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Posts from the ‘Golden Retriever’ Category

Aug 4

4 Comments

Heads Up

“Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” – Helen Keller

“Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James

“Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James

Look to each day with the same enthusiasm and delight of a Sunday afternoon. We can choose, in fact, we must choose our attitude and outlook everyday. Don’t fall for the same frustrations and triggers again and again. Positive people don’t have less problems rather they don’t define their life by them. How we go through is more important than what we go through. Heads up. And smile too.

Aug 3

4 Comments

Plop

“Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” – Guillaume Apollinaire

A few miles in to our daily run or our walk to visit the neighborhood chickens, Lily strays off the path to plop in a patch of grass for a momentary rest. Molly patiently waits by her side until she’s ready to move on. They take in the moment. The moment is enough.

Pause each day and plop long enough to rest, reflect and ready yourself for those next steps. Accept and appreciate the joy to be found in each moment.

“The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.” – Richard Bach

“The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.” – Richard Bach

“Who will tell whether one happy moment of love or the joy of breathing or walking on a bright morning and smelling the fresh air, is not worth all the suffering and effort which life implies.” – Erich Fromm

Jul 21

Stop

“Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering.” – Saint Augustine

Take a moment, better yet several moments, each day to observe the world and your place in it. With wonder and delight, stop long enough to watch the sun set, a rain drop dance. There are signs and whispers guiding the way. Stop and listen.

“In the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.” – Leo Tolstoy

“In the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.” – Leo Tolstoy

Jul 18

4 Comments

Feeding Chickens

“The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.” – Thomas More

“Simply enjoy life and the great pleasures that come with it.” – Karolina Kurkova

“Simply enjoy life and the great pleasures that come with it.” – Karolina Kurkova

About a month ago, my neighbors a few blocks away set up a chicken den in their front yard in the middle of the city. My first thought was “how did they get the neighbors to agree to that? It’s so impractical.” The impractical has now turned into one of my favorite ordinary daily acts that I share with Molly and Lily at dawn and dusk.

The neighbors have now brilliantly put out a bucket of chicken feed so passersby can feed the chickens and be a part of their “silly” dream. Each time we pass and throw some chicken feed, they all come running to get their share. And every single time, Molly and Lily watch in wonderment.

Find your “feeding chickens” act and enjoy the simplicity of the ordinary gifts just around the corner. “Silly” dreams fulfilled make a life well lived.

Jul 12

4 Comments

Seize

“Lose not yourself in a far off time, seize the moment that is thine.”- Friedrich Schiller

“The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions - the little, soon forgotten charities of a kiss or a smile, a kind look or heartfelt compliment.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

“The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions – the little, soon forgotten charities of a kiss or a smile, a kind look or heartfelt compliment.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Today is yours to define. We are so much more than our problems. A simple smile casts light and warmth beyond ourselves and shows us the blessings in our midst. With gratitude and generosity, seize the day.

Jul 7

6 Comments

Nap Investment

We need to diversify and balance what we do with our time investments –  work, play, people, rest, reflection. I can tell when I’m out of balance and it affects my outlook and attitude, stealing my days. Take time each day to rest, restore and renew your mind, spirit and body to stay in balance. Quiet the chatter in your mind and simply relax into the moment. Never underestimate the value of a good nap.

“Work is not always required. There is such a thing as sacred idleness.” - George MacDonald

“Work is not always required. There is such a thing as sacred idleness.” – George MacDonald

“I usually take a two-hour nap from one to four.” – Yogi Berra

“I usually take a two-hour nap from one to four.” – Yogi Berra

Jun 9

4 Comments

Breeze

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius

“What you really want for yourself is always trying to break through, just as a cooling breeze flows through an open window on a hot day. Your part is to open the windows of your mind.” – Vernon Howard

“What you really want for yourself is always trying to break through, just as a cooling breeze flows through an open window on a hot day. Your part is to open the windows of your mind.” – Vernon Howard

Heads up and heads out the window – notice the day and simply enjoy it. Don’t overcomplicate, just accept the moment.

Jun 2

8 Comments

Sliver of Shade

“He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.” – Lao Tzu

“Who seeks shall find.” – Sophocles

“Who seeks shall find.” – Sophocles

As I was cutting the grass today caught up in the weight of the week ahead, I glanced up and Lily was laying under a sliver of shade of the new tree. Some would say the tree is too small. Be it ever so narrow, she found the gift of shade and opened it up. We get distracted by assumptions and attitudes that blind us to the slivers that provide real joy and lasting comfort.

Make the most of what’s present in the moment and a sliver of shade is more than enough. Gratitude through all seasons makes the winters warmer and the summers cooler. We do find what we seek, so seek goodness and each day will be overflowing with enough.

May 20

5 Comments

Lean Back

“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.” – Eleonora Duse

“The time to relax is when you don't have time for it.” – Sydney J. Harris

“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.” – Sydney J. Harris

The view changes when we take time to lean back and see the horizon before us and beyond us. We often lean in too hard and fast, getting lost in over-committing, multitasking, competing, comparing, complaining. Lean back and go bigger than making a living and start making a life. Lean in to the moment fully – work, play, family, friends, faith – with attention and delight, not weight and burden. Enjoy each and move on to the next, coming back when it’s time. A rhythm of leaning in and leaning back. Time won’t wait for you to enjoy your life, neither should you.

Apr 24

19 Comments

Seek Joy

“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

“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!

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