Mary, did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.
Oh Mary did you know
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the Lamb
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM.
Oh Mary did you know
Merry Christmas to everyone
Peace...on earth
lyrics by Mark Lowry
Monday, December 24, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
2012 RETROSPECTIVE
This is the time of year when everyone does it - looks back on where they have been over the past year so they can prepare for the upcoming one. I am no different.
The vernacular definition of the word "insanity" is to keep doing the same thing over but expecting different results. What do you plan to do differently in the year 2013 to force a different outcome? Or are you totally pleased with your 2012 outcome and wouldn't change a thing?
Going into 2013, are there relationships you need to scrap? Do you have friends and/or family who tear you down or beat you up with their words? People will only treat you the way you let them. If you don't lay the groundwork for how you want to be treated, when will you? Do you want to take that negativity into 2013?
Are you pleased with your financial situation?
Are you satisfied with your health? Did you schedule and keep all of your health maintenance appointments this year? Our health is our own responsibility. The older we get, the more aches and pains we wake up with. Let's make sure those aches and pains are benign and not symptoms of something more significant. The quality of our health determines the quality of our lives.
Now is the time to examine our lives and make any necessary changes. It may sound cliche, but today really is the beginning of the rest of our lives. Let's take that saying seriously and make a real commitment to getting on the right track if we don't feel that we are already on it. Let's make something happen and not just let it happen.
There are a number of things I want to change. I have already started. The years seem to be flying by. I want to look back at 2013 and be much more pleased with where I am then than where I am now.
Peace
The vernacular definition of the word "insanity" is to keep doing the same thing over but expecting different results. What do you plan to do differently in the year 2013 to force a different outcome? Or are you totally pleased with your 2012 outcome and wouldn't change a thing?
Here are a few things to consider:
- If you are still working, do you like your job?
- Is it satisfying or a spirit killer?
- Are you making the most of your talents and pursuing your passion?
- If you were forced to retire today would you have been content with your career?
- Would you have been fulfilled or would you have wished that you had made a career change?
Going into 2013, are there relationships you need to scrap? Do you have friends and/or family who tear you down or beat you up with their words? People will only treat you the way you let them. If you don't lay the groundwork for how you want to be treated, when will you? Do you want to take that negativity into 2013?
Are you pleased with your financial situation?
- Have you saved enough?
- Do you have too much debt?
- How much stuff do you really need?
- Do you need to cut back on some spending and get more bills paid off?
- Do you have any short term and/or long term financial goals you should be working on?
Are you satisfied with your health? Did you schedule and keep all of your health maintenance appointments this year? Our health is our own responsibility. The older we get, the more aches and pains we wake up with. Let's make sure those aches and pains are benign and not symptoms of something more significant. The quality of our health determines the quality of our lives.
Now is the time to examine our lives and make any necessary changes. It may sound cliche, but today really is the beginning of the rest of our lives. Let's take that saying seriously and make a real commitment to getting on the right track if we don't feel that we are already on it. Let's make something happen and not just let it happen.
There are a number of things I want to change. I have already started. The years seem to be flying by. I want to look back at 2013 and be much more pleased with where I am then than where I am now.
Peace
Monday, December 3, 2012
PUSH
My original purpose for this blog is to be uplifting and motivating. To talk about getting unstuck and learning how to move forward. I know that I've been side tracked at times with "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" (September 24, 2012) or last week's blog about "A Real Lifetime Movie" or even Justin Bieber on November 20, 2012. But, I really don't want to lose complete focus.
There is a biblical story about a woman, a widow, who had a need. (Luke 18: 1 - 8) She presented herself constantly before a judge, asking him to grant her justice. As often as she went to the judge, he just as frequently denied her requests. The parable does not say whether the widow became discouraged or frustrated, but the parable does say that she kept going back and kept going back until one day the judge granted her request. The story does not note how many times the widow had to keep going back to the judge or over what time frame. The parable does not even tell us what injustice had been committed against the widow. What the parable does talk about is the widow's persistence.
By the time one reaches my age, I have come to realize that sometimes we have to be persistent in order to accomplish some things. We have to get up and show up every day whether we like that job or not if we like keeping a roof over our heads or eating on a regular basis. We had to go to class for four years or even more sometimes until we earned our degrees and/or accreditations. We had to be diligent in going to exercise class until we lost the desired weight and sculptured our forearms until they looked like Michelle's (Michelle Obama's - not this Michele.)
I have my own personal story of persistence and perseverance. I have prayed one specific prayer for the last four years. I prayed it every day. Sometimes when I became weary, I even asked friends to help me pray. But, I kept praying and I kept praying and I kept praying and then just like the widow in the parable, my prayer was answered. While waiting for my prayer to be answered my wait seemed endless. But, now that my prayer has been answered, the time I waited no longer even matters. It's just like going through a nine month pregnancy when the months seem to go on forever, but then the wait pales in contrast to the joy of delivering a healthy baby who has all ten fingers and all ten toes.
The moral of the story is to focus, persist and keep praying without ceasing. The judge in the parable gave in because he was overcome by the widow's perseverance.
It is our responsibility to be persistent, to be stubborn in prayer.
P - pray
U - until
S - something
H - happens!
Thank you GOD for answered prayers.
Peace
Michele
There is a biblical story about a woman, a widow, who had a need. (Luke 18: 1 - 8) She presented herself constantly before a judge, asking him to grant her justice. As often as she went to the judge, he just as frequently denied her requests. The parable does not say whether the widow became discouraged or frustrated, but the parable does say that she kept going back and kept going back until one day the judge granted her request. The story does not note how many times the widow had to keep going back to the judge or over what time frame. The parable does not even tell us what injustice had been committed against the widow. What the parable does talk about is the widow's persistence.
By the time one reaches my age, I have come to realize that sometimes we have to be persistent in order to accomplish some things. We have to get up and show up every day whether we like that job or not if we like keeping a roof over our heads or eating on a regular basis. We had to go to class for four years or even more sometimes until we earned our degrees and/or accreditations. We had to be diligent in going to exercise class until we lost the desired weight and sculptured our forearms until they looked like Michelle's (Michelle Obama's - not this Michele.)
I have my own personal story of persistence and perseverance. I have prayed one specific prayer for the last four years. I prayed it every day. Sometimes when I became weary, I even asked friends to help me pray. But, I kept praying and I kept praying and I kept praying and then just like the widow in the parable, my prayer was answered. While waiting for my prayer to be answered my wait seemed endless. But, now that my prayer has been answered, the time I waited no longer even matters. It's just like going through a nine month pregnancy when the months seem to go on forever, but then the wait pales in contrast to the joy of delivering a healthy baby who has all ten fingers and all ten toes.
The moral of the story is to focus, persist and keep praying without ceasing. The judge in the parable gave in because he was overcome by the widow's perseverance.
It is our responsibility to be persistent, to be stubborn in prayer.
P - pray
U - until
S - something
H - happens!
Thank you GOD for answered prayers.
Peace
Michele
Monday, November 26, 2012
A REAL LIFETIME MOVIE
One of my sisters is a fan of the Lifetime movie channel. I usually stop by her house on Sundays after church. She usually has on the Lifetime channel. Because of her, I have now started watching the Lifetime channel. And, because of me, my husband now watches Lifetime. One Saturday, my husband and I watched Lifetime from 9am until 10pm, non-stop.
Well, whether you watch the Lifetime channel or not, we all have a real live Lifetime movie playing out in the headlines. It's the Petraeus/Broadwell/Allen/Kelley Lifetime movie. And, I'm hooked. And, the plot is so convoluted that my eyes have glazed over. Married four star General David Petraeus' married girlfriend, Paula Broadwell, sent anonymous harassing emails to a married Tampa, Florida socialite, Jill Kelley, whom she (Broadwell) perceived as being a threat to her relationship with Petraeus. Well, Kelley reported the harassing emails to the FBI. As an aside to the investigation of determining the source of the threatening emails, the FBI uncovered a relationship between Petraeus and Broadwell and also a subsequent inappropriate relationship between Kelley and married four star General John Allen; Allen who just happened to be in Washington, D.C. preparing for a confirmation hearing for approval to become NATO's supreme allied commander. And, also in that mix is an FBI agent who was reassigned because he sent shirtless photos to Jill Kelley during the investigation. Did you follow all of that??? I couldn't make this up. And, it wasn't too hard to snare Allen because he sent 20 - 30 thousand emails to Kelley over a two year period between 2010 and 2012. 20 - 30 thousand emails!!!!!!!!! General Allen was the top commander in Afghanistan during the time of his romantic email campaign. When did he find time to do his real job and send official emails?
Who are these people? This is cyber world. Haven't they heard that even when you delete emails, they still do exist somewhere out there in cyber space? Emails, never, ever, ever, ever...e-v-e-r disappear. I even know that! And, who are these women?? Circes??
If this was a Lifetime movie, I would complain that the plot is a bit overstated, a bit too busy, too much going on, hard to follow. But, this is real stuff! Paula Broadwell even traveled to Afghanistan with General Petraeus under the guise of gathering information for a biographical book she was writing about him. Did I mention that Broadwell had never written a book before? But, I guess one has to start somewhere. After all, this is my first blog.
But, there is yet another twist to the whole Lifetime movie. Jill Kelley has a twin sister, Natalie, who was involved in a bitter child custody battle for whom David Petraeus wrote a letter to the court on Natalie's behalf as a favor to Jill. When Petraeus wrote this letter he was Director of the CIA until he was outed and turned in his resignation to newly re-elected President Obama the day after his re-election. I wish I could get the Director of the CIA to write a letter on my behalf for ANYTHING!!
AGAIN...who are these women?? Circes? Odysseus would not stand a chance!
Ya gotta love it.
Remember to think twice before you hit that "send" key 20 -30 THOUSAND times.
Peace
Michele
Well, whether you watch the Lifetime channel or not, we all have a real live Lifetime movie playing out in the headlines. It's the Petraeus/Broadwell/Allen/Kelley Lifetime movie. And, I'm hooked. And, the plot is so convoluted that my eyes have glazed over. Married four star General David Petraeus' married girlfriend, Paula Broadwell, sent anonymous harassing emails to a married Tampa, Florida socialite, Jill Kelley, whom she (Broadwell) perceived as being a threat to her relationship with Petraeus. Well, Kelley reported the harassing emails to the FBI. As an aside to the investigation of determining the source of the threatening emails, the FBI uncovered a relationship between Petraeus and Broadwell and also a subsequent inappropriate relationship between Kelley and married four star General John Allen; Allen who just happened to be in Washington, D.C. preparing for a confirmation hearing for approval to become NATO's supreme allied commander. And, also in that mix is an FBI agent who was reassigned because he sent shirtless photos to Jill Kelley during the investigation. Did you follow all of that??? I couldn't make this up. And, it wasn't too hard to snare Allen because he sent 20 - 30 thousand emails to Kelley over a two year period between 2010 and 2012. 20 - 30 thousand emails!!!!!!!!! General Allen was the top commander in Afghanistan during the time of his romantic email campaign. When did he find time to do his real job and send official emails?
Who are these people? This is cyber world. Haven't they heard that even when you delete emails, they still do exist somewhere out there in cyber space? Emails, never, ever, ever, ever...e-v-e-r disappear. I even know that! And, who are these women?? Circes??
