February 21, 2010 – Just in time

Just in time for us to get ready to deal with the cards life has recently handed us…. the sunshine came out.

Just in time to work through some emotional writings… I was able to lay on a blanket in the sun to ease the process.

Just in time to get through a difficult Sunday…. it was spent with my family in the yard, having a picnic lunch.

Today, I am grateful for the sun and the warm weather.  Even when it seems like everything else is turned upside down, this was the cheer I needed to move along with a smile.

~K

February 20, 2010

“Dance your heart out!” – Mike Mento

Was that the direct quote or was it “Dance like crazy!”?  At this moment, all is too confusing and sad and busy for me to dig out the specific card and life lesson he gave to my two year old on his birthday this past December.  I nearly made myself crazy today trying to find the exact card and wording until I realized that the message was just the same and regardless of verbage, the message was crystal clear.  Live!  Love!  Dance!  Laugh!  Breathe!  Enjoy!   The last words to his nephew.. and niece for that matter.  Infinite wisdom and lifelong advice from a man who knew he was going to go all too soon.

Rest in peace, Mike.  Thank you for being the positive force you were to my husband and I and for taking the time to carry this importance over to our children.  We will always love you. 

~K

February 19, 2010 – Friends and Vitamins

“Good friends are like vitamins… a handful is all you need, and they make a world of difference in the quality of your life.”  -KSJ

This week, I have spent time with the parents of a old friend, laughed until  my jaw hurt with new girlfriends, taken food to a flu-friend, sent love to a special friend, shared thoughts and worries with writer friends and felt the love and thoughtfulness of so many friends in return.

What a blessing it is to have a handful of good friends…  how appreciative I am for each of them and the place they hold in my life. 

~K

February 18, 2010 – I think it’s working!

“Don’t just see the rainy day;  take note also of the rainbow struggling to peek from behind the clouds.” ~KSJ

Today I was in a car accident.  A man didn’t brake in time and hit my car from behind. It was early in the morning and a good bit of damage was done to my car.  Usually I would be cranky- cursing, angry about it all.  I certainly was, but it was different.  No sooner than I could get angry,  a feeling of overwhelming thankfulness that my children weren’t with me took over.  And even as the day wore on, dealing with body shops, insurance companies, more body shops, more insurance companies…. even through all of this…. the voice inside that acknowledged the positives about the situation, the positives that outweighed all the negatives was loud and was crystal clear.   

It’s not about permanently changing your personality or your hot headedness spunky qualities. It is more about recognizing what’s good in situations too and not letting these realizations pass you by.  It’s changing your awareness to take note of all things, not just the drama and the negative… and you know what?  I think it’s working! 

~K

February 17, 2010 – You’ve Got a Friend

Today, I have a  friend going through a difficult time.  It’s hard to be positive about anything when someone you love is in pain, -- justifiable, raw, undeserved pain.

I will try. 

I am so thankful for our friendship that has spanned now (gasp!) over a decade and hope that all the positive thoughts and well wishes that come with that friendship will provide him with some peace tonight.

He’s one of the few who I know reads this daily.  Today, to you, my friend, I am thankful for our friendship.  For you.  And I hope that you’re feeling these hugs and this positivity from miles away.

~K

February 16, 2010 – Think about it

Thoughts for today…

Be thankful for the questions… the thoughts… the wonders.

Welcome the ability to discuss and the freedom to challenge.   Open yourself to examination and feel free to allow for change.

Don’t be afraid of any of this… digest it… learn from it.  It is how we grow and should be always acknowledged and appreciated.

~K

February 15, 2010 – Calming Waters

Today, naptime came with a tight afternoon schedule. I didn’t have the time to do the hour long ritual that my toddler requires before finally settling into sleep.  Congruently, what time I did have, I lacked in energy otherwise.  I k-n-e-w it would be an hour of him screaming, getting out of bed, me walking him back into bed, lifting him, explaining (pleading) and starting again.  Rinse and repeat.  Times easily 60.  Even the strongest of souls will be worn out by the end of this cycle.  It is so ‘not peaceful’.   Today the children had a doctor’s appointment in about an hour and a half, so there simply wasn’t the time for the song and dance (typed loosely… more like a scream and shout) for an hour and then any type of reasonable nap.  It was just an inevitable mess if I chose to take part.  Today I chose not to.  Instead, I shut the blinds, lay both children down under the covers in front of a little Sesame and let them just relax.

It was quiet.  It was peaceful.   Was it perhaps, the calm before the storm as two hours later both children squealed in exhausted temper tantrums?  Sure.   Could I now focus on that?  Easily.   Instead, I really noticed and appreciated the peaceful, calm, quiet of two siblings cuddled up on a rainy day, listening to Ernie talk about his nose.   It was one of those moments that can be easily  overlooked in a shuffle of a busy day, but not today.  This perfect loving moment was acknowledged.  It was photographed for sharing, engrained forever in a mother’s memory, appreciated and absolutely adored.   My calm and quiet, love under covers…. with Ernie and Bert….my girl and my boy…. the three of us in a successful quest for afternoon peace.

~K