Sipping on one of my all time favorite summer beverages, an Arnold Palmer, slouched down on my front porch swing just breathing in the easiness that Summer has ushered in. I feel as if I received a formal invitation to one of the most coveted Soiree's imaginable, I would like to state that this is my favorite time of the year but honestly all year is my most beloved and I realize it is in the moment that I find myself that I truly lose my senses.... and just be. As if I have opened a long awaited gift desiring to receive that this powerful truth hits me; square in the dirt covered face of mine from gardening earlier. At times I taste the grittiness of the potting soil as I sip on my concoction while beautifying my oasis and haven where my soul resides. I cannot help but smile and shake my head at the power I feel from this revelation. You see just one week prior I fell to pieces on the phone with my Daughter's Father, just panicked stricken with our Daughters lack of enthusiasm for school; I let my exhaustion of the year itself and the end of the year activities that had surmounted my world hijack my being as if I was taken out of space in a UFO with aliens. I could tell in his voice I sounded much like an alien with all my worrisome babbles and tears. The next day on the phone I was much peppier and vacation minded bound traveling far away from the worries that surmounted me the day prior. He chuckled and made the comment with me so upset yesterday he was concerned but now happy I was at ease. How is that though my mind reels with wonderment, how in just one day could my outlook be so chipper and optimistic when so glum and horrid just the day before? My Daughter did not have a personality transplant; in essence, nothing had truly changed however, the stress of the worry had lifted. Therefore, I was changed and felt anew.
This is a topic that I have delved upon since High School, I remember seeing a commercial and commenting to my Mother how that was me, it was a rocking chair and how worry is liken to this chair, it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere. If we are not careful in our pursuit of our Dreams and Goals, we will allow ourselves to be reduced by the fear and stress of worry, when we should be relishing in the gift of the moment at hand and allow ourselves freedom in abandonment by locking in on what is to be or come. When we are freely moving we are able to embrace the change that needs to take place in order to obtain our Dreams and Goals. Often times these are not beautifully orchestrated and choreographed like the finest dance, on the contrary it is as if the volcano of life has erupted and all that spews is mayhem and chaos. It is in those moments we evolve and as in my gardening, there is the pruning away of the dead, digging up what no longer is pleasing to behold and getting dirty making complete mess of it all in order to plant what you worked at not only purchasing but researched prior to make sure the proper light would feed it and the soil would be maintained by proper watering for this to grow and flourish and be all that you desired it to be. My mind goes to me and my Daughter when we are biking, we will have a goal in mind as to where we are peddling and often times if not every single time, she will start her moaning and groaning, whining back to me that she cannot make it, voice is cracking from the exhaustion this moment finds her. Sometimes we will take little pit stops and have a refreshing sip of our waters and just that moment of reflection and pause, a mere distraction of the worry of the stress to not make it is vanished. Off we go and giggles are everywhere as we sing and coast finding ourselves able to enjoy the breeze and relax from the peddling excited about our impending destination.
