Ch-Angel Carol's New Year's Eve

From a dear, sweet, fantabulous friend,
these are the words from a card she sent me.

I adore her thoughtfulness and love through the years.

Thank you, friend, for being you

and shining your beautiful light on everyone around you.

My friends,

each new year is a reminder

to celebrate all the good things

in your world ...

the people you love,

the places you are a part of,

and the places that are a part of you,

...

the memories you hold onto

and those unforgettable moments

when you close your eyes

and breathe in life with a smile.

I hope your heart is filled

with lots of little reasons to celebrate

in the new year ... and always.

(of course there is just a wee bit of Lynification in there).

Happy New Year's Eve and New Year, too.

Enjoy responsibly.

Simplicity

From one Mary Oliver ...

Keep some room

in your heart

for the

unimaginable.

What a beautifully simple

and powerful statement.

Some Eliot for ya

George Eliot penned this.
I'm sharing it.

It's too important no to.

What do we live for,

if it is not

to make life less difficult

for each other.

You need not be rich or famous.

This is such a simple concept.

Be kind. Be nice.

Help when you're able.

You're always able.

Oh ...

Found and Lynified ...

Oh,

how you shine

with your heart full of moonlight

and your soul full of stars.

Oh,

how you beam

with your arms full of kindness

and your core full of love.

Oh,

how you sparkle

with the brilliance of your being

that is stitched together

with everything you've seen,

all you've been through,

and each hurdle you've overcome.

Oh,

what a joy you are!

After Christmas PSA

A little levity
for after Christmas ...

(but holds a lot of truth)

Don't make space

for more stuff.

Make space

for more life.

Enjoy your gifts,

but remember

what truly matters ...

Enveloping You

I wasn't going to come on here this morning.
Words win. I am learning to listen.

This kept me up most of the evening.

Hoping this reaches whomever needs to read it.

Merry Merry Christmas!

Enveloping You

by Lyn Marinello

 

Empty stockings, unfilled chairs

Unsquished hugs and unfelt cares

Pieces are missing, hearts seem broken

Stories untold, “I love you’s” unspoken

Presents unpurchased, ribbons untied

Songs left unsung, tears too easily cried

It’s painful without them, but change what you see

What you’ll find is miraculous, you’ll truly agree

They may not be present but with each familial addition

Is a glimmer intangible with each honored tradition

For what time, distance and health seems to always be taking

Spirits happily live on in magical memories you’re making

They’re as close as old ornaments or a carol you hear

In decorations and meals; their attendance is clear

In the stories we share and the love they inspire

The warmth that you feel is from more than the fire

The laughter that lifts you and the twinkling of lights

Means you’re never alone on the loneliest of nights

Simply slow down your pace and search for the clue

They are there, in abundance, enveloping you.

Go

I will not be on tomorrow.
I am hoping that you will not be either.

Go, be with family.

If you've no family nearby,

go, be with framily.

If you've no framily nearby,

go, be with friends.

If you've no friends nearby,

go, make one.

We are each to the other

linked in glorious ways

sometimes known

and sometimes not.

Breathe in the gift of being

and be the best version of you

there is.

Merry Christmas, people.

Be richly blessed.

Love ya.

Under a Star

Under a Star
by Lyn Marinello

 

A journey based in greatness

An act as natural as can be

Has laid the very basis

For the truth you cannot flee

A literal walk of faith

Steps in sand on solid ground

A beautiful sense of purpose

A tiny baby dutifully crowned

Birthed in a most meager setting

Graced by Angels near

A promise of a Savior

And to behold, be without fear

Brought to live among us

To absolve us of our sin

Steadfast always in His word

We are shepherds draped in skin

Know there will be troubles

That life may well bring you

There’s nothing you can’t conquer

If it’s Him that you cling to

When chaos drives you to your knees

It’s the best place from which to fight

Confess transgressions, seek His help

Move forward humble and contrite

For with Him as your strength

There’s not one task you’ll find unable

And this journey was made possible

Under a star within a stable.

The Heming Way

See what I did there? ;-)
Found this gem and sharing ...

