New years eve...

New years eve carries only a present moment on which to decide to love, decide to find joy and to embrace the present moment even more then I had the last one. It's about remembering when I am fearful, or worried that I are loved and whole and All Is Well. Its about loving myself a little more each day and finding within that, life's human experience. To welcome each other and allow without resistance what they have to offer. To clear my vision and see that no miracle is to big or to small, and when I am in the present moment and know only LOVE, life leaves me in awe of its wonder.

Thank you to all who have chosen this life with me and to all those yet unknown. I am learning to enjoy just "being" me.

Think Love...

You are what you think you are...

THINK LOVE

Crumbs...

I have realized over the years that my "love life" has been about crumbs. Little morsels of anothers love. They were not able to love themselves and so was not able to offer more. Because I too was not giving love to myself I thought "a crumb" was sufficient. Life is changing and my vision is clearer. Crumbs are no longer enough, a morsel is no longer acceptable and I love myself enough to expect more. In each present moment there lays a seed of anticipation waiting to bloom and step out into all its beauty. To welcome a full love, a whole love, a real love...

I am ready!

Forgiveness...

There are many definitions of forgiveness and one of them I like a lot is:

"The true meaning of forgiveness is in allowing someone the space to find their way"

Having played the role of care taker to many people in my life it is hard for me to step back and let someone find their own way. Even though I don't try to control them or push my opinion on them but I do feel sometimes like if I don't keep letting them know I'm always there no matter what, that it means I don't care. It has been challenging for me to keep moving on with my life and not want to take the others with me. For them to see what I see in them and to pick themselves up and move on too. I know in my head that I can not do that for another. I can not give them self love and self worth but my heart thinks differently. And then there is a fine line between keeping the unconditional love for them alive but still moving on and giving them space. And who am I to think I am so powerful and have all the answers for someone else. I forget the most loving thing I can do for someone is to let them go and to find the path that is right for them, just as others have done for me.

A new year...

For the past few years I have been slowly moving people as well as things in and out of my life. My two car garage has been a holding space for a lot of "stuff" over the years and has never been used to house a car. As this new year rolls around I am looking forward to dumping some things, selling others, giving away and opening lots of space for continued good things and people to come flooding in. And maybe even put my car in the garage for the first time in almost 20 years. There is joy to be found in reorganizing and replacing, a new welcoming of more peace and less chaos. I want to embrace the process and see it as a new chapter that I can write in my book of life.

All is Well...

A white Christmas...

We were beginning to wonder if the snow would come our way on Christmas day and by evening we were covered in snow. Yes indeed - we had a white Christmas. Doesn't come around to often and it is beautiful and not too much to keep us stuck inside for days but just enough to add the perfect ending to an already nice Christmas. It was like sprinkling confectionery sugar on top of a warm and delicious dessert. Picture perfect!

Santa said as he drove out of sight...

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night...

Christmas Eve...

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse...

Happy...

Thought I would borrow (again) another idea from my beautiful niece. On her blog today she just had the word happy and a list of what made her happy. I like the word "happy". It seems to say so much with only five letters. Here is my list of what makes me happy today...

quiet

my three children

family and friends

christmas lights

my car

money

our computer

good food to eat

four cats who are loved

my bathrobe to keep me warm

the sunshine

a comfy bed

hot tea

GF cookies

TV

a good book

a warm bath...

...

ENJOY THE PRESENT MOMENT...

Allowing...

When giving up resistance and letting go, I am left in the state of allowing. Allowing only good thoughts to roam free in my head, allowing only positive thoughts about others to surface. Allowing, opens up space for all good things to flow when I step aside and stop thinking it's all about me. Then comes expectance. Expecting the miracles that only the universe can pull off. Expecting love and joy and peace on earth. Then acceptance, that I am all I need to be. I am whole and beautiful, as we all are. I don't need to impress or try harder. I just need to be me, and KNOW that is enough.

So here I am world... JUST ME

Resistance

I'm feeling resistance to "what is" today. Not sure what "that is" only that maybe I "should" be making it different or that I "should" know what I am suppose to do. Just feeling unsettled and that makes me feel like I "should' make something happen, even if I don't know what that is. So I do know to take a deep breath in and a deep breath out then LET GO. Letting go of there having to be a solution that is up to me. Just put one foot in front of the other, one breath after the other and relax and know all is well even if I don't know what's next. Release all resistance...............

