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Posts from the ‘Family’ Category

Dec 29

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The Walk

“We’re all just walking each other home.” – Rumi

On our daily journey, it’s good to know deep in our heart and bones that we are not alone. And we have the opportunity, the obligation, to remind each other that we are all on this walk together. Being present, quietly listening, holding a hand, a phone call or text can turn a day around.

While we each have our own purpose, blessings and burdens, our journey is meant to be shared. And in the sharing, our loads are lightened and blessings multiplied.

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” – Audrey Hepburn

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” – Audrey Hepburn

Dec 24

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Crammed

“Earth is crammed with heaven.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

In this season of giving, may we be abundantly aware of all that we already have received and our boundless capacity to give more. Be filled, content and grateful.

Wishing you love, joy, peace, clarity, awe and Merry Christmas.

Dec 20

Sacred Moments

“Love’s greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred.” – Barbara de Angelis

Coming home from work last Thursday exhausted, I felt the weight of the past month of travel and busyness resting on my neck. Suddenly the doorbell rang. An unexpected visitor. My niece Emily stopped by and we went to dinner. The weight lifted. What I thought mattered, really didn’t anymore.

On Friday, I went to a friend’s brother’s funeral service. Family and friends gathered to remember and grieve. The priest noted someone once said that coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous. Puts a new perspective on how we are a part of “coincidences” every day.

On Saturday, my nephew Mark earned his MBA while working full-time. We celebrated his hard work and diligence. You can feel the joy on his face and it’s well deserved. The degree is an accomplishment, but who this young man is becoming as a person is much more important. A bright and purpose-filled future.

“Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.” – Abraham Joshua Heschel

“Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.” – Abraham Joshua Heschel

Whether a surprise visit, a graduation or a funeral, sacred moments surround us longing to be noticed, honored and taken in. We have 20/20 vision when it comes to problems and irritations, yet somehow we are blind to the gifts and blessings that remain faithful and ever present.

God’s ringing the door bell, crying with us at the funeral, cheering our victories as we foster and grow the gifts that He bestowed on each one of us. When we recognize, witness, fully participate and emerge ourselves in these moments, we show the gratitude and awe that is owed.

As we enter this most holy and sacred week, may we see with new eyes, hear with uncanny clarity and let the spirit that is born at Christmas enter our very being all year long, each day, each sacred moment.

Nov 24

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Chief Fun Officer

“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” – John Milton

When the day’s demands weigh heavy, simple moments pull me back to the anchor of gratitude. And a sudden awareness of all that is most important fills the space. When I stray off course to the past or the future, my CFOs (Chief Fun Officers) Lily and Molly straighten me out and show me how to let it go and lighten up.

May you be anchored in gratitude and celebrate Thanksgiving each day. And by all means, take the advice of your CFOs. Better yet, become one.

“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” – Karl Barth

“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” – Karl Barth

Nov 6

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Where Every Day is Friday

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” – Marcus Aurelius

“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest. “– William Blake

“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest. “– William Blake

We often hear or say thank goodness it’s Friday. I try not to but must admit that some weeks I do. When we live Friday to Friday, vacation to vacation, we miss the joy that is to be harvested each day. Do something new, quietly reflect with deep gratitude, connect with others and by all means, play.

When we live right smack in the moment seeking goodness and light, every day is Friday.

Oct 4

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The Mettle Behind the Medal

“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” – Woodrow Wilson

This is one of my favorite weekends – the Twin Cities Marathon weekend, a tradition. I ran my first marathon at 39 years old in 2004. My last two marathons were the Twin Cities Marathon in 2013 and 2014. Last year may have been my last marathon, but I’m not committing to not committing at this point. This year, I ran the Twin Cities 10 mile with Jeanne, Linda and Terry. Three strips of tape wrapped tight around my lame ankle makes running doable but at times questionable.

Every runner has a story, a battle, a challenge, but they show up just the same to finish the sentence, the paragraph, the chapter of their journey. I’ve never been fast, but stubborn and persistent fit pretty well. And fortunately, I surround myself with some of the same.

“For a gallant spirit there can never be defeat.” – Wallis Simpson

“For a gallant spirit there can never be defeat.” – Wallis Simpson

Today, there was a lot of mettle behind the medals. Jeanne, a breast cancer survivor, Mom, Grandma, Cousin, confidant, friend, co-worker, a bit of an ass-kicker and so much more than she knows. Walking joy and delight, she always brings life and the party to the party.

I met Linda through Jeanne in 2004 and the three of us have traveled the last 4-5 years to half marathons throughout the country – officially forming the “sole sisters.” Linda is a Mom, personal trainer, creative jewelry maker and good friend. She has a bone floating around her knee, nothing that a bit of tape can’t hold together.

