Like Home

Feeling busy? With holiday business i.e. Busy Ness abounding it's wise for me to relax, sit back and NOT work on ways to stress less but just stress less.

Meditate, deep breaths, slow motions, think good thoughts knowing
There's no place like OHM

Anti Pessimism

Have you ever met that person who always looks at whats wrong or will go wrong?

I know I have and as someone with an upbeat outlook and attitude I find it hard to understand

There surely has to be reasons for pessimism while there is an antidote.

Look at what is and how we create our own bright fortune and future

With Dec 1 being World AIDS Day no doubt there's been a few pessimistic days.  I really look at the good days I've had and will have.

Please join me in keeping our future bright and long life in our collective minds

My Offering

Why one day to give thanks? Because people and "ceremony" go together.  It's good to say THANK YOU often though on one day I reflect on all good things.

• my readers
• health
• an awesome husband
• acceptance
• a nice home
• Friends/Family 

Other things too that I think of frequently 

Lets LIVE giving thanks when it's due

Do it

The adage, "want something done ask a busy person" hold some truth.

I/we can apply this to many parts of our lives.  Feeling down, do something!  Don't like your job/housing/surroundings? Do something.


Take action and ownership and Do IT

Tell It

I'm taking a course that covers teen suicide. The Trevor Project's and It Gets Better Videos were discussed.

These people told stories.

My husband is good about telling HIS story of coming out, coming to terms with his background and fitting in.  We don't filter who hears our stories - we just tell them

When I open myself up enough to tell my story, my back ground, failures and joys I find I'm inline with others.

Whats your story? Tell me, talk to other and I know you have more in common than you may think

React & Control

You can't always control your situation. But you can always control how you react to it

Lets make wise choices today

Seek it/Speak it

I know I've said some disparaging things, thought some non affirming thoughts even though I really really try to seek out good.

Work with me and when we want goodness, look for it. When I see the 'bad things' around me I look for what's good and I speak it, share it. Seeking that goodness and not the badness works wonders

Lets stop looking at news items that don't show peoples goodness.  I know it's hard to when shootings happen all over. Racial disparity hits the air waves though less than it  hits real people
Poverty, illness exist - I won't deny it

My paid job in life is to help people. From doing things to seeing a new way of thinking. I can see strife daily

Lets work on seeing only affirming goodness in each other, our world and our selves

Moving On

I know I have a hard time 'moving on' or carrying thoughts or actions of things that happened.

As much as I'd like I can't change to past events or choices I've made - I've learned from them

Has someone said something to annoy you, challenged your ideals, mislead you or such?

I know I've done that and I hope I'm forgiven and can forgive as well as move on from such hurt

Much like my first ever post about Orange Juice, let's focus on what we can change and why along with how,

Let's move on and we all move forward

Smile

I'm sure you've heard "it takes more muscles to frown than to smile"   Why take the lazy way and smile with a HUGE grin.  It may cause a chuckle and that takes energy and moves muscles

A real smile never hurt anyone and it does put one's life in perspective.

Do you recall a song from the '80s "Don't Worry Be Happy"?

Lets share a smile don't worry it'll help you be happy

Know me

Do you really know me? Do I know myself?   What I do reflects how others see me.

When I'm outgoing that's the "me" you see thus who I am.

Being honest with myself, my words and actions build my/our character

Do you really know me? If not see where I've been and how I treat others and just ask

Focus

I'm in grad school and classes are "DL" meaning Distance Learning aka "on line"  Though I need to be physically on campus two times a year for two weeks there's so much reading, responding done at home.

What a dreadful place to stay focused on intense classes. So many distractions. Besides the pup, easy access to snacks it's where I work that could be a distraction. Bad enough I live in southern Florida and it's summer every day and I would rather be outside I remain focused.

Looking at the bigger picture of WHY I'm taking classes and knowing I'm responsible for my education I remove distractions, shut off phone, close blinds and keep my work space clear

Lessons to apply beyond DL learning too.  Remove distractions and focus on the process

Beyond Me

It's easy for me to think in my own small world.  The view is good here and that's why I stay.

Then I realize there's a larger world out there, other thoughts, ways of doing things, seeing things, experiencing life.

I'm now embracing those other than moments and ideas thinking and being Beyond Me

Whether a person, people, idea or action I'd rather see beyond my walls and appreciate it

Reset

Some days, some times we just need a 'Reset" button. Sort of like a 'do over' with less stress!

Can we actually RESET or hope to? Some ways to RESET: forgive, move on, toss out old for new (ideas, stuff, etc)

Lets RESET our mood and begin afresh

Reason to Smile

Keep smiling,  It makes people wonder what your up to..

It also releases endorphins that help with your own happiness

Smile with me than share it along your journey

Going That Way

A recurring theme in so many of our lives is reliving our past.  It's good to know our history and what worked, what didn't lets not dwell on those moments.  

Move on with me to new ventures, new moments while embracing the memories we cherish

Grasshopper

Years ago and I mean YEARS ago a television show called "Kung Fu" taught patience through Martial Arts.   The  Master often said the the petulant student "Patients grasshopper"

Grasshoppers often leap about and the main character had that trait.

I find when I leap about myself my inner Zen says "Patience grasshopper" to me.

Wise words

Moutains

When I rode my bicycle across Alaska in 2000  I rode over MOUNTAINS. I crossed mountains to be able to do that. Hours and miles of training, days and asking for donations. Ultimately  I did it.