Do not allow yourself to be hijacked from your Dreams and Goals, perhaps you too are as I was just one day prior to the very last of that school year, or my Daughter in her biking and right in the most challenging portion or as in my gardening and you just feel like giving up or just leaving the faded and weathered blooms from last year to become your oasis instead of the new fresh blooms your heart longs for. I have been reading a book about the Navy Seals and then watched a movie on Hallmark this past weekend about the Seals again. The conditioning is insane, it is militant and it is fierce. The book I am reading is about a retired Navy Seal and what it taught him, a part that stood out is what they called the circus. It was for whomever didn't finish their runs that day well. They would have more intense training and conditioning so much so that they would be so sore and exhausted that they knew that the next day this would inevitably have them fail again and thus be back at the circus for the following few days. They stayed with it and found themselves being the top two finishers of their class because they were stronger and more fierce. This is us in our pursuit of our Dreams and Goals, keep going my friend and do not allow yourself to embrace that which is less than what sets your soul on fire to engulf you and those around you to entrance them and envelope them in their environments to condition themselves to be spurred and inspired to keep going. This is The glorious Wonderment of Life and I am thankful to all of you who inspire me and ignite me to go for that which sets my soul on fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwgCBRj3dn4
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Monday, May 22, 2017
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Thomas Hardy wrote, "Time changes everything except something within us which is always surprised by change" I love this statement and find it to be ever true. The word change is without thought given, it is easily defined to make or become different. I was out of town with some very dear girlfriends this weekend and our conversation the week prior kept going back to the impending bad weather we were to expect for our outdoors concert.We came prepared for whatever change may happen and I believe that is the mentality we should possess. Every time this topic was brought up unanimously without any doubt, we all attested we would have a ball no matter what the weather did. Looking back now on Monday we were correct. Weather couldn't have been worse honestly. No more than five minutes in the doors and we were eating they threw us out warning of the weather approaching. Imagine if you will, four ladies who some had on new shoes, nice hats, dresses, these ladies came with their game on and were dressed to the nines from their hair to makeup the works. I myself was melting in the heat so I was in sweat proof clothing and came prepared to wilt but not for the lightening and thunderstorms that barreled their way in on our day of fun. To say we were surprised about this weather is a stretch we were prepared for some showers perhaps, we were prepared...or so we thought we brought our goulashes and rain coats we truly found ourselves quite impressed with our plans being executed to dash about in the raindrops.
We wiped the tears from our eyes from laughter from it all, now sitting in the hotel bar; enjoying a complementary cocktail from our new friend at check in because of our woes. We drove four hours with a broken speedometer to get here mind you. Not one time did any of us complain. Not once. Awaiting the verdict on whether the show would go on or not we giggled and passed our time as if we had gone back in time as young girls although we are all middle aged. Our presence was known by all and we were having the time of our lives regardless. This is us often times pursuing our Dreams and Goals in our lives. Life just simply happens. Mishaps happen. Plans fall through or nosedive, goals often seem to have been too lofty rather then obtainable. Life is full of change. And not all change feels good or IS good....or is it? This right here is my Monday Mulling Mantra, going back to the quote by Hardy we are always surprised by change. I certainly was this day. You see, before these thunderstorms it was unbearably hot and humid, I have to be medicated because of my perspiration so this is such a party foul to dampen most spirits and if ever there was a time to take it now is it; but my friends and I agreed I wouldn't take it as crazy as it sounds because I become extremely cotton mouthed and needed to assess where the water would be inside etc as to not become sick. We got word that the concert was back on and we giggled and squealed and made our way through the bag and body search again, sliding around in the now mud covered ground and donning our baseball caps in leu of our fashionable hats and we danced the night away singing to the top of our Lungs.
To say we were surprised by the change as Hardy wrote about is an understatement beyond belief, it was as if we ordered the cool temperatures and indescribable sunset it was in fact so much better by having the thunderstorms and this surprising change. The same can be said of us in our lives pursuing our Dreams and desired Goals. Had the show not gone on, who knows what the four of ladies would have changed and done but the fact remains it would have been memorable and perhaps that saying is true about dancing in the rain. If our Dreams and Goals came so easily how savoring would that truly be? I believe I cursed myself eons ago sipping on Barnie's coffee in the mall with my still best friend, we were giggling over my outlook on life and I told her thirty years ago or so I didn't want to be this or that person as we would people watch. Heavens No, and when I would pick out couples or families I without any wavering attested I didn't want to find myself as such; they just seemed... boring. All these years later I am starting to write a book because we laugh that you just can not make this stuff up. You see, if I didn't have all of these changes and yes even the bad and not so enjoyable changes and hardships, I would not be living my Dream. In essence, I would be boring and for me that just is not an option. Nor should it be for you to settle or be reduced by Life and the changes that come your way. Set your compass locked on that destination but loose enough to be re routed to where you are truly destined to reside. Be open to change and stay surprised even by the mishaps for they make your life interesting and without these variables your life would be simply boring, and no body has ever said they desired that.
