OFF THE RICHTER SCALE

The wind seems to be blowing this morning in gusts, almost as if someone turned up the volume on the rustling of the trees and the wind dances and swirls through the branches tousling the leaves and setting free the loose ones. I sit in awe and wonder as I drink in this new day savoring my beloved routine cup of coffee. I find myself outside as I generally will be during this moment but this morning I positioned myself upon the grass before now two graves that contains our beloved two dogs, "my big boys" as I would call them because one was eleven pounds the other seven. Our second dog went to join his brother Jackson, who we lost a little over a year ago at the age of twelve and Hunley was thirteen.  Although my heart is heavy and his life leaves an unfathomable loss, my heart propels me to look beyond as I envision a mirage, as if I am watching these family members of ours run and play reunited with one another frolicking and frisky, I sense the power of their bond, the depths of their love to one another and alas I am at peace. Without hesitation or unction the tears fill my eyes and my mouth turns up with a smile that comes from my soul and floods my heart that I feel it's burning sensation as if searing these lives upon my inner conscious; forever engraved in my deepest parts. My thoughts quickly turn as they inspire me that we too have this grandioso opportunity to impact those all around us at every turn and every meeting.  There is a stark difference with those you encounter who interact with the gusto that comes from deep within that leaves their mark upon your very being; they suddenly become unforgettable. 

Our lives are filled with moments and they are laced with opportunities to impart change in another or be changed or perhaps both. Being swept away and knocked off your feet with Life is that you allow the moments that surround you to have their perfect work and impart Love without reservation feeling every sensation. You see our last day with Hunley was more than perfect, I left no stone unturned; as we sat in the yard one of his favorite spots, I held him as the sun warmed his body his hair was blowing in the breeze and we poured ourselves into him with all we had. By the end of the day I only uttered I wish I could have just one more day because it was so perfect but continued but that would only go on for countless days to come. We squeezed all we could into him and out of this last day we shared together and my mantra will continue with those around me. What life taught me this day was ever more so to live in the present moment, to pour my very essence into that which is at hand and those in which I find myself surrounded by. I was using this moment in our lives to teach my Daughter who found herself mostly making videos of her back handsprings and tumbles dashing over to us for a comforting hug or kiss to her Mother and/or dog but she was learning.  Oh I spent many a moment kicking myself throughout the day thinking why did I have to throw all my heart into him, why not just some of it? Surely the pain and loss wouldn't be so great, but alas nor would the beauty and the overwhelming power we shared as his frail little body would stagger to get up to come and find me when I left him for a moment with my Daughter, she was shocked and moved that he would go for me when he wasn't alone for she was by his side and he was so sick.  This moment stayed with her and she spoke of it throughout the night and still today days later; that powerful bond as she described it, me a total complete utter wreck face all swollen never leaving his side and him only wanting me as close as possible at all times. Isn't this what we were designed to share with one another after all? 

I found myself powerfully moved as I always am even seeing it so many times over the years, the impact is always the same with the movie, Dead Poets Society. Those last moments when Robin Williams the Professor has been asked to resign, leaving behind students he has thrown his heart and soul into with such passion that it was undeniable his effect upon them. Emotions from deep within bypassed their minds and senses and went like a perfectly executed arrow shot by the skilled archer with his bow into their souls. When that first student stepped up onto his desk and bellowed out "O Captain, My Captain" and the others followed suit, you could see them wrestle with the decision but what inspired them was so powerful fueled with passion that alas they too stood on their desk and chanted. Oh that we may impart our trueness, our barest of our souls to those around us so that they are undeniably moved. You see the beautiful illumination to me is the rarest gift that this Professor received was to be given back from those he planted himself into and was effected.    Do you love with such intensity that others are moved? Or do you hold back and whether to protect yourself or guard, you give a slither or a portion? Perhaps none at all? Authenticity is magical I read today and I am definitely a believer, you can tell when someone is all in it is powerful, it engulfs you and entrances your senses.  I believe in what measure you give it will in turn be given and I can tell you in one of the hardest days in a very long time I was immersed with a force so powerful that through the letting go more was indeed given. The loss is great but the opportunity to have loved and shared deep companionship I will forever be grateful. I was forever changed and will continue to be as I continue to give the fullness of my heart and soul into those I hold so dear to my heart each day.  This my dear friends is The Wonderment Of Life. 

