When is "enough" truly "ENOUGH"? - the Habit of MORE........

     I don't think I'm the only one who notices, but during this time of year EVERYTHING seems to be OVER THE TOP....Decorations, Spending, Wish Lists, Sales, Sales and even BETTER Sales....Rushing around, Just one more thing....
                                                  ...... it's everywhere....and it's LOUD. 
     I don't mean the Noise, necessarily, but LOUD. CHAOS... like, it hurts my head loud.   Hustle and Bustle is an understatement.  Many seem to be so focused on finding that "perfect gift", buying way too many items or searching for the Perfect Outfit for the Party...that they forget to stop and take a look around.

     What is everyone REALLY searching for, anyway?  I know it can't be the sweater that won't fit this time next year, or the new video game which will need replacing in a few months because a newer, better version will be out.  Is it the purse or jeans or perfume you just simply must have?  No.
I don't think it is.

     What I THINK everyone is searching for is that sense of contentment. The sense of belonging. Of feeling needed or wanted.  We are creatures of habit.  We all have Traditions, many even were born out of favorite memories from our childhood.

     Have you ever TRULY stopped in the middle of a crowded store, or mall this time of year and just watched?  WATCHED? Observed.  Read the faces of the other shoppers.  I bet you'll find many of  what I did recently:

1.     The shopper with their arms so full it's clear they had amazing luck finding the perfect gift....or did they?
2.     The shopper with one very small jewelry bag, and a smile in hopes the treasures they are about to share make someone a bit more "blingy"
3.     The kids dragging along behind the grownup still in search of that perfect gift, and the visit with Santa behind them all.


This time of year EVERYONE struggles with SOMETHING.  Be certain to have more patience, more smiles, more generosity, more understanding.

These little things are much bigger than any present you can wrap.

Old Tool Sheds - New Perspectives

My oh my, I just realized it has been since September when I last posted....on the site, anyway...In my MIND, I've posted quite a few times.... Wish I could get wireless syncing between the brain and the computer...wouldn't THAT be something.!

So much has happened since my last post.  Much of it, quite stressful, heartbreaking and challenging.. However, those who know me well enough, also will quickly realize, that while I've been in the trenches, It's there that I find the most strength to fight back and return with a vengeance. Perhaps not the trait I'll put on my next resume, but a trait which I was taught growing up and has served me well, especially in light of recent events. It's the traits I learned as a child, which carry me through my days.

Growing up, I was the youngest of 6 kids, raised by Grandparents from the time I was 5. While sad in ways of not knowing my Mom (she was killed in an auto accident); I think I also got the best of both worlds.  My Grandparents, 50 and 63 years my elder, were raised during the depression...when the word "recycled" wasn't a cool eco-status word, but a necessity of life. I spent my life wearing "re-made" hand me down clothing.  Can't remember ever shopping for new clothing.  My Gram usually just refashioned my sisters clothing, or fabric, whatever she had on hand, into a new item for me.  

She cooked that way, too.   It was from her that I learned to look in a pantry, see what was available, and somehow, creatively, make something not only edible, but of substance and would feed many.
Odd combinations. Sometimes pretty nasty.  But, food. And to date, I can still do the same...although I do strive to make it edible...and yes, there are still things I cannot even begin to stomach...ie. Hamburger Helper...with tunafish....hot......aarrrgghhhhh.....

My Pop, was the ULTIMATE  "recycler".  He would put many of todays recycling -gurus to shame. Not only did he not know HOW to waste anything, he knew how to MAKE just about anything from the stuff he had in his work shed.

Ahh. The work shed.  This is the place I refer to as the Holy Grail of the backyard.
It was just a tin metal storage shed.
Nothing fancy. 
But, a wonderland of metal, scraps, tools, trinkets, screws, nails, saws, sawdust....
The smell of old oils, lubricants, dirt...
The smell of creativity just lingering....waiting to be had.

It's here that my Pop engaged my love for power tools, crafting, wood and metal.  It was HERE that my Pop would disappear for hours on end..to his peaceful spot.  A cup of coffee, an open tool shed and Pop sitting under the Grapefruit tree, enjoying the peace.

I was privileged to share a lot of his precious peace with him under that tree and in that tool shed.

Between the two of them, I was well educated in the finer arts of making something from nothing.

A trait which has served me well throughout life. 

Tough growing up that way? Yes. Not exactly the "dream".. Would I trade it? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

Growing up where and how I did provided me strength as an adult I would otherwise not have. Strength which has brought me through so much as an adult, especially over the most recent 5 years most especially the past 7 months of the year.

Does anyone wish for hard times. Heavens NO..  Do I cherish the lessons it taught me.
ABSOLUTELY.