Holding on...

Holding on to what I know to be my truth, at this present moment is hard. I am allowing another words to cause me to find fault with myself and to doubt what I know to be true. I know the other person is lashing out and I am struggling to offer only love to myself as well as them. To not give the words any more value then what they deserve, which is nothing because I know they are only out of anothers pain. I love the song by the music group Train, called "Words", maybe I will try and live by them today and know this too shall pass...

Here is just a few of the lyrics from the song:

Words they'll try to shake you

Don't let them break you

Or stop your world from turning

When words keep you from feeling good

Use them as firewood and let them burn

Let them burn

Let them burn

Underneath every word somebody's heart been broken

pondering...

Are you more fascinated by what you can see or by what you cannot see?

I noticed the other day at the gingerbread library program that when the children came in to decorate, some of them needed to find the right one, the perfect looking one. Got me pondering on how much do I base my views and what I pick by only what my eyes can see. The old saying "don't judge a book by its cover" sounds easy but as a human a lot of times that is not my first instinct. And then there are times when you do need to base your decision on what you see. Like someone's behavior or something that looks dangerous. I guess it comes down to using your judgement in each situation and when we are fully present we will know which option is right at the time. Just good food for thought...

A slow pace...

I have discovered in the last few months that I am a slow person. I think slow, I read slow, I make decisions slow, I walk slow, but one thing I don't do slow is eat. Over the years with young children and living a life for others eating was just something I could do fast and keep going. I am trying to to more mindful of what and how I'm eating. I still find myself eating on the run, even in my own home. Chewing to fast and then wondering when the food is all gone what it was I just ate. I love to cook and I enjoy the process of preparing the food but sitting down and focusing on the end result is harder. But with a little practise and patience I can learn to once again savor the food that is prepared and placed before me, whether that is made by me or someone else.

A Quote...

Deep roots are not reached by the frost...

Time...

Today is a day to take a deep breath... and know all is well.

I am feeling a time crunch of projects old and new. Feeling like I can't fit it all in, feeling like there are not enough hours in a day to get everything done. Looking around and seeing what is left undone because of things that must be done. But looking at it in frustration don't change it. It still will be there today and when I wake tomorrow, so I have a chose, I can think OMG or I can take a breath and know all will get done and I will have time for what I need and want to do. And what doesn't that is okay too.

Breathing in, breathing out, breathing in, breathing out, breathing in, breathing out

Grateful...

Today as I was running the water to make breakfast I had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude to be able to have water just flow out of the pipes anytime I turn the handle on. To have heat on these very cold and windy days. A refrigerator full of comfort food, healthy food as well as the very unhealthy . To have a warm and comfortable bed to sleep in with soft pillows on which to rest my head and fluffy blankets providing warmth for my body. A house that gives my children and I a place to call "HOME". It is filled to the brim with laughter, love and memories. My list is endless of things to be grateful for. These are only a few but in this present moment they are BIG.

"I AM GRATEFUL"

Blank...

Today my mind is blank. I can't think of what to write so I like to borrow other peoples words when mine are not present...

Happiness is not taught it is recognized...

and

Remember to feed your FUN!

Mindless...

Today is a day to just be lazy. I have finished all my obligations for a few days and the weather is perfect for doing a whole lot of nothing. So, so far I made myself some yummy pumpkin pancakes with pecan and just sat in front of the computer playing mindless games - FUN!!! Our beautifully decorated christmas tree is shining so brightly, the sweet children and cats are asleep and all is quiet. I really enjoy playing the silly, simple games on Facebook or on the computer. They don't take any brain power or ask anything of me except to enjoy, and if I don't I just make them go away. They just put a smile on my face and that is a good thing.

Just a thought...

The better I feel about myself the less I need you to be different.

Alan H. Cohen

Friends old and new...

Facebook is bringing back friends from my past. It is SO awesome! I love being connected to ALL my friends old and new. I enjoy everyday commenting and interacting with everyone, which without Facebook doing that would not be possible. My life is richer and made happier from such a small thing.

I am grateful!!!!!!!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like christmas...

Our Christmas tree is here!