I also met Terry through Jeanne and “the running group” in 2004. We gather to run and chat on Wednesdays, Saturdays and various running events throughout the year. Terry is 77 and is more fit than most 30 somethings I know. In addition to cancer years ago, he had an ankle replacement and yet he’s still running. He has an awesome sense of humor and always has a good story worth repeating.

These are the friends that I surround myself with so some of their courage and resilience rubs off on me. I have many medals from a variety of running events throughout the years. None are more valuable than what I’ve learned and witnessed by running the runs with friends who really show the mettle behind the medal.

Oct 1

Gestures

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” – Havelock Ellis

“Life has no blessing like a prudent friend.” – Euripides

“Life has no blessing like a prudent friend.” – Euripides

Simple gestures often communicate more clearly than a thousand words. A glance, a smile, a hug speak volumes.

Our four-legged furry family members have mastered the art of gestures since it’s their only way to communicate. And perhaps that’s why they bring deep joy to our lives. They show us how to live lightly through their silliness, their ability to forget our shortcomings and love us unconditionally, their capacity for udder delight and their awareness of the present moment and all that it has to offer.

So when I need a good reminder of how to be a good friend, to be grateful for all of my blessings, to be more humane, I most often consult with Molly and Lily.

“Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.” – Khalil Gibran

“Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.” – Khalil Gibran

Be kind, gentle, forgiving, mindful of others and walk lightly through today. Your positive gestures will lift others in ways that you may never know but is so desperately needed. Cast light, warm the world.

Sep 4

Coin New Memories

“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” – Carl Sandburg

The Minnesota State Fair brings back wonderful memories of growing up. Every year, Grandpa would take my brother, sister and I out to the Fair. We had the same routine – machinery hill to see all of the tractors, Peter’s hot dogs in the Grandstand, the animal barns and the All You Can Drink Milk stand. We each got $10 and silver dollars, but Grandpa wouldn’t let us spend any of it. He took care of the entire day.

Today, my niece Emily and I made some new memories at the “Great Minnesota Get Together” that I hope she will remember as fondly as I remember my time with Grandpa. We biked up, visited the dog barn and grandstand, shared Sweet Martha’s cookies and strolled through the Midway where Emily threw a ping pong ball into the floating bowl to win a polka dot teddy bear. We also picked up our awesome University of Minnesota “Goldy Gopher” sun glasses and relaxed a bit on a very comfy swing.

“Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans. It is lovely to be silly at the right moment.” – Horace

“Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans. It is lovely to be silly at the right moment.” – Horace

We simply spent time together, being silly, laughing and talking. The little girl that I used to dance with and sing Patsy Cline’s classic song Crazy to is suddenly a beautiful young woman starting her third year of college next week.

Life goes on whether you choose to slow down enough to witness, observe and enjoy each moment of it or not. Choose well and create new memories each day.

Sep 1

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Living Abundantly

“Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.” – Wayne Dyer

Abundance – it’s all around and overflowing, deep, wide and high. We shrink our world when we buy into the false premise of scarcity, losing our peripheral vision. There is plenty for all. Open your eyes, listen closely, tune in.

One of my four-legged blessings Lily reminded me tonight when she plopped down in front of me with bright eyes and a hearty smile. Time is never wasted when we spend it with those we love and we care about what we do and how we do it.

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

One of my favorite writers Wayne Dyer passed away this week. If you want to be motivated and moved, look up some of his quotes and books. May we all be remembered as one who dared to be a wide-eyed optimist, casting light rather than shadows.

“It’s never crowded along the extra mile.” – Wayne Dyer

Go the extra mile and spend your entire being living a good life, recklessly sharing the abundance of your spirit with the world.

Aug 24

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Simple Delight

“All around us is the cosmic game, the cosmic play. The universe is full of joy, inner and outer. When realisation takes place, we have to feel the necessity of manifesting this constant delight in our heart. The delight glows, but does not burn. It has tremendous intensity, but it is all softness and absolutely sweet-flowing nectar.” – Sri Chinmoy

Every morning without fail, Molly picks up a toy to lead Lily and me outside. She knows it makes me laugh every time. This morning, my sox were behind Lamby-boy too. She signals to Lily it’s time to start the day with play and simple delight.

“I've heard there are troubles of more than one kind; some come from ahead, and some come from behind. But I've brought a big bat. I'm all ready, you see; now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” – Dr. Seuss

“I’ve heard there are troubles of more than one kind; some come from ahead, and some come from behind. But I’ve brought a big bat. I’m all ready, you see; now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” – Dr. Seuss

Walk through today lightly. Be filled with gratefulness rather than grief. Leave behind smiles instead of sighs. Give more and you won’t need to take. It returns all on its own, tenfold.

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