Where Ever You Stand, Stand Strong

With all the protests and sit-ins and sit-downs and marches going on I find it inspiring to see so many people standing up for what they feel strongly about. Whether you are standing barefoot on rocks, in heels on a dance floor, in tennis shoes on a court, work boots on a mountain, or flip-flops on a beach, the important thing is is that you are standing for what you believe in. Stand strong. So many times, people feel that they don't have a voice or feel maybe that their voice simply doesn't matter. Funny how we feel stronger when we are standing in a crowd. But....the really empowering thing is when we can feel just as strong when we are standing alone.

Today is obviously trick or treat day.

Happy Birthday Christopher

Today is Christopher's birthday, 29 years old. Funny how memories come rushing back, more so on his birthday than my own. When he was little, we went through some very hard times but I used to day, "You could strip me down naked and leave me on a corner somewhere and as long as I had Christopher I'd be okay." Still holds true today, although the picture wouldn't be quite as pretty....and there would be a bigger crowd standing with me on the corner. It's amazing to look back at the hardships that were happening and have them not mean as much as the memories of the good times. The bus rides on days off to "where ever we feel like going", the wonderful stories he used to tell and the literal way of looking at things. The imaginary friend Kimberly who lived in his closet and went to the beach by herself and who made us late in the morning because she could never find her coat, the tooth fairy, the banana skateboard, the painting the bathroom wall, the pulling of a tooth in front of a policeman, his drawings and creations on all the walls, the bike rides with him sitting in the seat with a green garbage bag over him as a raincoat......  Fun to remember the growing up, grade school, high school, college, and the years in between. Now he owns his own home, has a good job, and good friends. I thanked him yesterday, on the way home from the casino, for being a nice guy, for not getting into partying or legal problems or any of those other things that cause strife. He's quiet but has a wonderful sense of humor and has an amazing way of being able to reason through things, look at all angles, and make wise decisions. We've come a long way since the picture above. Lots of hard memories, fun memories, loving memories, and learning memories. I'm so proud of the man he has become.

Today is celebrate Christopher day.

What Is Your Reaction?

I think once we figure out what our core values and beliefs are, then really there is no question how we should react to situations. If you are honest, you will have an honest reaction. If you are vindictive, then you will have a vindictive reaction. If you are defensive, then you will have a defensive reaction. If you are loving, then you will have a loving reaction. My point is, our reactions come from whatever is deeply rooted inside of us. Once we figure out what type of soil those roots are planted in, then the rest should be easy. Emphasis on the should.

Today is write CAT ten times and draw a cat day.

Corey's Picture Speaks

Corey sent me this picture. I love it! There is so much to it. The Be Kinder wristbands. A man and woman being kind to each other. A bigger person and a littler person being kind to each other. A brown person and not so brown person being kind to each other. A driver and passenger being kind to each other. We could all learn from this picture. Thank you Corey for sharing it and for sharing the wristbands.

Today is wear flowers day.

Playing Poker Versus Living Life

So, I'm thinking about poker today. I've been playing on my phone this morning and it's funny how you can get to know the other players next moves. I wonder if the way a person plays poker is reflective of how they live there life. Never fails in every game, first hand, someone has to go all in. Sometimes someone else will challenge them and maybe win. But, most often, everyone else folds. Other players play conservative and only seem to raise on what they think is a sure deal. Still others bet on the hopes that the card they need will be the next one turned. I was at a table this morning where everyone just kept checking all around the table until all cards were down, then the betting began. The pot was $4,000, which I didn't win. Interesting that we all followed someone, I'm not even sure who started the betting. Is it like that in life? We all just sit around and wait for someone else to make the first move and then, as if almost by permission, we all decide to follow....not even sure exactly where we are going? My son will laugh at me when I play a certain hand that he would have folded on. I guess sometimes I'm more of a "the next card will be the one I need" type of player. I'll never forget at a real casino, when I went all in with pocket Aces and someone beat me with three 7's. Mind you it was only $40, but still. What I thought was a sure deal, actually wasn't. I'm going to think about this for a while...about how I play poker and how I live life. It'll be interesting to see what I discover.

Today is taste something spicy day.

