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Posts from the ‘Samoyed’ Category

Dec 21

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MERRY Christmas

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” – Calvin Coolidge

The preparations and rushing around that lead up to Christmas makes this special and reflective time often feel like “Hurry Christmas.” There are no gifts that you can give that are more important than your full attention and presence with family and friends. So slow down, be present and make sure that “merry” is in the forefront and center of your Christmas. And remember to carry the true spirit of Christmas in your heart every day.

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.” – Dale Evans

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” – Dale Evans

Dec 3

10 Comments

Tune In

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

The world and its demands will not slow down, so we must. To rest, reflect and reach in to our center to reveal a deep sense of gratitude. Scarcity thinking will never be satisfied because it can’t recognize the abundance that already is within and surrounding us. Instead of searching in far off lands or in the future when things are “perfect”, journey to what is now and discover your many treasures hiding in plain sight.

Be quiet, tune in and be grateful. And then move back out into the world and share that joy in abundance.

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” – William S. Burroughs

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” – William S. Burroughs

Nov 15

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The Cone

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu

For the past month, we’ve been trying to figure out what’s going on with inflamed skin on Lily’s nose. She’s been on antibiotics, steroids and is wearing “the dreaded cone” to keep from scratching it. On Monday, she had biopsies done. The good news is that she doesn’t have an autoimmune disease but rather a severe allergic reaction to something. Next up is a round of heavy duty steroids and more time in the cone.

The first day or two in the cone, she was disoriented and bothered, but she’s now adjusted and acclimated. She hasn’t let the cone define her or affect her ability to wag her tail, give kisses or run full speed at Molly and I with toy in mouth ready to wrestle and play. She’s as lighthearted and crazy as ever and a bit more snuggly.

Molly has been watching her like a hawk and you can see the concern in her eyes for her best friend. She makes sure to get a toy on the way out so they can play when they get outside, even if she’s going to get hit in the head with the cone. And the sweetest act I’ve witnessed is when Molly slowly walks up to Lily and puts her head in the cone to give her a gentle kiss, letting Lily know that cone or not she’s present and by her side.

“Friendship is one mind in two bodies.” – Mencius

“Friendship is one mind in two bodies.” – Mencius

We often can’t solve and fix things in our time. With patience, they must heal on their own. But we always have the power to show empathy and compassion, joining our friend in their “cone” reminding them that they are not alone.

Oct 20

7 Comments

True North

“When the solution is simple, God is answering.” – Albert Einstein

When I lose my way, may I always be brought home to a smile, a warm greeting and undivided attention. And when I go back out, may I carry that with me and offer the same that I have been given and restored by.

“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” – Khalil Gibran

“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” – Khalil Gibran

Sep 15

8 Comments

The Frog

“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” ― Mark Twain

“Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” – Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield

“Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” – Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield

There’s an old saying “eat the frog first” – do what you don’t want to do first so you stop procrastinating and move on. When we delay starting, we give too much power to the “frog.” Our perceptions, assumptions and worries are not reality, but we make them our reality when they prevent us from living the good life we are meant to live.

Jump to it and eat the frog! There’s a lot of living to savor and not a lot of time to do it.

Aug 20

6 Comments

Fun, well done

“Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun.” – Randy Pausch

One day seems too short to celebrate a birthday. So birthday week continues with a few visual guides to sum up three valuable insights on living well from wise sage and birthday girl Molly, accompanied by her lovely assistants/best friends, Elly and Lily.

  1. Quietly being with friends is more than enough;
    ellymollylilymolly
  2. There’s nothing better than a soft kiss on the forehead;
    mollyelly2lilymolly2
  3. And most importantly remember to grab your friends by the collar, shake them up and have some fun.
    play

Be aware, awake and in tune to your beauty-filled, delight-filled and swiftly moving life each and every day. Have fun, cast light.

 

Aug 18

8 Comments

Freeze Frame

 

“How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?” – Dr. Seuss

“How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?” – Dr. Seuss

On Saturday, Molly turned 8 years old. Indeed, how the time has “flewn.” I remember the road trip across Wisconsin with Dad to bring this sweet girl home and so many ordinary days filled with extraordinary joy in between. My best friend’s son went off to college this weekend. I remember the first time I met Sharon at the University of Minnesota freshman orientation 29 years ago. Unbelievable. Friends getting married, becoming grandparents, kids off to their first day of kindergarten. The mix of life’s sweet celebrations.

Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, engagements, weddings fill our calendars. We plan, prepare, anticipate, party, laugh, cry and wish we could freeze these frames of life. As we “mark” these big moments, remember and savor all of the little moments that fill each day. Time will not stop for us to figure it all out and regret only wastes more time. With a grateful heart, dive deep into these ordinary days with awe and wonder. Maybe the only way we can slow time just a bit.

 

Jul 6

4 Comments

Long Slow Summer

“Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair…” ― Susan Polis Schutz

As I make my slow pilgrimage through the world, a certain sense of beautiful mystery seems to gather and grow. - A. C. Benson

As I make my slow pilgrimage through the world, a certain sense of beautiful mystery seems to gather and grow. – A. C. Benson

To a cool breeze that touches the soul. To the warm sun that ignites delight. To long walks that stop time. Awe found, slowly and deeply. Summer amplifies our blessings with vibrant colors, sweet fragrances and the music of nature. Summer frees us to live by the moment, present and aware.

Go slow summer, go slow.

May 7

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Remember Happy, Visit Often

“I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.” – Groucho Marx

“Smile, it's free therapy.” – Douglas Horton

“Smile, it’s free therapy.” – Douglas Horton

Ridiculously busy days filled nonstop meetings, hundreds of emails and unreasonable people can throw you for a loop, off your game and out of whack. In the midst of the chaos, which is actually the illusion, we need to remember happy and visit often.

It’s right there next to you, holding your hand. Stop, leave the “emergency” rooms of life and take in what’s good, really good. Memories made, memories in process and memories to come – make them happen. Friends, family, a broad smile and a lick on the forehead cures all.

Mar 8

2 Comments

Party Hat

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” – Anais Nin

We celebrated Lily’s fourth birthday this morning with a run with friends. The party hats didn’t make it too long on the dogs, but the rest of us wore our hats for the entire run. We got a few strange looks but when we explained we were celebrating a dog’s birthday, it made all the sense in the world.

“Enthusiasm moves the world.” – Arthur Balfour

“Enthusiasm moves the world.” – Arthur Balfour

Friends wear silly hats, sing “Happy Birthday” in the parking lot and know how to make fun of a run together. In a hectic and often unkind world, we can create our own celebrations and moments every day. We have so much more than we often recognize. Today, I am grateful for Lily and Molly and good friends that make life fun, silly and deeply meaningful all at once.

Today’s a new day. Get your party hat on!

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