Dare to be you

That is the hardest assignment we will ever have. No tests in school, no reviews, and no study hall can ever prepare us to accept this assignment. We also have to appreciate that we are going to fail when we get side-tracked and let our attentions be swayed by others' thoughts and/or actions. You will find great success in simply being you. I have never really had the courage before now to be me. I mean, really allowed my heart to soar and let it guide me. I think I was afraid that others wouldn't like me and I wanted to be accepted. But when I stopped caring about what others think (to an extent), I also in turn shut them all out. Sometimes being us is all we know...it is what makes us unique and special. I have a co-worker who is nervous about doing something new and letting others see her for the beautiful woman she is inside. She anticipates the worst scenario and is holding on to that bar on the rollercoaster with both hands, white-knuckles, and probably half-leaning over the side, just in case she needs to be sick. We all feel like that from time to time, but I need help her see that she can still have control over how she interacts with those around her. She can control her thoughts. I know I was not someone who took a lot of risks and still don't. I don't like the way it makes me feel. But I have learned to not be so afraid of things anymore. Part of being you means allowing others in and exploring what your life could be. It means that people will gravitate to you because of what they see and know about you, not because of what they guess about you. You will experience joy like never before, even if you can't explain why. I was NEVER vulnerable in front of others and kept it all bottled up inside. Now, I can cry at three words just said, and I have broken down in front of others, not caring that I did so. We all deserve you...all of you...and that is the gift you were blessed to give the rest of us. When you tell yourself, "I can't do that" - ask yourself, "Why not?", Who says you can't? Why can't you? Don't sell yourself short before you have had a chance to sell it to TO yourself. Dare to be you...it is all you ever need and is an easier assignment than you think. You cannot fail at something you were born to do. Don't let fear dictate who I see in you...dare to be you.

Bless the day

I was thinking about this yesterday morning as I was on the elliptical at 5am, and I needed to remember to write everything that needed to go along with it.

Bless the day with your grace as your unselfishness becomes your goal.
Bless the day with your smile as it truly warms my soul.
Bless the day with your strength as it encourages others to do the same.
Bless the day with your passion as we love to see you bloom.
Bless the day with your laughter as sharing it is the most fun.
Bless the day with your knowledge as learning never goes out of style.
Bless the day with your forgiveness as it shows courage.
Bless the day with your tears as vulnerable as it makes you.
Bless the day with your attitude as it will become contagious.
Bless the day with your bloom as it inspires others to shine.
Bless the day with you...as I am truly blessed.

Where I live

This is something that has been repeatedly coming to me over the last couple of days...remember where I live. Perhaps it is because of something that I have to tell myself when I question it all. When I doubt. When I wonder. When I am hurt. So here is what I came up with...

When you don't see my smile, remember where I live.
When we don't spend time together like we used to, remember where I live.
When you question if it means anything, remember where I live.
When you are hurt because of words said, remember where I live.
When I'm not physically there, remember where I live.
When you want to run, remember where I live.
When you can't say what you need to, remember where I live.
When you forget who you are to me, remember where I live.
When your laugh isn't shared, remember where I live.
When distance keeps us apart, remember where I live.
When the "yesterdays" don't seem to be our "todays", remember where I live.
When you are not sure how to approach the day, remember where I live.
When the good, the bad, and the ugly come to you, remember where I live.
When you have something exciting to share, remember where I live.
When you can't do all that you want to, remember where I live.
When all you have to do is ask, remember where I live.
When something is troubling you, remember where I live.
When I can't take your call, remember where I live.
When you wonder what I am doing today, remember where I live.
When you need me, remember where I live.
When you miss me, remember where I live.

Yes, I want you to remember. I want you to remember so that you never forget it, but not just for you...for me, too. All of the "you's" and "I's" can be switched when we change places. And I tell myself every day that I need to remember where you live.

Stop...look...listen...

