Conscious Effort With A Mustache...................

It doesn't just happen, it isn't always easy and it does require deliberate effort.....  Simple gestures have the power to enrich our lives and so very sweetly those around us.

Living more consciously towards others just feels damn good to me! Sometimes it takes reminders...and then as soon as I do I feel recharged, like gasoline in a car....OK maybe not quite to intense but I'm hoping you'll give it a try.

Last week I was in a doctor's waiting room and an elderly women walked by. I complimented her on her embroidered jeans. I was thinking it and I wanted to let her know. She turned with a smile and thanked me. Her husband who was waiting for her chimed in with "I have a pair at home too." The playful banter provided levity for all of us to enjoy....then and later also whenever I think back to it.

While out for very yummy frozen yogurt last weekend, all the outside tables were taken. Still space at them mind you, but occupied just the same. In a deliberate manner, I pretended to go sit down and said 'hey mind if we sit with you??" The two guys gave a hesitant stare, which quickly turned to a welcoming "sure." I explained I was just goofing but always thought it would be fun to live in the South, where I envisioned everyone knowing everyone and chatting around town.  One of the guys explained that he was actually from Texas, here teaching at Rhode Island School of Design. Conversation went in an artful direction for a bit and ended with smiles and well wishes all around. It was just fun!!

One last recap (which I am not sure if I have shared already..it still stays with me and I like to share it) While shopping recently a small boy, hand in hand with his Mom were walking towards me. He was wearing a playful cut out mustache. I commented how great it looked and I was so happy to have run into him while shopping because it made me happy! I thanked him for brightening my day! We high fived and went on our way.

As I walked away I heard him sweetly say to his Mom " I made her happy!!"

It warmed my heart more than I had imagined my commenting would.

Go ahead Dear Readers let out those happy thoughts you may be thinking while out on errands or at work....touch some lives with smiles, kind words and feel the vibe.

Hold On To The Gifts...............

Recently I went into Green River Silver Co. on Hope Street in Providence, to pick out a gift for myself! Translation: I was a kid in a candy store on a recent outing .... I was instructed by a special someone (whose name rhymes with Arc) that he wanted it to be a "just right gift", something to commemorate my turning 50. In the hopes that each time I would wear it, I would be reminded of this special time in my Life. A time of new chances and discoveries that I have been creating....those that have already taken place and those still to come.

It was fun! I gave the selection process the time and reverence such an importance task deserved...tee hee hee. My two sons were with me, and at 21 and 17 I would have thought they would have taken me up on my offer, to just pull up and I'll jump out. They insisted on coming in and being part of the experience. Second translation: they meandered around the store & offered positive feedback when I asked for it, they read my mind.

I knew the piece would be something simple and timeless, something that "looked like me" and something that would in fact remind me of this new time... living in the sometimes uncomfortable to accomplish something new, healthier choices, taking my own kind of chances and adding a dash or two of daring.

When I decided upon the sterling silver bracelet and earrings with a stone of my birth month, I knew I had found the right pieces. 

When checking out and presenting my gift certificate, I knew the next question  "do you need this gift wrapped?" "oh yes" I replied. I had bought enough gifts for others at this fine silver store to know about the whimsical tissue paper and star confetti Green River Silver places in each gift box.

I joyfully watched as the store clerk wrapped my gift with special touches. I was enjoying the whole experience..... I grinned to the boys with delight and said...."I feel a blog post coming on".

Life is about the experiences, special touches and most importantly being aware of them with a grateful heart.

As I looked at the bracelet and earrings this weekend, they held many meanings for me including the amazing year so far of firsts, defining the new 50 along with all the liberation and discoveries it brings, to thinking of my awesome sons who are at exciting times in their lives, to my very special husband who wanted everything to be just right with my milestone birthday celebrations and being certain I would be able to fall back onto those memories for years to come.

Find your special moments Dear Readers...it feels great....make them happen, make sure you notice them and make sure you hold on tight. There are so many out there....enough to last a Lifetime.

Pour A Glass.....................

Sometimes oj in stemmed glasses can calm the craze 

Well, in my last post I shared that the pile of dirty dishes, two appliances breaking down, along with schedules and Life feeling crazed and my quick reaction to not deal with it exactly well, confirmed to me (and others) that I needed to take time to recharge. (Now I’m not talking, I’m out of here for a vacation, or a day or two at a spa...though lovely that would be, is not realistic on a day to day routine) I committed to the following list, so I could rebound and have a bit more tolerance and less stress in my days.

Today I will:

~ Sit and listen to nothing, knowing that's the best time to hear the most

~ Not over analyze feelings of bewilderment, so they can slip on by

~ Make time & stretch out the knots, releasing the stress weighing me down

~ Be creative ~ Daydream~ Blow bubbles

~ Start the wheels in motion for a project

~ Be kind to myself

So I am pleased to report that taking the time and adding the practice to my days,  did in fact center me, and wouldn’t you know I was put to the test Thursday when the 2 ½ year old microwave stopped heating and smelled like smoke. No joke. Now granted I probably said “are you f’n kidding me", but it didn’t wreck me. Its all how we look at it.

Sharing that, in the hopes that you Dear Readers know the power and necessity of taking time for you to ease the everyday stressors that are all around us. Breaking down appliances are among the minor for sure, but they can still nag at us, similar to an annoying co-worker or a driver in front of us not going when the light changes green because they are texting. All irritants for sure.

