"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude." Denis Waitley
I am sitting here this morning "shaming myself" for not getting done what I think I "should" be accomplishing. Change is blossoming all around me and to a certain extent I am immobilized by it. It's an exciting time in my life, but good forward leaps can be just as stressful as challenging ones. One thing I am observing in myself is the thought loop of "I will get on track when...." (the house closes, I move, my condo rents, I become a senior supermodel, I've bleached my teeth, I have a million dollars, my butt is smaller....you know the deal.) However, as I have written before, life continues to present hurdles for us to go over. It's how we learn, grow and become more of who we are meant to be. Embracing this idea helps me step back and examine what I can today to live with love, grace and gratitude.
Another piece to this equation for me is to let some things go. What TRULY needs my attention and what can I let go?
I am not up to date with my thank-yous and obviously haven't posted to this blog. I have created a great amount of stress thinking about how my note writing is getting away from me. How am I going to catch up from about 10 days of not attending to my thank you notes? What a problem of "luxury."
Today is the day that we have. I don't need to go back to a week of yesterday's and attempt to find 10 people to thank. That would be mechanical and not heart-felt. So it takes me 1 1/2 years to write 365 notes. Big whoop-de-do.
My lesson today is to quiet my mind long enough to appreciate the gifts around me and be grateful. I need to step back into my daily practice without judgment around how I let things get away from me. I need to do this in all areas of my world.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
WHATEVER
Life is whirling and twirling. (especially because I have had 2 cups of java on an empty stomach.) 60 thank you notes ago I wrote a blog on John Kralik's book: 365 Thank yous. As you know, that was the inspiration for my daily practice of acknowledging others in writing. He wrote about how sending daily thank you notes transformed his life. In the back of my mind I said "whatever." So you got financial gain, true friendship, weight loss and inner peace John. Good for you. My motivation wasn't to test if this would be the case for me. I pretended that it was all about giving without getting. Let's face it, we know that we receive more than we get when we are doing service for others. Research on gratitude illustrates that point. My confession is....I did want to get something back.
My life has really changed. You too can say "Whatever Gratitude Girl." I believe that the universe is showering me with blessings.
Things have happened in my world in the past few months that I would never have predicted. I am in the midst of getting a house. I have lived in this tiny condo with my children since I moved out and separated from my X-husband 6 1/2 years ago. My now 14 year old son, who is 5'8" has been sharing a small room with his brother in bunk beds for all those years. He doesn't want to stay here because he has no privacy. I really can't have guests over because I live in a thimble. It's a beautiful thimble...but none the less. I don't have the means to buy a house. All of a sudden my x-husband decides that he would like to buy us a house ( for me to buy back) so the boys could have a real home. Now, how many women have an X that does that? I would venture to say 1% of the population.
I have a house under contract right now. I just started a job that I love. New spiritual friends are starting to weave their way into my life.
2 months ago I would never have imagined any of this. I have been learning to live in a place of gratitude and seeing great gifts in life since I started this blog. Did all this materialize because I started writing thank you notes? You can call me crazy, but to some extent I think that it played a role. Seeing the world as a beautiful place is a gift in itself.
I am going to start writing about some of the experiences I have had in response to my writing thank you notes going forward. It's been wonderful.
Try writing 7 notes this week. Address the envelopes and send one a day. See what happens.
My life has really changed. You too can say "Whatever Gratitude Girl." I believe that the universe is showering me with blessings.
Things have happened in my world in the past few months that I would never have predicted. I am in the midst of getting a house. I have lived in this tiny condo with my children since I moved out and separated from my X-husband 6 1/2 years ago. My now 14 year old son, who is 5'8" has been sharing a small room with his brother in bunk beds for all those years. He doesn't want to stay here because he has no privacy. I really can't have guests over because I live in a thimble. It's a beautiful thimble...but none the less. I don't have the means to buy a house. All of a sudden my x-husband decides that he would like to buy us a house ( for me to buy back) so the boys could have a real home. Now, how many women have an X that does that? I would venture to say 1% of the population.
I have a house under contract right now. I just started a job that I love. New spiritual friends are starting to weave their way into my life.
2 months ago I would never have imagined any of this. I have been learning to live in a place of gratitude and seeing great gifts in life since I started this blog. Did all this materialize because I started writing thank you notes? You can call me crazy, but to some extent I think that it played a role. Seeing the world as a beautiful place is a gift in itself.
I am going to start writing about some of the experiences I have had in response to my writing thank you notes going forward. It's been wonderful.
Try writing 7 notes this week. Address the envelopes and send one a day. See what happens.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
FIFTY
I have my fiftieth thank you note addressed and ready to write and debating if I embarrass myself. Here is the story:
Earlier this week I noticed an unpleasant odor in my house. Step One: Take out the garbage. Step Two: Clean out the refrigerator. Step Three: Examine the garbage disposal. Damn it's still there. It was a mysterious scent and I couldn't put my finger on it. Step Four: Parade neighbors through. It's fairly entertaining to watch people walk around the house sniffing everything and trying to put a label to the aroma. I have used odor, scent and aroma...but the truth is...it was an awful over-whelming stink.
By the 3rd day I was beginning to feel less than ideal. My body hurt, my head ached and my eyes burned. Late Saturday night I decided I would call X-cel energy. The fellow came over in a speedy 3 hours, arriving at midnight. He told us wasn't a gas or carbon monoxide problem and he had never smelled anything like it. Great. Off we went to sleep elsewhere.
The next morning it was worse. The smell bowled you over when you walked through the door. Being a titch mellow dramatic, I had a bit of a breakdown. (God why me? sort of scene.) Who do I call now? It was Sunday...who do you call? I made an inquiry to the fire department. They told me they would come but I had to call 911 to dispatch them out. They came and searched my condo from top to bottom. It appeared that the odor was concentrated in my boy's room. The challenge there, is that it looks like I could be on an episode of hoarders. However, nothing is organized into categories. I think that is what hoarders do..yes? The closet was piled HIGH with clean and dirty clothing. My cleaning people tend to throw all the stuff on the floor in their room in the closet. (side note: I give up eating dessert to have others clean my bathrooms for me....thus the decadence of others throwing crap in my closets.)
They departed. They did find something semi-dangerous attached to my condo units...so it wasn't a total waste.
The Firemen suggested that I close all the doors and see if we get any more clues to it's location. (4 days and I hadn't thought of that. I truly believe our mystery smell was compromising me.) Location: Boy's Room.
After sleeping some place other than home again....my son and I returned Monday morning to bravely attack the room from hell. We are moving in about a month...so it was a necessary evil any way. I threw bags and bags of old clothing, toys, papers and weird shit out. I drove to the donation box down the street 3 times. We were down smelling the carpet. Not a clue. The room is utterly organized but the room still smells. The only thing left is the back pack on the chair. That's right. It's in the pocket of the pack. One moldy orange peel from who knows when. It was green and pungent it was MOLD. Holy shit. How could something that small permeate an entire household.
