Important Message!

I have to suspend the Daily Pearl for the rest of this week (at least). I am very sick and need to take time to heal myself. Thank you.

Knowing When It's You

Up to a point a man's life is shaped by environment, heredity, and movements and changes in the world about him. Then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes to be. Only the weak blame parents, their race, their times, lack of good fortune, or the quirks of fate. Everyone has it within his power to say, "This I am today; that I will be tomorrow."

~Louis L'Amour

Knowing When It's You

It's easy to point the finger at everyone else. Who "isn't" treating you right? Who is spending more time with someone else? Who gets more attention? Who can't do anything wrong? Who appears to be the "favorite"? While you are busy complaining, have you ever stopped to think that maybe it's your attitude and not everyone else that's the issue? More often then not, when we point the finger at another person the cause of the problem is usually ourselves. Yes this concept is hard to swallow but it's the harsh truth. The reality is that you create your surroundings, no one else. If people are not treating you right, are you treating them right? If people seem to always be complaining around you, are you the ringleader of the complaints? If everyone seems to be "against" you, do you ever say a kind word to others without a hidden agenda behind it?

Life comes with ups and downs and our character is what either shines through with warmth or throws daggers at the situation. It's time to stop pointing at everyone else and start looking right in the mirror to change your attitude and thus change your life for the better.

Advice

Some people

like my advice

so much

that they frame

it upon the wall

instead of using it.

~Gordon R. Dickson

Advice

We sure know a lot and usually want to pass along our knowledge to anyone that will listen! From knowing what's the best wine to serve the dessert with to knowing how to make the best pancakes. Although we think we are helping a situation, sometimes we need to take step back and assess whether our advice is really just that or us wanting to control a situation to our satisfaction. We usually know when our advice is solicited or not. We just need to judge better when to step in and when to just let a situation be. Before we espouse our words of wisdom upon others, let's turn them upon ourselves. The best thing we can do is to listen to your own advice and let that guide us throughout our day before we go ahead and tell others how to they ought to be!

Frustration

Everything is funny as long as it is happening to somebody else.

~Will Rogers

Frustration

When life throws a blizzard our way, sometimes the only thing we can do is embrace it! We all know that life happens when we are busy making our own plans. It can throw us all for a loop but the more we can learn to just go with the flow, the more we will enjoy what the day brings instead of pushing against it. We can't control the weather, or other things that happen in our day but we can control our attitudes, what we say and how we behave despite the circumstances that are surrounding us. So go ahead and make the best of today!

Merry

Here's to a long life and a merry one

A quick death and an easy one

A pretty girl and an honest one

A cold beer and another one!

~Author Unknown

Merry

What does it take to be merry? Is it a state of mind? A feeling? A thought? Does it take time and energy? Is it something that we need to concentrate on or does it just "happen" to us?

Being merry comes from deep within. It starts at our core and manifests itself in many different ways. Being joyful isn't forced or calculated. It is a natural way to be. Maybe things are not going completely in your favor lately. Maybe you didn't get the present you wanted. Maybe you didn't get to see a loved one for the holiday. Maybe you even ended up not being healthy for the family party. Although this can put a damper on how you feel, ultimately it can not take the merry out of you unless you let it. So remember to keep your head held high, your thoughts in a positive direction and know that when you are merry within, you truly are blessed!

Believing in "Santa"

Christmas is not as much

about opening our presents

as opening our hearts.

~Janice Maeditere

*Guest Blogger: my Santa & sister Colleen

(pictured to the right with her godson, Everett)

Believing in "Santa"

Have we all stopped believing in the premise that Santa Claus does not exist? Just because we are adults and have a better understanding of the concept does not mean he does not and cannot exist. Santa exists a little in each one of us. Don't stop being your own Santa to someone else and certainly don't stop believing in the idea of him. Take the time throughout the year to listen to those around you. Take mental notes of items asked for or pointed out to you (write them down if you need to). It's all about paying attention to the small stuff. Hear the needs of friends, family, co-workers and seek out those items for those that you love. The concept of Santa is giving gifts to those who have been good but the real idea of Santa is to give gifts from your heart. Santa does not need a gift in return. A whispered thank you and a renewed sense of faith in people would suffice!