The Wonderment of Life is to Dream and to Dream the Impossible Dreams and as riding a surfboard, ride the waves of change in your life all the way to the shore all the while being surprised; alas, it is truly a gift moment by moment waiting to be experienced. All of it, the good, the bad and the ugly. Furthermore, it is anything but boring. I leave with you one of our performers this past weekend, we enjoyed three powerhouse entertainers and we loved them all and thankful for an unforgettable day that I would not change a thing. You see, what we think is bad often times turns out to propel you for the best, life is funny that way. Enjoy the ride of change and may you always find yourself in Good Company full of good vibes, good times and the dang good Memories. Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash. ― Leonard Cohen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJlGtyzIRm8
We wiped the tears from our eyes from laughter from it all, now sitting in the hotel bar; enjoying a complementary cocktail from our new friend at check in because of our woes. We drove four hours with a broken speedometer to get here mind you. Not one time did any of us complain. Not once. Awaiting the verdict on whether the show would go on or not we giggled and passed our time as if we had gone back in time as young girls although we are all middle aged. Our presence was known by all and we were having the time of our lives regardless. This is us often times pursuing our Dreams and Goals in our lives. Life just simply happens. Mishaps happen. Plans fall through or nosedive, goals often seem to have been too lofty rather then obtainable. Life is full of change. And not all change feels good or IS good....or is it? This right here is my Monday Mulling Mantra, going back to the quote by Hardy we are always surprised by change. I certainly was this day. You see, before these thunderstorms it was unbearably hot and humid, I have to be medicated because of my perspiration so this is such a party foul to dampen most spirits and if ever there was a time to take it now is it; but my friends and I agreed I wouldn't take it as crazy as it sounds because I become extremely cotton mouthed and needed to assess where the water would be inside etc as to not become sick. We got word that the concert was back on and we giggled and squealed and made our way through the bag and body search again, sliding around in the now mud covered ground and donning our baseball caps in leu of our fashionable hats and we danced the night away singing to the top of our Lungs.
To say we were surprised by the change as Hardy wrote about is an understatement beyond belief, it was as if we ordered the cool temperatures and indescribable sunset it was in fact so much better by having the thunderstorms and this surprising change. The same can be said of us in our lives pursuing our Dreams and desired Goals. Had the show not gone on, who knows what the four of ladies would have changed and done but the fact remains it would have been memorable and perhaps that saying is true about dancing in the rain. If our Dreams and Goals came so easily how savoring would that truly be? I believe I cursed myself eons ago sipping on Barnie's coffee in the mall with my still best friend, we were giggling over my outlook on life and I told her thirty years ago or so I didn't want to be this or that person as we would people watch. Heavens No, and when I would pick out couples or families I without any wavering attested I didn't want to find myself as such; they just seemed... boring. All these years later I am starting to write a book because we laugh that you just can not make this stuff up. You see, if I didn't have all of these changes and yes even the bad and not so enjoyable changes and hardships, I would not be living my Dream. In essence, I would be boring and for me that just is not an option. Nor should it be for you to settle or be reduced by Life and the changes that come your way. Set your compass locked on that destination but loose enough to be re routed to where you are truly destined to reside. Be open to change and stay surprised even by the mishaps for they make your life interesting and without these variables your life would be simply boring, and no body has ever said they desired that.
