HOORAY, it’s MAY!:) May i ask YOU: What will YOU DO today?!

What a Privilege to be Breathing:)…Fragile-Life! Each Morning is a Gift. A fresh, new opportunity for compassion.

A New Day: HOORAY! How will YOU show appreciation for this gift. What positive choices will YOU make? What will You feed Your mind and body?! Who will YOU help?! What kind words will YOU use to comfort?!

Waking UP to a Beautiful Morning is a Blessing:

“When one ruling over mankind is righteous, ruling in the fear of God, then it is as the light of morning, when the sun shines forth, a morning without clouds. From brightness, from rain, there is grass out of the earth.”—2 Samuel 23:3, 4.

{The Hebrew verb ma·shal has the meaning “rule, dominate”; the Greek term ar’khon is translated “ruler.”}

Rulers or leaders can bring Happiness, Peace and Prosperity. Sadly, some leaders choose to act like this:

“As a growling lion and an onrushing bear is a wicked ruler over a lowly people.” Proverb 28:15

This world would be such a better place with better leadership! Don’t we all need good management skills. Effective skills to manage our lives, manage our families, manage what ails us. Good government is the cure. Good government starts in the home (at home). Does man practice good government?!

1 on-line dictionary definition of good: adjective: to be desired or approved of;  Noun: That which is morally right; righteousness; Synonyms: adjective: nice, kind, fine, Noun: benefit, profit, advantage, avail, welfare, use.

Another dictionary: Synonyms of good to contemplate: Commonsense, commonsensible, commonsensical, firm, hard, informed, just, justified, levelheaded, logical, rational, reasonable, reasoned, sensible, sober, solid, valid, well-founded.

Bottomline: Learning Goodness is the key to good management/good government…which brings better living for caregivers, partners, friends…ALL-BEAUTIFUL-BREATHING-FRAGILE-LIFE!:)   Ancient books can teach us much:

Goodness is not passive but is dynamically active. Recipients of the “good” person’s kindness, generosity, and self-sacrifice might even be moved to die for him! So it is with good …

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“Among the reasons for the existence of music in virtually every culture [is] its ability to elicit and maintain human health and well-being,” says the book Principles and Practice of Stress Management.

Don’t ya just LOVE it when you come across some research/evidence or writing that highlights long-held beliefs or helps to support your personal growth/understanding of something (i.e. Your mind on music). Read at Your own discretion/Check out points from this CNN article: http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/15/health/brain-music-research/index.html?hpt=hp_c4

…Betcha couldn’t tell (from my previous posts w/music selections) that i actually LIKE/LOVE Italian music and the language…(you know i butcher French–good thing you cannot hear me “try” to karaoke to Bocelli in Italian -lol…i enJOY wide-variety of musical flavors/tastes). Back in the 90′s when Andrea Bocelli was first on the scene…remember driving around Europe w/Hubby, (Chato B. Stewart from Mental Health Humor), and hearing Con te Partiro on the radio for the first time…didn’t know any Italian…came in on the song mid-way, didn’t know the singer and my next “meaningful” European endeavor:…NOT leaving or saying good-bye to Europe without this music!!…We “introduced” friends to Bocelli back in the States…(Chato took me to see him live in Massachusetts…Amazing..barely/effortlessly opens his mouth and out flows this Incredible voice!)

We were in the paperwork process of relocating to Europe (i.e. Luxembourgh) at the time and Not planning on having kids when we unexpectedly found out we were expecting…i LOVE motherhood!!:)

However, honestly, motherhood was not an ambition…it was a surprise-gift…one i’m truly beyond words thankful for and humbled about. For me, before motherhood, i was kinda apathetic and indifferent to “certain” things/certain truths…or lacking sufficient knowledge to notice or care…i was unaware of the deep life lessons my future kids would help teach. My-before-kids-life consisted of study/work/volunteering…work, study, volunteering, work, work, work, study, study, study, volunteer, volunteer, volunteer…personal inner/spiritual growth and outer manifestations of that growth. A never-ending-insatiable-hunger-for-more- knowledge-more-”truth“…(Also, save your pennies to help others and travel/meet new mentors and learn/educate everyday!:)

(P.s. a couple fun/good reads You may like: A year in Provence et Toujours Provence by Peter Mayle.)

THANK YOU for Your patience: This post is …

Saturday evening, March 9th, my family went to the circus!

Not under the big top, out in the open-night air. (Weather chilly…hoodie wear.)

A small 1 ring Loomis Brothers’ circus. It was terrific. It was terrifying…the aerial acrobats without any net: beautiful & dangerous. Beauty can be dangerous, eh?