I leave with you one of my favorites, Mr 305 reminding us to feel this moment, today, right now. It is the beginning of a new week, make it memorable and extraordinary. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jlI4uzZGjU

MY PLEASURE

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. - Steve Jobs  Why is it that we try to conform to life itself or to ideals that do not fit us? I love this powerful statement, in fact I could dissect it, breaking it down  exploring the undefinable depth to all the truth it contains. I am delirious with how he, Steve Jobs, business guru ends it like a Romeo with likening business to the matters of our heart. What an incredibly insightful man. I am not saying that we all should pack up our desks and quit our jobs, trust me I have held many a job that wasn't satisfying per se however I put my heart into it and alas found that quench for my thirst. Take the Chick-fil-a employees for instance, they just cause me to want to be a better person, I am only going in to order my Daughter her regular same ole meal and Wham! They get me every single time. So I ask again, why do we not rise above our current situations that honestly do not define us and allow our Dreams and Heart to shine through? 

My first job was working at McDonalds in the Mall, all other McDonald's employees at other stores called us the candy store because we had it easier they said, hours they were correct but not on the work. It was a tough job and I am better by holding that job, I have taught my Daughter how tough that job truly is they have my respect most assuredly.  However; not until these Chick-fil-a rockstar employees hit the stage people seemed to think less of that position. Job is truly the same, it is the people and their attitude that impacts the every one of us. They are what makes us impressed and gush with how much we love that business and they truly impart that serving me was indeed their pleasure not just empty words they are forced to say. I remember at my McDonald's job my boss would walk by and if I was dillydallying because perhaps my customer was cute she would walk by and swat my behind with a towel to move it along as she held her stop watch. To him perhaps it was indeed my pleasure but on Saturday's, that line would go out the door from the sea of people and then they would order their burger with no onions, I had to tell them to go have a seat and I would bring it to them. I still talk of this to this day because it baffles my brain and left such an impact on me this many years later I giggle when I reenact the stories because this job left so many teaching moments on this sixteen year old, I thought I knew everything teenager. I would walk around this busy restaurant looking for that one person out of the multitude that ordered this burger, as I walked thoughts of, why couldn't you just scrape off the onions? For the one that we had to hold the ketchup just eat it, it is good for you. Thoughts were trying to make me grumpy at these people for being so spoiled and picky but funny thing is I chose to not allow that to shine through. I made it fun walking around and sashayed almost socializing, smiling as I passed, probably as a break to mingle with these people perhaps regardless Tammy prevailed. Ok, probably not every time, but the choice was presented to me each and every single time. The choice is there for you as well. 

Cupid here is going back to that last statement because I am obsessed with it. As with all matters of the heart, you will know when you find it. Boom what a Trump statement it just blows me away with ecstasy. When we allow ourselves to not impart with our heart we have done such an injustice, not only to those around us but to ourselves. Last night I was speaking with someone that I was rather uncomfortable with because I felt stifled as if I wasn't accepted for  being me and it dawned on me that The Wonderment Of Life is that we can be liberated even when there is no liberty extended. Wish it would have dawned on me earlier because my uncomfortableness was so definably awkward I giggle today of embarrassment. Just as the beginning quote; We possess the power to exude the passion of being satisfied, not settling, to do great work, loving what we do because it is bigger than our positions or task at hand, it is with our heart. I believe when famous ones are "discovered" there was something that set them apart, they were different somehow to be noticed, right?  If you are being led by your Heart and fueled by your Dreams, that dead end job just landed you unlimited possibilities. Some of my simplest of jobs have been some of my most treasured memories that impact me still many years later. Wonder if I wouldn't have allowed my heart to lead me how my life would be utterly unfulfilled.  Allow yourself to be overtaken with Gratitude wherever you are right now and grant your heart the opportunity to take the wheel and you take the back seat and just see how sweet the ride is. I believe when you love what you do you cannot help but do great work in every way to every one. 