This brings me back to the thank you card. Do I write station #5? Do I look like a wacky woman? "Hey firemen...I am the girl that calls 911 for a moldy orange peel. Thank you for the fun Sunday afternoon." We all know the answer is yes.
The silver lining is that we are packed and ready to rock and roll.....and I have recovered 20 pairs of socks. That is no lie...20.
Earlier this week I noticed an unpleasant odor in my house. Step One: Take out the garbage. Step Two: Clean out the refrigerator. Step Three: Examine the garbage disposal. Damn it's still there. It was a mysterious scent and I couldn't put my finger on it. Step Four: Parade neighbors through. It's fairly entertaining to watch people walk around the house sniffing everything and trying to put a label to the aroma. I have used odor, scent and aroma...but the truth is...it was an awful over-whelming stink.
By the 3rd day I was beginning to feel less than ideal. My body hurt, my head ached and my eyes burned. Late Saturday night I decided I would call X-cel energy. The fellow came over in a speedy 3 hours, arriving at midnight. He told us wasn't a gas or carbon monoxide problem and he had never smelled anything like it. Great. Off we went to sleep elsewhere.
The next morning it was worse. The smell bowled you over when you walked through the door. Being a titch mellow dramatic, I had a bit of a breakdown. (God why me? sort of scene.) Who do I call now? It was Sunday...who do you call? I made an inquiry to the fire department. They told me they would come but I had to call 911 to dispatch them out. They came and searched my condo from top to bottom. It appeared that the odor was concentrated in my boy's room. The challenge there, is that it looks like I could be on an episode of hoarders. However, nothing is organized into categories. I think that is what hoarders do..yes? The closet was piled HIGH with clean and dirty clothing. My cleaning people tend to throw all the stuff on the floor in their room in the closet. (side note: I give up eating dessert to have others clean my bathrooms for me....thus the decadence of others throwing crap in my closets.)
They departed. They did find something semi-dangerous attached to my condo units...so it wasn't a total waste.
The Firemen suggested that I close all the doors and see if we get any more clues to it's location. (4 days and I hadn't thought of that. I truly believe our mystery smell was compromising me.) Location: Boy's Room.
After sleeping some place other than home again....my son and I returned Monday morning to bravely attack the room from hell. We are moving in about a month...so it was a necessary evil any way. I threw bags and bags of old clothing, toys, papers and weird shit out. I drove to the donation box down the street 3 times. We were down smelling the carpet. Not a clue. The room is utterly organized but the room still smells. The only thing left is the back pack on the chair. That's right. It's in the pocket of the pack. One moldy orange peel from who knows when. It was green and pungent it was MOLD. Holy shit. How could something that small permeate an entire household.
This brings me back to the thank you card. Do I write station #5? Do I look like a wacky woman? "Hey firemen...I am the girl that calls 911 for a moldy orange peel. Thank you for the fun Sunday afternoon." We all know the answer is yes.
The silver lining is that we are packed and ready to rock and roll.....and I have recovered 20 pairs of socks. That is no lie...20.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
DON'T PAY AT THE PUMP
Wow, a week has past without the inspiration to write. I have been "getting through." I have this " I will land on solid ground when...." attitude. I will be good when I start my new job, when I get my new house, when my parent's come and go back home. Getting through is not living in the present, nor is it a place where I practice gratitude.
My parent's just left. They came for my son's 5th grade graduation. Holy smokes...it's quite the production. I have a "parental hangover" as my dear friend calls it. My inner 12 year old feels a bit judged. At 47 you would think I would be over needing my parent's approval. Guess again. It's evidence that I am currently not spiritually fit. So, I decided I would be grateful for qualities I like in them.
My Dad loves to stay in B&B's. He is probably the most social person I know. He creates friendship and connectedness where ever he goes. When they departed, my father had gathered a number of emails from his "new friends" at the Inn. One couple will be passing though my home town and they are invited to stop by. That is how I was raised. Both my parent's have done volunteer work since I can remember.
My father is an inspiration. He lives his life truly connecting with people. He acknowledges others and makes them feel listened to and affirmed. I could go on and on giving you examples of how he creates connections, but I will just give you one...as I am exhausted. I will do a more heart-filled tribute to my father some other time.
He doesn't pay at the gas pump. He feels that the person inside behind the counter might like a friendly smile and a quick hello. I like this philosophy. We can go about our lives without making contact with the people who are right in front of us. So often I see people on their phones when they are in the grocery line. How about hanging up and acknowledging that someone is being of service to you?
Last week I drove by a lemonade stand. The little children were waving their hands in the air saying "Please stop, please stop." I drove by like I usually do. Then...I turned around. There was an opportunity to create some joy. I got out of the car and they started screaming "She's coming, she's coming." It felt good.
My challenge to you is to ask yourself "what can I do to acknowledge and connect with others today?" Enjoy the beauty surrounding you.
My parent's just left. They came for my son's 5th grade graduation. Holy smokes...it's quite the production. I have a "parental hangover" as my dear friend calls it. My inner 12 year old feels a bit judged. At 47 you would think I would be over needing my parent's approval. Guess again. It's evidence that I am currently not spiritually fit. So, I decided I would be grateful for qualities I like in them.
My Dad loves to stay in B&B's. He is probably the most social person I know. He creates friendship and connectedness where ever he goes. When they departed, my father had gathered a number of emails from his "new friends" at the Inn. One couple will be passing though my home town and they are invited to stop by. That is how I was raised. Both my parent's have done volunteer work since I can remember.
My father is an inspiration. He lives his life truly connecting with people. He acknowledges others and makes them feel listened to and affirmed. I could go on and on giving you examples of how he creates connections, but I will just give you one...as I am exhausted. I will do a more heart-filled tribute to my father some other time.
He doesn't pay at the gas pump. He feels that the person inside behind the counter might like a friendly smile and a quick hello. I like this philosophy. We can go about our lives without making contact with the people who are right in front of us. So often I see people on their phones when they are in the grocery line. How about hanging up and acknowledging that someone is being of service to you?
Last week I drove by a lemonade stand. The little children were waving their hands in the air saying "Please stop, please stop." I drove by like I usually do. Then...I turned around. There was an opportunity to create some joy. I got out of the car and they started screaming "She's coming, she's coming." It felt good.
My challenge to you is to ask yourself "what can I do to acknowledge and connect with others today?" Enjoy the beauty surrounding you.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
MAXI PADS ON THE PUFF
Today this post is a collaborate event. It's the Birthday of our marvelous, beautiful, creative, spiritual, gorgeous, phenomenal, joyful, heartful, loving friend that you might know as "work in progress." We are called Dark Secret. The four of us went to college together many moons ago. 27 years to be exact.
