As the steady rain falls and the temperature drops I am moved to embrace this moment, just as the hunters love when a cold front comes in it causes their desired targets to move so as I feel it puts a proper pep in my step and billows of gusto blow through my hair as I go about the things I need to do around my home. As I toss another log on my beautiful fire and behold it's majestic show it woos me, entrancing me to gaze at the flames as they promenade and flicker, as they dance and prance about as if hypnotizing me bewitching me under their spell. My thoughts interrupt their cavorting moves as in breaking in to dance and lure me to ponder over the glorious New Year and all I search from deep within of what I truly desire to experience and become. I absolutely love Resolutions, they are goals, dreams, mile markers... it is the humbling of the admittance that I could be better, do better. It is the allowance to say with a fresh slate with clarity that success is certain. New beginnings are magical and invigorating it is an awakening to your heart and soul touching senses and dazzling them with uncharted paths. Reminding me of the last few verses of the poem The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost:
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost
This New Year brings an abundance of Glee, and I am intoxicated by the resounding assurance of so many in person, on social media and in reading that This New Year is Special, full of Hope and expectation. I have my new favorite obsession song playing in the background, The Weekend song is "I feel it coming." So many are embracing this New Year and finding themselves wanting to make their Moments Matter. I feel as if I am being waltzed around a beautiful ball room where everyone is in black tie and long gowns. A gentleman takes my hand and bows kissing my gloved hand and I in return curtsy and slowly nod my head. The Orchestra is delighting the senses overwhelming our beings to move as gliding or floating across the glorious marble floors, inhaling the most beautiful aromas of floral, candles flickering flames causing the enormous crystal chandeliers that hang above to come to life, whirling around to trip the light. It is in description a feeling of what my mantra is this Year. There is a song that my close friends know has been my favorite for quite sometime but this year it is different. It isn't just about love with someone it's living in a moment I would die for and as I was soul searching on New Years Eve and saying prayers what should be my "theme" if you will this is what quickened within and I am delirious with it.
I am the one that generally receives the eye rolls or the shaking of heads because this is me normally, just everyday life so for me I feel I am in the right place at the right time. The appointed time. This is one of my gifts and I Celebrate them lavishly, daily. I turn a ho hum moment into one of splendor and majesty that turns my home into what feels like a castle. It is making your surroundings pleasing even if only for yourself, light candles, play music set the tone you will be surprised how much more delighted you will be to push that vacuum about with the added effort. When drop in's occur it is as if I am expecting someone and I just shrug my shoulders nah just me! This year I share my yearning of celebrating moments and highlighting those that you would die for. I just am moved by the lyrics it is a song by Ty Herndon although I have a buddy that sings it much better but one of the lines sings "and when they carve my stone all they need to write on it is once lived a man(woman) who got all he ever wanted, tell me something, who could ask for more than to be living in a moment you would die for." So I am taking some verses and adjusting their meaning to my everyday life as I have those dearest to me and only a very few that I only long to breathe their same air. Variables do not matter just that. Same principal to me The Wonderment in Life is being able to embrace our gifts of those around us, of our very own lives in fact and instead of only at Christmas and certain Holiday's give ourselves a hall pass to linger all year through until it burns within your being and saturates your every move.
I used to work at 5am at a gym in town, I adored my members I would call them my Morning Crew and I knew of their families and they became more than just me reporting in (always tardy) and doing a job. The hours were difficult with my other jobs so the hours were very trying on me but I decided to celebrate that moment and I would bake all different kinds of cakes and treats and bring in the mornings and it made that moment full of meaning something more personal we all felt it and speak of it this many years later. That is what I believe this New Year is the year to seize the everyday moments and raise the standard to make it memorable. Me and my daughter's most treasured moments aren't in far off travels, exotic or fancy special places they are in our everyday moments that I journal of and will reread as I am older. As you chase your dreams and make this year as Huge as you possibly can, I see these Memorable Moments using their Magic like stairs ushering us in step by step, moment by moment to our desired Dreams and Goals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUFs_1vKYlY
Sitting after a busy social morning, now sipping on my morning coffee watching the random showers of rain, enthralled with the drops watching them dance and fall some bouncing others seem to just disappear, however their movement is entrancing, appreciating the cooler air this rain is ushering in. Allowing myself to get lost in my thoughts, identifying with my emotions and desires; introducing and allowing them to acquaint with my Soul and Heart as I embrace and delve deeper to the desires and emotions meaning; discarding what is the fleeting and verifying the validity before preparing to conquer. The word that occurred to me last night as I sat up late working on my New Year's Resolutions was Contentment. I was so surprised to read the synonym was happiness. Challenging myself to examine in order to testify to my truest self admitting under oath where did I lack Contentment and Happiness? Furthermore, would the desire or emotion bring such satisfaction?
