Friday, February 20, 2015

Beauty in the "Ordinary Day"


One of my favorite bands, Great Big Sea.  They are excellent live, in case you want to check them out.  They are not only fun and exciting but their music is fabulous.  This song, "Ordinary Day" has been known to get me through the day.  It reminds us that there is absolutely something great that we can get out of every ordinary day.  Check out the lyrics below and enjoy your day!

Happy Weekend!

I've got a smile on my face, and I've got four walls around me.

I've got the sun in the sky, all the water surrounds me, oh you know.

God, I'll win now but sometimes I'll lose
I've been battered, but I'll never bruise, it's not so bad.

And I say way, hey, hey, it's just an ordinary day
And it's all your state of mind
At the end of the day
You've just got to say, it's alright

She's working out on the corner, what keeps her from dying
Let them say what they want, she won't stop trying, oh you know
She might stumble, if they push her 'round
She might fall, but she'll never lie down, it's not so bad...

And I say way hey, hey, it's just an ordinary day
And it's all your state of mind
At the end of the day
You've just got to say, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright

In this beautiful life, there's always some sorrow
And it's a double edged knife, but there's always tomorrow, oh you know
It's up to you now if you sink or swim
You just keep the faith that your ship will come in, it's not so bad.

And I say way hey, hey, it's just an ordinary day
And it's all your state of mind
At the end of the day
You've just got to say
And I say way, hey, hey, it's just an ordinary day
And it's all your state of mind
At the end of the day
You've just got to say it's alright, 
it's alright, it's alright

'Cause I've got a smile on my face
And I've got four walls around me

Friday, February 6, 2015

29 Life Lessons for 29 years

A list of life lessons from a friend on her birthday:

29 Life Lessons for 29 years 
1. Number one will begin with something that happened during my 28th year. In fact, it was the best day of my life! My daughter was born. In that very moment, a mother was born too. It was then I realized the meaning of unconditional love, affection without any limitations. None. I realize what is truly important. I'll teach her all of my life lessons, to walk her own path and never to sit and wait for a prince. I'll also teach her that richness has nothing to do with material items and to value people for what they have in their hearts, not in their pockets.
I am her example, Tashi helps me to be a better person. 
2. Happiness comes from within. We spend way too much of our lives looking for outside validation and approval that eludes us. Turns out, it's been an inside job all along. Go inward.
3. Be grateful for everything. The good, the bad, everythiiiing. Our entire life is a precious gift. The pleasure, the pain -- it's all part of our path.
4. Let those that you love know it often and enthusiastically. You can never say it or show it too much. Your time, total presence, love, and genuine concern for their wellness is the greatest gift of all.
5. Everybody comes into our life for a reason. It is up to us to be open to the lesson they are meant to teach. The more someone rubs us the wrong way, the greater the lesson. Take notes.
6. Learn the art of empathy, compassion. Too often we judge people on too little information. We must try to understand what they do instead, put ourselves in their shoes, start with the assumption that what others do has a good reason if we understand what they’re going through. Life becomes much better if you learn this art.
7. Perfectionism is an illusion. A painful one at that. Ease up. Strive for excellence, sure, but allow yourself room to make mistakes and permission to be happy regardless of outcome.
8. The 3 roots of suffering: 1. Anger 2.Attachment 3.Ignorance. All pain comes from one of these emotions. Find a way to deal, find peace. Meditate.
9. Forgiveness is not so much about the other person. It's about you and for you so that you can gain the peace and freedom you deserve.
10. Surround yourself with people who love and support you. And, love and support them right back! Life is too short for anything less.
11. Giving is the secret to receiving. Share your wisdom, your love, your talents. Share freely and be amazed at how much beauty in life flows back to you.
- On that note, be careful not to give too much. If you empty out your own cup completely, you will have nothing left to give. Balance is key.
12. The world is our mirror. What we love in others is a reflection of what we love about ourselves. What upsets us about others is a strong indication of what we need to look at more closely within ourselves.
13. The present moment is where it's at. It's the only one promised to any of us. Learn from your past & enjoy the beautiful memories, but don't cling or let them haunt you. And, dream big and be excited about the future, but don't become obsessed. Love this moment, always.
14. Subtle shifts in perception will transform your entire life. When feeling fearful, angry, hurt, simply choose to see a situation differently.
15. Practice daily gratitude for all the blessings in your life, large and small. Not only is this a high vibe practice that feels amazing, in practicing regularly you are creating space for even more abundance -- of joy, love, health, and prosperity.
16. Life is full of highs and lows. We need them both to grow to our fullest potential. Just hang on tight and enjoy the ride.
17. In being true to yourself, you can't possibly make everybody else happy. Still, it's better to risk being disliked for living your truth than to be loved for what you are pretending to be.
18. Trust. In troubled times, just know that the Universe has your back and everything is going to be alright. If you're not there yet, trust in hindsight you will understand. Your higher good is being supported, always.
19. Never take things personally. What others do is a reflection of what's going on in their own life and probably has little or nothing to do with you.
20. You have to feel it to heal it. Bring your fears and weaknesses front and center and shine a blazing spotlight on them because the only way out is through. The hurt of facing the truth is SO worth it in the long run, I swear.
21. Celebrate the journey. It's not all about the destination. Savor all of your successes, even the small ones.
22. We are all incredibly intuitive. When we learn to become still and listen, we can tap into some pretty amazing primal wisdom. Listen to the quiet whisper of your heart. It knows the way.
23. We are powerful creators. Seriously, bad-asses. With intention, focus, and persistence -- anything is possible! Know this.
24. Don't take life too seriously! Nobody gets out alive anyway. Smile. Take chances. Have fun.
25. Fear is often a very good indicator of what we really want and need in our life. Let it be your compass and enjoy the exciting adventure it leads you on.
26. Our bodies are our vehicle to our dreams. Treat them with love and fuel them with the best health to feel vibrant and energized. But, never obsess over image. Looks are subjective and will fade in time, anyway. Feeling good, healthy, and comfortable in our own skin is what matters most.
27. Let go of expectations. When you have expectations of something — a person, an experience, a vacation, a job — you put it in a predetermined box that has little to do with reality. You set up an idealized version of the thing (or person) and then try to fit the reality into this ideal, and are often disappointed. Instead, try to experience reality as it is, appreciate it for what it is, and be happy that it is.
28. Don’t sit too much. It kills you. Move, dance, run, play.
29. We are not the center of the universe, although our ego can make us feel that way at times. Step outside of that way of thinking and see the world and other people's perspective in a whole new beautiful light.
The world neeeeeds more love, light, and laughter. Go BLove.  xo