Wishing you well this holiday season. May peace, love and joy find it's way to you. I know this year I have a renewed faith this holiday season.

Jolly

(two of my former students, Rob Blue & Danny Rock)

Wouldn't life be worth the living

Wouldn't dreams be coming true

If we kept the Christmas spirit

All the whole year through?

~Author Unknown

Jolly

In a world where there are many critics and naysayers, it can be hard to stay positive. Finding the joy and laughter should be easy, not difficult. If you constantly look for the negative in a situation, that's all you are ever going to see. If you decided to only look at the positive, then you have just opened your world far beyond what you can even imagine. Being jolly isn't just an action, it's also a state of mind. It's not difficult to train your brain to focus on the joy all around you. The faster you realize that you will live a much happier and fulfilling life by enjoying it, the more you actually will. You might just become a jolly old soul!

Relax

Sometimes a headache is all in your head. Relax.

~Hartman Jule

Relax

Today is a day to take some time and completely unwind! You can only run around so much before your body collapses and you certainly do not want that to happen. Relaxing is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Your body needs time to calm itself down in order to keep your immune system in top shape. Don't take your health for granted. See your body as the vessel to your soul that needs just as much attention as your career and social life. Let go of the guilt and embrace all the ways you can relax today. Make no apologies for taking some "you" time.

The Little Things

Enjoy the little things,

for one day you may look

back and realize

they were the big things.

~Robert Brault

The Little Things

How many times has someone given you something small but in gesture was more than you could grasp? How many times have you returned the favor? We are all busy but it doesn't take much to do something, say something or help someone is a small way that will brighten their day or even make it easier in some way. The little things we do for each other can make the biggest impact. During this season of giving and thinking larger than life, remember that the most precious gifts are usually the smallest in material but the largest in meaning.

Earth Angels

(Mama & me! She is one of my Angel's on Earth)

Be an angel to someone else whenever you can,

as a way of thanking God for the help

your angel has given you.

~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book

by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

Earth Angels

Have you ever met someone and thought that there is just something so soothing and loving about this person? They brighten up your day and make you smile from ear to ear. You feel so much better just by being around them, it's almost like a sigh of relief when you see them. Well my friend, this person is one of your Earth Angels.

People are in our lives for many different reasons but Earth Angels are the ones that help us focus on our own journey, keep faith in our skills and abilities as well as help us see the doors of opportunities when they arrive. They can be in the form of a family member, a friend or even a stranger that passes through rather quickly. They make us feel grounded and that we can take on the world. These people serve a real purpose in our lives. During this time of reflection, take a moment to see who around you fits this description and make sure you give them an extra special smile today!

Parties

(A special thank you to Sandy, Karen & Tess (above) for always being gracious hosts and knowing how to have fun!)

I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

~Nancie J. Carmody

Parties

The holiday season is prime time party time and in the next few weeks there is bound to be a party or two that you will be attending or even hosting. Parties are a fun way to help us connect to our friends and family. We always have the best intentions for parties but sometimes we let ourselves get too frazzled to really enjoy the wonderful company around us. Remember that parties are meant to be fun, not stressful. Take the time to truly enjoy yourself, the company around you and don't forget to have some good 'ole fun! You deserve it.

Travel

Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.

~Seneca

Travel

It's important to get away, even if only for a day or two. Traveling takes us away from our hectic schedules and makes us focus on ourselves. Traveling brings us a sense of adventure! If we did not travel, we would never experience new people, new cultures, new situations and new scenery. Traveling broadens our minds and thus also broadens our souls. Remember to carve some time out in your life and go explore someplace you have also wanted to go. What are you waiting for? The world beckons you to enjoy all of her beauty.

Let Loose

Wherever you go,

no matter what the weather,

always bring your own sunshine.