So, for now.  During these hard times, I reflect on Pop. I take comfort in smelling old tools...hardware stores... gathering strength from lessons learned.

I know Pop would be proud.
And TODAY, that's enough to keep me going.

Dancing in the puddles

Not sweating the small stuff...or as I refer to it......trying to stay dry during the Monsoons.

In Arizona,  we are known for having a "dry heat" during the summer.  Nevermind that the dry heat comes with a heat index exceeding even the coldest day on Saturn, but its dry. 

Really. YOU never stay dry because the body's internal temperature Is fighting not to spontaneously implode,  but it's Dry heat. No humidity. 

Then, the monsoon season hits. Ahhh. Yes. Monsoons.  Lightening,  thunderstorms,  temperatures dropping 20 degrees in the matter of 15 minutes.  Cool breezes.  Monsoons don't normally last long. Sometimes,  they pull an all-nighter, but mostly,  they appear, make a statement and carry on to a new destination.

The amazing smell of the blossoming dessert around.   And for that short burst, no humidity.

In that short burst, everything is refreshed and renewed. 

In that short burst, even the darkest of clouds dissipate rapidly.

Life lately seems like a series of Monsoons.  It gets loud and roars its ugly head, making certain we know the weakness within. And then, just as quickly as it storms,  calmness restores.

And through the storms we find support and shelter.

We find friends who provide shelter for broken hearts , provide laughter and unconditional kindness.   Broken spirits find renewed strength through the eyes of one caring soul. 

What matters is not HOW we weather the storm....it's that WE WEATHER THE STORM.....PERIOD.

That we look to the end of the storm is see the renewed spirits the renewed strength that grow around us and in us.

That we cultivate the blossoming relationships around us.

And most importantly that we don't hide from the storm but the we embrace it as a positive growth.

To take time to stop, smell the rain and dance in the puddles.

New Year, New Resolutions to break...err...um....start....

I'm certain you are aware that January is the #1 grossing month for Weight Loss product sales and services. 

It's no surprise.

After all, we begin around October, with cooler weather, less skin showing, more parties to go to, events to attend, less time at the gym and far less attention paid to what we put in our mouths.

Nope. Counting calories from about October through the first week in January is relatively non-existent.

What we DO tend to notice, however, is the moods of others become, for the most part, a bit more generous during these months. Many take the time out to spend extra moments making memories with family and friends.  Others, take this time to purchase extravagant items which they cannot "justify" during the other months of the year.  Some, even take vacations to "get away".

We are a nation of not just plenty, but TOO MUCH.  Too many gadgets, inanimate objects that go by the wayside too quickly. Too many parties, too much food, too many 'THINGS'....

And, for some, this lifestyle has become their "new Norm".

However, for everyone that you see celebrating, there are just as many, if not more, whom are struggling just to get dinner on the table. Struggling to keep their sanity, their jobs, their homes, their sense of "normalcy".

Mothers forcing smiles on their faces, assuring their kids that life is wonderful. Making the best out of what they have.

Spouses, siblings and friends facing life-threatening all-encompassing illnesses, and still, somehow, they find the strength to smile and the celebrate the silver linings.

It's during these "real moments" that we find our strengths as well as weaknesses. We find how broad our shoulders get when a friend or family is down, we find how strong our spirits are when faced with adversity and we find how soft our hearts are when faced with pain  and loss.

The key to balance, however, comes when we STOP. STOP and LISTEN. To others. To ourselves. To our souls and our hearts. 

TRULY LISTEN.  In a quiet space. Uninterrupted. Through prayer, or meditation, or simple silence. We listen.  And we learn.  And all that is wrong, seems to become a bit more clearer.  For what is left unclear, simply doesn't matter.

January is a time to Cleanse and Purge.  We clean out old closets, garages and cabinets.  Donate what we can and throw out what we must.

We must make certain to do the same for our souls.

Get rid of the negative waste. Replace it with generosity.

Take time to smile at strangers. Let someone in front of you in line...even when  you are in a rush.

All we have is time. And each other.

Small acts of kindness are just the RIGHT THING TO DO.  You don't have to expect any reciprocal acts.  Just do it. Every opportunity you get.

This week, I have struggled keeping faith as doors have been not only shut, but quite frankly slammed in my face as I have been deeply involved in working a project.  You can imagine My heart was overwhelmed this week, when I reached out randomly for some advice. To my surprise, and joy, I was met in the face of this adversity, with the most loving, generous and amazing response from someone I would never have imagined.  

There are amazing people in this world.

Find them. And lose the dead weight keeping you from making a difference for others.


Pave the way for others to follow your lead.