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Posts from the ‘Celebration’ Category

Oct 26

Function of Focus

“There’s a calm in every sunrise, every sunset…
a dazzling display of creation, and rest.
Come, soak in the moment.
It’s like the pause at the end of every breath,
A space where time touches eternity,
and in that moment, we are renewed.
Like an eternal reset for the soul.” – Bob Holmes

“Somewhere along the way, you realize that no one will teach you how to live your own life — not your parents or your idols, not the philosophers or the poets, not your liberal arts education or your twelve-step program, not church or therapy or Tolstoy. No matter how valuable any of that guidance, how pertinent any of that wisdom, in the end you discover that you make the path of life only by walking it with your own two feet under the overstory of your own consciousness — that singular miracle never repeated in all the history and future of the universe, never fully articulable to another.” – Maria Popova

On a decade birthday today, a deep gratitude for the journey.
Connections.
With God, self, others.
Unfolding, becoming, unfurling.
Relationships.
Laughter.
Wonder.
Awe.
Self-awareness.
Getting lost.
Resilience.
Grit.
Unexpected twists and turns.
Bridges and tunnels.
Detours.
Disappointments.
Delays.
Learning.
Unlearning.
Forgiving.
Remembering.
Forgetting.
Changing my mind.
Reflection.
Releasing.
Awakening.
Grief.
Appreciation.
Kindness.
Generosity.
Optimism despite the “facts.”
Trust.
Faith.
Grace.
Empathy.
Understanding.
Discernment.
Growth.
Beauty.
Joy.
All woven together with love.
Yes to life, every single day.
The weight and gravity of joy.

“Choose joy. Choose it like a child chooses the shoe to put on the right foot, the crayon to paint a sky. Choose it at first consciously, effortfully, pressing against the weight of a world heavy with reasons for sorrow, restless with need for action. Feel the sorrow, take the action, but keep pressing the weight of joy against it all, until it becomes mindless, automated, like gravity pulling the stream down its course; until it becomes an inner law of nature. If Viktor Frankl can exclaim “yes to life, in spite of everything — and what an everything he lived through — then so can any one of us amid the rubble of our plans, so trifling by comparison. Joy is not a function of a life free of friction and frustration, but a function of focus — an inner elevation by the fulcrum of choice.” – Maria Popova

 

May 8

Phenomenal

A toast to all women on this Mother’s Day;
To both mothers and those who are not or may never be;
Not less, more than enough, worthy;
Nurturers, steel magnolias, warriors, brilliant, fierce, bold, soft, a mix of it all;
Celebrate, honor and fulfill your unique purpose in this life;
Embrace confidence, strength and your light.
You are phenomenal!

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

“Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.”

Mar 15

Surprise and Celebration

“Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.” – Boris Pasternak

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” – Oprah Winfrey

A surprise visit from Jeanne with toys and dog ice cream to celebrate Sasha’s 5th birthday brought the day to a fun close. Abby joined in the celebration too. Thoughtfulness, kindness extended. All in our power to offer to others daily.

Connection, generosity, celebration and gratitude, powerful actions to change a day. Text, call, connect with others today. Be kind, change the world one surprise at time. Cast light.

“It takes a long time to become young.” – Pablo Picasso

“A gift consists not in what is done or given, but in the intention of the giver or doer.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Oct 26

L’Chaim – a toast “to life”

“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” – Greg Anderson

“To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest.”― Pema Chodron

Today I share my birthday with Abby, my golden retriever, chaser of squeeky tennis balls, boss of fun, best friend of Sasha and queen of joy. She’s 5 today and I have 5 in my year as well. The other number is irrelevant.

I have no advice for my younger self since there are no do-overs. Maybe that’s the advice. There are no do-overs so be present in your life today. Stop asking permission from others. Don’t bother with approval either. Both waste a lot of time and energy.

Each of us are here for purposes, not just one. You find them in different parts of life, through time, through trial and error. Contemplation and reflection are good but action is required to move into your unfolding, evolving and fruition.

Get outside of yourself to connect and be kind to others, discovering the threads that tie humanity together. Laughter is a must because there are plenty of things in life that will require a sense of humor. Travel lightly. Put down the unnecessary and pick up what brings you joy and peace.

Stop comparing, complaining and criticizing. Do your best and assume the best in others. Forgive and forget – the most important gift that you give yourself. Let it go and dive head first into today.

Gratitude and pain co-exist. Gratitude lightens the burden and feeds hope. Faith is the foundation that explains the unexplainable, carries you when another step is impossible and gives meaning to this very short time here walking the earth.

Do not wait for a birthday for lessons. Learn and apply them daily. Be fully alive, thrown out of the nest to open your wings and fully spent at the end of a good and generous life using all that God gave you.

To another year full of twists, turns, adventures, struggles, joy, laughter, poetry, change, growth. L’Chaim – “to life”

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me’.” – Erma Bombeck