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Posts from the ‘Golden Retriever’ Category

Jan 1

6 Comments

Make Your New Year Happy

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”  – Mahatma Gandhi

Life unfolds a step at a time. Only make resolutions that you are serious about and go get them, a step at a time. Always getting back up when we fall short. This year, this day, we have the power to create our happiness, to achieve our purpose and potential.

A few resolutions on my list:

No complaining, assume the good in all.
Health and well being – Insanity workout (4 days in, ouch), quiet, contemplation.
Give more than I receive, knowing I will receive more than I give.
Second marathon.
Be mindful and grateful for the many gifts I have been given and to recognize what is to come.
Slow down and savor.
Quality time with family and friends, appreciating each memory created.

Molly and Lily’s resolutions:

Play.
Keep having fun.
Run everyday.
Keep me laughing.
Play some more.

“Fun is good.” - Dr. Seuss

“Fun is good.” – Dr. Seuss

Dec 22

13 Comments

Presence is the Real Present

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” – Roy L. Smith

“A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.” - William Hazlitt

“A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.” – William Hazlitt

We spend several weeks preparing for Christmas – shopping, rushing, baking, cooking, more shopping, searching for the best presents.

As the day approaches and the preparations are complete, be present. Lay your daily burdens aside and celebrate your many blessings.

Unwrap each moment with family and friends with awe and delight. Discover the real gift of the season – your presence in the miracle of Christmas and in each day of your life.

Merry Christmas.

Dec 12

10 Comments

Choose Happy

“Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.” – Earl Nightingale

“The true delight is in the finding out rather than in the knowing.” – Isaac Asimov

“The true delight is in the finding out rather than in the knowing.” – Isaac Asimov

Dec 9

2 Comments

Just for Fun

“Man is most nearly himself when he achieves the seriousness of a child at play.” – Heraclitus

“Life must be lived as play.” - Plato

“Life must be lived as play.” – Plato

The first real snow brings heavy thoughts of shoveling, slow travel, shoveling again and being stuck in the house. Watching Lily and Molly wrestle in the fresh snow today and hopping through the drifts brought me back to the pure joy of being a kid again.

Building snow forts, sledding down dead man’s hill again and again, ice skating at the playground for hours. No complaining, just fun and frolic, delighting in the simple. So as a new week starts, be as light as the snowflakes floating in the air instead of the heavy pile at the end of the driveway that’s left by the snowplow right after you finish shoveling.

Lighten up, just for fun.

Nov 3

4 Comments

Keep It Simple

“There is more to life than increasing its speed.” – Mohandas K. Gandhi

“Sometimes the most urgent thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest” - Ashleigh Brilliant

“Sometimes the most urgent thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest.” – Ashleigh Brilliant

We overcomplicate life. Over committing. One more thing. Multitasking. When asked, “How are you?” Answer, “Busy.” Doing what?

Question your busyness and the value of what you invest your days in. Choose wisely. Downshift. Reassess. Rest.

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” – William James

Oct 26

9 Comments

Still Learning

“Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.” –  Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

“Anticipate the day as if it was your birthday and you are turning six again.” - Mike Dolan

“Anticipate the day as if it was your birthday and you are turning six again.” – Mike Dolan

As I was reflecting on growing one year older today, I was going to write a list of lessons learned. But that’s what this blog is about, discovering and learning the lessons from the many blessings, gifts and “coincidences” that happen every day of the year.

So here’s a few words that come to mind in this moment … give, laugh, smile, cry, share, look, listen, pray, try, celebrate, appreciate, explore, discover, sing, dance, move, learn, love, cast light. Happy birthday every day. The gifts are many, to give and accept.

Oct 20

3 Comments

Exhale

“The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.”
– Bertrand Russell

“We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.” - Robert Louis Stevenson

“We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

In waiting, hoping and quiet, we rediscover what’s important and what’s merely noise. Pettiness and cynicism get loud temporarily only to be drown out by gratitude and goodness. This past year has been a series of waiting periods with family health, tree limbs falling, cars breaking and most recently Molly having major surgery for an infection in her chest (she’s home and doing well).

As we hold our breath through these days, we need to remember to exhale, releasing the weight of waiting. And then to inhale, taking in the good. In and out, yin and yang, up and down, inhale and exhale.

Oct 10

1 Comment

Cues

“Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing, only a signal shown, and a distant voice in the darkness; So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another, only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

We all want to be found, heard, seen, without asking. What signals do you send off and pick up on each day? In our rushing (where are we going so fast?), we miss cues, clues and nuances. Often misunderstanding others and sending the message “I don’t have time.”  Slow down, look and listen to what’s in the forefront, not off in the distance.

Take time to go deeper, walk softly and discover the many treasures at our feet. The horizon is the destination but the journey is found in each step we take with people who add meaning to the trip.

Aug 13

6 Comments

Back to School

“I don’t have dry seasons, because I don’t allow them.” – Thomas Perry

Mid-August and the Minnesota State Fair equals “back to school,” even as an adult. Summer’s gift is one of relaxation, restoration and rejuvenation, if you do it right. As Fall approaches, use that fuel to get re-engaged in new endeavors.

In the spirit of engagement, I signed up for the Women Rock Half Marathon on September 1st. Simply setting that goal has focused my training.

Set new goals and stay enthused so “back to school” brings motivation to move you forward to the life you desire and deserve. And remember to carry your calm and cool summer self into Fall.

Aug 1

1 Comment

Soak It Up

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
– Buddha

Each season has its own gifts. I can’t ever remember a “slow” summer. So as we dive into August, enjoy the summer days that remain, not lamenting their passing. We have this very moment. Drink it in, soak it up and be satisfied.

“Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....

“Then followed that beautiful season… Summer….
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.” - Celia Thaxter

“There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.” – Celia Thaxter

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