January 22, 2010 – Emails from My Dad

My dad shared this with me the other day.  I love it .  I really love that he saw it and knew I’d love it. 

 

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson (though generally this quote is attributed to him there is a belief that this may be inaccurate)

That’s really it, isn’t it?   The big stuff is covered there.   When this is all taken care of, everything else in your life, I believe, will simply fall into place.   Thoughts for today.  Thanks, Dad.

~K

January 18, 2010 – Enlightenment

Below is a shared thought from a yoga class I took this week- 

“If I were to briefly define enlightenment, I would say it is the quiet acceptance of what is.”  ~Wayne Dyer

Accepting things the way they are, controlling only what you can control, which is really only yourself, your actions and reactions.   Accepting things as they are, is when you will find enlightenment.

Interesting.   Probably true.   Harder than it sounds.   Something to aspire towards.

Thoughts for today.

~K

January 17, 2010- Smoothies for Breakfast

This morning, I was groggy and would have loved another hour of sleep.   My husband and two small children were in the kitchen waiting for me and as I padded down the steps I could hear the sounds of them making fruit smoothies for breakfast.  My feet hit the bottom of the stairs and as I turned the corner to go join them for breakfast, I overheard their conversation.

“Well, he was a very brave man…” 

I heard my husband softly explain.   He was met with more innocent questioning as they cut up fresh fruit and mixed it together.   I slowed down and stopped to listen.  

“It was a different time, love.   A lot of people thought people who had darker skin shouldn’t have equal rights.   Yes, baby, just because of their skin color.  And you see?  He stood up for what he knew was right and what he believed in and said that this wasn’t okay, that this was wrong.” 

He was talking to my six year old little girl and gently but honestly trying to describe a time she thankfully cannot comprehend.   They turned on the juicer and the berries swirled together with the bananas, forming a cool creamy drink.

“You’re right, honey.  He was so smart and brave and a huge part of what he stood for, was being able to protest nonviolently, which means without being violent.   He was a man who believed we could find a way to solve these problems peacefully and  without violence”

Tell me more, I heard her ask.  I want to find out more about this man.   She took a big sip, leaving a milky mustache laced with raspberry seeds on her top lip.

“Let’s learn more together.   We’ll take some time today and together, you and me learn more about Dr. King.   How does that sound?”

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I no longer found myself groggy, but awakened and proud and amazed… It was this moment before breakfast even that I was the most grateful for today.

And in this special moment, something else happened as well - I think I fell in love all over again with this wonderful man who I am so glad, is the father of the most precious little people in my life.

~K

January 14, 2010 – I’m back!

Okay, so, yes I’m back!   Maybe not day to day, but with consistency, or so that’s my plan.  

There’s so much to be said and written and shared!  And while I’m slowly, - in my spare time, - between blowing tiny noses and wiping little butts, organizing schedules for everything from  auditions to art classes  and questioning everything from vegetables to vaccines, (exhale, breathe!)  and trying to squeeze in yoga every. single. chance I can get, – trying to figure out how to do this,  I am also realizing that this may take a while to sort in my head.

Here’s the surprising catch!  While it’s taking a while, the craziest of things is happening…. there’s been a moment, almost every single day when I’ve thought of my ‘Peace of Mind’ for the day.  Without knowing when the turn came, I know now that I need this little spot!   It’s good for my soul.   Like my yoga.  Writing.  And my kids.   Fresh air.  Laughing with Ben.   The ocean.   Sunshine.   Cooking.   Good smells.   Family and friends….

Peace of Mind,365 ….    This experiment has turned into one of those things that fills me up, adds peace, (go figure) to my life, and has become a necessity of sorts.   

I think that until I can sort out the best way/space/format to continue this I need to just do this!  Here!  Why not?   There’s too much good to share, too much positive to notice and too much beauty to appreciate.

