Quote Of Encouragement ~ Or Not??

When the waves close over me, I dive down to fish for pearls.
~Masha Kaleko

When reading the quote above, my first reaction was Yes! and my second thought, (which has served as an obstacle in writing this post ) is what will others think??? how will it come across???

Somehow along the way, my positive outlook and rather more chipper than subdued personality, has lead others (ok a small handful a friend shared) to believe that things are always rosy in my world and more importantly, that I don't validate how they are feeling. When I think about it closely and try to interpret it...they feel, how "I am" doesn't allow room for how they are feeling, which creates their resentment and what I consider a misinterpretation of who I am. The furthest thing from my mind is to not be giving and compassionate. I will so work on conveying that differently for sure.

From the beginning of writing my blog, it has been important to me to keep it genuine of my thoughts...I didn't want today's entry to be an exception. So that is why I shared candidly with you Dear Readers this struggle, which is the result of a recent, eye opening, conversation that has involved a whole lot of soul searching for this Blogging Mama.

There are times in our lives when we need to take a look deep inside and see if we like what we see and where we want to make changes. I feel that my journey is evolving for sure and when aspects of Life feel a bit turbulent, you can be sure I am fishing for pearls....for both me and for you!

**  After thought........Feeling that today's post could have gone on a lot longer and probably required more to make complete sense of it all, but it is about the journey we call Life and my wanting to share mine with you, because we are all processing something, ok MANY THINGS and knowing others are processing too provides hope, comfort and that virtual High Five!

Never Stop Skipping......

Playful reminders have the ability to ground us, bring us back to a stress free time, and ease the tension of the moment.

I experienced that joyful reaction recently while I watched a child skipping in the library. He was so contently absorbed in his own moment, as if nothing else mattered, and that skipping was the only way to get from one area of the library to another. I found myself getting caught up in the image, and the child within me smiled and I realized "skipping should not stop when we leave childhood!" The same playfulness should also continue with jumping rope, coloring and blowing bubbles.

Really, I think all the activities that brought us joy in our childhood, should be part of our weekly schedule in adulthood. After all, if it brings us moments of contentment and awakens the happy child from within, I'm all for it. So ladies if anyone is digging out their Barbies, "can I come ova 'n play????" "Sorry Mom I know you taught me to never invite myself over to a friend's...but it's Barbies!!!"

Have You Laughed Today??.....

Recently I attended a Laughing Yoga class at the Seekonk Public Library. Curious to see what I was in store for, I looked it up online and saw an awry of laughing videos. Folks looking real happy....I'm in! The idea of laughing with a group of people intrigued me. I invited my sister to join in, it felt like a bonding sisterly experience...and it was! I think the idea of doing something that I know very little about, falls into the category of my wanting to try things out of my comfort zone. Though I consider myself rather happy and jovial by nature, this was still feeling out there for me....in a curious way.

We started with learning about the health benefits of laughing and then it was time to really get started. There we were, the room filled with over 20  people, anxiously sitting at the edge of our seats, ready for instructions. Things started peculating with every Ha Ha Ha... and the room started to come to Life.

Through the superb guidance of Laughter Certified Instructor (who knew there was such a thing??) Mary McDonald, she had us belly laughing, some even with with happy tears and even a few ladies running for the bathroom....no jokes, no stories, just us moving around, role playing and non verbally engaging with others....through laughter! Forced laughter, quickly became familiar and welcomed.

The nervous skiddish energy that initially filled the room was now well into healthy laughter mode.  

How about this for a laugh fact: One minute of belly laughing is equivalent to 10 minutes on a rowing machine. Well, that's a no brainer to me. I've found my daily exercise. I don't row. Bring on the laughter!

My aha! moment of the class...once we allow ourselves to become a bit vulnerable, let our guard down, and not be concerned how we look to others.....there is a whole lot of fun just waiting to be had.

I'm Uncomfortable.................

As I said goodbye to 2013 and welcomed 2014, surrounded by friends, I took an oath to be part of something new and "mix things up". I was feeling the itch. You know that antsy feeling of being stagnant with a few aspects in your Life and it then effects even the things that once felt good? That's where I was.

Ready for change, I began formulating my plan. So many ideas. My first attempt was shot down, because it needed to be accepted and approved by someone else. A Blessing in disguise, the experience empowered me to take hold of the reigns (which quite honestly makes sense....my Life...my reigns) and set out on a search.  I have put a few things in "go" mode and eagerly work on them weekly.