The Wonderment of Life is to Dream and to Dream the Impossible Dreams and as riding a surfboard, ride the waves of change in your life all the way to the shore all the while being surprised; alas, it is truly a gift moment by moment waiting to be experienced. All of it, the good, the bad and the ugly. Furthermore, it is anything but boring. I leave with you one of our performers this past weekend, we enjoyed three powerhouse entertainers and we loved them all and thankful for an unforgettable day that I would not change a thing. You see, what we think is bad often times turns out to propel you for the best, life is funny that way. Enjoy the ride of change and may you always find yourself in Good Company full of good vibes, good times and the dang good Memories. Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash. ― Leonard Cohen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJlGtyzIRm8
Monday, May 1, 2017
COUNTRY BACK ROADS
I was reading earlier Charlotte Bronte and came across this quote that lit my soul on fire. "The human heart has hidden treasures, In secret kept, in silence sealed; The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures, Whose charms were broken if revealed." It immediately made me think of the old saying let's get to the heart of the matter. The Free Dictionary defines this as meaning, The focal, central, or most important element of a topic, problem, or issue. I find it ironic that we have to point out to get to the heart of any matter, why isn't that what we portray on the fly naturally? It is as if we have to toil when in essence it is the reality of our beings and yet it is as if we are imprisoned within our own walls unable to exert our depth and only giving sprinkles or dabbles of our concreteness or our core. Core defined is The central or innermost part. You clearly see the utter obviousness of these two words with weighty similar meanings. I just love to be in the water during the hot summer months, I reflect and my mind takes me back to being around 6 or 7 and jumping off my dad's houseboat squealing as my little body splashed into the Reservoir. I had my life jacket keeping me on top of the water and I was and am still intrigued with the temperature difference. As my feet would dangle down below it was cold vastly cold and the closer I came to the top of the waters it became warm; wonderfully, soothingly warm. Such that I would try to float and balance my body on the top where the sun could touch my body and bring that intensity that my very being was comfortable with.
As I reflect on being in that Reservoir, the truth is I was almost afraid of the coolness down below, it was so much more soothing on top. I was uncomfortable not being able to see what was down below; my imagination raced of all that must be lurking below right amidst my defenseless feet and helpless toes. How much I can liken this back to that quote in which we started with. Our dreams and truest desires are living so deep within our beings that sometimes it is uncomfortable to connect with them. I believe often times we allow our imaginations and fears of living ahead of our Moment in time or looking back at previous attempts and without any clarity we simply walk away. It is why the intensity of living in the moment is so crucial. My devotion this morning was speaking of when you go to see an Orchestra play and if you were to walk in amongst them warming up, they would sound utterly dreadful and lack the slightest of talent. However, once that conductor walks up, takes his stick and hits the podium calling the musicians to attention and in a moment as if all chaos was stilled you are lulled by the mesmerizing talents delighting your senses. I liken this to us being directed by our Core and as Bronte wrote of the Human Heart it is our Conductor or our Compass attesting to that which there is no grey only black or white and I am entranced by those who live by this. They are never overlooked, moreover; as if a beacon that shines in the foggy night leading the ships safely back to the Harbor so as are we when our innermost part is able to shine and our outer shell doesn't extinguish the intensity.
My devotion also went on to talk about the watch and how refreshing in the day of the smart phones we still prefer to wear one on our wrist. However, when we look upon our watch to gauge the time alas it is there upon the face however; this is only possible because of what is inside of it. If you were to open your watch you would see a myriad of tiny itsy bitsy particles that are interconnected and interrelated they turn precisely in the right order so that you can see the time on the outside. You cannot tell the time by merely gazing at the gears. Life is like a watch, sometimes we see the face, sometimes we see the tiny individual pieces but we never see everything, there is so much happening behind the scenes, underneath the hood, behind the curtain in places and people that we could never see.
As you are driven to live out your dreams and purpose, just as when we exercise to strengthen and tighten our Core for we hear how so important this is as we age evermore so does this to apply to the core of our souls. My girlfriend told me the other day she was going to take up yoga for the simple reason of strengthening her core because as she ages she needs her core to be in shape to help balance her body to move around more effectively without harm. My mind instantly drew a line connecting these two thoughts and it inspired me and excited me to "exercise" my innermost Core and Heart by connecting and toning my pieces within my makeup to help me execute more effectively in pursuing that which my soul truly longs for. In a day in which the attention is so heavily highlighted about our outer body and appearance, I in raising a tweenager and myself middle aged will remind her and myself and to you reading this; that if we focus too much of our energy on the surface of our purpose and dreams, shining our cars and detailing the rims of the wheels and fail to change our oil and service our engine or fuel the gas tank we will simply never arrive to our desired destination. We may look good, stay safe from collisions life will indeed bring; but my friend, you will never be going anywhere and you will assuredly miss the ride of your life you were created to journey. So today, jump in the waters and swim deeper in those cooler temperatures to what is underneath in your heart and soul and then let your top down as if driving the sleekest convertible you could possibly imagine, turn up the music and just enjoy the ride for This is the Wonderment of Life.
