Love

There is no time like the present
to show a little love.


Give a hug.
Lend a hand.
Share a smile.
Offer your heart.


Tomorrow is promised to no one.
Leave it all here.
Your love is an extraordinary gift.
Give it generously.

Change Your Viewpoint

The holidays can really get on your nerves.
The stores start playing Christmas music before Halloween.
You are bombarded with sales flyers and media ads.
(It's almost worse than election time!)
Folks are fighting to get the last best toy.
Tempers are short and patience is thin.
But . . .
Try this if you are feeling a bit beaten by the blitz.


Change Your Viewpoint


Watch a child's eyes.
See the sheer, unfiltered excitement as they play.
Share the utter joy at their opportunity to talk to Santa.
Really listen to the lyrics of some of those Christmas songs.
Understand what giving a few dollars to a family in need can do.
Just sit and enjoy the lights somewhere.
Realize the real Reason for the Season.


Don't let the coupon-crazed, toy-terrorists get you down.
You're in charge of your own mood.
Change your viewpoint.
Make it magical!

Precious

Precious are those moments of growing up in a tight-knit family.
Precious are the memories I will always have of that.
Precious are the times I shared dating my best friend who became my husband.
Precious are the moments of creating new and incredible lives.
Precious are the opportunities to share the love you have.
Precious are the chances to give of yourself.
Precious are the instances given to make the world a little better.


Go and seize whatever is precious to you!

A little bolder

I am a big advocate of random acts of kindness
and paying forward any kindnesses you receive.
I offer suggestions frequently about leaving money
for the person behind you at Starbucks, in the grocery store, or wherever.
Yesterday, though, I switched it up.
I was at 'my Publix'. They know me well there.
I ran into one of my favorite employees.
She was done with her shift and was purchasing a few items.
She got in line ahead of me.
She put her items up, put up the separator, and helped me
take my items out of my cart and put them on the register.
I caught the cashier's eye and mouthed, "Put hers on mine."
Because I've done this numerous time with the person behind me,
she knew exactly what I wanted.
My buddy, the employee, was a little shocked but most appreciative.
It was surely quite nice to face the recipient and tell her she deserved it.
What will YOU do today to be . . . a little bolder?

Special You

I tell you all the time
how very special, unique and amazing you are.
I impress upon you how important and vital you are.
Although you might think I'm speaking directly to YOU,
I'm referring to mankind.
We each have within us such incredible talents to share,
beliefs to profess,
opportunities to pursue,
and beauty to display.
Each one of us holds a thread in this tapestry called life.
When one thread breaks or is lost,
there is an emptiness - an unfinished story.
Let's try to remember we know not of another's struggles.
Let's try to remember that precious golden rule.
Let's try to remember that we should respect one another.
Let's try to remember that we should be kind.
Let's try to remember that every life is precious.
Every story needs to be told.
Be Special You!

Giving Tuesday

Today is a national philanthropic sort of day in which
one gives what one is able to a cause that is near and dear to their heart.
Although I have a select few arenas that I focus my passions on,
I realize that other folks have their own passions to which they give.
There is no right or wrong place to donate.
I would urge you to check on what percentage of your donation goes to your charity,
but otherwise . . . give freely and frivolously.


Giving is not only a tremendous blessing to the organization you choose;
it is a glorious gift unto your own beautiful self.
It also sets a wonderful example for the folks around you to do the same.
And those blessings always seem to flow back to you in some form or fashion.


Have a wonderfully giving day.
Be generous.
Be gracious.
Be good.

Simple

In the hurried insanity that has become the Christmas season,
take a moment to remember why we celebrate the holiday.
It is not about the boxes.
It is not about the bags.
It is not about the ribbons.
It is not about the decorations.
It is not about the light displays.


I have a beautiful friend who posted a photo of her Christmas tree
and beneath it she typed, "Simple, but I like it."


That is as it should be.
She captured, in one little photo and sentence,
what we all need to learn.


Keep it simple this season.
Enjoy the music.
Enjoy the meaning.
Enjoy your family and friends.
Enjoy the Reason for this Season.


God bless and Merry Christmas.
Have a simple day.