
for he that is so wants nothing.
The greatest blessings of mankind
are within us and within our reach.
A wise man is content with his lot,
whatever it may be,
without wishing for what he has not.

See?  Told ya!
Enjoy your day.