Appreciation for a blog

I love to read about how people live their lives, what motivates them and how they find strength from hardships that they have gotten through. I am encouraged by stories of relationships and each person's journey because I learn from them, I am nurtured and see life from another person's perspective.  I realize that no mattter who we are or where we come from, the emotions we have are the same. We can all feel joy, feel sadness, feel alone and feel loved. And we too can give love, give joy, give of ourselves to others.

There are lots of blogs that I skim over and realize that I don't have much in common with, at least with the topics that they write about.  But there are those special blogs that keep me coming back. Like a good book that you can't wait to finish and yet never want it to end. Writers that have made an impact on me and don't even realize how much. People that write about what is going on in their life that I relate to now, or takes me back to another time, or gives me hope for the future. Blogs that support others that are going through a hard time, or encouragement when it's needed. And congratulations for accomplishments. These are strangers that become friends, because we are more alike than we are different.

 I really appreciate the blogs that have a sense of humor. Laughter makes the day a little lighter and lifts our spirits even when we don't realize how much we need to laugh that day. I would not have thought that so many bloggers, by writing a few words or posting a picture could touch my heart, and inspire me so much. I am brought to deep places in my heart, and exposed to new ways of thinking.

 So this springtime, when we see new life and possiblities all around us, I want to say thank you to each and every blogger for giving something of yourself. I for one, really appreciate you.

Rough waters

There are times in my life when I feel like I am sailing along quite nicely. The winds of being a good and happy person fill my sails and the sun of life's blessings shine ever so brightly upon me. I have much to be grateful for and am ordinarily a pretty optimistic person.

 I come in contact with others on their own courses through life that inspire me, awe me, and touch me in some way. I look to them as someone to learn from and someone to care about and grow with.

I always thought that as you grew older, with life experiences, you became stronger and a bit hardened to life's blows. That you started to care less. And why I thought this  . . .  I have absolutely NO IDEA. It's not about caring less, but letting each person grow and travel their own seas without criticism or judgement.

 I don't seem to take things as personal now or feel it's all about me and my perspective (that is what we do when we are young, isn't it? Life only exists in how it pertains to me). But I find that everything affects me personally. If that makes any sense to you. I can feel another's pain when they hurt, I celebrate in their joys and feel just as happy when life is good for them. I am excited for their growth and am smiling when someone finds true love. I have learned that we all must live and learn our own lessons in our own time. In my own journey, my winds and waters are not like yours, our skills are unique to each one of us, no matter if we travel the same path or not.

And as it is springtime, right now . . .  I have found some ice still floating in my waters, the wind is strong and a bit colder than I would like, the skies can loom heavy and frightful as night approaches. There are other boats out here with me on their own journey. And yet we all  hope and know that nothing is forever. Change comes to us that are strong, have faith and are concious of where we are going or want to go.  It is inevitable, for change will come, for those that want it to and also to those that don't want it.

Today, my heart is a bit heavy and the seas are choppy. I could get sick to my stomach, but I will keep my eyes on the horizon and work hard to steer through the course.

With the morning sun will come another day of possibilities and another day of a chance for heaven on earth. If smooth seas and balmy breezes come not tomorrow, then there will be the possibility that it will come the next day, and the next . . .

the Simplicity of Etiquette

     When is the last time you thought about the simple courtesy of etiquette?

     What is etiquette?  It's showing respect for yourself and others. Good manners are indispensable in society and in business. Etiquette and good manners are apprecitated and cost nothing.

     Why is it that when someone calls you on the phone they hardly ever ask if it's a good time for you or if you even have the time to talk? Of course, I am embarassed to say that I have been guilty of this myself, many times.
     In the last few weeks I have had several calls that were either intensely personal,  business related or lengthy in detail that required my undivided attention and privacy to talk. In two of these calls I had to make an important decision. I don't do that. I find decisions  (unless emergency in nature) that are made on impulse have never been the wisest.  Not at one time did any of the callers ask if I was busy. The business calls assumed that I had been waiting with phone in hand and the computer in front of me along with paper and pen. And in a few of the calls I did let them talk for a while and then ask if I could return the call another time. I also asked what times might be best for them. Such simple courtesy. Nothing hard about it. The hard part is to actually do it.
     I have been amazed at the lack of courtesy in the world lately. Is it true or am I getting older and crotchety? We are all in a hurry, over stressed, underpaid, under appreciated and even overwhelmed. It's exactly at times like this that the simplest of things are appreciated and welcome.
   This month I will be more attentive to being courteous, polite, considerate and thoughtful. That goes for strangers and friends. I hope it becomes more of a natural habit than something I actually have to think about doing.
    Oh . . . I should have asked you if you have time to read my lengthy post, if not please come back when you do have more time. I'd love to have you visit.

