Freedom.....May It Always Be Ours

For the next three days the flags will fly, the rifles will fire 
in ceremonial honor; memories of wars gone by will come 
to the forefront and flowers will be left at the graves of those 
who went to war bravely and came home to be laid to rest eternally. 

What did they do it for? The goal?

They hoped for an end result; simply that you and your children and grandchildren born and yet to come, would know freedom.

So plant your flowers, BBQ with gusto, picnic in a way that will invite ants from miles around to attend, play tag in your backyard or frisbee on the beach after a good swim. 

Hike to the top of a mountain and view this land of ours. 
Watch the sunrise announcing the beginning of a new day. 
Live with an open and grateful heart for what you have been given.

Live Free

The price was paid

Don't waste it

Relish it everyday

Look Around

     Cut Flowers....Plants rooted....Perennial or Annual

   Seeds that, over time, grow into mighty trees.

   Bulbs and Seeds planted in the earth.

All of these wonders of nature, 

teaching us lessons our whole lives through, 

nearly from the time of our birth.

 It isn't for everyone, you see, because it takes 

an interested eye, 

a thoughtful mind 

 and an open heart 

willing to be taught. 

So many of us walk through life missing some of the best parts; moving through our days totally blind. 

It isn't the result of not being able to,

 it is a matter of choosing not to see. 

Cut flowers teach us to enjoy the moment we are in,

 for it will soon be gone. 

Young plants teach us to nurture delicate things that need to establish themselves.

Perennials teach us to care for the people in our lives 

over the long haul.

 Annuals show us the importance of making

 the most of every day 

because, certain experiences last 

a season of time and are no more. 

Seeds that grow into trees,

 teach us 

that if we choose to engage in the belief

 that something great 

can come from something small, 

we will develop the art of patience 

and be rewarded mightily in the right time. 

Bulbs and seeds

 teach us

 to expect something beautiful to pop up,

 never knowing exactly the time or the day.

 When we care for a thing, 

seeing no outward progress or sign 

and still expect,

things sprout and then blossom. 

It is all around us, this beautiful classroom 

filled with life enriching lessons.

 Remove your blinders and take a peek.

 Learn that results never materialize 

if we don't nurture what we have been given. 

Believe, have patience and expect sweet scents to fill your life.

 I urge you to try this... 

whether  you are a child, a mother, a father, 

or if you are a husband or a wife. 

Second Chances

We have heard it and maybe even said it ourselves
 "Everybody deserves a second chance." 

It sounds good. It sounds generous. But when you think about it, what that means is neither good nor generous.   It means, in effect, that you can make one mistake and be forgiven and after that zero grace will be extended to you. Problem with this is, there is not a human being walking the planet that has made a singular error and then lived on in perfection. People are flawed. People don't always get it right and to sit in judgement of another person just because their weaknesses and their mistakes are different than yours is, in and of itself, a mistake.

 We don't need judgement or ridicule. We need grace extended.  Imagine beginning every day with a clean page upon which to write your story. Leaving yesterday as what it is...a point in our history. Living out today and allowing tomorrow to be a mystery to unfold in due time. I am not suggesting we live out our days brushing off any and all personal responsibility for our actions born out of our own choices. I am suggesting, in earnest, that we need to adopt an attitude of grace towards ourselves and especially one another. Ditch the grudge holding, burn the score card, silence the verbal accusations and the gossip that degrades people and wounds them deeply. Speak first with kindness in an effort to uplift and not put down. Look for the good in your loved ones; don't put a magnifying glass on their flaws and sell tickets.

We don't need second chances. We need to begin fresh every single day of our lives. Don't wear yesterday's dirty laundry today. Don fresh clothes with the attitude to match. Lead with kindness. You will discover that you will open doors to peace and close doors to strife.

It's a blend of choosing to be kind, expecting the best from one another and extending grace when the worst happens. It's a decision to praise in public always, and if you have a grievance take it up privately with only the person or persons involved. Public consumption of private matters helps nothing and hurts everyone.

How do you want to be treated? Are you offering your behavior as a reflection of what you hope will return back to you? If not, I respectfully suggest you alter your attitude, adjust your behavior, and begin again.

Not second chances, but grace everyday.

The Little Things

They say it is the little things that make life a happy experience.

The little things that connect the dots one milestone to another.

The little things that catch our eye and capture our attention.

The little things we save in a box as small mementos of big occasions.

The little things that make the greatest impact on our hearts, hopes, dreams, aspirations and build our foundations. 

