Eek!

Appropriate for Halloween,
I found this little gem:

Do one thing every day

that scares you!

~ Mary Schmich

Let It Be

Yes, please, sing the song while reading.

Sometimes,

it is better to just let things be,

let people go;

let arguments pass;

don't fight for closure;

don't ask for explanations;

don't expect acknowledgement;

don't chase answers;

don't expect people

to have your same heart,

to understand your journey,

to validate your efforts,

to apologize for their actions.

Let It Be.

Stand in the elusive knowledge

that you are worthy,

beautiful,

integral,

and loved.

Let It Be.

Wanna

I don't wanna fight.
I don't wanna argue.

I don't wanna accuse.

I don't wanna blame.

I don't wanna belittle.

I don't wanna hate.

I don't wanna spew.

I don't wanna demean.

I wanna live.

I wanna be.

I wanna thrive.

I wanna lift others.

I wanna give.

I wanna embrace.

I wanna thank.

I wanna listen.

I wanna converse.

I wanna create memories.

I wanna laugh.

I wanna love.

Miracle Worker

This was stated by one Marianne Williamson ~
or so the meme has told me.
Forgive me if it's credited to someone else,
but please just read it.

Let it seep in to your very soul.

If we all focused on this simple quote,

the world would be an extraordinary space.

The way of the miracle worker

is to see all human behavior

as one of two things:

either love,

or a call for love.

Have a Thankful Thursday.

Comfy

Hey kids! I'm back! Didjamissme? :-)

There is a peace in comfortability.

Relaxing into good, old habits.

Leaning into the warmth of love

and security and memories.

Finding a new place of resolve

and kindness and acceptance

and serenity.

Allowing a quiet calm

and joyous contentment

in the confines of my

very own lumpy skin.

Vistas add to the mix,

adventures add to the tales,

but there is absolutely nothing

that can replace

the communication made

with laughter and a hug.

Thankful for a little time away

to do all of the above.

Hope you find a moment soon

to do the same.

Re-

Regrouping.
Recentering.
Reconnecting.
Refocusing.

Relaxing.

Will be a few days away.

Please be kind to one another

and to yourself.

Life is too short

to behave any other way.

One of My Favs

This is just a little tidbit,
but it is one of my absolute favorites.

I hope that you become filled

with so much happiness

that it heals

every part of you.

It exists.

It can happen.

I pray this for you.

Something to Think About

by Rumi:

Out beyond ideas

of wrongdoing and rightdoing,

there is a field.

I'll meet you there.

When the soul lies down

in that grass,

the world is too full

to talk about.

I think I love this more

as election time approaches

once again ...

Self Love

I did not write this,
just kind of ...
made it my own.

;-)

Self love isn't always

chocolate cake and shopping sprees.

Sometimes,

it's meal planning,

it's working out,

it's going to bed early,

it's letting go of toxic people.

It is 

forgiving yourself for not meeting

your own impossible standards,

for not attending every function,

for not answering every call,

for not filling every anticipated need

of other people.

It is

understanding your value,

your worth,

your importance,

your integral role

in the tapestry of life.

Self love

is not selfish

or a luxury

or extravagance.

It is a matter

of survival.

Feed it well

Your brain
will always believe

everything you tell it.

Feed it kindness.

Feed it faith.

Feed it love.

Feed it truth.

Feed it hope.

Feed it well.

It's All in the Approach

When do we lose that purpose

to be kind to one another?

When we teach children,

we start from a point of innocence,

a blank slate, a clean table,

with an enthusiasm to enable another human

to grow and become a little better,

a little stronger,

a little more capable.

In our whirlwind called society,

the expectation to 'keep up,'

'to know it all,'

to have already been exposed to all things

so new stuff should be easy

creates a demeaning and belittling atmosphere.

It not only defeats the purpose,

it destroys the learner.

I am guilty of this myself.

I think I was presented with this recently

to make me look inward.

I will try harder to be better;

to slow down, to breathe, to be kind

and to assist.

It's all in the approach.

How will you approach your next challenge?

A much kinder place

An oldie,
but a fantastic-ie!

I myself

am made

entirely of flaws,

stitched together

with good intentions.

When we humble ourselves

to realize

that this is true of all of us,

the world becomes

a much kinder place.

Just a few things ...

There are a great many times
that you will doubt yourself,
question your situation,
and ponder your direction.

I want you to remember
just a few things ...

1. Stop for a moment. 

Breathe.

Remember how far

you've actually already come.

2. Stop for a moment.

Breathe.