on a dreary cold day

I first thought I would just post a pretty photo to make me think of something besides how cold and windy and dreary it is outside today, this in the middle of April.

I was initially drawn in by the multicolor prisms of the perfume bottle. This is not unlike the personality of people we meet. On closer observation and interest there are so many more facets to a person than what we first can even imagine. Take the time to really get to know someone, even those that you think you already know. There is always more to discover, more to share.

 And let your own prisms show to those that you encounter. After all, the best of us is hidden in the insides.

Perfection

                   
    If life were perfect . . . . we wouldn't have any interesting stories to tell.

First thoughts and symbols

When you see a swan in almost any setting, certain thoughts will usually come to mind. The swan has long been a symbol of elegance, calm and beauty.
What comes to mind with thoughts of you?

It is . . . .

It is the very simplest of things that bring us comfort, pleasure and serenity.

tea time and reflections

Whew . . . I'm sitting down for a cup of tea, putting my feet up and I'd enjoy your company for a while.

I've been on the road  for a few weeks working on adding to my photography inventory and getting inspirations for paintings, along with some R&R.

But I've been a bit under the weather. A change in medications, local temperatures, eating on the road and not getting enough rest. A close encounter with not one, but two tornadoes. (And always the thought of bedbugs, can't seem to go to a hotel without checking that part out.) 

 As I get older I find that traveling can take it's toll and it is important to pace oneself. I think I can when it has become clear that I cannot, certainly not like I did before. This is when I admire the energy of youth and the innocent hearts that forge into new adventures. I have done some entertaining and gone many miles.

I've also turned another year older this week and reflected on my life, where I've come from, mistakes I've made, strengths I've aquired, goals I've reached, what I've learned, what makes me happy and where and how do I go from here. There are mistakes that were obvious in my early adulthood, but I refused to pay attention, thinking I could make a difference, I could be the change that mattered. And I did learn . . .  that I have to be myself, that I cannot make myself into what others expect from me. And that I am in control of only myself. Those are really hard lessons to learn.

I have  been missing my twin brother as he passed away 2 years ago now. And there is no end to how often I think of my parents, both gone now  . . . for I can't believe how many years already. Right now my relationship with my children has growing to do. Lots of it. I have tried to give them their space, but sometimes I know we have to drift apart so that we desire to be together. There are things  they don't understand and even though they are young adults,  their life expereinces so far has not been realized by them yet. I am sad for what we haven't been able to share, but one day they will understand life differently as I too learned. It will be an intense learning situation, but they have to see it from their own eyes and hearts. I hope and pray for that time. I too am growing and learning patience, and tolerance for the fact that sometimes things just don't go how we'd like them too. And in the process learning to accept the finite of the human body and how short of time we have to share.

The truth finds it's way, in it's own time and we can't hurry it, for it would not be realized. There is so much joy to share and love to give, but there has to be a willingness. My heart is open, but it has some pretty big bruises.

So please try to open your heart a bit more, be a little kinder, give a hug, give love and  let love into your heart. It feels so good. There is room.

welcoming and creating serenity

When the outside world feels heavy and formidable,
 I feel many of my own actions seem  insignificant in relation to
the enormity of  the issues or attempts to be helpful enough,
it is then that I look to bring serenity and lightness to my world.
 This project is something that I have been working on,
 the camera only captured part of it as it's quite large.

for tomorrow . . .

I don't know the history of this vase. It belonged to my mother and I have always loved it. I still love it everytime I look at it.  The birds and flowers remind me of the delicate beauty of Japan. And in honor of all the hardships that the Japanese are going through, this is a reminder to me that with faith and perseverance somehow tomorrow comes. For the people of Japan and those that love and care for them . . . May there be happiness and beauty in their tomorrows.

