THE SPICE OF LIFE

Sitting next to a friend sighing audibly as I breathe in that sweet aroma of Satisfaction, you know the ones that you need not speak a word at times their presence floods your being and yet somehow mystically you  have deep conversations channeled between the two of you.  The one that your souls have intertwined and seared together. I experience these in both male and female and I find their value to be as the air I breathe. What is it that causes this unfathomable connection? Without words really exchanged there is a Mom in my daughter's class and I was drawn to her immediately then her daughter came over and she wound up staying and we just chatted all evening both feeling that bond. I have been around others that tried to emit that feeling but there really was no relation to what they conveyed and although their words were spoken the depths of my soul felt no kindred with them because their words were not fueled with depths that resonated.  I liken this to us identifying and pursuing our Dreams. Often times we haven't connected with our desires and purpose we know in our minds that this is a great plan of action but we haven't marinated in it, basting, allowing it to season us. One noun definition of connection is person who aids another in achieving goal. To me that means Friendship in it's truest meaning.  My thoughts go to a poem by Jane Austen that conveys this beautifully:
This little bag I hope will prove
To be not vainly made--
For, if you should a needle want
It will afford you aid. 
And as we are about to part
T'will serve another end,
For when you look upon the Bag
You'll recollect your friend 

Linking our souls to our dreams unleashes the passion to flow and drive us towards our purpose. My mind wanders with thoughts of being at the helm of a large vessel on the water, the wind is blowing all around, the elements daunting and intimidate, yet I befriend all alliances that aid in driving towards the desired destination. Now what would happen if there was a disconnect within these controls that I am placing my confidence in? Allow yourself for a moment to think deeper on this, my hands begin to sweat as fear rushes thru my being like a racer on a toboggan, you see the importance of that connection for I couldn't drive this enormous vessel to it's desired destination impaired.  Often times  people we come in contact with including myself at times are not linked with what they convey at all. I liken their rhythm that of the standard driven car that when not properly executed you stutter and jolt about without the ease and smoothness you long for; in fact, the car can go dead in the middle of the road. Just like with our wifi and cell phones, bad connections cripple our passion to flourish. Connect, communicate, link, bond this is what Jane Austen meant about when you look upon the Bag you'll recollect a friend. This wasn't flippant and emotionally void, it is intense and soulful; purposeful.  Driven to be bare with heart and soul laid open connecting to that which consumes you. Disconnects often times help us to reestablish more clarity in redirecting us with intensity to our Dreams. Embrace those disconnects for often times they are very much needed in our lives to ultimately catapult you to where you are to be. 

Stop for just a moment and allow yourself to reflect on people you have met or have in your life, just sit quietly letting your mind and soul run free.  All that come in contact with you can be there for a reason and sometimes only a season, however; be mindful of those that you just cannot seem to submerge because they pop back up again and again those are the ones that as Jane Austen wrote will serve another end. Now think about the things that you feel driven towards, the things that just ignite you with just the mere thought. The desires and dreams that when you sit allowing to connect it is soothing to the depth of your soul and contentment floods your being as the friend that needeth not utter a word yet ignites your soul with purpose. I believe friendship is the simile to us and our Dreams as I am typing I glanced out my window to gather my thoughts and I gasp as I was surprised to see the host of Robins in my yard their beauty and number of them take my breath away. Oh how my mind runs rampant with wonderment on all that they encounter as they journey on their way to their desired destination.  The Wonderment of Life is connecting and bonding to those in our lives and our Dreams that when we reflect upon them, they utterly take our breath away. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0ibBPhiaG0

SWEET CAROLINE

Today being the day after Valentine's is a tradition I started many years ago it truly is an excuse to keep my favorite day of the year going just a little longer. I will venture out on this day every year and scout out to find the largest box of candies half off. My daughter knows no differently since it has always been this way and we will keep this special day going for days to come as we sit entangled on the sofa, me, her and this enormous box of chocolates and we will giggle and share our favorites insisting that we try and belly laugh at the other when they get that not so yummy one. By the end it will be a box of half eaten or tiny little mouse bites of chocolates that will be disposed but the longing for next year will be churning and resonate with fond memories and feelings of delight as I place it in the garbage. I think the best part of all of this is sharing this together. Those glorious priceless moments that you can project all your fear, worry, excitement, disappointment, desires, dreams; whatever you are feeling onto another laying yourself open and bare with full assurance they will catch you when you fall and reassure you when needed.  Yesterday is the unapologetic outburst of showering those in your life that have been that for you and I think it is one of our most beautiful Holidays. I was walking through Walmart on Valentine's morning and I was overwhelmed by the sea of balloons that took over the complete front of the store, it was breathtaking and spell bounding.All this love just waiting to be given I envisioned and even positioned myself to watch those that came in to purchase for someone the way they would pick just the right one and I said a prayer for the recipient to be flooded with the heartfelt emotion that prompted this purchase. I have heard the scoffing and comments dissing on my most favorite day, however, it is not about the presents, the cards, candy, balloons and flowers although I purchase most or all of these every single year it is what is behind it that is what I am truly giving. I am giving of myself, all of me and it is the most liberating emotion I have yet to experience. And yes, I will agree, everyday should be Valentine's Day...

