Blind...

As I carry my grief with me out into the world, it's a blind presence that no one can see but I feel it in everything I do. Whether I'm at the grocery store or walking a dog, it's there. It reminded me today to have a little more compassion for that person who "seemed" a bit rude, or uncaring, because you never know what's going on in their life.

Soft...

"Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place."

Kurk Vonnegut

I need to remember today that my past experience don't define my present moment. I can be "soft" in this world and know that I am okay, because I am loved and am capable of loving. The world is a beautiful place!

Storm...

"We are what we believe we are."

C.S. Lewis

I've had a rough couple of weeks and tonight I feel weary. Just SO tired of the struggle. I know the conclusion to this story is almost over but the storm gets strong at times and is hard to stand tall and wait it out ~To wait for what you know is on the other side... 

So tonight I'm going to bed believing I am a strong, beautiful, confident, loving woman who deserves the best the Universe has to offer!

It's Personal...

Today I took a "personal day" to do "almost" nothing. I stayed in my bed until about 2pm and finally got up to eat. Then went back to bed, slept a little more, watched TV, and just did as little as possible! It felt good not to even get out of my PJ's, not to "have to" go anywhere or feel like I needed to do anything! I've done this before, it happens about once or twice a year. It feels like I'm resetting my mind and starting over. Sometimes I just need a little "up close and personal time."

Christmas...

"Wherever you are, whoever you are with, my deepest wish is that today you feel LOVE, connection and know that you are enough, as is."

The Daily Love

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

Creative Process...

This Christmas bulb in the picture is something I've been working on for a couple of days now. It's not perfect but that is okay and that is an unusual feeling for me when it comes to creativity. I just decided to wing it and see what I came up with. My oldest son got married two months ago and I wanted to make something using the invitation. Over my many years around this planet, I usually would not even attempt this project because I thought I might fail so I would never even start. So I have to say I'm quite proud of myself. I good feeling to close out another Christmas, another year!

A day...

Today my daughter had a tough day of great anxiety, so we just hung out together running errands and taking extra special care of her gentle soul. She seems to be feeling better this evening and it's in tending to one's soul, when needed, that we can move forward and allow the present moment to flow.

Falling...

"Sometimes when things are falling apart they may actually be falling into place."

This is something that I need to remind myself often. When it all looks like it's falling apart it's hard to remember that it could be actual falling into place. It's all how you choose to look at it ~The cup is either half full or half empty!

Human...

"Humankind Be Both"

http://www.zazzle.com/humankind_be_both_bumper_sticker-128457080722955536

While I was at work today I say a lady who had this saying, "Humankind ~ be both" on her t-shirt. I told her I loved what her shirt read and that I would blog about it to share with others. I found a bumper sticker that I loved with the saying on it too. So I will take this present moment to be more human AND more kind...

Continue...

"What you allow is what will continue."

With each passing present moment I hope I can be open to allow more and more "good" and "beautiful" people and things into my life. Because what I "allow" WILL continue...

Capture...

I was coming back from a trip to the grocery store and it was about 10 minutes after 5 in the evening. The setting sun was so beautiful, leaving a golden hue lingering behind the barren tree limbs. I got my cell phone out to try and capture the moment, but it wasn't working. It was a good reminder that some present moments aren't meant to be captured, only enjoyed and let go.

Shopping...

Something to accept about myself... 

Christmas shopping, present shopping, or shopping for things other then food causes me great anxiety. I don't really know why and this time of year I start beating myself up because I feel like I "shouldn't" be that way. So I decided to be kinder to myself and try and accept that is just a part of who I am. I'm not perfect and my hope is that those I love don't base my genuine feelings for them on gift giving.

Furry...

As I was doing my many pet sits today, I thought how nice it was of the owners to pay someone to come in at least once or twice a day just to walk and play with their animals. If your going to be gone all day most everyday, what a great gift for your pet. Hats off to all the pet owners out there... I applaud you for your extra loving care to your furry family members.

A day of love...

While doing a food demo yesterday, somedays the times goes by slow and sometimes fast. Yesterday was a very slow day, so I usually use it to people watch or write things down that I need to work on. What I notices yesterday was a lot of love, from grandparents enjoying their grandkids, parents being patient and loving with their children, couples young and old holding hands and just lots of good cheer! It left me feeling like there really is a lot of love in the world, happy people loving each other, parents genuinely enjoying being with their children. At times my world is small and though it is filled with all those things, I don't see a whole mass of interacting with a large group like that. So it was nice... to watch a " day of love" go by me one person at a time!