~Anthony J. D'Angelo,

The College Blue Book

Let Loose

It seems that the older we get, the more inhibited we become. Maybe it's because we don't want to seem foolish or maybe it's because we don't want to come across as immature but know this, everyone needs to let loose every once in a while. Whether it's putting on your favorite song and dancing around or roller skating around a park, it's time to bring some fun and spontaneity back into your daily life. What can you do today that will make you belly laugh or smile so wide that your face hurts? It's never to let to let loose and have some fun!

Adjustments

Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.

~Francesca Reigler

(picture from SCCC's annual Halloween Festival featuring the talented Wayne & Carol)

Adjustments

Every now and again we all need to make some adjustments in our life. When things aren't feeling quite right, when we start feeling out of sorts, it's time to assess what can you do to change or fix the situation. Everything is fixable, well most things anyway! Sometimes we just wait too long to take care of something and then it gets far worse for us to fix. What in your life needs some adjustments? What have you been waiting to take care of but keep putting it off? Take the time to readjust yourself and you're guaranteed to feel a whole lot better. It's also a good time also assess if some of the adjusting that may need to happen might just be our attitudes!

Emerging

(picture by Lisa Slomin)

You have freedom when you're easy in your harness.
~Robert Frost

Emerging
Have you ever wanted to just shed off your old skin, get rid of the past burdens you’ve been carrying around for too many years and finally be free? I bet the answer to that question is a resounding yes!

Are you aware that when you leave your house in the morning, you grab the necessary items you will need for that day but you also grab some other “things” you may not consciously be aware of like your past hurt, frustration and anger. You fling it over your shoulder just like you do your work bag strap! You greet the day with a your guard up and sometimes even expecting the worse. But what if we just changed our perspective slightly? What if you made decision to put the past down and just walked away? Can you imagine the sense of release you would feel? If your answer is yes, then what are you waiting for? Today make a conscious effort to put down the past and smooth out the chips that you have been carrying around on your shoulders. Today is the start of creating the life you were meant to live. Release yourself from guilt, past burdens, everyone elses expectations and just be who you are! Let your true self start to emerge and watch life open up in ways you could have never imagined.

Sleep

People who snore always fall asleep first.

~Author Unknown

Sleep

Sleep is the one of the most precious gifts we can give ourselves yet for some of us, it is one of those things we just can't seem to get enough of! Sleep does more than rest our soul, it gives our bodies the time it needs to heal, rejuvenate and build up immunity. Sleep is essential to living a healthy life. During this time of running around and going from holiday party to holiday party, remember to take care of yourself and get some sleep. Turn off the TV and cell phone and let your body get the true rest it needs and deserves to have a productive day!

Invent

The guy who invented

the first wheel was an idiot.

The guy who invented

the other three,

he was a genius.

~Sid Caesar

(pic by sister, Colleen)

Invent

Why go with the status quo? Isn't about time you branched out and took a risk? You are creative and it's time to embrace that side of you! Think about how you can add some newness into your life by reinventing your dreams and goals. Maybe you have been wanting to change direction in your career, add a hobby you have always wanted to learn more about or just change up your life by doing things differently. Now is the time! Invent something new for your life. Bring the spark back into your day and the passion back into your soul.

Repair

Prepare and prevent,

don't repair and repent.

~Author Unknown

(cousin Lucas repairing the

motorcycle at the Children's Museum)

Repair

Sometimes we have some loose ends in our life. Those items that need some attention and TLC but we keep ignoring them hoping they will just take care of themselves and miraculously get fixed! Hoping is all well and good but it's time to take action. What in our life needs more than a band aid? What needs your time and attention that when fixed, will give you peace of mind? Well then that's what you should be putting your attention to! Go ahead and give yourself the necessary time time and focus to that in your life which needs repairing.

(this Pearl is a little late because I was repairing some loose ends today!)

Quiet

Honk if you hate noise pollution.