The irony of one circus (my family) watching and being entertained by another circus…LOL…my goofy sense of humor finds this funny. Chato’s family: a bunch of clowns we are…watching other clowns perform!:)

The precision, discipline and work involved in the performances got me thinking. Precision, discipline and work needed to keep any circus aka family going!:) It’s been quite a few years since we went to the circus. i guess, we were living a circus of sorts and didn’t need to leave home -lol:)

Do You have any fun circus memories?? What is your favorite circus act?

My girls loved the ponies and went for a pony buggy ride…It was pure joy watching the kids’ reactions to the various acts: the giant smiles, giggles and deafening squeals of delight!:)

LOVED the camels…beautiful/enthralling…i could of watched the camels and doggies all night. Hubby who ADORES ALL animal-kind…(and has rescued, cared for and adopted various creatures big and small)…was worried about the treatment of the animals, in particular the camels…i was totally caught up in being mesmerized by the beauty and ability of the Amazing camels, ponies and doggies…they were so lovable and adorable, etc…that how could anyone treat them badly?!?!

*Of course, i hope this post doesn’t offend anyone who is against animals/Breathing-Fragile-Life performing…SORRY! It was funny to see the clown jump through hoops like the doggies!:) Have you jumped through any hoops lately?!…i “like” jumping rope (good exercise:), but been known to jump through some hoops when/if needed…especially to keep the PEACE!:)
“SEND in the Clowns”…to the stands…

It’s important for families, for all of us, to find some refreshment and recreation from the stressful …

What is your native tongue? How well do you speak compassion–The language and living of love (agape)??

Couldn’t help, but think a little about my heritage/language. VERY Thankful: i was raised with no prejudice or partiality toward any ethnic group…in other words…i was raised to Appreciate & Love All Variety of Breathing-Fragile-Life:)…in other words…my family did not elevate one particular group of Breathing-Fragile-Life over another particular group of Breathing-Fragile-Life…in other words…my particular ethnicity is quite a mix! For example, if you were going to adopt/rescue a doggie: i would be labeled a mutt for sure -lol:)…i’m a “little” of a lot of different Breathing-Fragile-Life. My DNA is an acculturation.

Right now, i’m meditating/pondering deeply about whether or not to reveal to You my “specific” partial-nationality/heritage list or not…(For clarification: whatever “i may” choose to reveal about myself via this blog or past blogs–serves a “teaching” /trust purpose for the topic under consideration/discussion. i strive to speak truth.)

Let me preface my following statement as NOT a presumption: any “possible” Mental Health Drs. out there (or Others) who “possibly” follow my writing & may “possibly” think they may “possibly” have me/my life/my personality/my profile totally figured out: think again! -lol:)…i’m an undefined work in progress…someday, i hope to get achieve–name (not talking fame).

Whatever hazy reflection you see of me/my inner person/my personality, etc. revealed in my writing…would change IF you, my Reader,  ever met me in person. Truth: Outer appearance is a distraction from the “true” inner person.

• Do you have the ability to see past faces into hearts?! (i try to see hearts.)
• Do you have the ability to see past gender?!
• Do you have the ability to see past age?!
• Do you have the ability to see past nationality?!
• Do you have the ability to see past obese?!
• Do you have the ability to see past skinny?!
• Do you have the ability to see past superficiality?!
• Do you have the ability to see past sick?!
• Do you have the ability to see past healthy?!
• Do you have the ability to see past social classes?!

Compassion does have …

Hoping this artwork sample brings a smile to your day!:) Art therapy is a good, healthy stress-reliever and stress-manager. The kids had been asking to do some painting (with me) for a while. So, this mama decided to enjoy some “relaxing” (whatever that means:)–art time with my girls…(usually they do a lot of art stuff with Daddy!)

What fun!…What a mess!:)

A week later and i’m still finding “traces” of colorful, acrylic paint in odd places. You cannot get creative without a mess. I live with VERY creative people!:) It’s like i blinked and walked away for a split-second and…OH NO!-lol:)

The kids did GREAT cleaning up and mopping the tile for me, which i appreciated!! Let them paint inside and outside…grass looks great green and other colors, too.

Before kids, i was a neat freak…sorta, everything organized and in its place…sparkly clean!! I still “prefer” organization and cleanliness. Though, i’m “realistic” about the natural messes kids need to make in order to learn and grow. Learning and growing requires mess to a degree. Creativity requires a measure of mess and i’ve learned to adjust. Making adjustments is an essential part of life.

