COFFEE BREAK

I woke up with such anticipation and enthrallment of this new day, uncertain of what might unfold but the churning within was intense.  Every fiber of my being was assured that something was in the air as if proclaiming Marvelous Monday was on tap. I laid there singing Cat Stevens Morning has Broken looking up the lyrics and pondering on the words as if marinating my senses. Within moments of me leaving my bed that I invisioned as my cocoon unleashing myself into this vast world as a butterfly transformed from being a catapillar my surge of magnificence was being taunted and mocked as the melancholy raindrops fell and the party crashers of my moment were filling me with somber and gloomy sensations. Alas the enlightment of this day was something that came from so deep within, that it was as if I shooed the melancholy away with one effortless swoop. My best friend Marty, years ago worked at the YMCA and she would call Monday's Marvelous, she would even send out encouraging tidbits to banish the blues, empowering us all to make it mighty. As she would enter those doors to her work place, she would take on the tone saying Good Morning as if a command of greatness; even if it wasn't much to describe of as good. That was a lifetime ago but she is still that same force today, and those actions from so long ago, sprung to the forefront of my mind as this day was quickly unraveling scrambling to gain the reigns and alter the course by taking control. 

I sauntered over to meet my morning standing date with Mr. Coffee, blissful for I had moved him, feng shui if you will;  to a new spot and made for myself a beverage station with all my choices boutiqued and showcased for my delight. My steps were moving to the beat of various singers with their own renditions saluting "it's going to be a lovely day" trying my best to rap to the soulful s.o.u.l. s.y.s.t.e.m. and Bill Withers with B.I.G. even Kirk Franklin as they played on my phone rerouting the dreary and filling my soul with merriment. When that coffee had met my lips the corners of my mouth were turned up so far that a laugh slipped out, anything less than pure delight would be an understatement. It was as if I heard the bell ringing as my imagined gloved hand was thrown into the air as if by the referee in a boxing match and I had beaten my opponant. As I sat in front of my computer with coffee in hand and started this blog; my computer was stuttering whether due to the rain or the meloncholy had overtaken it I am uncertain, however; because of the hesitation of strokes on my keyboard;  my entire blog was erased in a moment. I was utterly stunned and speechless, it was almost completed and just like that it had vanished. The Wonderment of Life is not in having days flow perfectly and harmoneously with our desires and flights to achieve our Dreams and Goals, moreover; it is being able to soar and overcome that which tries to ground us. A quote came to mind by Markus Almond, "Things are never going to be perfect. The stars almost never align. We have to push them." At that precise moment I just threw my head back then shaking it I couldn't help but  chuckle as  I said "but of course!" At that moment that I walked away and made the decision to not let it get the best of me, I would choose to push them in alignment, it was then and only then it dawned on me; these are those moments the ones that try you, the moments that try to change you from who you are and what you are deep down in your core that we need to pay attention to and allow yourself to be rerouted if you will but never losing the Dream. I liken it to our GPS it has the destination set; it is up to us to trust in that and to follow the routes given even when they say make a legal u turn. 

I read this morning before I even left my bed that someone posted, Make Today so awesome that Yesterday gets jealous. Another that I marked was, "The lessons you learn, on your journey towards a destination, will always be more valuable than the destination itself." You see I fully realize and understand that many of the Dreams that I am persuit of I may not ever achieve however I am compelled to continue, just as I had awoken to feeling the marvels that today had in store, I prevailed against the obstacles that tried to vere me off my desired destination and although my day has not come to end as of yet, I am bold in assurance and stout hearted in fascination, engrossed in the moments that fill my day and making the most of every one of them. Just as a track runner will scale over the hurdle it is indeed something to drink in as you watch their form, their movement as they take flight leaving you gasping with amazement; may the same be said of us as we execute our day as others are watching how you master your hurdles.  One day they will call to mind as I did with my friend and her Marvelous Monday's and perhaps they will use your technique to master their own hurdles. The Wonderment here is,  I have been happier on this Monday because I made it happen when I could have chosen to succumb to the barracades instead I took flight. 

