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.........