A few more for the Bucket.....list :-)

Good Tuesday Night! Oh, what a messy day in NYC. Slush, ice, dirty snow, go away. This week it's just pure northern winter weather. Just gotta bundle up, persevere, and think of how much more I'll appreciate the blazing sunshine, blue skies and peonies in a few more months. Ahhhhh.

So, I'm thinking about my Bucketlist again. I want to add 8 (my favorite number) more things. What about you? I'd love to hear at least one thing on your Bucketlist. Afterall, when you say something it's more likely to happen and when you WRITE something, and share it with someone, it's even more likely to become reality. ;-) So, I'll be waiting to hear from ya. If I can, you can! Let's go:

***Try silk ropes. Remember that beautiful flying in the air type performance Pink did last year? Well, I wanna try it. Anything's worth trying at least once.

***Jet Ski, again. I've only done it once and it was amazzzzzzzzzzing. I gotta do it again!

***Design a baby-Tee. :-)

picture by Nicole Mountz

***Learn how to cook a good chicken soup.

***Co-design my wedding dress. ;-)

***Oprah show. Come on, it's still possible. :-)

***Zipline

***Go bike riding in an exoctic and beautiful country.

Sending vivid imagination your way. Tag you're it!

May the words of my mouth....:-)

Hello and welcome to Monday! A new week. The day we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. If you woke up, you got a new chance to be better, feel good, spread love. :-) Let's go!

I've been thinking about words lately. I'm sure you've realized by now, I like words, I love quotes. Words do matter. They evoke emotions, motivation. They can bring about actions, change. Words. There's a song that I hold close to my heart. It's my meditation, many days. A song we sang every Sunday at church (which is where I spent every single Sunday of my childhood until I left for college at 18 :-))

"May the words of my mouth, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight."

It's amazing that as a 9 yr. old singing that song in church, I had no idea, really, that I was affirming something beautiful. Now, I do. And I deeply want my words to be thoughtful and never harming. Some days that is a real challenge. Some days, I want to shout not-so-lovely adjectives. Some days, I have to catch myself and think before letting my words out into the universe where they can, in fact, create damage. Words matter. :-)

One woman whose words ignite hope and love and inspiration to me is Maya Angelou. Wow, what a life this lady has lived. I was watching an intriguing show on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network) called Master Class and Maya was the "master" for this episode.

She is one of those beings, who just oozes wisdom. Sometimes, I imagine sitting on the porch in a swing with her just listening to her stories, her adventures, her wonderfully colorful journey of living. She is a woman who knows how to use her words--for the highest good.

On this show, she began by saying 82 is hot! She was referring to her age. That is really refreshing to hear! (and rare.) I so want to be able to say that. However, first I have to be able to embrace and be proud to say my age now. I shall, I aiming...By Feb. 18.;-) I will proudly say my age with no shame, b/c frankly that's pretty dang silly to be fearful of acknowledging the years you've been shining on this earth. :-) Maya even said the 60s were the best and 70s...just great. That surely gives me something to look forward too. Yeah!!!!

From watching & listening to Maya (on that show last night), I am left with this -- she walks in her light, tall and glorious with a bright, wide smile, always teaching, living her words. She says to be a rainbow in somebody's cloud, and she surely is. She moves me to do the same! Thanks, Ms. Angelou.

My grandma Johnson @ 80th. :-) my personal inspiration.

So, I'll sign off today with two of my favorite quotes from Maya Angelou:

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

&

"My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return."

Sending smiles your way. Tag you're it!

— Maya Angelou





— Maya Angelou

Believe it or not...

Hello and welcome to Wednesday night. What a great day! Snow and all. It was fun walking in 8 inches of snow this morning. Nothing like fresh, white, fluffy snow! The best part was that the commute into the city was a piece of cake. It's the little things. :-)

Does anyone believe in the law of attraction? I've been thinking about it a lot lately. Maybe because I'm rereading some chapters of The Secret. I certainly have come to believe that whether I co-sign on the "law of attraction" or not, it is happening all the time. It's happening whether I think positive or good or wonderful thoughts or whether I think sad, desperate, or hopeless thoughts. It's just the way it is. So I figure I might as well think the better thoughts.

I just find it so amazing how powerful the mind is. It really is fascinating what we can think ourselves into. We can make, almost, anything true or real if we deeply, truly believe it. It's funny, even subsciously we are manifesting what we deeply believe. Soooooooooo interesting.

Becoming aware is the trick. Aware of what we truly believe. Aware of what we are thinking and dwelling on. Aware of the power within.

On that note, take a look at each of these colorful pictures. How do you feel? What do you feel? Just curious. :-)

Sending good thoughts your way. Tag you're it!

Count it all joy

Happy Monday night! Ok, I'm considering this week a Take 2 for the first week of the new year. Last week was a tad tough. I'm so grateful I'm finally feeling more like myself--the sinus blues are just about gone. Yay! Nothing like a weekend inside with a few boxes of Puffs (tissue), a gallon of water, meds, a journal, laptop, and prayer. :-)

photo by dear one. what an awesome sky!

What an tragic weekend. My prayers and comforting thoughts go out to all the loved ones of the victims in Arizona as well as those harmed/recovering from that monstrous episode last Saturday. The amazing thing is that Gabrielle Gibbons is still alive and responsive. Not taking for granted that she has a long, challenging road ahead of her. One twinkle of light in all of this is that she is alive. I remember the first reports said she was not. 

