World Kindness Day

 “This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.” —Dalai Lama

My Gerbera Daisies

 Kindness is something that this world desperately needs in these times of sheer, total cray-cray-ness. The President is weird, unintelligent & downright scary 👀👀; everyone has 'touched' someone else in a wrong, not-good way and all other kinds of madness.

BUT!!! In light of all that, there is always time, always a way to be kind and perform random acts of kindness.  This article gave me the warm fuzzies all over. 💖

I believe we do random acts without even realizing it. If you do something as small as say 'hello' to someone or smile or say 'have a good day', you have no idea what those things may do for another person's day.

I'm all about the kindness because I wanted to be treated kindly. It's truly takes much more energy to be mean, just like it takes more facial muscles to frown than smile. Plus, being mean gives you wrinkles, so fix your attitude so you don't end up with R.B.F. (Resting Bitch Face) 😁

On voting day last week, I walked to the Art Academy up the street from my house. Inside, a woman was complaining about how cold she was. She had on many layers, but her hands were ice. Without even thinking twice, I say - "here - you can have my gloves - I have more."

No I don't. I mean I THOUGHT I did, but I can't find them. No worries - they were just the small, stretchy ones that are a dime a dozen. My hands would've appreciated them as I walked back home in the cold wind, but I couldn't get over the feeling of how good I felt and how good it felt for her to hug me in thanks.

Just a small random act. Of kindness.

I can't believe I gave her my gloves...... 😐

Namaste.

Quiet Sign Friday

Sunrise

Happy Friday, my friends - have a great weekend!

Picture: me

Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys.  ~Madeleine L'Engle

I am writing with thoughts of my dear Cassie. I've spoke of her here before - she's terminal with cancer, yet she is the strongest person I know. She has had so many setbacks with her health, yet she still shines through. Her faith in God is unwavering! She is now at another cross road  health wise and admits she battles huge bouts of fear, yet God keeps her steady. She is preparing to participate in another marathon for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. Please take a look at her donation page & hear a little of her story. And if you feel so inclined, please donate a little. It means so much to her, me and all the others battling and/or survived the nasty cancer. 

Peace, love & comfort to all of you. But especially to my Cassie. :-)

Picture by: me. I chose this picture to show no matter where you're planted, you can still always bloom. Just like Cass.

Honored!!

I am honored to accept this award @ nomination from Sharon @ Chaos Ranch!!!! I truly appreciate the shout-out and am grateful to everyone that happens by here.

Here are 10 things about me that wouldn't be commonly known:

1. I am the 7th youngest of nine children
2. I am ambidextrous, but can only write with my left hand
3. I'm a pretty good basketball player
4. I'm a good cook
5. I always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher
6. I used to have a good singing voice & always wanted to be a back-up singer
7. I've always typed no less than 70wpm
8. I used to be a serious tom-boy
9. My mother sent me to charm school (scream!)
10. I used to be a clarinet band nerd & still have my original horn in my closet. Yeah... since high school. Freaky.

And now, here are six blogs I like to read; I adore so many :-)

1. http://momentarysolace.blogspot.com/
2. http://soulaperture.blogspot.com/
3. http://sophistishe.com/
4. http://thesweetlight.com/
5. http://www.etsy.com/shop/RedBarnStudios?ref=top_trail (blog under construction)
6. http://bferry.wordpress.com/

Thanks again!! :-)

Soaring with the eagles

Things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out. ~Art Linkletter

We were to travel 2 hours out of town this afternoon for Son's basketball game. I am trying to keep my sneezes & sniffles from becoming worse than they are, so I told Son that we wouldn't be able to make the game. He was clearly disappointed, yet he said "it's okay - my team will handle it for me." Then that 'single mama/single child' syndrome kicked in (again) and I insisted on buying him something for not making the game. He thought & thought and finally he said. "I'll just take some Skittles."

He's amazing.

And the wind beneath my wings.

Taste the rainbow :-)

Have a cozy Saturday, all.

Picture by: me

Hushed

"When snow falls, nature listens." ~Antoinette van Kleeff

If you ever wanna hear yourself think, or hear God's voice speaking to you, take a walk outside after a snow. You'll hear all you need in the silence.


Pictures by: me :0}

Same Ole Story

I read this cool list today that suggested: "go back one year in your blog & see where your head was compared to now." One year ago, I talked about homelessness here. Nothing has changed in this year with me on that matter. It still holds a soft spot in my heart.

