Signs & Imprints on Our Heart

Well first let me apologize for not posting yesterday. I came home Tuesday evening & my cable & internet were out. Comcast came out Wed afternoon. I then had to run errands & didn't get back until after 10pm & then I just was so pooped. I'm just getting my act together now.

Now this posting is an inspired one that makes me always wonder about "signs". Remember the movie "Fools Rush In" & "there are signs everywhere" well there are literally but...

Ok, this is what happened. I picked up an older edition of Oprah's magazine to read her "What I Know For Sure" (read the one I read here!). It was about our hearts having imprints from others on them. She talked about Mattie Stepanek having imprints on our hearts for example. Then I finished reading this & come to my computer & the first journal posting I read is Winivere's "You Left Imprints On My Heart". Is that not freaky! You think it was trying to tell me something?

I had found out a great-aunt of mine died this morning & I remember a number of years ago a very special gentleman telling me that people are pieces of our heart like a puzzle and it is sad when a piece is missing. I think now I think of it as not missing really, but rather it is a piece that is placed in there completely & now you look for other pieces. Sometimes they pass away, sometimes they just are not in our lives anymore for another reason but they still have a role in developing our heart. Oprah said...

"That's what love does: It fills you up, mends the tattered and broken spaces in your spirit. It makes you feel whole."

It is also interesting because I have been asking God lately just how goofy he really is. Let me explain...

Ok, about a week ago I met this guy shopping for a gift for my cousin & well I thought he was just being nice to me. I never think they are interested in me. He is really funny. I love guys that make me laugh, and the fact that he is a die hard Cubs fan works majorly in his favor!!! Well, I kept thinking about him. Hmm..that should have told me something! I saw him last night & well its definite...he is interested. He asked me out last night & I was like so shocked because that incredibly wonderful feeling when someone is interested in you just automatically came over me. I don't even know where it came from & I'm a bit surprised. Even surprised I'm surprised? Ha! I don't know what to make of it. I guess I'm at a place where I'm ok to feel that way again? Hmmm....I'm not sure I am though but its like, oh well too bad you do. I mean I know he could be a dog, but I guess I'll find out & that is ok. Wierd. So I think God is like a mad scientist combining steaming different colored liquids & saying lets see what happens to her when I add these two & then you see a mini explosion & lots of smoke & hear this weird laugh from him. Well, more lately like he has a voodoo doll of me & is putting pins in it with my back etc. HA! It is just not a good time, my herniated disks, I'm not at my best spirit etc. I just have the weirdest timing for one reason or another in my life. Of course not...life couldn't be even a bit easy for me even for a moment! Ugh! What would a high need for achiever do with an easy life. HA!

So, then to connect this, in case you have lost this, it makes me wonder...maybe it is "the perfect timing"?! Maybe I need this now. Maybe it will heal my heart? Maybe it will mend my tattered pieces & make me feel whole. Even if it is just for a bit...a jump starting of it, so it can get going again? Not that is has been dead but you know this just makes it a bit more energize & special & I don't know...it is just a nice feeling to have isn't it. Maybe it will energize me to heal my body? Maybe he will lead me to "the one" who wants to hold my heart tenderly and take care of it & let me do the same for him. Life is just soooo bizarre isn't it! So, I guess I want to say, we may feel at times that our hearts can get hurt very badly when love ends for one reason or another but it also has such tremendous power to heal and make us stronger if we let it. Each of us can do this for others & there are so many on this planet that can do this for us. I also think that many times those whose hearts are so cold it is because they do not have someone who is loving them and seeing them as somone special on this planet that can do anything they wanted in a more positive way and that is so sad. Well, I'm going to go see this man tonight who is tingling my heart. I hope you have a lovely evening as well.