In life, many times darkness direct us to the light. Sometimes, we can't rationalize, understand, explain the experiences of this journey. Sometimes, even in such horrific--what seems like senseless-- loss, something positive can be born....I hope.

I will love the light for it shows me the way.  Yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars. ~Og Mandino

 

Right now, even in the midst of this...., this world and all it's disappointment, pain, confusion, and sometimes chaos, it is the perfect time to give thanks.

Today, I am so very grateful for awareness, forgiveness, healing, mercy, second chances, and a new day to be better. A new awakening for our country to bring us back to the light.

Sending unwavering faith your way. Tag you're it!

Right on time :-)

"Just when the caterpillar thought his life was over... he turned into a butterfly." I dig this quote because it's so true. Just when I feel worn out, have a headache, am exhausted from the hustle & bustle of the nyc commute, am wondering how I'm gonna make things happen in the next few months AND when I'm fighting a sinus infection....the mailman leaves some GOOD, Smile~inducing mail today. Yes!!!

I got home from my first day of work in 2011 feeling blah and ready to relax, with lots on my mind. Ready to be feeling enthusiastic and revived, yet not quite there yet....So I shuffle through my mail and to my delight I have two special letters not from Discover, MBNA, Chase, or any of the other banks anxious to lend me moula. :-) I don't know about you, but I really, really, really enjoy getting an old-fashioned letter. It just feels nice! It's like an antique these days to get stamped, mailed letters. I cherish them. I was so happy to receive one from a thoughtful new friend today. It really made my week! :-)

To top that off, I also got an extra-special letter from my dad. What a grateful gal I am!

And that's why the quote, I began with tonight, popped into my head. The universe ALWAYS gives me what I need. God is always, always, always on time. Totally awesome! :-)

One more thing TRULY touched my heart this evening....A homeless man in Cleveland gets a new start thanks to his stellar "radio voice." It's just beautiful. This reminds me that there is simply always hope. No matter what. No matter how long things may seem to be taking before they take off. The storm never lasts forever. With belief and work....the dream will come alive. The sun surely shines again. Read/watch: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/homeless_man_with_golden_radio_voice_91PQ3yMBa58vOf1n4MuToJ

Sending abundance your way. Tag you're it!

....

Happy Tuesday! I wish I could say I'm feeling simply marvelous, but I'm not quite yet. Still fighting this ugly cold. Just reminds to really appreciate when I'm well and energized. This too shall pass. My throat will feel healthy again. In the meantime, I am still grateful I'm not too weak to type. :-)

So, how's your new year so far? Just in the last couple of days, I've gotten 3 new cell phone numbers from family and friends, and learned of 4 engagements. New beginnings for folks. Sounds pretty awesome to me. I was happy to learn that Sherri Shepard from the View is engaged. She has talked about wanting to find love a lot on the show. Glad she found it!

So, on a completely different subject, how long do you keep your holidays cards out? I'm sitting here looking at about 10 different cards as I share with you. I love cards. Especially when they are personalized. I usually keep my cards in view about a month post holiday or birthday. Then, I put the very special ones in a box. The ones that have handwritten notes, I keep visible for years. It's always a boost to read beautiful words written to me from a loved one. What could be better than that when you're home alone with a horrible cold? :-)

Has anyone seen the new show The Talk on CBS? I've seen it twice, it's ok. It's very much like the View, of course. Today, Nicole Richie was the guest. I must admit I was impressed by the woman she has blossomed into. She is a far cry from the spoiled, materialistic brat she appeared to be 8 years ago on that show with her former bff, Paris Hilton. Transformation is a wonderful thing. We all have the power within to grow into the person we deeply long to be. Just keep swimming! ;-)

Speaking of swimming, I sure look forward to sunshine and blue seas later this year. I just gotta keep warm and cozy for the these next few months.....And get in shape too!

Until manana, stay well and don't forget to smile (today).

Sending good health your way. Tag you're it!

Ready, set, go!!!! :-)

Hello and welcome to 2011! We're here. We made it. Are you ready to make this your best year yet? I'm sure aiming for that. Every day is a new opportunity to be better.

It's so ironic that for the 3rd time, I've caught a cold the 2nd day into the new year. I've come to conclude that this is my body's way of detoxing and preparing me for a new year. My body demanded that I stay inside all day yesterday and rest. It was not fun, but was necessary. I should be brand new by the weekend. :-)

I'm actually thrilled to be home right now resting and able to get my mind on track and prepare to be back in the grind, tomorrow. I have a few things I must accomplish this year. However, my most important goal is to focus and watch my words & thoughts. It's an everyday effort to align my thoughts with my actions in a positive way. I agree wholeheartedly with Cheryl Richardson, author and life coach, who says:
"Be picky.  Have high standards.  Don't settle for less.  These are all messages that, when used appropriately, help people to live better lives.  As you start your New Year, I want to invite you to be picky about something in particular - your mind.  If you really want to make this year a year filled with self-love, self-acceptance, forward movement, and success, then decide right now that you'll do everything in your power to fill that beautiful mind of yours with good stuff - really good stuff." 

I certainly intend to do that! I believe with that the other goals will fall into place. Don't want to think too much this year. Be wise and just do it! Better than just contemplating all day, right? :-)

What about you? What's on your agenda for 2011?
I know whatever you put your mind to do, can be done. Remember fall seven times, get up eight. Hills and dips in the road make us stronger. Let's do this!!!!

Ready, set, goooooooo!!!!

Sending renewed energy your way. Tag you're it!