If this was a Lifetime movie, I would complain that the plot is a bit overstated, a bit too busy, too much going on, hard to follow. But, this is real stuff! Paula Broadwell even traveled to Afghanistan with General Petraeus under the guise of gathering information for a biographical book she was writing about him. Did I mention that Broadwell had never written a book before? But, I guess one has to start somewhere. After all, this is my first blog.
But, there is yet another twist to the whole Lifetime movie. Jill Kelley has a twin sister, Natalie, who was involved in a bitter child custody battle for whom David Petraeus wrote a letter to the court on Natalie's behalf as a favor to Jill. When Petraeus wrote this letter he was Director of the CIA until he was outed and turned in his resignation to newly re-elected President Obama the day after his re-election. I wish I could get the Director of the CIA to write a letter on my behalf for ANYTHING!!
AGAIN...who are these women?? Circes? Odysseus would not stand a chance!
Ya gotta love it.
Remember to think twice before you hit that "send" key 20 -30 THOUSAND times.
Peace
Michele
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
RELEVANCY
We have just come out of and survived a contentious campaign for presidency of the United States. You are either dismayed over the results or are deliriously happy, depending upon your political leaning. The seemingly endless campaign seemed to begin as soon as Barack Obama won the 2008 presidency election. And the 2016 presidency is already on the minds of some because I have already heard a preliminary list of people who may consider running.
The economy is still sputtering along with the latest report of unemployment hovering around 7.9%; keeping in mind that 7.9% only represents those who are currently actively looking for employment. This figure does not include the people who are so discouraged that they are no longer actively looking for work, and it does not include those for whom unemployment benefits have run out or those who consider themselves under-employed.
Kids are graduating from college with unprecedented student loan balances and they can't land work or begin careers which will allow them to make enough money to put a dent in those student loans and still have money to live and plan for the future.
We are dealing with the Benghazi situation and trying to uncover the facts surrounding what really happened and what did the powers-in-be know and when did they know it. Keep in mind four people lost their lives in the attack on the United States Consulate in Benghazi, including Ambassador Chris Stevens.
Then there's Syria and North Korea...I could go on and on and you can even add your own issues to my list.
With all of that being said, do we r-e-a-l-l-y care about the Bieber breakup? Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, that is. Justin was 16 years old and Selena 18 when they became a couple two years ago. Teen couples come and go. In teen years, two years really is a long time. Do you even remember who you dated at 16? Most people don't if they didn't end up marrying that person. I can't remember the majority of the guys I was so deeply in love with at 16 years old. And there is a reason for that. I out grew them. The guys I was enamored of at 16 no longer appealed to me as I matured. It's a growing up process. Back then my guys had to have a car at the minimum, be a good dancer, and be popular and good-looking. Or maybe good-looking was at the top of the list. Nevertheless, they didn't last. Not one of them. And for good reasons, among others...one of the guys is now homeless (I'm glad I didn't stay with him). Another guy is now gay (I guess I couldn't stay with him). And none of my breakups made anyone's newspaper, not even my high school newspaper and I was very popular in high school.
Was the Bieber-Gomez relationship so important as to warrant the Washington Post (Love, etc.: Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez break up, November 11, 2012) devoting column space to the subject? Neither did I care about the Twilight couple's separation and Kristen Stewart's dalliance. (But, I did hear that they are back together). Or Taylor Swift's recent break up with that Kennedy kid after buying a house next to his family's on Cape Cod. Anyone who dates Taylor Swift and breaks up with her should know by now that he will certainly be fodder for her next song. Ask Jake Gyllenhaal.
Am I too old for this type of thing? This is exactly why I stay away from People Magazine and Entertainment Weekly and even The New York Post. Or is it all just relevancy? Remember Liz Taylor's eight marriages to seven husbands and all of the publicity that garnered? And the scandal of Ingrid Bergman having a baby out of wedlock with Italian director Roberto Rossellini? (Is wedlock even a word anymore?)
Maybe it is just relevancy and a sign of the times.
On the other hand, I think I would be interested in reading a newspaper article about Al Green breaking up with his wife.
I'm just saying.
Peace
Michele
The economy is still sputtering along with the latest report of unemployment hovering around 7.9%; keeping in mind that 7.9% only represents those who are currently actively looking for employment. This figure does not include the people who are so discouraged that they are no longer actively looking for work, and it does not include those for whom unemployment benefits have run out or those who consider themselves under-employed.
Kids are graduating from college with unprecedented student loan balances and they can't land work or begin careers which will allow them to make enough money to put a dent in those student loans and still have money to live and plan for the future.
We are dealing with the Benghazi situation and trying to uncover the facts surrounding what really happened and what did the powers-in-be know and when did they know it. Keep in mind four people lost their lives in the attack on the United States Consulate in Benghazi, including Ambassador Chris Stevens.
Then there's Syria and North Korea...I could go on and on and you can even add your own issues to my list.
With all of that being said, do we r-e-a-l-l-y care about the Bieber breakup? Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, that is. Justin was 16 years old and Selena 18 when they became a couple two years ago. Teen couples come and go. In teen years, two years really is a long time. Do you even remember who you dated at 16? Most people don't if they didn't end up marrying that person. I can't remember the majority of the guys I was so deeply in love with at 16 years old. And there is a reason for that. I out grew them. The guys I was enamored of at 16 no longer appealed to me as I matured. It's a growing up process. Back then my guys had to have a car at the minimum, be a good dancer, and be popular and good-looking. Or maybe good-looking was at the top of the list. Nevertheless, they didn't last. Not one of them. And for good reasons, among others...one of the guys is now homeless (I'm glad I didn't stay with him). Another guy is now gay (I guess I couldn't stay with him). And none of my breakups made anyone's newspaper, not even my high school newspaper and I was very popular in high school.
Was the Bieber-Gomez relationship so important as to warrant the Washington Post (Love, etc.: Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez break up, November 11, 2012) devoting column space to the subject? Neither did I care about the Twilight couple's separation and Kristen Stewart's dalliance. (But, I did hear that they are back together). Or Taylor Swift's recent break up with that Kennedy kid after buying a house next to his family's on Cape Cod. Anyone who dates Taylor Swift and breaks up with her should know by now that he will certainly be fodder for her next song. Ask Jake Gyllenhaal.
Am I too old for this type of thing? This is exactly why I stay away from People Magazine and Entertainment Weekly and even The New York Post. Or is it all just relevancy? Remember Liz Taylor's eight marriages to seven husbands and all of the publicity that garnered? And the scandal of Ingrid Bergman having a baby out of wedlock with Italian director Roberto Rossellini? (Is wedlock even a word anymore?)
Maybe it is just relevancy and a sign of the times.
On the other hand, I think I would be interested in reading a newspaper article about Al Green breaking up with his wife.
I'm just saying.
Peace
Michele
Monday, November 12, 2012
FORTY-NINE DAYS TO 2013
For those who read my blog with any regularity, you know I am big on setting and reviewing goals; and with the beginning of the new year f-a-s-t approaching, (wow, only 49 days left in 2012) this topic is foremost on my mind.
A customary or familiar ritual for a lot of people on January 1st seems to be to sit down and to start thinking about setting or revising goals and making resolutions. I believe there is a method to good goal setting which involves more than simply naming goals and then wishing or hoping we somehow fall into one or two of them or that maybe one or two of our goals fall onto us. If we wait until January 1 of each year to begin thinking about our goals, how long will it take before we actually start putting into place those steps or habits which will help us achieve our goals? I am putting forth the idea that we sit down now and think, visualize and talk about our goals, so that when January 1, 2013 rings in, we are already on the road to achieving them or at least to seeing progress and perhaps are cruising along at 35 to 40 miles per hour towards achieving our goals(s) versus starting out from ground 0. If we start now to look at and begin working on those things we want to achieve in 2013, we have the time and opportunity to make any necessary unforeseen changes which will allow us to better chart our courses towards success.
I've written about Vision Boards ("WHAT THE HECK IS A VISION BOARD", September 12, 2012) and visualization. I've made one vision board for myself and will begin work on a new vision board sometime within the next couple of weeks; I'm not waiting until January 1 to start to think about where I want to be at the end of 2013. On Tuesday, January 1, 2013 I want to be well on my way to seeing one or more of my goals coming to fruition. There are classes I want to take beginning in the spring, so that means I have to have a schedule of classes and have to register before January so that I can be sitting in my seat in my class at the end of January. I can't wait until January 1, 2013 to get a class schedule, register and hope to be in my class in January. If I wait until January to look into classes, I probably won't be able to take my class until next summer or even the fall of next year.
In order to achieve some of the goals I set for myself for next year, these may be some things I need to get out of the way now or finish before the end of 2012.
I also believe that sometimes you have to let other people know what some of your goals are so that they can goad you into moving forward. Sometimes when we tell significant others what our plans are, they can also help gage our progress and remind us to keep moving forward. I am not advocating telling just everyone and anyone your plans, but those people who also buy into your dreams. Those people who sincerely care for us and want to see us succeed. Those people who will remind us what we are supposed to be working on when they don't see any outward success or movement. Now is the time to start talking about your goals to those people. Who knows...maybe when we share our plans and ideas with others, they may be eager to share their ideas with us or even be in a position to help us achieve our goals?
Peace
Michele
A customary or familiar ritual for a lot of people on January 1st seems to be to sit down and to start thinking about setting or revising goals and making resolutions. I believe there is a method to good goal setting which involves more than simply naming goals and then wishing or hoping we somehow fall into one or two of them or that maybe one or two of our goals fall onto us. If we wait until January 1 of each year to begin thinking about our goals, how long will it take before we actually start putting into place those steps or habits which will help us achieve our goals? I am putting forth the idea that we sit down now and think, visualize and talk about our goals, so that when January 1, 2013 rings in, we are already on the road to achieving them or at least to seeing progress and perhaps are cruising along at 35 to 40 miles per hour towards achieving our goals(s) versus starting out from ground 0. If we start now to look at and begin working on those things we want to achieve in 2013, we have the time and opportunity to make any necessary unforeseen changes which will allow us to better chart our courses towards success.
I've written about Vision Boards ("WHAT THE HECK IS A VISION BOARD", September 12, 2012) and visualization. I've made one vision board for myself and will begin work on a new vision board sometime within the next couple of weeks; I'm not waiting until January 1 to start to think about where I want to be at the end of 2013. On Tuesday, January 1, 2013 I want to be well on my way to seeing one or more of my goals coming to fruition. There are classes I want to take beginning in the spring, so that means I have to have a schedule of classes and have to register before January so that I can be sitting in my seat in my class at the end of January. I can't wait until January 1, 2013 to get a class schedule, register and hope to be in my class in January. If I wait until January to look into classes, I probably won't be able to take my class until next summer or even the fall of next year.
In order to achieve some of the goals I set for myself for next year, these may be some things I need to get out of the way now or finish before the end of 2012.
I also believe that sometimes you have to let other people know what some of your goals are so that they can goad you into moving forward. Sometimes when we tell significant others what our plans are, they can also help gage our progress and remind us to keep moving forward. I am not advocating telling just everyone and anyone your plans, but those people who also buy into your dreams. Those people who sincerely care for us and want to see us succeed. Those people who will remind us what we are supposed to be working on when they don't see any outward success or movement. Now is the time to start talking about your goals to those people. Who knows...maybe when we share our plans and ideas with others, they may be eager to share their ideas with us or even be in a position to help us achieve our goals?
Peace
Michele
Monday, October 29, 2012
KIBITZER
With age comes experience, knowledge and wisdom...or at least it should. Given the benefit of the doubt, if such is the case, also comes the responsibility of sharing that experience, knowledge and wisdom.