Life the full life of the mind,

exhilarated by new ideas,

intoxicated by the romance

of the unusual.

You will never grow

from the safety

of your comfort zone.

Friday Mish Mash

A couple of items that I have Lynified
for your reading and self-improvement pleasure.

There's so much of my past self that I no longer resonate with,

but I love her and admire her just the same.

She was growing. She was battling. 

Sometimes she was crawling and clawing and crying,

but she was doing her best.

She walked through fires and created paths where none existed.

She fought hard to get me here.

I will not tame the lion inside me

because you cannot and do not understand

how to handle that beast;

for this is no passion to be found

in settling for a life

that is less than the one

you are capable of living.

Perhaps ...

Was pondering posting another tidbit,
but it just wasn't sitting right with me.

I turned the page and ... whack ...

right in the face!

THIS!!!

All the time, ... this.

Perhaps ...

our purpose here on earth

is not a grand accomplishment,

but a small kindness

that we don't think much of,

that transforms the life

of another.

A Wednesday Chuckle

Found this
and it surely seemed appropriate
for the season and the chaos.

I don't go crazy.

I am crazy.

I just go normal

every now and again.

Take a breath.

Don't forget to make memories

amidst the madness.

Say It Now

Today is National Say It Now Day ... the first official!!!

December 17th is National Say It Now Day and is set aside as a day to tell friends and loved ones how important they are to us by expressing gratitude for all the ways they've impacted our lives. 

And so,

on this first ever

(though it should be always)

Say It Now Day ...

please know how very much

I appreciate each of you

and what you bring to the table 

of my life.

You've brought joy and laughter,

lessons and learning,

hope and help,

kindness and caring,

compassion and understanding,

support and stability,

and love.

For all those things

and for all of you,

I am grateful!

Your Heart

No one to credit for this,
but I'm enjoying its message.
Hope you do, too.

Let your heart

glow with love,

let it shine

with kindness,

and let it sparkle

with hope.

Have an extraordinary Monday!

Christmas Hack

From one Bruce Lee ...

It is not

a daily increase,

but a daily decrease.

Hack away

at the inessentials.

Stop and let the Season wash over you.

The joy, the laughter, the lights, the reason.

A Favorite

For myself,
a few dear friends,
and a lot of folks that I'm sure need this too ...

Do not get upset

with people or situations.

Both are powerless

without your reaction.

Enjoy your day!

A little morning Bacon

By one Francis Bacon:

We have only

this moment;

sparkling,

like a star in our hand,

and melting

like a snowflake.

Each moment is a gift.

Make the most

of absolutely every little thing.

Believe

Believe in the magic of miracles.
God changes sand into pearls,

coal into diamonds,

caterpillars into butterflies.

Imagine what He can do

with you.

Believe.

A nice little tidbit for you ...

Was reading a book while on our cruise, "To Heaven and Back" by MC Neal.

In an early chapter she writes about being stuck in a truck in the mud in a rarely travelled area.

She and her travelling companions tried everything.

When they had exhausted all their efforts, they gathered and prayed.

They asked God to be set upon rock, to be able to get out of the situation they were in.

They heard a truck rumbling close that offered to bring them to town.

There was never any traffic on this road.

With too many in their party, they climbed into the back of the truck.

He was hauling rocks.

Victor and I were playing quite a lot in the casino.

We would win some and we would lose some.

We know not to get crazy with gambling, but it sure is fun.

We spoke several times about how we had both been looking,

throughout the week, for a few fallen dollars on the deck of the ship

so we could continue to play.

On the last night, as we wandered through the casino, something caught my eye.

It was someone's lost credit card on the floor.

We get our prayers answered ... just not always as we would like them answered.

Have yourselves a most fantabulous Tuesday!

Hey Friends!

We have returned from our little getaway.
I would urge everyone and anyone,

if you can take a cruise,

or a trip,

or a drive,

or a weekend,

or a walk ...

to just get away from the chaos

and all of the noise,

please do it.

It surely is good for the soul.

Feeling somewhat refreshed,

recharged and relaxed.

Happy to be back

and filling your mornings

with positivity and love.

Happy Monday!