The little hands that slip into ours for protection and affection.

The little words that alter our course and what we believe about ourselves.

The little gestures of kindness that help people know they are cared for and not alone.

The little things that are slipped onto our fingers as reminders that we belong to someone.

The little things are our everythings.

No Worries. Be Happy.

The week ends. The weekend begins.

The work week draws to a close.

The weekend opens up its wings

and welcomes you in.

The responsibility of jobs get to go on pause.

The throwing off of 

alarm clocks, shoes, clip boards,

laptops, power tools and appropriately worn expressions begin. 

They get traded for sleeping 

late after Friday and your

big date.

Bare feet stretch their toes, the diet that, within the rules, means today you get to cheat.

Delightfully freeing you to totally enjoy what you eat.

Electronics on silent. Quiet takes over. 
Books to read and sunsets to see.

Ball games to attend and groundings to rescind.

For two precious days the clock you will not watch.

Kids to take valuable time with.
We have forts to build and ropes to jump.

Time to play catch, Simon says and hop scotch. 

Shop for the prom dress. 

Tailor the suit.

 Drop in the pet store to pick up your nephew's birthday Newt.

And with purpose, ignore the projects on your desk. 

This is a time to let it go and de-stress.

Frogs to hunt and tea parties to conduct.

Stars to watch twinkle in the black night sky; 
A moment in time to let the world go by.

Neighbors to take casseroles to and loved ones to call and say,

"How was your week"? 

and "How do you do?"

Take this weekend and 

make it your own.

Make this time matter.

Time sifts through our 

hands like grains of sand.

So be present with those you love and walk out these moments as you go along your way,
enjoy your day.

Fret not that the world feels out of control and people in positions of power seem to be crazier

than the mad hatter.

Lay down the worrisome business of life that attempts to rob you of your peace and
every ounce of joy. Go break out your favorite toy.

Small suggestion....

Send up a sincere prayer and let it go

Because after all, is not God permanently, exclusively and right this very minute seated upon the throne?

 It's the weekend, so don't be in a rush 

or feel pressured to make it snappy.

No Worries.....Be Happy!

The Art of Motherhood

The beautiful, fluid and, often times, open to interpretation thing about art is, it is the individual creative expression of a person's heart and perspective.

So if we think about children in the context of being beautiful

 works of art, then we know that 

they are absolute masterpieces,

 every one, without exception. 

Let us use our imagination to travel through 

the art world in unique fashion. 

Some women have a blank space on their wall and have no way to fill it themselves. They go to a gallery and search for the piece that speaks to them and touches their hearts.

They wrap it carefully, and take it home to cherish it for the treasure it is to them. This one of a kind work of art transforms the space forever.

Other women gather paint, canvas, brushes and easel in the place that has the perfect amount of light. Sometimes they take a hunk of clay to fashion it just the way they imagine it should be; with tremendous time, herculean effort and every ounce of heart they pour into their art pieces. Nothing comes of it, but they keep trying until one day they look up to discover they have, at long last, created a masterpiece all their own. Sometimes more than one piece is discovered and you find that a collection of art has developed. From this moment and for years after, you protect your collection and never tire of admiring the individual beauty of their collective value. 
Your masterpieces.

Yet some women give no, or little thought to their art, but paint a canvas with light hearts and tremendous joy. 

These pieces of art are equal in the precious regard the artist holds for them, even though they were created without forethought. 

Art is art, no matter how it was created, whether they came to them by earnest search, a hard fought battle or complete surprise.

The works of art that belong to them are priceless masterpieces, 
always to be held close, never to be traded. Always to be shown off with tremendous pride.

So Mom, however 

you achieved it,

We thank you for being you. 

We are glad we are yours.

And if you cannot answer to the name

and want to in the worst way..... 

HOLD ON TO THE HOPE

that in some beautiful 

unexpected turn of events 

you will find your masterpiece and 

your masterpiece will find you.

The hope that you will be 

honored to hear the words

Happy Mother's Day

  

What Do You Say?

Peace because it's familiar

Anxiety because it's familiar

Peace that fades with change

Peace that remains despite the change

Peace available to anyone

Peace the open secret

Peace that defies logic

Peace that remains in times of emergency

Peace that speaks to your heart when fear tugs 

at your sleeve and tells you to run.......

Peace whispers, "Peace be still."

Peace gives you confidence to remain chill

Peace the path that leads to a happy tomorrow

Beginning today

God's free gift offered in love

All you have to do is reach out with your heart

and receive it

What do you say?