Often times we find ourselves spinning our wheels busying ourselves with so many things ultimately trying to deafen the dreams because we feel we are not equipped to obtain, Moreover, it tends to turn to chaos and confusion. What troubles me is I often times do not realize it until I stop to observe my surroundings or hollow out the clutter of this world and soothe myself in the cocoon of my own Heart. For example, I drive myself batty with projects around my Home because of my own attention deficiency I will start something with all the gusto needed with more to still give but mid way I become overwhelmed, bewildered and I leave what is truly a mess in order to start a brand new fresh project that I feel I again have all that I need to check off that list. Before I know it, I have completely and entirely caused disarray in my Home. Ironically enough, I do not realize the issue until after I have mayhem from front door to back door and everywhere in between!
As I was being deposed by my own questions, it was as if the truth was unveiled instantly. Confusion is our worst enemy in capturing our Dreams. Defined will truly blow your mind if you simmer on each meaning. disorder; upheaval; tumult; chaos:
lack of clearness or distinctness:
perplexity; bewilderment:
embarrassment or abashment: a disturbed mental state; disorientation. The part that sent me squealing with delight is a sentence used in this very definition that brought this all together for me, it said "the army retreated in confusion." My best friend is notorious by everyone who knows her by saying "retreat is NOT an option" but confusion paralyzes, it weakens, it is the destroyer to the depths of our Core.
Last night as I was writing down my Resolutions, I admit I was overwhelmed with confusion and doubt but oddly enough this song has been my newest musical obsession and anyone that knows me knows my passion for music. When I became overwhelmed with the confusion last night I played this new song that I love over and over again and I danced around my house until it was banished certain I will obtain. When I watched the video today it blew my mind I had no idea they were on a Mission of a Dream in this song but I knew he was determined to have this song played I lit up like an inferno! I tell you what This IS The Wonderment of Life; so get after what burns in your bones and make 2017 the year all the previous were jealous ...notice in the video everyone was spellbound by him, joining; as he pursued his Dream... Happiest of New Years I delight as I envision the each of you as the end of this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5qWnG5RQTk
As I am gazing off at my beautiful Christmas lights that are transforming my Home into a Shangri-la I am drifting into my Arcadia as thoughts run rampant as if I have purchased a one way ticket and boarded on my very own personal Polar Express. This time of year the television is bombarded with people taking a journey of the most coveted; that of their own lives. Often times they are being reminded just what they possess and have within themselves when society causes us to think we are in need of something more. I am engulfed with the insatiable appetite of wanting more, but it's substance is of what fuels my Soul. The things that ultimately truly matter. As when the wind comes blowing in and it removes all the loose debris leaving in it's place the deep rooted lasting things. When you think of It's a Wonderful Life, The Grinch, The Year without a Santa Claus, and the list goes on and on each one of these movies are about the depth of what the characters possess in each of these stories in order to obtain the true meaning of the Season. The beautiful truth is that we too possess that same ingredient to partake and enjoy the deliciousness of the Magic this Season holds. Christmas is a smorgasbord of all delectable delights drawing us to partake. For you that dwell among the surface Christmas Magic is enticing us and giving us the gift to delve into the inner most parts of our core in relationships, goals and dreams; this is the bewitching time to awaken your Soul to something more. So much more.