Growing up, I always had family "elders" all too willing to share with me the benefit of their knowledge. Whether I agreed with what they had to say, or even wanted to listen, I certainly couldn't stop them from sharing. While I may not have heeded or listened to everything that was said, I now realize that I did benefit in many ways. While I was selective in whose advise I followed, I have to say that I did avoid many of the common pit falls in life because I listened to the sages who advised that one does not have to make every mistake on one's own in order to learn.
Life is too short to try to charter new territory in all circumstances and not try to benefit at least from some of the experiences of those we trust and admire.
When I was in college, I had a close friend who was 25 years older. I wasn't yet married, but I learned from her how to start out in my marriage and to ask my husband how to treat me from day one versus becoming discontent and then trying to change our relationship in midstream.
For those of us who have retired or are near retirement, we need to tell those younger than us that 35 years goes by much faster than you can believe and to put money aside for retirement.
...just because you love someone doesn't mean you have to marry him if he is not right for you...
...marry someone who loves you more than you love him...
...learn how to let go of people who do not treat you how you want to be treated...
...you cannot make someone love you, no matter what you do...
...have a separate and secret savings account known only to you...
...find your passion and not stay in a job that kills your spirit...
...honor your parents and do all that you can when they are still with you, because once they are gone, it's too late...
I've said all of this to say that by the time one reaches my age, we can or should be mentors to those coming behind us. If we know there is a hole in an alley we've already walked down, don't we really have the responsibility and/or obligation to warn someone traveling behind us that there is a big old hole down that alley?? The person may still choose to go down that alley anyway, but at least we gave fair warning. Some trip and falls one can readily pick oneself up from and keep on going. While other missteps may keep us down longer and some we never recover from. Let's put ourselves out there for the sake of someone else and take on that role of KIBITZER which seems to have snuck up on us overnight!
Peace
Michele
Growing up, I always had family "elders" all too willing to share with me the benefit of their knowledge. Whether I agreed with what they had to say, or even wanted to listen, I certainly couldn't stop them from sharing. While I may not have heeded or listened to everything that was said, I now realize that I did benefit in many ways. While I was selective in whose advise I followed, I have to say that I did avoid many of the common pit falls in life because I listened to the sages who advised that one does not have to make every mistake on one's own in order to learn.
Life is too short to try to charter new territory in all circumstances and not try to benefit at least from some of the experiences of those we trust and admire.
When I was in college, I had a close friend who was 25 years older. I wasn't yet married, but I learned from her how to start out in my marriage and to ask my husband how to treat me from day one versus becoming discontent and then trying to change our relationship in midstream.
For those of us who have retired or are near retirement, we need to tell those younger than us that 35 years goes by much faster than you can believe and to put money aside for retirement.
...just because you love someone doesn't mean you have to marry him if he is not right for you...
...marry someone who loves you more than you love him...
...learn how to let go of people who do not treat you how you want to be treated...
...you cannot make someone love you, no matter what you do...
...have a separate and secret savings account known only to you...
...find your passion and not stay in a job that kills your spirit...
...honor your parents and do all that you can when they are still with you, because once they are gone, it's too late...
I've said all of this to say that by the time one reaches my age, we can or should be mentors to those coming behind us. If we know there is a hole in an alley we've already walked down, don't we really have the responsibility and/or obligation to warn someone traveling behind us that there is a big old hole down that alley?? The person may still choose to go down that alley anyway, but at least we gave fair warning. Some trip and falls one can readily pick oneself up from and keep on going. While other missteps may keep us down longer and some we never recover from. Let's put ourselves out there for the sake of someone else and take on that role of KIBITZER which seems to have snuck up on us overnight!
Peace
Michele
Monday, October 22, 2012
VOTE ---for Ann De Lacy
"Public education is, I believe, at the very core of our democracy and our American way of life. It brings us together as equals, provides the basis for our contribution to society as adults and, even back then in those sad days when it was not provided equally to all Americans, public education gave to all of us the foundation and resources to progress, to move up, and to realize our potential as productive citizens. Because of this, public education and the local school system must be nurtured, protected, and taken into consideration in all we do as a community.
For the past almost 40 years - my entire adult life - I have been involved in public education in Howard County: first, for 33 years, as a classroom teacher; later, for six years as the President of the Howard County Education Association (HCEA), the teachers' union; and currently as a member of the HCPSS Operating Budget Review Committee, and as a volunteer in area elementary schools. In addition, I have over the years been deeply involved in teacher-led efforts to improve teaching and learning in our public schools.
So, I bring to the Board of Education that experience and, unlike other more narrowly focused candidates, the ability to view the problems facing our schools from a variety of perspectives - as a teacher, organizer, activist, parent and grandparent, and, as a dedicated advocate for improvements in education and the upgrading of skills of teachers and paraprofessionals employed by the school system.
There are problems facing our school system and our society; and the solutions to those problems transcend our personal political persuasion or philosophy. Those problems will be solved only by coming together and honestly dealing with them - they will not be solved by the increasing dysfunction exhibited by the current Board of Education and their partisanship, narrow focus, and, yes, selfishness displayed by other candidates.
Our society is changing...the economy is undergoing severe stress...revenue has decreased...the value of a traditional college education is being questioned in terms of its high cost and the diminished return on that investment. There is growing recognition of a need to prepare students with the skills they will need to earn a living and succeed in our post-manufacturing, service and technological economy. The public school system must keep pace with those changes.
My experience, my dedication, my ability to view public education from the standpoint of the students and their families, and, finally, my courage to stand up for what I believe in form the basis of my candidacy and my belief that, with your help, we can, together, improve our schools and the education of our children. I ask for and thank you for your support."
Ann De Lacy
Classroom experienced, Community-focused
ANN DE LACY IS RUNNING FOR HOWARD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012
For the past almost 40 years - my entire adult life - I have been involved in public education in Howard County: first, for 33 years, as a classroom teacher; later, for six years as the President of the Howard County Education Association (HCEA), the teachers' union; and currently as a member of the HCPSS Operating Budget Review Committee, and as a volunteer in area elementary schools. In addition, I have over the years been deeply involved in teacher-led efforts to improve teaching and learning in our public schools.
So, I bring to the Board of Education that experience and, unlike other more narrowly focused candidates, the ability to view the problems facing our schools from a variety of perspectives - as a teacher, organizer, activist, parent and grandparent, and, as a dedicated advocate for improvements in education and the upgrading of skills of teachers and paraprofessionals employed by the school system.
There are problems facing our school system and our society; and the solutions to those problems transcend our personal political persuasion or philosophy. Those problems will be solved only by coming together and honestly dealing with them - they will not be solved by the increasing dysfunction exhibited by the current Board of Education and their partisanship, narrow focus, and, yes, selfishness displayed by other candidates.
Our society is changing...the economy is undergoing severe stress...revenue has decreased...the value of a traditional college education is being questioned in terms of its high cost and the diminished return on that investment. There is growing recognition of a need to prepare students with the skills they will need to earn a living and succeed in our post-manufacturing, service and technological economy. The public school system must keep pace with those changes.
My experience, my dedication, my ability to view public education from the standpoint of the students and their families, and, finally, my courage to stand up for what I believe in form the basis of my candidacy and my belief that, with your help, we can, together, improve our schools and the education of our children. I ask for and thank you for your support."
Ann De Lacy
Classroom experienced, Community-focused
ANN DE LACY IS RUNNING FOR HOWARD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
THE ESSENCE of a NEW DAY
This is the beginning of a new day
You have been given this day to use as you will.
You can waste it or use it for good.
What you do today is important
Because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever.
In its place is something that you have left behind...
Let it be something good!!
- Author Unknown
Peace
Michele
Monday, October 1, 2012
TO MY DAUGHTER
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking
Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
Dance!
Peace
Your Mom
(Lyrics by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers)
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking
Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
Dance!
Peace
Your Mom
(Lyrics by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers)
Monday, September 24, 2012
HERE COMES HONEY BOO BOO
I am apologizing...not for not having kept my blog up to date (although I do apologize for that also). I am apologizing for a new affliction I have been struck with, because surely this can only be an affliction or a mental illness or maybe even an undiagnosed psychosis.
I apologize for watching the television reality show - "HERE COMES HONEY BOO BOO". Not only have I watched one show...I have to admit that I have watched several shows. What I find amazing is that I don't even like television reality shows. I really don't even watch that much television period. I've never been one who could stand around the morning water cooler and participate in the conversation about television shows which were on the night before because more than likely, I didn't see the shows. There are a lot of pop culture television series I have never ever seen and don't mind that I've not seen them. I didn't know the characters on "FRIENDS" or "SEX AND THE CITY" or even "GREY'S ANATOMY" because I have never even seen one episode. I did not subscribe to cable television until after my daughter went away to college a few years ago because I did not want television to dictate my schedule or interfere with my real life activities. In fact, I actually like channel surfing more than I actually like committing to an actual program show.
Channel surfing is how I came across the promo for TLC's reality show "HERE COMES HONEY BOO BOO". When I stumbled across the promo for the show, I could not believe anything so trashy would be on TV in the first place and surely even if the show actually premiered, it would immediately be cancelled after the first episode or at the most, after the second episode.
Well, I was participating in my favorite activity, channel surfing, when "HERE COMES HONEY BOO BOO" came on for the first time. I stopped channel surfing and started watching the show. It was like watching a train wreck. You know how you drive down the road and know there is a car accident ahead because you were forewarned by the traffic announcer? And, you know how you told yourself you won't slow up to look at the smashed up cars or bodies strewn across the road? But, you know how you slow up anyway to gawk at the chaos?
Well...watching the show, HONEY BOO BOO, falls exactly into that category. The show centers around Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson, a 7 year old pageant participant. Honey Boo Boo and her family live in McIntyre, Georgia. Her mom has four daughters, all with different dads. Honey Boo Boo mother's boyfriend of 8 years - Sugar Bear - (Honey Boo Boo's father) also lives in the home. The 17 year old daughter is pregnant and due at any moment. For a couple of shows, there was also a baby pig that served as Honey's pet and also lived inside the house.
The show was so unbelievable, I could not turn away from it. During commercial breaks of the first show, I kept running upstairs to try to get my husband to also tune into the show (he was watching baseball on another TV) because words failed me when I tried to describe the show to him. And, then I would quickly run back downstairs before the commercials were over because I didn't want to miss any part of my show.
When Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston had a television reality show some years back, I remember how incredulous people were that the show was so low class. I actually watched a portion of the Brown and Houston show because I could not believe what people were telling me and the show was so bad that I could not watch an entire episode and never tuned in again.
The show "HERE COMES HONEY BOO BOO" is actually more disgusting than the Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston show was, but I ABSOLUTELY cannot turn away from it. The show is disgusting, appalling, tactless and tasteless. But, apparently, I am not the only deer-caught-in-the-head-light viewer out there because two to three MILLION other people also tune in each week.
I am in NO WAY encouraging anyone to tune in and watch the show. I am still in a state of disbelief that I am actually faithfully watching the show. It truly is a train wreck. It is as horrifying as seeing badly injured bodies strewn along the highway as a result of a car accident. The show is distasteful...and I am absolutely hooked.
It's like that old boyfriend who was positively no good, but so good looking.
I apologize, again. Please forgive me.
