Inspire someone ...

Inspire someone

to be kinder,

to be gentler,

to be compassionate,

to be hopeful,

to be happy,

to be adventurous,

to be self-confident,

to be smarter,

to be enabled,

to be fair,

to be giving,

to be wiser,

to be prayerful,

to be honest,

to be loving,

to be better,

to be consistent,

to be philanthropic,

to be brave,

to be bold,

to be beautiful,

to be

themselves!

Family is Everything

The ebb and flow of family
is an extraordinary thing
if you take a moment
to truly absorb it.

Birth and growth,

achievements and set backs,

hurdles and highlights,

marriages and divorces,

survival and loss,

pain and perseverance,

new birth and new brides,

new grooms and new growth,

boyfriends and girlfriends,

broken hearts and bonded vows,

last breaths and first words.

To be present in each moment

is a gift, a joy, a blessing.

To make memories

and be engrained within them

is just a beautiful grace.

Enjoy what you are surrounded by -

intertwined by blood

or simple sincere inclusion -

Family is Everything.

You're Welcomegiving

What follows "Thank You"?
Should always be "You're Welcome".
Today really is You're Welcomegiving!
So ... get out there
and do your share
to follow through.
If we've much to be thankful for,
there is much to 'you're welcome'.

Walking Each Other Home

Walking Each Other Home
by Lyn Marinello

We are born into an unknown morn, placed in outstretched arms
Showered in love and attention; protected from all and any harms
Taught to speak in kindness; to walk tall in faith and pride
In God's commandments and the Golden Rule eternally abide
In teenage years we might rebel and push the envelope we're in
Dye and pierce and smoke and drink; to parental-fatigued chagrin
We seem certain to known everything, til one day we find we don't
Those 'friends' we thought would have our back, simply can't or simply won't
And we once again find comfort in that envelope we left
We are unconditionally welcomed back, defeated and a bit bereft
College and adulthood open avenues unknown
One foot based, one set to bolt; we are stepping out on our own
Yet there's safety in the holidays, surrounded by familiarity
Re-grounding, reconnecting in sweet comfortability
As we age we find our way; unique to every single soul
Surround ourselves with good support; those folks who truly make us whole
Our blanket of security is tattered through the years
Patched by those around us as they comfort us through our tears
There are jobs and opportunities; sight to see, trails unexplored
Losses to be overcome and faith to be restored
Sometimes the road gets bumpy, life's potholes take a toll
We retreat to those we know and trust and they step up in their role
We wander through our highlights; stroll down memory lane
Realizing those connections are sometimes all that kept us sane
Take care of those around you; compliment, uplift
Your days on earth - unnumbered; every second is a gift
As the dinner bell rings on life; feast with loved ones at your table
Serve hope and faith to all who dine whenever you are able
And afterwards, enjoy dessert; and the company of those at hand
Savor the richness of both those things and try to understand
That the sun will set for each of us, no matter where we roam
We are our brother's keepers and we're just walking each other home.

Thankful

It is said
to be ceaseless in prayer.
I believe
in addition to that,
we should be ceaseless in our gratitude.

Thankful for each morning.

Thankful for another opportunity

to do a good and kind deed.

Thankful for the beauty around us.

Thankful for the gift of family -

which is not always related.

Thankful for support and understanding.

Thankful for learning and growing.

Thankful for our God-given gifts.

Thankful for one another.

Thankful for faith.

Thankful for hope.

Thankful for love.

Thankful for you.

Thankful!

Differences

Just because

I disagree with you,

doesn't make me wrong.

Just because

I see things differently,

doesn't make me inept.

Just because

I value things in 

an altered order than you,

doesn't make my values

any less important.

State your case.

Make your point.

Move on.

I don't have to eat

what you're serving.

Nor do you

have to dine at my table.

But we can all feast together.

Our differences

do not need to make us enemies.

Indeed, 

our differences are what drive progress

and positive change.

Love

I may have posted about this before,
but I think it's important,
especially in these times,
and in this moment,
to remember this:

You owe yourself

the love

that you so freely

give to others.