Getting Out Of My Own Way

* Enjoy this REPOST from my archives. (dated: 8/31/10)

Today interestingly enough, I awakened with my usual practice of observing the incredible majesty and beautiful wonders of the world in which I lovingly reside. As I began to reflect on these things I was motivated to share those thoughts with my friends via my social networking media.  My message was short and fashioned in both a question and a statement.  It went something like this; If you woke up this morning and are able to read this, while living in the land of the free and the home of the brave... need I say more?

Thank you Lord, for the freedom to do what I want today, I said to myself.

Later on, I wondered outside towards my backyard and gazed wearily at all the unfinished work that still needed to be done. My initial response to this visually mountainous feat was a simple and resounding....Uggh!  Lord, give me the strength.

I considered taking the easy route out by turning around and going back to bed, but a few favorite words of wisdom echoed in my mind, hitting me like a ton of bricks.

The first words of wisdom was a quote by Thomas Edison, which states, "Opportunities are missed by most people because they are dressed in overalls and often looks like work".  I remember this statement helping me to avoid procrastination, when I considered starting my at home business.

The next wise words showed up in the form of a larger brick, quoted by J.G. Holland which stated, "God gives every bird its food, but he does not throw it into the nest.  This reminded me that although gifts are nice to get, some gifts are better appreciated when they are earned.

Then just as I was filtering through all of this, suddenly there it was, another brick of wisdom was hurling itself rapidly in my direction. This time it came from my friend Marty, who faithfully authors a blog titled, Aphorisms of the day.  This particular aphorism was quite appropriately stating that, " Suppose Hercules had thought about his labors first.... Fortunately, for him, he just went out and did them.

So, I blinked, cleared my head, sent up some more praise, got busy and went in believing that if this task was worth me doing, it would definitely be worth me doing... RIGHT the first time.

Now, I don't have to ponder on it anymore...

Besides, blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night.

DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE

* This is a REPOST from my archive (9/11/11 @10:32 a.m.)


It's a proven fact that time is valuable, essential and most importantly waits for no one. With each day that passes, there is beauty and at the same time ugliness all around us. That's why I love and hold true to the phrase that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Here's what I see....

Everyone of us has the ability to partake of all the positive things this life has to offer, especially when we position ourselves correctly to receive them. Sometimes because of our negative mindset, we fail to see these opportunities that are literally right in front of us, which result in reinforcing a life filled with loses, failure and hopelessness. 

In contrast, I personally choose to see things differently. Today I awakened to see a glorious sun rise high in the skies, and then I saw and heard birds singing in the trees. Unfortunately, I didn't know or understand what they were saying, but it appeared to me, that they were just being thankful for another day. As I looked at my own reflection in the mirror I saw a positive, energetic and excited person ready to take on the days challenges, one by one.  Later as turned and looked around, I saw young school children playing and laughing together without prejudice, malice or restraint.  I movingly saw and met a stranger who took the time to smile and say, "good morning". You know, I truly have to honestly admit, that I probably would have missed out on his incredible greeting, if I had been walking around with my head down, filled with doom and gloom.

I know in my heart and soul that I'm not alone...... but do you see what I see?

Sharing The Holidays With You

In keeping with all of the upcoming Holiday festivities and occasional madness surrounding them, I stopped for a moment to ponder on how and what it must have taken for people to commute back and forth to their personal and favorite Holiday destinations over and during past years. I'm not exactly sure when the human race began to establish and recognize Holidays, but I'm sure there were special events that were for whatever reason, significant enough to lead them and us into what we celebrate today from one year to the next. This part of the equation is sometimes puzzling. How and what were their modes of travel? Perhaps, we should go back, I mean way back, far back, perhaps to a time forgotten......


The date is unknown and all the exact places no longer exist. An era where men and women lived mostly in caves. They were grouped together as clans or tribes, yet some remained to live apart and alone. As they learned more and more about their surroundings and became more familiar with the changing of each season, when food was abundant and sometimes scarce. Still yet, I'm sure they must have visited each other during those special times.

If distant travel became a necessity, I envision this may have been how they got it done. Fortunately for the others, the only delay in reaching their destination on time had not been discovered or invented yet. Things like locating the nearest and cheapest gas stations.

As we move farther into the more present future, these guys had less of the hardships as the previously mentioned holiday travelers. The terrain was definetly rough and tough, but at least if it rained they could still keep their appointment, stay dry and not run the risk of being eaten by what the previously mentioned guys chose to ride upon. I just think they had to really have a good idea about exactly where in the heck was their favorite uncle Billy Bob's house was located and could they actually make it there by Xmas, without having to stop and deal with altering their route due to unscheduled visits by unfriendly indians, who probably were traveling and shopping for the Holiday's too .

Today, as you know things are quite different. We have calendars, Macys department stores, television, online shopping and each other to remind us of the Holiday Seasons. Although, we could walk, run, drive, float, and of course fly to destinations today, the real problem we face is that with all these modern luxuries, traveling during the holidays can still become quite difficult, costly and extremely stressful.

For example, after deciding and preparing to make the trip, what day would be the best day of the week to tackle the dreaded airport......ummm? It has been said that the Wednesday before a Holiday is by far the worst day to travel. Yet, travel appears to ease, especially on the actual Holiday. In kind, the worst day to choose for return travel is Saturday, because you run into all the commuters who left from where ever they were a few days earlier.


But, there is a possible solution, for soon and very soon, none of the above forementioned Holiday headache issues will matter. There will be no more issues of stressful traveling, gift selections, excuses or worrying whether or not we can observe this or that Holiday and will it conflict with our personal lives or different religious beliefs. There and only there, at that place and time, it is said that...

"Everyday will be a Holiday"





Until then, where ever you are in the world, from me and mine, to you and yours.....

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.



* Portions reposted from an archieve post titled, "I'll Be There".  

Treasures Of The Heart

Today, started with sorting through the volumes of incoming emails. Usually the task involves choosing between the good and bad stuff and enjoying the rewarding sounds of hitting the delete button as fast as I can. But, suddenly I was distracted by a title that caught my eye and I paused to investigate it closely.  Since I recognized the name of the sender, I felt very safe in opening the visually capturing mail. As I read each line to its final period, I knew then that I was obligated to share it with all of you, my valued readers.  My only regret is that I could not determine its author, as its my desire to give all the credit for this piece to it's proper owner. 

May your heart also be enlighten by its meaning and blessing: 

The WOODEN BOWL  

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson.  
The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered  

The family ate together at the table, but the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.  

When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.  

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.   “We must do something about father, said the son.  I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.”   

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.  

There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.  

When the family glanced in Grandfather‘s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.  

Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.   The four-year-old watched it all in silence.  

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.  

He asked the child sweetly, ' What are you making? Just as sweetly, the boy responded,  

“Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up”.  

The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.  

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.  

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.  

For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.  

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.  

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things:  

A rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.  

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.  

I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life..   

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.  

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back sometimes.  

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you.. but, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.  

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.  

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.  

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.  

People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back...., I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.