What if Every Day were "Happy Birthday!"?

     What if every day were happy birthday? Each day is a gift...what will we do with it? As I close out another year and eagerly start a new one, I am reminded of the wonderful people, opportunities, and experiences that fill my time. In a few hours I could qualify as two voting adults, three aspiring writers encouraged by their middle school teachers, our four beginning band instrumentalists. Of course the possibilities are endless...but those were the first three that came to mind because they were indeed milestones in my life (and fun numerically).
     I'm eschewing the cake this year, but the party is just getting started. There are many things i started years ago i wish to resume or complete, and there are many things i have to date perhaps not yet even fully dreamed. I look forward to all that awaits me, and invite you along for part of the journey. I encourage you to think about what you'll celebrate and grow, and hope that you'll be blessed with a positive moment to graciously accept even those "gifts" that aren't at the top of your wishlist (I can attest sometimes this is hard, but oh so important).
     I'm starting a new tradition--for my birthday, I'm sending a check to my local orchestra to celebrate one of the most enduring gifts I ever received, the language of music. This is my grown-up gift to myself and my community so that others may enjoy it as much as I do.I'm committing to making it to a concert this year!
     I'm also learning how to ask for things on behalf of others. For those of you inclined to consider giving, I ask that you choose a cause close to your heart. Rather than wait till i die and throw some money at some flowers that'll make me sneeze beyond the grave, celebrate everyone's LIFE by connecting where you can. Give of yourselves, whatever you can--your time, skill or talent, money, other resources...and if you really need some starter ideas, here are just a few i find meaningful and far-reaching:

*Literacy programs, including any age and/or public libraries
*The arts, for ALL: music/theater/dance/museums/visual, auditory, tactile, mult-isensory...
*Hunger awareness and relief--your local food pantry or meals on wheels
*Disaster preparedness and recovery--learn to be "ready" and how you can help
*Social supports, like peer mentoring and pal programs
*Animal welfare--visit, adopt, spay/neuter, prevent cruelty
*Relay for Life--everyone knows someone with cancer.

Happy Birthday! Now get out there and celebrate. Have a bright year!

My One Word

     I've been reading about the One Word movement and have decided to participate. For a while now i've been reflecting on a number of words and ideas, but one in particular seems to keep returning to me. This word, for me, unifies a skill set, longtime passion, current and future goals, and a path of new opportunities through sharing with others. Over the course of the year, I'll share my journey with you.

My one word for 2013 is write.

Happy New Year!

In five months, I will be participating in my first Relay for Life. I've been thinking and talking about it for years, and this year i'm actually going to do it! I'm really excited, but I know it takes work to prepare, and i want to maximize my time to share my goals and collect donations for the cause. I'll be posting periodic updates and occasional reminders of opportunities to participate and ways to help. I'm even dreaming up some special thank you incentives! Feel free to let me know what you think about these. Please contact me if you're willing and able to help in any way.

Birthday Bonus! : My birthday is next week, but i certainly don't need a cake. I can bake you one, or a pan of brownies or a couple dozen oatmeal cookies if you choose, to thank you for making a donation during my birthday month.

Happy Heart Cinnamon Ornaments for February Friends!

March on into Spring and get a special thank you in an Easter Egg.

Showers of (virtual or paper) Flowers: Hope Springs Eternal for those blessed enough to celebrate another healthy day. Thanks and inspiring thoughts to brighten your days in April and May.

on June 1st, I will snail-mail a personal, hand-written thank you note if you haven't already been acknowledged. The Relay in Cortland, NY is the 7-8th.

I'm still working on what my special thank you prize will be for biggest financial donor and for most info shared. I'm really thinking I would like you to have one of my friend Kelvin's Intensely Positive pens.

While we think about it...stay happy, healthy, connected, committed to do what you can with what you have where you are, and have some really bright days. Thanks! ~Pam A.

Trade a Tradition!

     When I was younger, I delighted in the sanctioned snack food binge-fest that occurred at our house on New Year's Eve. Sometimes we would manage to stay awake long enough to watch the famous ball drop in New York City's Time Square on the television; sometimes we would not. For me, it was all about the cheese and the smoked miniature sausages! I loved drowning them in barbecue sauce and counting how many I could eat until my stomach said, "no more!" As I got older, though, I did not enjoy what my body felt like afterward. It had nothing to do with alcohol or even staying up too late--i rarely included those factors in the experience--this was about learning that no matter how much i might like something, it might not be good for me. Sometimes one reaches a point where headaches and stomachaches just aren't worth it anymore!  
  
     This year I have decided to trade my "binge" tradition with a bit of a "detox" approach.

     Tonight i'll trade the cheese for some teas; those famous wienies for some spinach (which i really like and haven't had in ages!), and any sugary soda for a relaxing lavender foot soak. I really think that slowing down tonight, relaxing a little, and being mindful of my present situation and future goals will be just what i need to rocket in to next year with health, happiness, and the heart to do all that's in store for me to do. Today i'm also taking time to secure and send some goody boxes that have been waiting to be mailed, return some deposit containers, and start some new secret envelopes. See, the energy's flowing better already!

       Eat, drink and be merry safely. Have a bright day and a wonderful new year!

Love on Long Island, NY

Greetings from Ithaca! For the past two weeks, i was blessed to be part of a group of volunteers who gave their time and talents to help in shelters on Long Island. While the hours were long and the frustrations sometimes evident, the overall sense of the adventure was one of love and respect for community. We met so many people affected by Hurricane Sandy who wanted to help their neighbors and were truly appreciative  of the efforts of others...it was very humbling and inspiring. It saddens me to think it takes a disaster of this magnitude to bring people back together, but it is a joyous thing to see people indeed coming together to help one another. I hope that in the days and weeks ahead through the recovery process folks continue to show kindness and gentleness to each other. We can make the world a brighter place, one smile or cup of coffee at a time. I will not forget the people i met, and wish them peace and comfort through the tough days ahead. I look forward to reuniting under more favorable conditions and celebrating their new outlook. I urge each of you to do what you can with what you have where you are. If you are able to give of your time, money or supplies, there are people near you who could benefit. Don't wait for a disaster to show you care.

Carrots as Metaphor?

Carrots are good for us. They contain things to keep us healthy and strong. Sometimes they are perceived as a reward for effort. I like carrots. Yet, i must confess, there have been times i have refused carrots because the raw ones do require a lot of effort to consume. Sometimes it seems like they take forever to chew, and i actually get tired before i finish the process! In this introduction, I'm talking about actual carrots, but i challenge you to ask yourself, as i asked myself this morning, have you ever avoided a metaphorical "carrot" (decision, project, relationship, etc.) because it seemed like it might require "too much work?" (guilty as charged over here). Have you ever considered what outcomes might be missed by not being willing to put in that effort? With a couple months left this year, take some time to consider and pursue some carrots. You'll be glad you did, and you might even be surprised by how good they make you feel. Have a bright week!

I'm Still Writing...

...I just haven't been building in enough time to post! Please, do stay tuned for updates this week and next...great things are happening in my professional and personal growth that might just inspire you to press on with your journey of ever-increasing excellence. Until then, stay reasonably healthy in mind, body and soul, and if you're so inclined, choose one of your special gifts or talents to share. The world needs your bright moments each and every day.