I still sneak $ & friendship to Nelson @ the library when I see him, which hasn't been since summer. He always asks if I still have the 'very valuable rock' he gave me. I do. There has always been another guy there, too, that I've never mentioned. He's always reading the newspapers from all over the world. And he always has coffee so I slip the $ & tell him to have his next coffee on me. He always smiles, thanks & blesses me & whispers "miracle, miracle."

Then over the weekend leaving the grocery, I saw an elderly gent w/several bags & a cardboard sign slowly making his way up the boulevard.

Sigh & prayers. So, I guess my head is in the same place as last year on this note. And I'm sure it will still be next year, God willing & the creek don't rise! :-)

Pictures by: me :-}
Lower picture is the side of a building in the Arts District, Downtown

Compassionate Acts

"What this world needs is a new kind of army - the army of the kind. " ~Cleveland Amory

Have you ever met anyone in your life who is so filled with compassion & concern for the well-being of others that it just blows you away? I am proud to say that I am blessedly fortunate to know such a person.

Her name is Se'Lah. In knowing her, I have learned to inhale, exhale, forgive, let go, be still, be calm, to touch the waters, to take the focus off myself, reach out, reach in, let go of the fear of death, and understand the meaning of the word 'impermanence." She has taught me to value myself, that I am beautiful, worthy, talented & deserve nothing but the best. Oh - and that there is truly only One. Love.

Helluva woman, isn't she? Now, again, Se'Lah is focusing on others. In particular, those who are battling (or have battled) that spooky disease called c-a-n-c-e-r. This word has frightened me for years! At the age of 12, I watched my grandmother deteriorate in front of my very eyes & leave this earth due to cancer. So won't you join "Se'Lah's Angels" by doing a simple random act of kindness for these precious folks who have been visited by this ilness?

Please click on the button @ the right and see how simple it is. You will be SO, SO happy that you did. And the person on the receiving end will treasure your thoughts & prayers more than you could imagine.

One love.

Sensation

When I awoke this morning

And I was whole, healthy and rested

When i gave a person who was running late a ride to church

When i bought gifts because I knew the person would appreciate it

When dinner was prepared for me

When the sun sets on the clouds after a rain

And when Grandparents Day is a complete, beautiful surprise,

I am filled with the sensation of peace, love, kindness, random kindness acts, concern, love, care, and compassion

Pictures by: me ;-}
Last pic: mom & Son
Sunday Scribbling word prompt: "sensation"

Just long enough

I remember mentioning a book I read called "God's Guest List" that made you aware of folks that pass in and out of your everyday life, and what their purposes were at that time. Some stayed for just moments, others for years, others for life.

Earlier, I also mentioned a friend I knew who was a victim of domestic violence. I never knew what happened to her, assumed she was forever in an unknown nursing home, and found out she had been living around the corner from me for three years.

After we spoke that day, we never reached out to each other again. I saw her just in passing at times, but nothing more.

Well, she moved this past weekend to another part of the city where we more than likely will not run into each other. It made me think of God's Guest List; she and I crossed paths again in our lives just long enough to reconnect.

And even though she wasn't able to fully connect, the joy in seeing her alive, healthy and blessed overwhelmed me. It is a memory I will always hold on to.


Pictures by me :o}

I saw you

As soon as I noticed him carrying the bag of cans,
noticing the way he scoured the ground for treasure,
I knew it was the thing to do

He didn't need to speak any words, he didn't even notice me
but I noticed him, and I knew his actions
he was searching for the lone coin that may have escaped a pocket

the piece of gold that maybe would make the difference
between something to eat or not, something to drink or not
how would that be for us? if our day or our next meal
depended upon what we found on the ground
or in the trash?

when i pulled the car up next to him & extended my hand
that held what I could spare, he jumped in surprise &
extended his own shaky hand & looked me in the eye.
I knew those eyes - they held weariness, despair, & little light
the hands were dirty, nails long, telling stories of hard life

I clicked on my biggest smile & said have a great day!
He, in turn, gave me his biggest smile, thanked me & blessed me
He couldn't have possibly known that his very existence
is my blessing.

To him, I give, I gifted & I gave. And my life feels all the richer for it.
I hope, in some way, his does, too.

Please take a sec & watch this tiny video clip produced by Shawnette Heard, called "John Doe." As soon as they showed the homeless man, tears sprang to my eyes. Let's continue to count our blessings.