Maybe change the

"Why is this happening to me?"

into

"What is this trying to teach me?"

3. Stop for a moment.

Breathe.

Not all storms come to disrupt your life.

Some come to clear a path.

If it doesn't open ... it's not your door.

Here

So while on a drive with hubby a few weekends ago,
in a little, obscure area ...

in a relatively unmarked graveyard ...

I happened to see a very sad sight.

Perhaps it struck me deeper because hubby just lost a dear friend.

But ...

 I saw a person, wrapped in a shawl or blanket of some sort,

sitting in a simple folding chair beside a headstone.

The loneliness of it all just was very sad and also sobering.

Most of what follows came pouring out and

I initially typed it into my phone for safe keeping.

The rest came this morning so I thought I'd share.

Please let me know what you think ...

Here
by Lyn Marinello

Don't bury me in a cemetery
amongst emblazoned stone
I'd hate to have you visit me
and still be all alone
Don't show up dressed in black
Don't mourn, but celebrate
Don't send flowers that will wither
Share stories; commemorate
Spread some ashes in the water
so we can chat while you fish and swim
Spread a little in the mountains
on a wooded trail or rocky rim
Bring me to your favorite place
Scatter me there as well
Come converse about your woes
or simply sit with me a spell
Help me fertilize a flower bed
to bring the hope of butterflies
or the roots of a magnolia tree
where you can rest beneath its size
When my earthly transport falters
When it sputters, stops and stalls
Do not weep because I'm leaving
rejoice that I was even here at all

Gratefully Mine

I thank those
who are my Ch-Angels,
and that host is large.

I have seen

and met Angels

wearing the disguise

of ordinary people,

living ordinary lives.

What a gift!

Price

Although this quote hits me as sort of being negative,
I believe there is a positive to be gained from it.

There seems to be a lot of finger-pointing,

name-calling and division out there.

Please remember this from Eldridge Cleaver:

The price of hating

other human beings

is loving oneself

less.

Dang.

That's got some weight, eh?

You're Worth It

This is a dandy ...

Sometimes,

the hardest part

of the journey

is believing

you're worth

the trip!

A little F. Scott

Mr. Fitzgerald apparently penned this
most appropriate quip for National Smile Day.

It was only a sunny smile,

and little it cost in the giving,

but like morning light,

it scattered the night

and made the day worth living.

A simple smile

can do extraordinary things.

It is kindness

and caring

and hope

and love

in a single, solitary gesture.

Get out there

and share those pearly whites!

Learning

Found this little number
and absolutely loved it.

Hope it reaches all the folks

who might need to see it.

I am learning

to love the sound

of my feet

walking away

from things

not meant

for me.

Yousedto

This was one of the word jumbles that attacked me while driving
on our adventure this past Sunday.
The rest of it came in small pieces, but I think it turned out well.
This is obviously written about my Momma,
but I'm fairly certain it could be anyone's momma, or father,
or husband or wife or sibling or person that they've lost.
I hope you find solace in this that you are not alone.
Please enjoy and comment if you'd like.


Yousedto
by Lyn Marinello

You used to dry my tears
You used to hug away the ache
You used to listen to me vent
You used to calm me when I'd shake
You used to cheer my grand ideas
You used to let me share my woes
You used to challenge me at Scrabble
You used to keep me on my toes
You used to answer every call
You used to offer sage advice
You used to be nice to everyone
Until it was time to not be nice
You used to be a fixture
A part of every single day
You used to be a presence
Then you quietly slipped away
My life is infinitely better
Though now occasionally tossed askew
By the hollow place that was once filled
With all the things you used to do

It starts with you ...

Bring love
wherever you go.
Shine light

wherever it's dark.

Leave blessings

wherever you've been.

Be kind

wherever you are.

Be love

wherever it's needed.

The good stuff inside

I am not aware of a single soul
that doesn't enjoy a good compliment.
"Great smile!"

"You look wonderful today!"

"Beautiful eyes!"

"Your hair is amazing!"

All wonderful, unexpected treats

that can truly change a day for someone,

but if you think that can brighten a mood ...

try one of these ...

"I am so proud of you!"

"I am so glad you're here!"

"Don't know what I'd do without you!"

"You really make the day better!"

"So glad you're sharing your ideas!"

"This place works so much smoother with you!"

"You're so thoughtful and kind!"

"You are so vital and important!"

"I'd be lost without you!"

"Thank you for being here and being you!"

It is nice to hear how nice we look,

but on occasion,

it is truly inspiring to hear about

the good stuff inside.

Cost

Kindness
is a gift
everyone
can afford.