I was completing my morning ritual today and I was reminded of something that we do, we teach our children to do, and came up with the title for this post. This comes when we are teaching our kids how to safely cross the street to avoid being hit by a car. But, then I started thinking how that can be applied to life. We are so busy running errands, transporting kids to and from everywhere, making dinner, working, cleaning the house, etc, that we don't do any of these things very well, if at all. But what happens when we take the time to Stop...Look...Listen. We get a chance to regroup and be calm. We get to see those things we have forgotten about and maybe needed a new perspective on. We hear those tiny whispers that are prodding at us, hoping we are paying attention. Do you take that time? Why not? Those things that want our focus, will come into focus at some time or another. Sometimes, those times come when it is not convenient or hits us so hard, we feel like we are spinning around on a merry-go-round. We cannot live being on auto-pilot. Not forever, anyway. Really evaluate what you want, what you can change, who can help you, and be patient. Baby steps still gets us in a different place than where we started. Going for it takes a bit more courage as those are giant leaps. Either way, you will be somewhere different and that will teach you something. Stop...just for a moment every day. Breathe. Slowly concentrate on what is telling you something that you cannot explain. Look...at things in a different perspective. Really see them. View life and the people that share their lives with you as a blessing. Listen...to your heart. You will not be able to decipher it. It will be something you MUST trust. Once you have done all three consistently, then you will be in a place where you cannot return to your old life. You have seen more...you will want more...you will become enthusiatic about possibility...you will be who you were meant to be. It will be as simple as turning on a light swith that can never be reversed. NEVER. On occassion, people, places, and events will do that to you as well. You cannot go back. Allow yourself the time to be YOU. Stop...look...listen...

Outside the box

How many of us are living inside their comfort zone aka their "box"? How many times have we heard the phrase, "Go outside the box!" Even a fast food restaurant has used a slight spin of that phrase in one of its marketing campaigns. I know that staying inside the box, the vault, the cocoon, (etc) is safe - believe me, I have lived it most of my life. But what happens, if you step outside of the box? Even just baby steps can help the box get bigger or even change the shape of the box. The entire concept of the "box" is different for everyone. Maybe not everyone has a "box-shaped" box; maybe my box is bigger than your box; maybe its the other way around. We all have one - that is where it ties us all together. Some people like (maybe love?) skiing down a mountain after they have been lifted to that site by a helicopter. That is not for me, but for those people that is totally inside their box. I was visiting with a friend a little yesterday that I do not know very well. We have always chatted and enjoyed seeing each other whenever that happened, but never really made it an event until now (we are having lunch in April). I am living outside my original box, but my willingness to keep going outside my box makes my box bigger. Or maybe it just changes shapes. In talking to people, I notice how afraid we are of trusting others and therefore allowing people to see our true selves. Been there, done that. Not to say that I ever was dishonest about who I was, but was selective as to what people got to see of me. In talking with my friend yesterday, she said some very nice things about the way I make her feel when I see her. I did not realize that my continuing to go outside my box made her feel that way. I am just being me and letting more of the world see me, for who I am. My running with Rocky started with the most difficult question I have ever been asked, and it was asked by someone I had know about a month. She asks questions all the time now, so I am a little leary now.She asked, "WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU COULD CHANGE ABOUT YOUR LIFE?" Exactly. Do you know where I am going with this? This is your question for the weekend...if you want to change something in your life, you have to admit that you want something different. Just wanting something different doesn't mean that it will happen, unless you do something different. Be brave today and go outside your box - even once, even if no one else notices. Journal what happened and look back it over the weekend. Find something else next week to expand your box - make it change shapes, do whatever needs to be done. Life is more fun when you understand that the size and shape of your box is limitless. But you have to be willing to go there.

Get real!

A few days ago, I mentioned that I was feeling a little lost. Although, I no longer seem to be stuck at the truck stop today, I have started moving, although I am still unsure of where I am headed. In recent days, I have put the wall up that I have spent 40+ years perfecting but I know it's purpose very well. It's cause is not something specific, but I know when I put the wall up, it is because I create questions, then have doubt, then get scared and finally, want to retreat. It is a defense mechanism to protect me so that I feel like I have control of what is around me. This morning, I could not sleep and was up at 3am. The wall came crashing down with tears. My brain keeps trying to tell my heart what to do because that is the way the heirarchy has worked for me up until about 10 months ago. Every now and then, the brain tries to rule the heart and that is a huge mistake, when I let it win. When I let my heart rule, I am finally real. Good, bad, and ugly and everthing in between. I am accepting of what "Get Real" means after years of not saying it; although it was a popular term when I was growing up. A friend told me she would rather see tears in my eyes than the wall. Whatever tasks come your way, whoever you pass today, remember to "Be Real!"