Other mountains in our lives seen uncross able, unclimbable yet we do that.  It took patience to make it all happen.

What ever mountain is in your path, keep going and you'll get over it too

Good

When things look dim or sadness finds you.  Over a job loss, break up, health issues remember to think of the Good you are. The good within you will come out and conquer all


Peggy Lee said it best
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGBkCbjdJms

Pegs

Have you heard "You can't fit a square peg into a round hole?"   I know I have a few times yet still tried to accomplish what cant be done.

It's good to pursue something new yet know limitations

I'm happier with keeping in what fits

I Do

A week ago I married my best friend, the man I that when I first met I knew I'd marry.

A reading in our wedding was from the wisdom of A. A. Milner

"How do you spell love, Pooh?
"You don't spell it, you live it"

That's how we've been since day one, we share ideas, thoughts and dreams.  I didn't fall in love with KD, I walked into love directly, with understanding and action. We do that with each other daily

Let's all say "I do" to showing love to each other

Fitting it all in

Do you ever feel like a puzzle piece in search of that illusive spot to fit in a larger picture?
I know I have.   Keeping balance between n work, home, relationships etc. all are that "BIG PICTURE and I'm a part of it all.

Realizing if I take time and realize I do have a place in it all helps keep focus

Like Pippen, you can find your "Corner of the Sky"   Trust me you do fit in

Starting Points

This week I began another chapter if not a full book in my life: I'm in graduate school

During a community wide welcoming event this morning the leader handed some one "An entire forest"  though the actual item was an acorn.

Both her explanation and the idea hit me hard - Even a huge forest starts from  seeds or nuts

The "nut" of grad school has been growing in my head/heart for years and now it's blooming. OK a seedling so far but the forest is started

We all can hold a forest in our hands, nurture it and help it grow into a full fledged tree fill space

Lets do it,  together

Believe

"I believe that good things are going to happen"  This is something I say often on days with great hope and days less inspiring.

Think good thoughts, say them and then they will happen.  Believe in your self and the power of acceptance.

Not only do I believe you'll do well I know it

   . 

Go On

Last week we we're sent on  a "mission" from mom taking us to Sarasota and then Stuart Florida

It could have been a chore but we both looked at is as a part of our fun journey

Taking our pup we enjoyed a pet friendly hotel,  watched the sun set over the Gulf Coast and cows living in the middle of Florida

Sure we had a time frame to get all 475 miles done so we looked at is as enjoying the journey

Do you look at the challenges in life that way too?

Time away

For those like me living in Southern Florida it seems like summer each day.  We know seasons by the number of "snow birds" coming and going.
Oh those snow birds, they know how to take time for themselves.

Do you and I?  I admit to being a workaholic yet I do take time for me.
Rest, reading, stopping to smell those roses are all as important too

Remember to take time for you please

Worry

How much time i spent worrying never got me anywhere.  Now I reflect, plan and prepare.  
I'm no Pollyanna singing "What's the use of worrying it's never been worthwhile so pack up those troubles in an old kit bag and smile, smile smile"   

Let's keep focus on what we WILL do, how to fix what didn't work and move on toward better good or efforts

Hey even Alfred E. Neuman knows it "What me worry?" 

Directions

We bought furniture from Ikea. While putting it together I wanted to read the instructions first.
KD said he's done this before so we plowed in. Two hours later with frustration we read those pages of HOW TO.

There's much of our lives that does NOT come with instructions or does it?  No one penned how to love my man however we both know couples that have been strongly together for some time

We wont pattern ourselves after them but follow the lead of what they do and did


In Twelve Step programs there is talk of "Using the tools laid at your feet"  Dear friend the instructions on life are out there, just find the right publisher for your  product

Your story

We all have a story, some long some not so. They are ours to tell and  live

Let's respect each others stories, journeys.

I know mine has many twists and turns while I'm not always proud of each story I'm not ashamed to call them MINE.

Be Yourself

For crying out loud, stop comparing and start living!  You'll be happier with your life, I guarantee. 

This is crucial: the most difficult thin

g in the world is to be who you are not. Pretending and trying to be someone else is the official pastime of the human race.

The easiest thing in the world is to be yourself

                                       

Passings

My uncle died, one of them at least. It happens as my family ages. Some what expected still sad news for someone I could confide in.

"Death where is your victory, death where is your sting"

His siblings will travel across the country from part of the USA with snow and cold to our Florida climate.  Together we'll share stories, memories and love


As someone who's been close to death far too often this passing in our congregant family life is one more marking of the passing of time

Uncle George led a good life.  I'll celebrate that

My Story

When Craig Ferguson said he's changing how he does comedy he said this too

"I am the expert on my own story"

That's true for all of us. We each have our own lives, our own story and we're the ones living it

No one knows me like me. Not my siblings, my boyfriend - no one

Let's live knowing that, embracing that and sharing our own story with others authentically

Just Be

Be happy, be confident, be YOU

Ya gotta believe in yourself before all else

Know I believe in YOU 

Help

Asking for help is not a sign of failure but one of strength.
Something wrong, need a hand with a project or problem being stoic and "toughing it out" won't get it done. Ask for help

Is New Better?

With each "New Year" so many of us use this time to say 'we're making changes' in parts of our lives
From daily routines to future plans.

Is mid winter the best time to make such changes?  For you it maybe. For others maybe not

I choose to make changes as I go along in life - to me that's continual growth

Whether you made a New Years Resolution or not I hope we all continue to change and grow from all of our life experiences.