Realize...

"Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have."

Eckhart Tolle

With the hurry of everyday life, I forget to "realize deeply" that this present moment I am in, is all I ever have. When I'm lost in the unknown of my future, or dwell in the past, I lose present moments that cannot be refunded! So let me enjoy NOW...

Laugh...

" Laugh until your belly hurts and then just a little more!"

I LOVE to laugh and I love to laugh until it hurts sometimes. It just feels so good. But there are times I forget to put more laughter in my day - in my life! So this is just to remind myself to lighten up, find something that will make me laugh until my belly hurts!

"They" say, "Laughter is the best medicine."

Valuable...

"Remind yourself of how much you have to give and how precious and valuable your giving is."

This is what I need to remind myself daily about what I have to offer. And to remember just how precious and valuable that offering is to others. 

Mentor...

Everyone in life should be assigned a mentor while growing up if you don't have one. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a register to be able to sign up if you need one and receive your very own mentor to help you in your life. For me, not growing up with anyone to really be there to guide me, answer questions, boost my confidence, be my cheerleader, serve as a role model, I've found it hard so many times in my life to move forward and try thing or be adventurous. I have this beautiful woman helping me, guiding me, nudging me ever so gentle, and just being my genuine friend and it is truly wonderful. It's hard to describe what it feels like to have someone do that for you, when it's something they don't have to do. To give of themselves so lovingly to benefit another... a gift that is priceless!

Encouraging...

There are times when others words say just what I need. Here are some encouraging words that helped me today...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It was all a matter of consciously applying my focus. Grievances came from looking backward. But miracles come from focusing on the life in front of me, and the power of the current."

" It doesn't matter how many situations you've blown or missed or turned into nightmares. We live in an abundant universe. It's always waiting to help you turn your life around."

"It takes wild courage to start again. It takes power to drop the past and give everything to our current lives."

" Let go of what didn't happen this year the way you thought it should. The Universe is always giving. There's so much love coming down the pike. There are ideas, shifts, and opportunities flying your way. There are so many chances to begin again and again and it's always the perfect time and you've never missed out. It's all here for you. Only we limit what we allow ourselves to receive."

http://www.tamakieves.com/

Smile...

Leave it to the animals of the world to make me smile. These four kittens reminds me of the four cats I have. Mine weren't this color but just as cute. They are now all five years old and still bring a smile when needed.

Heart...

"Love begins by taking care of the closest ones - the ones at home."

Mother Teresa

I always felt, taking care of the ones at home was where my heart ALWAYS belonged.

And I still do!

Focus...

"Focus on what matters"

I was mentioning to a friend that it is hard to find focus when so many things are calling for my attention. But it's nice to have her nudge me alone for something that means so much to me. But all the while not loosing site of the importance of self focus and nurturing the self love needed to provide the strength to keep following the path, even when the roads signs are confusing as to which direction to go.

Extra...

A hard emotional night = being extra kind and loving to ourselves. Sometimes there is no way around the emotions that creep up and scare you unexpectedly but it is becoming more of a reflex now when I'm feeling "the scary" to back off and allow it to be there and show myself the additional tender loving care I would if it were someone else. 

Capable...

"There is no passion to be found playing small - in setting for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."

Nelson Mandela

Thanks for the wise words...

Happy...

"When I went to school they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down "Happy." they told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life."

John Lennon

Sometimes life hands you circumstances that don't make you happy, but happy isn't always contingent on circumstances. I can CHOOSE to find some happiness through whatever I'm going through. Today I'm doing just that!

Progress...

"Because we do not know what is going to happen next, if we choose to prevent or resist the present moment, we may actually be interrupting a miracle in progress."

http://thedailylove.com

I'm trying to allow the present moment I'm in to flow freely and not resist it's progress. There are bigger and better plans for me and my family and my job is to keep moving through with as much grace and love as I can. My heart is still grieving but as I put my trust in the process of life, I can watch the miracle unfold before my very eyes.

Receive...

"When the uni-verse takes something from your grasp, it is not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better."

Mastin Kipp

This is my hope as things in my life are going away ~ that my hands will be ready to receive something better then I could ever imagine! That I can allow ALL the new possibilities to flow without resistance.

Okay...

"it"ll all be okay"

Judge...

"There's a story behind every person. There's a reason why they're the way they are. Think about that before you judge someone."