Movie and Shoes Day.

Spent the morning watching Brides Maids and painting shoes...late birthday shoes. No blog today. The movie was great! A little raunchy in some places but had me literally laughing out loud. On to work.

Today is listen to music and dance for 30 minutes day.

Are You a Jumper?

Think it through. So many times, we jump into things that look good from the outset and even halfway through, but then seem to go south. Then you find yourself thinking, "If I'd only known." Hindsight is an amazing thing. Some things are impossible to predict, but other things I think we see but think they will disappear or change. Have you ever been in a place and thought, "Heck, I knew I shouldn't have come here. I knew this would happen." Why do we make decisions that inside we really know they are not the best ones? Is it the challenge? Is it the expectation of change? Or, is it simple foolishness? Some say it's better to do something even if you think it may be wrong. Others think it's best to not do anything and let someone else do it. Who is right? Who is wrong? I'm of the mind that if the odds are in my favor for a good outcome, after thinking through as best I can, then I'll jump in. Has made for some disappointments but overall I've been lucky. Are you a jumper in, a jumper out, or just a jumper? Hmmmm thought-provoking.

Today is sing a song together day.

Slow Down

That's what I'm doing today. Slowing down. Not sure if the weather change is messing with my brain or what, but I'm feeling in a fog today. I'd rather be sleeping or laying on the couch watching a good movie. That's it for today. Enjoy yourself no matter what you are doing.

Today is Corey's birthday.

Today is clean for an hour day.

Sometimes It Isn't All About You.

Wow, I completely spaced out writing yesterday. Busy day. Walked and then went out to my parents house and worked on their lawn....for a long time. Mowed, mowed again, raked, watered, seeded, fertilized, watered again. Pulled weeds and sprayed weeds. It was hot. It wasn't too much fun. My mantra was "I love my parents. I love my parents. I love my parents." Lol. Sometimes we do things in our lives simply because they are the right things to do. They might be physically hard things, time-consuming things, emotionally difficult things. But we do them out of love and sacrifice. It is easy to think about yourself and put yourself first all the time, but is it the right thing? I must say my parents have told me just to let the grass go and Dad will tend to it when they get here. But, I want to make it nice and easier for them, so I do little things because I care about them. When someone asks you for a favor, big or small, if you love them then do it. You will feel better in the end and they will appreciate your kindness. Sometimes it isn't all about you.

Today is celebrate Angenee day.

Just Be Kinder

Tired today. So much in the news that is negative about people hurting each other, parents abusing kids, police killing animals, caretakers mistreating patients. It all makes me tired. My message today is simple....Just be kinder.

Today is do 20 jumping jacks, 20 pushups, and 20 situps day.

Things Will Get Better

You know you are working to hard when your back and shoulders ache from sitting at the computer. Going through changes at work that are almost working on my last nerve. I find myself physically shaking my head to get the negativity out of my brain. Positive thoughts....I have a job. I am able to pay most of my bills. I am blessed to be able to work from home. The list does go on. But, today my body is telling me to move. I absolutely love my profession and I'm really good at it, but today I am tired. Not much of a blog, more of just getting out my frustration. Things will get better. Things will get better. Things will get better. My mantra for today. Not a bad one for everyday. Whatever your struggle is...things Will get better. That's it.

Today is eat something different day.

Wizard of Oz Today

Today is a good day! What else can I say?

Today is stand outside for 5 minutes and really listen day.

Take Time to Laugh

Sometimes we get so caught up with trying to make a living we forget to enjoy the living. I'm a guilty one. I work and work and work. I worry about whether or not my check is going to cover the bills, so I work some more. I was thinking the other day, "When was the last time, I just sat on the couch and watched a movie?" I can't remember when. I don't seem to ever stop. If I've got the TV on, I'm usually doing something else, crafting, cleaning, working, etc. I also noticed that I don't laugh very often...not because I'm unhappy, but just because sometimes there's nothing to laugh about. I don't remember what show I was watching, the other night, but I laughed, I mean really laughed, by myself. The dogs looked at me funny and that made me laugh more. I realized then it had been a while. When we laugh, our body shoots off endorphins that go to our brains and make us feel good. I decided right then that, whether I'm by myself or with someone, I am going to laugh more often. When I was in college, a girlfriend and I used to lay over the sides of our beds with our hands almost touching the floor. We would look at each other and just start laughing. It felt good. Hmmm now that I think about it, it was probably our idea of a high. Lol. Anyway, my point is, even though you are working hard for the money...take a minute to laugh and jump start those endorphins that may have been quiet for a while. Enjoy!

