The Holiday Season is officially upon us once again. I have been trying to form the words for my Thanksgiving blog for several days now without any success - I wanted to pen words of wisdom and inspiration. But, I've scrapped that idea, and this morning I am going to write about the thing I am most thankful for - my family. We have been blessed with 5 wonderful children and 1 8/9 grandchildren and each and everyone of them has a special place in my heart.
Carissa is our oldest daughter - I am thankful for the relationship I have with Carissa. We have found a special bond in the love of photography we share.
Craig is our oldest son - Craig brings his adventurous sense of fun to the family. We share our love of the outdoors. I love the way Craig loves completely in his own quiet way.
Blair has the biggest love and is the father of our grandson Gabriel. I am so thankful that Blair has learned the joy of loving somebody unconditionally. I love the respect Blair and I have for each other - most of all I'm thankful Blair thinks I can still take him!
Miss Anna is the mother of our grandson Aiden that will make his appearance any day now! I love Anna's huge love of life and her huge spirit. Anna has an infectious happiness and will be a great mother. I am thankful for the special mother daughter bond we have.
Ryan is our youngest son but has the biggest sense of adventure! Ryan has never been afraid of following his dreams. Ryan has a fierce, sweet love for his family. He has great dreams and a fierce desire to achieve them. I am thankful that Ryan and I have grown to have the relationship we do today.
As we bow our heads and give thanks today, I will be giving special thanks to God for giving me the gift of sobriety, this is the miracle has given me the family have life I have today.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
All's Right With The World
Do you ever wonder what happens to make everything seem right at one precise moment? Do you ever wonder where this idea originated?
According Wikipedia.com,the phrase is from Pippa Passes, written by Robert Browning and published in 1841.
His original idea was of a young, innocent girl, moving through the crime-ridden neighborhoods of Asolo. She sings as she goes, unaware that her songs are influencing those that hear her to do good works. The excerpt below is believe to be most famous passage:
Biorhythms are used to predict phases of a persons life using three simple cycles - physical, emotional & intellectual. It is believed these cycles start at birth and continue throughout our lives and can be mathematically tracked and charted. When the cycles peak this is a good day for that particular cycle - bad days are at the bottom of the cycle. When all three cycles peak on the same day is when...
My wish for the day is that all's right in your world today!
According Wikipedia.com,the phrase is from Pippa Passes, written by Robert Browning and published in 1841.
His original idea was of a young, innocent girl, moving through the crime-ridden neighborhoods of Asolo. She sings as she goes, unaware that her songs are influencing those that hear her to do good works. The excerpt below is believe to be most famous passage:
- The year's at the spring,
- And day's at the morn;
- Morning's at seven;
- The hill-side's dew-pearled;
- The lark's on the wing;
- The snail's on the thorn;
- God's in his Heaven -
- All's right with the world!
Biorhythms are used to predict phases of a persons life using three simple cycles - physical, emotional & intellectual. It is believed these cycles start at birth and continue throughout our lives and can be mathematically tracked and charted. When the cycles peak this is a good day for that particular cycle - bad days are at the bottom of the cycle. When all three cycles peak on the same day is when...
- God's in his Heaven -
- All's right with the world!
My wish for the day is that all's right in your world today!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
A Mind IS a Terrible Thing to Waste
The Ad Council, the leading producer of public service announcements, started this campaign for the United Negro College fund in 1972, (http://www.adcouncil.org/default.aspx?id=134). I remember hearing this campaign but never gave it much thought, but as I find myself quickly approaching my 50th birthday, I am starting to take it very seriously.
The intent of the "A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste" campaign is to stress the importance of recognizing your full potential by pursuing higher levels of education. While this campaign was aimed at the African American community it applies to all.
I have been an avid reader for as long as I remember. I read for pleasure and as a way to exercise my mind. I believe reading keeps my appetite for knowledge alive. I believe that moving outside of my reading for pleasure comfort zone and reading something that requires me to really think about what I'm reading keeps my mind healthy.
