It Really IS TIME to Let It Go!

I must admit, there is something that pulls on my heart strings when I see that little old couple shuffling across the parking lot.  There always seems to be one of the two who appears stronger...moves easier...and patiently lends a hand to help the weaker one. 

They have weathered the ups and downs of life...together.  These couples come from an era where you didn't throw things away...you fixed them.  Divorce was not an option.  Marriages were not started with a mindset of staying married until things got tough...and then throwing in the towel and starting all over. 

I have been fortunate enough to get to know and engage in conversations with couples who have been together for almost as long (and in many cases longer) than I have been alive.  I am always wanting to know how they have stayed together so long.  I ask them "what is the secret".  Maybe in some way, I'm hoping I will hear something new.  Something that gives me (once and for all) that coveted key to the illusive happily ever after. 

Some of the initial answers I receive are really cute.  "I just turn my hearing aide off when she starts nagging" or "I let him think he is always right"...and we chuckle for a bit. Once they realize that I REALLY want to know...the answers start flowing: Forgiveness and Kindness, Respect and Patience, Trust and Compromise, Commitment and Tolerance.  No one can deny that there were times when things got tough.  But they hung in there...and seeing them disappear...along with their influence...saddens me greatly.

Our once UNITED country could stand to take notice of the secret to a long and happy relationship before it is gone.  A house divided will soon fall. We are airing our dirty laundry to the world...and our enemies are using this divisiveness against us.  Our politicians are no longer interested in governing...but are hell bent on destroying each other and showboating to advance their own interests.  We are no longer "represented"...we are simply pawns in the game of "I win...you lose"...and it sickens me!  ISIS is getting stronger daily, Russia is flying bombers closer to our shores, our allies are shaking their heads in disbelief and we are becoming the "cartoon empire" to the rest of the world. 

To me...the idea that all Democrats are lazy liberal socialists and all Republicans are conservative self absorbed jerks...makes as much sense as saying all women are sluts, all men are playboys, and all kids are brats!

The standoff and the hate must stop!  LET IT GO! It's time to take a long hard look at the fact that WE as AMERICANS have to get back to the basics of what makes for a long and successful relationship.  After all...we ARE in this country TOGETHER!

When We Have to Say Goodbye...

Shed a tear if we must...but let's not wear our lost love on an already heavy heart.  Instead, choose to celebrate the joy that we shared...and the bond that finally understood it's respective limitations.  

Together...we knew a trust...only as deep as our fears and insecurities could carry us. 
We tried...and when things didn't make sense, we decided to share at least the best of what we had. 
Sometimes we can pull out all of the stops...and it's still not enough.  We know...we've always known...and we always will.  There is a hero responsible for one side of any defeat.  We have each won some battles...but together...we weren't strong enough...to win the war.   

Our paths will cross again one day...where love is pure...and lasting.  Where there is no pain and suffering.  We will emerge in a special place...where love is finally enough.

The Journey Home





Wherever you go...make sure you know the way home

  

Destination of The Heart

I believe there comes a time

when it's fairly obvious...the questions

are much more important

than the answers

And I'm hopeful that widsom teaches us...it

is no longer about what or who we will find

but rather who we will become

I am confident

that there is a place where we

are sure to feel a sense of being home

Sometimes I even think I'm there...

But if by chance

I happen to take the long road

You must know...

It's nothing more than the scenic route.

For my journey is safely guarding the most loving heart...

till it becomes it's destination

          sj2012

The Debt I Will Always Owe...

Sometimes...you just want someone to take the lead...if only for a moment. Carry the weight...or even just help to share the load.  Walk in your shoes...take the load off...give you a day of no responsibility...And then it hit's you as the memories start to surface...they already have.  And with open arms. And you may not have even given it a second thought at the time...or much weight in the big scheme of things.  But people rise to the expectations of the people they care about and admire.  Don't they?  Or do they? 

Either way...I'm indebted to those who have guided me through the years...ever so softly with a gentle nudge...and even those who just said what's on their mind.  I've been truly blessed to be surrounded by those who care, even with ties that are complex and oh so intricate.  I feel the love...and sometimes the fear...and of course...the pride...and I think I am ok with that. 

So as I relax into the thought of being pampered...truly spoiled...and loved with every beat of a heart...I'm reminded...

And I mean that...

No Thanks Doc...Keep Your Pictures...Today Is Mine...

       There are many photos of life that you enjoy seeing. Memories that lay dormant in your mind like a stone...but come very much alive when you see the face or the place in the picture.