We shared the passage into adulthood. We are lucky to still have each other all these years later. We email at least once a day, if not more. Before our visual token of love...we just want to highlight a few of our times together:
Our dorm floor was always playing practical jokes on one another. One day, as our birthday girl was walking up the stairs to her room, she spots a fluffy white thing in the parking lot. "Look at that poor girls car....they have put maxi pads over the entire vehicle." She says. Dear friend...that would be your car. From then on the car was called Puff. She was never the same, as the adhesive strips were dog gone hard to get off. We traveled in Puff. We slept in Puff. However, I don't think anyone had "relations" in puff.
We have so many adventures that we could share. We did lip sync in a "disco" bar to a Joan Armatrading song "I love it when you call me names" We were dressed in leather sporting whips. We did not win. What a surprise.
This is for you our friend. The woman with a soul deeper than the ocean...utterly intelligent and beautiful. She who makes us smile, laugh until we cry and shares healing words and wisdom. May this day be the best day ever...and every day have magic!
We shared the passage into adulthood. We are lucky to still have each other all these years later. We email at least once a day, if not more. Before our visual token of love...we just want to highlight a few of our times together:
Our dorm floor was always playing practical jokes on one another. One day, as our birthday girl was walking up the stairs to her room, she spots a fluffy white thing in the parking lot. "Look at that poor girls car....they have put maxi pads over the entire vehicle." She says. Dear friend...that would be your car. From then on the car was called Puff. She was never the same, as the adhesive strips were dog gone hard to get off. We traveled in Puff. We slept in Puff. However, I don't think anyone had "relations" in puff.
We have so many adventures that we could share. We did lip sync in a "disco" bar to a Joan Armatrading song "I love it when you call me names" We were dressed in leather sporting whips. We did not win. What a surprise.
This is for you our friend. The woman with a soul deeper than the ocean...utterly intelligent and beautiful. She who makes us smile, laugh until we cry and shares healing words and wisdom. May this day be the best day ever...and every day have magic!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!
PLEASE blog hop to writingmywaysober.blogspot.com to see more on the maxi pad girl and friendship. Today's post is about "Dark Secret.
WISH HER A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
THE EASY BUTTON
A good Tom Robbin's quote can always move me to the right or the left of my current mindset. Years ago I stood in line at a book signing for 3 hours. I was hoping I could convince him to have coffee with me. How delightful it would have been to watch his creative mind in action.
I am sitting here having a Starbuck's Via coffee thingys. The are less than yummy, but I NEEDED some caffeine. "I want it now!" I considered just ingesting the powder. The weather sucks! It's been raining and cold for days on end. The temperature is hovering at 43 degrees today. My iphone weather app is telling me we are in for more of the same. I moved here 10 years ago for the sunshine.
I started a new job on Monday and I am in one of those "chaos clouds." My mantra has been "Oh my god...I can't handle this...there is too much happening." That leads to me watching 5 hours of television on the couch. I admit it, that is what this chick did last night. I am also suffering from PVS (post vacation syndrome.) On the bike trip I didn't have to deal with daily reality. Then I come back and my world was/is going 100 miles an hour.
I am taking myself too seriously. How utterly exciting that I get to be in this world fully. I decided that instead of saying that I am over-whelmed with anxiety, I would tell myself that "I am tickled with anticipation." I learned a long time ago that I can not exist in the "I will be happy when...." space. I opened a book today and what was the quote: "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content" -Saint Paul.
I am grateful that my "challenges" are those with great growth potential. I need to stop and be mindful of this. My friend has an "EASY" button from Staples. Have you seen those commercials? I can choose to press that button or make a big hairy deal out of everything.
I have today. I have a choice to live in the present moment and give thanks for what I have. I think today my thank you letter will be to the universe for the blessings it has been showering on me.
What is your mantra and does it need tweaking?
On the thank you note front, as a daily practice it's harder than I thought. I am 4 letters behind. However my motivation continues because I have had beautiful responses to the notes that I have sent.
I am going out to buy the damn button.
Monday, May 16, 2011
GLASSES AND MUGS
"If you look to others for fulfillment,
you will never be truly fulfilled.
If your happiness depends on money,
you will never be happy with yourself.
Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.
-Lao Tzu
I am blah. I started a new job today and I am over-whelmed. After this I am going to send my inner child upstairs to take a bath and sip some tea. Water heals. It soothes me. But, before I do that, I am going write about gratitude. It is proving to be a powerful vehicle of change in my life. Holy smokes I tell you.
I facilitated a group on gratitude yesterday. One gentleman shared a story. He was instructed to write down 30 things he was grateful for. He thought that was insane. "There is no way." he replied "Well", said his friend, "You can see can't you?" "Yes" said the man. "Can you dance, can you sing, can you smile at a stranger?" "Yes." "Well, how about that list?" Then he was off to the races. He shared a sweet and simple story about glasses and mugs. He had gone to the second hand store the day before to get...well, glasses and mugs. He brought them home, set them on the window sill and admired them in the sunshine....and he felt grateful. I could feel the warmth of the sun and the rays going through the glasses. As silly as this sounds, the thought of that made me happy. So many moments can pass us by that could bring us great joy. (The mugs were obviously upstaged by the glasses.)
My post today feels soft and warm....like my soon to be bath. Look around and see if something can help you melt into gratitude.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
BRUISES ON MY BUTTOCKS
"(Appreciation) makes immortal all that is best and most beautiful.....It exalts the beauty of that which is beautiful....It strips the veil of familiarity form the world, and lays bare and naked sleeping beauty, which is in the spirit of its forms." Percy Bysshe Shelley
I just got back from my 5 day/4 night mountain biking trip. Let me tell you....I am bruised from head to toe. My buttocks looks like I could have been involved in some S&M activity. When I gave you my list of what was in the back of my car last week, it was mostly sports stuff. Here's the deal. I, by no means am a super athlete. I go out and give it my girl scout try, often ending up wounded, black and blue. I also would much prefer a fancy hotel to the hard surface of the earth. My air mattress deflated many times during the night.It was up...it was down. It was up...it was down. Why I kept filling it, lord only knows. I had to go potty at 4am but the bathrooms were a long-long ways away. The second day I decided that dehydration was a good option. The wind blew 45 miles per hour when we were setting up our tents. A number of children surrendered to the weather and just slept outside. We were rained/snowed out of a day of biking and it was freezing cold much of the time. That doesn't sound fun, does it?
But no....it was fabulous. Why? It was all about community. 50 people ( mostly middle school kids) were able to gather together and make it a journey of connectedness. We laughed hysterically at all the challenges. People were kind and loving to each other.
I cried when I drove away. It was like leaving summer camp, just like last year. I became close to a number of women and because we were together all the time, we created beautiful bonds. I long for community. I hunger for it. In our day and age of busyness and the world whirling around us, I think we don't have connectedness as much as we would like. I believe that is why the blogging world is so big. It creates a sense of connectedness and people speak from their place of truth. I have heard many women say "I don't have that many friends." One woman...who I really enjoyed, asked me to be her friend when the trip was over. I loved it! It's like being a child in the sandbox. As kids we somehow could just ask people to play with us. I think as adults we are afraid to just say "I like you. Be my friend damn it."