~Author unknown, as seen on a bumper sticker

Quiet

Sometimes life can get way too loud. The radio, TV, phones, computers, texting, typing, watching, reading, discussing, yelling, crying, laughing, you name it ~ it's overwhelming! We are inundated by so much that we forget what it is like to just be quiet with ourselves and with our soul. Today take some time to turn off the distractions (which includes your cell phone) if only for 10 minutes. You might find it a bit difficult at first. It may even make you a bit nervous and uneasy but after a few minutes, you will find yourself starting to settle into the silence. When we quiet our brain and our environment, we can we truly connect with our spirit. Remember that your spirit is your guide and the more you can hear it, listen to it and let it illuminate your path, the more likely it is that you will feel centered and peaceful throughout your day. Quiet time is very important for our own personal growth. Try it today and you just might find that you will start carving out some quiet time each and every day. Remember, nothing is more precious than your own peace and quiet!

Old Habits

Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man,

but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.

~Mark Twain

Old Habits

During stressful situations or times, it is normal for us to slip back into our old habits. We call them old habits for the hope that they are in our past and will never be part of our present but sometimes they have a way of sneaking up on us. We thought we had them in control, locked away or even vanished them from our lives but they seem to have a way to creep back in once we get too relaxed. We can never promise ourselves that they are gone completely but what we can do is recognize them early when they arrive and do something about them sooner rather than later. During this time of year when it's easy for us to eat too much, drink too much and bring back some unhealthy habits, stop and recognize what you are doing. Don't hide it, don't pretend it's not there, look yourself right in the mirror and be honest. By letting yourself be that open, you can shatter and old habits for good. Stop beating up on yourself, just be honest and start choosing to live better today.

Decorate

Plant your own garden

and decorate your own soul,

instead of waiting for someone

to bring you flowers.

~Veronica A. Shoffstall,

"After a While," 1971

Decorate

It's that time of year where we all seem to decorate either our homes, offices or even our cars with flashing lights and lots of garland. The holiday season makes us want to create a festive and fun place to enjoy. This season though, maybe we can decorate more than just our physical spaces. Maybe we can take the time to decorate our lives as well. What has been missing in your life that you can now take the time to add in? What haven't you accomplished yet that you can finish? What have you been avoiding taking care of that would make your life more peaceful?

The time has come to concentrate on being just as creative with our lives as we are our living spaces. Your life should be a reflection of who you are, what you value and what is important to you. Decorating your life is more important than any other kind of decorating you can do this season. Before you put up the holiday ornaments this year, remember to first light up yourself from within.

Priorities

Nature gave men

two ends -one to sit on

and one to think with.

Ever since then

man's success or failure

has been dependent on

the one he used most.

~George R. Kirkpatrick

Priorities

We all have a list of things that are important to us. We try and accomplish or move closer to our goals every single day but this time of year can give us some great distractions. It's easy to get swept up into the chaos of the holiday season. Shopping can turn into a contact sport. The anger level goes up a notch and patience seems to go down. Drama starts to rear its ugly head into family matters and friendships. Here's the secret though, it doesn't have to! When you know what really matters most to you, anytime of year, that's where your focus goes. Knowing your priorities and making sure they stay at the forefront of your day will keep you energized, happy and focused. If a priority is to stay calm and peaceful, then you will. If your priority is spending time with loved ones, then you will. If your priority is to not stand on long lines at the stores, you will go online shopping! Whatever you choose, make sure your list stays close to your heart and that is how you remain productive, balanced and happy throughout your day.

Awareness

When in doubt,

wear red.

~Bill Blass

Awareness

It's easy to walk through life with blinders on. What we can't see can't hurt us, right? Well actually that's wrong! By us standing by and not doing anything about a situation and not acknowledging what's right before our eyes, we create a world full of heartache, despair and ignorance. Today is a day to realize that when others suffer, we we all feel pain. When others go hungry, we all starve. When others weep, we all cry. When others are silenced, so are we. Today is a day to stand together and know that by combining our resources, strength and courage, we can change the world for the better. Today is a day to remember that some things are worth fighting for.

(Today is World AIDS Day. Remembering those we have lost and honoring those who are continuously fighting the battle.)