I was sent home from what I thought was a fairly routine screening procedure with 5 colored pictures...high resolution no less. After being sedated with "Milk Of Amnesia"...I supposedly woke up and spoke with the Doctor or nurse. I agreed to be in his office at 8:30 on Wednesday morning to swallow a camera pill. Oh boy! Why? What are we looking for here? Are these pictures I'm holding photo shop? What am I suppose to do with them?

And it starts...the Google Search. Trying to figure out what in the world they are looking for...and what is this thing in these pictures that looks like an ulcer?

So what if this is it? The bullet of The Big C? Have I dodged it long enough? It's a family thing you know...seems to be anyway.

If it's my turn...how will I react? I would hope to be one of those strong activist types...determined to fight and win my battle and the battle for all who suffer. But what if I fall coward to the fear of the unknown?

So for now, since I know absolutely nothing more than I did before my research...I think it's best to enjoy the day...have a blast with the people in my world...be thankful for the life within me and the love that surrounds me...even from a distance.

We never know. I don't think we have expiration dates. Either you believe that life is pre-destined...or you believe that we choose our fate. I could walk outside and have a tree fall or my head. The sky could fall...I may get hit by a Mac Truck...but either way, we are all going to be alive until we die...or that's what the odds say anyway. 

Today...I'm still here...the sun is shining...and it's time to go outside and play...

http://youtu.be/eq7DGPYzAvg

The Art of Giving

I've sometimes wondered if the gratification that one gets when they unselfishly give of themselves (or their resources) is really just a selfish act.

Is there an ulterior motive? An effort to win acceptance...or a desire to belong? Could there be a  manipulative angle deep within human generosity?  Is the act of kindness really done with a pure heart? 

Giving is much like loving...and it needs no explanation...some people just love to give.  Do you remember how happy you have felt when the card, the gift or the random act of kindness that you gave someone was met with a smile, or a hug?  You are floating when you know you made the right gift decision.


When I have experienced my most splendid moments...my most honest and open...my happiest...is when I have seen the stress in someone...give way to a more playful nature.  Life is then on even ground.  There are no titles or social armour as we see each other at our most honest and vulnerable. 


Is anyone a friend of One Million Acts of Kindness of Facebook?  This really cool Guy and his dog Bogart travel around to Universities all over the country sharing how we can positively affect the world with kindness.  They live in (and drive) a school bus painted with slogans of kindness and inspiration. 


While I'm not sure I'm the type of girl who would want to live on a school bus...I feel I have a purpose in life that has not yet been revealed to me.  It has much to do with giving, but how is one to know what their destiny really is?  Can't see myself in Kenya helping an orphanage, although I sincerely admire those who do.

So I am sure I will be enticed once again to "ponder" all of this over my morning coffee,

Maybe it would be wise for me to just listen.  I have an unfamiliar but wonderful feeling inside.  The story of what I am to do with my life...is about to be unveiled...

And I don't want to miss a thing...

What Do YOU Think?

I think I've always been someone who ponders things more than others.   I can be extremely introspective...or at least I've pondered that thought a time or two.  Or maybe even the third time...if it was necessary...of course. :)

It's been said that a newborn will die without human touch.  This is why they are held and coddled in the nursery...not just fed and left alone.

I heard an elderly woman in the nail salon say "I'm a widow and my family lives so far away...If I didn't get my hair done once a week and my nails done...I wouldn't have any human touch whatsoever."

We all chuckled with her, but it was sad to realize the truth in her statement.  What happens to the spirit of an adult with no human touch?  

I've always been a hugger...I just love a hug!  It seems innocent enough and not extremely intrusive.  May be it's a Southern thing.   I can't very well go up and hug every stranger I meet...as they would surely think I'm loony.  But I do manage to get my much needed hug in every now and then.   

So if I'm going to ponder the effects of human touch...my mind naturally wanders to "The Kiss".  It's much easier to sneak a hug...than it is to go around with puckered lips...ready to kiss the world.

In my years of being single...of course I have the mental "checklist" of things that are important to me in a significant other.  Close to the very top of the list is GREAT KISSER.  It doesn't matter what other attributes they have...if they aren't a good kisser...I'm not sticking around.

The eyes are said to be the windows of the soul...and for me...the lips hold the story of the heart.   The kiss conveys the story of our heart and soul.

So next time you kiss someone...whether it be a parent...a sibling...a child...or a significant other...take notice.

After all...it's a conversation between the heart and soul that you may not want to miss...