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Posts tagged ‘Family’

Jun 16

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Quiet Strength

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” – C. S. Lewis

On this day that honors fathers, I am gratefully reminded of the lessons learned from my Dad. Work hard – never hold back, do your best – every time, hospitality – all are welcome, live out your faith – words alone are hollow, and you can be anything you want to be when you put your heart, mind and effort into it – no limits. The confidence that he instilled in my sister and me is ever-present to this day. A very important gift from a father to a daughter. He continues to live out these principles consistently, quietly and under the spotlight.

Happy Fathers Day to all Dads – divorced, single, widowed or no longer here. You are in a position to have a tremendous and life-long impact on your children and grandchildren – be there consistently with great love and strength.

Jun 4

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Attain

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” – Marie Curie

“The future enters into us, in order to transform itself in us, long before it happens.” - Rainer Maria Rilke

“The future enters into us, in order to transform itself in us, long before it happens.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

The graduation season is in full swing. My niece Emily graduated from high school last week. High school, like teenagers, is filled with a mix of emotions, ups, downs, some drama and a lot of diffused energy. An important transition into young adulthood to be sure. While it’s time for more focus and to come into your own in college, don’t lose your wide-eyed enthusiasm and back it up with hard work and confidence.

In particular for young women, it’s so important to believe in yourself, regardless of the noise around you, and there’s a lot of it. Trust and listen to your instinct (God’s voice). You have so much to offer and gifts to develop to give to the world. And in all that you do, do it with passion, compassion and heart. And when you find your place and fully engage, you’ll soon discover that it’s not so much what you do in life but how you do it, with character and kindness.

May 27

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Wisdom

“Wisdom begins in wonder.” – Socrates

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” - William Butler Yeats

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats

This weekend, we celebrated my nephew Mark’s graduation from college. Next weekend, we celebrate my niece Emily’s graduation from high school, proud moments, wonderful life transitions and milestones. Twenty seven years ago, I graduated from college and am reminded vividly that time passes by both slowly and quickly all at once. If I could go back and give my 27 year younger self some advice as well as Mark and Emily, here are a few thoughts that come to my mind and heart:

  • Be aware and awake to the gifts in each day. Pay attention.
  • Each step, each day makes up your story and it will be revealed at the right time. It all ties together.
  • Love completely, regardless of the perceived risk.
  • Work hard. And while your career is an important part of your life, it’s not who you are.
  • Mind, body, heart, spirit – grow them all.
  • Always do your best regardless of what others say or think. Never dumb it down or dial back.
  • Our plans don’t always work out the way we planned, but they always work out.
  • Stop and help others along the way. Lasting joy comes from giving more than receiving.
  • Laugh a lot and don’t take yourself so seriously.
  • Your family is your anchor and home, always cheering for you, crying with you and quietly praying you through.
  • No matter what happens, you are never alone. God is with you every step of the way. Sometimes ahead, lighting the way. Sometimes at your side, holding your hand. Sometimes behind, lifting you up.
  • Cast your light. The world is waiting.

While this part of your education is over, school has just begun. Be curious, ask questions and you will learn every day. And to my 27 year older self, that youthful optimism and enthusiasm remains within, a bit bruised from the journey, but stronger for it.

May 12

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Extraordinary Ordinary

“A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.” – Liberty Hyde Bailey

“Genius is childhood recalled at will.” – Charles Baudelaire

“Genius is childhood recalled at will.” – Charles Baudelaire

It is quite simple. We find the extraordinary in the ever so ordinary moments in our life. Never underestimate the power of playing catch, swinging at the playground, going for a walk hand in hand, watching a baseball game, sharing an ice cream cone. Above all other seemingly important endeavors, time spent with your kids, parents, family, and friends in words and silence is time well-spent. The richness and depth of our life is defined by what we pay attention to so choose well. Joy is ours to capture daily in the ordinary moments.