You . . .

                                                          Important things are simple.

sharing a moment

With everything that is going on in the world right now . . .
I share with you a moment of
 serenity and hope.

A paying it forward - thanks

Paying it forward . . .


      in today's mail I received a lovely  envelope with a surprise in it from my friend and fellow blogger Lori Anderson at PRETTYTHINGSBLOG.com.
     It makes me happy to get something in the mail that isn't a bill, advertisment or junk mail. Not too often do we get fun mail. Personal snail mail is becoming rare.
     I remember as a child, my uncle used to write letters to me, of everyday simple things. Just getting the envelope addressed to me made me happy and feel special.
     Lori's envelope took me back to that time. Thank you Lori. Won't you stop by and visit her at her blog, she really does have pretty things to show you and kind words to share as well.


In honor of paying it forward . . . if you send your name and address (no matter where in the world you live) to my email (check my profile page, it's there), I'll be sending out a few Paying it forwards myself . . . maybe one to you. Won't you consider sending someone a snail mail, think of how much you appreciate it.

A story worth repeating . . .

Now,  I'll be honest . . . that's the best way to be anyway isn't it? 
 I didn't write this next little story, and the site I borrowed this from says that they didn't write it either . . . so I'm not sure who to give credit to.  But I really liked it and wanted to share it with you.

     Once upon a time there was an island where all the feelings lived; Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge and all the others, including Love.
One day it was announced to all of the feelings that the island was going to sink to the bottom of the ocean. So all the feelings prepared their boats to leave. Love was the only one that stayed.

     She wanted to preserve the island paradise until the very last possible moment. When the island was almost totally under water, Love decided it was time to leave. She began looking for someone to ask for help.
Just then Richness was passing by in a grand boat. Love asked, Richness, “Can I come with you on your boat?”
Richness answered, “I am sorry, but there is a lot of silver and gold on my boat and there would be no room for you anywhere.”
Love decided to ask Vanity, who was passing by in a beautiful vessel. Love cried out, “Vanity, help me please!” “I can’t help you,” Vanity said, “You are all wet and will damage my beautiful boat.”
Next Love saw Sadness passing by. Love said, “Sadness please let me go with you.” Sadness answered, “Love, I'm sorry, but I just need to be alone now.”
Then, Love saw Happiness and cried out, “Happiness, please take me with you.” But Happiness was so overjoyed that he didn't hear Love calling him.

     Love began to cry, then she heard a voice say, “Come love, I will take you with me.” It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that she forgot to ask the elder his name. When they arrived on land, the elder went on his way.
Love realized how much she owed the elder and when she met Knowledge she asked, “Who was that who helped me?”
“It was Time,” Knowledge answered. “But why did Time help me when no one else would?,” Love asked.
Knowledge smiled and with deep wisdom and sincerity, answered,
“Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is.”

I've got your back

It feels good to know that someone is in your corner and believes in you.

Favorite words from an Author

We all have words written by someone that have moved us or inspired us in some way. I have so many, but one of my favorite's is by Rainer Marie Rilke - 1903.  This is a portion of one of his letters [number 4] to a young poet). You'll find it under the photo. Won't you share some words that have moved you?

by Rainer Marie Rilke - 1903   

  . . . . . . If you trust in Nature, in what is simple in Nature, in the small Things that hardly anyone sees and that can so suddenly become huge, immeasurable; if you have this love for what is humble and try very simply, as someone who serves, to win the confidence of what seems poor: then everything will become easier for you, more coherent and somehow more reconciling, not in your conscious mind perhaps, which stays behind, astonished, but in your innermost awareness, awakeness, and knowledge. You are so young, so much before all beginning, and I would like to beg you, dear Sir, as well as I can, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer. . . . .

How to keep our most precious things

When we have something precious in our lives we tend to want to keep it.
We look for a special or pretty container to keep it in.
The truth is though, that the most precious of things cannot be kept or contained.
They must be shared.
 Love.  Faith.  Charity. 
Three of the most precious of life's offerings that when kept locked up will wither and die.

Can a crab be happy?

Being silly sometimes is important too.

