Ahhhhh, 2011! It's been a year, no? Around these parts, there were many growing pains: four adults, licenses, graduation, moving out. Wow! That's a lot for one year. Stir in a crazy seasonal job, kids with jobs, kids in college, hubby's five stores shifting like the wind, heading up the ACH group, friend's retiring, and lots of family drama. Sprinkle it with recessions, unemployment, government chaos, and general world unrest. Whew!
Although we can be happy to put some of that behind us, it is precisely all those things, mashed up together, that help us become who we are. Some things were fantastic! To know that hubby and I created two adults ~ working, caring, intelligent, amazing, philanthropic, creative, beautiful, fabulous adults ~ just keeps me in awe. The moving out thing was not as exciting, but acknowledged as part of those very same adults growing and exploring. The death of tyrants is a wonderful thing, but the continuous upheaval of various areas of the earth is . . . not so much.
We can only claim our own little corner of the world. We fix what we're able, amend what we can, love unceasingly, and try to make a little bit of positive difference. Pointing fingers and depositing blame on others doesn't work. There's always three fingers pointing back at you and, as of late, deposits soon turn into withdrawals with interest. Let's take responsibility for ourselves, our actions, our troubles, and our abilities to get out of them.
Let's make 2012 a year of possibilities. A fresh start to gain insight into our own cores, our own desires, our own incredible abilities, and our own opportunities. We can achieve great things if first, we believe in ourselves! Happy New Year's Eve! Be safe! Be careful! Don't drink and drive! And make 2012 the Year of the New You!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Disposition . . . or datposition
We can only control our own actions. We cannot force other people to act in a certain way or behave in a certain manner. Well, actually, we could but we'd probably end up in prison!
As Martha Washington said, "The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances."
When you head through life with as positive an outlook as possible, things seem to be a little easier to deal with. When my son was diagnosed with a life-threatening auto-immune disease; we chose to face it as something to move beyond. We did not let it consume our lives; although, in reality, it took up a lot of our time and energy. We did not dwell on that, though. We focused on what lay beyond the treatments and what we'd do afterward. There are folks that wait every week for lab results, and maintain logs of numbers and facts and things of that nature. We just chose to NOT be a family suffering from Dermatomyositis, but rather a goofy, silly family who had a hurdle to climb before moving on to the next goofy, silly thing to do.
When faced with an angry person, whether it is in the grocery store, the mall, the road, or at work; instead of stooping to engage in their ridiculous behavior, try giving them a simple smile and move along. You'd be amazed at how confused they become because you will not give them acknowledgement of their poor behavior.
Each day you wake up, you have the choice to make: "Do I want to be happy, or crappy?" I hope you choose the first! As my mom would say, "You can be happy with 'disposition' or 'datposition', but just be happy." It is all a matter of choice. I hope 2012 is a year of good choices for you and that your disposition . . . or datposition . . . determines your circumstances and not the other way around!
Smile! It does a body good!
As Martha Washington said, "The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances."
When you head through life with as positive an outlook as possible, things seem to be a little easier to deal with. When my son was diagnosed with a life-threatening auto-immune disease; we chose to face it as something to move beyond. We did not let it consume our lives; although, in reality, it took up a lot of our time and energy. We did not dwell on that, though. We focused on what lay beyond the treatments and what we'd do afterward. There are folks that wait every week for lab results, and maintain logs of numbers and facts and things of that nature. We just chose to NOT be a family suffering from Dermatomyositis, but rather a goofy, silly family who had a hurdle to climb before moving on to the next goofy, silly thing to do.
When faced with an angry person, whether it is in the grocery store, the mall, the road, or at work; instead of stooping to engage in their ridiculous behavior, try giving them a simple smile and move along. You'd be amazed at how confused they become because you will not give them acknowledgement of their poor behavior.
Each day you wake up, you have the choice to make: "Do I want to be happy, or crappy?" I hope you choose the first! As my mom would say, "You can be happy with 'disposition' or 'datposition', but just be happy." It is all a matter of choice. I hope 2012 is a year of good choices for you and that your disposition . . . or datposition . . . determines your circumstances and not the other way around!