I’m still constantly cleaning and trying to keep organized and get the kids to do their fair share. (FYI: i don’t expect kids to do the share of an adult nor be able to organize or clean like an adult.) I just “try” to set an example of organization/cleanliness and hope they follow…fast!

At times, keeping things organized and very clean…is like trying to shovel in a blizzard! “Almost” impossible…i just work harder.

The snow constantly keeps coming at you. Working “smarter” means: You gotta wait till the snow stops then clear it away!:) I strive “not to let” my need for clean encroach on their need to create (within reason)! I don’t want to stifle their learning processes…taking things apart, making new things out of  junk or baking, cooking. My kids like creating with junk, etc. i don’t mind some junk/stuff…i “prefer” less stuff…minimalist at heart…sorta.

I’m always …

“Spend less. Read More.” Awesome slogan from Thrift books…yeah, that’s it…READ more!:) Not to stereotype women, but i’m “not” a shopper! I do it when i have to: run in/run out…get what i “need” at a cheap price.

Well, unless it’s a bookstore or i’m talking to somebody interesting, then i may linger a little. If held captive in a store -lol (cause of hubby and kids or whatever)…just read or find somebody to talk to! I don’t leave home without reading material.

The other day I “had to” go to Walmart…walk through the door and…a GIGANTIC mountain chain on each side greets/meets me! Stacks upon stacks ceiling high of doritos/chips/junk food/soda…Wow! this is really contributing to wellness and moderation on so many levels;)…and then rows and rows of endless items to clutter my mind and my home. Like with 4 kids and hubby, 2 cats, etc. to take care of already…get me out of Walmart quick…more stuff = less time. More stuff = less freedom! Walking into Walmart is an exercise in self-control. (So is composing this blog!:)

Self-control is a positive trait to cultivate. Learning when to speak up or shut up…for somebody like me, can come in handy!:) Learning when it’s safe to stop or go or proceed in tiny, cautious increments is essential. Exercising self-control is critical to preservation of life and relationships.

Actually, my mind is swirling and whirling with various topics for posting consideration. Between reading, research, real-life experiences of late, etc. i’m compiling a list or organizing my writing/learning which is a time-consuming process/event all on its own. Do you find yourself in various states of organization (self-control)? (i’m in the middle of reading a quick book: Organization for Dummies and of course, like a dummy, i’ve misplaced/lost it among my other books!:)

photo credit: donovanbeeson

I LOVE organization and order…the beauty of precision and efficiency and conscientiousness, but not to the …

1313 aka 1.3.13 aka January 3, 2013…

A “Bird’s Opening” for this new post:

1: Poem (discussed with my 3 daughters):

Not in Vain~by Emily Dickinson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain:

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or Cool one pain,

Or help one fainting Robin

unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain

3: Corny jokes that made my daughters and me chuckle:

photo credit 2: quaggas_camera photo credit 1: k8southern

What does an educated Owl say?

WHOM!:)

What is a polygon?

A missing Parrot!:)

What’s the difference between a jeweler and a jailer?

One sells watches and the other watches cells. (cute play on words)

~Everyday Fun Games and Cards by Brighter Child

13:  Writings by Poet/Wise-King Solomon, (i shared w/my kids):

“Happy is the man that has found wisdom, and the man that gets discernment, for having it as gain is better than having silver as gain and having it as produce than gold itself. It is more precious than corals, and all other delights of yours cannot be made equal to it. Length of days is in its right hand; in its left hand there are riches and glory. Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its roadways are peace. It is a tree of life to those taking hold of it, and those keeping fast hold of it are to be called happy.” (Proverb 3:13…14,15, 16, 17)

“A Wise person will listen and take in more instruction, and a man of understanding is the one who acquires skillful direction, to understand a proverb and a puzzling saying, the words of wise persons and their riddles.” (Proverb 1:5,6)

“Do not say to your fellowman: “Go, and come back and tomorrow I shall give,” when there is something with you.” (Proverb 3:28)

“Go to the ant, you lazy one; see its ways and become wise. Although it has no commander, officer or …

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Some are asking some: Put down your gun?? what about…

put down your bullets?? Pick up your helping hand?!

put down your fists?? Pick up your compassion?!

put down your video games??  Pick up your book?!

put down your verbal abuse??  Pick up your loving speech?!

put down your alcohol abuse??  Pick up your water?!

put down your cigarettes?? Pick up your (sugarless) gum?!

put down your donuts?? Pick up your veggies?!

put down your over-consumption?? Pick up your conservation?!

put down your self-indulgence?? Pick up your self-sacrifice?!

put down your selfishness?? Pick up your selflessness?!

put down your vengeance?? Pick up your forgiveness?!

put down your prejudice?? Pick up your impartiality?!

put down your war?? Pick up your peace (not piece)?!

put down your hate?? Pick up your love?!

put down your tears?? Pick up your laughter?!

put down your apathy?? Pick up your empathy?!

put down your frown?? Pick up your smile?!

