Happy Heavenly Birthday Mom

What must a Heavenly birthday be like?
"Happy Birthday" from an Angelic choir
Balloons that look like big, fluffy clouds
Candle brilliance that beams down to inspire
Presents wrapped at the feet of God
All filled with love, at the base of His throne
It does my aching heart much good
To know you're not celebrating alone
Streamers, perhaps, made by lightning
Happy claps of thunderous applause
A joyous day behind the Pearly Gates
And Momma, you're the cause
How I wish you were here to spoil
Just one more chat, one more hug, one more game
The sun will always shine today
The day the Lord brought forth your name
Your legacy is thriving
Even though some days are covered in fret
I simply revert to three of your favorites:
This too shall pass!  NEXT!  and  You Bet!

Happy Heavenly Birthday Mom

Lighten the load

Some days,
stuff just comes tumbling out
of my tired little brain.
Other days,
I struggle to ensure
that my words are positive
and have an uplifting impact.
And in my struggles,
I usually find
that when the words do come
I am lifting myself up, too.
And so, today,
on one of those difficult days,
remember that we are all struggling;
there are entangled days for everyone;
we each see and feel the woes of the day
in our own unique way
as it pertains to our own unique life.
Don't be too quick to judge.
The weight on others may be quite a bit heavier
than your own load.
Instead, offer to share.
Lighten their load and ease the path for both of you.

National Superhero Day

Today is National Superhero Day!
Now, one of my favorite sayings is: "Not all Superheroes wear capes!"
Today is a grand day to bring that to light.
Bestest Superhero ever? Momma!
Through absolutely every bit of chaos in her life,
she unwaveringly stood firm in her love, her guidance and her ethics.
She taught me everything I know, cheered my passions,
set my boundaries, lifted me up, kept me grounded.
Hubby and Kids:
This man of mine sometimes makes me crazy,
but there is not one person I would rather be crazy with.
He listens (perhaps, selectively), leads, and laughs.
He pushes, persuades, and praises.
He is the single best decision I ever made.
Close seconds are my babies!!!
Fighters, dreamers, survivors, creators.
Passionate, compassionate, philanthropic, tenacious.
Courageous, daring, witty, bold and beautiful.
Brothers:
Six uniquely different souls each with unique gifts.
Some faux bros in there, too!
Blessed to be able to share life with them.
Amie, Ann, Athena, Carol, Dianna, Lenny, Nancy, Susie (alphabetically):
Each taking unwavering stands in my years to keep me sane.
Each beautifully unconditional in their love and support.
Each integrally vital to my health, sanity and optimism.
Shirelles, Hope, Lisa, and an army of others:
For keeping me on the straight and narrow.
For helping me maintain good mental and ethical health.
For countless hours of soothing talks and belly laughs.

You have more than earned your capes!
You may not be able to fly in the sky or leap tall buildings,
but you are immortal and amazing in my eyes!

Share It

If you have extra money,
share it.
If you have extra time,
share it.
If you have an extra smile,
share it.
If you have an extra hug,
share it.
If you have some good advice,
share it.
If you have a happy heart,
share it.
If you have extra positivity,
share it.
If you have plenty,
share it.
What you have is a blessing.
Take care of your own,
take care of your self,
and then ...
share it.

Kiss of Hope

Today is National Kiss of Hope Day!
I am ALWAYS up
for offering hope.
I adore smooches.
But this day, at this moment,
seems incredible appropriate.
To offer assistance,
from where you are,
to any soul less fortunate,
either with talent,
time,
or donations,
is the most blessed
Kiss of Hope
there is.
Have at it today, friends.

There is light

There is light.
Twinkles of kindness.
Sparkles of hope.
Flashes of brilliance.
Flames of resilience.
Kindling of faith.
Beacons of bravery.
Darkness is vanquished
when we shine,
each of us,
with our own unique glow.
There is light.

One

You are
one decision
away
from
a totally
different
life.
Choose wisely.

What have you gained?

So,
in this moment of "essentialism,"
what have you found
to be most important?
When the world "re-opens"
will you change your focus?
Will you have learned a lesson?
Will you have realized
what and who are integral
to your existence?
Will you understand the urgency
of diligent learning?
Will you wander in fear
of absolutely everything
or walk in faith and fervor
with knowledge, compassion
and an open-minded willingness
to educate yourself?
Will you stop and join in
the obtuse and self-imposing argument
or will you
peacefully, calmly, and unwaveringly
walk by?
Will you treat others better?
Will you treat yourself better?
Will you be a better person?
What have you gained?

Oldie, but a goodie!!!

And the man cried out,
"Oh, God,
why do you continue
to drag me
through troubled water?"
And,
the Lord replied,
"My son,
fear not.
Trust me.
Your enemies
cannot swim."

Light

Chaos wants to own this time.
We musn't let it
and in the meantime,
Chase light.
Chase things that make you feel alive,
passions that fill your soul,
ideas and dreams that keep you up at night.
Chase things that taste like freedom,
that make your mind spin with joy.
Chase light
in the sense of fostering it
within yourself
and the people around you.

Let me help

This quarantining is kind of getting to everybody.
Some folks have it much worse than others.
You city folks truly don't leave your homes.
Us country folks can at least wander outside and enjoy some stuff.
Everything kind of runs together
and stress levels are high.
We are wondering:
What time it is.
What day it is.
And sometimes can't remember quite who we are.

I know.
I get it.
Let me help.