Today on Tuesday I am better for having my Monday, life is funny that way, mere perspective and how we choose to view our lives. I leave with you a song it is one of my favorites and I wear this baby out when I am faced with my roadblocks and before a line or two is sung and danced by me, my entire perspective has changed; so I found it so incredibly fitting for this.  It doesn't matter what your choice of beverage, liken to me in my beverage station sip on that ice tea maybe add some lemonade to it or ice down that diet coke and have your smile, just push yourself away from that desk at work and get to that water cooler and fix a little drink; the point is our attitudes will always determine our altitudes; you decide on how high you want to fly. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_Op0bQfMoo

BIG TIPPER

My daughter and I sat nestled together with our afternoon concoctions of our desired warm teas to soothe our senses and our soul. We sat on our leopard three seater chair in front of the enormous window, thunder bellowing the dark clouds closer, her long legs intertwined in mine while her feet were pressed upon the window to become part of the splendrous view; while sipping, reflecting, allowing our minds to flow freely as it may to carry us away. Interruptions of audible thoughts would spew out; sometimes just a nod was given in return as if mulling over what was just said, the slow type of nod as if each syllable is sinking into our deepest parts as the rain drops that were approaching for yet another wet afternoon would drench the soil. Some was just meaningless chatter like the weather and can we believe it is raining for the fortieth day in a row or whatever came to mind.  I have upon my coffee table a box of antique papers typed each one with a verse of poetry or food for thought to ponder upon. My daughter in almost one fluid movement was back snuggled in with this box in her lap and was reading a card she had selected. We would take turns choosing a card then reading, then as she reached for another card I whispered, "wait Boo" as if my hushed tone had reverenced this moment. I said what do you think that meant? I explained to her I bet we would have totally different meanings but we could each draw from the others perspective as in life itself. Later that day I saw on her Instagram post a picture of the following quote that she had picked up and read but we didn't discuss, however; she stated how much she liked this but my lingering desire is to know what fueled her passion in this statement. It read the following quote by Ray Bradbury, "We are all cups, constantly and quietly being filled, the trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out." 

Later that night I was up late piddling around the house, I have a room in my Home that is my most favorite room. It is very small and tightly filled with all things lovely to me. One of my best friends says it reminds her of Claire; my baby Daughter that passed away, which makes this room even more enchanting. It is tucked up higher in the house and you have to go through a closet we call it my Secret Room but it is liken to when I went parasailing in the Gulf and as they allowed me to float higher it was as if I passed that sound barrier, I liken this room to that. I am always changed when I leave this room I have my one cup coffeemaker that is stocked with various choices of beverages in there and I just invite and allow myself to be inspired. I went to bed that night thinking of that quote and I thought what in life do we drink in without quenching that thirst or cry out for as in the deepest craving left unsatisfied? I find it extremely exhilarating that one of the synonyms for crave is Dream. Coincidence? Oh I think not! I have people tell me that read my blog that they haven't allowed themselves to Dream much I tell them my Mom raised me to "listen to my body" it tells you when you are craving something, feed it; just all in moderation she would add.  At fifty I still go get that drumstick from Popeyes and dill pickle when I am sick as she would get for me when I was young because oddly enough it is what I craved; however the healing properties are something more for it feeds my soul and my inner core is renewed and invigorated for I have fed my deepest parts and it is satisfied. 

I believe when we are real with ourselves we are quietly filling our cups; our innermost parts that are dwelling deep and cannot be brought to life without being poured out. Think for a moment of that last craving you had, whether it was at midnight or midday, no matter how many substitutions you parade before that Dream or craving you might settle for pacifying  but only that one thing will do the trick. Often times I will be in utter disgust why didn't I just eat that one thing that I wanted instead,  I went around the world trying to give it something else? This craving is here to call you to be filled so in turn you will master the trick as in the quote and learn how to tip your cup over and all of your truest (stuff) will pour out causing those around you to be inspired and filled themselves beautifully.  When we hold back or lack the mastery of tipping our cup by spewing things that in essence are not our truest selves it left those around you dissatisfied same principal applies, why do we skim the foam off the top and pour our surface layer out to those around us when they were created with the craving of your deepest undertones. Why do we hold back in essence stifling out our own Dreams? I believe the "trick" that Ray Bradbury spoke of is us owning our Dreams and desires in such a way that we not only embrace but move in this force like a magnetic field. Even though I haven't captured all that my Heart and Soul drives me towards, my movement needs to be fluid embodied in this Hope of achieving then and only then will that passion spew forth as a busted pipe to inspire and intoxicate those around me to crave their truest parts be filled.  Just as our body will reject when we try to subside its longing for something else for it is deep imbedded when you crave, some of crave's other synonyms are the following desired intensely, cried out for, ached for, hungered for, itched for, longed for, pined for, thirsted for and yearned for. The Wonderment of Life is to live with all of our beings acting in the trueness and openness of our souls giving our Hearts in all we do that is when our words will spring to life as if resuscitated to those you meet that might have needed who and what you have to give. As you will see in this video in the very end, live out loud what drives you and see it's powerful impact. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT4ryVop_Fc