Tags: Inspiration, Inspiring, hearts, healing

Everyday Heroes/Angels

Today, or rather yesterday now, was a day to honor some of our heroes. Not to diminish their significance, but it made me think of really the idea that we should have a day which honors so many other types of heroes or Angels in our lives. It also makes me think of who are our heroes? What does it take to be hero? There are so many everyday ordinary heroes. Do we tell those we consider our heroes? Are we are hero to someone? Remember Sandra Bullock's line in "While You Were Sleeping" when she tells Peter Gallagher he is a hero for giving up his seat to a woman..."It is to the person who you gave the seat to." Also, remember Grumpy Old Men when Jack Lemon asks Ann-Margret if she believes in Angels & she says, "Oh ya, they are all around us. You have to look hard but they are there whenever anything good happens to us." :-)

Who is the wind beneath your wings? I just love Bette and this song.  It is songs like this that I wish I had a better voice so I could sing them to those who I consider my heroes.

     Did you ever know that you're my hero,
     and ev'rything I would like to be?
     I can fly higher than an eagle,
     'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

And I think this is what I look for in people (& probably a mate)...there is a light in them. It is like they smile with their eyes. They "get it"...they KNOW what life is really about.  They make it their mission to make other people's lives better. I think I like being around them so I can push myself to do that more each day myself. They are also ones who see the potential in you, sometimes more than you do. They are someone who gets others to think more positively of themselves & the world. Some may call them unrealistic, butI call them optimisitc...think about that! Hmmm...

Which brings me to this next song of Bette's. They believe in all posibilities. They keep striving to make the world a better place. I tell my students when they see some type of brick wall, barrier in their lives, that they do not have to knock down the whole wall. If they think about it, they can each make a contribution...a small hole in the wall & with everyone's effort it can come down. Also, if they think about it, a few small holes placed strategically could bring the wall down with very little effort. In this way we can all be heroes with every step we take. Opening a door for someone, etc. it collectively adds to make the world a happier and better place.  And really...if you think about it...isn't it just LOVE?! Love for life...love for the planet and all creatures on it. It is someone who is grounded and knows Love is the only thing that matters.  

Check out this website of heroes like Mattie Stepanek and others!

Ok, so now that I've totally gone sappy I'll go! ;-)

Tags: Inspiration, Inspiring, Heroes

Don't Stop The Rain!

Hi!

Are you listening to the song? :-)  Now I didn't select this song because it happened to be raining this weekend by me. Nor did I select it because I had to memorize it for my kindergarten show & my memory of the lyrics is still almost perfect! :-) I decided to place it on my journal because of the idea of it. Look at the picture above too! :-) (Boy that is 3 smileys already...guess I'm in a good mood! Ha!)

The idea is first to remember that rain is not always a bad thing! It provides nutrients to the plants and animals outside. Flowers....oh I could not live without their colorful beauty! And when was the last time you had fun stomping in the puddles? Well, make it something you do once this summer. There is one gentleman who may be very happy tonight for the rain....our newest Indy 500 winner! :-) And I'm sure some guys loved seeing Ashley Judd all wet! HA! 

Next, we do have umbrellas to protect us from getting wet. What are the umbrellas in your life shielding & protecting you from the rain in your life? And umbrellas are just so much fun twirling! And you can have fun picking out fun umbrellas! Don't just get the plain black or blue ones! My mom has a Zebra one she uses since my niece loves Zebras! :-)

Now next is the idea of "rainy days". We sometimes think of them as depressing & bad or negative but you don't have to really, first in light of what I've said above, but also you can let the rain in your life just roll off the umbrella of your spirit if you like. Now look at this part of the lyrics...

But there's one thing I know
The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me

Now see...you can think of it as a good thing & how the rain in your life may still be nutrients  & fun to strengthen  your spirit. Perhaps it can allow you to have fun inside for a change. ;-) Yes, I'm trying to keep this in mind with my recent back issues myself.

Finally, I apologize if you receive a lot of alerts today. I was working on the sidebar to include some of my favorite links. I have a whole bunch for you to look at. Now these can be useful on a rainy day! :-)

Tags: Inspiration, Inspiring, Raindrops

Taking Care of Yourself

Well, I thought I would share an interesting idea I heard on Oprah last night. I don't watch often but this was the episode on her Spa Trip. Check out the links on Mindfulness & Meditation etc they are actually good. These are things I've done for my years with my Tai Chi Instructor. Dr. Oz was talking about breathing right & I've been teaching this to my students for years.

