Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.
— James Cash Penney (JC PENNEY)
It’s only the middle of January and already it’s been a challenging year. Within my small group of friends and coworkers, there have been three deaths in our families and two major automobile accidents. Today, the Ladies of Literature had their annual meeting to toast the new year and pick our books for 2012. One of our members said that 2012 had to get better from here. Another member predicted that we just might look back on 2011 as a really good year once we saw what Continue reading » Together We Can Do More
Goin’ through Hell? Keep on moving!
When God closes one door He always opens another even though sometimes it’s hell in the hallway.
— My Help Desk Expert, Bobby C.
Sigh… ain’t that the truth! Moving through the in-betweens – those transitional Neutral Zones between closing doors and opening doors can be hell… even when we occasionally manage to Continue reading » Where the Hell’s the Door Out?
A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.
— Bernard Meltzer
On Tuesday, after almost a year of turmoil, our family situation has been resolved. Our journey has changed my world view. It has taught me many things. It has taught me that compassion is always welcome. It has taught me that shame is over rated. It has taught me that, in my life, there are many good and generous people.
When it all started, we knew that it would take time and money to resolve, but we didn’t really have a clue about the Continue reading » So Much to Be Grateful For
Have you ever found yourself just going through the motions?
Life is a nonstop parade of minutes, hours and days — a steady string of magical moments that we can choose to use as we see fit. And the manner in which we use or abuse these irreplaceable moments shapes the lives we get to enjoy.
— Unknown
If you’re a regular reader of this blog then you know that in my 2009 year-end post, Objects in the Rearview Mirror, I greeted the New Year with this declaration of independence:
I’m hoping that, like a Hoberman Sphere, I can expand my heart to embrace the adventure that lies before me… I’m puttin’ on my dancing shoes – so, 2010, cha cha cha!
And shortly thereafter, in an effort to supplement my not-so-daily walks, I joined a twice-a-week Zumba® exercise class. (Golly gee, do ya’ think there was some subconscious doings going on in there??) For those of you who haven’t been to a Zumba class, it’s dance-aerobics done to pulsating latin music. It’s fun, challenging and invigorating. Usually.
But the other day I was simply going through the motions in class, with little or no energy and certainly no joy. My action and energy reflected a lackluster attitude of mental and psychic fatigue; I was tired. I was distracted and discouraged. I was unwittingly succumbing to overwhelm. You’ve been there – to overwhelm – haven’t you? It’s when your life circumstances demand: More, more, more! And your brain (and body and soul) cry: Enough already!
Then I had a flash of great genius (Smirk): Continue reading » Make It Count
- I don’t know what it is
- But it just won’t quit.
- …
- Is this a blessing or is it a curse?
- Does it get any better?
- Can it get any worse?
- Will it go on forever?
- Is it over tonight?
- Does it come with the darkness?
- Does it bring out the light?
- There was a time when I knew just what I was living for.
- …and the time was so long ago.
It Just Won’t Quit
— Meat Loaf
When I’m feeling melancholy, I soothe my battered soul listening to Meat Loaf’s CD, Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell
. And to paraphrase the lyrics:
- There was a time when I knew just what I was living for…
- There was a time and the time was NOT so long ago.
Earlier this week I advocated turning a blind eye to the flaws in broken and damaged works of art… choosing instead to relish the beautiful imperfections that abound in our lives. And, YES, as you might have surmised, I wrote that post, Broken But Beautiful, as a message from me to myself. I folded it up, stuffed it in this blog – and sent it out with the tide, hoping my inner critics would walk upon the sands of time and get the message.
And STILL there’s this voice SHOUTING in my brain – THIS IS NOT WHAT I HAD PLANNED! I need a “pop-up blocker” in my head that prevents the willy nilly appearance of Continue reading » NOT What I Had Planned
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