I leave with you a song that bears repeating, he sang it opening night of the Oscars and see for yourself the impact he made on EVERYONE around him by allowing his Heart to exude the Passion for what he was doing, it even led him to dance with his wife which just blew me away I will honestly never forget this performance. May we move as effortlessly as his dance moves as we love our lives filled with purpose and passion with our tasks we have at hand and do great work that satisfies our souls. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-Iu06b_Nfg

ONLY YOU

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” 
― H. Jackson Brown Jr., P.S. I Love You  I read this to my Daughter before leaving for a much needed Girls Weekend Away. We were traveling to such a magical city and I wanted her to go with an open heart and mind full of Wonderment to be touched, inspired, deeply moved and changed. Our destination was Memphis, Tennessee I was setting the tone on our way up playing the classic beloved song, Walking In Memphis. Perhaps I got a little carried away by replaying it so much but she could feel it and she herself was singing but she didn't know yet what it meant and I couldn't wait to see how she might sing once ignited. Our playlist was mingled in with Feddy Wap and other popular tunes we hear today but we were going to see the Broadway Musical Beautiful the story of Carol King so alas I played the soundtrack so that they would resonate during the performance; and yes of course we sang to Elvis. Her and my "thing" is Music, but not only to hear and sing; we feel the music and let it move us.  Always has been. When she was just toddling I would leave my television on her channels so when we found ourselves in there it was something she enjoyed and I had one rule. One of her favorite shows had a video with a song and anytime that song came on, we stopped whatever we were doing and we danced. I made no apologies to anyone if someone was there, except to please pardon me for a moment and extend the invite to join in if they so felt inclined. She would look with eyes so full of wonderment when we were not alone as if I might not join almost hesitating even as young as she was, but in one quick moment I was on my feet and we danced high on top of the fireplace hearth, on chairs and she would get on our coffee table and sometimes we would make a train. If our guests didn't join in they had smiles from ear to ear and comments of delight after considering perhaps they too  should make some "rules" of their own in their home. One of my Dreams is that my list of the things I failed to do will be small and my memories bursting at the seams of all that I allowed myself to explore, dream and discover as stated at the beginning. 

We left no stone uncovered with what we decided we wanted to experience on our getaway trip, the History of this iconic city was immense, as a heavy perfumed incense that overwhelms you our times were laced with perpetual moments in time rewound and coming to life and touching us in such a way that at times we both were overcome with such emotion. The stories and people that touched our time there we have spoke of since and applied to ourselves igniting those traits and passions all our own to burn. When we took a horse and carriage ride around that Magical City after our Broadway show,  my daughter sang with such raw passion Carol King's Classic, you make me feel like a natural woman and even Walking in Memphis instead of her rapper tunes or favorites. The tears that welled up from my heart it was like it had been slingshot right up into my throat can only begin to compare the emotion  that overtook me. To watch my Daughters eyes full of wonderment as I did as when she toddled and would be full of emotion when our song came on, it was there in the eyes of this preteen that I sometimes barely recognize or can identify with who is stretching her boarders and widening her stance to become all that bustles within her. Any Parent will attest that is one of our greatest Wonderments in Life if not the greatest. I liken this to being inspired by so many of these Dreamers who have touched so many many of our lives and shaped our world of Music and History; all by as stated in the beginning of this blog, sailed away from the safe harbor and explored, dreamed and discovered. I think that is what the lyrics meant in Walking in Memphis do I really feel the way I feel.  What I tried to drive home in my Daughter is that almost all of the History we encountered by these various people were all living out their own identity driven by their Passion and so much so that so many years later it is still touching so many around us. 