Peace
Michele
I apologize for watching the television reality show - "HERE COMES HONEY BOO BOO". Not only have I watched one show...I have to admit that I have watched several shows. What I find amazing is that I don't even like television reality shows. I really don't even watch that much television period. I've never been one who could stand around the morning water cooler and participate in the conversation about television shows which were on the night before because more than likely, I didn't see the shows. There are a lot of pop culture television series I have never ever seen and don't mind that I've not seen them. I didn't know the characters on "FRIENDS" or "SEX AND THE CITY" or even "GREY'S ANATOMY" because I have never even seen one episode. I did not subscribe to cable television until after my daughter went away to college a few years ago because I did not want television to dictate my schedule or interfere with my real life activities. In fact, I actually like channel surfing more than I actually like committing to an actual program show.
Channel surfing is how I came across the promo for TLC's reality show "HERE COMES HONEY BOO BOO". When I stumbled across the promo for the show, I could not believe anything so trashy would be on TV in the first place and surely even if the show actually premiered, it would immediately be cancelled after the first episode or at the most, after the second episode.
Well, I was participating in my favorite activity, channel surfing, when "HERE COMES HONEY BOO BOO" came on for the first time. I stopped channel surfing and started watching the show. It was like watching a train wreck. You know how you drive down the road and know there is a car accident ahead because you were forewarned by the traffic announcer? And, you know how you told yourself you won't slow up to look at the smashed up cars or bodies strewn across the road? But, you know how you slow up anyway to gawk at the chaos?
Well...watching the show, HONEY BOO BOO, falls exactly into that category. The show centers around Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson, a 7 year old pageant participant. Honey Boo Boo and her family live in McIntyre, Georgia. Her mom has four daughters, all with different dads. Honey Boo Boo mother's boyfriend of 8 years - Sugar Bear - (Honey Boo Boo's father) also lives in the home. The 17 year old daughter is pregnant and due at any moment. For a couple of shows, there was also a baby pig that served as Honey's pet and also lived inside the house.
The show was so unbelievable, I could not turn away from it. During commercial breaks of the first show, I kept running upstairs to try to get my husband to also tune into the show (he was watching baseball on another TV) because words failed me when I tried to describe the show to him. And, then I would quickly run back downstairs before the commercials were over because I didn't want to miss any part of my show.
When Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston had a television reality show some years back, I remember how incredulous people were that the show was so low class. I actually watched a portion of the Brown and Houston show because I could not believe what people were telling me and the show was so bad that I could not watch an entire episode and never tuned in again.
The show "HERE COMES HONEY BOO BOO" is actually more disgusting than the Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston show was, but I ABSOLUTELY cannot turn away from it. The show is disgusting, appalling, tactless and tasteless. But, apparently, I am not the only deer-caught-in-the-head-light viewer out there because two to three MILLION other people also tune in each week.
I am in NO WAY encouraging anyone to tune in and watch the show. I am still in a state of disbelief that I am actually faithfully watching the show. It truly is a train wreck. It is as horrifying as seeing badly injured bodies strewn along the highway as a result of a car accident. The show is distasteful...and I am absolutely hooked.
It's like that old boyfriend who was positively no good, but so good looking.
I apologize, again. Please forgive me.
Peace
Michele
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
WHAT THE HECK IS A VISION BOARD...
and why do I need one??
I'm a baby boomer, which makes me old school. Baby boomers know what it is to set goals and being a boomer I'm used to keeping track of my goals the old fashioned way...writing them down on a pad or maybe in a journal but nevertheless, writing them down somewhere. But, the modern method of tracking goals is by way of using vision boards. Trying to stay abreast of current topics, my interest in vision boards was peaked. Oprah wrote about them in her magazine, surely that alone would peak someone's interest. I started reading different articles and searching the Internet for information on vision boards. I even participated in a Friday evening workshop facilitated by a member of my church. (Thank you, Renae.)
One cannot get to someplace one has not first thought about, imagined or dreamed about. Instead of writing one's goals down on paper, vision boards are a depiction of one's goals in pictures. The idea behind this is that when you surround yourself with images of who you want to become, what you want to have, where you want to live, or where you want to vacation, your life changes to match those images and those desires.
Vision boards are easy and fun to make. Simply assemble your tools: magazines, printed material, arts and craft items such as glitter and feathers, glue, scissors and your poster board. Make it even more fun by hosting a vision board making, wine and cheese tasting evening with a group of friends. (The wine can help to relax your inhibitions and allow you to think even more outside the box when it comes to the possibility of the life you can envision for yourself.) Peruse your material, cutting out pictures which reflect your goals. After you have enough materials, assemble your pictures and make a collage of your goals onto your board. There is no right or wrong way to make your board, but I personally favor keeping the center of your board open for a picture of yourself. This makes your board even more personal and relatable. You can see the board with all of your goals and then a BIG, beautiful picture of yourself right in the center of the life you are trying to create.
Then place your vision board in a place where you will see it on a regular basis. Your vision board should be strategically placed in a location that gives you maximum exposure to it. Looking at it every day will keep your goals or your life map in your face. This will help you focus and keeps your plan in front of you. You won't be able to lose track and forget what you are supposed to be working on. Even though there are objectives which are supposed to be important to us and on which we need to work, we can get too busy with the mundane things to remember what the big things are.
I made a vision board earlier this year. I placed mine in my family room because I spend the majority of my waking hours there. I can't help but see my goals wherever I sit. Subconsciously, this keeps me focused and constantly thinking about where I am and where I am trying to go. (If you fear criticism or justification of your vision board from others, then place it in a private location so it can only be seen by yourself.) I have already accomplished one of the goals on my vision board which I may not have if I had not had that item looking back at me every time I walked into my family room. Again, you may not want to display your vision board so prominently. That is entirely up to you. I just need to have my goals in my face so that I will not lose focus.
One goal down...on to my next life changing goal!
Peace
Michele
Monday, August 13, 2012
GABBY DOUGLAS - GOLD MEDAL OLYMPIAN
By the age of 16, as a member of the United States Women's Gynmastics team, an African-American female had dreamed, pushed, strived, sacrificed and worked so hard that she became the first African-American female to earn a gold medal in both the individual and team all-around competitions at the same Olympics.
Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas started her formal gymnastics training at age 6 and just two years later went on to become 2004's Virginia State Champion. That made her 8 years old. 8!! She became so-o-o-o determined and focused on achieving her dream that at the age of 14, Gabrielle left behind her Virginia Beach home and her family to train with her coach so that she could hone her skills. Did I mention that this coach lived five states away? Oh...and that the state she moved to was Iowa? Iowa...not the state of California or New York or even the District of Columbia. (I don't even plan to visit Iowa less move there for any period of time, even if I could live there rent free.) Iowa?? OMG!
This young lady was raised by a single mother, a single mother who has admitted that at times it became very difficult financially to keep Gabby in gymnastics - but she did. Oh, and did I mention that because of Gabby's Olympian success this young lady is now on the front of the Kellogg's cornflake box AND covers of TIME and PEOPLE magazines?? I'll be buying that cornflakes box with her picture on it as soon as it hits the stores!!! She even has a personal official website - www.GabrielleDouglas.com WOW!!
At the age of 16, Gabby flashes a million dollar smile, has the poise, skill and confidence to perform on the world stage. I don't think I'd even been out of my home state at the age of 16. (Just kidding.) Gabby has earned and won the most prized possession in women's gymnastics, the Olympian all around gold medal!
THIS YOUNG LADY IS AWESOME AND AWE-INSPIRING!
Gabby has made history, beat the best athletes in the world, brought honor to her country, her family and herself. And the bloggers, tweeters, face bookers and others are commenting on her HAIR? For real??
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
Peace
Michele
Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas started her formal gymnastics training at age 6 and just two years later went on to become 2004's Virginia State Champion. That made her 8 years old. 8!! She became so-o-o-o determined and focused on achieving her dream that at the age of 14, Gabrielle left behind her Virginia Beach home and her family to train with her coach so that she could hone her skills. Did I mention that this coach lived five states away? Oh...and that the state she moved to was Iowa? Iowa...not the state of California or New York or even the District of Columbia. (I don't even plan to visit Iowa less move there for any period of time, even if I could live there rent free.) Iowa?? OMG!
This young lady was raised by a single mother, a single mother who has admitted that at times it became very difficult financially to keep Gabby in gymnastics - but she did. Oh, and did I mention that because of Gabby's Olympian success this young lady is now on the front of the Kellogg's cornflake box AND covers of TIME and PEOPLE magazines?? I'll be buying that cornflakes box with her picture on it as soon as it hits the stores!!! She even has a personal official website - www.GabrielleDouglas.com WOW!!
At the age of 16, Gabby flashes a million dollar smile, has the poise, skill and confidence to perform on the world stage. I don't think I'd even been out of my home state at the age of 16. (Just kidding.) Gabby has earned and won the most prized possession in women's gymnastics, the Olympian all around gold medal!
THIS YOUNG LADY IS AWESOME AND AWE-INSPIRING!
Gabby has made history, beat the best athletes in the world, brought honor to her country, her family and herself. And the bloggers, tweeters, face bookers and others are commenting on her HAIR? For real??
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
Peace
Michele
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU KNEW YOU COULD NOT FAIL??
The Olympics exemplifies the extremes to which people can push their minds and bodies in order to achieve and succeed. When Michael Phelps swam his first lap at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, did he know he would go on to become the most medaled Olympian? Did Kimberly Rhode know that when she qualified for her first Olympic event in 1996 at the age of 17, she would become the first American athlete to win five medals in an individual event in five consecutive Olympic games? How about Missy Franklin swimming 200 meters and then 20 minutes later competing again and winning again? These are examples of athletes competing and excelling in the world's sports arena. What would you do in your arena if knew you could not fail?
Would you leave that mind numbing job and start a foundation sparked from a passion? Would you start your own business and continue to make cold calls until you had acquired enough customers to make it a success? Would you pack up and leave a relationship that you know is not good for you and work on the life you really want for yourself?
What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
Would you run for leader of the most influential country in the free world when people can't even pronounce your name and your middle name is Hussein? Would you impress upon a son the importance of learning how to read and that son then grows up to become one of the most important surgeons in the world...and you don't even know how to read yourself?
What would you do??
Would you apologize to someone you've offended regardless of her response? Would you pack up and move to Paris for two years and just make it work? What about pulling yourself up from a dismal place and taking one class at a time until you earn a junior college degree and then a bachelor's and then two graduate degrees and multiple certifications until job recruiters call you several times every day when others cannot get a job? (True story)
A lot of us are fearful of being successful. Fear is an inhibitor and an evil spirit. We are fearful of what others may think. We are fearful of what others may say. We are fearful of being embarrassed and of reproachment and opprobrium. Remember, no one has a heaven or hell to put us in. Forget what others think unless they are going to help you achieve your goals. We live far below our potential for a variety of reasons; we don't strive hard enough or long enough or we become disillusioned and/or weary along the way...any number of reasons.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU KNEW YOU COULD NOT FAIL?
What's holding you back?
What's your fear?
Why?
Would you write a blog and publish a different weekly post regardless of who reads it?
Peace
Michele
Would you leave that mind numbing job and start a foundation sparked from a passion? Would you start your own business and continue to make cold calls until you had acquired enough customers to make it a success? Would you pack up and leave a relationship that you know is not good for you and work on the life you really want for yourself?
What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
Would you run for leader of the most influential country in the free world when people can't even pronounce your name and your middle name is Hussein? Would you impress upon a son the importance of learning how to read and that son then grows up to become one of the most important surgeons in the world...and you don't even know how to read yourself?
What would you do??