Later Martha Beck was on & she talked about how women are always giving to everyone else but don't take care of themselves. She explained we should visualize a child or parent sick in bed & we kneel by their bed & stroke their hair & comfort them, kiss them on the forhead etc. But then we should imagine the person turning over & it is us. She said we should have SELF-COMPASSION. Wow! That really was an eye opener....or Oprah's AHA Moment!

I do that all the time, I may talk about my health issues etc, women like to troubles talk (Dr. Tannen) but we also minimize it...I'll say "But there are people much worse off than me so..." to keep perspective which is good to a point. We don't like pity or self-pity but the perspective is it is not pity if you have the right perspective...it is compassion. And it is so interesting, people don't have time to talk anymore, they are so busy with their lives or they label people as "whiners" or "high maintenance"  and so they don't get to talk and have to pay a counselor or therapist to listen to you. Actually, even these journals are a form of outlet for many. I know sometimes we do get to & some have friends who will listen quite a bit but how often or are there enough times. Guys even more so...they do activities together but don't always talk about their frustrations etc. 

It was a great reminder that you have to take care of yourself first to take care of others. So give yourself a great big hug today & do something for yourself first. And maybe this means we should be more cognizant that we make sure the people we love are able to take time for themselves or do for them. Maybe we remind them they deserve the time for a walk or reading time or a LOVELY MASSAGE! ;-)  

Tags: Inspiration, Inspiring, Self-Compassion

Why Can't You?

Ahh I love big strong horses! I think that explains a lot about me in many ways.

It is how they are grounded solid, their strength, and you can see the confidence that they know who they are and no one can tell them differently or would dare mess with them. I think I've lost a bit of that since college but I think that comes from my recent injuries the last couple of years...they tend to make one feel weaker, especially when you can't do for yourself. The great thing is one can still work on it each day & progress.


"One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great
surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do."
~ Henry Ford

Isn't this sooo true! I don't know how many students of mine think they can't do something & they haven't even tried. I remember even as a young kid I would think "Well, tell me one logical reason they can do or have this & I can't"  There never was one. I tell my students the same thing now. 

What have you been afraid you can not do or have?

Tags: Inspiration, Inspiring, Quote

Bust Your Fear

Well, I spent my day pretty much on the phone. I was trying to make an apt for a 2nd opinion for my back and investigate the Vax-D method of treatment. I am trying to get more information,and keep my control by taking action, thus this quote seemed to be perfect for today.

"The two greatest fear busters are knowledge and action."

                        - Denis Waitley

I feel less fear today especially investigating the Vax-D and I feel pretty positive I'm going to try it & that it will work. This brought my fear down considerably. I'm still not thrilled on the one possibility with my hip but I'm trying not to worry until I find out.

The Stairway of Life

Well this seems to speak to my spirit today. Ugh! It was a big step today with the neurosurgeon & seems like a lot of stairs ahead of me.

Reminds me of "Something's Gotta Give" remember when Jack Nicholson can climb a flight of stairs he can have sex. HA! Somehow that just bummed me a bit but the idea is...

Take it one step at a time!

I hope they are just not too big of steps....well gotta keep trying!

Get Dizzy!

Well I was talking about the twists & turns of life which make you dizzy sometimes on my post yesterday. I mentioned it is like a Roller Coaster & this quote reminds us why we should love roller coasters! :-)

"You need the Hills & Valleys to have fun on Life’s Roller Coaster!"

I love roller coasters! Prior to my foot injury on one, a friend of mine & I would always ride the first car & if we could with our shoes off! :-) Especially, when it is rides like Superman, Vertical Velocity & Deja Vu! The hanging forward for a few seconds from that height before it lets loose is just soooo awesome! It is the ride down that is fun & while roller coasters do not stay down in the valley like life, I think many times we think of ourselves at low points in our life as just sitting in the valley & not progressing, similar to the labrynith when we think we are going backwards. And some hills & valleys may be higher & longer than others so maybe we compare & we shouldn't. What is the expression...just enjoy the ride? :-) I know I have trouble with that at times too...this ride with my back etc not fun but maybe there is a reason. Some cute intern tomorrow! Ha! I just hope this back doctor doesn't tell me no more roller coasters tomorrow...he will learn very quickly that I don't always listen to directions! HA! Shhh...don't tell my students that! HA! Yep, I like to break the rules, push buttons etc sometimes. I'm not too wild but just enough to have some fun, and surprise a few people & hey that kind of dizziness is good!

