The Simple Things

It happens to all of us at some point, feeling overwhelmed, or worried, or terrified and frusterated.  We look around and suddenly everything we thought was uder control, isn’t.  And ilife looks like a cross between a war zone and a construction site as we run around trying to get everything back in order.

That’s when we need to pause and take a breath, eat a Twix or just sit a moment. When things in life seem unmanageable and overwhelming, go back to the basics, the simple things. Go back to what grounds us, makes us smile, feel secure and warm.  We need to be wrapped up, safe and sound, in our own little emotional security blanket.  You go back to love. We may even need to roll up our sleeves and get dirty too.  After all, a little sweat never hurt anyone.

For me, going back to those simple things that remind us that the entire world has not gone crazy, are family, friends, simple pleasures and laughter.   All of which have been present today.

I am helping a friend pack up her house before it is sold.  There is so much to be done and mot much time in which to do it.  And today was mainly planning, plotting and figuring out.  Tomorrow is when the real work will be done.  But today and until leave when the job is done, will be spent with lots of friends, all of us pulling together to get this done, all out of love.

Tonight I spet hanging out with my friend and her boyfriend.  We had some small talk, ate a good meal, watched a cool movie on TV while relaxing on the couch, talked, laughed and just had time to enjoy the simple things in a wonderful life.  I listened as they talked about their plans for the next year, and buying a house, and expanding a business. And as I watched them, it gave me hope that I can find that kind of relationship too.

And so it is, this night as I snuggle down into warm soft covers in a warm soft bed. I drift off to sleep enjoying the simple things in life – friends, family, food, hope and love.  And really, aren’t those some of the best things that life has to offer?

My Mona Lisa

I was asked to re-post this one.  Enjoy!

“Have you heard my Mona Lisa?

Have you heard who you are?

You’re a new Morning” =- New Morning, Alva Rev

There is a new song out and it is one that seems to speak to a lot of people.  The singer said ” too often we get stuck in this kind of Negativism but when you hit rock bottom you end up going through the process of believing & having hope again.”  To me it says this and another universal truth…we all have worth and value.  Every one of us goes through trials and tribulations…they make us who we are.  But so often those trial wear us down and make us feel that we are less than.

Have you heard who you are?  Do you know?  Would you regognize your own voice, your own value?  Many of us do not.  And this is a shame.  No matter where you are, what you are going through, what people have done or said to you, or where you have been – never for get who you are.  Always know your own voice.

In life we get the chance to set our own value…not others.  So make sure you set that value high.  And who are these other people anyway?  Who are they that their opinion would matter?  Does that mean that we may never need to change or re-evaluate?  No, it simply meran that we hold our head up high because no matter what mistakes have been made…we are a new morning.  It is never too late to change or change your mind. It is never too late to find your own voice.

Where you are now doesn’t matter.  where do you want to be?  Decide that and believe in it with such passion that it becomes reality.  Have such a ridiculous work ethics that you do what it takes to make it happen. And have such unshakable faith that you are a work of art, that you make your dreams come true.  Once you do this, you become unstoppable.  Nothing and no one can shake you, your faith, your dreams.

don’t forget Who. You. Are. and always Believe.

3 Doors Down

This clip is from a recent 3 Doors Down concert. The lead singer stopped a show after a man in the audience hit and shoved a woman.  “You don’t hit a woman!”  he is heard saying.  The man was immediately escorted out of the concert by security. Men who hit and abuse women are lower than dirt. Just another reason to love this band!

Here is the story with a clip of the show.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/18/entertainment/3-doors-down-throws-man-out-irpt/

Quiet fun of Summer

Life has been quiet as of late, which is more than welcome.  We all need those quiet times, to reflect, regroup, enjoy, smile, listen to music, smell the roses, and just be.  That requires slowing down a bit and focusing in on what you really want.  And I really want a bit of fun.  It is much needed, as all a=work and no play makes for a very dull and not well lived life.

And so it is, a wonderful quiet mixture of fun this summer.  Nothing loud and outrageous, nothing too out of the ordinary, but only that which feeds the soul and makes me smile. And laugh, and feel good, and love, and wonder and appreciate. And also find Peace.

It’s quite interesting how Peace and fun seem to go together, one of those unlikely couples that makes no sense at first, until you take a closer look.  Life is all about balance, and when we, and our lives, are not in balance, there is also no or little Peace.  Peace is found when balance is restored.

And for far too long it has been hard work, no play, sacrifice and giving of everything I am and have.  And it is time to relax, breath and have fun.  I have been going out of my way to have fun, quiet, boring satisfying fun.  And what qualifies as fun?  Well, that depends on the person.  But for me, it is enjoying and pampering myself a bit. Mowing the lawn and enjoying the smell of fresh cut grass. I have cooked delicious meals for myself, read a few books, watched my favorite guilty pleasure shows, enjoyed long conversations with friends and good wine.

