WATCH THE CLOUDS...They tell you what weather is coming!

I awoke this morning, poured a cup of coffee and went to the patio. As I'm enjoying the morning chill and watching the seagulls and pelicans dive into the sea for their food, the clouds were beautiful, white sparse and moving below the blue of the sky toward the east but there was a section of clouds that were thin and swirling about the billowy white clouds. It is still winter here in Cali and it feels like a bit of rain is coming but the clouds indicate the rain will move toward the mountains, leaving the coastline clear. 

That's how LIFE is sometimes.  You can feel change coming.  Change which will cause a bit of rain in YOUR life. 

Synonyms

verb:  alter - exchange - vary - shift - convert - transform
noun: alteration - shift - variation - exchange - mutation

Only YOU can alter or exchange or vary or shift or convert or transform YOUR LIFE. Be glad for that.  Give YOURSELF permission and endure a bit of rain or even a full on storm.  Be glad that rain and storms don't last forever.  Be glad the sun will eventually shine and warm your tire bones and tan your skin and ease your thoughts and calm your mind.  Be glad the night sky will show you stars and a moon so full and bright, you will forget the bit of rain and sleep in peace.

HAPPY LIVING!!

STOPPING THE PAIN...Just for Today.

I've cried through it, around it, under it, on top of it, inside of it and outside of it and run from it. . . all in an attempt to stop the pain and avoid the disappointment and calm the raging SELF!!

There are no more tears to shed, not alone.  Not anymore!  Not ever again!

So to STOP the pain. . . . 

I WILL 

1.      no longer cry alone.  Go where there are arms to console you and give you clarity and solace in your pain.  Crying is good but crying all the time, everytime is not good for yourSELF.

2.      take up something new.  ANYTHING new, ANYTHING different, take up ANYTHING, SOMETHING to enhance yourSELF.

3.      laugh.  If you've forgotten how, subscribe to daily funnies, watch comedy, buy a funny audio book. 

4.      switch up and discover new friends.  Doesn't matter the age, or gender but someone who you might have something in common.

5.     EMBRACE each day I awaken AND remember I'm alive and breathing.  What you do with this day is totally up to you.  How you view the day is totally up to you.  What your attitude is is totally up to you.  So be glad that you are alive.  One day you'll be well and that is worth living for.

HAPPY LIVING!!

Did I really stop breathing?

Since my last blogg, it seems I stopped breathing and kept myself "busy" without giving a smile, or touching a hand or giving a hug.  Doesn't really matter WHY things got out of line in my life, only that now I choose to breathe and run and jump and hug and SMILE.

TODAY I WILL BREATHE!

In and out.....in and out.....in and out, deep and long, deep and long, deep and long. Breathing deep and long opens the lung capacity and clears my mind, loosens the tensions in my body, and opens my heart to all the love and beautfy that surrounds me and that I have to share with the world. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and within His design I have created a wonderful life.

YOU have the choice of creating your world, too.  Improve your breathing.  There is scarcely any aspect of health and wellbeing, be it mental, emotional, physical or otherwise, that would not stand to benefit from improved breathing.


YOUR mental, emotional, physical or otherwise could stand to benefit from improved breathing.  So breathe deep, breathe long, breathe in and out, in and out and rejoice in the wonder of the world you create.


TODAY I am full of gratitude and joy.


TODAY I breathe deep and long.


TODAY I smile and share a hug.


I am thankful for breathes I breathe today.


START BREATHING.....It'll make a ALL difference in YOUR life.



HAPPY LIVING!!

WIDE AWAKE AND LOOKING AT THE SKY!!

Are YOU wide awake and looking at the sky, or touching the grass or listening to the sound of the ocean waves as they lap on the sand?

Each Morning when you first become conscience . . . OPEN YOUR EYES, go to a window and look at the sky.  This is the day that GOD has made just for you.  There is no promise of tomorrow or of life without hardships or pain or sadness but the grass will always be green, the seas will always come in and out, the wind will blow and the skies will brighten YOUR way, so OPEN YOUR EYES and choose to be grateful for each and every blessing.

STOP THE MADNESS and. . . . . . .

LIKE YOUR LIFE....it's the only one you've got!

Breathe deep...reach for the skies. . .touch your toes. . .

LIKE YOUR FRIENDS...they are YOUR support, your blessing.

Breathe deep...reach for the skies. . .touch your toes. . .


Whichever way LIFE comes at you....BE THANKFUL!!

SMILE and CHOOSE LIFE!!

HAPPY LIVING!!

Summer Time and the Livin' is....

Summer Time...the time for fun in the sun, hiking, biking, running, swimming, fishing, boating, camping, long drives or walks to no where imparticuler, mingling with friends over good food, music and wine!!! 

SO WHERE ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THIS SUMMER?

Will you make Your-Self available to create an environment that you can enjoy?  Say YES!!