What is home?

What is home to you?
      I lived in Florida for a few months last winter. There was a woman I would see every day. This was her home.
      It was in a small sheltered area behind a restaurant, small stores and rental complex off a parking lot.
     At first I thought it was a place for trash and overflow of things that might be in a garage or carport.  The area is strict with keeping the homeless away from local residents, the working public and tourists. I would watch them, mostly they were polite and kind and asked them to move on. Private property rules and laws they said. But twice I saw someone being rude with that sense of privleged arrogance that went with it.
     She kept her clothes in one of the big green trash containers in plastic bags. Her food 'pantry' was the smaller of the green containers. She said she could seal it tightly to keep the animals from stealing her food. She got up early, washed up from an old large water bottle that she had filled up the night before from a public restroom. Her head was usually wrapped up in a colorful scarf. Her shoes though, were worn and dusty.  She arranged all her belongings neatly and either walked or rode the bicyle. This was how it looked all day. Late at night, after dark, she spread it around using card board sheets as her mattress. An old blanket from the green container. Quiet as a church mouse. She was clean, friendly. Always had a smile for me. Beautiful even with a few missing teeth. I thought she had an occassional odd job around town, but I wasn't sure.
       When the weather was rainy or unseasonably cold she took shelter in a local homeless center for the night. I would see her around town and she would nod in acknowledge. She walked tall with confidence. Sometimes she had a plastic bag that was filled with bumpy looking things. I don't know what she had in there or what she did with it. She kept to herself. She was polite and soft spoken when talked to.
I would watch her often. She knew I watched her. I don't think she was concerned about me exposing her home to anyone that would make her leave. I wanted to ask her questions, to offer her something. How did she come to this and what did she need or want. I was intrigued by her, by the life she lead and by her demeanor.
     I decided that I would offer her a meal or money to get something she needed. I didn't want to disrespect her by prying. And in the offering, we chatted. She had been living this way fro quite some time. There was no more information as to how it all came about.  I knew it was her private life to share if she wanted to. She told me she was going to see her daughter soon, in a few days. That she had been saving money for a plane ticket for quite some time and she was excited to go. But she also said that she also looked forward to coming back home again.
     That was when I understood that home really is where your heart and spirit are.

Write RIGHT Now

           That's right, write it NOW.
           In this month's Elle magazine, Joyce Carol Oates is interviewed in  part about her book  'A Widow's Story'. It'strue and based on her husband of over forty years getting  pneumonia, going to the hospital and in one week, getting an infection and dying.
       This experience is intensely violent to one's emotions and changes in life. It made me think of my own life and how your world can become completely overturned in a short time without notice.    
      Ms. Oates recalls  she had to write it as she was going through it.. To write and feel the words in the months of widowhood immediatley after his death.

     With happenings in my own life, I have often said, someday I will write about it.
     But in truth, the waiting can change the intensity and perspective of  feeling. Feelings might calm, understanding and acceptance might come, but too, anger or pain can also fester and grow.

     When we wait to tell a story, the story itself often changes.  Tell a story in a circle, whisper a few sentences in an ear and telling them to pass it on to the next person. By the time it comes back to you, part of the story is different by each teller and interpretation.  Our own personal stories change as we journey through the road of life.
     So write that story today, right now, when all the feelings are vivid and strong and want to be heard.. If it calls to you . . . write it again later on and see how the orchestra of life has given it a different rhythm.

From . . . .

From the    UNFORGIVING  . . . .
I have learned the joy of  FORGIVENESS.

From the    HATEFUL . . . 
I have learned the depth of LOVE.

From the    IMPATIENT . . . 
I have learned the serenity of PATIENCE.

From the    CLOSE-MINDED . . .
I have learned the value of OPEN-MINDEDNESS.

From the    NON-BELIEVER  . . .  
I have learned the POWER of TRUTH.

