Apr 29
“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.” – J. B. Priestley
“It is always the simple that produces the marvelous.” – Amelia Barr
A seventy degree weekend, running in shorts, a fresh breeze, a bath to wash away the sand. Spring may come late, but it always arrives, in its own time. Each season, each day brings its own gifts. We only need to recognize them.
Apr 24
“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharlal Nehru
“After every storm the sun will smile; for every problem there is a solution, and the soul’s indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer.” – William R. Alger
What you look for you will find. So if you’re looking for something to complain about or someone to talk about, there will be plenty to find. Cynicism, complaint and negativity are easy and decrease our capacity to see beauty and blessings. Adventure into joy every day. First step – SMILE. My “life coaches” Lily and Molly teach me this each and every day. Seek and find joy and good in all. Cheers!
Apr 19
“Everything that is new or uncommon raises a pleasure in the imagination, because it fills the soul with an agreeable surprise, gratifies its curiosity, and gives it an idea of which it was not before possessed.” -Joseph Addison
“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.” – e. e. cummings
Discover what’s new and delightful today. Not in searching in far off places, but in opening your eyes with curiosity, awe and innocence. Choose wonder over worldly, joy over jaded, delight over despair, light over dark. Look, breathe, hear anew, right where you are now in this very moment.
Mar 23
“I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.” – Martha Washington
Lighten up and get serious about enjoying your life today, not someday. Negative thoughts, circumstances and people cloud and distort our view. Look a bit longer and deeper, there’s always something to be grateful for, to celebrate. Our happiness is found in our thoughts, imagination and giving ourselves to others.
To Lily, a puddle is a playground. To Molly, a snowstorm is the chance to run in the Iditarod and I’m her sled. For me, a five mile run is the finish of the Boston marathon. Actively participate, play and embrace each day and open its many gifts.
If misery loves company, it’s time for optimism and delight to throw a party. Get down to some serious play today, tomorrow and the next. Seriously.
“Don’t brood. Get on with living and loving. You don’t have forever.” – Leo Buscaglia
Mar 20
“While we are living in the present, we must celebrate life every day, knowing that we are becoming history with every work, every action, every deed.” – Mattie Stepanek
“Whoever is happy will make others happy too.” – Anne Frank
We welcomed Spring today in Minnesota with a temperature of 7 degrees, snow hip deep and a delightful breeze, often referred to as windchill. Last year, it was in the 70s. We then worried that it was too warm too quick. The topic of this week – the unseasonably cold weather and the longing for Spring after a long Winter. I’ve been an active participant in the weather chirping.
Every night this week, despite my initial, rational judgement, I ran 2-3 miles with the girls. Quite frankly, it wasn’t that enjoyable. However, it did shift my perspective from what “should be” to “what is” and to dive in and make the most of it. Like so many things out of our control, the weather is fleeting and temporary. The only true impact I can make is my view of the view.
So, it’s time to fling into Spring.
Feb 26
“The burden of self is lightened when I laugh at myself.” – Rabindranath Tagore
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” – Corrie Ten Boom
How much of your day is filled with worry? What may come? What has gone by? Worry steals way too much of our life, our daily capacity for joy. Caring does not equate to or require worry. Put in the effort and work, then let go of the results, of what may come. Worry less and free your spirit. There is depth in light. Go easy, lighten up.
“Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” – Hans Christian Andersen
Feb 15
“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” – Khalil Gibran
Be kind and considerate to each person you meet. There is a reason for their presence on your path, either for a moment or a lifetime. Some will become true friends. Others a brief encounter, a smile. Call an old friend, make a new one, heal a broken friendship. The journey is a short one and we need not travel it alone. Be grateful for the friends you have and mindful of the friend you can be.
“A single rose can be my garden… a single friend, my world.” – Leo Buscaglia
Feb 2
“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.” – Dale Carnegie
Today is it. Look for the good in your garden of people, place and spirit. Lighten your spirit and lift the burdens from your heart. Tend to your garden so each day is filled joy, delight, and beauty.
There are beautiful roses, even in the midst of winter. Right outside your window.
“I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things… I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.” – Leo Buscaglia
Jan 20
“Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week.”- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Sometimes the most urgent thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest.” – Ashleigh Brilliant
Sunday rest, reflection, and restoration resets our perspective on the past week and prepares us for the next, ultimately our life as a whole. The fruits of a Sunday well done carry through all of our days. After six days of creation, God rested on the seventh, showing us the way.
Work hard, play hard, rest hard.
Jan 19
“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney
Take your day back. Slow down. Play. Explore. Discover. Have fun. All right in the middle of daily pressures and deadlines, many self-imposed. Put your heart and time into what’s truly important. We too easily surrender control of our day. Transform the noise of busyness into music of meaning. Molly and Lily remind me everyday to lighten up, party a little, laugh alot and keep buying toys they can shred. Now go make your day, your tomorrow, your life.
Theme: Linen by The Theme Foundry