During the holiday season last year, my son's girlfriend Kelli and I visited our corner Barnes & Noble bookstore. I have known Kelli for almost 14 years and it has been only in the past couple of years has she discovered her love of reading. While browsing through the rows and rows of books Kelli asked me what I liked to read - talk about opening a can of worms! I immediately went to the very familiar selves containing John Irving and Larry McMurtry novels. As I was telling Kelli all about John Irving and his style of writing it occurred to me - reading is like walking, you have to crawl first.
When we first learn to read we start out with very simple "Fun With Dick & Jane" books. As we mature we devour Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys. Then it happens - we discover Danielle Steele or James Patterson! One could spend a lifetime reading Danielle Steel novels but by doing so our mind goes into cruise mode.
It has been said that mass market authors crank out their books using formulas, a paint by number for novels. The novelists start with a basic story outline and by changing the names and places then twisting the events a bit they have a brand new novel. As we read these books we get so used to "what happens next" that reading simply becomes an exercise in looking at the words and turning the page.
In attempt to save our minds we reach beyond the mass marketed novel . We pick up a classic. We pick up a John Irving or Larry McMurtry novel. We pick up the first novel of an author we've never read. This my friend, keeps us alert and often times we put the book down and the miracle happens - we find ourselves wanting more...
The intent of the "A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste" campaign is to stress the importance of recognizing your full potential by pursuing higher levels of education. While this campaign was aimed at the African American community it applies to all.
I have been an avid reader for as long as I remember. I read for pleasure and as a way to exercise my mind. I believe reading keeps my appetite for knowledge alive. I believe that moving outside of my reading for pleasure comfort zone and reading something that requires me to really think about what I'm reading keeps my mind healthy.
During the holiday season last year, my son's girlfriend Kelli and I visited our corner Barnes & Noble bookstore. I have known Kelli for almost 14 years and it has been only in the past couple of years has she discovered her love of reading. While browsing through the rows and rows of books Kelli asked me what I liked to read - talk about opening a can of worms! I immediately went to the very familiar selves containing John Irving and Larry McMurtry novels. As I was telling Kelli all about John Irving and his style of writing it occurred to me - reading is like walking, you have to crawl first.
When we first learn to read we start out with very simple "Fun With Dick & Jane" books. As we mature we devour Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys. Then it happens - we discover Danielle Steele or James Patterson! One could spend a lifetime reading Danielle Steel novels but by doing so our mind goes into cruise mode.
It has been said that mass market authors crank out their books using formulas, a paint by number for novels. The novelists start with a basic story outline and by changing the names and places then twisting the events a bit they have a brand new novel. As we read these books we get so used to "what happens next" that reading simply becomes an exercise in looking at the words and turning the page.
In attempt to save our minds we reach beyond the mass marketed novel . We pick up a classic. We pick up a John Irving or Larry McMurtry novel. We pick up the first novel of an author we've never read. This my friend, keeps us alert and often times we put the book down and the miracle happens - we find ourselves wanting more...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Hope
Expect a Miracle...this phrase has carried my husband and I far during our life together. I wish I could take credit for the phrase but I must admit I picked it up from a conference I attended. Each of us wonders from time to time if miracles really happen. I believe they do.
Look for the Miracle...sometimes the miracles in our lives aren't what we expect them to be. Sometimes the miracle is that we are able to wonder about and look for miracles. Sometime the miracle is that we lived to see our families at the end of the day. Sometimes the miracle is knowing the next right thing to do.
Don't quit before the Miracle...in other words - don't give up. Don't give up hope or faith before the miracle happens - they happen for each of us.
Look for the Miracle...sometimes the miracles in our lives aren't what we expect them to be. Sometimes the miracle is that we are able to wonder about and look for miracles. Sometime the miracle is that we lived to see our families at the end of the day. Sometimes the miracle is knowing the next right thing to do.
Don't quit before the Miracle...in other words - don't give up. Don't give up hope or faith before the miracle happens - they happen for each of us.
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