Smile! It does a body good!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Baffling Bliss
Every morning that I sit down to write this, I am accompanied by my mom and my great niece. I have their photos next to my desk and even though some days it makes me sad to know they are not tangibly, physically here . . . I am buoyed by the fact that they are always with me. They inspire me and spur me on; not only to write, but to venture into territories yet unexplored for me.
My mom was an absolutely amazing person - gone far too soon from this earth, but leaving behind literally thousands of touched and blessed lives. She instilled all kinds of fabulous values and morals and ethics in myself and my siblings. She was always all about family. She gave creative gifts to each of her children and I am thrilled that most of them have run with those talents and done great for themselves. She offered us her love of music and laughter. Besides a heartbeat, those are two of the most vital functions in the world! Thanks, mom, for always pushing; always guiding; always leading . . . even now.
My great niece, Julia, was born here in Florida to my nephew Danny. My children, then in high school, held her at just a day old. They are not around a lot of infants so this was a new and tremendously enriching experience for them. Julia spent a few days at our house as she grew. She was a precious, dear, and loveable little munchkin inviting love wherever she went. It was nice to have a wee one in my arms again; smelling all powdery and cuddling. My nephew then moved back to New York where while at work, Julia was found unresponsive in her crib at the babysitter's house. She left this earth at just four months old. What I find most amazing is how many lives can be touched by the tendrils of a tiny infant! Her loss was devastating, but I know she is with my mom, her great-grandma ~ learning all those things that mom taught us when we were little. Julia brought light and love and clarity to this world. She was a treasure and a blessing.
And so, sometimes, I just type whatever might come out; regardless of any perceived or attempted lessons or great and grand deliverance. Sometimes, it is just pure emotion. Today, I write inspired by my angels who accompany me every morning - with sadness and celebration all swirled up together in baffling bliss. I hope your day is filled with inspiration ~ from whatever source!
My mom was an absolutely amazing person - gone far too soon from this earth, but leaving behind literally thousands of touched and blessed lives. She instilled all kinds of fabulous values and morals and ethics in myself and my siblings. She was always all about family. She gave creative gifts to each of her children and I am thrilled that most of them have run with those talents and done great for themselves. She offered us her love of music and laughter. Besides a heartbeat, those are two of the most vital functions in the world! Thanks, mom, for always pushing; always guiding; always leading . . . even now.
My great niece, Julia, was born here in Florida to my nephew Danny. My children, then in high school, held her at just a day old. They are not around a lot of infants so this was a new and tremendously enriching experience for them. Julia spent a few days at our house as she grew. She was a precious, dear, and loveable little munchkin inviting love wherever she went. It was nice to have a wee one in my arms again; smelling all powdery and cuddling. My nephew then moved back to New York where while at work, Julia was found unresponsive in her crib at the babysitter's house. She left this earth at just four months old. What I find most amazing is how many lives can be touched by the tendrils of a tiny infant! Her loss was devastating, but I know she is with my mom, her great-grandma ~ learning all those things that mom taught us when we were little. Julia brought light and love and clarity to this world. She was a treasure and a blessing.
And so, sometimes, I just type whatever might come out; regardless of any perceived or attempted lessons or great and grand deliverance. Sometimes, it is just pure emotion. Today, I write inspired by my angels who accompany me every morning - with sadness and celebration all swirled up together in baffling bliss. I hope your day is filled with inspiration ~ from whatever source!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Time for a Ch-Angel, Tina
There is this incredibly amazing woman that I know. Her name is Tina!
Tina has many, many gifts! She is a teacher, a preacher, and a provider of great joy and exuberance. She has not always had an easy road. Her life has had much turmoil in it. But, like all of my favorite things wrapped in one delicately tiny package, Tina took the lessons and grief from each hurdle and turned them into incredible opportunities for herself!
A little over a year ago, the man she adored and who undeniably adored her, was ripped from her life via a motorcycle accident. This man was beloved by the masses as made apparent by the turnout at his funeral service. Most folks would have crumbled. This only seemed to make my Tina stronger. She grew and blossomed into something and someone even more beautiful. She amazes me! Daily!