I have been met with the challenge of Christmas Magic with my preteen teaching her and showing her that at every age you should Believe and look to be touched in such a memorable way. Luring her senses to want what cannot be bought but to be moved with something far greater that reaches to all those around her as she is immersed herself. Imparting to those from a place so deep within; mere eyes cannot view, oh; but how they can feel. When someone is excited, anticipating, you feel it. It is contagious. It causes you to yearn for it's essence as if you just brought in a fresh cut tree and feel like your entire surroundings smell of the enchanted forest. Inhaling so slow and deeply that your eyes will close as your chest rises as the lungs expand and this sensation permeates throughout your being to the depths of your Core and to the ends of your extremities. Alas, this is what the town of Whoville felt when they were bahooming around the town's Christmas tree. What I am teaching my Daughter is the Magic wasn't in the Grinch riding in on the Sleigh with all their presents returned but that sensation they felt that brought them together and caused the Grinch to change. Here's a quote from the movie: in Whoville they say – that the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day. And then – the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of ten Grinches, plus two!
Whatever your Christmas Wish, it is for you to lasso as the Moon George Bailey told Mary he would do; she then said I will take it then what? George said," Well, then you can swallow it, and it'll all dissolve, see... and the moonbeams would shoot out of your fingers and your toes and the ends of your hair..." May our Dreams and Christmas Magic radiate to those around us as this. This is The Wonderment of Life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-8VCL4uSUc&index=12&list=RDVRMjfWDtj4c
As I write I am mesmerized by twinkling lights, engrossed in the aroma of Fresh Trees as it delights my senses, I am vibing to my new Favorite Song by Brett Eldredge "Glow" it's reminiscent to Frank Sinatra without any thought my toes are tapping and I am swaying as I sit and write dabbling with the reckless thoughts of dancing around my house wholeheartedly losing myself in the tune and the lyrics "nothing could ever compare to the feeling in the air, don't let this moment slip away." It is as if The Wizard Of Oz has lifted my home and I find myself no longer in Kansas but, in a Wonderland Of Awakening. What is it about The Holiday's? Especially Christmas? I am obsessed with Christmas Magic, I truly believe in it and I may not be Passionate about anything as much; for now at least!
I am a word junky, me and my Daughter are big dictionary word of the day gal's always amping up our vocabulary and giggling throughout the day trying to find ways to use our new enamored treasure. Around this time of year are some of the best words and as I liken them to my adoring one word Sentences like Gratitude last post complete with the period. We are engulfed with the words, Joy, Merry, Noel, Peace, Love, and two of my utmost favorites, Hope and Believe. Hope is defined as to desire with expectation of obtainment; to expect with confidence. Believe is to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something. No wonder the Dreamer in Me is so captivated with this Season and Christmas Magic. For me anything is possible this Season, just ask any child who has just gotten off Santa's lap, the bewitching sparkle in their eyes and excitement exuding about the resolving no doubt they will receive their coveted gift...
It is time, Today, to allow yourself to simply Believe and Hope with Expectancy that what burns within your bones is obtainable and waiting wrapped up just for you. Vincent Van Gogh was quoted as saying and I fervently agree, "I would rather die of passion than of boredom." What is infectious about someone is their emotion, and we need to make this "That Christmas" that you will savor and reflect on for many years to come. It isn't something you muster up and work at; no, moreover, it is the complete opposite. Throwing all caution to the wind you let go and just feel it and as you believe it simply emits to all around you enveloping them in a cocoon. So many around us have lost their Christmas Spirit and need to be reminded it truly IS the best time of the year. What are you waiting for? Life is there for our taking and we are to drink in this Season and feel it like a little child for this is The Wonderment of Life.