Would you apologize to someone you've offended regardless of her response? Would you pack up and move to Paris for two years and just make it work? What about pulling yourself up from a dismal place and taking one class at a time until you earn a junior college degree and then a bachelor's and then two graduate degrees and multiple certifications until job recruiters call you several times every day when others cannot get a job? (True story)
A lot of us are fearful of being successful. Fear is an inhibitor and an evil spirit. We are fearful of what others may think. We are fearful of what others may say. We are fearful of being embarrassed and of reproachment and opprobrium. Remember, no one has a heaven or hell to put us in. Forget what others think unless they are going to help you achieve your goals. We live far below our potential for a variety of reasons; we don't strive hard enough or long enough or we become disillusioned and/or weary along the way...any number of reasons.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU KNEW YOU COULD NOT FAIL?
What's holding you back?
What's your fear?
Why?
Would you write a blog and publish a different weekly post regardless of who reads it?
Peace
Michele
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
ENCOURAGE YOURSELF
My two (2) year old daughter is learning her alphabet,
colors, words, numbers and just myriad of new things; and whenever she
completes reciting them, she stops – claps and says “Good Job”. My husband and I think we are pretty quick to
praise her whenever she goes into her recitations; but we’ve noticed that whether
we praise her or not, she praises herself.
Often she leads the chorus.
I think we can all follow my granddaughter’s example. How often have we had accomplishments or have
done things but have had no one to speak encouraging words to us or pat us on
the back? How often have others simply
not even noticed or known what we have accomplished or done? It can be as simple as others being too
preoccupied and/or too caught up in their own worlds to notice. Sometimes, people may not feel that we need
to hear their encouragement. They may
not realize how important their words of acknowledgment and encouragement mean
to us. There are times when people may
even have ulterior motives for not applauding us. It could be jealousy or maybe they may not
want to encourage us and see us move forward.
I said all of this to say, that when we don’t get the words of inspiration
we need or seek from others, we can take my granddaughter’s lead…and inspire ourselves. After all, we know when we have accomplished
something significant in our own eyes.
Why should someone else’s encouragement of us propel us so much more
than our own words of encouragement to ourselves?
Encourage yourself.
Perhaps, if we get into the habit of encouraging ourselves, we may not
be so inclined to need outside encouragement which may also be fallacious and
self-serving. Perhaps, if we learn to
encourage ourselves, we won’t be so easily led astray because we are listening
to someone else’s evaluation of ourselves and our efforts. We should know what is important to us and
what we need to do to move forward. We
should have a plan and look at that plan on a regular enough schedule to know if
we are following it or deviating from it.
Listening and depending too heavily on others’ encouragement of our
actions may also lead us to lose sight of where we are trying to go because we
are getting too focused on what others think of us. We may be able to do something well, which
may result in others praising us for our actions. And, so we keep doing things along that genre
because now we want to hear those accolades again. Few things feel better than receiving
heartfelt praise and encouragement from someone else. But, the thing we did which resulted in that
praise may not ultimately really be what we want to keep on doing. For example, I handle myself well in public
situations. People commend me on my
public persona. This has resulted in my
being prompted and asked to speak up and out in group situations when I am
perfectly content to sit back and listen to what others have to say. Subsequently, I have found myself in charge
of organizations and groups because I took to heart the praise and encouragement
of others resulting in my taking on responsibilities which I really did not
want.
looking to our friends, family and peers for encouragement,
they may not have it in them because they are also trying to keep their heads
above water. Life can be overwhelming
and we have to find ways to not let it cripple us to the point of not being
able to function. Sometimes, it is
enough to actually get up each day knowing we have to figure out how to make it
to the end of the day with all that we are carrying.
We have to find a way to encourage ourselves so that we keep
moving forward and we don’t get lost in the whirlwind of life. Look at what is good in your life.
Believe it or not, it truly could be worse. Draw strength from that knowledge. Choose something you want to be better. Break that thing down and work on how you can
make it better and get to where you want to be.
Praise yourself at each
accomplishment. Don’t wait for the praise of others. Sometimes, you really don’t want people to know what you’re going through so you
will be the only one who will be able to encourage you.
Encourage yourself by finding a mantra and repeating it as
often as necessary. I have a cousin who
listens to a certain song at the beginning of each day and whenever she feels
discouraged. There are certain poems I find
inspiring. Maybe you need to find and
read a book on motivation or listen to uplifting CD’s. Pray and keep on praying.
The purpose of writing this blog is to teach me to encourage
myself. Writing this blog has made me
focus, reflect and comment in detail on things which are important to me. I have received words of encouragement from
readers, which I am absolutely
delighted to hear, but as I said at the launching of my blog, I am trying to move forward so that I end
up in an excellent place in my life.
Peace
Michele
Monday, July 16, 2012
KATIE HOLMES
I nominate Katie Holmes to write, produce and direct the next Mission Impossible or Enough II sequel. She is my new hero!
Before I elaborate, please understand that I do not advocate for or against divorce, after all as my blog profile notes, my husband and I have been married over 35 years. Understand also that over the course of that time, I have contemplated smothering him with his pillow some nights while he slept but, I am not advocating for or against that either.
I am not a celebrity follower, necessarily, because I have enough in my own life to keep track of. But, what appears to be the impeccable planning carried out by Katie Holmes does impress me. Who hasn't found themselves in a situation and wondered how in the heck did we get here? More often than not, a lot of us let the situation work itself out versus working out the situation.
What I admire about Katie is that once she made the determination that her situation was unacceptable, she formulated and carried out a plan to fix it. Her action is exactly what I talked about in an earlier post - Focus On What You Can Do Something About, April 1, 2012. At some point, there was a straw which broke Katie's back. She reached a point of reckoning and decided to do something about which she could do something about. From my reading of news articles, blogs and watching television, she carried out an elaborate plan. In the execution of her decision to make a change in her life (note that I did not say in her plan to leave Tom Cruise, because the connotation of leaving can be negative, she made a decision to move towards something positive) she followed the plan she created. First, she determined what it was that she wanted. And, then in no particular order because certainly, I don't know the order; she enlisted the aid of her parents, used several disposable cell phones upon which she made her plans (and then she actually disposed of the cell phones), fired her body guards and hired new ones, located and leased a new place to live, and as Yul Brynner said in The King and I, "Etc., etc., etc."
My point being again is that she took action to change her situation. As I mentioned earlier, sometimes versus taking action to change our situations, we let our situations take charge of us and then we oftentimes lose control of what was a controllable situation or simply let a situation get so bad it will take a lot more effort to correct then if we had taken action to change it in our favor earlier on in the first place. Understand??
Sometimes we are hesitant to take control of our situations and make an effort to change them because we are afraid of hearing "I told you so." All-l-l-l-l of us have been in situations where we were advised against getting into but knew that we just knew way too much more than the person or person advising us. But, even our advisers and having been an adviser, they (the advisers) and I have done some stupid stuff. Stuff I will never tell. And, there are people who could have stepped forward and said to me "I told you so." But, people who really love you, really wouldn't do that. But, even if they can't hold their tongues and say it anyway, get over it. Don't let what other people may say or think keep you from changing your life and getting out of a mess. Look at where you are and decide if it truly is a mess and that you need to make a change. The sooner a change is made, the sooner you can get on the road to something new and better for yourself. Time doesn't stand still just because you are indecisive.
The other thing I took away from Katie Holmes' actions is that she enlisted the help of trusted people. Don't think that just because you haven't told someone about your situation doesn't mean that others don't know. Remember, people don't get old being fools. Some of us have been in the same situation or know someone who has been in the same situation and we can recognize the signs even if we don't call you out. I also understand that Katie turned to Tom Cruise's second wife, Nicole Kidman for counseling. If you need help, look around at who has been there for you in the past. Look at that tried and trusted friend and/or family member. He, she or they, not wanting to overstep their boundaries are probably already waiting at the ready to help. Request their help and allow them to shoulder some of your load. I don't know who all Katie Holmes enlisted, but the ones mentioned publicly are her parents. They stepped up, sheltered and shielded her and helped her do what she thought she needed to do. I have learned that God does send angels to help and minister to us in our time of need. Sometimes it is a hand up or a hand out, but God will not let us crash and burn. Katie's situation appears to have been her marriage. Your situation may be your job, finances, weight or your health. It could be a crazy boyfriend. Don't be afraid to reach out, if you need help.
Peace
Michele
Before I elaborate, please understand that I do not advocate for or against divorce, after all as my blog profile notes, my husband and I have been married over 35 years. Understand also that over the course of that time, I have contemplated smothering him with his pillow some nights while he slept but, I am not advocating for or against that either.
I am not a celebrity follower, necessarily, because I have enough in my own life to keep track of. But, what appears to be the impeccable planning carried out by Katie Holmes does impress me. Who hasn't found themselves in a situation and wondered how in the heck did we get here? More often than not, a lot of us let the situation work itself out versus working out the situation.
What I admire about Katie is that once she made the determination that her situation was unacceptable, she formulated and carried out a plan to fix it. Her action is exactly what I talked about in an earlier post - Focus On What You Can Do Something About, April 1, 2012. At some point, there was a straw which broke Katie's back. She reached a point of reckoning and decided to do something about which she could do something about. From my reading of news articles, blogs and watching television, she carried out an elaborate plan. In the execution of her decision to make a change in her life (note that I did not say in her plan to leave Tom Cruise, because the connotation of leaving can be negative, she made a decision to move towards something positive) she followed the plan she created. First, she determined what it was that she wanted. And, then in no particular order because certainly, I don't know the order; she enlisted the aid of her parents, used several disposable cell phones upon which she made her plans (and then she actually disposed of the cell phones), fired her body guards and hired new ones, located and leased a new place to live, and as Yul Brynner said in The King and I, "Etc., etc., etc."
My point being again is that she took action to change her situation. As I mentioned earlier, sometimes versus taking action to change our situations, we let our situations take charge of us and then we oftentimes lose control of what was a controllable situation or simply let a situation get so bad it will take a lot more effort to correct then if we had taken action to change it in our favor earlier on in the first place. Understand??
Sometimes we are hesitant to take control of our situations and make an effort to change them because we are afraid of hearing "I told you so." All-l-l-l-l of us have been in situations where we were advised against getting into but knew that we just knew way too much more than the person or person advising us. But, even our advisers and having been an adviser, they (the advisers) and I have done some stupid stuff. Stuff I will never tell. And, there are people who could have stepped forward and said to me "I told you so." But, people who really love you, really wouldn't do that. But, even if they can't hold their tongues and say it anyway, get over it. Don't let what other people may say or think keep you from changing your life and getting out of a mess. Look at where you are and decide if it truly is a mess and that you need to make a change. The sooner a change is made, the sooner you can get on the road to something new and better for yourself. Time doesn't stand still just because you are indecisive.
The other thing I took away from Katie Holmes' actions is that she enlisted the help of trusted people. Don't think that just because you haven't told someone about your situation doesn't mean that others don't know. Remember, people don't get old being fools. Some of us have been in the same situation or know someone who has been in the same situation and we can recognize the signs even if we don't call you out. I also understand that Katie turned to Tom Cruise's second wife, Nicole Kidman for counseling. If you need help, look around at who has been there for you in the past. Look at that tried and trusted friend and/or family member. He, she or they, not wanting to overstep their boundaries are probably already waiting at the ready to help. Request their help and allow them to shoulder some of your load. I don't know who all Katie Holmes enlisted, but the ones mentioned publicly are her parents. They stepped up, sheltered and shielded her and helped her do what she thought she needed to do. I have learned that God does send angels to help and minister to us in our time of need. Sometimes it is a hand up or a hand out, but God will not let us crash and burn. Katie's situation appears to have been her marriage. Your situation may be your job, finances, weight or your health. It could be a crazy boyfriend. Don't be afraid to reach out, if you need help.