Call a friend or make a friend and invite them for a dinner created with your own hands.

Find all the locate faire that is FREE - pick one event you've never attended before and GO. Yesterday I went to the 1st Summer Concerts in the Park at Marina del Rey, California.  I had put it off for years and, yesterday decided to just do it.  IT WAS AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL.

Get away from the television...as far away from a television as you can.

Take a French Class or photography or painting or something artsy.  YOU have much to create, even if it is for your own enjoyment.

Plug in to a classical radio station for one day and see how well you sleep!

Hug as many people as you can!!

Share that beautiful smile of Yours with the world.  There's already enough sadness.

When you can, give away something that means the world to you to someone who will never have anything so beautiful!!

Before you go to sleep, spend some time with God (however you see Him).

Be grateful!
Be gracious!
Be Alive!!

Remember tomorrow is not promised and today has just begun.  Life is Good, so go LIVE IT!!

HAPPY LIVING!!

GET OVER THE FEAR....

Each day represents a series of decisions, interactions, attitude adjustments (or enhancements) and GETTING OVER THE FEAR of them.  The rules of "space" apply to each decision, interaction, attitude adjustment or enhancement.  This Blog was started to help me maintain a positive attitude during a difficult time and when others began reading and providing great comments....it set a FEAR which I had never encountered before. The FEAR caused me to STOP what I was doing to gain courage and has taken me this long to cross-over, go around, plow through and FACE THE FEAR. 

I enjoy writing, but writing is what I do when I'm alone.  Turns out GETTING OVER THE FEAR has required me to pay attention when I am making decisions, interacting or socializing, adjusting my attitude or enhancing my attitude.  I'm very glad I blog and that it encourages YOU but it takes GETTING OVER THE FEAR to move forward and return to the world of light and laughter and acceptance.  

And for that I say THANK YOU!

TRY APPLYING THE FOLLOWING TO GET OVER YOUR FEAR

1.  Take the time to look at your decision
2.  Accept your decision and own it completely
3.  Adjust or enhance your attitude as necessary.
4.  Read the dictionary and give great thought to the definition as it applies to YOU
5.  Remember your "space" will cross others "space" so be kind
6.  When unkind - ask forgiveness
7.  Sometimes just look for a bench or patch of grass, sit down and rest
8.  Look for ways to renew and refresh your spirit
9.  In the event of an emergency, GET OVER THE FEAR and handle it.

HAPPY LIVING!

WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE!!!

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY
;-) 

Today I will proudly share my SELF with others.
Today I will look for what's not to love about my SELF. 
Today I will reach out to others more.

When you are being positive, it inspires others, encourages others to get out of their personal muck and mire and head for the soft green grass. 
The soft green grass is where picnics happen.
That's where laughter and music are heard.
That's where catching the ball and running with it happens. 
On the soft green grass you smile and say I like my life!
That's where you can lay back and look straight up at the beautiful blue sky and billowy clouds turn into rabbits or angels. 
On the soft green grass you smile and say Anything is possible!
On the soft green grass you smile and say It's good to be alive!
So take your shoes of worry, complaint and dispair off and run your feet on the soft green grass of life.

It's a wonderful world, what's not to love?

HAPPY LIVING!

HAPPY TUESDAY!! - Making the most of your every

Some times in life you find your SELF on an island of reality in a sea of diarrhea (Lyrics from Jason Mraz Details In The Fabric).  You can wallow, wade or swim in the sea of doubt and confusion "how did I get in?"  "why is this happening to me?"  "who will save me?".....and never have answers that satisfy.

So stop letting fear freeze you in place. Fear only has a hold on you, as long as you allow it. So stop allowing it.

Choose to stop wasting away your time, effort and energy and start making the most of your every....... 

1.  Acknowledge where you are in your life.  If you don't like where you are than change it or adjust your attitude and prospective to accept it.
2.  Adjust your thinking to accept where you are in your life.  Put good thoughts in and let the bad thoughts out.
3.  Be thankful for where you are in your life.  Remember whatever your life, be thankful.  It's the only life you have.
4.  Create a core group of family and friends who accept your weaknesses, encourage your strength and love you anyway.  And return the blessings.
5.  LOVE your SELF.  You may not know this but you are the only YOU.  ;-)
6.  LOVE your Life.  You may not like it BUT this is your ONLY life.
7.  Webster is great but you too can define your words.
8.  Life is constant so live it OUT LOUD and with joy and enthusiasm.
9.  KNOW YOU ARE LOVED!!
10. Know your name.
11.  Be Strong.
12.  Change what you don't like about your life. Accept what you can change. Most importantly, KNOW THE DIFFERENCE (paraphrase of a famous saying by a famous president).

You can choose....ALWAYS.  How you live your life is your choice.  Choose wisely...ALWAYS!

