To the edge, Maybe?

I keep reading about the idea of personal fulfillment…We should be pushing ourselves to “the edge” and only by doing so will we know our abilities/limits and hence personal fulfillment…

But…

…My mediation teacher says, personal fulfillment and keeping your positive energy open comes in our choices. Everything we do and think about, is our choice. The question we should ask ourselves, “Is this choice beneficial to my well being (physically, emotionally and spiritually) and to the well being of others.?”

And…

At the end of our day, we should do a recap, a review of our day’s choices. Being mindful and staying present in total honesty, (lying to yourself is inexcusably damaging to you and to others) and in our evening’s review, if some choices were not beneficial to our well being, then we should inhale empathy for ourselves and exhale empathy for everyone else in the world who feels pain/anger/humiliation, for we are all connected and no one wants to suffer in pain.

So without judgement or guilt, set your intentions for tomorrow’s choices of physical, emotional and spiritual well being…

 

Which do you like better?

1) Pushing to “the edge”

OR

2) Beneficial “well being” choices

Today’s intention: I will stay mindful of all MY choices!

 

Kindness!

 

Today, what act of kindness will you do?….

As always, it’s your decision!

LMAO Monday!

A prominent young attorney was on his way to court to begin arguments on a complex lawsuit when he suddenly found himself at the Gates of Heaven. St. Peter started to escort him inside, when he began to protest that his untimely death had to be some sort of mistake.

“I’m much too young to die! I’m only 35!”

St. Peter agreed that 35 did seem to be a bit young to be entering the pearly gates, and agreed to check on his case.

When St. Peter returned, he told the attorney, “I’m afraid that the mistake must be yours, my son. We verified your age on the basis of the number of hours you’ve billed to your clients, and you’re at least 108.”

 

Sweet justices…Pun intended!

Wishing you a very joyous week!

LMAO Monday!

“Lawmakers here in New York are considering a plan to bring slot machines to LaGuardia Airport. Of course there’s always that other way to gamble at LaGuardia – checking a bag.” –Jimmy Fallon

 

Hope this puts a smile on your Monday face!

The Stench!

An early start to last Saturday but nothing unusual about that, I love mornings! So peaceful and calm, the day filled with so may wonderful possibilities…..

I was lucky enough to have married a man who also loves starting his day early…Our routine is coffee, gym and then a stop at our favorite bistro for an another cup of coffee with a side of catching-up with friends. Our place is a second generation Italian owned bistro. As soon as you walk in, you’re family!

With smiles and morning salutations I am at my oh so familiar coffee station (self-serve). I’m chatting it up with the people behind the counter and then I notice a man hovering around the coffee area. There was plenty of space for me to get my coffee so I moved in a little closer. But then an awful cigarette stench hit me, like a two by four to my face. And trust me on this one, NO ONE smells like that in this bistro. I then took  a better look at this man. I noticed he looked a bit out of place and a bit confused/uncomfortable. I asked if I could help?

He said, “I’m from the hood, I’m looking for powered cream.”

Well…..

…I said, “they don’t have any powdered cream but the cream here is really delicious.”

I showed him where it was and then showed him which containers had the regular coffee and which container held the decaf. Trying to make him more at ease, I continued to familiarize him with the coffee set-up but yet he remained very distracted repeating the words “I don’t want to miss my bus” (as he kept looking over his right shoulder.)

He helped himself to half regular and half decaf with some cream and sugar, then he asked me, where he should pay?

…I said “Go, don’t miss your bus, it’s my treat.”

With his right hand in the peace symbol shape, he pounds his chest twice, kisses his his two peace fingers and throws it at me with a smile on his face.

I immediately returned the gesture…

Some would say I did a kind act for someone last Saturday morning.

But I wouldn’t agree!

Last Saturday, I bought myself an all-day smile for just $2.00.

I would say money well spent on myself!

…I hope my new friend returns soon!

p.s. He didn’t miss his bus!

LMAO Monday!

I’m back from my travels and back to engaging in all your “e-lives” :)!

….Just a little Monday light-hearted nonsense!…Enjoy!

 

So David Is finally engaged, and is excited to show off his new bride. “Ma,” he said to his Mother, “I’m going to bring home three girls and I want you to guess which one is my fiance.” Sure enough twenty minutes later, David walks in the door with three girls following behind him. “It’s that one”, said his mother, without blinking an eye. ”Holy cow”, exclaimed David, “how in the world did you know it was her?” “I just don’t like her”, she replied.

 

Hope this brings at a smile to your face, no matter how your Monday unfolds!

 

 

 

The Giver!

Day Light savings arrived perfectly on time this morning. Which is also code for longer days of sunlight (yippee)! But for those who are not morning people, the time change leaves them very exhausted, feeling miserable for that lost hour of sleep.

But not me! I’m a morning person, I love springing forward and the clocks! Love jumping out of bed with the delight of an earlier start to my day or at least in my head it feels that way.

