Overwhelmed

I try to take one day at a time, 

but sometimes several days attack me at once.  

~Jennifer Yane

Overwhelmed
You've been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately.  It seems like there is a never ending pile of things to do.  As each day passes, you're feeling more stressed, more anxious and definitely more tired!  You are about to get to the end of your rope.  Well not so fast.  Life is like a roller coaster and sometimes we feel like we are free falling but it's your perspective during this time that will make or break you.  You may not be able to change the amount of things you need to accomplish but you can carve out some time in the day to recenter yourself, refocus or even take a few minutes to read the comics for a quick laugh.  It is far to easy to let yourself get wrapped up in the work of life but guess what, it will all get done in due time.  Let yourself off the hook for a little while.  You are a human being, not a machine, and can only do so much in one day.  For today, start to see things from the wider angle and know that you are fantastic for being who you are, not for what you accomplish in a day!

Care

If you step on people in this life, 

you're going to come back as a cockroach.  

~Willie Davis

Care
We show the best side of ourselves when we care for others.  Spouses, loved ones, friends, children and even pets need our love and attention from time to time.  It's a privilege to be able to come alongside someone in their time of need and provide them with a sense of security when they feel at their most vulnerable.  Caring for someone is a true expression of love.  We just have to remember to also take care of ourselves as well. It's easy to put aside our own health and wellness when caring for someone else and we can't fully help if we are struggling too.

Just Dance

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"  

~Robin Williams

Just Dance
C'mon, let yourself have some fun already!  Life is way too serious not to take some time to play, have fun and just dance.  Set your burdens aside (maybe even for good) and realize that you have a choice in every moment, in every day to either be joyful and appreciative or angry and fearful.  It's a no brainer, right?   It's time to be free, have fun and let your inner child shine right on through.

Let Go

(my sister Karen flying high!)

Troubles are a lot like people - 

they grow bigger if you nurse them.  

~Author Unknown

Let Go
It's time you allowed yourself some peace.  It's time you allowed your soul to rest.  It's time to release and let go of all of your pent up frustration, anger, resentment, frustration and fear.  Holding on to it tightly has done nothing good for you.  It has blocked your soul from receiving health, abundance, joy and love.  So just let it go.  Take a deep breath and exhale it all out.  Don't leave anything behind.  Now let yourself feel how much lighter you are in this world because you no longer carry around the burden of your past.

Breaking Through

(picture by my mom, Sue)

Don't ever save anything for a special occasion.  

Being alive is the special occasion.  

~Author Unknown

Breaking Through
You have done a great job building up pretty high walls all around you.  You have preconceived notions as to who you think you are and how you need to guard and protect yourself from any and all experiences.  You have only let people scratch through the surface and when directly approached, you retreat instead of opening yourself up fully.  The question that you really need to answer is, so how has this been working for you all these years?  Well, the answer is, it's not!  The more you guard yourself, analyze situations and don't take action, the more you live a life only half (if even that) engaged and that's not how life is supposed to be lived. It's time you break through your own walls and barriers and see the people in your life and your experiences as a part of your journey.  Don't protect yourself from learning who you truly are.  Give yourself permission to finally let go!  If you've had a glimpse at happiness, then create a life full of it.  If you've had a moment of pure joy, then go out and create a whole day full of wonder.  If you love someone so much that you can't be without them, then don't.  It's your time to shine.  It's your time to embrace your freedom.  It's your time to finally break on through.

Blindsided

(picture taken by my sister, Colleen)

People are resilient.  After all, every person born has 

recovered from nine months on life support.  

~Robert Brault

Blindsided
You are headed along your journey in life and when things are finally seeming to calm down a bit, WHOOMP, you get blindsided.  Maybe you received some news that was devastating, maybe you didn't get the promotion you were going for or maybe a good friend didn't turn out to be such a friend to you.  Whatever the situation may be, you were not prepared for it and certainly did not see it coming.  You may feel overwhelmed, frustrated and like your world is spinning out of control.  This is the perfect time to just stop.  Stop what you are doing and stop your mind from racing.  Get centered (ground yourself) and find that calming place deep within your soul.  You may not be able to control what's happening all around you but you can control you.  The more you can stay centered, the more rash decisions you will be able to make and the more you will think clearly.  Being blindsided by a situation can rock us to our core but it's how we deal with it that will make all the difference.