Today is play a board game day day.

Resting My Brain

No blog today. Resting my brain.

Today is Skype with Gramma day.

Another Girl Has Simply Disappeared

Yesterday was a sad day. A few days ago, another beautiful little girl went missing. She simply disappeared. No clues. No one saw anything. Nothing left behind. No scent for the dogs to pick up. Nothing. Hundreds of volunteers and police searching the 3 mile radius around her home. Nothing. The grandmother was on TV yesterday begging whoever has her granddaughter, "Just drop her off. Just drop her off at a store, a gas station, someone's front porch. Just drop her off. She is loved and my heart is breaking." I could feel this gramma just bleeding inside. Then later a report came on about the mother's past. Apparently she had moved over from California. In California, she had served 4 years in jail for beating another child and locking her in the closet for hours at a time. There were other instances of child abuse and neglect. And yet, when she got out of jail, she still had custody of her children. What is wrong with our system?! Why did this woman have her children after all that? We should be protecting our children above all else. This makes me feel physically ill. How scared must a child be living in a situation where they don't feel safe. I've said it so many times before. God gives parents the privilege of having children. Parents need to love and protect and nurture those children. Now, to be fair, I don't know what happened to this latest 5-year-old girl. I don't know if the mother did something horrible and has hidden the child, or not. For today, I am going to hold on to the hope that some concerned and caring person knew what was going on inside their house and decided to take the girl to keep her safe. Please, please, please, if you don't do anything else with your life, protect our children. Speak up if you see something wrong. Do something. Keep speaking up and don't stop speaking until that child is safe. If we see something bad happening and do nothing about it, we are almost as guilty. Just do something. Anything is better than nothing.

Today is listen to your mom or dad tell you a good childhood story day.

A Parent's Responsibility Never Ends

I have been so blessed to be part of a family who are close, even though not by miles. We truly love, care for, and respect each other. We may not talk every day or even every week but, if one of us is in need, we all band together in a circle of support. It makes me really sad when I hear of families that aren't so. Siblings that are constantly bickering and parents that somehow get the impression that when their children get older that their responsibilities of being a parent simply stop. It's sad to me that they are missing out on the everyday things in each others lives, grandkids, etc. But...the thing that really makes me sad is when an adult child has been diagnosed with cancer and still the parent is not there. I don't pretend to know what the original strife was, or the things that have been done or said in the years that have passed. I do know that cancer trumps it all. Being a two time breast cancer survivor, I know that cancer has a way of bringing things into perspective. Suddenly the things you thought were the most important things don't really matter. The anger and petty baggage you have been carrying simply lose their hold and drop away. You appreciate more the little things and the just being able to walk around. My family was so supportive and uplifting during my surgeries, radiation, etc. The thought of going through all that without them just about makes me cry. I don't know if you are reading this or not, but you know I'm talking to you if you are. No matter who did what, said what, didn't do something, didn't say something...just does not matter anymore. At the end of the day, you are still family, you are still children, you are still parents. If you can't be there for the everyday things...then at least be there for the critical times. God gives parents the privilege of having children. It is the parents' responsibility to take care of them...regardless.

Today is write the word HAPPY twenty times day.

Teach Kindness

There is so much emphasis on "stop bullying" in schools, I wonder if the kids even hear the words anymore. They are taught not to bully. They are taught what bullying is. They are taught what to do if they see bullying. They are taught what it feels like to be bullied. Instead of always focusing on the negative horrible behaviors, why not focus on being kinder? Why not teach them how to be kinder? Why not teach them what kindness is? Why not teach them to expect kindness from each other? I wonder if kids even recognize kindness when they see it. I wonder if they could tell you what the kinder thing is to do. I wonder if you asked them to study a bullying situation, if they would be able to tell you the kinder way the situation could have been handled. Wouldn't it be nice if there was no need to punish kids who are bullying, simply because bullying was not happening? Wouldn't it be nice to reward those kids who are being kinder? Something to think about.