I am grateful. My heart feels open. I am sitting here with my thank you notes addressed, ready to tell the people that I engaged with what I like about them. It feels a little risky. I don't know why. Maybe because I wonder how they will receive it.
One of the top characteristics of happy people is that they connect with others. Individuals who "make new friends and keep the old" tend to live more fulfilling lives. One of the reasons I decided to embark on this journey of gratefulness (the human acknowledgment project) is that gratitude is one of the paths to happiness.
I would encourage you to look around and see who you might want to befriend. Ask them for a play date. Every new person brings with them gifts....and you to them. Have a beautiful day and also give thanks for the people in your life who bring your joy each day.
I just got back from my 5 day/4 night mountain biking trip. Let me tell you....I am bruised from head to toe. My buttocks looks like I could have been involved in some S&M activity. When I gave you my list of what was in the back of my car last week, it was mostly sports stuff. Here's the deal. I, by no means am a super athlete. I go out and give it my girl scout try, often ending up wounded, black and blue. I also would much prefer a fancy hotel to the hard surface of the earth. My air mattress deflated many times during the night.It was up...it was down. It was up...it was down. Why I kept filling it, lord only knows. I had to go potty at 4am but the bathrooms were a long-long ways away. The second day I decided that dehydration was a good option. The wind blew 45 miles per hour when we were setting up our tents. A number of children surrendered to the weather and just slept outside. We were rained/snowed out of a day of biking and it was freezing cold much of the time. That doesn't sound fun, does it?
But no....it was fabulous. Why? It was all about community. 50 people ( mostly middle school kids) were able to gather together and make it a journey of connectedness. We laughed hysterically at all the challenges. People were kind and loving to each other.
I cried when I drove away. It was like leaving summer camp, just like last year. I became close to a number of women and because we were together all the time, we created beautiful bonds. I long for community. I hunger for it. In our day and age of busyness and the world whirling around us, I think we don't have connectedness as much as we would like. I believe that is why the blogging world is so big. It creates a sense of connectedness and people speak from their place of truth. I have heard many women say "I don't have that many friends." One woman...who I really enjoyed, asked me to be her friend when the trip was over. I loved it! It's like being a child in the sandbox. As kids we somehow could just ask people to play with us. I think as adults we are afraid to just say "I like you. Be my friend damn it."
I am grateful. My heart feels open. I am sitting here with my thank you notes addressed, ready to tell the people that I engaged with what I like about them. It feels a little risky. I don't know why. Maybe because I wonder how they will receive it.
One of the top characteristics of happy people is that they connect with others. Individuals who "make new friends and keep the old" tend to live more fulfilling lives. One of the reasons I decided to embark on this journey of gratefulness (the human acknowledgment project) is that gratitude is one of the paths to happiness.
I would encourage you to look around and see who you might want to befriend. Ask them for a play date. Every new person brings with them gifts....and you to them. Have a beautiful day and also give thanks for the people in your life who bring your joy each day.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
CREATIVE RAINBOW MOTHER GOES CAMPING
"Memory is a way of holding on to the things that you love, the things that you are, the things that you never want to lose."
Kevin Arnold
I will start by telling you what kind of mother I am. I was reading in Christiane Northrup's book :Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom about Mothering, the hardest job in the world. She referenced the author Lynn Andrew and her philosophy of the two kinds of mothers : The Earth Mothers and the Creative Rainbow Mothers. Earth Mothers nurture their children and feed them, and the Creative Rainbow Mothers tend meet their children's needs in a more non-traditional manner. I am a creative rainbow mother. I am not the kind of mom that volunteers at school weekly. Frequently my sons will say "Really Mom, are you serious?" I take on the big fun. I take on adventure. I make them boogie in kitchen while we cook. I taught them the importance of car dancing. I am a firm believer in taking them out of school for a "mental health day."....sometimes on the day of a test. I showed them how to ski backwards. Home schooling? I will leave that to the Earth Mothers. This brings me to today's post: Creative Rainbow Mother goes camping.
I am getting ready to leave on a week-long mountain biking trip with my son and his school. There is camping crap all over the house. My mind is running the chaos loop. I have lists for my lists. I cleaned out the back of my car to make way for the gear and here is what I carry with me: A cello, a bag of potting soil, cat food, ski outfits, puzzles for an art project, recycle bags for groceries, a long board, hiking boots, a yoga mat, bicycle tires, helmets for various sports and candy. Just like the contents of a women's purse can tell a story, so does the back of one's vehicle. I don't carry a purse.
I am posting today because I want to spend a few minutes pushing the F5 button. Isn't that refresh? Instead of obsessing on how much I have to do, I want to be grateful that I get to have this exciting experience. I get to spend time with my son in the great outdoors. Last summer we went to the Boundary Water's Canoe Wilderness Area for a 4 day tour. We paddled in the beauty of the great north woods and portaged into Clear Lake. We were the only people camped there for 2 nights. We saw NO ONE. The water was so clean...you could feel the purity. I can still taste it...I can feel it on my skin and I smile with the joy of the simplicity. I got to connect with my teen aged son in paradise. I grew up in Northern Minnesota and canoeing in the BWCA holds some of my fondest memories. It's the place that I feel at peace. We laughed and created stories that we will share forever. I posted a photo that my son took on our trip in "Say it."
I ventured to Fruita last year with the same school group. I came back bruised from head to toe. I flew over my handle bars into rocks and cacti. I am sure that I am brain damaged. My pinkie finger is still wounded. It was cold, it was wet and it was fun. When I left, it felt like I was leaving summer camp.
Tomorrow I leave on another adventure with the mountain bikes mounted on the car. I feel kind of cool with the bikes on the car. Last year the only picture I took was of the car. I am grateful, so very grateful, that this will be another chapter in our connectedness.
I feel better now. I am now going to to have a lesson on putting up my tent.
Kevin Arnold
I will start by telling you what kind of mother I am. I was reading in Christiane Northrup's book :Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom about Mothering, the hardest job in the world. She referenced the author Lynn Andrew and her philosophy of the two kinds of mothers : The Earth Mothers and the Creative Rainbow Mothers. Earth Mothers nurture their children and feed them, and the Creative Rainbow Mothers tend meet their children's needs in a more non-traditional manner. I am a creative rainbow mother. I am not the kind of mom that volunteers at school weekly. Frequently my sons will say "Really Mom, are you serious?" I take on the big fun. I take on adventure. I make them boogie in kitchen while we cook. I taught them the importance of car dancing. I am a firm believer in taking them out of school for a "mental health day."....sometimes on the day of a test. I showed them how to ski backwards. Home schooling? I will leave that to the Earth Mothers. This brings me to today's post: Creative Rainbow Mother goes camping.
I am getting ready to leave on a week-long mountain biking trip with my son and his school. There is camping crap all over the house. My mind is running the chaos loop. I have lists for my lists. I cleaned out the back of my car to make way for the gear and here is what I carry with me: A cello, a bag of potting soil, cat food, ski outfits, puzzles for an art project, recycle bags for groceries, a long board, hiking boots, a yoga mat, bicycle tires, helmets for various sports and candy. Just like the contents of a women's purse can tell a story, so does the back of one's vehicle. I don't carry a purse.