Pictures: (hands-Internet Courtesy) (Daisy-me :-})
Sunday Scribbling word prompt: "Give."

Golden Wisdom

s

Mom gave this sweet little gem. Tied closed with a silky gold ribbon. Another thing she & I have in common is not only do we love inspirational books, but we adore "little" books. Between she and I, I'm sure we have enough inspirationals to inspire a small country! (LOL!) We can't help it; they make 'em so dang cute that you cannot resist.

She said the images inside reminded her of my photos (as you can see from her note inside the book). I love it. I held it close to me.

Then I held her close to me.

Then before bed, I read it twice.

The inspirations are so simple and logical that I could almost hear her voice saying them to me.

Thanks, mom. I love you. Always.



Pictures by: me :-}

Careful Selection

These are the same roses, only seen thru my lens in a different way. A rose IS a rose, after all :-)

I'm feeling giddy today because I've sent three special packages out to friends.

They are filled with love, happiness & joy. I took my time & thought of each person as I carefully selected their things.

I know 2 packages will bring great joy & creativeness.

The third package is the most special of all as it's going to an elderly friend, who is widowed & lonely. My heart raced as I made up her package and the mail can't move fast enough.

I can picture her surprise when her mailman arrives, and her sitting by her 'reading window' opening the package, and the smile that I hope will come over her face & the joy & peace she will feel in her heart.

There's no high like giving :-)

The manner of giving is worth more than the gift. ~Pierre Corneille

Pictures by: me :-} (I treated myself to roses Sunday Morning. Blissful, aren't they?)

High on Arrival

Some years ago, my sister, treated me to Oprah's weekend workshop "Live Your Best Life."
In San Francisco.
It was a whirlwind of unbelievable. Flew out Friday & in on Sunday. I was so full of exhilaration & on such a high. It lasted for days on end. Overwhelming enough to go from being at work one day, then the next seeing the beauty of the City. Then the next day, spending the entire day in the presence of Oprah. Unreal.
While my sister & I were trying to sneak pictures that weren't allowed, security asked us if we wanted to greet Ms. Winfrey as she "exited the limo."
Then there she was. "This" close.
The afternoon spent w/2,500+ women (& some men) & Oprah was the amazing experience (besides child birth) ever. O is really the shit; a huge force to be reckoned with, but SUPER funny! And very down-home, like a cousin or something. She kicked off the stiletto's & wore her slippers 5 min. into coming out on stage. By the end of the workshop, it felt like I had 2,498 new friends. The feeling of self-love & sisterhood made me glow.

On the plane coming back home (it was clear flying out - you could see the ground below from Ohio to S.F.; same way coming home), I was SO giddy, I filled nearly 1/2 the journal Oprah passed out (PS: she did give away some cool stuff - I still use the duffle bag.) It was a blessed gift from my sister! For me, that is one great memory I'll not forget. It was the last time I got really excited about something!*



After a week or so, my hyper level mellowed & my life returned to it's routine.

"But that is the beginning of a new story..."**

Pictures: internet
*Daydreaming on Paper
**Carry On Tuesday

Simple Sunday randoms

I have more snow pictures, but I'm feeling soggy. Rains, then boat-loads of snow takes it toll. It sure is beautiful, but I sure am a little tired of seeing it :-\

Thoughts of thankfulness:

• chocolate fudge cake for dessert & chicken noodle soup (from scratch) in the crock pot. both excellent
  
• thanks to Pillsbury for putting 'Decadent Dark Chocolate Fudge" icing in a can w/a nozzle on the end. So much neater & easier to squirt into your mouth
• "Daydreaming on Paper" for more food for thought
  
• Construction paper as a back drop. DUH!
  
• went to a church concert w/mom this afternoon. I'm glad I fought the urge not to go. It was nice & made her happy
• "Nelson", the homeless guy @ the library, told me he collects stones & has one for me. He didn't feel like digging through his huge bag of belongings to look for it so I told him I'd get it next time I saw him. I'm looking forward to receiving
• many prayers for Japan
  
• spending a solid hour, un-interupted, shooting pictures in natural kitchen light. Well, nearly un-interrupted... why do people have goofy questions the minute they see you pick up your camera? (lol!)
• Learning new camera things & shooting random things on a whim
• Podcasts & audio books on iPod. Blissdom.
  
• a new Gift of Jewels project! Yay! It's always such a chain of love.

Pictures by: me :-)