I'm back.... and thankful

Anybody out there???  well I am here ... and thankful...
Look around what a beautiful world we live in... if we show random acts of kindness we may really make a difference in someone's life.  See what positive thing you can start....  start a movement ... make positive change...  I challenge you..  doesn't matter how small or seemingly insignificant..  post what you've done...  let's spread the joy : )

Love Unconditionally - for No Reason

As I stumble through the internet stuff, I always seem to be drawn to something relevant and so it brings me to today’s blog about Love  - Unconditional Love.  I’ve not been one for Valentine’s Day, (just a coincidence) in fact for the past 6 years it has caused me distress, ok that’s probably putting it mildly.  I would curse all those jewelry commercials.  Truly it has made me nauseous, angry, discouraged… but enough of that.  But thanks to an email and Chapter 1 of Love for No Reason, here I am.  So what’s the big deal?  Doesn’t everyone want unconditional love?  I do.  And then I realized.  If you want to get … you have to give. 

You need to treat people with love and respect for a successful relationship, but everyone needs to be treated that way.   Treat everyone that way and see what happens.  Mostly we need to treat ourselves that way.  The author talks about finding love within yourself, not an egotistical love, but love yourself so you are not always looking for validation from others. Always needing validation is exhausting for you and for those you need it from.  So try to love others, just because..  not because of anything they do, just because.  Smile, practice random acts of kindness,  you know, that “love thy neighbor” type of existence. 

You can check out the excerpts from Marci’s book, there’s a link on the side.  Please post some comments.  I want to know what you think.  What works for you?  How have you found successful relationships? 

The Reality of Life After Tuscon

So, I have watched the news, it's so easy to come in after something has happened and say.. you know....he wasn't just quite right.  Why didn't SOMEONE do something.  It's not easy to see  things, sometimes  we try and give the benefit of the doubt so we don't over react.  Looking back is always more clear. When in reality, living in the land of the "FREE"  means that life is risky.  There is truly a fine line we walk between stomping on people's liberties.... and the potential for disaster.  The problem is that it is almost impossible to see things that are so unfathomably to the sane mind.  There are so many perfectly "safe"  offbeat, excentric, "different" people who deserve to be who they are.  There's just no way to tell who will snap - since many seemingly ordinary, conventional people also snap.  It's the uncertainty of life, tragic for sure.
No one wants to have their rights trampled.  Look at tee shirts,  years ago there are a lot of  shirts that would never have been seen, but we have exercised our "rights" to be different.  It may seem simplistic, and I am aware bad things happen.  But we have to realize we can't stop every bad thing from happening.  My heart goes out to the families of those killed and injured.  My heart goes out to the family of the shooter.  I even have compassion for the shooter.  I have to believe that there is "something" wrong with him.  It's the only way I can go on and live my life.  Life is Precious, Live It, Fearlessly!  because that is what humans do. Celebrate the heros, celebrate those around you who you love, celebrate the person walking next to you that you may not even know.  Give a Smile, practice a random act of kindness and make the world a BETTER Place.

Of Course Whats Ahead

So here's the thought for today.
It was a rough 2010......  but that only means chances are 2011 will be better.
So I am starting off on a positive note. ....
The last few years I decided not to make any New Year Resolutions....  no expectations.. no disappointments.   That saying has been brought to mind many times this year when people have not lived up to their word.  Of course I was disappointed, and their failure effected me.  Was I wrong to believe them?  My belief in them caused me a variety of disappointments and problems.  Ultimately what I have decided this year is to have New Year's Resolutions and to go ahead and have expectations.  I will just do them differently.  Firstly, I will only have "Expectations"  for which I will have control.  So Join Me, Set Expectations high, figure out some resolutions..  I saw a great system that will help me as I try and attain my goals.  Goals need to be SMART it says..  and that makes sense.  Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Timed   WE need to have goals, we need to work to improve our lives, it's what makes us who we are ... people who want BETTER, spread it around.
check back soon.

Unexpected Presents

So yesterday I was surprised by receiving a gift in the mail.  This is a very, very rare thing to happen in my life.  Last year for Christmas I got a neck warmer and some hand lotion.  I guess it was the bad economy (but that another story).  Anyway, I received a cookbook of baked goods.  It’s a really nice book.  I used to bake years ago, but have now resorted to box brownie mix (which I consume by myself in 2 days) and frozen pies. And no, I am not the size of a small house.  So I’m taking this as a sign that I should start taking the time to enjoy the simple pleasure of baking.  There are some kickass recipes in there.  Especially at Christmas time I remember backing cookies for weeks and freezing them.  I remember my kids and I sneaking down to the freezer to remove 5 or 6 cookies just because we really wanted them and Christmas was too long to wait.  So now that I am off away from my family, I have those precious memories.  The lesson here is to not live in the past but to create new memories and never forget to “live life” not just let it happen to you.  Enjoy your day and go make memories.

Saturday Dec 18 2010 The Start

Welcome to the very first revelation of Thankfulness.  As I was sitting here thinking about my quest to start a blog, I was eating a banana.  Ok, not too exciting but I realized that a banana is a great fruit.  I guess it travels pretty well or eating it in New England wouldn't be possible.  Anyway, how amazing that God or the universe (whoever you feel is responsible) created something so wonderful.  Since today is a special day as the first day of my blog, I am also thankful for the ability to be able to give blogging a go.  I welcome any posts as to what  you are thankful for or any advice you may have on blogging . I hope you come back daily to see what possibley bizare things I may be thankful for.