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Posts from the ‘Celebration’ Category

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.”

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

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

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