One has resulted in my taking on an additional part time job, with the elderly, in the activities department. 

The first week, is where it got uncomfortable. It confirmed for me......

The unknown.........makes me uncomfortable

Meeting new people & having them get to know me......makes me uncomfortable

Wandering around the building, not always sure where to go...what to do.... makes me uncomfortable

Being responsible for the residents safety when they are in my care.......makes me uncomfortable

Thinking about the germ exposure.....makes me uncomfortable

Coming home & thinking "am I liking this"...makes me uncomfortable

....and then it happened...one afternoon this week while these wonderful people sat in their wheel chairs, all together in a large room, while songs of the 50's blared out from the speakers, I be-bopped around them dancing and smiling and watching their wrinkly silk  hands start to move and respond. It warmed my heart to see the glistening of delight in their eyes. A few even got up to dance! (must say I became a tad concerned, but I had completed CPR certification the day prior and heck we were having fun)

Along with fellow coworkers, we danced to one song after another and marveled at their enjoyment of songs from years gone by. I stopped and honestly thought "I am so glad I am here and having this experience!!" The feeling of being uncomfortable is quickly easing!

As I drove home, I truly gave thanks for not making any quick decisions.

The experience is a Life lesson worth sharing for sure. When Life feels uncomfortable and our response is to quickly make it stop, hang in there, listen to your heart and...... wait for the dance!

My Journey ~ Don't Stop Believin'.....................

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray." Jalaluddin Rumi

It starts as a whisper and we have to listen closely to hear it, however the more we really listen the louder it gets.

In the past few weeks I have had the extreme pleasure off chatting with special people in my Life. In each instance the conversation turned to listening to the whisper. It feels as though our gut response is to ignore it, as if we are not deserving or too paralyzed by the fear of what making changes may mean. We pondered.......

I say hogwash! (she said timidly) Let's take it on as a challenge, modify it where need be and hear the whisper loud and clear......and believe it will NOT lead us astray. Create a moving forward plan, and take confidence in knowing that a step at a time is always the beginning of any journey worth taking!

Snowy Day In New England..................

On a recent snowy day here in New England I needed to clear my head, I also needed to return books to the library. So I combined the two and walked over. Not a far walk at all. As I headed out on my jaunt, I was welcomed by the falling snow, the quietness it brings and the soft whisper of dried oak leaves on a tree I passed. I tossed around the problems that were bothering me, then tried to let them fade and gather all the calmness this serene walk had to offer, glad I had made the choice to venture out.

My stop at the library was ever so brief, and I was back on my way to resume my peaceful walk home.......Well here's where it all changed. The wind was making it difficult to walk now, while snow hit my face in rapid fire speed, my eyes watered and my breath was short. What had happened???

As I focused on walking, I compared this situation to Life. We can be going along and all seems wonderful and effortless. We notice the gifts around us as we are ticking along and just as we become confident, things can quickly change...... suddenly the wind is no longer at our backs. We are faced with stressful and difficult situations and a our gifts and blessing are tougher to see. 

Similarly, as I continued my way home, walking into the wind and eyes all watery I had to focus a bit more. I stopped and snapped a picture of the beautiful oak tree that still held the same whispering sounds I heard on my way by the first time, when all was peaceful and calm. I wanted to capture and hold onto the moment and the meaning it served. 

I reminded myself that blessings are still there even when the wind is no longer at our backs helping us along....we just have to stop and notice them and hold on tight until the winds shift again. Find your blessings...the more you look....the more you see ~

Auld Lang Syne.........

As we bid farewell to 2013, I play a photo montage in my mind of the year in review. There was laughter and tears, setbacks and milestones. 

For me, mental notes were taken and lessons were learned. During the difficult times I learned the power of patience and serenity. Feelings of being scared or sad will ease and things really do feel a tad better in the light of day. Throughout the year, I was both the comforter and the "comfortee". It is when we turn to others and ask for help, we open the possibilities to strengthen tenderness, understanding & connections.

The love of family and friends prevailed, and together we saw each other through.

Happy and joyful times reminded me of the importance of joining in and making things happen. The benefits of being part of something fun provides me with "fall back" moments, so when things aren't feeling so good, I have something joyous to remember.

Whether your thoughts for the new year are "out of the box, let's mix things up" or "smooth sailing please"....my wish for you is that they come true!

2014 here I come!

Cheers ~