May 11

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Belong

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” – Mother Teresa

Our family is the first place we discover a sense of belonging. From here we go out into the world and invite others into our lives, to be in relationship, expanding the circle. Moms teach and model unconditional love, proving that it’s possible in this world.

On Mother’s Day and everyday, in addition to my Mom, I am grateful for all of the special women in my life – sister, sister-in-law, aunts, nieces, cousins and girlfriends, whether they are a Mom or not. They have shown me how to love and be loved. Happy Mother’s Day to women everywhere who make life softer and sweeter, those still with us and those who are gone but remain ever present in our hearts. It’s good to belong.

“Intense love does not measure, it just gives.” – Mother Teresa

“Intense love does not measure, it just gives.” – Mother Teresa

May 4

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Beautiful Threads

“One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” – Khalil Gibran

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” – Khalil Gibran (A little Barry sisters fun at family wedding.)

There are beautiful threads woven through the fabric of our life. Friends and family who are a part of our many memories and milestones, bonds that are enduring. Some we see everyday, others we see at weddings, graduations and funerals. And whether we talk to them every week or a few times a year, they remain a part of our foundation, our home. Family become friends, friends become family.

Through the celebrations, challenges, transitions and losses, they laugh, hug and cry us through our victories and defeats. Listening more than talking, holding our hand or giving us a high five. They provide the color and pattern in an often random world.

Think of all of those people in your life who are a part of your fabric and call one of your beautiful threads today.

Apr 2

7 Comments

Say Yes

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” - Mother Teresa

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” – Mother Teresa

“I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.” – e. e. cummings

Say “yes” to what’s right and to what’s right in front of you in this moment, waiting to be discovered in plain sight. The beauty of nature, the precious gift of family and friends. The world trains us to have the attention span of a gnat, flitting from one thing to the next. Never staying long enough to see or be seen. Go deeper, stay longer, listen with your heart. Don’t miss even one drop. With gratitude and awe, say yes to each day.

Feb 21

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Forgetting the Unforgettable

“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

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” - Marcel Proust

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – Marcel Proust

In the daily details of the unimportant, we forget the unforgettable moments – life changing events. Marriages, births, anniversaries, deaths – mournings, milestones, celebrations and victories.

Last week, Linda sent me an email to commemorate my 14 years cancer-free of melanoma (wear sunscreen, you look good in white). I forgot. This past week, running buddy and awesome friend Terry celebrates 12 years cancer-free. And today, my cousin, traveling companion, hero, babysitter (in the past and still today), and friend, Jeanne celebrates 10 years cancer-free of breast cancer.

Each of us have, are or will go through “life-changing” experiences that put what’s truly important in crystal clear view. The little things are exposed for how really little they are. Family, friends, faith, purpose, generosity, love and joy grow in proportion, to the size they are meant to be.

Remember those unforgettable moments that are meant to shift our life, our perspective, our path. Celebrate each day, for it is the only promise each of us has, so spend each well.

Jeanne, Terry and me – happy anniversary! Remember that life changing moment, share it with others and keep celebrating each day to fullest! Never forget the unforgettable. Remember, remember.

Jan 26

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True Measure

“God and Nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own created genius we make ourselves what we want to be. Follow always that great law. Let the sky and God be our limit and Eternity our measurement.” –  Marcus Garvey

“Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.” - Abdul Kalam

“Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.” – Abdul Kalam

How do you measure success? Money, position, education, knowledge (different than education), health, family, friends, faith, relationships, love, joy? If we pause long enough to ask these questions and are quiet enough to hear the answers whispered, we can begin to give ourselves to what’s truly important. And the true measure of our success will be what we leave behind and not what we take.

We live many of our finite hours merely going through the motions, getting by, manuevering around, moving swiftly to the next thing, “killing time.” The world teaches scarcity so get your share first. There’s infinite abundance in giving ourselves away to our dreams, giving our gifts and blessings out, not keeping them in.

Find your true measure. Live well.

Dec 22

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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.

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