We didn't get our tree at the place we have been going to for years but we were all happy being together and happy with our choice. It is up in the stand and ready to be fully decorated. So let the hot chocolate and Christmas carols woe us into a festive time. String the lights (hoping most work this year), draping the garland, and opening the box full of family favorite ornaments and covering the tree with memories. Then every evening as the sun goes down and darkness is welcome the twinkling of the lights brightens our spirit and put a smile on our face. They mesmerize you, staring at them for what seems like hours. You mind drifting to Christmas past and hopeful future.

A GOOD time had by all!

Friends = FUN

I don't realize until I get together with my wonderful group of friends that my "battery" was low. My personal battery that gets recharged by fun, laughter, love, and friendship. When we all get together I ALWAYS leave "fully charged" and better able to handle life as it comes to me. I leave feeling so grateful and find myself smiling all the way home. Even something as small as going to the grocery store together after a long fun day is so cool. Each friend is a treasure and shines in their own special way. I have written about them many times but it never stops amazing me how much they all give me and do for me. Thank you all SOOOOOO much for JUST being YOU!!!

Surprise...

It's a new day

A day full of surprises and expectation for all good things. Most days I have a "to do" list and activities I'm involved in, but in each moment there is also the element of surprise. I can make a list, plan events, schedule appointments, and day dream but there is a part of life that is unknown and unexpected. I can choose to see it as exciting or frightening. Most of my life I chose frightened. Afraid if I didn't know or try to control what was going on, my world might fall apart (it never did but I wasn't sure that it wouldn't). I would search for answers to "why" so it would all make sense. I was always resisting life, swimming up stream and making everything harder then it had to be. I am beginning to like the "go with the flow" feeling. It is less work and leaves me lighter and filled with anticipation. When I don't have everything planned and accounted for I can leave the fine details up to the Universe to plan things out for me, things that I might never in a million years have dreamed for myself. Why set limits on what is available?

extra care...

My mind has gone to all the wrong places today. Thinking all the wrong thoughts. So that means I need to take extra good care of myself and not take anything personal that others think, say or do. I need to be gentle with myself and know "this too shall pass" and know I am loved and all is well. To put my focus on all that is good even if I have to make a list to help me see what is right in front of me. Nothing has changed from last night to today only my attitude, and that I have control over. So I can pick comforting foods to eat and something warm to drink. Decide what makes me happy today and do that. Say kind words to myself as I would if someone I knew and loved was feeling out of sorts.

Love you Nancy... you are loved by many, don't forget, it's okay to "be" whatever place that is, and ALL IS WELL!

Love me : )

Gingerbread...

It's that time of year again!

Ten plus years ago I took a "decorate a Gingerbread house" class from a store called The Farmers Wife. I was there for over three hours decorating (along with everyone else) and just fell in LOVE. It brought me joy and made me happy and there, an idea was born - why not make other people happy too. So I started making gingerbread houses, cookies and an assortment of other items that could be made with gingerbread (the ideas were endless) and selling them. I did birthday parties, holiday parties, gift baskets etc. I advertised at Christmas in Davidson by providing free gingerbread cookies for anyone to decorate and displayed my house's. Over the years the business grew by word of mouth and became too big to do out of my home. I needed to make a decision, open a store, rent space in a commercial kitchen to be able to expand or to stop altogether. I decided to stop, only I have never really stopped. I thought I was done with it but it was not done with me. People pop up every Christmas season and want gingerbread. So this year I have decided to take the challenge and perceive it in a new and different way. To see it as a art that leaves lasting memories. As a way to give back and put a smile on a lot of faces. To enjoy the process until it decides "it's" done with me.

Long - GOOD - day...

AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT...

Being Human...

Most of this year I have been trying to honor the things that I feel are beneficial to my well being. Like exercise, eating healthy, being creative, getting enough sleep, meditating, loving and accepting myself in the "present moment". I feel if I put these things as a priority in my life then all other will fall into place. And when I "show - don't tell" my children what's important to me, I hope they too will learn that it's okay to follow what feels right for them.