You can choose to be anxious. 
You can choose to be unkind.
You can choose health.
You can choose laughter.
You can choose to sit and play on the computer and not leave your seat.
You can choose to walk....out the door, down the street, around the corner, to the park.
You can choose to move the mountains, walk around them or over them.  It's only an obstacle. You can choose to get out of your way or leave it as something unsurmountable.  (it's really not)

Simple?  NOT.

Worth it?  ABSOLUTELY.

Today is Tuesday, September 28, 2010.  Make wise, healthy choices today.

Of all the craziness in the world today....

I choose To Pray!! Dear God
;-)
I choose Happy Living!!  Smile
;-)
I choose Healthy Living!!! Only good thoughts
;-)
I choose to spend time with Close family and friends!
;-)
I choose Good food and drink!
;-)
I choose Sound sleep!
;-)
I choose to make the most of my every
;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)


I choose these things for you!  ;-)


I wish you love and Happy Living!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY....You deserve to be HAPPY!

I GIVE MYSELF PERMISSION TO BE HAPPY!!! 

Say it once, say it twice, say it three times...... say it until it gets through to your SELF...give your SELF permission to be happy.  The reality of what it takes to get to the "happy place"is that it takes accepting all the GOOD and the BAD memories and emotional upheavals to get to the "happy place". You can continually go circles "attempting" to be happy without ever really attaining your goal of happiness, so.....

GIVE YOUR SELF PERMISSION TO BE HAPPY!!!

Look at your SELF in the mirror, write it on a note and post it where you see if often, create a song to hum while you're working and affirm ("speak those things that are not as though they were") permission for your own happiness. 

No money........BE HAPPY!!
No friends........BE HAPPY!!
No way out......BE HAPPY!!
Lost love..........BE HAPPY!!
Feeling hopeless......BE HAPPY!!

Giving your SELF permission to be happy will change your prospective AND changing your prospective or view of a thing will undo negative thoughts.  It did for me and has made all the difference but I will have to continual affirm (speaking those things that are not as though they were).

Anything worth doing is worth doing well so don't quit.  Keep affirming.  Don't worry, be happy!!   If not you (giving your SELF permission) than who?  It can only be YOU to give your SELF permission to be anything.  You'll take the time and manners to ask "permission" (do you mind....) of a friend, neighbor, employer, child, parent, sibling.....BUT YOU WON'T ASK PERMISSION OF YOUR SELF!!! 

START
TODAY

GIVE
YOUR
SELF
PERMISSION.

It'll make a ALL difference in your life.

HAPPY LIVING!!

Happy Survivor: Tuesday - Who is to Blame?

Happy Survivor: Tuesday - Who is to Blame?: "This past week-end, I heard a alot about blaming. 'My life would have been different if.....so-and-so would have been more supportive', 'It'..."

Tuesday - Who is to Blame?

This past week-end, I heard a alot about blaming. "My life would have been different if.....so-and-so would have been more supportive", "It's ___________ fault this happened", "____________ is suppose to do this for me"

Well, guess?  There is only ONE person to blame for things not going well in YOUR life and that person is YOU!  When you catch your Self beginning the "blame" game, immediately begin mind sculpting to release the untruth of blame and embrace the pain that comes with taking responsibility for your actions (or lack of action).  There can only be ONE person to blame and that would be YOU.   When YOU look at your Self, accept your actions, take responsibility for them, ask forgiveness where needed and lovingly move Self forward. 

Simple? NO! 

Necessary?  YES, absolutely! 

Change in your Self  will come when you encourage your Self to apply postive thoughts and behaviors to your daily life?  GOOD change will come!!  There is a GREAT life waiting for You.  Believe It!  Dream It!! Live It!!

Happy Living and being true to Self means accepting the consequences of your actions. 

As a Happy Survivor apply the art of letting go:

To 'let go' does not mean to stop caring; it means I can't do it for someone else.

To 'let go' is not to cut myself off; it is the realization that I must not control another.
To 'let go' is not to fix; but to be supportive.
To 'let go' is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes; but to allow others to effect their destinies.
To 'let go' is not to be protective; it is to permit another to face their reality.
To 'let go' is not to regret the past; but to grow and live in the present.
To 'let go' is to fear my actions less and love my Self more.

For things that are out of your control or influence, 'let go'. To guide you in letting go, begin the process of mind sculpting, carve out negative thoughts that will try to take over.....simply say NO! and keep saying NO until the negative thoughts have no place to live in your Self.  There will be pain when you accept your behavior and don't blame others but there WILL BE HEALING and, eventually, happiness and a fulness of Self. 

Be patient with your Self process!  Believe and be determined to make Your life work for you.  Enjoy the journey.
Happy Living!!

Thursday - Who Will Comfort Me?