The time is now.
The day is upon us.
You are the child of The King.
Get out there, in whatever capacity,
and share His word,
His message,
His truth.

Have a blessed day.

Hi Koo

Today, make a choice:
Will you be happy? Crappy?
It is up to you.

It's National Haiku Day.
Care to give it a shot?

KOKO

Whatever difficulties you face;
whatever hardships are in front of you;
however challenging your path is;
however slippery your slope;
Keep On Keeping On.
Let faith guide you.
Let friends lift you.
Let tiny victories empower you.
Let each step forward enlighten you.
Keep On Keeping On.
The light at the end of the tunnel
is not a train.
The step off the abyss
might become a magical flight.
The passion you chase
may touch more than you know.
You are needed, necessary,
worthy and extraordinary.
Keep On Keeping On.

Simply This

One day
you will
thank yourself
for
never
giving
up.

Your Name

Chisel your name in stone
for you who need constant fame.
Carve your name on trees
for strangers to wonder your tale.
Write your name in books
for those who have changed the world.
Sear your name on hearts
if you really want to touch a life.

Your Morning JRRT

All that is gold
does not glitter;
not all those who wander
are lost.
the old that is strong
does not wither;
deep roots are not reached
by the frost.

Difference

When you are 'forced' to slow down,
you begin to realize a lot of things
you either skipped right over
or never really noticed at all.
Here's a good one:

What you do
makes a difference.
You have to decide
what kind of difference
you want to make.

Brothers and Sisters

Today is National Siblings Day.
I am blessed to be able to celebrate with six brothers.
(One of whom has gained his wings and watches from above.)

But,
as I ponder the current situation out there
in this big, messy, crazy world ...
it has dawned on me,
especially now,
that we are all siblings.

Connected by a Father beyond measure,
tethered by a core of faith,
bonded with the strength of love,
beautifully and chaotically inseparable.

Thank you and happy Siblings Day.

Normal

"Soon this will be over."
"We'll get back to normal."

What is normal?

Are we satisfied with
what we called normal?
The division;
the hate;
the belittling;
the demeaning;
the I'm right, you're wrong;
the only one way mindset;
the ugliness.

We've got to find something better.
We have to learn a lesson.
We have to be something better.

Unity;
kindness;
uplifting;
complimentary;
listening;
open-minded;
love.

We cannot have gone through all of this
to return to what we were.

Do More

Stole this, er, ummm,
I mean I'm sharing this
and embellishing -
as I always do.


Do more.
Do more than belong; participate.
Do more than care; help.
Do more than hope; believe.
Do more than believe; practice.
Do more than be fair; be kind.
Do more than dream; create.
Do more than learn; listen.
Do more than observe; improve.
Do more than exist; love.
Do more.

Do You Know?

Do You Know?

    ~ by Lyn Marinello

Do you know what I did today? I opened up my eyes

And long before I climbed from bed, thanked God with grateful sighs.

Do you know what I did today? I opened my door to a beautiful day.

I sat quietly with my bible. I bowed my head to pray.

Do you know what I did today? I wrote my blog with love and hope.

Offered a little 'up-lift-ance' ~ for whomever needs to cope.

Do you know what I saw today, amidst calamity and dread?

The choice that people tried to make to be generous and kind instead.

Do you know what I saw today, through grateful, teary eyes?

Smiles despite the chaos; Love without compromise.

Do you know what I saw today despite the mayhem at our feet?

Neighbor helping neighbor; Singing in the street.

Do you know what I heard today, beyond the dark and dismal, dreary news

"How is it I can help you?" and a thousand "I love you!'s"

Do you know what I heard today, despite the barrage of death and blame?

That we'll get through this together because we are all the same.

Do you know what I heard today above the sobs and pleas?

Is the lovely hum of fitful prayer on countless bended knees.

Do you know what I felt today? A resilience in my bones.

The divisive hate is waning replaced by caring, helpful tones.

Do you know what I felt today? A strength in unity.

For as different as we claim we are, we are one community.

Do you know what I felt today - beside the worry and the fret?

Is that these times are trying, fraying every nerve ... and yet

For all the prayers I prayed today and the good I tried to do;

The kindness that I witnessed while the world is all askew;

For the thousand tiny actions of compassion that occurred

And the graceful gift of voices raised toward Heaven that I heard -
The tears I shed were not all sad. There is a goodness beyond scope.
Together we'll get through anything, you all have helped me cope.
And so, you see, full circle, the care and love that we can show
We are infinitely capable of anything ... you know?

Count

You can add your debt.
You can list your complaints.
You can tabulate your troubles.
You can calculate your tasks.
You can tally your troubles.
You can wade through your woes.
Or
You can count your blessings.

Amazing

I miss my days in leadership.
I miss seeing others blossom.
I miss watching their potential
unfold and unfurl.
I miss group success.
I miss sharing things like this:

You don't inspire others
by showing them 
how amazing you are;
you inspire them
by showing them
how amazing they are.

If we each worked on this
just a little each day,
the world would be
an extraordinary place.

Oh yes. This!

This is fantastic!
Today and every day.

The task of leadership
is not to put greatness into 
or thrust greatness onto people;
but to elicit it,
for the greatness is already there.

~ J. Buchan (with a minor tweak)

20/20

What a year
this month has been.
Much mayhem
and madness
but no one
has ever
injured their eyesight
looking on the bright side
of things.

What do you see?

Believe

Sometimes,
Angels
are just ordinary people
that help us believe
in miracles
again.

Believe.