Repeat dreamer

     Some people say they don't dream. Ever. I find that heard to believe.
 Is it that they really don't dream, they don't remember their dreams, or they don't want to pay attention to the fact that they are dreaming?
     I dream all the time. Sometimes a lot of it is fantasy like, colorful and sureal. Beautiful and inspiring. Some of them aren't very good. I wake up crying and exhausted. And sometimes I don't remember anything at all.
     But what about the dreams we have that we dream over and over again?  Dreams that when you wake up, don't make any sense, but surly there is a message there for us.
     We look our dreams up on the internet, in books and ask others about the subjects of our dreams and what they think. The information we get often doesn't really pertain to our specific dream, although it may speak to a part of our dream. Sometimes it is a long time between having the same dream. Sometimes I dream it almost every night. Sometimes the dream changes up a bit, it is never really exactly the same.
I have thought of daydreams and nightdreams and how they can be the same. But usually they are nothing the same, for me anyway.
     In my dreams I am often an observer. Even if I am in the dream, I have no part in how the script evolves. But I am in control of the dream because I am the one dreaming it right? I wonder what I will dream tonight.
      Are you a dreamer?  Tell me something of your dreams.

Circle the DATE to Express your LOVE

<> 

<>

<> 

<>

	In  honor of  ST. VALENTINE'S DAY,  although January has already passed   . . . you still have all these days this year to tell someone you love them.  Don't waste them

(calendars.vertix.4u)

A time for . . .

In everyday life we often take the most beautiful people and things for granted.
 Every person is like a flower that has limited time to bloom and be beautiful.
 Enjoy their beauty and fragrance while they are still with you so when the blossom withers the memories of their essence will always remain with you.

Sometimes

Sometimes I lay awake at night thinking about things and words I'd like to say to someone.

 Then in the morning, I leave it alone.

Good things those long nights sometimes.

Celebrating the beauty of another day

Something about sunsets, water and nice weather . . .  this was just a lovely evening by the water near a Cleveland Ohio marina last year. There is beauty everywhere, just gotta be aware.

An early winter view

My backyard earlier in the season.
I love the blue sky and beginnings of the snow. Remember the excitement of seeing the first snowflakes fall?

Love the winter days when
the sun is so bright it reminds you
summer is coming.

Somedays I just want to keep my thoughts to myself.

Love is . . .

LOVE is . . . when being together feels like HOME.

Paths and Choices

Sometimes we have to make changes in our travel plans through life.

Simple LOVES

February is when we celebrate Valentine's Day.
There are many types of love.

 I thought I'd list a few of the simple things in life that I love.

I love . . .
the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning.
- the feel of my tongue gliding over my freshly brushed teeth.
hearing the words "I love you" whispered softly in my ear.
- seeing huge fluffy white snowflakes floating slowly and rythmically down to the ground.
the sunshine coming slowly through the clouds in a pale blue sky.
- having idle time to sit and read and paint.
sharing laughter with people I love.
-"giving it forward" to someone that doesn't even realize it yet.
sharing a hug that lingers.
-feeling hot water running over my arthritic hands.
being able to hear beautiful music.
-making someone laugh.
eating a piece of chocolate and letting it slowly melt in my mouth.
-holding a sleepy puppy in my arms.
remembering fun times shared of people that have now passed away.
-waking up and knowing that every morning gives me another opportunity to be happy.

perhaps I've made you think about a few simple things you love.

All of Mother Nature's seasons

     As the winter storm approaches I am hoping to snap a few beautiful camera shots of the white and icy beauty.
     Looking out the window, I see a blur of fast moving white lines. Sometimes, we must be patient for winter tranquility. Mother Nature is covering us with her beautiful white blanket of snow. And tranquitity will come. But right now she is coming in along with Winter Wind Warrior. It appears that at this moment, I'll have to wait for the dancing and party to settle down.
     For now though, won't you come with me? I'd like to give your mind a warm and balmy journey. Envision this, then grab a tea and put up your feet, take a sip and close your eyes. All cozy and comfy? Then come with me now, inhale deeply let me lead you to some of that ME time that you so deserve  . . .
     Feel the warmth of the sun on your face, temperatures that warm you up even deep into the coldness of your bones. Smell the salty mist in the air. Embrace the soft whisper of a gentler wind on your skin. Seagulls in the distance, in harmony with the coming in and out of the tide. As you languishly stroll the beach, your feet digging into the soft tawny colored sand, with water splashing against your legs. Breathe in deeply, exhale it all nice and slowly. You feel your body relaxing, your mind clearing and feel one with the earth. Here is a tropical place where the sky is filled with golden memories of the day and the promise of another chance to appreciate all the seasons and people in our lives. I love to come here and please join me anytime.