SOAR NOT ROAR

The smiles on our faces were as if we were donning masks of illusion for only moments prior she was banned to the upstairs as Cinderella to scurry and make her surroundings as pleasing as she had found them. The unpleasant tones were soon transcended with the laughter that erupted it was deep, farther than that of a mere belly laugh we long for, this was from our souls, just the overwhelming sensation of contentment that permeated our beings all the way to our deepest core; it filled the room as if in a place of enchantment as we read of as little children. I closed my eyes and savored this sense of fulfillment, inhaling as if taking a long awaited breath from coming up from the waters anxious to exhale as if exploding and breathing in the air that my body was urging to inhale craving as if my lungs would surely burst. I allowed myself to become in my mind and senses the character my daughter and I were reading about in her summer reading book. Hers was purchased, mine I checked out from the library, she has had zero inclination to the importance of reading and her Father and I came up with the plan of her and I reading together and by George I think we got it. Hair wet and sprawling over both our pillows overlapping; uncertain of where one started and the other stopped. The fragrance of our perfumes bewitched our senses as in the sweetest lullaby ever sung, nestled in her freshly made bed smelling of the finest linens and dressed in our coziest of pajama's I was entranced by the flickers of the candles she chose for us to light and we read and we laughed and we shared from our deepest emotion we were feeling. Only earlier I was Cruella De Vil  and now we are intertwined like the sweetest fairy tale. 

This first book we are reading is titled, "Out of my mind", it has a fishbowl and a goldfish jumping out of the bowl as if escaping. The character is handicapped, very brilliant, has a photographic mind as if a computer or robot but cannot express herself or share all that she knows. Horrific when you think about it, my mind couldn't shake this character. My Daughter now in my bed on laptop educating us both on life hacks, us sipping on sleepy time tea and my mind buzzing with wonderment of this story. Realizing how so many people I have met over the years are as this Melody we are reading of. No one is aware of her abilities or gifts only her. Not those closest to her; her parents, nor doctors for she cannot communicate it at all. It was instilled into me as a young girl and I have poured the same into my Daughter you have read me write of this, but we can be anything we want to be, and we can do anything we want to do. Man or Woman this is true. How many of us are trapped and restricted as Melody by limitations that in essence are not real and true? The person in whom we truly are is our inner selves and the older I become the more I realize this to be true. The thing that has my mind reeling is that so many of us are being the supporting actors and actresses instead of the leading lady or best actor  in our very own stories of our lives. I love the beloved stories of those who were overlooked seemingly unlovely then transformed, mesmerizing all around them with their unveiling of all that was merely already there just not revealed. 

The picture posted at the top of this post has set my soul on fire. It is a college young woman who used to be apart of my Non Profit girls organization she's an Alumni if you will, and  to see her spread her wings and start to reveal all that is within her is mind-blowing. It moved me beyond words yesterday when her Mom and then her posted the video of her jump they posted this, "Emily literally took a leap of faith today when she bungee jumped off the worlds highest commercial bungee jumping bridge in South Africa. 750 feet, which is basically like jumping off a 75 story building!" I was telling my best friend who started this program about how this has just engulfed me with wonderment and excitement and she said Emily was more reserved and to see her really come out and be all she truly consists of is more than amazing. She has inspired me and moved me to jump as well. Although not physically at this time, but within myself, as Tom Petty sings Freefalling I am going to the depths of my being to unleash that force that drives me and although I'm generally pretty outward with all that is within me, I feel passionate I have yet to scratch the surface. To find contentment amidst life's circumstances is a Wonderment of Life we should all relish in. As in Melody that my Daughter and I am reading about, I have the hunch she will prevail in communicating all that consumes her releasing her truest self, and as Emily so beautifully demonstrated her boldness by her bungy jump, both are the star of their very own show. 