I am posting today because I want to spend a few minutes pushing the F5 button. Isn't that refresh? Instead of obsessing on how much I have to do, I want to be grateful that I get to have this exciting experience. I get to spend time with my son in the great outdoors. Last summer we went to the Boundary Water's Canoe Wilderness Area for a 4 day tour. We paddled in the beauty of the great north woods and portaged into Clear Lake. We were the only people camped there for 2 nights. We saw NO ONE. The water was so clean...you could feel the purity. I can still taste it...I can feel it on my skin and I smile with the joy of the simplicity. I got to connect with my teen aged son in paradise. I grew up in Northern Minnesota and canoeing in the BWCA holds some of my fondest memories. It's the place that I feel at peace. We laughed and created stories that we will share forever. I posted a photo that my son took on our trip in "Say it."
I ventured to Fruita last year with the same school group. I came back bruised from head to toe. I flew over my handle bars into rocks and cacti. I am sure that I am brain damaged. My pinkie finger is still wounded. It was cold, it was wet and it was fun. When I left, it felt like I was leaving summer camp.
Tomorrow I leave on another adventure with the mountain bikes mounted on the car. I feel kind of cool with the bikes on the car. Last year the only picture I took was of the car. I am grateful, so very grateful, that this will be another chapter in our connectedness.
I feel better now. I am now going to to have a lesson on putting up my tent.
Friday, May 6, 2011
TWO WOLVES
Two Wolves
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a
battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son,
The battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret,
greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment
Inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope,
serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,
empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute
and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
Feed your gratitude wolf today.
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a
battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son,
The battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret,
greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment
Inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope,
serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,
empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute
and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
Feed your gratitude wolf today.
BE YOUR OWN HERO
"We are our own dragons as well as our heroes, we have to save ourselves from ourselves." Tom Robbins from Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
I had a magical birthday full of love, surprise and magic. I will share some inspiring stories in the next day or two. They are all swimming in my head, squirming to get out. Find something to giggle at today.
I had a magical birthday full of love, surprise and magic. I will share some inspiring stories in the next day or two. They are all swimming in my head, squirming to get out. Find something to giggle at today.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
THE RAINBOW CONNECTION
I just got back from my son's theater performance. It was the "dramaton." (which for me would be something that happens before my "womanly occasion.") Anyway...the kids sang songs for the end of the year competition. One darling child chose to sing the Kermit the Frog song" The Rainbow Connection." It brought tears to my eyes. What does this have to do with gratitude? It's that I was happy to experience this deep emotional state. It brought me back to the joys of being young and the fun of the Muppet Show. Today, I share Kermit with you.
Why are there so many songs about rainbows
and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
Who said that every wish would be heard
and answered when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us star gazing
and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.
Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors.
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
Why are there so many songs about rainbows
and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
Who said that every wish would be heard
and answered when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us star gazing
and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.
Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors.
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
THIRTEEN
I had a health scare. I jumped right into imagining myself in surgery, having chemotherapy and in search of the perfect wig. The right wig seemed important. I was thinking long auburn locks.
My lovely "more than my boyfriend," after working a 12 hour night shift at that hospital, sat by my side exhausted while I waited for my tests. What a wonderful man. I was escorted back to the waiting room where all the women were sporting open-front gowns. Lots of breasts "almost" on display. My name was called and I followed the mammographer. She was incredibly kind. I felt safe and somehow she was able to keep my fear at bay. After the radiologist saw the results...they wanted more pictures. You can imagine how I was feeling at that point. I went in for one thing and they found another? Lori brought me back again and kept me calm. She assured me that everything would be okay. After an ultra-sound and a consultation, I found out that I was going to live. (You can probably gather that I am a bit black and white with my thinking.)
Because my current gratitude practice is writing 365 thank yous, I went home and sent a note to Lori. I wrote another merci to my general practioner, Anna, who has been my doctor for 10 years. I saw her earlier this week for my initial consultation. She is great. Even when I might be having an exam that involves stirups, she makes it okay. Then, of course, one to my boyfriend. That brings me to 13. Only 352 to go! Everywhere I look I have someone or something to be grateful for.
Lastly, I give thanks to my body. M.J. Ryan writes :"The truth is, no matter what we look like, we are all given bodies that keep us alive, and for that fact alone they are worthy of our appreciation."
I am grateful that I am healthy. It's easy to take our wellness forgranted.
I have written a lot about female anatomy today. If you are a woman, be grateful for your body. If you are a man..perhaps be grateful for your significant other's healthy organs. I should stop writing now, as I am getting goofy.
My lovely "more than my boyfriend," after working a 12 hour night shift at that hospital, sat by my side exhausted while I waited for my tests. What a wonderful man. I was escorted back to the waiting room where all the women were sporting open-front gowns. Lots of breasts "almost" on display. My name was called and I followed the mammographer. She was incredibly kind. I felt safe and somehow she was able to keep my fear at bay. After the radiologist saw the results...they wanted more pictures. You can imagine how I was feeling at that point. I went in for one thing and they found another? Lori brought me back again and kept me calm. She assured me that everything would be okay. After an ultra-sound and a consultation, I found out that I was going to live. (You can probably gather that I am a bit black and white with my thinking.)
Because my current gratitude practice is writing 365 thank yous, I went home and sent a note to Lori. I wrote another merci to my general practioner, Anna, who has been my doctor for 10 years. I saw her earlier this week for my initial consultation. She is great. Even when I might be having an exam that involves stirups, she makes it okay. Then, of course, one to my boyfriend. That brings me to 13. Only 352 to go! Everywhere I look I have someone or something to be grateful for.
Lastly, I give thanks to my body. M.J. Ryan writes :"The truth is, no matter what we look like, we are all given bodies that keep us alive, and for that fact alone they are worthy of our appreciation."
I am grateful that I am healthy. It's easy to take our wellness forgranted.
I have written a lot about female anatomy today. If you are a woman, be grateful for your body. If you are a man..perhaps be grateful for your significant other's healthy organs. I should stop writing now, as I am getting goofy.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
365 THANK YOU NOTES!
"If the only prayer you say in your whole life is "thank you" that would suffice." -Meister Eckhart
I am currenting "screading" the book 365 Thank Yous, by John Kralik. (I heard someone use the word "screading" and I thought it was clever. Scan/reading...which is mostly what I do with the piles of books by my bedside.)
The story is about how writing thank you notes for an entire year turned around the authors life. He had hit an all time low one December, and decided that his life would be "at least tolerable" if instead of focusing on what he didn't have, he could be grateful for what he had. He set out to write 365 thank you notes in the following year to show his gratitude. It made a huge difference.
As I have shared before, what we focus on expands. I was emailing a friend and said that writing this blog "alters my mindset" because instead of ruminating on my daily crap, I search to find something to share. When you are looking for good, it appears all around you.
