Choose Wisely

This morning I had an opportunity to choose how I would react to a situation that annoyed me. I believe I could have chosen even better, but am glad that I didn't choose worse. I hope that when life's little curve balls come flying at you, you'll choose wisely. Remember, if you can (I'm still working at this) that most people are doing the best they can with what they have in the moment and none of us know all the undisclosed contributing factors to any scenario. If we keep in our hearts pure intentions, we might keep those little lights shining brightly.

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll endeavor for something light next week. <3 P

Reset!

Some days almost slip away before we feel we're "ready." Today is like that, but it's ok. Today, instead of getting totally caught up in all the woulds, coulds and shoulds, I took some time to "reset"--I realize i can't do everything i'd like in the time i have today, so i did a few of the things i needed to and a few that i wanted to do. Tomorrow is a fresh start with new goals and it is full of opportunity. Embrace the power to choose your next action and live peacefully with the results. Get some rest, re-set, and have a great day.

"Happy"

Today's reflection is on what makes us happy and the challenge, what we do to help others feel happy.

There's so much I could say I keep changing the anecdotes and the bullet points! I'm going to offer a partial list as a prompt and let each of you, dear readers, fill in with your own. Maybe soon i'll talk in more detail about some of the many things that make me happy.

Nature: sunshine, rainbows, local (or exotic) flora & fauna; water
People: Smiles, Friendship, "FUN"
Goals Achieved/"Success" (personally defined each occasion)

Experiences involving multiple senses
Challenges/Opportunities to Grow (personally, professionally)

Others?

Mid-day Musings: "FUN"

Reflection can be good. So, sometimes, is simple, joyful FUN. Today I invite you to think about those things that make your heart light. If you could change your appearance, your persona, or anything else, just for a little while (say, for a masquerade party) who might you become? What might you say or do?

Now...is this character really part of you? Is this someone with whom you'd like to be more in touch? What is it that makes you happy? Free? Light-hearted, filled with glee? Can you reach it, hold it, share it?

Name it, and make it so. Have FUN today and every day.

Happy Birthday!

Whether it's your "real" birthday (it is for at least two people I know as I write this) or not, take a minute to think about how you feel on that special day. Do you feel loved, important, celebrated? Do you recognize in yourself those amazing combinations of qualities that make you, YOU? Do you take the opportunity to refresh yourself, refocus, and articulate what happens next? Do you take charge of the events of the day? If yes, then YAY! If not, why?

Each and every day can be a new birthday. Each day the sun comes up, we wake up, and we start making choices about how we will spend our resources (our time, our money, our energy...). Celebrate yourself and your new beginning today and every day. Why limit yourself to just a few hours of feeling special? Hopefully you know that you are...so carry that warm happy feeling with you all year. It's bound to do you or someone you meet some good.

The party's ready to start, and you're the guest of honor. Happy Birthday!

Welcome!

If you have ever been to my home, you know that you are loved...I seek ways to make people comfortable. If you have ever been to my home, you also know why i am reluctant to invite others into the space. You see, my standards for myself are so high, I don't always meet them (have I ever, I wonder?), and I'm too proud most times to let people see those areas of my life where I feel that I fall short. I spent my early years aspiring to "perfection" rather than "excellence." In doing so, I set myself up for cycles of disappointment and missed out on valuable time with others. Several years ago I read  Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver and it had a profound impact on my perceptions of service, hospitality, and fellowship.Although I still struggle with pride and projection, I hope that I am allowing myself to be more open  to positive interactions with others and that they are seeing more love and less stress. This I hope for you, too.

For those not familiar, there is an old story about two sisters who were preparing for a visit from a very special person. The one sister, Martha, with whom i often most readily identify, was busying herself with all the details of the household--cleaning, cooking, making the place "presentable." The other sister, Mary, whom I now try to emulate more regularly, was so excited to see her guests that she ran out to greet them (and presumably, offer a big hug and a hi, how are ya?). Both these women had very loving, giving hearts, but their focus varied greatly. One's strengths were in logistics and the other's were in interpersonal communication. Both are critical skill sets, yet we need to find a balance. It is important to be prepared to welcome people, but it is also important not to be so worried about what they might see that isn't "perfect" that we forget to help them truly feel welcome.

I offer this to all of you as we progress toward a season of gatherings so that you might remember to enjoy your time with each other more and concentrate less on what the space looks like.I offer this to myself as a reminder today that my purpose this weekend is to value my friendships, not stress about the state of my space (even if it does require more attention). Time is a limited resource, and whatever time we have here should be spent in loving interaction, not obsessive worry about other's perceptions, or even our own.

May today and all your future days be bright ones! ~pma