Wednesday, November 30, 2022

The Storm

Seems appropriate for this morning's weather:

And once the storm is over,
you won't remember
how you made it through,
how you managed to survive.
You won't even be sure
whether the storm is really over.
But one thing is certain ...
when you come out of the storm,
you won't be the same person
who walked in.
That's what the storm
is all about.
~ Haruku Murakami

This too shall pass.

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

What a gift ...

We were blessed with a beautiful granddaughter
about a year and a half ago.
Although it is so difficult to have her so far away,
she just brings joy and sass to every day she touches.
She's an absolute treasure
and an incredible blessing to the family.
I had always heard about what a grandbaby can do
to your heart and your soul and your life.
It's all true ... and it's amazing.

But ...

What no one tells you,
is that the icing on top,
the almost more precious gift
than that wee, tiny human,
is the giddiness;
the complete love and awe;
the sheer elation
that it brings out in your own kids.
To see and hear and bear witness
to THAT kind of love ...

is an absolutely beautiful gift.

Monday, November 28, 2022

Thankful

Have always loved this thought process:

Be thankful
for closed doors,
detours,
and roadblocks.
They protect you
from paths and places
not meant
for you.

No author given,
but dang ... that's some good stuff!

Saturday, November 26, 2022

A great lesson

I may have posted this previously,
but it's because I really, really like it;
and perhaps ...
some folks need to be reminded.

The world
is changed
by your example,
not 
by your opinion.

~ Paulo Coelho

Friday, November 25, 2022

Truth!

Not just for Black Friday,
but for always.
Every. Single. Day.

Do not get upset
with people or situations.
Both are powerless
without your reaction.

So, so many times
I have opened my mouth
in reaction
and then immediately shut it,
thought carefully,
focused,
and then responded.

Thursday, November 24, 2022

The Weaving

What you leave behind
is not what is engraved
in stone monuments;
but what is woven
into the lives of others.
~ Pericles

Be thankful for the weaving
that has taken place prior to you,
and be sure to continue
a beautiful masterpiece
in the hearts and souls of 
those around you.
What you weave
is up to you.

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

A favorite

One of my most favorite of messages:

When you are hanging on
by a thread,
make sure it is
the hem
of His garment.

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

by Angels

Doing my 'thang'
what with stealing
and embellishing ...

In the space between
our struggles and our stumbles
we are supported by angels.
In the space between
our prayers and our triumphs
we are cheered by angels.
In the space between
hope and happening
we are met by angels.
In the space between
our dreams and being awake
we are kissed by angels.

Monday, November 21, 2022

Thankful for the week ahead

I'll just be dousing you
with little quotes this week,
to help you realize
all there is
to be thankful for.

Gratitude
is the fairest blossom
that springs forth
from the soul.

Saturday, November 19, 2022

Human

So ...
yesterday I had myself a teeny, tiny pity party.
I ranted about an event
(or nonevent)
that made me very angry.
I received a few comments that folks
were surprised by my venting.
Let me share something.
I jump on here each morning
in the sincere attempt
to not only start your day off well,
but to do so for myself as well.

A positive thought in the morning ...

I make it a point to be available to those who need to
rant, rave, cry, scream, chat or just need company.
Sometimes,
I need that as well.
I am just a mere little human being.
I am moved by sadness,
angered by injustice,
and awed by grace and blessings.
I choose to face each day with a positive attitude
and do my best to help you do the same.
There are times when we have a week full of Mondays ...
but that just means we get several opportunities
to begin again ...
no matter how frustrating.
We are all just walking each other home.
Let us be cognizant of one another ~
in any and every mental state.

Friday, November 18, 2022

Assignments

Saw a little something that I had kept
and felt like it needed to be thrown out there.

Whoever needs to see this ...
here ya go.

You've been assigned this mountain
to show others it can be moved.

You may be exhausted.
You may feel you cannot continue.
You may feel overwhelmed.

Take a deep, deep breath.
Do not look at the height
of the problem before you.
Focus on that first step ...
and then the next one ...
and then the next one.

You are someone's inspiration.

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Some sweet embellishment

The original part of this is from Anne of Green Gables.
Of course, without regret,
I mangled it and made it mine ...

It has been my experience,
overtly and repeatedly,
that you can
nearly always enjoy things
if, in fact,
you make up your mind
to do exactly that.

That choice is always ...
ALWAYS ...
yours.

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Listening

November contains some form of national listening day or week
or something along those lines.
Let us zoom in on a few things ...

We have two ears and only one mouth.
Twice as important to listen as it is to respond.

Sometimes listening is the only thing
needed to help someone.

Listening to those that have come before us
opens up doors and lessons we could never have fathomed.

Listening to children ~
even if it's gibberish ~
is a beautiful and necessary form of attention.

Listening to each other,
without forethought or bias, is difficult but vital.

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Ponder the Pieces

So I was reading a post this morning.
It was a poignant little conversation with God piece.
It is rather lengthy and very engrossing,
but one portion that truly jumped out at me
went a little something like this ...

Me: God, I'm falling apart. Will you put me back together?
God: I would rather not.
Me: Why?
God: You are not a puzzle.
Me: What about all the pieces of my life that are falling to the ground?
God: Let them stay there for a bit. They fell off for a reason. 
         Take some time and decide if you need any of those pieces back.
Me: You don't understand, I'm breaking down.
God: No, you're breaking through.