I have decided to embark on a 365 thank you note journey. My goal is to hand write if possible. Who doesn't love getting something in the mail besides bills and catalogs? I am on day 7. I have to say that it's not as easy as it sounds. However, this fabulous idea is a way to insure that I take at least a few minutes daily to reflect on the people in my life that bring me joy, happiness and love.
I invite you to open you eyes and your heart and acknowledge the people in your life that "alter your mindset" and make you appreciate your world.
I am currenting "screading" the book 365 Thank Yous, by John Kralik. (I heard someone use the word "screading" and I thought it was clever. Scan/reading...which is mostly what I do with the piles of books by my bedside.)
The story is about how writing thank you notes for an entire year turned around the authors life. He had hit an all time low one December, and decided that his life would be "at least tolerable" if instead of focusing on what he didn't have, he could be grateful for what he had. He set out to write 365 thank you notes in the following year to show his gratitude. It made a huge difference.
As I have shared before, what we focus on expands. I was emailing a friend and said that writing this blog "alters my mindset" because instead of ruminating on my daily crap, I search to find something to share. When you are looking for good, it appears all around you.
I have decided to embark on a 365 thank you note journey. My goal is to hand write if possible. Who doesn't love getting something in the mail besides bills and catalogs? I am on day 7. I have to say that it's not as easy as it sounds. However, this fabulous idea is a way to insure that I take at least a few minutes daily to reflect on the people in my life that bring me joy, happiness and love.
I invite you to open you eyes and your heart and acknowledge the people in your life that "alter your mindset" and make you appreciate your world.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING...OR PERHAPS A TRAIN STATION FULL OF PEOPLE
"Laughter, song and dance create emotional and spiritual connection; they remind us of the one thing that truly matters when we are searching for comfort, celebration, inspiration, or healing: We are not alone." Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
This is a fun video. It appears that my statement about not watching youtube isn't so true. Looks like I am developing an addiction. When my children were little, I would push all the furniture out of the way and have a "dance party." This was a nightly event. Those of you with kids know that 5pm is the bewitching hour. We boogied our way out of naughty behavior. I would encourage you to put on your favorite music(maybe a tutu) and "get down on it." I guarantee it will make you feel good. And dare to look like a ding-dong.
This is a fun video. It appears that my statement about not watching youtube isn't so true. Looks like I am developing an addiction. When my children were little, I would push all the furniture out of the way and have a "dance party." This was a nightly event. Those of you with kids know that 5pm is the bewitching hour. We boogied our way out of naughty behavior. I would encourage you to put on your favorite music(maybe a tutu) and "get down on it." I guarantee it will make you feel good. And dare to look like a ding-dong.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
THE BEAUTY OF COMMUNITY!
Here is the email that was sent to the local radio station from a mother of an autistic child. It's lovely.
Greetings Bret,
My name is Rebecca Bevirt. I have a miracle story about my son Jeremy. He is autistic, bi-polar, ADHD, with learning disabilities and physical disabilities as well. He attends Centaurus High School. He is graduating this year.
This past weekend he was elected Prom King. Prom was held at the Denver Aquarium. This is just incredible. I mean how many mainstream high school seniors elect an autistic kid Prom King? amazing. Jeremy had several 'autistic' moments during prom and had to work really hard to get thru them (including his shock, panic and running off the dance floor when he heard he had to do the first dance with the Prom Queen :-). But he did made it thru Prom with the help of his friends, one of his soccer coaches, and me.
When his name was announced as Prom King, the kids in the room just roared Jeremy Jeremy Jeremy. He wouldn't put the crown on but held it up. A friend of his thru Girls Soccer, Sami, was crowned Queen. She really was 'there' for him during Prom when he was having his autistic moments. This is just such a moment in a life. If you only knew (perhaps you have an idea) just how far he's come to reach a point like this or that it was even possible, how hard it was to actually be there at Prom (just leaving in the limo was a huge leap for him and he was not happy), how hard he has worked, and how much he has been supported...it is just amazing.
This is just such a cool thing. This shows that there are small communities around that will pull kids thru. These kids who voted him as Prom King did not do this because my son is one of the 'cool' kids, or they were asked to do so because it's National Autism Month, or that it's PC to do so. They did it because they accept him within the school setting despite his differences. They are such an example.
When Jeremy first went to Centaurus, he joined the soccer team as an equipment manager. He can't play due to physical limitations. At first there were some hesitations and it took great patience to work with him. But he has matured over the years and has a few soccer coaches who just took him under their wing. The soccer boys and girls also did the same. His first friends were the Latinos ... then it gradually expanded to include other kids. One of Jeremy's favorite soccer quotes is “I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion." this could not be truer than the entire team of Centaurus High.
It would be wonderful to recognize these kids, coaches and teachers in our own community. If everyone could learn from them, what a gift it would be to all the autistic kids in this country. It is really hard being a parent of an autistic child, as you might know, even in this part of the country, the resources seem slim, budgets are low, kids taunt and tease, we as parents have to be super uber advocates for everything from babysitting to medical to school,....and I am so grateful to the 'team'....they will and have made a difference in one Autistic person's life.Where Jeremy ends up, who knows...but he knows that this has been a most special experience...and that this community of people has been there for him...in a really special way.
Rebecca Bevir
Read more: http://kbco.com/pages/bco_morningshow.html#ixzz1KDRVDU9J
AUTISM AWARENESS
"Gratitude begets itself, ripens into flowers, snow falls, mountains of more gratitude." Geneen Roth, Women, Food and God
When I posted yesterday's story I was unaware that it is autism awareness month. The DJ of the morning show has a child with autism and he shares with us some of his experiences.
There was an over-whelming request to post the email that I tried to recreate for you in yesterday's message. I am hoping that the woman who wrote it will agree to share it , so I can share it with you.
Have a beautiful day.
When I posted yesterday's story I was unaware that it is autism awareness month. The DJ of the morning show has a child with autism and he shares with us some of his experiences.
There was an over-whelming request to post the email that I tried to recreate for you in yesterday's message. I am hoping that the woman who wrote it will agree to share it , so I can share it with you.
Have a beautiful day.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
PROM KING
"Mental sunshine will cause the flowers of peace, happiness and prosperity to grow upon the face of the Earth. Be a creator of mental sunshine." -Graffiti on the wall in Berkeley, California.
I heard a story on the radio that touched me this morning. It's definitely worth including in the "Human Acknowledgement Project" blog. Our local station, KBCO, has an email segment each morning. Today a woman wrote in about her son. He is an autistic, bipolar boy with learning disabilities. He is graduating from high school this year. Here is the beauty, he was crowned Prom King last weekend. His mother said he had some panicky reactions(especially when he became aware that he had to dance with the prom queen.) and the students could only hold the crown above his head as he couldn't quite handle the stimulation of it upon him. Congratulations to all!