While floating I'm quite certain enthralled in my glorious moment purchasing my fifty percent off heart shaped box of chocolates, a man behind me just might have been making fun of me when he snickered about all the women buying candy the day after Valentine's. I just looked at him and smiled projecting my proudness and excitement he couldn't help but grin as I raised my hand accepting this was I.  Lady behind him chimed in it's because it is half off is why. He furthered to say that was wrong because it wasn't as special the day after it was meant to be given and eaten on the day of. It was as if we were playing the mannequin game, frozen in time, the cash register lady gawked at me with utter disgust of his comment it was clearly all over her face with a neon sign waiting with baited breath for my reply and I heard a gasp from someone further back in the line, thoughts dashed to and fro as ants busily trying to rebuild their castle that someone kicked over. Reclaiming my Cupid composure I finished out my transaction of my beloved coveted purchase, picking up my bag of jewels I said, "OR, it could perhaps be lengthening the best day of the year to the next day lingering and basking in the Love enjoying my candy priced half off!" The look on his face was priceless and the ladies were hooting as I said "AH HA" to him giggling with pride as I was walking away, I sashayed as I spoke coyly, "it is mere perspective my friend, it is all in the way you choose to look at it!" He smiled and agreed that I just might be on to something he said he liked it as he shook his head!

The Wonderment Of Life is stripping down to your core, letting it all hang out the good, the bad and the ugly that lurks beneath to another and baring your heart and soul in appreciation and enthrallment that you have the most priceless gift in them. I can attest be warned not everyone will reciprocate however I would rather be shot down knowing that my actions are as seeds being planted and perhaps that is my only role with them but they deserve to encounter the undeniable real deal. I believe there will be others to come along behind me to water and help that seed to take root and bloom. My enjoyment just might be the beauty of their garden from afar but I will inhale til I am intoxicated with the beautiful fragrance that garden emits.  My Mom's voice is ringing in my ears echoing as if spoken off of a cliff into a valley, "All you can take to Heaven Sweetheart is people." Boy does this ever become more and more true the older I become. I am overwhelmed with the liberty that comes with being able to be my truest self, withholding nothing while appreciating those who cause me to be a better me. In chasing after my dreams, I need those in my life to reel me in or reassure me, sometimes reestablishing boarders that seem to have become blurred but to give and receive that depth of acceptance and love is the most treasured thing I have. It is never too late to delve deeper, take off another layer of insecurity and bare your heart and soul to those special ones in your life. As My Mom always whispers, "Give, give, give." 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OuYLGHkrBk

SHOW ME THE MONEY

When I bite off a York Peppermint Patti I get the cool sensation of..... any of us forties and older will remember these commercials. I still love this candy to this day primarily because even as a child those crafty brilliant advertisers hit a home run. To all ages we were buying them by the bagfuls to enjoy being swept away if even for a moment. As I humiliate my Daughter with my mere existence these days she has to giggle every time I reenact one of these commercials and I have even caught her and her friends doing it too!  Youtube these commercials  from the seventies, eighties and later and get a giggle and see if you don't find yourself craving one of these delicious goodies. May it spark within yourself to grab that sensation that moves you to get lost amidst your current surroundings giving no care to those around you to be engulfed with the surge of Sensation. It is powerful, it is a force that is meant to be felt within every fiber of your being. Not all of us can jump out of planes, or do extra ordinary pursuits, but everyone of us can be swept away and if you are lucky it will blow you away. Leaving you forever changed in what the normal ultimately is.  Here's one of my favorites if you just cannot resist... the sensation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=179kmvQZtEM

All of us want to be swept away or blown away if we are truly honest;  moved immeasurably, unlimited by something so powerful it causes us without any actions provoked they come from within your soul unleashed and untamed to parade the wonderment of life before you and through you; ultimately  to drive us  towards our true purpose and dream that we were destined to feel completed by. Why? Because we were inspired. We were all wired with the insatiable drive of joining or starting something that has depth and meaning. I will use the example of the movie Jerry McGuire, what struck me  is how he was moved to create a Mission Statement and it was powerful, gutsy, soulful, it was raw, fueled with unfathomable measure, putting it all on the line. One of those all the chips are in moves, those moments that scare you to your core. Those defining moments you knew you were destined for. We can relate if we self inventory and reflect; without unction, a smile that draws deep like a well appears that regardless the consequence you took that leap to be swept away. That therein is the real win. As quickly as Jerry felt himself soaring high,  he was plummeted back to Earth. It looked like utter failure.

Ever happen to you? Difference for ole Jerry and perhaps myself or you too at times is he kept moving although looking bleak with one employee who was inspired by his Memo which is what his substance was; it caused her to believe in him. Second strike, he had only one client and he appeared to be the worst of them all. It was beautiful how they both connected without reservation to one another and the depth of their friendship changed them vastly through and through.  Jerry hit the Quan. He found it all, everything that drove him to pour himself into that Mission Statement all that passion and energy that fueled him from deep within all came around and he was on top and what looked like he lost he won in every way possible. I understand that it won't always be bases loaded and bringing in all the runs every single time however you gotta swing that bat with all of your heart to make the difference. Every. Single. Time.  In my Home, my Daughter and I are empowered that we can do anything we want to do and be anything we want to be; we are to be driven from the depths within and the zest of fun as we live it out making our moments meaningful and touching those around us to spark them to be swept away, moreover; blown away.  This is The Wonderment of Life to be utterly and completely moved like the mighty wind that takes up a tree from its base roots, being swept away with the sensation that engulfs you in awe of it's mighty power to grab hold of what is real and true within and hold on with all you have and never ever let go. 

I chose this video not only because I am enthralled with Adam Levine but found it relevant that this video is shot at wedding receptions. You know that only one day  that you have dreamt of  your entire life, tirelessly working, mastering all the touches to make certain every minute detail was attended to you envisioned to make it enchanting and memorable and ideally perfect? Mmmmm, there is always more with Life if we dare.  If we get so caught up in ideas or plans and lose our hearts and souls we just might lose that so much more that life was waiting to sweep you away with. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09R8_2nJtjg