Today feeling a bit happier with a little more skip in my walk,  I walked over to my neighbors for my usually Sunday morning Thing One and Thing Two entertainment time.  Of course never knowing what activities I would discover but always filled with expectations of hugs, laughter and beautiful loving insights. This morning certainly did not disappoint.

As I let myself into their backyard heading to their backdoor I noticed bear size foot prints in the over night dusting of snow. At this point I need to mention their 110 pound Great Pyrenees English Setter Mix that looks more like a Shetland pony than a dog. And by the way, who loves to greet me by leaping up into the air landing her front paws on top of my shoulders with her enormous head towering above me. As she wagged her grand tail (swinging it back and forth), creating colder wind chill tempts, I did my best to push her down… Recognizing like everything else over at my neighbors house, she is filled with love.

But I’m digressing a bit….

Upon my arrival Thing One and Thing Two greeted me with smiles and giggles as they ran off to fetch their make-believe pizza (play doh) on little toy plates. I pretended to gobble it up with enthusiasm and delight. The next food delivery they thought should be tea.

When all of a sudden….

Thing One takes off like a shot (older, taller and has the athleticism of a gold medallist) was the first to grab the tiny plastic tea cup…

Poor harmony, poor, poor harmony… it ended up in the frying pan!

Thing Too wanted to be “the giver,” feeling his second giving would be considered sloppy seconds!

Which made me remember a quote by Theodore Roosevelt (a God wink moment)…”Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Because of great parenting, Thing Two learned no matter what he gave, it was still going to be very special…..Serenity arrived perfectly on time.

AND….

….To me, it became as obvious as the nose on my face, Thing Two had begun the journey that would lead him to being a very happy adult.

 

 

 

Games and Rules!

As I walked into my neighbors home, Thing Two (age 4) was in his mother’s arms completely relaxed. His breathing and hers had become one. Together their chests rising and falling, slowly inhaling with long slow exhales. Calm was in the room as if it was something I could touch. I even noticed my breathing had become slower with longer calming breaths  .

In Thing Two’s hand was a tiny toy he was clinging to, his reassurance that his brother (Thing One) wasn’t going to completely get exactly everything he wanted (or so he thought).  I was witnessing the calm after the storm. Apparently several minutes (thankfully) before my arrival the outburst was set into motion by Thing One’s thoughts and ideas about how a game should be played….I’m not positive on all the details but I think it had something to do with, everyone has to play by my rules or else kind of a game!

Well anyway….

As I looked over at Thing One looking very angelic and playing so peacefully on the floor. He gave the appearance  that he was totally unaware of the how and why of Thing Two’s unnerving, I couldn’t help it, I started to laugh (it really was hilarious). All of a sudden Thing Two said, it’s too noisy in the room.  His mother said with a smile and a giggle , funny how this works…people never seem to mind the volume of their own noise (screaming) but other people’s noise is unsettling.”

And…

…As you know from my past post, I truly believe God works in mysteries ways!

God was winking at me, and now getting my full attention.

This whole scene reminded me of a quote from the Dalai Lama that I had once read…”You can not lose what you do not cling to.”

God gave me that moment in time, to understand that true peace, is in, the letting go.

Sadly for many adults, maturing (respecting others) is far too difficult and letting go seems so terribly unfair.

AND…Let me reassure you, because of great parenting, Thing One and Thing Two are growing taller, stronger and maturing perfectly!

Life’s Sprinkles!

 

“Sometimes you need a little sprinkles in your life.”

-Pinterest

Over the last two weeks (and really my whole life) the heavens have been showering beautiful and delicious sprinkles down on me…

AND…

…I want to take a humble moment to give thanks and appreciation!

Thanksgiving for prayers answered!

XOXO!

 

The Other Woman!

My husband is up in our bedroom laughing with an another woman….Under normal circumstances I would not have a smile on my face but these past two weeks life has been anything but normal.

Two weeks ago today my husband had a total hip replacement (his second) and his recovery has been nothing short of amazing! I’m truly so appreciative.

BUT, that is not my story today….

…The other woman, is his physical therapist is my story.

Her name is Stephanie and this woman truly loves what she does…And it shows!

She comes into our house all smiles filled with joy, looking forward to engaging in our lives! She giggles as the dogs jump up on her, remembering their names from her last visit.  Enthusiastic and ready to begin, getting my husband stronger and more capable of regaining his normal routine….Stephanie does not whine about the cold (-1) or any discomforts of her own, which I’m sure she could if she so chooses. She only brings happiness and joy into our house and into our lives. The house lights up and our spirits warm to her kindness.

AND…

What I really find amazing, Stephanie has been a physical therapist for 30 years and has the enthusiasm of someone just beginning their career!

How does that happen? I believe like everything else in our life regarding happiness…It is (as always) a choice! 

WOW is all I can say….I love the other woman!