She is one of the folks who is constantly supportive of those around her. She speaks out when she feels there is wrong being done; or when she thinks she might be able to improve things. She speaks up when life is mistreating someone or some thing. She teaches with a vengeance and a purpose that is both refreshing and rewarding. Her students adore her. She involves herself with many positive and purposeful projects. She's just an angel!
Tina, thank you for allowing me and my family into your life. We adore you and are certainly better people for having befriended you. You deserve wonderful things in your life and you make powerful tools and stepping stones of the things that haven't been too terrific. I admire you and respect you. You are beautiful! You, my dear, are a Ch-Angel!
Tina has many, many gifts! She is a teacher, a preacher, and a provider of great joy and exuberance. She has not always had an easy road. Her life has had much turmoil in it. But, like all of my favorite things wrapped in one delicately tiny package, Tina took the lessons and grief from each hurdle and turned them into incredible opportunities for herself!
A little over a year ago, the man she adored and who undeniably adored her, was ripped from her life via a motorcycle accident. This man was beloved by the masses as made apparent by the turnout at his funeral service. Most folks would have crumbled. This only seemed to make my Tina stronger. She grew and blossomed into something and someone even more beautiful. She amazes me! Daily!
She is one of the folks who is constantly supportive of those around her. She speaks out when she feels there is wrong being done; or when she thinks she might be able to improve things. She speaks up when life is mistreating someone or some thing. She teaches with a vengeance and a purpose that is both refreshing and rewarding. Her students adore her. She involves herself with many positive and purposeful projects. She's just an angel!
Tina, thank you for allowing me and my family into your life. We adore you and are certainly better people for having befriended you. You deserve wonderful things in your life and you make powerful tools and stepping stones of the things that haven't been too terrific. I admire you and respect you. You are beautiful! You, my dear, are a Ch-Angel!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Divine Direction
So I have two new friends who each have moms with health issues. It is a little sad to hear this kind of news around Christmas-time, but it is sadder to hear that one friend gets frustrated with her mom's constant time demands and the other's mom, after her diagnosis, has lost a little of her fight.
All day Christmas day, I had the unrelenting urge to want to chat with my mom. It is such a hard thing to have a mom who has left this earth. No more boggle. No more scrabble. No more bouncing ideas off of one another. No more singing songs together in the car . . . with harmonies even! No more venting about stupid people to one another. No more laughter between us. There are memories. Gobs of 'em. But there is just something about that hole that is devastating; no matter how positive one remains. I know that momma is playing music in Heaven. She might even have a bingo game or two started up there. I know she's organized some function or event; cause that's what she does! She brings folks together. I cannot wait to do all those things with her again, but I've got more to do here before that time!
And so, maybe my job . . . for now . . . is to help these two friends realize that no matter the battles they currently face; the alternative is much worse. I took an angel pin off of my work shirt and gave it to the friend whose mom has lost her umph. Her mom saw it and asked for it. She gave it to her. That's exactly what I wanted! Angels don't work unless they are with the folks they need to help! I need to find some more angel pins so I can offer them to folks in need of a little 'divine direction'.
I wish both of your moms well. I hope their health improves and know that their needs are not selfish, but more out of love and self-assurance. I know there are other moms out there, dads too, and aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, etc., who could all use an angel! This holiday season, and 2012, I hope they find them.
All day Christmas day, I had the unrelenting urge to want to chat with my mom. It is such a hard thing to have a mom who has left this earth. No more boggle. No more scrabble. No more bouncing ideas off of one another. No more singing songs together in the car . . . with harmonies even! No more venting about stupid people to one another. No more laughter between us. There are memories. Gobs of 'em. But there is just something about that hole that is devastating; no matter how positive one remains. I know that momma is playing music in Heaven. She might even have a bingo game or two started up there. I know she's organized some function or event; cause that's what she does! She brings folks together. I cannot wait to do all those things with her again, but I've got more to do here before that time!
And so, maybe my job . . . for now . . . is to help these two friends realize that no matter the battles they currently face; the alternative is much worse. I took an angel pin off of my work shirt and gave it to the friend whose mom has lost her umph. Her mom saw it and asked for it. She gave it to her. That's exactly what I wanted! Angels don't work unless they are with the folks they need to help! I need to find some more angel pins so I can offer them to folks in need of a little 'divine direction'.