I encourage you to listen to that song Brett Eldridge "Glow" but leave you with a different video that was shared on Facebook but moved me to tears with the beautiful reminder to let go and believe. This is Macy's Christmas Commercial this year named #oldfriends. Don't outgrow your wonderment to believe, oh that I may encounter what this gentleman does. I went field tripping again with My Little Boo and today we went to two Nursing Homes as they sang Christmas Carols to the Elderly. Oh the joy that flooded my Soul to watch them be swept away to another moment in time of years gone by. Enjoy this Season...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DomWyW2Kk9Q
This is something I have in my Kitchen all year round. It is my Anthem, it is the Standard in which I am desperately trying to raise my Daughter by. I delight in one word sentences,(notice the period) I am a wordy person normally so when something can be summed up in just one word it is like a windstorm to my Soul. John F. Kennedy expressed it eloquently when he said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” I am not a big Thanksgiving fan, never really have been. I have always found myself since High School either Downtown feeding the Homeless or less fortunate, even when often times I fit that less fortunate bill, or at a Nursing Home giving to the elderly and visiting with them as they ate as often times no one came to sit with them. The Spirit of Gratitude is something we should allow to resonate within our being. The Golden Rule on an Adult level if you will; putting others first, sometimes lighting their own fire so that not only are they encouraged but in turn they themselves will show the same to another ."At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." Albert Schweitzer
To me when I am operating in the Spirit of Gratitude I feel my innermost parts begin to swell and surge forth from deep within so that therefore my actions and mere words are fueled with such intensity that not only do I feel it but delight as it is imparted into another. To give with such depth is one of the most incredible Wonderments of Life because often times, most do not allow it to permeate their beings. I love this quote, "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." William Arthur Ward. It is something we should be mindful of and practice if you will. I read that if you only prayed one prayer it should be that of Gratitude. Amen.
"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." John Milton
In order to obtain those Dreams that burn within our beings, I cannot fathom seizing them without the Gift of Gratitude. I believe it is the underlying Depth and Strength needed in order to achieve our truest selves. Life is overridden with obstacles and daunting challenges, however;through Gratitude we dare to do and feel the impossible and experience the savoring flavor of Life we were created to sit and dine and enjoy at every meal. Why do we allow ourselves to drift through Life haphazardly swatting at our Dreams when we could bask in the Crescendo of the Moment? "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." Melody Beattie
In these Thanksgiving Moments allow yourself to take note of all the Wonderments of Life around you that you are indeed Grateful for. Bask in the beauty of Feeling the overwhelming sensation of Gratitude; and allow it to alter and change your mindset you will be pleasantly surprised with Gratitude you can put away the Rose Colored Glasses. I leave with you one of my most treasured songs, in my Home we Celebrate everyday moments allow me to share one of my favorites. This song along with other lullaby's would be played as my Daughter would go off to sleep and as young as a toddler, she would not want me to go out and alas sometimes bedtime would go longer than I anticipated as any of you parents can relate; however, anytime or every time this song would come on the mischievous smile that I knew all too well would appear on her face if I wasn't still laying with her perhaps I am hitting the door to walk out and that smile would sear my back as lightening had struck me and as I turned around she would be untucked, standing on the edge of her bed and waiting with arms stretched out beaming with all the overwhelming emotion words fail to describe and we would Dance. Oh how Thankful I took those extra two minutes with her and we still to this day will do so. Happy Thanksgiving for This is The Wonderment Of Life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDrzKBF6gDU
Today Is Friday and I have Wet Willie Blasting Loudly today "Friday Evening What A Feeling.... Weekend, Do what you wanna do Weekend..."Ironically enough same group sings another Favorite "Keep Smiling" guess that is for us to play to chase away the Melancholy Monday Madness that is sure to be here sooner than desired. Truth of the Matter is, we can carry the same Liberations regardless of what is amidst us and shame on us when we fail to do so. I had someone tell me that I looked like a super hero in my fashionable workout attire and as I giggled later I realized, behold, I am a Super Hero, in fact, we all are.
When we are Chasing after our Dreams indeed we often need Super Hero Ability, Christopher Reeve was quoted as saying, "So many of our Dreams seem Impossible, Improbable, and then we will Summon the Will they soon become Inevitable." Clark Kent was maybe not a lot to many people as himself except for Lois Lane, and somehow I believe that was enough for ole Clark; but how Marvelous that his alter ego was indeed the one everyone Swooned over or coveted to become. Still do this many years later. What I take from this is that we all have the Super Hero Alter Ego Opportunity there for the taking to Capture our Dreams and Lasso them into existence. When situations arise that seem impossible whisper to yourself the words, "This is a Job for Superman" and just see what happens, the spark from deep within that ignites your very core, it permeates your entire being and the smirk or smile is Electric as if bolts are sparking from it as the corners of your mouth rise and curl up, the glisten in your eyes is as Powerful as a Transformer and ironically enough it transforms you into a Caped Crusader.