What has been percolating within you to be poured out as the finest cup of coffee savored? Today, on Friday get this weekend started and take that leap of Faith as Emily did and abandon all restraints, break the mold as Melody is bound to do and allow the real you inside to step up as the Protagonist and blow that box office away for This is The Wonderment of Life. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8O-XzhtKGs

HALF WAY THERE

Sipping on my routine afternoon cup of coffee or hot tea that I have taken on the road; trying new spots and hole in the wall joints just savoring the hypnotic potions as if it had been ladled out of the witches brew, entranced by the charming decor and all the delightful things for my eyes to behold as well in these quaint coffee houses. This summer I have rolled out a mission plan if you will of the things I desire to do and become, kind of like I do at New Years with my Resolutions; this is a follow up if you will as it is half way through this year. Check and balance; I liken this to a sales meeting with my boss and going over my sales calls reports; reviewing accounts and taking note of any changes keeping myself aware and familiar with these accounts and discussing strategy for the future. Often times when I am talking to people about my views on Life and my enthrallment with chasing our Dreams I liken life to our jobs. We are organized and as one of my gal pals said she is OCD at work and the opposite outside of the office; not that she is going through the motions but it made me realize that so many of the people I talk with will attest that with all the demands on them with mere life itself, family, relationships, home and work they struggle with prioritizing it all and to pursue dreams just simply falls to the wayside. Life has a funny way of choking out the passion and the wonderment at times if we aren't careful we find ourselves just going through the motions in all we do and with those we are with. I say that overused line again because the synonyms for that phrase are staggering, you might want to sit down for this, they are the following: sketchy, superficial, apathetic, careless, disinterested, impersonal, inattentive, negligent, indifferent, unaware, unconcerned, uninterested. Allow those words to penetrate your mind, your senses and your soul.  How could we possibly desire and long much less tolerate, for any of these words to describe any area of our lives? 

Some of my friends giggle at me this year even more so, because this is a big year for me in many ways, I turned fifty and I have some pretty huge things on my list to achieve; so when the New Year came I was counting it like Day 2 of 365, now as we are well into this year it is as this is the sixth chapter (month) of 2017. It has made all the difference in the world for me to simplify it this way. I am feeling lofty that I hit this milestone age exactly the way I intended to feel and the empowerment and liberation I feel is the light to my flame to the rest of my detailed list. As a runner in a race passing by the people holding out the water or garden hose to refresh you or the cheers of the crowd to keep going is liken to me with measuring my moments and this journey of this year. At some moments I am looking at those who know me best as I did even this week and asked them, I am going to make it right? Their assurance springboards my stamina to scale as a pole vaulter over the raised standard. As I started describing at the beginning me taking my love of my afternoon bolt of caffeine to new and different places and people has overwhelmed my senses in every way. It has fed my soul awakening me from the normalcy and made it something extraordinary. I am enthralled with getting lost in somewhere unknown or new, just drinking it all in, inhaling the newness, the difference and find that it charges my inner battery with such a voltage that I am certain it must be smoldering. I am refreshed with renewed perspective and clarity that I am effectively executing that which my heart beats and is driven to accomplish. 

As a very wise and dear friend told me just today, life isn't about the external, it is all inside but covered with "stuff" and how Michelangelo was asked how he created all these amazing sculptures and his response wowed everyone. He said, he does not create anything, he takes a piece of rock and eliminates all of the extras and the beauty inside appears on it's own. My friend went on to say we all have it. Everyone; but some put filters in between that it becomes invisible then forgotten. I believe that is when we find ourselves merely going through motions in areas of our lives when we have allowed filters of all kinds to block out that zest; when we were created to supersede all of our notions and do and be something extraordinary as in my cup of afternoon caffeine. I believe The Wonderment of Life here is to allow ourselves to be placed in the hands of our Creator and to be transparent and bare to not only those around us but mostly to ourselves so that all that needs to be eliminated or brought out is able so that we might accomplish that which our souls long for. I have told most everyone I have had any conversation with that I hit the fifties in such a way that if just this past month alone is any indication of how they will be then the next eleven months and nine years my mind cannot fathom. I believe this can be said of all of us in all areas of our lives but it has to come from roots far deeper than our own abilities. We have to be militant and effectively driven as we are in our job performance to have our lives flourishing in all other areas. 

I leave with you the most personal of songs I have ever shared those closest know it to be my "song". Not only does this move me as the others have but this is my Anthem and the standard by which I breathe. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or intimidated by my limitations of reaching that which my soul craves and yearns I allow this song to permeate my being and alas it is not possible to execute without the soulful passion that drives my being in every facet of my life in every area. Perhaps that is the truest Wonderment of Life....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NhHzTq5wQQ

SUMMERTIME STROLLING

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

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

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