Monday Mornings

Monday Mornings . . . . this was painted not just on Mondays, but on all days of the week

Crimson memories

Painting what I feel.

The thing about Unconditional Love

When you believe and understand the depth and definition of true unconditionality in love . .  
 
that the unconditionality of it is what makes that love the most real of all loves . . .
 It is then you know you want for them whatever they need and desire to complete their happiness . .

even if it doesn't ever include you. 

The "Letting Go" of it.

At what point do you decide to let it go?
      I was going to say just let it go . . . but there is nothing "just" about letting go of anything.
    Letting go can be painful or liberating, and often it is both. It involves endless analysis and questions of self, of the situation and of being patient. You assess your actions and words as well as assessing theirs. You analyze whether you are truly being fair, truly being objective and approachable to their views and feelings. It involves wakeful nights, reviewing of words spoken, things left unsaid, interpretations of individuals,questions and ponderings. There is much to be said for being open to opportunity of growth and to understanding  the human trait of everyone making mistakes in life.
     We never really know what is in the hearts and minds of someone who won't talk with us. There is no engaging in human emotion, no hope of understanding, if we close our ears or continue to carry swords of negativity. No eye contact, no touch, no hearing of inclinations and tones of speech.
     Truth has a difficult journey in silence.
     When do you know that the thoughts, energy, time and hope you have are not enough to lead towards an indication for mutually desired better tomorrows?
    Hope begins to falter when intentions are met repeatedly with any negativity. When it matters not to someone, what you do or what you don't do. Guilty by opinion. You give space, you don't force choices of them. You hope they want to understand as they gain more life experiences of their own. Youth has it's disadvantages.
     You know the need to remain positive and open to change. You hunger for a morsel of positive sincerity to share.  And after a long time, you begin to realize that if you continue to wait like this, your heart at some point will starve to death.
      You are deemed as not caring enough, not understanding, not being there, not saying the right words or when you say any words, they are not said right enough. Is this the truth that they believe in their hearts, their memories? Oh how can it be so?
      Where does one go from that point?
At what point do you turn your eyes downward and say it's all I can do. You have to decide if you want to work on this relationship with me. I want to do that with you, but you are not ready now.
     If you knock at my door, you'll find it's still open and unlocked, the light is still on. It's just that my face isn't continuously looking out the window anymore.

Down the Road of Life

     On this road of life, it can be difficult to see the bigger picture.  Your view can be clear, but more often than not, there's a whole lot of blurry, and you're squinting to see your path in front of you.

       We drive along, for a while, it can look like the same route others before us took. But each journey is it's own, there will never be a journey like the one you are on.

     The outside factors of living our lives will not always be in our control. To us may come inclement weather, severe storms and times of what seems like endless darkness. We wind down the road on bright and sunny days and are elated and happy. Even the sunny days can be trialsome, as the brightness of the sun can blind us to what truly is before us.  We need to look ahead and plan for when the road and weather continue to change. 

 We make choices. To go from point A to B as fast as we can. To take the round about way from A to get to B.  Perhaps to never go to B at all. Some choose to return back to A, but it's never the same there, even if we would have stayed. A few boldly adventurous will make up their our own alphabet as they go through life.  There are choices to beat the storm, we can ride it through, or wait for it to pass. Choices to take a leisurely ride and enjoy the scenery.

     There's the factor of  means of transportation. How do we get through life?  Be it fast like a plane, train or car, a bit slower on bike, on foot or even on another's back.

It can be scary or exciting. Looking down the road, it can look like not much is ahead. Or we keep thinking, I'll slow down a bit when there's something good to stop for. A then passing by too fast, we think, "Oh I should have stopped there". We can make that detour. After all there's not a prize to get there first. It's the getting there that's the fun. And if the journey were perfect and all went according to plan, well, your wouldn't have stories to tell or character to your name making you the person you are today. 

This time of year, we often reflect on life. It can bring pride and happiness, sadness or regret, yearning and inspiration or sadly, defeat and lack of will. All I am certain of is that it will be different tomorrow that today.