There has been working out, running, pushing my body past where it wants to go and what it wants to do.  Staying motivated and figuring out the future will come, those decisions always do.  But I am learning the importance of simply enjoying.

And something wonderful is happening, a side affect.  It is that I am opening up, slowly, surly opening my heart and soul to the world again.  Letting it all pour into me and wash over me, taking all the impurities with it. Another side affect is facing fear, and finding out there is nothing on the other side but freedom.

I have allowed myself to ask of others, which is something very new.  I am listening to what I want, and asking those who can help. There is been jetskiing  holding on for dear life and the water and wind simultaneously whipping through my hair. And them my friend holding on for his life as I drove, becoming airborne many times as I went into the waves at high speed. I felt free, and wild, and happy. There was a rock about 8 feet high to jump into the water.  It had been 30 years since I jumped like that, and at first it was scary.  But I did it. Again and again. And each time it was easier and more fun.  And then a group of kinds came and jumped without hesitation.  That is where I want to get again.

And this quiet fun of summer will get me there.  I have started dating again, though no one special at this point.  I am making choices just for myself, something that is very scary.  I always though I would be called selfish, but it hasn’t happened. There has been support and I have gotten everything I have asked for, and prayer for.

And that is what we are here for, in this life.  So listen to your soul, drink life in with everything you have, and let it fill you completely, up to the top, brimming over, making you whole, filling in the cracks.

Living in the Human Condition

Sometimes in life you have to just take a leap of faith and trust.  And sometimes that involves walking away from gloomy situations and embracing life.  Take a deep breath, close your eyes and have some fun, throwing caution to the wind. Such was the decision and direction of the weekend.

What is it about the human condition that makes us want to curl up and be quiet when we feel a bit melancholy? At least that is what I tend to do. Others may go out and party, wanting lots of noise, but I tend to want to stay under the covers, sipping hot tea while being wrapped up in a warm blanket.

Yet there is a time and place for everything. And after experiencing 6 deaths in 8 weeks of friends, or the friends of friends, my first inclination was just to stay home and have a very long date with Netflix. And initially, when a friend suggested a weekend trip to a close but fun town a few hours away, I thought, nah…

And then the losses of those people reminded me, once again, about how fragile and precious life is.  And After some pondering, I came to the decision that this time, I should embrace life, have some fun, laugh, run, travel, have a drink, see some friends. And so it was. It started Thursday night, ,then after sleeping late and a good lunch, the trip began.  The hotel was lovely and old.  Lot’s of wood, and old elevators, and kind people.  Oh yes, this is what life is about.  Those road trips with friends.

And there was great music, lots of laughter, some good drinks, delicious food, a haunted hotel, a fire alarm at 5 am that turned into a light breakfast and great conversation over good coffee. There was lots of walking, trying some new things, doing some people watching and breakfast spent re connecting with a friend.  There were missed fireworks, but enough fun and laughter that they weren’t even missed.This weekend was about celebrating and embracing life.

And that is the thing about life, it goes on.  But it is our choice to pick up and live it.  It’s our choice to embrace it, or stay in bed.  Why would anyone choose to stay in bed and shy away from living, loving, laughing and striving?  There are a thousands reasons, and most of them have to do with fear.

It’s safe under the covers.  Or maybe the person in weary and needs a break.  That’s OK, as long as they don’t stay in bed for an extended period.

And I learned something this past weekend. Trust your gut yes, but also don’t be afraid to step out of that comfort zone.  We become stagnant if we do.  Lean on your friends, love them dearly, they will be the ones who stand beside you. And that is what I am working o now.  Whenever I go against my gut, i get into trouble.  So I am listening a lot while I am reshaping my life and carving out a space that is truly Me.  It’s scary and exciting, and wonderful.  And I know I am going in the right direction.

Wouldn’t it be great though, and so much easier, if we had a compass for our life?  Something that would tell us the road we need to be on?  A way to avoid all those pitfalls, and decisions, slip up, let downs, sideways days and diagonal moves?  Well, it sounds good in theory. But think about what we would miss – the people and experiences that we would ever know. Think of the scenery we would miss if we always went on the path we “should.”  Some of my best moments, favorite memories and wonderful people have come from what was not planned, came from taking chances and going off the path.

Life is short.  Live, Laugh, Love, take chances. Travel. Leap. Buy the shoes.  Call the girl.  Kiss the boy. Say I love you. Hold hands. Live with your whole heart. Don’t worry so much if your house is clean, or if your clothes are perfect.  We are human for a reason.

And in the end, we will know we have lived.