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Posts tagged ‘Friends’

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

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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.

Mar 20

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Spring Fling

“While we are living in the present, we must celebrate life every day, knowing that we are becoming history with every work, every action, every deed.” –  Mattie Stepanek

“Whoever is happy will make others happy too.” - Anne Frank

“Whoever is happy will make others happy too.” – Anne Frank

We welcomed Spring today in Minnesota with a temperature of 7 degrees, snow hip deep and a delightful breeze, often referred to as windchill. Last year, it was in the 70s. We then worried that it was too warm too quick. The topic of this week – the unseasonably cold weather and the longing for Spring after a long Winter. I’ve been an active participant in the weather chirping.

Every night this week, despite my initial, rational judgement, I ran 2-3 miles with the girls. Quite frankly, it wasn’t that enjoyable. However, it did shift my perspective from what “should be” to “what is” and to dive in and make the most of it. Like so many things out of our control, the weather is fleeting and temporary. The only true impact I can make is my view of the view.

So, it’s time to fling into Spring.

Mar 8

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Joy Filled Days

“When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” – Tecumseh

“Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.” - Mother Teresa

“Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.” – Mother Teresa

It’s Lily’s 3rd birthday today, reminding me that time moves briskly and there’s no time to waste. Each day, even the tough ones, have a deep capacity for joy, if we seek it fervently.

Lily and Molly give me joy each day, more than I give them. Dogs (four legged family) give and take joy from each moment without delay, getting more out of their short time here than many do in a life six times as long.

Pursue and find the joy in each day. Hold tight to the goodness and let go of the rest. The three F’s – faith, family, friends mixed with health (running), laughter, hobbies, work (most days) create intense light that overpowers any shadow that the world can cast. Joy filled days indeed.

Feb 21

8 Comments

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.

Feb 15

5 Comments

Friendship

“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

Be kind and considerate to each person you meet. There is a reason for their presence on your path, either for a moment or a lifetime. Some will become true friends. Others a brief encounter, a smile. Call an old friend, make a new one, heal a broken friendship. The journey is a short one and we need not travel it alone. Be grateful for the friends you have and mindful of the friend you can be.

“A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world.” - Leo Buscaglia

“A single rose can be my garden… a single friend, my world.” – Leo Buscaglia

Jan 26

4 Comments

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

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 20

2 Comments

At Peace

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

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.” - Dr. Seuss

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way.” – Dr. Seuss

Seek, commit and work for real peace, starting with you. The world will have peace when we create it first in our heart and home. A kind word, the gift of forgiveness, an unselfish act. Be at peace and offer it to others without condition, actively and on purpose.

Search, find and accept peace this season and each day of the new year. Peace be with you and peace start with you. Be at peace.

“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

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

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