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Posts tagged ‘Friends’

May 22

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Fan Club

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

A week ago, Mom was getting her hip replaced. It was scheduled but she had to go in a few days early due to severe pain – it was actually broken. She’s now recovering in transitional care and getting stronger every day. It hasn’t been the same without her. She’s what makes home, home.

There’s been a lot of in and out the past few weeks with family health issues. Molly and Lily know something is going on. They miss Mom like crazy and the feeling is mutual. Every time they see each other, their eyes light up and smiles extend from ear to ear. Home returns.

“Friendship needs no words - it is solitude delivered from the anguish of loneliness.” – Dag Hammarskjold

“Friendship needs no words – it is solitude delivered from the anguish of loneliness.” – Dag Hammarskjold

Yesterday, we went to visit and they were thrilled to see her. We sat outside in the sun just spending time being together. The world was right again. Absence doesn’t make the heart grow fonder. It amplifies the depth of fondness that’s already rooted and strong.

True friendship draws us out and invites our spirits to rise. It’s good to be home.

May 10

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Seeds

“The seed never sees the flowers.” – Zen Proverb

Today we celebrate not only Mothers but all that they foster, grow and model for the world. Unconditional love, endurance, faith, peace, resilience, joy, laughter, forgiveness, compassion, hope, grace, friendship and family – all the traits and ties that bind and remind us that we are not alone on this journey. They show us that the impossible is possible.

My family ran the Race for the Cure this morning in honor of my cousin Julie who has been recently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. We ran for her but also for ourselves. When you can’t do anything to change the situation, you doing anything that shows support and love that words can’t come close to describing.

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.” – Dalai Lama

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” – Dalai Lama

As you enter each day, remember that you don’t know what others are going through and they don’t know what burdens weigh on you. Always act on the assumption that you can and should scatter and plant seeds of light, laughter and love. If you forget and need to be reminded how to do this, ask a Mom.

Apr 27

To the Side

“Your destiny is to fulfill those things upon which you focus most intently. So choose to keep your focus on that which is truly magnificent, beautiful, uplifting and joyful. Your life is always moving toward something.” – Ralph Marston

Our narrow perspective limits our view of what’s possible, but not what’s actually possible when we go beyond a glance. Look to the right, to the left to take in the whole picture. Go wider and deeper. Slow down and peel back the layers of each day and of those searching souls next to you. When speeding down the track with our eyes only on the horizon, on tomorrow, we miss people who need us and who we need to complete our actual journey.

Look to the side, up, down and all around. Staying on the track to a full and meaningful life demands that we remain steeped in the details of now. Seeming detours and delays lead us to the horizon that calls us. The illusion is scarcity in the present, abundance in the future. We are in deep abundance right now, waiting on the side to be found.

“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.” – Dale Carnegie

“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.” – Dale Carnegie

Apr 19

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By My Side

“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” – Mother Teresa

“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” – Mother Teresa

Molly went in for her spring grooming last week. Lily knew something was up when we were leaving and tried to nose her way out the door with us. The same way Molly does when I take Lily for her allergy appointments. Molly was gone for four hours. When I brought her home, Lily pounced on Molly with elation as if she was gone for four months. Never saying a word, they communicate volumes.

One of my favorite quotes is from St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” Our actions – what we do, our follow-through, time and attention offered freely, promises kept, a long gazing look, a smile mean so much more than empty words unfulfilled. It’s a noisy world. Make your actions and words count.

Mar 21

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By the Collar

“The smallest gesture can mean so much to those who may need a little lift in their lives.” – Gordon B. Hinckley

On our daily walk or run when we are about four houses away from home, Lily turns to Molly with that look in her eye and grabs onto Molly’s collar and leads almost carries her home. Molly gets a bit irritated but goes along with it.

That’s what friends and family do. They come along our side and pick us up by the collar to carry us home. And that’s what we also need to do at times for ourselves. Get out of the funk, pick ourselves up and move on with new eyes and a grateful heart.

Sometimes it’s the accumulation of the daily grind and others are life changing events like divorce or cancer. Life is a mix of transitions, endings, beginnings and through it all growth and transformation if we are open and allow it.