And so, with that…. I’m back!   Let me know if you want to be added or removed from the blog roll…. except for you, NH.  You, my faithful follower, dearest of friends…. you need all the positivity I can throw at you and I will find you and stalk you and send to you even if you ever turn away.   :)   Love to you NH in the new year and huge thanks to all of you who take the time to take me seriously and read my ramblings each day.   I am astonished, grateful and amazed…. Here we go again!

~K

January 10, 2011- Letters to a Friend

Dear Peace Of Mind 365,

I know it’s really like now 375, but I’m just thinking that I kind of miss you and all the good that you do for my life and my spirit.

I’m starting to think maybe we need to reunite.  Here, or somewhere else?  This seems most logical… kind of.  Well, certainly easiest.  

We’ll see. 
Thinking of you, with positive thoughts, of course.

~K

December 31, 2010 – Yes I DID!

365 days.   Peace of Mind.   Positivity.   Appreciation.  Taking notice.  Acknowledging gratitude and beauty.

Changing the way I look at the world, nature, my family and life overall.

Writing every day.  Thoughts.  Insights.  Photos. Quotations.  

An experiment of sorts.  In outlook.  In writing.  In persistence.   In completing a personal goal set for myself.

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And now it’s over.    Or at least complete.  Now what?  Let me show you…..

How awesome is that??   That, my friends, is my Christmas gift from my wonderfully thoughtful sister.   Not only did she, and many others, unexpectedly and to my amazement, actually read every day whatever it was I wrote, but to then preserve these words into hard copy for me, as a reminder of this task I completed, this project worth saving, these words apparently worth reading.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude.  Thank you.

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And yet?  Again, now what? 

I don’t know.  

If I’m being honest, there were days (especially if I was behind in publishing or busy with a million other things) that I found myself anxious to complete this project.   To reach my goal. 365 days.

But now it is complete.   And if I’m being honest again, I don’t know how I can live without this.   What began as a challenge, an experiment, has completely changed my life and my outlook.  I am a completely different person, and I believe a better person and hopefully a writer as a result.   I had  no idea.

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What I noticed, is the other blog took a bit of a hit with this one being a daily event.  Should I combine them, then?   It may change the tune of each just a bit, but be one spot to write.   Perhaps.   Though this one is a bit more personal, so maybe I don’t want to share all of that there.  Or do I?   Do I just continue here?  Daily?   Weekly?  Whenever?   Maybe.    I could do that.  Do I end this project as it began?  As a 365 day experiment, now in hard copy sitting unbelievably on my coffee table.   I could.  I could do that, and change it to another form of itself and leave these 365 days untouched.      

I just don’t know.   But I’m thinking.  And wondering.  And amazed at all of you who found it important, worthy of your time, even ‘necessary’ as someone said, to be affected… to listen to these wild ramblings of mine, to share with me on this amazing journey that took me personally to a place I had no idea was coming, but to which I am so grateful for the ride.

Let me know, my sweet friends.  What do you think?  Where should I go from here?   Until I find out, thank you.  Thank you for making me feel special.  Thank you for making me feel like a real writer.   Thank you for tuning in…. for the last 365 days… to my Peace Of Mind.   I am changed, honored, and beyond grateful.

~K

December 30, 2010 – Good Friends

We spent the morning with good friends.   Friends we used to spend every day with.  Now, as time and distance have gotten more sparse between us, our visits have become farther between than we would like.

It wasn’t a long visit.   But it’s funny and interesting and sad and wonderful all at once at how just a little bit is all you need to rejuvenate your soul.  

We laughed together like only we laugh, told stories that didn’t need excessive explanation, shared smiles and worries and amazement at our kids and how they are growing… and sat in awe watching how they just picked up, as did we, like no time had been lost.

What a wonderful end to a year and sincere hopes that those easy laughs, genuine smiles, hugs, and understanding remind us more often in the coming year that no distance or schedule should ever allow it to go this long between our next visit.

A good friend is hard to find… but something to honor, to appreciate and to treasure.

~K