I remember being with a certain gentleman (yes, he was a perfect gentleman!) and some young kids were yelling across the parking lot. I had fun & answered them. HA! He was like embarrassed & I couldn't believe it. I'm like this is not the person I thought he was. I thought he would even do something like that? Guess I was wrong...well get this, last week my brother did basically the same thing. I was like "YES!" I think it is my mom's influence on us, but then again I can see my dad doing that as well. You have to have fun in life in so many different ways!

So GET DIZZY!

Tags: Inspiration, Inspiring, Life's Roller Coaster, Fun

Labyrinths & Life

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to share one of my loves & inspirations with you today - Labyrinths! I walked my first one at the Grand Hotel (Remember "Somewhere in Time") on Mackinac Island and WOW what an "Aha Moment" it was for me.

While I was walking I saw it as the path of life & what I realized while I walked it was first, you seem to pass the same people from time to time. Very interesting if you think about this in life. Sometimes they are going in the opposite direction though...because they are not at the same point as you in life. Ahhhh...

Then on certain parts it winds & you seem to be going backwards but you are really progressing. Hmm...You seem to be even in the same area but you are still progressing. Interesting huh?!

Next, some people catch up to you or pass you, then they or you start to walk slower & you may end up ahead of them, then it changes again. Everyone has different paces at different parts on this path. Think about that as far as life's journey.

Some even got tired & just stopped & left the path...hmmm.

There are so many twists & turns that you might even think you are a bit dizzy but it is also fun...kinda like a roller coaster...ahh...think I know why I love those too now! :-)

The only thing that bothered me a bit was that it has of course a set path to take....here you can't take your own path really & that I'm not totally thrilled with but it can't be all things so...

NO this is not Thinking Too Much! :-) This is When People Don't Think Enough...hmmm...sounds like a title of another journal...Ha! :-) I'll have to think about that some more! :-)

Tags: Inspiration, Inspiring, Labyrinths

How High Are You Aiming?

Sorry Everyone...I was up north with my niece for my cousin's graduation party from college. I just can't do entries from AIM...ick! So only a few hours left so just a short quote. You can add it to tomorrow's thinking as well. In honor of my cousin who aimed high & 4 years later has achieved what she set out to do through all of life's struggles.

"In the long run, men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, they had better aim at something high."  ~ Henry David Thoreau

Tags: Inspiration, Inspiring, Achievement

Where Did That Kid Go?

Ok, Everyone...

Someone posted this on their site...(scratch head...can't remember) but I just couldn't get enough last night! First, I LOVE ELO!!! I think it combines rock with classical so that appeals to me. It was one of the first Albums I had as a teen. I won their A New World Record from WLS radio station with a t-shirt & concert tickets. My folks would not let me go to the concert though! Ugh! We are talking almost 30 years now & I still have the t-shirt & the one the neighbor's sons got me at the concert when my folks gave them the tickets! My folks still owe me big time on this one!!!

So why do I use this for today's entry? It has two things which are important for our well-being. First is singing!!! Music, no matter what speaks to your spirit, is vital! Even if you are like me & a closet shower singer it is important to let your spirit SING in many different ways! :-) Ok, so I sing in the car too. Except today...had to hear the CUBS beat the White Sox...Woo Hoo! When they did get ahead I was screaming in the car at the light & I had my windows open & the guy next to me was too! Ha! So then we looked at each others & said YAAAA to each other! HA!