Today is taste something sour day.

Grass Work

Whew! I miss Oregon grass. I just spent two hours mowing and re-mowing, watering, spreading grass seed, spreading fertilizer, and watering again my lawn. Arizona is brutal on grass and soil. The ground is hard like dried clay. We have winter grass and summer grass and all kinds of grasses in between. I miss the just being able to water, when the rain wasn't doing the job, and mowing the grass. That's it. The really fun thing is, is that I get to go out and do the same thing over again at my parents' house in the next few days. Lol! Oh well, it is good for my spirit and soul to be working in the yard, feeling the dirt, smelling the grass. Somehow, my mind slows down and things come into focus while I'm working with Mother Nature. So, that's it for today. Gotta shower off all this nature and get to work. Spend a little time with Mother Nature today and see how you feel.

Today is wear a funny hat and dance around a bucket and sing "Fill it up! Fill it up!" day.

Do What Makes You Happy

Today is a good day to do what makes you happy. Sometimes, we sacrifice our own happiness for that of others.....which is a good thing too. But, sometimes, we have to do what we want to do and what makes us happy. If it's sleeping in, then do it. If it's eating cake for breakfast, then eat it. If it's watching a favorite show or movie, then watch it. If there is something that you have always wanted to do but have never made the time, then make the time. You never know what tomorrow will bring.

Today is count and write to fifty day.

Check In With Breast Cancer Survivors

Getting ready to walk with my sister on the phone in Oregon. Today is the breast cancer walk in downtown Phoenix. It's an amazing experience, but I have to work so can't take the time to drive down, walk and drive home. So, we'll have our own private breast cancer walk. I love my ear piece for the phone. Missed writing yesterday because I spent the morning at the casino with a neighbor friend. Found an awesome machine and came home with an extra $100 in my wallet. Whoohoo! Whatever you do today, enjoy yourself. If you have a friend or family member that has had breast cancer or has breast cancer, today would be a good day to check in with them. Just let them know you're thinking of them. Well, that's all I've got for now.

Today is clean for an hour day.

Ellen's Closet

Gotta work today, but wanted to share this pic. You all know I've been waiting to hear whether or not Ellen got my BE KINDER shoes. Well, this month's Architecture Digest is featuring Ellen and Portia's home. Imagine my surprise when I saw the pic of her shoes closet. Whooohooo! Lol. This is called positive thinking.

Today is find out how many licks it takes to reach the chocolate inside a lollipop day.

"Overall" Opportunities.

I believe that people are brought into our lives for a reason. Whether it be to help you in some way or for you to help them in some way. I wonder how many times I have missed an awesome experience because I was not seeing what was in front of me. Maybe that person who smiled at me in the grocery store owns a billboard company and would've given me a good deal on BE KINDER billboards. Maybe the woman who seemed sad as I passed her on my walk yesterday needed something more than a "Good Morning". Maybe the person who I cut short in a political conversation is going to be the president some day. It's really wild to think about how one simple interaction can change the universe. For example, if I have a BE KINDER conversation with someone and they go home and find the house a mess or child drawings on the wall, maybe our conversation will have made a difference in how they handle their child. If you stop and help someone put groceries in the car or hand them something they've dropped, will they be more quick to help someone they see in need? There are so many opportunities that we have every single day to make a difference. Thomas Edison said, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." I love that. The harder something may seem to be, the less likely we are to do it. Why not, for today, be open to those people and opportunities that come your way. It could be life-changing.

Today is draw 10 rainbows and 10 pots of gold day.