I wish both of your moms well. I hope their health improves and know that their needs are not selfish, but more out of love and self-assurance. I know there are other moms out there, dads too, and aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, etc., who could all use an angel! This holiday season, and 2012, I hope they find them.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Ushering in 2012 . . .
Wrapping paper's all cleaned up! Leftovers are refrigerated.
Laughter has died down a tad, but smiles have been indelibly left all over!
Another Christmas full of memories. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!
And now, as we enter into the New Year week, please remember to be safe. The New Year is a wonderful place to get to . . . so be sure you get there! It is a whole new year of possibilities, opportunities, and adventures.
Whether you plan on losing weight, hitting the gym, quitting smoking, travelling more, travelling less, working more . . . or working less . . . I hope that you can reach your goals. It is fabulous to have expectations. Make them attainable goals with bite-sized opportunities! You can do whatever you want, if you put your mind to it!
I hope that your 2012 is bright and new and scintillating in every way you need it to be. Be safe. Be careful. Celebrate! And Enjoy!
Laughter has died down a tad, but smiles have been indelibly left all over!
Another Christmas full of memories. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!
And now, as we enter into the New Year week, please remember to be safe. The New Year is a wonderful place to get to . . . so be sure you get there! It is a whole new year of possibilities, opportunities, and adventures.
Whether you plan on losing weight, hitting the gym, quitting smoking, travelling more, travelling less, working more . . . or working less . . . I hope that you can reach your goals. It is fabulous to have expectations. Make them attainable goals with bite-sized opportunities! You can do whatever you want, if you put your mind to it!
I hope that your 2012 is bright and new and scintillating in every way you need it to be. Be safe. Be careful. Celebrate! And Enjoy!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Chrismahannukwanzivus!!!
I want to take this time to wish everyone a most Merry Christmas.
Also . . . the Happiest of Hannukah's.
A most festive Kwanzaa.
And, for my 'other friends,' a grievance-bearing Festivus!
Whatever you choose to celebrate . . . celebrate it wholly and completely!
Do not let the world mandate your enthusiasm or your joys.
If you want to sing Christmas carols, whilst wearing a gaudy festive sweater and a Santa hat complete with jingle ball . . . have at it!
If you'd like to have an eight foot inflatable menorah or Star of David on your roof top, please just be sure you fasten it well so it doesn't dreidel its way on to your neighbor's car.
If you want to celebrate Kwanzaa, make sure your seven principles are covered and get to celebrating!
For you Festivus folk, grab your poles and start airing your grievances!
Whatever you are going to do . . . do it well! Make it fun and make it memorable!
I, personally, will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and all the blessings He has given me. I thank Him nightly for my family, my friends, my trials, my triumphs, protection of loved ones, and for guidance. I ask Him to watch over those that I know with troubles and I hope that He continues to lead me wherever it is that I might do whatever it is He'd like me to do next.
Celebrate! Be well! Much love! And Merry Chrismahannukwanzivus!!!
God bless!
Also . . . the Happiest of Hannukah's.
A most festive Kwanzaa.
And, for my 'other friends,' a grievance-bearing Festivus!
Whatever you choose to celebrate . . . celebrate it wholly and completely!
Do not let the world mandate your enthusiasm or your joys.
If you want to sing Christmas carols, whilst wearing a gaudy festive sweater and a Santa hat complete with jingle ball . . . have at it!
If you'd like to have an eight foot inflatable menorah or Star of David on your roof top, please just be sure you fasten it well so it doesn't dreidel its way on to your neighbor's car.
If you want to celebrate Kwanzaa, make sure your seven principles are covered and get to celebrating!
For you Festivus folk, grab your poles and start airing your grievances!
Whatever you are going to do . . . do it well! Make it fun and make it memorable!
I, personally, will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and all the blessings He has given me. I thank Him nightly for my family, my friends, my trials, my triumphs, protection of loved ones, and for guidance. I ask Him to watch over those that I know with troubles and I hope that He continues to lead me wherever it is that I might do whatever it is He'd like me to do next.
Celebrate! Be well! Much love! And Merry Chrismahannukwanzivus!!!
God bless!
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