We cannot ask anyone to do anything we are not willing to do ourselves!:) What am i willing to do? What are you willing to do?! Will You/i treat others the way we want to be treated?

photo credit: andrew and hobbes   photo credit: WingedWolf

What will you put down? What will you pick up? Will you reach out? Will you help someone put down or pick up? Will you take their hand? Will you take my hand? I’ll take yours!

Every day we all put down and we all pick up…what pattern are we setting in our putting down and picking up? Love? Compassion? Unselfishness? Forgiveness? Truth? Wellness? Peace? How far will you and i walk? What will you carry? Who will you carry?

LOVE WALKS, RUNS FAR…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… with a little help and a little tenderness…we’ll rise above (poor choices)…we’ll get there!:)

“How can I Help You?” “Thank You” “Your Welcome” “Sorry” “I Forgive You” “I Love You” “It’ll be alright” “I’m Here for You” “I do!”…what seeds (deeds/words) are you sowing today?!

All of the above? Some of the above?…

Wonderful–Your seed sprinkling will reap positive results!:)

THANKS for being a Caregiver, Friend, Partner, Parent, Person who is an:

*Open Mind: Think!

*Open Heart: Feel!

*Open Mouth: Speak!

*Open Hand: Give!

*Open Eye: See!

*Open Foot: Walk!

 
Think it, feel it, speak it, give it, see it, walk it: Live Love!:)

  photo credit: Serenae photo credit: Phil (darth_philburt)

Have you thought about it: what seeds are politics and religion sowing? Seeds of love or seeds of greed? Seeds of war or seeds of peace? Seeds of unity or seeds of division?

“In many lands, predominant religions have become symbols of patriotic and racial identities. As a result, the lines between nationalistic hatred, racial prejudice, ethnic rivalry, and religious enmity are virtually indistinguishable. This explosive cocktail has the necessary ingredients to tear our world apart.” ~excerpt from article:The Problem with Religion

“Religion seems to be connected with violence virtually everywhere…In recent years, religious violence has erupted among right-wing Christians in the US, angry Muslims and Jews in the Middle East, quarrelling Hindus and Muslims in South Asia, and indigenous religious communities in Africa and Indonesia…The individuals involved in these cases have relied on religion to provide political identities and give license to vengeful ideologies.”-Terror in the Mind of God-The Global Rise of Religious Violence.

Politics (government) and religion are in bed together making war and making money. (But,they’re really loveless and poor.)

Dutch Philosopher Floris van den Berg recommends: “Let’s make the world a better place. Let’s get rid of …

Gratitude: a year-round attitude!:) One does not need a “specific” day or “time” to limit their expressions of appreciation and thanks! Gratitude is a way of life that brings benefits to: day-long, month-long, year-long, life-long living and giving!:)

Professor Robert Emmons, of the University of California at Davis, says: “Gratitude research is beginning to suggest that feelings of thankfulness have tremendous positive value in helping people cope with daily problems, especially stress, and to achieve a positive sense of self.”

Time magazine highlights something else: “People who describe themselves as feeling grateful . . . tend to have higher vitality and more optimism, suffer less stress, and experience fewer episodes of clinical depression than the population as a whole.”

Everyday one can find many reasons to give “THANKS!” Personally, for me, I’m choosing not to let certain traditions, national pressure (and/or) peer/family pressure dictate what I eat and when or when I give and what or when I say Thanks and why.

How would you measure your depth of Gratitude? Check this out from:  Professor Robert Emmons & Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami:

MEASURING GRATITUDE

“Much of our initial work on gratitude has been devoted to examining the disposition to experience gratitude as a relatively stable affective trait. To measure this affective trait, we have developed a short scale called the Gratitude Questionnaire, whose current incarnation consists of six short self-report items. The GQ-6 is available here for download in PDF format. This document includes some interpretative material that allows one to determine where a person’s score on the GQ-6 falls relative to a large sample of adults who recently completed the measure. Finally, this short technical document describes the psychometric properties of the scale, including some of the most important evidence for its reliability and validity.”

Appreciation and gratitude must be cultivated and grown. As a parent, i strive to set a “Gratitude Attitude” example for my kids. THANKS …