Turn this up where ever you are right now and close your eyes and just feel that wind blowing your hair, admiring the view, let your mind run free, identifying with your innermost parts that fuel your being smiling as your dreams invade your being and just cruise....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KMHETUufRc
As I reflect on being in that Reservoir, the truth is I was almost afraid of the coolness down below, it was so much more soothing on top. I was uncomfortable not being able to see what was down below; my imagination raced of all that must be lurking below right amidst my defenseless feet and helpless toes. How much I can liken this back to that quote in which we started with. Our dreams and truest desires are living so deep within our beings that sometimes it is uncomfortable to connect with them. I believe often times we allow our imaginations and fears of living ahead of our Moment in time or looking back at previous attempts and without any clarity we simply walk away. It is why the intensity of living in the moment is so crucial. My devotion this morning was speaking of when you go to see an Orchestra play and if you were to walk in amongst them warming up, they would sound utterly dreadful and lack the slightest of talent. However, once that conductor walks up, takes his stick and hits the podium calling the musicians to attention and in a moment as if all chaos was stilled you are lulled by the mesmerizing talents delighting your senses. I liken this to us being directed by our Core and as Bronte wrote of the Human Heart it is our Conductor or our Compass attesting to that which there is no grey only black or white and I am entranced by those who live by this. They are never overlooked, moreover; as if a beacon that shines in the foggy night leading the ships safely back to the Harbor so as are we when our innermost part is able to shine and our outer shell doesn't extinguish the intensity.
My devotion also went on to talk about the watch and how refreshing in the day of the smart phones we still prefer to wear one on our wrist. However, when we look upon our watch to gauge the time alas it is there upon the face however; this is only possible because of what is inside of it. If you were to open your watch you would see a myriad of tiny itsy bitsy particles that are interconnected and interrelated they turn precisely in the right order so that you can see the time on the outside. You cannot tell the time by merely gazing at the gears. Life is like a watch, sometimes we see the face, sometimes we see the tiny individual pieces but we never see everything, there is so much happening behind the scenes, underneath the hood, behind the curtain in places and people that we could never see.
As you are driven to live out your dreams and purpose, just as when we exercise to strengthen and tighten our Core for we hear how so important this is as we age evermore so does this to apply to the core of our souls. My girlfriend told me the other day she was going to take up yoga for the simple reason of strengthening her core because as she ages she needs her core to be in shape to help balance her body to move around more effectively without harm. My mind instantly drew a line connecting these two thoughts and it inspired me and excited me to "exercise" my innermost Core and Heart by connecting and toning my pieces within my makeup to help me execute more effectively in pursuing that which my soul truly longs for. In a day in which the attention is so heavily highlighted about our outer body and appearance, I in raising a tweenager and myself middle aged will remind her and myself and to you reading this; that if we focus too much of our energy on the surface of our purpose and dreams, shining our cars and detailing the rims of the wheels and fail to change our oil and service our engine or fuel the gas tank we will simply never arrive to our desired destination. We may look good, stay safe from collisions life will indeed bring; but my friend, you will never be going anywhere and you will assuredly miss the ride of your life you were created to journey. So today, jump in the waters and swim deeper in those cooler temperatures to what is underneath in your heart and soul and then let your top down as if driving the sleekest convertible you could possibly imagine, turn up the music and just enjoy the ride for This is the Wonderment of Life.
Turn this up where ever you are right now and close your eyes and just feel that wind blowing your hair, admiring the view, let your mind run free, identifying with your innermost parts that fuel your being smiling as your dreams invade your being and just cruise....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KMHETUufRc
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