Fly

As I've said before, when there are words
that I am gifted with, I wake up and write.

There is someone, somewhere,

that needs to see this.

I hope it finds its target

I am thankful for and humbled by the opportunity.

Fly

by Lyn Marinello

there may not be bruises

but you've been beaten and battered

isolated and lonely

you've simply forgotten what mattered

your battle scars are internal

they are ragged, rough and deep

and waves of sheer inequity

over you woefully sweep

a once fierce and fiery spirit

reduced to a mere random spark

a radiant and glowing soul

growing angry in the dark

you've been tied up without ropes

and stuffed within a box

set adrift upon a lonely sea

void of any visible docks

you've been told your dreams don't count

that you're not all you could be

there aren't any tethers

but you certainly are not free

you're walking on a tightrope

unaware you are your own net

unsure of each decision

filled with gnawing, raw regret

you stare into an unforgiving mirror

lost sight of the beauty that once was there

distraught and dismayed with so many things

wondering why life is so unfair

grounded by guilt and by fear

met with disapproval each time you try

spread your wings, my beautiful bird

for you were always meant to fly.

Ahh, yes ... this

As I'm trying to catch up on sleep,
worrying about kids,
being concerned about family,
and trying to keep work patrons happy ...
I saw this and it sure struck home.

Perhaps someone else

needs to see this, too.

My goal 

is no longer

to get more done,

but rather

to have

less to do.

Obstacles

Found. Loved.
Expounded.

Obstacles

do not block

the path;

they are the path.

It is in the overcoming

of these obstacles

that lessons are learned,

strength is gained,

tenacity is forged,

and life is lived.

Don't be afraid

of your obstacles.

Embrace them.

Use them.

Enjoy the view

from atop them.

NTD

Today is National Thoughtful Day!

It is a celebration meant to bring goodwill, 

in whatever ways are available to you,

with a spirit of generosity toward others;

and an awareness of fulfilling another's needs,

to acknowledge an achievement,

to offer a pick-me-up,

to be available

to inspire and assure

another's worth and purpose.

Go be thoughtful

and watch the ripples

make a difference

in places you never imagined.

Either

Found one. Made the other.
Either one would be fine by me.

Meet me

where the sun

touches the mountains

or

greets the sea.

Enjoy wherever

you find yourself today.

In my dreams

As I was drifting off to sleep last night,
desperately needing rest
yet mind racing through the day,
these words filled my head.

I was a bad listener

and did not write them down.

They must be important,

because they came again this morning.

I either need to share

or continue on to finish this one.

I hope you enjoy its beginnings ...

His Hands

by Lyn Marinello

With His hands he will guide me,

protect me and hold me,

uplift me, restrain me,

and joyfully mold me ...

Whatcha think?

Share a Kindness

And so I find these things along my day

that light a spark or catch my eye

or steal my heart.

I take them and hold them, assess their weight,

make them my own,

and share them with you kids.

If we cannot share a kindness,

why are we here?

We are braver with that first step,

kinder when we care,

stronger when we listen,

and smarter when we share.

There are two things

you are in complete control of

in your life:

your attitude and your effort.

Reactions don't create

what responses may provide.

Have a beautiful day.

Light

Quite short
and sweet
and simple ...

(and a Lyn-tweak as well)

It's your light

that lights

the world.

Shine on.

BAAD

Today is National Be An Angel Day!

What a glorious day to have a birthday!

Get out there

and be a blessing

to someone.

Share a smile.

Give a compliment.

Help with a task.

Be kind.

Fluff up those wings.

Shine up that halo.

Go ...

Be An Angel!

Thanks for being you!

Hello Monday!

Good morning, kids!

Here's a couple of nuggets

on your Monday morning

to get your week started

in the right and positive direction ...

Life

is a series

of thousands

of tiny miracles.

Notice them.

~

To remember

who you are,

you need to forget

who they told you

to be.

Make this a marvelous Monday!

Two-fer Saturday

Happy to offer up
a special two-fer this Saturday.

(with a little Lyn-tweak, of course)

Here's hoping your weekend
is just as special as you are.

If it's out of your hands,

it deserves

freedom from your mind as well.

and ...

while moving forward ...

Your task is not

to foresee a beautiful future,

but to enable it.

Thank You

As I prepare to celebrate
another trip around the sun,
I just want to take a moment
to say "Thank You!"

for your listening,

for your lessons,

for your lifting up,

for your laughter,

for your loyalty,

for your leadership,

for your logic,

for your likeability,

for your love.

Thank You!

Yes ...

I'm talking to you.

Thursday Mish Mash

A couple of fantabulous quips
that just are packed with truth.

My goal is no longer

to get more done,

but rather

to have less to do.

~

There is

a nobility in compassion;

a beauty in empathy;

and

a grace in forgiveness.

~

They tried

to bury me.

They didn't know

I am a seed.

~ 

Nothing 

can bring you peace

but yourself.

Key Words

Not mine, but love this!

Words

are like keys,

if you

choose them right.

They can 

open any heart

and

shut any mouth.