If you're going through a rough time,
please stop and take a moment.
Ponder the pieces.
Figure out if you're breaking down or breaking through.

I'll be here for you.

Monday, November 14, 2022

What Counts

Thank you, Jim, Jamie, Dan, Bill and Victor - for making this happen
and inspiring this.
Thank you, Kelly, for the notebook that captured much of this.


What Counts
by Lyn Marinello

Perched amidst the tree tops with a view of layered mounts
In the company of loved ones ... that's really all that counts
In the beauty of the leaves of vivid orange, gold and red
We learn that change and even loss is nothing we should dread
Those angelic wispy clouds float across blue topaz skies
On the breeze that force those leave to imminent autumnal demise
Half-a-dozen bambies play a game of hide and seek
As we simply sit in wonder, blessed to merely have a peek
Mr. Groundhog roams the front yard as the birds chirp endlessly
An early bat take to the sky in flight haphazardly
Evening repast is enjoyed with those across, adjacent
And an air of peace wafts through; comforting and complacent
The sun begins its ritual to rest from its daily chore
And offers us a kaleidoscope; a vista of color galore
The competition's on as we gather 'round the old pool table
A friendly game of billiards turns maniacally unstable
Laughter fills the twilight as we rack up for another break
The hot tub roils steamily ~ an open invite to partake
Pac Man chomps away. The fire pit flames spit toward the sky
Chatter fills the crisp night air as hours peacefully slip by
Perched amidst the tree tops with a view of layered mounts
In the company of loved ones ... that's really all that counts

Saturday, November 12, 2022

Love

Do not know who to credit,
but ... as usual ...
I am 'making it my own'.

To LOVE a person
is to see all of their magic;
not their weight,
not their clothes,
not their choices,
not their religion,
not their color,
not their party;
and to remind them of it
when they have forgotten.
We are each given
a beautiful uniqueness
to share with this world.
Don't dim your light
for any reason.
You were born to shine.

LOVE each other
like that!

Friday, November 11, 2022

To Our Veterans

Thank You!

Mr. Davis voiced it well:

This will remain
the Land of the Free
only so long
as it is
the Home of the Brave.

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Sing along ...

So take a deep breath,
pick yourself up,
dust yourself off
and start all over again.

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Note to Self:

This made me chuckle
and refocus.

Note to Self:

You are not too old
and
it is not too late.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Friendly Reminder

As we just recently adjusted our clocks,
let us also remember this:

Your spirit needs recharging
at least as often
as your phone or laptop.
Make the time to
re-focus, re-center, and reconnect
with yourself.

Be well. Be wonderful.
Be happy.

Monday, November 7, 2022

Wild

From Isadora Duncan ...

You were once wild.
Don't let them tame you.

This is for all those folks
who are trying to fit in,
playing the game,
pretending to be what they're not.

Why fit in,
when you were born to stand out?

Enjoy your day!

Saturday, November 5, 2022

You Are

I grew up hearing, "You are what you eat."
and, for the most part, that is true.
Eat healthy, be healthy.
What I have since learned
is that it's not just
what you feed your body
that matters.
It's what you feed your brain;
what you feed your heart;
and what you feed your soul.
Feed them positive, healthy,
joyful meals.
Feed them hope and light.
Feed them kindness
and compassion ~
in all things
in all ways.
You Are
what you serve yourself.
Serve yourself well.

Friday, November 4, 2022

Circles

This just seems completely infinite
and surely makes you realize
how tiny we are,
yet integrally interwoven.

Stories
always go on.
They don't end
on the last page,
and more 
than they begin
on the first page.

~ C Funke

When we feel like life has stopped,
perhaps its just a lengthy chapter,
a time to reflect and ponder,
and then ...
as we have no choice ...
we take another step and then another
and the circle of life
rolls on.

Thursday, November 3, 2022

Life

Didn't write this.
Just sort of embellishing ...
like I do.

Everything we do
is infused
with the energy
with which we do it.
If we are frantic,
life will be frantic.
If we are hopeful,
life will be full of hope.
If we are joyful,
life will be full of joy.
If we are peaceful,
life will be peaceful.
Choose wisely and use
your positive energy.

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Look

Stumbled across this little note
from Abraham Hicks
and just had to share.

To some, 
it may seem oversimplified,
but ... 
how has the opposite
been working for ya?

If all you did
was just look for things
to appreciate,
you would live
a joyous, spectacular life.

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Kindness & Gratitude

Hey there, November!
What a beautiful month it is.
A month in which there are celebrations
of kindness, giving, listening and gratitude.
Two of my favorites are
kindness and gratitude.
Especially in these heated, divisive times,
focusing on kindness and gratitude
are incredibly important.
We are all human beings -
no matter your color, your ancestry,
your religion or your beliefs.
When we recognize one another
as anything less that another soul ~
worthy of acceptance, hope, patience,
kindness, assistance, and love ~
society fractures, voices are lost,
hearts are shattered and life itself is mocked.
Whenever there is an opportunity
to be kind ... please do so ...
and opportunity abounds.
And when you've been afforded
some random kindness ~
however small ~
be grateful,
and pay it forward
and perhaps we can start
a circle of wonderful things.