Next, the puppet idea reminds us how much fun making puppets or doing other kid things are for our spirit also. We get old by letting that kid in us disappear slowly as we age. Remember the Toys R Us Kid Commercial? (below)



Well find that kid in you again! I think this is why I love being with my nieces or talking to kids in the stores. Just a few weeks ago I was looking at the summer balls in the bin they have for kids. This mother came by & YELLED at her 2 daughters "Don't touch the balls!" I thought she was yelling at me! GEEZ! I said, "Hey, you girls want to catch these for me?" and winked. Of course they were all over that. Ya, you better believe I'm not going to let that mother get away with it. So the girls caught the balls & we tossed them back & forth in the store twice. Their faces lit up like you wouldn't believe! I had fun & guess what...that crotchedy OLD mother actually smiled and "GOT IT!" In fact, everyone around us was smiling & having fun. So why don't adults just break out & play with the toys in the store...geez would we get yelled at? The kids are here on this planet I think to remind us to PLAY and have FUN! ;-) So are puppies & kittens! ;-) My brother just got a puppy & I had fun tonight with it & I always play with the kittens when I see them. I think it is in the genes too...my dad once saw a kid by the Frosty the Snowman display where you push the button & it sings the song. This kid wanted to push the button so bad & his mom wouldn't let him. My dad went & pushed every one of them!!! HA! I witnessed this & just couldn't believe my dad did this...amazing what happens when they become grandparents! HA!

Ok, so SING, find your child & have FUN...& I'd add DANCE too, because I can't help but dance when I hear music...ok so with 2 herniated disks I'm not letting those hips go like they usually do, but I have to dance! ;-) This is your goal for today! Find your rubber ducky & sing & have fun in the bath tub...invite a friend if you can! HA! ;-) I remember one time I was sooo exhausted I didn't have the energy to take my nieces toys out of the tub & filled it up & kept them in. I felt odd! WHY?! I forced myself to play with them & do you know I gained soooo much energy! That should tell us something! So I think for people's big birthdays I will make a basket of fun toys to play with to stay young. Do you think I can make a business out of that?! :-) Hope the video makes you smile!

Tags: Inspiring, Inspiration, Fun

What Matters Most...

I love this picture!!!

Now I'm not suggesting one should have un-authenthic self-esteem, but many times people don't see the lion in us, our real potential, and even more importantly we don't see it in ourselves. I guess this goes along with yesterday's quote! :-) I guess this is why I find it amazing when someone does see all the wonderful potential in another. That is a person to really cherish and hold on to. This is someone who "gets what life is about" and to me knows what love is. We have to also make sure we look for the lion in others as well. It is rare for people to be "all bad." So lets take today to look deeper in ourselves &  in others.

Tags: Inspiring, Inspiration

It is Up To You!!!

 
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent

 ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Tags: Inspiring, Inspiration, Eleanor Roosevelt, Quote

YOUR LIFE'S BANK ACCOUNT

I thought this was a great story to start with. MAKE YOUR DAY HAPPY! :-)
**************
YOUR LIFE'S BANK ACCOUNT

This is AWESOME....something we should all remember.

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.

"I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

"Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait."

"That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied.

"Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. "It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I  have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day
and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.

So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank
account of memories! Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank.

I am still depositing." Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

Tags: Happy, Happiness, Inspiration, Inspiring,

Some Inspiration For You!

Welcome!

As I mentioned above, I am creating this journal to log the quotes, stories & pictures which I find inspiring. I had them in my other journal "Me Thinks Too Much" but when I want to retrieve them again I have to find where I posted them in the archives so I thought this might work better. I thought the journal title fit too! HA!

I hope you will find these posts inspiring to you as well. If you do have something you would like to share, email them to me and I will consider posting it. PLEASE do not be offended if I choose not to. Everyone has different tastes & you certainly can post on your journal if I do not choose to. 

P.S. I love Willow Tree Angels & this one especially! Just looking at her makes me feel so confident, strong and a feeling of accomplishment. It is like the big "YES!" This is what I think inspiration can help us feel like & what I think we can all use a bit of from time to time! I hope these postings help you get there each day. I will try to post 1 each day, hopefully in the morning (though it may be late!) to take with you throughout your day!

Tags: quotes, inspiration, inspiring,