When we get stuck too long in why me, we need to be grabbed by the collar and moved to what’s next carried gently and confidently by faith, family and friends. And, when we are moved out of our own rut, we can be a blessing to others and do some lifting as well. We are not on this journey alone and it’s not about me but rather we. Grab someone by the collar today.

Feb 15

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Threshold

“Many people are alive but don’t touch the miracle of being alive.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Each day, a new door to go through, a step into the unknown, an unfamiliar path. Look no longer, hesitant on the edge of the threshold. Cross over and move through. What’s waiting can wait no longer.

For time does not wait, nor must we. Embrace each day and those that are put in our path for it is meant to be. Whether we know the reason or not, enjoy each moment for we will not pass this way again. The journey is meant to change us, ground us, find us, transform us to who we are. Discover the miracle of being alive, and live well.

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell

Feb 11

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Lucidity

“Most days weren't clear when you were in them.” ― Naomi Shihab Nye

“Most days weren’t clear when you were in them.” ― Naomi Shihab Nye

“Older now, you find holiness in anything that continues.” – Naomi Shibab Nye

As the days go faster and we go slower, we may long for days gone by, our youth. But the days slow when we remain squarely within each one, fully aware and awake. Wiser from what was and hope-filled for what is to come. The wide path becomes narrow and we can see and appreciate what is most important.

As the need to prove oneself subsides, moments linger and connections grow deeper. Creating and being replace competing and doing. And if we are fortunate to find clarity in the days when we are in them, we discover what has been there the entire time…love expands, multiples, grows, sustains and is what we are here to do. Our moments become holy.

Feb 4

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It’s Ok

Amidst the busyness today, I tripped into a conversation with a friend with the simple question – how are you, really? And then sat quietly to listen to her share some personal struggles she’s dealing with right now.

And as we all do, we try to recount our blessings and gifts to guilt our way out of the feelings of loss and confusion. But it’s just not enough to move us from grieving over unexplainable setbacks. And instead of glossing over or discounting our feelings, we need to simply be ok to remain where we are, knowing that it’s not permanent and that it’s going to be ok, even when it’s not ok at this very moment.

These difficult days, weeks, months of contemplation and mourning of what’s not come or what’s not to be need to play out, to be felt, to be moved through. And when we begin the journey to the other side, we are changing and growing deeper into who we are and meant to be. Moved to our core, our very soul.

The most meaningful gift we can give each other is to stop, be present, listen fully and share that while we suffer at times individually, we are never alone. And when we allow tears to flow, the healing can begin. Everything can’t be explained in this moment. But faith and hope carry us and we can carry each other as well. And that’s enough and we’re enough. It’s ok.

Jan 24

Travels

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius

Twelve days and six flights later, I’m home. A business trip on the west coast, vacation on the east coast and a last minute business trip in the middle made up the first half of January. All travels went very well.

The annual “sole sisters” half marathon trip with Jeanne and Linda dropped us into Key West, Florida. Considering winter, busy schedules and a few ailments, we were all thrilled to finish healthy and happy. The ocean, sun and blue skies with friends who know and accept us as we are make up the ingredients for a good time.

“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

There’s something about getting away to change your perspective, relax and discover new places and people. There’s also something about coming home, refreshed and grateful for the people/dogs and places that just feel right.

In all of our travels, across the country or across town, we can be present to each moment with our hearts open to discover the beauty that surrounds us and within us. Cast light and let light in.

Jan 15

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Comforters

“God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.” ― John Henry Jowett

When we focus on what we can give rather that what we can get, it is then we receive more than we can ever imagine. The race distracts us from the journey and seeing those who are a long side of us, trying to make their way just as we are. Sometimes weary, sometimes worn. And we have the opportunity, the gift to walk along side, to be kind, to be present, to forget ourselves.

As we go through our own struggles that others may not know, there is comfort in that we are not alone. And when our backdrop shifts from burdens to blossoms, we can understand the meaning of that comfort and to offer it freely and generously to our fellow travelers.

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