Successful

I read a wonderful quote this morning by David Thomas. "My list of ingredients for success is divided into four basic groups: Inward, Outward, Upward, and Onward." Very thought-provoking for me. We all measure success by different standards. Some feel the more money and more stuff you have, the more successful you are. Some feel the more friends and more followers you have, the more successful you are. Some feel the bigger house and fancier car you have, the more successful you are. We all want more money and more stuff. But, I wonder if that would make us feel internally more successful. By definition, successful means achieving or having achieved success; having attained wealth, position, honors, or the like. Nothing in that definition talks about the feeling of being successful. I believe, success is measured by how good you feel about where you have been, where you are and where you are going. When I look back at my life and how I lived it, I can see where I have been a helpful, positive person and that makes me feel successful. I see my family and how much we respect and love each other and that makes me feel successful. I see changes that have happened because of something I've done or said and that makes me feel successful. I don't have any regrets...except maybe one...and that makes me feel successful. I may not have lots of money, or lots of stuff, but I have the things that really matter and that, to me, is being successful. At the end of the day, whatever your idea of success is, I hope you are achieving it.

Today is look for green day.

Accepting Changes

Another day. Finally, cooling off in Arizona. I love the heat and the sun but, after a really, really long summer, I sure appreciate being able to open the windows and doors to let the fresh air in. As I sit here, outside my window, I can see my flag waving in the breeze. Funny how a simple change in weather affects the way I feel. Change. I believe that it is not the changes around us that cause us to feel a certain way, but rather the way we accept or don't accept those changes. My sister has an amazing way of seeing something good in absolutely everything. I'm pretty good at it too, but it sometimes takes me a little while to get there. I like my routine. When something happens to change that, I tend to resist the change. Once I get to the point where I can accept the change, then I can begin to see the positives in it. I just wish that process could be a little quicker sometimes. Lol. For today, I'm going to work hard on seeing the good in the changes happening in my life and my space. I'm going to focus on how I can benefit from them. I'm going to accept the changes for what they are and move forward in a positive light, thereby brightening my mood and the world around me.

Today is read a book together day.

Compensation

So, I'm tired today. Worked 101 hours over the past 2 weeks. Whew! Brings up the question...Does anyone ever really feel that they are paid what they're worth? I suppose, if you don't like your job the obvious answer would be no. But, for those of us who love what they do and actually look forward to working, the answer should be yes, or "it doesn't matter". Lol. Wouldn't it be awesome if we could all work in the field we are entirely passionate about and actually be able to make a living? If that were true, I'd paint shoes all day, work on puzzles, write, put up BE KINDER billboards every where, take my BE KINDER mission to the schools as a resident artist, go to the casino, travel, and sleep. I wonder if those people who are independently wealthy truly enjoy their lives and what they spend their time doing. I wonder if I didn't have to carve out time to do my "passionate" things if I would enjoy them as much. I think it's important to spend at least a little time each day doing what you find emotionally satisfying, whether or not you are being compensated. I feel a sense of peace and abandonment when I am creating, like for just a few minutes all the other "stuff" just doesn't matter. What are you passionate about?

Today is count and write to 50 day.

Missing Old Halloweens

With the stores filled with Halloween decorations and kids picking out their costumes my mind is filled with memories. I remember all the homemade costumes. They seemed to be so much more creative than the ones we can buy in the stores now. I remember Mom sewing and all of us putting on makeup and helping each other get ready. We would take pillow cases or paper bags to collect our treats. Not these fancy colorful plastic bags that rip and definitely don't hold as much candy. I remember looking forward to going to certain houses because they always had the best treats. Ann Johns and her homemade popcorn balls. Others with cookies, brownies and caramel apples. We would leave the house and our parents never had to worry about whether or not we would come home safe. We ate candy along the way without having to worry if someone had poisoned it in some way. The only thing we had to be afraid of was whether or not the neighbor's dog Moe was out. We also trick or treated for Unicef. When we got home, we spilled our candy out on the floor or table and the trading game began. The only candy we didn't eat was the candy that was unwrapped. Not now. When kids come to my door, there is always a parent or two standing behind them. The costumes are fancier and brighter, but not different than the kids that came before. People are giving out stickers, pencils and granola packets. When the kids get home, undoubtedly, the parents meticulously go through their candy, throwing out some of the best things simply because they didn't know the people they got them from. It's sad to me that the progression and changes in times have made us less creative, less trusting, less fun perhaps. I wonder if our kids and grandkids know what they are missing.

Today is clean for an hour day.

A Good Day

Sort of overcast here in Arizona today. It is a good day to take a break.