The song begins My soul is weary and beaten down from all my miserys, oh lawd, who will comfort me?, a jazzy blues beat with slow melodic vocals by Melody Gardot.  As I hum along, the Question remains,

WHO WILL COMFORT ME?

as I'm taking a break from work and singing this song in my head I look up and see the Northern Lights over Century City.   I am comforted!

• a bird bathing in water remaining from plants being watered - I AM COMFORTED
• a humming bird buzzing my head - I AM COMFORTED
• a couple in awe of each other - I AM COMFORTED
• laughter in the distance - I AM COMFORTED
• a crying baby being held and smoothly spoken to - I AM COMFORTED
• giving and getting great HUGS - I AM COMFORTED
• finding beauty in life - I AM COMFORTED
• a call from a friend, an invitation to an event (with food), singing songs that question my lack of faith, reading comments of encouragement on my blog, encouraging someone, - I AM COMFORTED.

You can always choose to wallowing in the misery or not.  Choose to rid yourself of the garbage that controls your love of life.  Choose to find the answer that resolves negative issues.  Choose to find comfort.  Today I added a Motivational Quote that will change every day. 

Carefully ingest GOOD, let it flow through you and bring necessary nutrients your soul and mind need.  People need to vent and when they do, LISTEN.  If you have not a solution, give them a hug or tell a joke because laughter really is GOOD medicine.

HAPPY LIVING!

Happy Survivor: Wednesday - MIND SCULPTING

Happy Survivor: Wednesday - MIND SCULPTING: "So I'm driving home last night thinking about this new adventure called Blogging and determined to make my life work for me and the question..."

Wednesday - MIND SCULPTING

So I'm driving home last night thinking about this new adventure called Blogging and determined to make my life work for me and the question was. . . .  

WHAT MAKES MY LIFE WORK?

When you Determine to make a life worth living work means you have to change your thinking process often throughout the day.  I am constantly mind sculpting my thoughts.  The thoughts sculpting process can be tricky.  The garbage has to be turned into something useful and usable.  A Why is this happening to me? requires me to begin the sculpting process.  Look at the question, carefully and deeply.  Make a determination to change the why to what can be done to change this into something workable, beautiful and worth sharing.  Make a list for your Self.   Renew your list each morning.  Evaluate howfaithfully you kept to your list at the end of the day.  Reflect before you sleep.  Keep doing positive thought sculpting until your list becomes your habit.

Here is mine - just for today. 

I will SMILE. 
I will APOLOGIZE.
I will find LOVE wherever I am.
I will HUG.
I will be true to ME and FAITHFUL and LOYAL to my Self.
I will SHARE the very best of me (and for those who are my true friends I will SHARE the worst of me knowing that it is SAFE to do so).
I will get the GARBAGE out of my thoughts and replace it with GOODNESS.

My friend in the great Northwest email sign off reminded me today that if I follow this simply rule I will LOVE my Self.

Watch your thoughts, they become words.

Choose your words, for they become actions.

Understand your actions for they become habits.

Study your habits, for they will become your character.

Develop your character for it becomes your destiny.

–Anonymous

Work on keeping it simple.  This is the only life we have so work at making it FUN.  Remember your WORD is your bond.  Your MANNERS say more than your SILENCE.  These things matter to Self but more importantly, your friends can depend on your being conscientious. 

Life is shorter than you think.  Replace the GARBAGE thoughts with MINDFUL thoughts.  So today, do not let anyone push your buttons (unless it's your tickle button and that's good for LAUGHTER because LAUGHTER is GOOD medicine).

I hope what I blogged today inspires you and keeps Self moving forward and growing stronger.

Tuesday....

I'm determined to make my life work for me but have come to realize I have and never had any control on those I love.  What I thought was going to be inspirational to my husband and children has turned into resentment from the children and a great amount of distance from my soon-to-be exhusband.

Determined to remain friends with my ex (without benefits for certain) but friends all the same.  How am I preparing for the day that we will not longer be together? Relationships take work and so does the relationship with Self.

1.   Spend Time With Self.  I started making time for me, after waiting and waiting and waiting and finally realized Id continue to wait forever and would be old and grey and still be waiting.

What is time with self?  For me, it's been reading a good book (currently reading Six Frigates, The Epic History of the Founding of The U.S. Navy by Ian W. Toll.  Ian Toll has done extensive research from the anals of the Department of the Navy, National Archives, New York Historical Society and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and various other places in search of real documentation to validate his writing).  It's a great read and, at times, I have to break, unlike reading my murder mysteries and life achievement novels, this one actually happened.

Sometimes, time with self is singing karaoke.  Yes, singing!!  Yes, karaoke!! Not in a shower or while driving but in front of real people.  It's truly amazing how it encourages me to continue doing good things and staves off sadness and depression.  Time with Self means taking the time to meet new people and sometimes challenges me to doing new things.

Stay encouraged and become determined to make it work.  If change is to be.... it must start with me!