I have not accomplished and kept up with my list as I would have liked but I have to remind myself it is not about the destination but the journey. It's about progress not perfection. I have been "stuck" many times because of perfection. But I've grown to be more gentle with myself and with that comes permission to be human. To fail, to try, to win. And when I allow myself to be human I find I allow others to be as well. It lightens the load and frees me to be more open and compassionate with myself and those around me.

I also strive to be a human "being", rather then a human "doing". That lesson is a little more challenging because in the past I was a "doer" and I did for everyone but me. So it has been a nice adventure this past year to whittle away at life and enjoy each step of the way with no idea what the end result will look like.

Inspired...

When my niece went off to college she decided to write on her blog everyday for a month and I thought if she can show up for herself, well I can too. I have been trying to find ways to "put myself out there" in the world, a little at a time, to learn to "show up" for myself and I thought this would be a good way to start. It is so neat to look around at the people in your life and watch and learn from them. Everyone has something to give, to be inspired by. Sometimes it maybe that what they are doing inspires me to decide that is not what I want in my life and I can be thankful that they were there to help me see what it is I don't want as well as the people who show me the kind of things I do want. We are all unique and the same. We look at life through different filters and lenses and pass in and out of each others lives when needed. I am grateful I can choose what I want for my life and what I don't. And when I forget there is always someone who comes along and reminds me... THANK YOU ALL... for just being you!

In a moment...

It's the first day of the rest of my life....

November...

I started the month of October as my "no worries" time. I have decided to have November as my "be grateful and no analyzing my feelings month". I want the days to just swim in gratitude and offer them no resistance to anything that I am feeling. To just let "it all be". To live each and every moment carefree, living in expectancy and joy as the universe figures out the end result. It feels good to LET GO and rest with childlike anticipation, as I become more and more use to the everyday miracles. I am overflowing with GRATITUDE.

Fear... and answers

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"The presence of fear is a sure sign you're trusting in your own strength."

A COURSE IN MIRACLES

This week I had plumbing issues at my house. At first I was mad at myself because I knew better then to put food down the garbage disposal because it has clogged up before. But I did it anyway and wa-la..... CLOGGED drain. Fear came and went. I thought I can do this, I can manage this problem, it's happened before. Then as nothing was working fear come back, oh no what am I going to do know. Is it a problem bad enough to call the plumber, do I know anyone who would know anything about plumbing and do I have the nerve to ask them, what should I do. Then the fear would subside and I would try again... nothing. I decided to go to bed visualize and let go and as I did, the universe provided an answer. A friend of a friend offered to come help. AWESOME!!! I was thrilled and went to the sink once more to give it one last plunge and that did the trick. But I now know that my "presence of fear was a sure sign I was trusting on my own strength" to figure it out. That is a big lesson I am learning on this journey of life, I don't have to "do it all myself", and that is feeling really good right now.

Allowing.......

I open myself up today to the art of Allowing. To ask for more, to expect more, to receive more. To know it is okay to ask, expect and receive. To know it doesn't take away from anyone else. I don't need to suffer or pay dues in order to receive happiness, money, love, or peace. I only need to "KNOW", to trust, to surrender to what is and allow good things to flow. To find what makes me happy and be conscious in my present moments of my intent. Am I struggling or am I allowing? Am I seeing my cup half empty or half full? Am I offering love to myself and others or am I judging. Am I happy....... YES I AM!

October.......

I have chosen October as my "no worries" free month. I am experimenting with the idea of practising everyday for a month to not pick up worry, or fear about my life. To wake everyday and set my intention to only GOOD thoughts and expecting miracles. What harm can it do? My cup is half full or half empty, it's however you want to look at it. When dark clouds of thoughts come my way I refuse to let them in. Positive energy reins over me.

If I could........

relax and pet my cat and dangle my feet in the stream and find things that please me and focus upon them....... and spend time with the people who make me feel the best and read the books that make me feel best and go to the movies that make me feel best and take the drives that make me feel best and think of the aspects of those I work with who make me feel best and make lists of things that I like that make me feel best and wear the clothing that makes me feel best and eat the food that makes me feel best and do the things that make me feel best and think the thoughts that make me feel best......... hmm, I would feel pretty good!!!

Surrender to.....

Don't be afraid to surrender to the void.

The void isn't empty

it's filled with the Divine.