Peace
Michele
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
HELLO FEAR
Hello Fear
Before you sit down
There's something I need to explain
Since you're here
I think I should tell you
Since we last talked, things have changed
See I'm tired of being brokenhearted
So I made a list and you're on it
All my hopes and my dreams you took from me
I want them back before you leave
Hello Fear
I knew I would see you
You have a hard time letting go
See these tears
Take a good look
'Cause soon they won't fall anymore
No matter what you've done to me
GOD's healing my hurtful places
The seat that was yours now is taken
I'm no longer afraid
See I'm better this way
And one more thing before you leave...
Never again will I love you
My heart it refuses to be your home
No longer your prisoner
Today I remember
Apart from you is where I belong
Never again will I trust you
I'm tired of fighting
It's been way too long
No longer your prisoner
Today I remember
Who I was then
Now is gone
Hello Fear
I don't like long break-ups
So, I'll just say...
Farewell...Goodbye...So long...
We've two different people now
Hello Grace
It feels like forever
I thought my chance with you was gone
See your face
It reminds me of mercy
And, please let me say I was wrong
Never knew your touch was endless
How you never run dry of forgiveness
Didn't know how bad it was
Was afraid just because
Sorry fear, Grace took your place
I've waited my whole life to say this...
Never again will I love you
That chapter's over
My heart it refuses to be your home
No longer your prisoner
Never again will I trust you
I'm tired of fighting, its been way too long
The old me is out the door
Look at fear one more time and say
FAREWELL...GOODBYE...SO LONG...
Hello fear,
Before you sit down
There's something I need to explain...
(lyrics by Kirk Franklin)
Peace
Michele
Before you sit down
There's something I need to explain
Since you're here
I think I should tell you
Since we last talked, things have changed
See I'm tired of being brokenhearted
So I made a list and you're on it
All my hopes and my dreams you took from me
I want them back before you leave
Hello Fear
I knew I would see you
You have a hard time letting go
See these tears
Take a good look
'Cause soon they won't fall anymore
No matter what you've done to me
GOD's healing my hurtful places
The seat that was yours now is taken
I'm no longer afraid
See I'm better this way
And one more thing before you leave...
Never again will I love you
My heart it refuses to be your home
No longer your prisoner
Today I remember
Apart from you is where I belong
Never again will I trust you
I'm tired of fighting
It's been way too long
No longer your prisoner
Today I remember
Who I was then
Now is gone
Hello Fear
I don't like long break-ups
So, I'll just say...
Farewell...Goodbye...So long...
We've two different people now
Hello Grace
It feels like forever
I thought my chance with you was gone
See your face
It reminds me of mercy
And, please let me say I was wrong
Never knew your touch was endless
How you never run dry of forgiveness
Didn't know how bad it was
Was afraid just because
Sorry fear, Grace took your place
I've waited my whole life to say this...
Never again will I love you
That chapter's over
My heart it refuses to be your home
No longer your prisoner
Never again will I trust you
I'm tired of fighting, its been way too long
The old me is out the door
Look at fear one more time and say
FAREWELL...GOODBYE...SO LONG...
Hello fear,
Before you sit down
There's something I need to explain...
(lyrics by Kirk Franklin)
Peace
Michele
Monday, June 25, 2012
THE BIRTHDAY PROJECT
I will celebrate another birthday soon and am really looking forward to it, as I always have. I enjoy receiving cards and gifts and well wishes, as most people do. But, as I get older, I have also become more introspective. I look at my life and admit it is a good one. I have a loving husband. I have a beautiful, intelligent daughter and the most precious granddaughter in the entire world. I am not homeless. I am not standing on a corner, in all elements, with a sign begging for food or work. I have food in my refrigerator and I am employed. My family is in good health, my health is good. I have wonderful friends. Some of my bills are paid. What more do I really need??
Taking all of the aforementioned into consideration, I have decided that from now on on my birthday, I will make a conscious decision to give to others instead of only looking to receive. On my birthday, from now on, I am going to give to someone else by volunteering my time at a food kitchen or visiting someone on the sick and shut in list from my church or visiting an elderly family member who only wants someone to just sit and spend some time visiting. Last year on my birthday, I started my new tradition by spending time volunteering by reading over the radio to the blind. This worked out perfectly last year because my regular day for reading over the radio happened to fall on my birthday.
My Pastor has a favorite poem that he often recites which talks about leading a life of example versus trying to tell others how to live. By now, we ought to realize that people watch what we do even when they don't or won't listen to what we have to say. If we try to live by example, our actions will speak far louder than anything we may attempt to say.
I've also come to realize that when we focus on others, we tend to forget about our own aches and pains, losses and sorrows, and problems, even if only momentarily. But, if we can forget ourselves even momentarily, after a while the moments add up and when we take the time to look back at ourselves, we may find that time has taken care of some of our problems. And, even if our own problems are still with us when we sit back down to our pity parties, at least we did something good for someone else in the interim.
Consider my birthday project and take up a cause of your own. Birthdays are nice, but giving of oneself to someone else is even nicer. After all, when our time on earth is over, people attending our funerals are not going to talk so much about how many birthdays we had as they will about how much of service we were to others.
Peace
Michele
Taking all of the aforementioned into consideration, I have decided that from now on on my birthday, I will make a conscious decision to give to others instead of only looking to receive. On my birthday, from now on, I am going to give to someone else by volunteering my time at a food kitchen or visiting someone on the sick and shut in list from my church or visiting an elderly family member who only wants someone to just sit and spend some time visiting. Last year on my birthday, I started my new tradition by spending time volunteering by reading over the radio to the blind. This worked out perfectly last year because my regular day for reading over the radio happened to fall on my birthday.
My Pastor has a favorite poem that he often recites which talks about leading a life of example versus trying to tell others how to live. By now, we ought to realize that people watch what we do even when they don't or won't listen to what we have to say. If we try to live by example, our actions will speak far louder than anything we may attempt to say.
I've also come to realize that when we focus on others, we tend to forget about our own aches and pains, losses and sorrows, and problems, even if only momentarily. But, if we can forget ourselves even momentarily, after a while the moments add up and when we take the time to look back at ourselves, we may find that time has taken care of some of our problems. And, even if our own problems are still with us when we sit back down to our pity parties, at least we did something good for someone else in the interim.
Consider my birthday project and take up a cause of your own. Birthdays are nice, but giving of oneself to someone else is even nicer. After all, when our time on earth is over, people attending our funerals are not going to talk so much about how many birthdays we had as they will about how much of service we were to others.
Peace
Michele
Sunday, June 17, 2012
AN OPEN LOVE LETTER
I don't have a gift, so here is an open love letter for Father's Day to my husband of 35 years.
I love my husband. I love him because he loves me, even though I know I'm crazy. I also love him because as the years go by, I realize that he also knows I'm crazy and he still loves me.
I love him because I believe him to be a good person. He is a great father and I am sure our granddaughter would say he is an even greater grandfather.
I love him because he makes me laugh. I had a northern, urban up-bringing. He had a rural, southern childhood. He says some really backwoodsman and countrified things such as, "You're my horse, even if you never win a race", or "That beats a sharp stick in the eye", or "You can't beat that with a stick". Who says stuff like that???? Am I married to a Hatfield or a McCoy? Fortunately, he has not rubbed off on me and I have been able to maintain my urbane demeanor.
He supports me in my endeavors, although he has indicated that he has not read my blog. He probably thinks I've said something about him on my blog which would make him believe that he would have to leave me in order to save face.
He's morphed into my Dad over the years because he can fix ANYTHING! He's a collector - he has all kinds of things and everything is in a stash somewhere where he can go to find some obsolete widget or gadget which will allow him to fix or patch anything.
I think of my husband as my friend. I enjoy his company and I enjoy doing things with him. I value his opinion and want to know what he thinks and how he feels about things. (I hope he doesn't read my blog this time because now he may think he can tell me what to do. Then we really will have a problem!) I used to think that I was w-a-a-a-y-y smarter than he, but I have come to realize over the years that he really does have a lot on the ball. (He doesn't really need to know that either.) In my mind's eye, he looks the same to me as he did when we met at 19 - buff and fine. No gray, no pouch, no bad knees. Ben Gay has now taken the place of Aqua Velva, but that's all good. I'm looking forward to at least another 40 years of growing together and hanging out and sitting on the front porch, rocking and making plans.
I always tell him that if I left him he would just crumble up and die. But, I know in my heart that if he was not in my life, I would not be the person I've become.
Now don't get the idea he's perfect! For our first wedding anniversary, he gave me a set of kitchen knives. That did not go over well. At the time, I thought about using one of those knives to stab him. But, now I'm glad that cooler heads prevailed and I didn't.
I love you, hubby, even if you never read my blog. Happy Father's Day!
Love,
Michele
I love my husband. I love him because he loves me, even though I know I'm crazy. I also love him because as the years go by, I realize that he also knows I'm crazy and he still loves me.
I love him because I believe him to be a good person. He is a great father and I am sure our granddaughter would say he is an even greater grandfather.
I love him because he makes me laugh. I had a northern, urban up-bringing. He had a rural, southern childhood. He says some really backwoodsman and countrified things such as, "You're my horse, even if you never win a race", or "That beats a sharp stick in the eye", or "You can't beat that with a stick". Who says stuff like that???? Am I married to a Hatfield or a McCoy? Fortunately, he has not rubbed off on me and I have been able to maintain my urbane demeanor.
He supports me in my endeavors, although he has indicated that he has not read my blog. He probably thinks I've said something about him on my blog which would make him believe that he would have to leave me in order to save face.
He's morphed into my Dad over the years because he can fix ANYTHING! He's a collector - he has all kinds of things and everything is in a stash somewhere where he can go to find some obsolete widget or gadget which will allow him to fix or patch anything.
I think of my husband as my friend. I enjoy his company and I enjoy doing things with him. I value his opinion and want to know what he thinks and how he feels about things. (I hope he doesn't read my blog this time because now he may think he can tell me what to do. Then we really will have a problem!) I used to think that I was w-a-a-a-y-y smarter than he, but I have come to realize over the years that he really does have a lot on the ball. (He doesn't really need to know that either.) In my mind's eye, he looks the same to me as he did when we met at 19 - buff and fine. No gray, no pouch, no bad knees. Ben Gay has now taken the place of Aqua Velva, but that's all good. I'm looking forward to at least another 40 years of growing together and hanging out and sitting on the front porch, rocking and making plans.
I always tell him that if I left him he would just crumble up and die. But, I know in my heart that if he was not in my life, I would not be the person I've become.
Now don't get the idea he's perfect! For our first wedding anniversary, he gave me a set of kitchen knives. That did not go over well. At the time, I thought about using one of those knives to stab him. But, now I'm glad that cooler heads prevailed and I didn't.
I love you, hubby, even if you never read my blog. Happy Father's Day!
Love,
Michele
Monday, June 11, 2012
30 THINGS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
AND SHOULD KNOW BY THE TIME SHE IS 30
By 30, you should have:
1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far
you've come.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you
an hour.
4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set
aside to help fund it.
8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has
access to but you.