I do not foresee my life being on that great of a magnitude of impact and for that I am extremely satisfied with, however; may I touch those as my Daughter, and friends I have been so incredibly blessed with in such a way that my life has been branded onto theirs and likewise theirs to mine.  For me in my enthrallment of The Wonderment of Life it begins with Us. You, Me, the each and every one of Us and the Dream of what we are to be. May today we be reminded by so many of those that made the major impacts on us all to not overlook or loose the moments in which we can appreciate and hold with regard those in our lives. As my Daughter and I  sat in one of the most popular venues for our favorite past time, people watching, this point was illuminated to me as I was captivated by those around me, this place was overflowing  so many people so you couldn't possibly view them all. Their uniqueness, their individuality, and whatever their true sense of purpose Camille and I applauded.The thing that I brought home from my reminders of History, these people that were inspiring my Daughter and I of days gone by were breaking the mold in every way; including the Ducks of the Peabody Hotel it started as a joke over some Jack Daniels and there were over 800 in attendance to Saturday afternoon's soiree just to see these iconic ducks. What are we waiting for? Let's catch the trade winds in our sails and embark on the deeper meanings that lie at every turn, the people that surround us on every side just positioned perfectly for that nudge or dash of inspiration your life  is thirsting after, longing to be quenched. May The Wonderment of Life overtake you today...

https://flipagram.com/f/155vqlgkQPd/embed

NO PARKING ON THE DANCE FLOOR

"Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning." -Gloria Steinem I read this the other day and it was like I was back in Italy ordering myself an espresso for that much needed  jolt that all the Italians were doing constantly. The key words to me are imagination, excitement and planning in that statement and cause my heart to flutter with adrenaline rushing through my veins of a mighty river rushing down the banks over the rocks and boulders the noise of the waters are intense and resounding. That is my prayer that I move with such intensity following my Passion and heartfelt excitement that it deafens all doubt and disbelief. I have realized recently that an enormous buzz kill in my pursuit of possibilities was due in part by me and embracing the Procrastination that caused those waters to screech to a sudden slowdown that caused the waters to lag, barely trickling down, dawdling the banks and often times not have the velocity to soar over the rocks and boulders...ever happen to you?  Often times we go through our day and give no real substance or thought to our actions we just execute. I feel this is the most crucial mistake when we are executing our Dreams you see following suit or doing what we have always done is just repetition. Whether in our jobs, relationships or with our home, we need to step back reminding ourselves of our dreams and change... well, quite frankly ourselves. Stop and think for a moment, how much of what you do is simply because you have always done it this way? It is elementary in fact when you think about it, my background is sales so thus the weekly sales meetings, the sales conventions and constant training, after business hours meetings, all were critical tools in constantly redefining me and allowing me to do my job in hopes of soaring to new heights. Isn't that what life is about anyway? 

I fell asleep last night with a smile on my face proud of my day that exceeded my expectations and it was before 8pm! It was just one of those kicking days that you rocked it out of the park as if a runner on a track facing those hurdles head on and executing beautifully. There is a technique that is desirable to accomplish efficient hurdling action during a race. Many runners rely mainly on raw speed, but proper technique and well-planned steps leading up to and between each hurdle can allow an efficient hurdler to outrun faster opponents. Generally, the efficient hurdler spends the minimum amount of time and energy going vertically over the hurdle, thus achieving maximum speed in the horizontal race direction down the track. This is so relevant of us as we strive to achieve our dreams and as life will always present the hurdles, I had to giggle that although thankfully since I am not competitive I was racing no one but myself but I realized how I was loitering around my hurdles thus losing that zing of excitement and panache for imagination. I absolutely detested it and I couldn't fathom as to why for aspects seemed nice as it was becoming all too familiar and comfortable but I was miserable and bored but once realizing that without my excitement for imagination I would be stuck here. Charles Darwin was quoted as saying;“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, not the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” 

My Daughter and I watched a surprisingly incredible movie, I thought it to be sci fi which I normally detest but it wasn't at all. It was riveting, emotional, enjoyable so much that you would giggle throughout and even one of the best soundtracks I have heard in ages. It is called The Martian starring Matt Damon and I highly recommend it if you haven't yet seen it. Holy Smokes this fella defied all odds constantly and had that zest for life and immersed in imagination and dreams, therefore,  his dreams produced effective planning and replanning again and again. He lived out that beginning quote sequentially. Such a great lesson on Life and I used this to instill in my Daughter allowing it to resonate in me as well basking in the depths of all it brought me. This fella never lost his Trump factor, and may it be said of us too as this quote; “There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.” This my friends is The Wonderment Of Life. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF1-IHn8cRU