In order for our Super Powers to evolve I believe you have to Own that Alter Ego, that ability to Defy and Conquer. That no matter what happens, you are NOT giving up and giving in to Settle. "A Hero is an Ordinary Individual who finds the Strength to Persevere and Endure in Spite of Overwhelming Obstacles" again quote from Christopher Reeve. I truly am deliriously in Love with Life and all the Astounding Opportunities that simply are there for the Taking and what is so Eye Opening is the very Moment that our Dream becomes inherent it is then that our Passion for the Dream erupts like a volcano and as the lava and ash explodes and detonates, that is Energy like no other.
Today is the best day; right now, to let your hair down and loosen up that tie and take a gander at your alter ego and what it is that drives you. The Wonderment Of Life is Living beyond what is Attainable within your regular reach, Moreover that settling is full of Complacency, Dullness and becomes down right boring. "You are much stronger than you think you are. Trust Me." -Superman
This may be one of the best videos...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIm1GgfRz6M
I was recently mulling over Life with a friend, that is probably my utmost favorite Past time, indeed, Alas it is true, I am a Ponderer. I just get lost in it. I am free to Roam and Venture wherever my Heart and Thoughts take me and at times it is quite the adventure I must say. I just love to watch People we are all so unique and funny creatures honestly, I like to delve in from afar as to figure out what makes them tick or what stands out about them the most to me, a complete stranger yet taking notice of them and taking the time to assess. Even more so, I wonder what am I projecting to those I pass by?
I passed a Family of three the other day that struck me odd at first glance; they seemed as if they should be hiking the French Alps in Europe yet they were merely walking along the sandy shore of the beach. Picture if you will, this Mother, Father and little boy, the child is in a backpack liken to what hikers use, both parents were walking with Trekking Poles, yes I did a double take to say the least and giggled quietly under my breath. Dismissed almost instantly from the perimeters of my brain and ceased to allow my thoughts to continue any further because I found them to be so out of place, obscure if you will. Truth is, this peculiar little Family continued to stay in my head as if the last lingering party guest has overstayed their welcome. Inquisition set in like a Mighty River flowing with fury; flooding my thoughts and holding me Captive to the bewildering notion of what was this Families Story?
This Pesky little Family had over run my thoughts and dominated my attention. I liken them to us pursuing our Dreams and Goals. You see, this Distinctive Family may have missed the Mark, by a long shot on the sandy beaches, I have never been hiking but I know the hiking sticks are there to help brace when going downhill or to aid in going up hill and I haven't been on a beach that wasn't flat. So again...what is their Story? I said hello as I gaped past them, and His voice is still with me today. It was Peppy and Effervescent with the Enthusiasm I coveted. Who knows if this Family merely lost a bet to Truth or Dare and that is all it was about but what I want you to take away as you read this, merely is; what are you telling others about yourself without uttering a single word? You assume everyone sees life perhaps through your own eyes and clearly sees you the way you do, meanwhile it is a whirlwind of confusion from their vantage point. How do you handle yourself when you fall flat on your face and mess up? What about when your Dream you were Chasing evolved into a Night Mare?
If you are gut wrenching honest with yourself, you might not like what you see at times. I have my hand up for sure probably several times a day in fact. You see it is not that these things happening is the problem at all, because it is simply Life and we are very unperfect people no matter how hard we try. It is soley in how we handle them with the honestly and liberty to be true to ourselves and bare that to those around us. I am inspired by this Family because they left me changed and I want to portray that as I set forth to obtain my Dreams. That whether it all works out or goes bust I dust myself off and grab the smallest of dabs if that is all I possess and I Dream and go forth and muster up the Inspiration of the Unknown. My Mother was so right, "Your Attitude is your Altitude". Here is a portion from a wonderful article in The Huffington Post titled just that.
"There is nothing more exhilarating than being around people who exude the energy of endless possibilities. These kinds of people are needed in our lives if we wish to see what is attainable. When we surround our environment with people who believe in the harshness of life we are drained of energy and vitality. Therefore, the choice is really up to us - do we want to reach the stars or do we want to stay on the ground constantly looking up secretly wishing that we were among the dazzling jewels that grace the heavens. A strong, positive and resilient attitude will help elevate you to unimaginable heights." This my friends is The Wonderment Of Life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avU2aarQUiU