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because
you deserve it.
13. The belief that you deserve it.
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few
other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other
facets of life that do get better.
By 30, you should know:
1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining
the friendship.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t
like to happen next.
6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
8. How to take control of your own birthday.
9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of
your parents.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
15. Why they say life begins at 30.
(While this piece is attributed to Maya Angelou, it was actually written by Pamela Edmond Satran)
Peace
Michele
By 30, you should have:
1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far
you've come.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you
an hour.
4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set
aside to help fund it.
8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has
access to but you.
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because
you deserve it.
13. The belief that you deserve it.
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few
other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other
facets of life that do get better.
By 30, you should know:
1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining
the friendship.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t
like to happen next.
6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
8. How to take control of your own birthday.
9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of
your parents.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
15. Why they say life begins at 30.
(While this piece is attributed to Maya Angelou, it was actually written by Pamela Edmond Satran)
Peace
Michele
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
THANK GOD FOR GRANDCHIILDREN
I have one daughter, whom I love very much. My daughter is married and thus my husband and I have one granddaughter. As I initially stated, I love my daughter very much...but, I absolutely l-o-o-o-v-v-v-e my granddaughter! I am enamored of her. I'm at her beck and call. One of my friends was recently telling me about her grandson and how she worships the ground on which he walks. When I gasped at her unabashed statement, she stopped and said to me - "Don't tell me you don't feel the same way about your granddaughter". I had to stop and admit, I do. I do worship the ground on which my granddaughter walks. My husband and I stand and watch over her while she sleeps. We are her captive audience and hang on every syllable of her babble as if we truly understand what she is saying. We call her long distance just to hear her breathe into the phone when she's not interested in talking. I sit cuddling her in my arms, in a steamy hot bathroom with the door shut until I almost pass out, just to relieve her congestion when she has a cold. We let her sleep in the bed with us. I don't care if when she goes back home my daughter has a hard time getting her used to sleeping in her own crib again. Heck, what happens when she goes back home is not my problem! We know how to get her to go to sleep when she visits us.
I don't worry about bills getting paid when my granddaughter comes to visit. I don't really do any housekeeping when she visits. I skip evening meetings. Heck, my granddaughter's here.
I sit and hold and rock her as long as I like. There's no one to tell me to put her down because I am spoiling her. That's what grandparents are for.
And, did I mention how cute she is? She could have been a Gerber Baby. Remember their cherubic faces? Before she could walk, my husband would parade her in her stroller around our neighborhood just like Rhett Butler did with Bonnie. And, invariably, my husband would come home after every stroll and tell me how someone he met along his walk would stop him and proclaim how beautiful she is.
I know that I'm on the brink of going broke because I keep buying us matching outfits for church. And, I keep buying new outfits, not because she's growing so fast, but because we can't be caught in the same outfit twice!
I don't really have an explanation of the intense love grandparents have for their grandchildren. I think it may be because we view grandchildren as a second chance provided by GOD. We don't have the responsibility of raising our grandchildren so society can't dictate how we are to respond to our grandchildren nor tell us what we are to provide for them. We can just simply love them unconditionally and give them whatever their parents won't.
I love my granddaughter.
I love her, I love her, I love her,
Thank you GOD for grandchildren.
Peace
Michele
I don't worry about bills getting paid when my granddaughter comes to visit. I don't really do any housekeeping when she visits. I skip evening meetings. Heck, my granddaughter's here.
I sit and hold and rock her as long as I like. There's no one to tell me to put her down because I am spoiling her. That's what grandparents are for.
And, did I mention how cute she is? She could have been a Gerber Baby. Remember their cherubic faces? Before she could walk, my husband would parade her in her stroller around our neighborhood just like Rhett Butler did with Bonnie. And, invariably, my husband would come home after every stroll and tell me how someone he met along his walk would stop him and proclaim how beautiful she is.
I know that I'm on the brink of going broke because I keep buying us matching outfits for church. And, I keep buying new outfits, not because she's growing so fast, but because we can't be caught in the same outfit twice!
I don't really have an explanation of the intense love grandparents have for their grandchildren. I think it may be because we view grandchildren as a second chance provided by GOD. We don't have the responsibility of raising our grandchildren so society can't dictate how we are to respond to our grandchildren nor tell us what we are to provide for them. We can just simply love them unconditionally and give them whatever their parents won't.
I love my granddaughter.
I love her, I love her, I love her,
Thank you GOD for grandchildren.
Peace
Michele
Monday, May 28, 2012
GIVE THANKS
I will not generally blog about holidays (I'll leave that to others) but I do feel compelled to talk about Memorial Day, which really is meant to be more than a three-day long holiday sale. Memorial Day is significant to me because a number of my family members have served in foreign wars; to include my father, husband and godson.
The United States no longer has a mandatory draft. This means our military personnel have voluntarily stepped up to fulfill a commitment to protect our freedom.
I am grateful to each and every member of the United States' armed forces who serves on my behalf to protect my freedom.
Let's take time out to remember the significance of Memorial Day and thank those who serve or have served in our military.
The United States no longer has a mandatory draft. This means our military personnel have voluntarily stepped up to fulfill a commitment to protect our freedom.
- Americans freely socialize, exchange and research information on the web, while Internet censorship in China is among the most stringent in the world. The government blocks web sites that discuss the Dalai Lama, the 1989 crackdown on Tienanmen Square protesters, Falun Gong, the banned spiritual movement, and other Internet sites. The government's computers intercept incoming data and compare it against an ever-changing list of banned keywords or web sites, screening out even more information.
- We travel unrestricted around the United States while families in North and South Korea are still separated by the demilitarized zone.
- As we debate and contemplate about whom to choose for our next President, women in Saudi Arabia or Vatican City are not allowed to vote.
I am grateful to each and every member of the United States' armed forces who serves on my behalf to protect my freedom.
Let's take time out to remember the significance of Memorial Day and thank those who serve or have served in our military.
Following is a bit of information about Memorial Day.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War.
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May, though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead.
Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights.
The military of the United States is currently deployed in more than 150 countries around the world.
Peace
Michele
Monday, May 21, 2012
20 TID BITS
1. Wash that make-up off of your face every night before going to bed. Make it easier for yourself
by washing off your make-up as soon as you get home. This way it's already done before you
get too busy or plop into bed or on the sofa with the desire but not the energy to get back up to
do what you should.
2. Give your grandchild (godchild, niece, nephew) a gift of stock or a savings bond instead of a
video game. They may hate you now, but you know how fast time goes and how good it feels
to have something stashed away for a rainy day. Do this especially when they are young and do
not know the difference.
3. Empty your purse each night of all of your loose change and save it. You will be surprised how
quickly this change adds up.
4. Walk, walk, and then walk some more. If you already walk daily, then add additional steps. It is
recommended that we try to walk 10,000 steps each day. Wear a pedometer and track your
steps. You will be amazed at how short we fall of the 10,000 step recommendation.
5. Call 2 friends you have not talked with in a while. Call them at a time when you really can
talk as long as they need.
6. Call 2 relatives you have not talked with in a while. Call them at a time when you really can
talk as long as they need.
7. Visit Paris at least once.
8. Do not repeat gossip, no matter how scintillating. A dog that brings a bone will carry one also.
9. Volunteer each year on your birthday. Take a friend with you.
10. Keep all of your doctor's appointments and ask for a list of all of the tests that are
recommended for your age and/or medical condition...and, then follow up with these tests.
11. Try a fruit you have never eaten before.
12. Try a vegetable you have never eaten before.
13. Open a Christmas club account (remember those???) Have a set amount automatically
deposited. This way it really is painless to add to on a regular basis. The money will come in
handy and perhaps prevent you from overspending at Christmastime.
14. Fill up your car with gasoline in the evening before going into the house. (You know we don't go
back out once we get home.) This way we don't have the extra stress of deciding whether to
stop for gas in the morning when we are running short of time.
15. Read to the blind on the radio.
16. Send a hand written "Thank you" note to your Pastor. (You know he prayed you out of that
mess.)
17. Contribute financially and regularly to your alma mater.
18. Send a check to someone's child who is in college.
19. What the heck...make a Vision Board.
20. Wear sunscreen every day.
by washing off your make-up as soon as you get home. This way it's already done before you
get too busy or plop into bed or on the sofa with the desire but not the energy to get back up to
do what you should.
2. Give your grandchild (godchild, niece, nephew) a gift of stock or a savings bond instead of a
video game. They may hate you now, but you know how fast time goes and how good it feels
to have something stashed away for a rainy day. Do this especially when they are young and do
not know the difference.
3. Empty your purse each night of all of your loose change and save it. You will be surprised how
quickly this change adds up.
4. Walk, walk, and then walk some more. If you already walk daily, then add additional steps. It is
recommended that we try to walk 10,000 steps each day. Wear a pedometer and track your
steps. You will be amazed at how short we fall of the 10,000 step recommendation.
5. Call 2 friends you have not talked with in a while. Call them at a time when you really can
talk as long as they need.
6. Call 2 relatives you have not talked with in a while. Call them at a time when you really can
talk as long as they need.
7. Visit Paris at least once.
8. Do not repeat gossip, no matter how scintillating. A dog that brings a bone will carry one also.
9. Volunteer each year on your birthday. Take a friend with you.
10. Keep all of your doctor's appointments and ask for a list of all of the tests that are
recommended for your age and/or medical condition...and, then follow up with these tests.
11. Try a fruit you have never eaten before.
12. Try a vegetable you have never eaten before.
13. Open a Christmas club account (remember those???) Have a set amount automatically
deposited. This way it really is painless to add to on a regular basis. The money will come in
handy and perhaps prevent you from overspending at Christmastime.
14. Fill up your car with gasoline in the evening before going into the house. (You know we don't go
back out once we get home.) This way we don't have the extra stress of deciding whether to
stop for gas in the morning when we are running short of time.
15. Read to the blind on the radio.
16. Send a hand written "Thank you" note to your Pastor. (You know he prayed you out of that
mess.)
17. Contribute financially and regularly to your alma mater.
18. Send a check to someone's child who is in college.
19. What the heck...make a Vision Board.
20. Wear sunscreen every day.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
THANK YOU
Have you ever noticed when someone is generous enough to pay us a compliment...we are quick to qualify the remark?
For example, someone says to us "Oh, that is such a pretty dress!" Our typical response is "This old thing? Ugh, I've had this dress for years." So what if we've had this dress for a while? Does this mean the dress is no longer pretty? We obviously still think enough of the dress to continue to wear it. Why are we so quick to brush aside kind remarks directed our way? Perhaps we don't feel worthy of such niceties because we really know who lives behind the curtain? (Remember the Wizard of Oz??)
We have to learn how to accept compliments. Not only does it discount the other person's opinion when we brush aside the compliment (and that is exactly what we do when we reply as we do), it also indicates that we really don't believe we are worthy of such pleasantries. We have to learn how to accept compliments. (Acknowledging compliments and being fooled by them are two different things. That is not what I am talking about here.)
It takes 21 days to change a habit. We can change this negative reaction by practicing a new and positive response. The next time someone pays us a compliment, just pleasantly respond - "Thank you." Practice it. Instead of responding to someone who says that our hair looks nice by saying "I really need to go to the beauty shop to get it done", simply say "Thank you."