Fantastic!

Energy

Gotta love a little Buddha Tuesday:

Be the

energy

you want to

attract.

Go ...

be positive!

Celebrate You

I was listening to a meditation

after a workout this morning

and this line,

as some often do, 

kinda screamed at me and said,

"you need to share me"

and so I am.

Celebrate YOU!

Tiny little things.

Waking up to a new day.

Working out - putting the effort in.

Feeding and dressing all the children.

Having a good meeting at work.

Being productive.

Sharing a smile and a kind word.

Being present.

Giving out hugs.

Listening.

Making dinner.

Dinner without phones.

Dancing in the kitchen.

Cleaning up before bed.

Being thankful.

Realizing you're beautiful

and amazing

and important.

The world is better

because you're in it.

Celebrate YOU!

Choose

Found and finagled ...
as I do.

I choose

to live by choice,

not chance;

to be motivated,

not manipulated;

to be useful,

not used;

to make changes,

not excuses;

to excel,

not compete;

to encourage,

not sabotage;

to listen and learn,

not respond and react;

to care and comfort,

not degrade and demean.

I choose

self-esteem,

not self pity.

I choose to listen

to my inner voice,

not the random opinions

of others.

I choose to be happy,

not crappy.

I choose positives 

and silver linings

and the innate goodness

that sits deep within each of us.

What do you choose?

Rise and Shine!

Good Friday Morning, Kids!
Here's a wonderful start 

to the end of your week

and the beginning

of your weekend ...

Just like the sun,

you are here

to bring light

into this world.

Rise and Shine!

Thank you

for shining on me.

The View

So this is not mine.
I saw it on a friend's post.
But, good gravy, does it need to be shared.


The way people view you.

Sometimes I think about

the different characters I play in everybody’s story.⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’m a terrible person in some people's narratives

and a Godsend in others.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And none of it has anything to do

with the person I truly am.
The lens that others view you through

is colored by their upbringing, beliefs, and individual experiences.
Some people see your bright personality as endearing

and others see it as annoying.
Some people think you’re weak and emotional

and others feel safe to be themselves around you.
Some people think you’re rude and selfish

and others respect the way you stand up for yourself.
Some people admire the way you take pride in the way you look

and others think you’re conceited.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And none of it has to do with who you truly are as a person.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
What you have to understand

is that you have no authority over how people view you

so never try to control the way others see you

because the only thing that truly matters

when the dust settles down at the end of the day

is what you genuinely see in yourself.

A New Chapter

Today is

National Book Lovers Day!
Life is like a book.

Don't judge it by its cover.

You are the author of your own story.

There may be some dark pages,

but you are more than capable

of starting a new chapter.

You touch hearts,

bring joy,

invoke tears,

and are worthy of

every

single

page.

Write on, friend.

Make yourself a masterpiece.

Today ...

Today ...
in addition to asking you
to let your Happy out
on National Happiness Happens Day ...

I want you to ponder something.

It's a truly spectacular item.

It is rare and unique and stunning.

It is bold and beautiful and brave.

It is strong and sturdy and steadfast.

It is creative and clever and charismatic.

It is an integral piece

of the beautiful tapestry

that is this current place and time.

It is YOU!

Don't question yourself.

Don't doubt your abilities.

Don't dismiss your purpose.

You are loved and needed.

Have a terrific Tuesday.

Let It Be

I did not write this, but it is fantastic!
Enjoy ...

Let today be

what today needs to be.

Whether you travel through

quickly or slowly,

breathe deep,

no matter your pace.

Take action

where you need to take action

and,

if a moment calls for stillness,

then embrace stillness.

You are allowed

to welcome the ebb and flow.

You are allowed

to pace yourself through every unknown.

One day at a time.

One hour at a time.

One minute at a time.

Perhaps you will find

there is grace to make it through this

just fine.

Let it be ...

Some Saturday Sagan

This here ...
is some good stuff ...
that a LOT of people
could stand to read,

and implement ...

Let us 

temper our criticism

with kindness.

None of us

comes fully equipped.

Thanks, Carl.

Plenty

This here is a gem!

There's a few folks,
perhaps myself included,
that need to see this.

You don't always

have to be

doing something.

You can just be,

and that is plenty.

~ Alice Walker

Good ...

and plenty.

A Thursday Reminder

I didn't write this,
but it is cute
and simple
and perfect
and true:

From

morning's first light

til

evening's last star,

never forget

how very special

you are!

In the grand tapestry of life,

we each are a unique thread,

integral to the beauty

and complexity

of the final masterpiece.

(Ok, the last part

I did write!)

:-)

Have a great day.

Fire

From one of our favorites ... MT!

Go out

into the world today

and love the people

you meet.

Let your presence

spark new light

in the hearts

of others.

Get out there, folks, 

and set the joint

on fire!

Here's to us ...

Here's to all of us
beautiful confused imperfections

who wake up and keep trying

every day.

Remember ...

to never be a prisoner

of your past.

It was a lesson,

not a life sentence.

You just keep

shining your most

brilliant, stunning light.