Ooze Happy

I would strongly urge
each and every one of you
to stop what you're doing
at some point today
and take a good, long look
at all the blessings around you.
There may be loss,
but there is hope.
There may be hurt,
but there is support.
There may be pain,
but there is love.
There is beauty
in everything around you.
Soak it in.
Absorb it.
And share that joy
with those around you.
Ooze happy.

Honest and True

Often times we want to make this
big, dramatic impact
and we end up tongue-tied, bug-eyed,
and blithering.
Here is what I've learned:

The biggest impact you can make
is how you live;
the tiny efforts you make
each and every day
with love, generosity, kindness,
sympathy, compassion, and hope
in your heart, in your hands
and in your hugs.
Integrity and morality.
Faith and fortitude.
You don't need a stage
or a microphone
or amazing speech.
You just need
to be honest and true.

S M I L E

Today is National Smile Day!
Every day may not be good,
but there is good in every day.
Find the good.
If you cannot find it . . .
be it.
Be the reason
someone else smiles.

Let it out!

Today is National Creativity Day.
Take a little time -
even if it's just on your lunch break -
and do something creative.

Write.
Sing.
Draw.
Take Pictures.
Plant.
Rhyme.
Dance.
Tell stories.
Play music.
Daydream.

Let it out!

A twist

We all know the serenity prayer:

God, grant me the serenity 
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Saw this little twist and thought I'd share
(for those that might need it):

God, grant me the strength
to change the changeable,
accept the unchangeable,
and to remove myself
from the unacceptable.

Which one do you like?

Oh Boy!

So, first stop on our little vacation
was a quick overnight at my 'nother mother's' house.
She's known me since before I was me.
She's been a rock for me for a long time.
While at her home, she shared some photo albums
which were just an absolute delight.
We talked about my mom,
her departed husband,
and generally just shared the love.
I saw this quote, and she came to mind.
And, by all accounts, so did a great many other people
who are aching and hurting and lonely and sad
and missing folks.
Also thought that since it was just Memorial Day,
this may prove to be instrumental to my military friends.
I hope it helps.

Be the things
you loved most
about the people
who are gone.

Humble Memorial Day

A staunch young person of just 18
Stands with pride and gun in hand
A healthy heart beats patriotically
Eager to defend its land
Cloaked in red and white and blue
Steeped in honor; duty bound
In the air; upon the sea
Constant boots upon the ground
So much more than just a presence
Each intertwining piece is its own force
Defending life and liberty
The very core of freedom's source
Exposed to the unimaginable
Enduring battles we'll not comprehend
Often giving, literally, everything
Sacrificing til the end
All gave some; and some gave all
A heavy and weighted tag
For you and I and country
And that beautiful starred and striped flag.