How fortunate we are to possess the ability to ease the stressful times just a bit, when we add to each day recharging practices that serve as part of our own maintenance program, that can bring calmer moments to both ourselves and those we love…..let’s get ready…….just sayin’.

Do You Need A Band Aid???

When Life gets in the way and feelings of good are not at the surface, it's time to take out the first aid kit and get a handle on the situation and begin the triage process.

That's where I've been the past few weeks, caught up in "stuff"...hence the not posting to my blog. Not that things have been feeling negative, but more that I lost sight of my own thoughts, my "me" time that recharges and so importantly fell short in recognizing my many Blessings. The Blessings remain, but go unnoticed when we get caught up in our regular routine and forget to keep ourselves in good mental health.

So after the inner conversations of what the hell is wrong? and why am I feeling glass half empty, I started to realize its not about the sink full of dishes AGAIN or that the washing machine is on it's way out (after the dishwasher conked out 2 weeks ago) it was more about not being ready to handle those things because I let myself lose consciousness of how I choose to live my Life.

So the healing begins, the first aid kit is out and I put into motion the process of getting back on track. 

Today I will:

~ Sit and listen to nothing, knowing that's the best time to hear the most

~ Not over analyze feelings of bewilderment, so they can slip on by

~ Make time & stretch out the knots, releasing the stress weighing me down

~ Be creative ~ Daydream~ Blow bubbles

~ Start the wheels in motion for a project

~ Be kind to myself 

Challenge

"Even if you have a lot of work to do, if you think of it as wonderful, and if you feel it as wonderful, it will transform into the energy of joy and fire, instead of becoming a burden."
~ Tulku Thondup Rinpoche

Each day I receive an inspirational quote in my email. Like clockwork it arrives and I ponder the message it is sending me. Truth be told some are in fact inspirational to me and others, not so much. Then today it hit me. Of course each quote will hold different meaning for different people. It's about what we bring to it, what we are in need of and what we are looking for.

So when I read today's quote (above) I considered the variety of responses it could conjure up in folks. And then I considered sharing it with you Dear Readers, as a challenge. I can clearly see how the quote feels "easier said than done", but consider the sweet reward when we can master the skill of making tasks feel wonderful and turn it into joy. 

We could all use a bit more joy and if it is at our fingertips by how we view something, it's up to us to give it a try.

So off I go to tackle paperwork and bills that have piled up, while I chant a mantra that helps me see it as wonderful and good......as I eagerly await that feeling of joy and the task no longer feeling like a burden.

So when faced with your own pile of work......go ahead and give it a try ~

If you too would like to receive a daily quote of inspiration and contemplation, be sure to visit Gratefulness.org and sign up. They touch my Life every day.

Sharing More Of My World................

Gestures of "saw this and thought of you", pictures that capture a special moment, cards that touched my heart, treats that harness a memory and accomplishments of my own, all adorn a corner in my studio.

Now mind you, it hadn't even occurred to me that I had such a special space. It came to light the other day when an article that someone copied for me because she said "it made me think of you and your family" made it's way to the shelf after I read it and wanted to hold onto it and preserve the happy feeling a special someone brought me. (you can see it there in the left lower corner. "Live Your Song")

There are all kinds of things stashed here, from a photo of friends and I with author Jodi Piccoult and even an email Jodi sent me after I invited her to girls hang out night when she was going to be in town...she replied to me...such a joy! (she couldn't attend...but still such a joy she replied!!) A note from E that made me smile ear to ear and an ornament of the world that my oh so talented husband painted the word PEACE on one Christmas when he asked the boys "what do you think Mom would like for Christmas. I mean tender, right?

 
It is an accumulation of years and memories that initially started on this fabric covered board that just kept expanding onto the wall next to it. It's now my own kind of I Spy book that brings me smiles when I take time to really look and remember each piece and the joy it brought me when first placed there.

So today's message Dear Readers is to think about creating a place for you, whether it be a bulletin board in your laundry room, or a decorative box on a nearby table or an artist's book of blank pages to fill. Create some place to capture your own moments, that you can randomly add to in no particular order, and so importantly go back to when you need that reminder, that bit of love or that shot of inspiration.

Take a close look and see what you can find.....like Life it holds so much more and we just have to take time to see it!

Peace ~

When Was The Last Time You Did It?...................

While gardening last weekend and feeling the warming sun on my back and the beach towel under my knees, I decided to just do it! I rolled over on my back and did a little cloud gazing. It felt relaxing, whimsical, child like and a little playing hooky. Perfect combination for this sometimes wound tight mama. (there I said it...I can be wound tight!..I know it and realizing that working on it sure is helping)

Thinking about it now, I did recently dance, let's say, very enthusiastically while home alone a few weeks ago. My mission is to, yes, live in the moment, but also to psyche myself out that I am a carefree, don't need to plan everything kind of gal, who can spontaneously
roll on her back...for a little cloud gazing! 

It's working! My body reaps the benefits of my mind chilling out and being silly. Serotonin is increased and that my friends lends itself to a happy and content place to be.

So today's recommendation Dear Readers is to make a little fun happen on a regular basis. It feels great, it stays with you even after you stop and it's down right healthy for you.