Words by: Marianne Williamson

My present moment today is about surrendering to the void. A place full of questions waiting for my answers to what is true for me. It's about jumping off into the unknown, knowing only that I don't have to go there alone. I am on this earth to give love and be loved. To stop clinging to "lack" and be present and open to what each moment can offer me. I am surrounded by SO many wonderful people, just their presence is a constant reminder of how loved and full my life is. I will live this moment today with gratitude and excitement. And a huge thank you to all that have chosen to come along for the ride of a life time.

Bad Hair Cut ?

The hair cut wasn't that bad but it wasn't what I thought I was asking her to do. I was not very happy when I got home and felt frustrated because I was trying to grow some of my hair longer. Now it is all very short again. So enough time of looking in the mirror and realizing that being upset doesn't grow my hair any faster I decided to see what lesson I could dig out of my disappointment.

The lesson is a reminder:

* to work on my communication skills and maybe next time I could bring in a picture or go over my idea with her and see if she "gets it". And in general be more aware of how I am communicating with others. Often I know what I feel or am trying to say but getting that idea across to another is harder sometimes then it seems.

* to listen deeper to others and myself (as I felt that was something she didn't really do for me). I am guilty of hearing but not really listening. I often interrupt, I'm thinking of what I want to say while another is talking and I've made choices in my life that were not the best for me because I didn't listen deep enough to my own thoughts and knowing.

I will ponder more about what it is to listen deeply and leave you with this thought.........

When one surrenders into listening closely and carefully and sacredly to the moment, there is no longer fear.

An unconventional life........

I found myself the other day justifying, rationalizing, and explaining the life I choose to live with my children. Later when I had time to reflex back, I realized I don't need to give an excuse or a detailed list to anyone of why I live the way I live. If I am at peace and my children are happy what else matters. I realize it is okay for them to wonder or question but I don't have to fill in the blanks for them just because they ask. If I thought their curiosity was to understand and maybe take away a different view then maybe I would be inclined to share. Living my life is a moment by moment event. When I took on the unconventional life I throw away the rules and decided to go with what feels right. I can take away from this experience the reminder of when I judge another to allow them the freedom to live as they want and I can still love and accept the other person because I am content with what I have chosen and I don't need their stamp of approval for me to be okay.

Are you suffering.....

from the belief that you must suffer to be happy?

Here are some tell-tale signs:

*You subscribe to the belief of "no pain, no gain"

*You believe there is no such thing as a free lunch-everything costs

*No one is harder on you than you are

*Comfort, wealth and luxury make you feel uneasy and guilty

*Life's a bitch and then you die. Ain't that the truth.

*Too much comfort cause too much guilt

*You like to strive, but to thrive would increase the guilt factor too much

*You are always fighting and struggling against someone or something

Taking from the book: "Happiness Now" by Robert Holden

In my life it was never spoken about or acknowledged but suffering was part of my existence. I was not fully conscious of that choice and the choices I made because of that unwritten rule. I love the story of two people sharing their tale of woe as the other tries to "out do" the suffering of the others story, ending in someone saying "You Win". This reminds me it's not a contest, you don't win a prize or it doesn't make you a better person. The most helpful response to suffering is to use suffering as a chance to hit the re-set button in life and commit once again to what it truly important and makes me happy.

To be happy, you must value joy more than pain....

A Witness to creativity.....

Everyday life offers endless possibilities and there is enough for everyone.

I am in AWE of what a mind can do when given the space to roam free. My two youngest children have had the gift of creative freedom. Their days are filled with open space on which to explore and experiment. They are not govern by rules of what creativity should look like. My job has been to move and arrange their lives so when the muse flows there is an avenue to follow where it needs to go. I am a witness to what trust can develop into. Trusting in my children to fail and succeed as they play with life, as I stand beside them offering a safe place for them to be. Each day my children remind me to play more and to set myself free.

exercising my JOY

I wake this morning to thoughts that were unpleasant and not constructive to be thinking. If not controlled or contained they are like an avalanche that picks up speed and only ends in disaster. I realized the muscle of joy and good thoughts has to be continually used to grow stronger and more prominent in my life. In ever present moment there is available either joy or unhappiness. I can choose! It has to be a conscious effort, to remain in the moment and exercise the muscle of positive thinking. Each present moment give me another opportunity to practice and decide what it is that I want in and for my life. I decide.......... I want JOY !