The simple response of "Thank you" does not come as easily as one thinks, but it can come with practice. Just say "Thank you." This response acknowledges and validates the other person's opinion. It also says we are grateful for someone taking the time, first, to notice us, but after having noticed us, to have taken the time to be kind. We are quick to remark how others can be so cruel. Let us be quicker to acknowledge the kindness of others, especially towards us. We can also pay this forward by being kind to others. Mothers alway say, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". Let's take that saying one step further and look for something good to say to someone and then say it. As I have said before and will say often, people are fragile. Our kind words may be the only kind words that person may hear directed to them that day. Each morning, I set out with the purpose of trying to say something kind and/or uplifting to someone during the course of the day. There must be other like-minded people out there, because surely the dress I had on today wasn't that pretty.
Peace
Michele
"Have a nice day"
For example, someone says to us "Oh, that is such a pretty dress!" Our typical response is "This old thing? Ugh, I've had this dress for years." So what if we've had this dress for a while? Does this mean the dress is no longer pretty? We obviously still think enough of the dress to continue to wear it. Why are we so quick to brush aside kind remarks directed our way? Perhaps we don't feel worthy of such niceties because we really know who lives behind the curtain? (Remember the Wizard of Oz??)
We have to learn how to accept compliments. Not only does it discount the other person's opinion when we brush aside the compliment (and that is exactly what we do when we reply as we do), it also indicates that we really don't believe we are worthy of such pleasantries. We have to learn how to accept compliments. (Acknowledging compliments and being fooled by them are two different things. That is not what I am talking about here.)
It takes 21 days to change a habit. We can change this negative reaction by practicing a new and positive response. The next time someone pays us a compliment, just pleasantly respond - "Thank you." Practice it. Instead of responding to someone who says that our hair looks nice by saying "I really need to go to the beauty shop to get it done", simply say "Thank you."
The simple response of "Thank you" does not come as easily as one thinks, but it can come with practice. Just say "Thank you." This response acknowledges and validates the other person's opinion. It also says we are grateful for someone taking the time, first, to notice us, but after having noticed us, to have taken the time to be kind. We are quick to remark how others can be so cruel. Let us be quicker to acknowledge the kindness of others, especially towards us. We can also pay this forward by being kind to others. Mothers alway say, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". Let's take that saying one step further and look for something good to say to someone and then say it. As I have said before and will say often, people are fragile. Our kind words may be the only kind words that person may hear directed to them that day. Each morning, I set out with the purpose of trying to say something kind and/or uplifting to someone during the course of the day. There must be other like-minded people out there, because surely the dress I had on today wasn't that pretty.
Peace
Michele
"Have a nice day"
Monday, May 7, 2012
FAMILY HEALTH DAY II
As discussed earlier in a previous posting (Family Health Day: April 22, 2012), my family hosted a Family Health Day on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Various family members presented reports on selected health topics. The topics presented and discussed were: High Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Benefits of Exercise, Depression, Medical Tests and Your Money, Your Health.
The purpose of our Family Health Day was to provide information and encourage my family to take more proactive and aggressive responsibility for our health. As we age, we develop health issues which we could possibly dismiss or ignore when we were younger, but now can have debilitating or deathly consequences if left untreated. Our quality of life really depends upon the quality of our health. We tend to think if we had more money or had loving companions or grandchildren, our lives would be better. But really, it is our health which drives the quality of our lives. Health concerns can color our enjoyment of anything else we deem to be important, either positively or negatively.
The presenters took their assignments seriously. That was evident by the details and thoroughness of the reports. The event turned into a forum because of the interaction between everyone in attendance and the questions raised. One of my brothers-in-law, an obstetrician/gynecologist, listened intently and confirmed the accurateness of each report and elaborated when various details were above our pay grade.
A local hospital provided volumes of informational hand-outs, in addition to tchotchkes such as stress balls, seed packets and chapsticks. We gave away door prizes, had dinner and topped off the whole day with rice pudding made by my mother-in-law. (Thank you, Georgia).
At the end of the forum, we all signed health commitment contracts - individually committing to taking responsibility for the maintenance of our personal health by scheduling and keeping medical appointments, starting with the scheduling of our annual physical examinations. We each also chose a partner to be a support system for the year and to ensure we maintain our health commitment(s).
As a result of this health event, my family is organizing a committee in order to participate in next year's local Relay for Life. I have committed to train so that I can run the relay.
One of my nieces will facilitate a Young Adult Sexual Forum. My brother-in-law who is the obstetrician/gynecologist will be the presenter for that session. I am hoping if he can show some of his graphic, nasty, color pictures of how some of the sexual transmitted diseases ultimately manifest, we might get some of our young people to slow down or at least think before acting.
We are planning another health day later this year to focus on stress; how it affects us and ways to relieve it. The plan is to have a yoga instructor and a masseuse in attendance.
My mother-in-law gave a report on the benefits of exercising and how daily walking heightens one's libido. Okay, can I say TMI?? Did I mention she's 82??
Our first Family Health Day was a huge success thanks to many! We will try very hard to maintain this momentum with the intent of achieving positive results because of our actions.
Have to go now...my husband's calling me to join him in a walk.
Peace
Michele
The purpose of our Family Health Day was to provide information and encourage my family to take more proactive and aggressive responsibility for our health. As we age, we develop health issues which we could possibly dismiss or ignore when we were younger, but now can have debilitating or deathly consequences if left untreated. Our quality of life really depends upon the quality of our health. We tend to think if we had more money or had loving companions or grandchildren, our lives would be better. But really, it is our health which drives the quality of our lives. Health concerns can color our enjoyment of anything else we deem to be important, either positively or negatively.
The presenters took their assignments seriously. That was evident by the details and thoroughness of the reports. The event turned into a forum because of the interaction between everyone in attendance and the questions raised. One of my brothers-in-law, an obstetrician/gynecologist, listened intently and confirmed the accurateness of each report and elaborated when various details were above our pay grade.
A local hospital provided volumes of informational hand-outs, in addition to tchotchkes such as stress balls, seed packets and chapsticks. We gave away door prizes, had dinner and topped off the whole day with rice pudding made by my mother-in-law. (Thank you, Georgia).
At the end of the forum, we all signed health commitment contracts - individually committing to taking responsibility for the maintenance of our personal health by scheduling and keeping medical appointments, starting with the scheduling of our annual physical examinations. We each also chose a partner to be a support system for the year and to ensure we maintain our health commitment(s).
As a result of this health event, my family is organizing a committee in order to participate in next year's local Relay for Life. I have committed to train so that I can run the relay.
One of my nieces will facilitate a Young Adult Sexual Forum. My brother-in-law who is the obstetrician/gynecologist will be the presenter for that session. I am hoping if he can show some of his graphic, nasty, color pictures of how some of the sexual transmitted diseases ultimately manifest, we might get some of our young people to slow down or at least think before acting.
We are planning another health day later this year to focus on stress; how it affects us and ways to relieve it. The plan is to have a yoga instructor and a masseuse in attendance.
My mother-in-law gave a report on the benefits of exercising and how daily walking heightens one's libido. Okay, can I say TMI?? Did I mention she's 82??
Our first Family Health Day was a huge success thanks to many! We will try very hard to maintain this momentum with the intent of achieving positive results because of our actions.
Have to go now...my husband's calling me to join him in a walk.
Peace
Michele
Monday, April 30, 2012
ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE
"You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between"
These are some of the words to the song penned by Mr. Johnny Mercer, a prolific lyricist, composer and singer with whom some of us grew up.
Regardless of how bad my previous day may have been, the first thing I do with my first conscious waking breath of each new day is to say "Thank You" to GOD for giving me another day. For as the old people say, "He didn't have to do it".
I have a friend who says that GOD did not wake us up to be failures. So being successful has to be a deliberate conscious decision. How successful we are (or how close we come to success), depends upon how many times we chose to get back up and try again. When we decide not to get up, we will never know if this would have been the day...the day for whatever; the day a lost child comes back home, the day someone we love says "I love you" back, the day we lose the first pound on that diet we have been meaning to start.
While Johnny Mercer passed in 1976, the words to his song can become a mantra for each of us - accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative. While we may not be able to completely eliminate the negative, let's try not to focus so much on the negative. Think about the example of flying in an airplane. When we are flying through a storm, as the plane gains altitude, the storm clouds are left behind. Let's always remember that even if we can only see clouds today, the sun is still up there. It's just behind the clouds. Some days we just have to put on our x-ray glasses (or bi-focals) and focus a little harder in order to see it. We can't just simply give up on the days we don't see the sun because the sun may come out the next day or we may have to hold on a l-i-t-t-l-e longer because it may come out the next day or even the day after that. But, the sun will come back out. Trouble doesn't last always. This too shall pass. If you don't feel that you can hold on until tomorrow, try holding on at least through the night or maybe through the evening. GOD will send someone to give us an encouraging word. He always does. And, just as GOD always sends someone to give us an encouraging word, we may sometimes be that encouraging word to someone else who is struggling to hold on. Be quick to give a kind word. Let it become second nature to be encouraging and uplifting to others.
A compliment is free, but priceless to someone who is on the edge or who is discouraged. People are fragile. I know I am.
Peace
Michele
Sunday, April 22, 2012
FAMILY HEALTH DAY
Recently, my family suffered the deaths of two of its beloved members; my niece, Nella, who was 41 at the time of her passing and my sister-in-law, Sue, who was 54 years old. Both were relatively young. Both succumbed to maladies which may not have been fatal if treatment had been sought early on. As is too well known, we as women are nurturers and caregivers…nurturers and caregivers of others, first, oftentimes to our own detriment. How frequently do we know of caregivers who give out before the ones they are taking care of?
In honor of my niece and sister-in-law our family is planning a family health day on Saturday, April 28, 2012. The format is an educational forum. We have chosen 12 health topics to profile and talk about. Family members, in advance of family health day, will choose one of the 12 topics - research it, gather printed material to hand out and give a 3 – 5 minute presentation on that subject. The 12 topics we have chosen to highlight are: hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, exercise, heart disease, glaucoma, contraceptives/sexually transmitted diseases, obesity, healthy eating, prostate cancer, medical tests recommended for each age group and depression. We are asking each presenter to be deliberate and thorough in his research and creative in his delivery. We will also have someone present to take blood pressure.
The caveat of this family health day is that each family member is asked to partner up with another family member to make the commitment together to be responsible for making sure his or her partner schedules and follows up to get a complete physical examination. The partner is also responsible for researching and listing the medical tests recommended for his partner based upon his partner’s medical history and age. The next responsibility is to follow through to make sure one’s partner gets all of the recommended medical tests. The results of the physical and medical tests do not necessarily have to be divulged to one’s partner, but the hope is that once armed with information we can fore go any more premature demises.
The deadline to have all of the physicals and medical tests completed is December of this year. This time frame will allow for everyone’s medical plan to cover examinations and tests based upon when they were last conducted.
The event is scheduled to be held at my mother-in-law’s house. Weather permitting; we will top off the event with a cook-out, highlighting some healthy food choices.
My partner for family health day is my husband. I can already see that he is going to be a problem. He is currently nursing a sore thumb that he has no idea why it is swollen and sore. My husband is a veteran and gets free medical care, but knowing him he is going to wait until his thumb falls off before seeking treatment. I hope his thumb heals before our family health day or I am going to look pretty stupid walking in with a partner who is missing an appendage. He makes me sick! I hope he is not contagious because I need my thumbs. How can I type without my thumbs??
Think of planning a health day for your family. We tend to be too busy to take the time to schedule and do the important things. Sometimes we need to stop and focus. We shouldn’t only stop and focus at funerals.
Peace,
Michele
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