If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living.
Gail Sheehy
IF I HAD KNOWN
September 27, 2020 By Leave a Comment
If I had known the year 2020 was going to keep me stuck inside, away from the people I love and going to the store to see empty shelves and being absent from all the things in my life, I would have lived 2019 with a passion that would have set my soul on fire.
In January, I would have left the Christmas tree up a little longer to celebrate the holiday that may be forever different.
In February, I would have reached out to everyone I loved and let them know they had a place in my heart, not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day.
In March. I would have welcomed Spring by throwing open the doors and inviting my friends and family in to celebrate with a gathering full of fun.
In April, I would have smiled more at the beautiful flowers that brighten the world. I would have picked more blooms, bought more buds, and filled my house with the colors that illuminate the world.
In May, I would have accepted every invitation to every family event, taken more pictures, and reminisced about old times because I miss them so much now.
In June, I would have welcomed summer by hugging those people close to me a little longer and playing with my dog like we had no tomorrows.
In July, I would have celebrated the sunshine, the rain, the warm summer breezes, and the ability to stick my foot in the ocean without wearing a mask and standing six feet away from everyone.
In August, I would have enjoyed going shopping at stores with fully stocked shelves and no limits on what I could purchase.
In September, I would have stood outside and waved at the school buses as the students returned to school.
In October, I would have bought more candy and handed it out to the trick or treaters like candy was the medicine that made the world happy.
In November, I would have prepared for Thanksgiving with more thankfulness in my heart for every blessing and gift that made my life full and joy filled.
In December, I would have held my family a little tighter and a little longer, and I would have told them and showed them how much I love them.
I don’t know what 2021 holds, but after 2020, I will forever look at life differently and know that every day is special and worth a celebration. How has 2020 changed you?
Living During the Coronavirus
April 19, 2020 By Leave a Comment
During this tough Coronavirus, I’ve had to stop my usual routine—like everyone else in the world—to give some thought about the other things that are important to me. As soon as all the bad news started coming out, I called my family to provide them with my uneducated advice. I encouraged them to stock up on food, water, and gasoline. I hadn’t thought we wouldn’t need gas because we’d be stuck in our homes for several weeks. But at least I was doing everything I could to prepare my family for what looked like an extended rainy day on the horizon. And no matter how much food I buy, I can’t help thinking, it’s not enough. I mean, how am I supposed to know what we’re going to want to eat three weeks from now. I can hardly manage what I want to eat for dinner today.
To maintain my sanity as we enter another week of self-imposed quarantine, I’m wondering what I’m going to do to keep my extroverted self-entertained. I’m writing. I’m painting. I’ve called all my friends to see how they’re making out during this time. I’m even thinking about unraveling a scarf I started to crochet and redoing it over again. I mean, it’s April, I could have it finished by the time winter rolls around back around. But after five weeks, all that stuff has bored me into thinking I want something else to do, somewhere to go.
I know I’m not the only one staring at the walls wondering when this will be over. And in many ways, I’m luckier than most. As bad as I think this current crisis is, many people need our kindness, our help, our consideration. So, I’ll reach out, and do what I can. I’ll do my best to stay optimistic. I hope you will too. And if you have any activities to help occupy the time, please share.
April 17, 2020
April 17, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up.
Allen Klein
March 29, 2020
March 29, 2020 By Leave a Comment
People look to time in expectation that it will eventually make them happy, but you cannot find true happiness by looking toward the future.
Eckhart Tolle
The Year Of Happy
January 18, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Hello, 2020. I decided to dedicate this year to affirm myself. I’ve sent so much time and energy pointing out all the things I don’t like about myself, or my shortcomings, or my failures, that I’ve decided this year will be different.
This year I’m going to be kinder to myself. I’m going to give myself room to make mistakes, to eat too much, to exercise less, to sleep longer or wake up earlier. I’m going to give myself permission to play, and dance and sing out loud and off-key. I’m going to smile at bad hair days, and outfits that don’t fit as good as I’d like and hairs that grow out of my chin (before I pluck them). I’m going to celebrate the good that happens every day no matter how small.
I’m going to find quotes and affirmations and opportunities that make me happy. I’m going to laugh when it rains and smile when it snows. Life is good and beautiful and short and a blessing. I can’t waste another day being unhappy at insignificant incidents. That’s just another part of living. How will you be good to yourself this year?
June 17, 2019
June 17, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Growth is an erratic forward movement: two steps forward, one step back. Remember that and be very gentle with yourself.
Julia Cameron
April 2, 2019
April 2, 2019 By Leave a Comment
One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.
Dale Carnegie
March 14, 2019
March 14, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Happiness doesn’t depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude.
Dale Carnegie