Friends.....

How I love my friends! They are all so unique and different, each with their own gifts to share. After our time together I always leave full - full of love, laughter and a feeling of being connected to all the good in life. We are present for each other and our children. There is enough space for each person to be fully appreciated for just "BEING". We radiate compassion and love and it spreads like the ripples on a pond. I feel truly honored to be in the presence of such wonderful people I call FRIENDS, as we dance with acceptance of who we are and live life in the present moment. As we give and take from each others basket of friendship, sharing all that life gives us. My life and the lives of my children are made richer and happier because of all of you. Thank you for sharing your moments with us, letting us take part in each of your families.

Happy.......

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY - TO ALL

Breath in, breath out

ENJOY........

Pencil yourself in....

Years ago I had a friend I met in a writing class and when the class ended we would met once a week at a coffee shop to encourage each other and to take time to write together. We would share stories about our day to day journeys and she always encouraged me to pencil myself in on the calendar just as I would a doctors appointment. She showed me on her calendar where she made an appointment with herself once a week and I was always amazed because I couldn't seem to allow that to happen. I chalked it up to she was a grandmother, no children living at home and had a stable life. But looking back I can see it wasn't about what she had and what I didn't, it was about valuing myself enough to show up. To be there for me. I was there for everyone BUT ME!

She would be proud to know I am working on that. I penciled myself in yesterday, showed up and went to a Women's art group just to play. I am doing more and more of that these days. Thank you dear friend for your words.........

Bad vs Good

Why does it seem the good habits are harder to create and stick with then the bad? You think your brain would say - oooohhh this is nice, this feels good, keep doing it. But in pondering this question I realize it is my misplaced self esteem and wrong thinking that out weights feeling good. To feel good you have to give yourself permission, to allow it to continue and thrive. It is an automatic reflex to deny myself, to give up, give in, to put off until, to sacrifice, to never believe good things can happen for me. Those voices scream loud! But I can stop them, I can scream over them. I can yell, its not true, I don't believe you, I am worth all the good the universe has to offer. Only if I am present and aware. Drifting off into "if only", "it will never happen", "oh I wish, I wish" leaves you full of lack and regrets, and drowning in self pity. When the shadows of self doubt cast over you reach for the light. Reach until you feel the grace and goodness that is granted all of us. Today I scream - I AM WORTHY, I AM LOVED, I AM ME.......... let the good begin!

A happy birthday family event.........

March is the month of spring flowers, warming weather, and lighter days. But it is also the month of my family birthdays. It starts with mine, then my middle son, my sister, my daughter and would have been my oldest son next (but he was three weeks late and was born on April 5th) but I still consider him born in March - because that was my intention.

Looking back over the years I never fully saw March as a month of celebration. I was always doing way to much for to many people and not happy about it but not ready to change. It was getting the party planned and all that included, while my birthday barely acknowledged. As the children have grown older and circumstances have become easier (because of being ready to finally change) I am feeling the hint of celebration. To embrace each person, and that would include myself on their special day and just ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY!!! I look forward to the years to come but for today I will bath in the WONDER of the present moment as we celebrate another birthday today. And Happy Birthday to us ALL..........

creative loafing .........

Don't overlook the importance of play.

The balance of mental and physical activity can be a powerful formula.

I am finding a balance between work and play and trying to make my work seem more like play. And then there are the times of doing nothing. I find that harder to do then either work or play. To allow my mind and body to just be, and to let everything rest in the present moment.

No children?!

This week when my son Matt came over to visit we got to talking about having children. Neither of my son's wants children. It is hard for me to imagine feeling that way because that is all I EVER wanted. The first job I ever had was working at a day care. I can respect their feelings and am glad they feel it's okay to not have children but it triggered a deep sense of guilt for the less then normal lives I gave them (afraid this may have contributed to why they feel such a deep opinion on that subject-concluded from memories Matt shared about his growing up experience). Growing up in the shadow of someones addiction is never easy and for my part in allowing it to happen is hard to swallow. I know I can't go back and change their experiences and looking back only leaves you feeling guilt and shame which servers no purpose unless you can do things differently. I am working on forgiving myself and staying in the present moment because that is where the beauty lies. I have three awesome, beautiful children whom I get to spend each and every day with. Whom I can share laughter, make good memories, try new things, enjoy family and friends, share great food, visit new place and live, laugh and love in the present moment together, for that's all we really have and all that really matters- is NOW.

