Skip to content

Posts tagged ‘Miscellaneous’

Jul 26

2 Comments

Whisper

“None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone.” – Thomas Carlyle

“The flowers that sleep by night, opened their gentle eyes and turned them to the day. The light, creation's mind, was everywhere, and all things owned its power.” - Charles Dickens

“The flowers that sleep by night, opened their gentle eyes and turned them to the day. The light, creation’s mind, was everywhere, and all things owned its power.” – Charles Dickens

Be quiet long enough to hear yourself and listen to others. Leave your opinions, judgement and criticism by the wayside. Like a gentle breeze through fragile flowers, whisper.

Jul 24

2 Comments

A Good Day

“What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.”
– Leo Buscaglia

While I enjoy traveling, the ingredients that make up a good day don’t require getting on a plane. The recipe: hanging out at home with the girls, sleeping in without an alarm (except for several kisses on the forehead from Lily and Molly’s nose in my face at 5:30 am), no schedule, no meetings, no email, reading, going out for a long run that’s not rushed, taking a nap (I’ve been up since 5:30 am), a quiet walk at the end of the day.

With the limited number and the distance between vacations, we need to “work” in the good days, good hours, good moments throughout the week. What makes a good day for you? Create your checklist and start checking. And while creating those moments, always remember that we have the power to give “good day” moments to others as well – with a smile, a hug, a kind word.

Your good days are now. Don’t let them pass you by.

“I expect to pass through life but once.  If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” – William Penn

Jul 22

4 Comments

Above the Clouds

“We’d never know how high we are, till we are called to rise; and then, if we are true to plan, our statures touch the sky.”  – Emily Dickinson

“Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.” - Winston Churchill

“Kites rise highest against the wind – not with it.” – Winston Churchill

Sometimes our plans don’t always work out the way we plan. Last week, my excitement to escape for a quick vacation came to a grinding halt when our flight was cancelled two hours before leaving. Since it was a quick trip to Las Vegas, losing one of three days is substantial. We were able to get another flight with a stop in Portland, only losing five hours.

Floating above the clouds, I was gently reminded of the importance of rising above the clouds to get a fresh perspective. To know what’s really important and what’s not worthy of more than a moment of our time and attention.

We have daily inconveniences and detours disguised as opportunities to take a different view, to be more patient, to slow down, to stop multitasking every moment away. And the true measurement isn’t in what happens to us but in how we deal with it.

Jul 17

6 Comments

Accept the Gift

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say “thank you?”
– William A. Ward

Each day is a gift. Open it.

“Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.” - Ruth Ann Schabacker

“Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.” – Ruth Ann Schabacker

“Joy is the feeling of grinning inside.” - Melba Colgrove

“Joy is the feeling of grinning inside.” – Melba Colgrove

Jul 15

5 Comments

Yellow Lights

“If you wish to succeed in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.” –  Joseph Addison

Yellow lights – the sign of caution. That critical moment when you determine whether you stay or go for it. I’ve thought alot about yellow lights the past 24 hours.

On the way back from an 18 mile bike ride with friends, Jeanne and I were riding back home (we live about a mile a part). I was in front approaching a green light. It changed yellow. To make sure I didn’t take any risks, I stopped. This time caution didn’t work in our favor. Jeanne was able to stop in time but not get her feet out of the pedal cages. I turned and watched her fall to the ground, hard. I could feel it, of course, not as much as she did and does.

I’ve thought about how it could have been prevented. I could have gone for it. I should have told her I was stopping. And the post-analysis continues.

Not really sure of the lesson other than to get back on the bike again. Hopefully Jeanne will too. May take a few weeks though and a mattress duct taped around her to soften the blow. Jeanne – here’s to our Tour de France moment. I only wish it was me that hit the cement. You’re one tough chick!

Jul 13

4 Comments

Cherry On Top

“Life does not accommodate you, it shatters you. It is meant to, and it couldn’t do it better. Every seed destroys its container or else there would be no fruition.”
– Florida Scott-Maxwell

Fruition – the satisfaction that comes from completion. The sweet taste of the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae. The new tree was planted about 5 feet from where the 50 year old silver maple was taken down a few months ago. A “baby” sugar maple in its place.

Lots of steps to get to this final touch. A new start from a last step. And 50 years from today, someone will be looking up at the towering sugar maple in appreciation as much as the girls and I celebrate the birth of its beauty and potential today.

Jul 12

3 Comments

Illuminate

“As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence actually liberates others.”
– Marianne Williamson

Casting light is a choice. And if it were an easy one, everyone would do it. Even when we make a conscious decision to do it, we don’t do it consistently. Despite our best efforts, we let “little” things get to us.

Rest, restore, find your release valve (running for me) to re-energize. Find activities and people who recharge you. And while encouragement from others is important, illuminating our best must ultimately originate from within to be sustainable.

Circumstances out of our control, unreasonable demands we put on ourselves and the cynicism of others can wear us down. Never give in. Don’t become that which you despise. Own your outlook, own your life. Do more than shine but for a moment, illuminate!

Jul 9

2 Comments

Dry Spell

“Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music – the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.” – Henry Miller

We all go through dry spells, transition times meant for quiet reflection. If we slow down to check our internal compass, we can change course and live in the right direction. And in the desert moments, we are transforming into our true self. Growth never stops. The lessons are optional.

Jul 3

Be Free

“Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.”
– Thomas Jefferson

A day off, picnics at the beach, fireworks, red, white and blue … Cherish your freedom every day. Wander off the easy and crowded path of cynicism to the rewarding path of optimism and hope. Be free.

“Man is free at the moment he wishes to be.”  – Voltaire

“There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.” – Nelson Mandela

“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”
– Thomas Paine

Jun 26

4 Comments

Be Prepared

“Don’t waste life in doubts and fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour’s duties will be the best preparation for the hours and ages that will follow it.” –  Ralph Waldo Emerson

About six weeks ago I wrote about the tree limb falling in the middle of the night, leaving my backyard a “blank canvas” when my 60 year old tree had to be cut down. Well, the mourning from the tree funeral is over and this week I am preparing to paint the “blank canvas.”

So the first “paint brushes” swept the canvas tonight. My nephew Mark and brother John figured out how the rear drive rototiller worked (without losing a limb). The hardware store staff where I rented it didn’t quite know how to operate it since it was a new model (made in Italy, of course, great art). My niece Jenna helped yesterday with the weeds and moving mulch and my other niece Emily cut the grass.

Next steps of preparation to fruition – topsoil gets delivered tomorrow afternoon, sod on Friday and new tree hunting on Saturday. So, a new beginning blooming from preparation, planning, hard work and a wonderful family willing to be paint brushes with me.

“Character is what emerges from all the little things you were too busy to do yesterday, but did anyway,” - Mignon McLaughlin

“Character is what emerges from all the little things you were too busy to do yesterday, but did anyway,” – Mignon McLaughlin

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »