Excuses or Whatever it is that I have been Up to Lately!

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something I can do."

Edward Everett Hale, American Author, Clergyman

My dearest blog,

I am so sorry to neglect you so...the truth is...I have been cheating on you with another website.  It's true, Pinterest sucked me right in, however it did inspire me to have a craft day/brunch at home.  Which was a LOT of fun and included my daughters and granddaughter. 

You are in good company as I have also neglected the many wonderful blogs that I love to read.  So forgive me for leaving your "pages" blank.  I do not wish to make any promises or excuses to you...hopefully things will return to normal (whatever that is) eventually.  I have the greatest ideas for posts and even compose them in the car...trouble is...I cannot remember a thing once I get to a computer.  My memory, while never stellar, fails me quite frequently.

You have my permission to hibernate or drink hot cocoa or whatever it is blogs do while their "writers" are engaged otherwise...I think of you often!

A few observations I have made lately...

Someone is clearing a huge section of timber from the road near my house...I love trees and this sorta hurt my feelings!  I love all the lush green and abundant foliage.  It is such a peaceful, tranquil drive. 

A gentlemen paid for dinner for 12 ladies because he had been very blessed in his life...I was one of those ladies and did not know until after he left the restaurant.  Carrabas - total bill $400.00

The Floozie girls (above mentioned twelve) adopted a single parent family for Christmas and had a spectacular luncheon to celebrate and wrap gifts!  Many in the group engage in numerous acts of kindness and altruism.  Those who are blessed should be willing to bless others and everyone is blessed in some form or fashion!

On the street where our business is located I pass by a strip of brick buildings, shops of various types and a church or ministry.  The ministry often has tables set up with  produce, bread and other items
that are free to the neighbors (many of which are living in poverty)  It always makes me feel good to know that at least on that day (s) people will have a meal.  A first for me, I was able to witness the prayer circle that preceded the food being placed on the tables.  It sent a jolt of indescribable peace and happiness through me.

So dear blog,

We often read or hear about the sad and bad that occurs...I know and I believe that Good People and Good Stories outweigh the bad!  As for me and my house, we will continue to lift the hurting World up in prayer, continue to express gratitude for our many blessings, do what we can when can to improve our corner of the world and we will continue to act in kindness and love.   With your help, my blog friend and those other "bloggers" out there we will spread a message of hope, goodwill and cheer!
Love ya bunches, Connie

"That best portion of a good man's life; his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love."

William Wordsworth, English Poet

"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted."

Aesop,  Greek Fable Writer

AND one more...

"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."  Kahlil Gibran, Lebanese Poet and Novelist

P.S. Lisa, if you are reading...this post exists because you asked!  Thanks!


 
  

Let It Be

As a champion worrier I often find myself finding something, anything to fret over. As I wrote in an earlier post I choose a word rather than make resolutions. My word "release" has already challenged me on a number of occasions...I tell myself "Let It Be" or Let It GO!" All this musing and fussing puts me in mind of The Beatle's tune, "Let It Be." In Marlo Thomas' book "The Right Words at the Right Time," Paul McCartney mentions that the song came to him due to some worries he and The Beatles were having and he pictured his mother saying "let it be" So when you find yourself in times of trouble just remember to...






As I reflect on 2009 deciding what no longer serves me well...let it be reverberates through my head. Anyone in the New York City Times Square area there is a "Good Riddance 2009" giant shredder...just write what you didn't like and shred it to bits in preparation for 2010. As one decade closes and a new one begins may we release that which serves no one, be grateful for our blessings, live with joy because life is indeed GOOD! Wishing you Peace, Love and Happiness for the New Year!

Patchwork Life

"We do not live an equal life, but one of contrasts and patchwork; now a little joy, then a sorrow, now a sin, then a generous or brave action” Ralph Waldo Emerson

I adore patchwork quilts. The idea of taking bits of fabric to create something useful and lovely. Most of our collection of quilts returned to my children's father after the demise of our marriage. His grandmother, mother and aunts were the creators. Grandma Ola's quilts were carefully inspected...as she became older and began forgetting things...you were just as likely to be stabbed by a very long quilting needle. She would make several "generic" quilts to be given to the new mothers. During her time...boy and girl children were not determined until birth. Each star on the purple quilt represents a family member and a story significant to my youngest daughter. Her Dad's old work shirt, my Father's ties, Grandma's gown...the blue Appalachian Trail bandanna belonging to my brother...he hiked the entire trail from Georgia to Maine not once but twice in his short lifetime. So many memories. The dear, sweet grandmother of my children recently made a quilt for me consisting of large squares in myriad colors. Being a mother of six children she was always frugal and used everything. In her mid seventies she is still serving others...being an example of all that is lovely and good in this world.