Perception......

Every Minus is Half of a Plus

Its time to consider the possibility that what I thought was "wrong" with me may actually be what's "right" with me. I placed judgement upon myself and that is easy to correct - a change in perception. Here is a list to help you ponder "what's RIGHT with you"

NEGATIVE POSITIVE

apprehensive - cautious, vigilant, reasonable

class clown - tension reliever, lighten-upper

controlling - leadership, take charge, stay on purpose

daredevil - risk taker, over comer if fear

dark past - preparation for higher service,

advocate for downtrodden

demanding - claiming rights based on worthiness

disabled - over comer, shift focus to unusual

areas of ability, inspire others

dreamer - visionary, poet, mystic

judgemental/critical - discerning, discriminating

miserly - prudence, self control, wise

misfit - independent, inner-directed

naive - innocent, virginal, pure heart

non-committal - willing to live the truth in the

moment, adaptable to change

obsessive - thorough, detail-oriented

reclusive - inner-directed, contemplative

rebellious/argumentative - challenger of status quo

stubborn - persistent, demands rights

I hope this list will help you see yourself in a different light and celebrate with me!

Needed a good laugh.....

I decided to borrow someone else's joke....... Enjoy the laughter! : ) (I did)

This is the true story of George Phillips of Meridian, Mississippi, who was going to bed when his wife told him that he'd left the light on in the shed. George opened the door to go turn off the light but saw there were people in the shed in the process of stealing things.

He immediately phoned the police, who asked "Is someone in your house?" and George said no and explained the situation. Then they explained that all patrols were busy, and that he should simply lock his door and an officer would be there when available.

George said, "Okay," hung up, counted to 30, and phoned the police again.

"Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people in my shed. Well, you don't have to worry about them now because I've just shot them all."

Then he hung up. Within five minutes three squad cars, an Armed Response unit, and an ambulance showed up. Of course, the police caught the burglars red-handed.

One of the policemen said to George: "I thought you said that you'd shot them!"

George said, "I thought you said there was nobody available!"

A Dumbledore Quote.....

"It is our choices, Harry, that show us what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

In the past, "my abilities" seemed to equate with my value as a person and how much someone would love me. I am learning in this school called life that if I want to do something for someone or not, it does not change who I am as a human being or how much I deserved to be loved. Practising being present, brings awareness to the choices I make everyday, and reminds me they don't need a price tag on them. I can also see when I make choices more consciously the more authentic they become and that always feels right.

A welcoming breeze......

I am beginning to feel a "welcoming breeze" flowing across my life. A time to step back and be present. A time to allow good things to come, and embrace the gifts.

A beautiful friend gave my son a computer, a man knocked on my door and I will soon have a free roof and I wait in gratitude as the universe brings my hearts desire. I don't know where they come from and it is not for me to wonder - only to sit in expectancy with a thankful heart. I believe in the circle of life, and we are all connected. I love giving! Recently I gave time to my son David. We came up with a new and exciting lunch he had never tried before ( our own chicken patty sandwich -YUM), I took a ready made dinner to a friend and just yesterday I offered a cough drop to a stranger that didn't seem to be able to stop coughing.

It's like when you go to the ocean and walk down to the waters edge, close your eyes and the gentle breeze caresses you. You can't help but smile...........

Choices...

Each moment gives me another opportunity to be present and aware of what choices I am making. I have been trying to make a effort each morning to choose to do the things that I value in my life for me, first. I wake up, feed the animals, drink my glass of water, do my yoga (I feel a differences in my stiff bones), choose a healthy breakfast and sit down to work on my writing (even if only for 5 or 10 minutes). Then I will check my email/ facebook and allow myself to play some games that I enjoy. Sounds so simple but each morning I have to make a conscious effort or else I will be off doing whatever it is that takes my time and leaves me feeling bad at the end of the day that I didn't do what I felt was important to me. So far so good - one moment at a time!

My present moment intention.......

We must do as the flower does. The flower is aware of the fact that it contains everything within it, and it does not try to become something else.