****Thank you for sharing your light and love and laughter always, B.R.M. <3  and specifically for sharing these lessons.  Happy birthday!

Letter to a Stranger...

When I wrote my 30x30 list just over 2 years ago, lucky number 13 on my list was

"10 letters to strangers."  

At the time I wrote that, I had no idea what it meant.  I didn't know how you go about writing to strangers.  Do you look them up in the phonebook and just choose one?  Is there a "strangers needing letters" website somewhere?  Do you just choose an organization to write to a soldier or an inmate to offer some words of solace and encouragement?  I didn't know.

I had some ideas about it when I shared my 30x30 list on this blog last December, but I never wrote those letters.  They are still on my "possibilities" list for my letters to strangers.

Today, though, I realized why I even had a "possibilities" list...I was waiting for the reason that I had written that on my 30x30 list without even knowing what it meant.  Today I learned that my stranger's name is Bubby Everson.  He's turning 9 years old this week and he lives in Washington State, USA.  He has a lot of really tough issues that he is battling -- not one of which I'd wish on anyone -- but he doesn't seem too concerned with the problems, and instead just enjoys the life he has.  His parents are young and loving and caring.  They were on an interview in their local town and they said that Bubby's birthday wish is to get mail, because he LOVES receiving mail.  So...today I saw my stranger.  I've written a letter to him on neon colored notecards and it's in an envelope addressed to his very own P.O. Box for the occasion!

My hope is that I can write to Bubby multiple times, maybe even from different locations so he gets stamps from different cities (and not just on his birthday).  Maybe my ten letters are actually to one stranger...or to a stranger and his family.  All I can tell you is, I didn't put him on a "possibilities" list.

If you'd like to send a birthday card to Bubby, too, you can send it to the following address:

Bubby Everson
PO BOX 1142
Graham, Washington 98338
USA



To see the news broadcast and the original article that I saw, click here.

Monday, February 2, 2015

What would you do?

This...All. Day. Long.

What Would You Do?  TV Show wants to know what people will do when they see or hear a fellow shopper that needs help when their card is denied to use food stamps to feed their families.

People are awesome.


Everyone knows what this is like because everyone needs help sometimes.
When you can help, you help.
That's what we're here for: to make a difference.