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Happiness, Parenting

Censorship

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Censorship

Can it be that we’re in a time machine? Is it even possible that censorship is being proposed in our school system?

I don’t follow the news much but this recent craziness regarding changing what we teach our students so that we can “promote citizenship, patriotism, essentials and benefits of the free enterprise system, respect for authority and respect for individual rights” as well as not “encourage or condone civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law” has me in a state of wonder.

The United States of America does not have a pretty past but that does not mean we can stick our heads in the sand and pretend those things didn’t happen. How else can we learn not to make the same mistakes again? I recently read a great book inspired by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke. “The Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd follows two young girls – one white, one black – who wondered why they had the roles they did. Why one had to “own” the other? Why girls couldn’t own property or vote? They both eventually made real changes in their world and isn’t that what it’s all about?

No country is perfect just as no individual is perfect. We are all learning as we go and we hope we’re heading in the right direction. It is only by reflection that we can see whether we need to steer left or right, front or back. To the students and teachers who are speaking out against this censorship, I applaud you. For that truly is a step in the right direction.

Photo by Andréia Bohner

Happiness

Friends Forever

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 Friendship

 Yesterday was a gift of friendship. First, I went to lunch with a childhood friend and she gave me a birthday gift reminiscent of our youth. This small item plays a song that she and I shared in our world of make believe. It was a world filled with happiness and laughter. Opening and seeing this adorable instrument brought back a flood of cherished memories.

In the evening, another dear friend (this one from high school days) and her husband took my boyfriend and I to Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret for “The Songs of Sam Cooke & Stevie Wonder – Starring Soul Singer – De Thomas.” What a blast! The place was booming with excitement and catapulted us back to a time of musical genius.

When I got home, I just couldn’t stop thinking about how lucky I am to be so blessed. Good friends, the ones that stick by you through self doubt and broken hearts, are what make this sometimes crazy life fabulous. If we all do one thing today, it should be to call a friend and say, “Hey, I was just thinking about you…”

Photo courtesy of bekassine…

Happiness

Ever the Student

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Birthday

I just celebrated another birthday and although some could panic at another year gone by, I’m learning that each year brings new opportunity to learn. I have many things on my list including learning how to:

  • write children’s books and finish mine plus a few more
  • get my newly minted book(s) published
  • let go of things I cannot control
  • be as good a friend as mine are
  • relax
  • meditate (for real, not just sitting and wishing those random thoughts would go away)
  • be kinder and gentler

One thing I’ve learned so far: never say never and never say always, because absolutes simply don’t roll in this crazy little thing called life.

Photo courtesy of Theresa Thompson

Happiness

Meditate for Peace on August 8

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Meditation

I just learned about a world event taking place on August 8, 2014 at 10am (MDT). Deepak Chopra has organized a meditation event to promote peace:

“Studies have shown that setting an intention brings you tangibly closer to your goal. What would happen if we brought together a critical mass to set the shared intention for peace—within ourselves, and around the world? We need your help to find out.

Be at the epicenter of this historic event as we attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest group meditation in history…”

Won’t you join me?

Photo courtesy of Moyan Brenn

Happiness

How Lucky We Are

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AmericanFlag

This morning, I heard the sound of a train and thought, “How lucky am I that this sound does not frighten me? Or that no sounds frighten me?”

Being in a Book Club for many years has enabled me to read books I wouldn’t otherwise read. Novels that take me back to times of slavery, the holocaust, or show me how, even now, there are places where freedom and happiness are unknown.

I am so thankful that, as a woman, I have the freedom to have an education, to own my own home, to travel, to choose my own partner and how I live. I hear someone complain about something here in the states and I wonder, “Do you know how lucky we are?”

Photo courtesy of Mike Mozart.

Community involvement, Happiness

What can I do?

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HomelessChildren

 

I’ve been thinking a lot about giving back to my community (beyond the occasional donations). I’m especially drawn to children in need; they didn’t ask for their lots in life.

So today, having just listened to Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror,” I’d like to commit to doing SOMETHING within the next 6 weeks. I know that sounds like a long time but I do have to find it first, y’know.

Photo courtesy of Alex.

 

Happiness, Self care

He’s Just Not That Into You

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WomanwithPhone

The movie, “He’s Just Not That Into You” was on last week. I had seen it years ago, when it was first released, and thought, “Yes, of course!” and wished I’d learned that lesson when I was 16. How much anguish would that have saved?

If you haven’t seen the film, the message is that if a guy likes you, you’ll know it. I remember one guy I’d met at a bar sent me roses the next day. I hadn’t given him my phone number or address and this was long before the internet. He had found it through some other source. Scary? Maybe. Romantic? Absolutely. Ladies, my point is that you should not have to decipher his comments. If he likes you, you’ll know it.

Now that I’m in a good relationship, it seems so elementary. But I remember being single and wondering, “Did he lose my number?” or telling myself, “Oh, he’s probably just busy at work and that’s why he forgot to call when he said he would,” and other nauseous self talk.

If you’re waiting for the phone to ring, stop.

Photo courtesy of Nana B Agyei.

Happiness, Travel

Gelato and Sunshine

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Positano

I just returned from two weeks in Italy. We started in Venezia (Venice), then visited Firenze (Florence), Pisa, Roma (Rome), and lastly, Positano. That last stop was thanks to the movie, “Only You” and was well worth the train ride and subsequent boat ride, even if we did only get to spend one full day.

There’s a different pace in Italy that I’d like to bring home. It’s slower and more “present.” Or perhaps I was more present. I did consciously experience every moment: running down the platform to catch our first train with only 30 seconds to spare; eating gelato while strolling the streets of every city we visited; riding in a gondola under a full moon while families put their children to bed and chefs assembled dinners for hungry tourists; feeling lucky to be able to share this unbelievable experience with my beau and my boys.

Some tips I bring back: pack light, don’t hang your freshly washed clothes out on a line right before a rain storm, eat as much gelato as you can stand (believe me, you can stand heaps), and throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return. Arrivederci Italia!

Photo courtesy of Garyturner.

Happiness, Life lessons, Self care

Snapped!

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Stress

“Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?”

Excerpt from “Firework“ by Katy Perry

You know how sometimes you’ll read about a woman who’s snapped? She’s in the grocery store and flips out or she’s driving down the road and slams into a tree, all for no reason at all, or so it seems? I was that woman today. No, I didn’t hurt anyone and you won’t read about me in the news, but I did have a particularly stressful morning.

I take my boys to school every day. Their schools are relatively close to each other but not very close to my house and actually pretty far from my work. On this particular morning, my oldest wanted to get to school earlier than usual. If we’re in the car by 7:05 am, we can make it. We weren’t. For one thing, I reminded them that they needed to dump the trash and recycle. Why they’re unable to notice both of these items stacked up like ice cream cones is beyond me.

Anyway, after scrambling with breakfasts, lunches, and chores, we jump in the car and head to the highway. This morning, it was at a standstill. What to do? Take a chance and hope it clears up or go another route? I chose another route. Wrong. First, the lights are working against us, then a firetruck has to back into the firehouse, then traffic is so bad that I can’t access the street I need to get to the first school. Heading to the second school was almost as bad – there were literally two geese crossing Colorado Boulevard. What?!

At this point, I realized that I was really stressed. Unfortunately, realizing you’re stressed doesn’t mean you can do anything about it. In fact, it can actually add to your stress level because you’re now in flight or fight mode and ready to rumble. We all have these days. What to do when this happens? Just breathe. Take five deep breaths and realize tomorrow is another day. Oh, and try not to strangle anyone.

Photo courtesy of Sander van der Wel.