Learning

There is a saying that everyone comes into our lives for a reason. (to be discussed in a later post) But also that everyone we come in contact with has something to teach us. From the most brilliant people you meet to the checkout folks at the grocery store, the servers at our restaurants, etc. (to be discussed in this post) Even if its only- "OMG I never want to see that person again!" (lol) You've at least reinforced what you don't like and what you don't want in yourself. Its not always evident at first but if we step back and look we usually can find something. If course the people that we're closest to have the better opportunity.  I have been given the gift of time to learn from a dear friend, Roland. Ours was a very reciprocal "student/teacher" relationship. I will admit that at first I thought I had a lot to teach him, but I've listed a few of the things that he was actually teaching me. 

Patience- I've never met a more patient person- except when he was impatient at my impatience. I promised him I would try to do better and I think I have some.
The futility of anger- He had a few things and a few people to be angry about. But he just never really was. When I asked him about it or got angry for him he just asked me what good anger would do? Were those horrid feelings going to change anything? A few times he told me to lay off the coffee :-)
Slow down-Now I don't know when he learned this one himself, because years ago he whipped me around New York City at break neck speed. But he did learn and I promised him I'd work on this one too.
Things will work out- I would think he was being less than sensible at times- but he seemed to feel that there was always tomorrow to fix things- ya gotta live for today- go for it - Life's too short- things will work out.
Learn to be a survivor- just start over if you have to.
He knew that people have value- loved the way he treated the car service driver.... and others.
And a biggie- that we all (I ) can be and should be loved.

Rest in Peace Roland.

Imagination

Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.
- Lewis Carroll -

 

You notice he said believed, not thought, or considered.  Use your imagination to see your life as you want it. Make believe like when you were a child,  but then really believe and go for it!

 

Luv ya,

Being Human

Hello- It's been a strange and unfamiliar few days. Illness and conflict can take a toll on a person's health, mind and spirit. I woke this morning feeling a bit lost, sad, anxious. I will admit I said to myself that I just wasn't going to write anymore. Maybe it is all just hooey. Who cares anyway. I went outside to get the paper and saw for the first time since I've been back from NYC  that my godwoods (look I spelled it wrong- maybe not huh?) dogwoods are beginning to really bloom.  They are so beautiful and the tiny new leaves on the trees are so bright green. Isn't it cool how they turn to their deeper green as they take full form. I took a deep breath said "Thank you" and anyway- I was/am inspired anew. -ITS SPRING- JUMP FOR JOY-Nature has a very healing affect. I'm surely not 100%- but getting there with the help of my daily readings and more time with nature, I am sure I will feel better shortly.
Message from this? We are human, which means we have very complex feelings and ups and downs and it can be a struggle for even the most positive of people (which I surely am not). But if we look, sometimes right in front of us, we find that there is always something to look forward to- something beautiful in our lives.
Luv ya-

I'm Back

Oh my gosh- my computer had a major breakdown. I felt so anxious about not being able to write my messages. I have built up so many topics from happenings in my life the past few weeks. But I will take today to send out a message about loss and the fear of loss. One of my most devoted readers, devoted friend and a very special person to me- someone I love- is in big trouble in the hospital. It is iffy whether he will survive. How do you process that. I spoke to him at 9:00 on Saturday and at midnight that same night he is in grave danger.
Alli and Nick, I know you have lost people close to you already and unfortunately there will be more. When that happens I want you to be comforted by the idea that you will have another person in heaven who will help to look out for you- to help do God's work. I believe that with all my heart. They are there to be called on.

I fear loss of people I love. The feeling of helplessness- it can be incapacitating just imagining it sometimes.  Acceptance can be a long time coming. - but in the end, in this case I want what is best for him- for his quality of life. I felt the same way about dad. Some people just can't live being less than their best.  So my prayer is not just to insure survival, but for the best outcome. The first reaction is "why did this happen"?  Then acceptance and hope for the whatever is the best.
Love you.

Make Room For Joy

Funny again where one can get inspiration. I went to one of the plays in the New American Plays series at Actors Theater. It was a really cool play about the rise of Rap music. It was a really fun production. Without telling the whole plot I will just say the story concentrated on two young men who had very different, but somewhat troubled home lives.

At one point they each were told to take in Joy. But to do that they had to push out anything that is not Joy. One of the boys just sorta took deep breaths and mentally pushed out his bad stuff. The other one used his words- he shouted, he rhymed, he cried. 

It just struck me how positive messages are all around us if we pay attention. I looked around to see if I could tell from the faces if anyone else was moved by this part of the play. (I saw a couple of people nodding.)

So- shout, scream, punch your pillow, take deep breaths - whatever, to push out anything that is not Joy- then breathe in the the Joy. Raise your arms and breath it in!!  Gosh I love you guys so much.

III

Where you are right this minute doesn't have to disturb you. I keep hearing people say- "you are exactly where you are supposed to be at this time"  Use where you are now to get to where you're going. Life is all about the choices we make, so choose contentment and satisfaction every single day of your life. You won't go wrong when you do. But again, not satisfied to the point that you never grow and expand your horizons.

Luv ya, 

II

"There's nobody happier than a truly thankful person, a truly content person. The word content means 'being satisfied to the point where nothing disturbs you no matter what's going on, but not satisfied to the point that you never want any change."

Alli & Nick-  I know being content is easier said than done which is why it is a process- to create the habit. Which is exactly why I write to you every day. So you can start the habit before you're 50 and saying "wish I knew then what I know now.   YOU DO KNOW. Embrace gratitude and positive attitude. It will change your world.  It will so be subtle that you don't realize- but one day you might be able to recognize that things have gotten just a bit better for you, that you are really really content.  A light bulb will go off and you will say HUMMMM- 


Luv, luv, luv ya.

Joy & Contentment I

An excerpt from Joyce Meyer:

"Joy doesn't come from having your circumstances in order and under control; it comes from what's in your heart. For example, the world is full of people who have what they think they want, and they're still not happy. In fact, some of the most unhappy people in the world are people who seem to "have it all." "
                                                                                                                         Love you

It Snowed

Dear Nick and Alli- I am so lucky that even at my ripe old age of 50 sometimes I still am awed and find pleasure in the little things. But I am really, really lucky to have friends who do the same. It snowed last night and our world is beautiful.  I got a call at 7:30- maybe 7:45 from your Mom- Alli, (your Aunt- Nick) saying let's go walk in the snow.  Really??  But I was so excited.

Do you know how special that is to have someone who shares your joy for life. Yes you should have it with your spouse, girlfriend etc, but be ever so grateful  for the "just FRIENDS" in your life.

The picture on the right is from my front yard. I failed to capture the cardinal that had just been sitting there. Like a picture from a greeting card.

My message this morning- enjoy the simple things, and the wonder of the unexpected. Also be grateful for the people in your life that share your enthusiasm for life.

Blessings

I know, I know- Ziggy again- but boy is he smart sometimes.  Count your blessing at the end of the day, have gratitude for the blessing you encountered during your day as well as for what you have.  One thing though- the part where he says "takes a lot less time'- I hope he means that counting your blessings makes you feel so good it takes little time to relax and fall asleep,  not that he doesn't have many blessings- cause I know we all do.                                         Luv ya.

Opportunity

   Couldn't have said it better- we have to train our minds to think differently -look at all sides of a situation and turn it to our advantage.   Luv ya