Wow! This says a lot about this boy, his parent's and even more about the young people. The student body voted for him! Isn't that inspiring? These kids saw beauty in his humanness. I look back at high school and think about how self-centered and mean kids could be. I look at what "we think" teenagers are like now. There is so much more goodness than I see. There is kindness in this world.
Today I am grateful that I get to hear these stories that fill my heart with happiness and hope. The more I "practice" being grateful, the more I see that inspires my faith in others. It's true that what we focus on expands.
I have a bracelet that reads : "Thoughts become things, choose the good ones." Choose the good thoughts today!
I heard a story on the radio that touched me this morning. It's definitely worth including in the "Human Acknowledgement Project" blog. Our local station, KBCO, has an email segment each morning. Today a woman wrote in about her son. He is an autistic, bipolar boy with learning disabilities. He is graduating from high school this year. Here is the beauty, he was crowned Prom King last weekend. His mother said he had some panicky reactions(especially when he became aware that he had to dance with the prom queen.) and the students could only hold the crown above his head as he couldn't quite handle the stimulation of it upon him. Congratulations to all!
Wow! This says a lot about this boy, his parent's and even more about the young people. The student body voted for him! Isn't that inspiring? These kids saw beauty in his humanness. I look back at high school and think about how self-centered and mean kids could be. I look at what "we think" teenagers are like now. There is so much more goodness than I see. There is kindness in this world.
Today I am grateful that I get to hear these stories that fill my heart with happiness and hope. The more I "practice" being grateful, the more I see that inspires my faith in others. It's true that what we focus on expands.
I have a bracelet that reads : "Thoughts become things, choose the good ones." Choose the good thoughts today!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
FREE HUGS
I love this video. I can watch it over and over. I happened upon it last night. I haven't seen this in eons. I rarely, if ever, visit utube. I know, it's almost sacrilegious in our culture not to watch the videos of hamsters whirling around their wheels until they whip off. Okay, I saw that one. Oh well.
This morning I got a call from my boyfriend who was at "Starfest"(A science fiction convention...for those of you not in "the know.") He said there was someone running around with a "Free Hugs" sign. It wasn't a Klingon. Bummer. That could have been tons of fun. He has not seen the video, nor was he aware that I watched it 4 times last night. Interesting. Then, I dropped my son off downtown earlier this afternoon and what did I see? That's right...a young lady carrying a "Free Hugs" sign on the mall. This video was originally posted in September of 2006. Why now? It appears that I am being called to dole out the HUGS. I can embrace that.
Human contact/touch is important for our well being. Hugs have been shown to reduce heart rates, improve overall moods, lower blood pressure and increase nerve activity. How about that? I heard that we need something like 8 hugs a day for our health. Okay, I could be making that up. Non-the-less, get out and spread some love. Wrap your arms around someone and hug the hell out of them!!
Please visit http://www.freehugscampaign.org/ to read the story of Juan Mann, the person who began this movement. His mission was/is to hug strangers to brighten their lives.
Human contact/touch is important for our well being. Hugs have been shown to reduce heart rates, improve overall moods, lower blood pressure and increase nerve activity. How about that? I heard that we need something like 8 hugs a day for our health. Okay, I could be making that up. Non-the-less, get out and spread some love. Wrap your arms around someone and hug the hell out of them!!
Please visit http://www.freehugscampaign.org/ to read the story of Juan Mann, the person who began this movement. His mission was/is to hug strangers to brighten their lives.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
SIMPLICITY
" Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler" Albert Einstein
I have been struggling with what I want to say in my blog. There is a big part of me that wants to be deep and thought provoking. That doesn't seem to be happening.( my ego is going to have to surrender it's need to be witty and smart.) There is great meaning and depth when we interact with others with love and gratitude. Maybe my simple and silly stories can make you laugh, cry and encourage you to reflect on the way you celebrate and interact with the people in your world. Life is complex enough. Gratitude and acknowledging our fellow beings does not need to be complicated. The idea has just been conceived and it's in it first month of gestation. The stick just turned blue. I am going to give myself permission to have one small idea and play with it. Ah..... Play! I forgot, this is supposed to be fun. I previously mentioned that one small gesture can change the course of someones day. One small action....that is "doable."
As I write this, I realize that I have not done anything in the past few days to "celebrate or acknowledge" anyone or anything. My daily practice of gratitude leaves something to be desired. I have been self-absorbed bitch...rather than gratitude girl. Today I will turn that around. It's just that "simple."
I have been struggling with what I want to say in my blog. There is a big part of me that wants to be deep and thought provoking. That doesn't seem to be happening.( my ego is going to have to surrender it's need to be witty and smart.) There is great meaning and depth when we interact with others with love and gratitude. Maybe my simple and silly stories can make you laugh, cry and encourage you to reflect on the way you celebrate and interact with the people in your world. Life is complex enough. Gratitude and acknowledging our fellow beings does not need to be complicated. The idea has just been conceived and it's in it first month of gestation. The stick just turned blue. I am going to give myself permission to have one small idea and play with it. Ah..... Play! I forgot, this is supposed to be fun. I previously mentioned that one small gesture can change the course of someones day. One small action....that is "doable."
As I write this, I realize that I have not done anything in the past few days to "celebrate or acknowledge" anyone or anything. My daily practice of gratitude leaves something to be desired. I have been self-absorbed bitch...rather than gratitude girl. Today I will turn that around. It's just that "simple."
Sunday, February 20, 2011
MORE THAN ENOUGH
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more! It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates vision for tomorrow."
Melody Beattie
I encourage you to acknowledge a thing of beauty in your life and find your peace for today!
Melody Beattie
I encourage you to acknowledge a thing of beauty in your life and find your peace for today!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
SAY IT!
Whoops! I republished this post. I was "acknowledging my human" son for his photography. Venture down to the next entry.
Photo by Bridger Schoer: Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area. Summer 2010
RANDOM ACTS OF CHOCOLATE
"Two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what we give." Edwin Arlington Robinson
Thank you "work in progress" for today's title! I took the liberty of borrowing from your creative mind.
The chocolove mission was extraordinary! Let me begin my post by telling you about my partner in crime.
I met "Mermaid Bonnie" New Year's Day 6 years ago. I was invited to jump into the Boulder Reservoir with the Polar Bear Club. (Why not? I had nothing to do that day...why not freeze my ass off dressed as a mermaid?) I arrived at my friend's home to get adorned for the event. Across the room I saw this marvelous woman in a purple wig who was wrapped in colored cellophane. I immediately knew that the universe had introduced me to my new best friend!