I gives thanks for all I have, for all that I can give, for all that I have learned and been fortunate to share. I am thankful to have love come into my life in many ways and with many people. I am thankful to count today as a blessing, and hopeful that our tomorrows bring joy, understanding, peace and love to many more hearts and souls. 

Safe travels.

Silly thoughts

What do you get an elf for Christmas?

Don't ever . . .

Don't ever get to a point in life where
 you feel like this is as good as it can get.

Pendulum of the Season

     Ahhh . . . it's holiday season again.
    Those few words just gave an immediate rise to your emotions.
What did you feel? Did a smile cross your face with warm and wonderful memories and the anticipation of excitement, love and happy times to come? Families, friends celebrating, people being  friendly, warm fireplaces, laughter and hugs, celebrations and the joys of giving with yuletide cheer upon us. The drug of hope and peace and love surrounding you.
     Or did a sense of heaviness and sadness loom over your heart? A "I hate the holidays" formed by your lips and murmured in a low and snarled breath? A season of negativity, capitalism in your world of harsh reality. A sense of false happinesses, of excesses and of loss of special people in your life. The coldness of lonliness. Another day and nothing more, just try to make it through. The sooner it's over the better. A feeling of darkness and despair veiled heavily over your eyes.
     Well, the holidays are all those things. It's your choice. You decide how you want your life to be and feel. You can get up and be thankful for what you have. To make the world a brighter and  more positive place for you and anyone that comes in contact with you.
      It really comes down to the question of what is the holiday all about in the first place? If you are religious or spiritual, don't forget why you are celebrating. It's not a celebration of you, but of things much bigger than you. Celebrate the reason more than the season.
     If religion or spirituality are not your bag (or even if they are), concentrate on the goodness of mankind,  look for the good in people and potential for growth.
    It's about attitude and perspective. We can't see the world in a beautiful light if we are standing in front of the beam, blocking the light. Maybe all you have to do is step aside to let more light in, by supporting the light and focusing it on something beside yourself. Sometimes it's us, we, you or me that stands in the way of happiness.
     You can make your world anything you like. You have to have a plan, you have to feed the plan, and you have to be realistic with your expectations. Set a goal, aim high and put your plan in front of you. One little step everyday. One gesture, one act, one sentence, one thought, one touch. It all starts with one. YOU. Your pendulum, your decision, your choice.

Childhood and Duckies

     Life gently puts it's arms around us when we are young children, it grabs a tighter hold, taking us forward into adulthood.
     We become more serious,  tense, anxious and guarded. There seems to be an almost unrecognizable time when suddenly the reins were pulled in, the blinders were put on and we couldn't see or remember life as children.
     We are busy making ends meet, getting ahead, catching up, planning for the future and/or keeping our heads above water.
     What happened to the child within us? The responsible adult in ourselves has sent our inner child to their room and forgotten that they need to be given permission to come out and play.
     Pay attention to children. They seem to put life's concerns and worries aside. They find pleasure, silliness and laughter in simple things. They're quick to forget, forgive and want to play more. Childhood  keeps important things in perspective. Go back to simple, release your child. They've been waiting way too long.
     Some of the simple things that make me feel my inner child . . . 
 . . . seeing my neighbor's dog get excited, jump, bark and wag her tail to see me and get petted.
 . . . letting the last of the ice cream melt in the bowl and enjoy the liquidy goodness.
 . . . watching the swans fly onto the lake and swoop down with tremendous grace and strength to a gliding landing.
 . . .  having a friend give a long and sincere hug.
. . . sharing a joke.
 . . . making a stranger smile.
 . . . riding a bike.
 . . . . taking a hot evening bubble bath, washing my hair, brushing my teeth, putting on comfy jammies with no makeup or hair styling involved.
 . . . seeing little plastic duckies in the most unusual places.
. . . getting out a hula hoop and jump rope and being amazed that I can do anything at all with them.
 . . . driving through my old neighborhood.
 . . . seeing coloring books and smelling a new box of sharp crayons.
. . .  seeing a Disney movie.
. . . Faygo red pop
 . . . a kiss on the forehead.
Share some of your child inspired simple pleasures.