Life reminds me of a huge patchwork in progress with the Master tailor choosing the fabrics and "sewing" them together for our greater good! Each person, place and event forming the pattern of our lives. Every joy, trial and temptation teaches something if we watch and listen.

Judgement, drama and pettiness have no place in a life that is striving for authenticity, goodness and all that is praiseworthy. This is perhaps one of the greatest tests of all...accepting differences...do I have the right to "judge" the elderly woman in gold lame' pants...the panhandler on the curb...the emo or goth kids hanging out at the mall? These people, their lives are just one more square on our patchwork quilt. Imagine a quilt with just one color and all the stitches being exactly the same...Can you live in a world void of colorful characters and places?

Namaste

I have been thinking a LOT about blogging, emails and all the messages we send that do not really have a "face" or an expression attached. When emailing or blogging what we may think is humerous may indeed come across as something entirely different to the reader. I sincerely hope that in the course of blogging, emailing or commenting that I have been circumspect. Being inappropriate has never been a goal of mine. I have recently gotten the impression that I may have offended someone along the way. For this, I am sincerely and wholeheartedly sorry. I write what is on my mind at the time and have never felt the need for an apology for how I think...I don't edit, I write from the "cuff". I think the internet is a wonderful source of communication, entertainment and information...I have been naive in thinking that I could "talk" to the "blogging, facebook, email" world the way I talk with friends that know me in the flesh. I have taken a step back from all things that communicate who I am...what started out as a fun, inspirational journey has backfired a wee bit. My goal in this life is to be the most authentic version of myself that I can be, to love and to serve my fellowman and to be grateful to my Father in Heaven for the many blessings showered upon me. There is opposition in all things however I will continue to write and be positive about Life. Life is Good. After the darkness, there is light...after the rain, rainbows and so on and on. We are touched by people for varying lengths of time and for various reasons. I thank each of you for your contributions to my life and sincerely hope that I have contributed somewhat to yours. From Wikipedia:

Namaste, Namaskar or Namaskaram (Sanskrit: नमस्ते [nʌmʌsˈteː] from external sandhi between namaḥ and te) is a common spoken greeting or salutation in the Indian subcontinent. Taken literally, it means "I bow to you". The word is derived from Sanskrit (namas): to bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, and (te): "to you".[1] Namaskar is considered a slightly more formal version than namaste but both express deep respect. It is commonly used in India and Nepal by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists, and many continue to use this outside the Indian subcontinent.

When spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest. The gesture can also be performed wordlessly and carry the same meaning.
In Indian and Nepali culture, the word is spoken at the beginning of written or verbal communication. However, upon departure only the wordless hands-folded gesture is made.
In yoga, namaste is said to mean "The light within me honors the light within you," as spoken by both the yoga instructor and yoga students.

Without further ado, the light within me honors the light within you.

Charity Never Faileth

In this time of economic recession, belt tightening and hunkering down are you still inclined to share with those less fortunate. Has the current economy left you feeling less than generous? We have been considering our spending habits and what the future may hold as has probably everyone on the planet.

In my twenties I was always "broke" and thankful for friends that invited us to dinner. I knew of an acquaintance, an able bodied man that on weekends would go to small towns and pretend that he was deaf and mute with the proverbial cup in hand. This appalled me greatly and left me feeling cynical about those "in need". As I came to listen to the still, small voice I was prompted to be more generous. Sometimes the voice of contention would rise up and say things like "you cannot give your money away...you have bills to pay" I discovered that the more tightly you hold onto things, the greater the loss. When you expand and "tithe" your life becomes more abundant. Tithing is often thought of as the one tenth of your income that you donate to the church you attend. I recently participated in an e-seminar that offered a slightly altered twist to the original concept...give generously to whom you will...whatever feels right, make a donation, lend a hand. As I was contemplating this idea many opportunities for "tithing" arose. How often have you felt prompted by that inner voice to give someone $1, $5 or whatever. I struggle to overcome the cynicism in my mind that says, "that person probably has more money than I do or why don't they just get a job" During our dinner conversation my husband said to me, "I just don't know what came over me today" and he related the following story. He was in the checkout line at the grocery store (he was shopping for his parents) and the woman in front of him was counting out coins for a bag of flour and a gallon of milk and it looked like she was going to be "short"...my husband told the checkout lady to add it to his bill. Additionally, he gave the "flour" lady $20 whereby she gave him a great big hug! As tears welled in my own eyes, I said, "Honey, you KNOW what it was that came over you"

Charity Never Faileth...this is the motto used by The Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. From my personal experience and from those around me I know that this is a true concept.

So in this time of belt tightening and being cautious...let us not forget the tired, the poor, the hungry...donate your time, talents and some $$$ We each are "our brother's keeper"