Bonnie and I have hiked every Monday morning for many moons. Yesterday was no exception. I made it to the park early. I was contemplating where we were going to spread the chocolate joy, when a lovely woman and her 2 dogs walked by. I sprung out of my car like a semi-possessed person and threw the candy in her hands. I wished her the best Valentine's Day ever! My bright-eyed and bushy tailed self was ready to go. She was so grateful that her eyes teared up. She told me I was an angel countless times. As she walked away she kept turning around waving her chocolate in the air. However...half way through the park you could see she was uncomfortable because I was sitting there staring at her. I decided to drive out onto the street. The street was not my friend. Bonnie arrived, we packed up our bags with the chocolates and I proceeded to take a nasty fall onto the ice. Not good! Interpretive dance with the pavement was not in my plan for the day. My quad muscle started screaming at me. I could not abort our mission. I held onto my dear friend and pulled my gimpy leg behind me. (I wanted to share that visual.) We walked the beautiful Boulder Creek Trail laughing, smiling and sharing the chocolove! Our "targets" as we called them, greeted our gifts with great appreciation. Most of the people told us that we had changed the course of their days. The amount of love and gratitude that pulsed through my heart and soul yesterday can not be measured.
I did not tell my story to say "Yay, look at me." I share it to illustrate how little gestures can make a big difference. My hope is that it might inspire you!
I give thanks to Mermaid Bonnie for joining me on yesterday's "Random Acts of Chocolate" caper. I encourage you to find a playmate to participate in games of joy and gratitude with. It was tremendous morning!
Thank you "work in progress" for today's title! I took the liberty of borrowing from your creative mind.
The chocolove mission was extraordinary! Let me begin my post by telling you about my partner in crime.
I met "Mermaid Bonnie" New Year's Day 6 years ago. I was invited to jump into the Boulder Reservoir with the Polar Bear Club. (Why not? I had nothing to do that day...why not freeze my ass off dressed as a mermaid?) I arrived at my friend's home to get adorned for the event. Across the room I saw this marvelous woman in a purple wig who was wrapped in colored cellophane. I immediately knew that the universe had introduced me to my new best friend!
Bonnie and I have hiked every Monday morning for many moons. Yesterday was no exception. I made it to the park early. I was contemplating where we were going to spread the chocolate joy, when a lovely woman and her 2 dogs walked by. I sprung out of my car like a semi-possessed person and threw the candy in her hands. I wished her the best Valentine's Day ever! My bright-eyed and bushy tailed self was ready to go. She was so grateful that her eyes teared up. She told me I was an angel countless times. As she walked away she kept turning around waving her chocolate in the air. However...half way through the park you could see she was uncomfortable because I was sitting there staring at her. I decided to drive out onto the street. The street was not my friend. Bonnie arrived, we packed up our bags with the chocolates and I proceeded to take a nasty fall onto the ice. Not good! Interpretive dance with the pavement was not in my plan for the day. My quad muscle started screaming at me. I could not abort our mission. I held onto my dear friend and pulled my gimpy leg behind me. (I wanted to share that visual.) We walked the beautiful Boulder Creek Trail laughing, smiling and sharing the chocolove! Our "targets" as we called them, greeted our gifts with great appreciation. Most of the people told us that we had changed the course of their days. The amount of love and gratitude that pulsed through my heart and soul yesterday can not be measured.
I did not tell my story to say "Yay, look at me." I share it to illustrate how little gestures can make a big difference. My hope is that it might inspire you!
I give thanks to Mermaid Bonnie for joining me on yesterday's "Random Acts of Chocolate" caper. I encourage you to find a playmate to participate in games of joy and gratitude with. It was tremendous morning!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
CHOCOLOVE
Moderation is not a word used in my vocabulary. MORE always sounds delightfully fun. I was shopping in Whole Foods on Friday and I spotted the Chocolove Candy Bar Sale of the Year. They were 10 for $10. I was deliriously happy. Little things get me going. This was quite the bargain because they are normally $2.29 a piece. I grabbed my 10 and checked out. I got to the parking lot and couldn't help myself. I was back in for 10 more! (Note that they do not have to be purchased in multiples of 10......I just like the idea of 10.) There was a reason behind my madness. It's Valentine's Day tomorrow and I am heading out to "gift" some strangers with a piece of chocolate love.
I invite you to ask yourself what you might be able to do to make someone else's day happier tomorrow.
Share your "chocolove!"
Monday, January 31, 2011
JUST BEGIN
"To Begin, Begin." William Wordsworth
In college I was paralyzed every time I had to start a paper. You can ask my roommates about the creative ways I invented to procrastinate. One of my favorite activities was to sing opera in the stairwell of the dorms. I can share my adventures of avoidance later...if it relates to something....which I somehow doubt.
It's a challenge for me to "just begin." Why then, would I choose to torture myself with writing a blog? I do not have an upcoming audition at the Met. It's because I feel passionately with all my heart and soul that I have something of value to share. I am hoping that I find a voice in this process. I would like frame this as a "co-creative" journey." I invite everyone to use this blog to celebrate, have fun, share and play. My desire is that "gratitude" becomes a daily practice. I can not wait to hear the beautiful and inspiring stories that are there to be told. I deeply believe that happiness and joy are contagious and I hope that you will join me in this quest to see goodness in this world.
The Human Acknowledgement Project starts with a simple "thank you." Here's what I have so far: (Please note that it's not just me. I am surrounded by inspirational friends and family that make my heart sing. They are the "brainstorm team." ) It's all about GRATITUDE! The concept is to acknowledge and celebrate those people who are making a difference in ours and others lives.
" The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, meaning "favor" and gratus, meaning "pleasing." All derivatives from this Latin root have to do with kindness, generousness, gifts, the beauty of giving and receiving, or getting something for nothing. Gratitude is pleasing. It feels good. Gratitude is also motivating. When we feel grateful, we are moved to share the goodness we have received with others." Dr. Robert A. Emmons from the book "thanks."
Now it's time to "just begin."
In college I was paralyzed every time I had to start a paper. You can ask my roommates about the creative ways I invented to procrastinate. One of my favorite activities was to sing opera in the stairwell of the dorms. I can share my adventures of avoidance later...if it relates to something....which I somehow doubt.
It's a challenge for me to "just begin." Why then, would I choose to torture myself with writing a blog? I do not have an upcoming audition at the Met. It's because I feel passionately with all my heart and soul that I have something of value to share. I am hoping that I find a voice in this process. I would like frame this as a "co-creative" journey." I invite everyone to use this blog to celebrate, have fun, share and play. My desire is that "gratitude" becomes a daily practice. I can not wait to hear the beautiful and inspiring stories that are there to be told. I deeply believe that happiness and joy are contagious and I hope that you will join me in this quest to see goodness in this world.
The Human Acknowledgement Project starts with a simple "thank you." Here's what I have so far: (Please note that it's not just me. I am surrounded by inspirational friends and family that make my heart sing. They are the "brainstorm team." ) It's all about GRATITUDE! The concept is to acknowledge and celebrate those people who are making a difference in ours and others lives.
" The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, meaning "favor" and gratus, meaning "pleasing." All derivatives from this Latin root have to do with kindness, generousness, gifts, the beauty of giving and receiving, or getting something for nothing. Gratitude is pleasing. It feels good. Gratitude is also motivating. When we feel grateful, we are moved to share the goodness we have received with others." Dr. Robert A. Emmons from the book "thanks."
Now it's time to "just begin."
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