Truth

There is no god higher than truth. 

~Mahatma Gandhi

Truth
We all seek to know the truth, be it about ourselves, our relationships, our careers, etc.  We want to know that what we are experiencing is real and valid.  We revel in the fact that truth and integrity are in everything we do, or so we hope.  Speaking the truth and even more so, seeing the truth can be difficult at times.  Whether we tell falsities to protect ourselves or someone else, these untrue statements are just that, not true.  When we speak anything other than our truth, we diminish who we are and what we are about.  The thing about the truth is, it always finds a way of revealing itself.  Sometimes in the most unlikely circumstances but it does.  Even better, sometimes we are so blinded that we ignore the truth that is right in front of our noses.  For today, honor yourself by standing in your truth.  See how speaking and hearing the truth can change who you are, your path in life and who you choose to keep around you.  Let the truth today really set you free!

Encouragement

Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement - and we will make the goal.  

~Jerome Fleishman

Encouragement
Everyone needs encouragement throughout the day.  Knowing that someone has your back is a great feeling, especially when your life feels a bit upside down.  No matter where that support comes from, you need to acknowledge it and take that as a sign to keep forging ahead.  If you need some encouragement and haven't been getting it, well then it's time to reach out and ask those close to you for some support.  Don't forget to take a look around you and see who you need to be encouraging to as well.  Life is meant to have both give and take and the more we can find the balance, the better off we will all be!

Grounding

The cyclone derives its powers from a calm center.  

So does a person. 

~Norman Vincent Peale

Grounding
A heck of a lot can happen in a day, from running around trying to get stuff done at work to running around trying to get stuff done at home.  It may feel like all you do is go from one worrisome situation to another.  This is when you need to find your focus.  This is when you need to ground yourself.  Grounding is easy.  It only takes a few seconds and it will make you feel more at peace and back to being centered.  The chaos around you will cease to exist.  You will feel calm and able to handle whatever comes your way.  How do you ground?  Well it is quite simple.  Take a few deep breaths in, close your eyes and picture a chord (whatever kind of chord you want ~ mine is gold) going from you and moving way down into the Earth.  Feel the connection get stronger as you continue to take some deep breaths.  Feel the sensation as your whole body gets grounded and centered with the Earth and with your surroundings.  Take one last deep breath in and on the exhale, blow out all of the negativity and uneasiness you were holding in.  Open your eyes.  Now you are centered.  Try it this and see how this simple technique can change your whole outlook and attitude towards the day.  Go let yourself get grounded today!

Clarity

I'm not much of a partier anymore. 

I enjoy clarity much more.

~Sheryl Crow

Clarity
There are some unanswered questions and concerns that have kept you up at night.  You just haven't been able to fully wrap your head around what steps you need to take or what path you should be traveling down.  But this is all changing today and this upcoming weekend.  By silencing all of the chaos around you and opening your heart, you will find the answers you have been looking for.  Most likely you have known what to do all along but now you will be finally able to hear them.  It's time to clear your mind and watch how quickly you gain the answers to the questions you seek.  Clarity will come rushing in once you let it.

Catching Up

(picture by my mom, Sue)

The best way to get something done is to begin. 

~Author Unknown

Catching Up

What have you been putting off accomplishing?  Who have you been thinking about reaching out to but haven't as of today?  Now is the time to catch up!  

Reach out to someone you have been thinking about.  

Prioritize your work.   

Clean out that closet you have been meaning to.

Have that conversation you have been putting off.

Book that trip you have been wanting to but haven't just quite yet.  

Don't waste anymore time waiting to get your life in order.  Catch up on what's really important to you today and watch how you regain that sense of calm you so desperately seek.

Night

The stars are the street lights of eternity.  

~Author Unknown

Night
Have you ever looked into the night sky and felt its endless strength?  The stars are shining bright and the silence is overwhelmingly beautiful.  Everything is still.  Everything is quiet.  Everything is at rest.  This is the time we should be unwinding, reflecting and calming our spirit from a hard day.  Instead of overwhelming your body and thoughts with the noise from the TV, computers and phones, unplug everything and embrace the beauty of the night.  Embrace what you can learn about yourself in the quiet.  Reflect on what you can do differently tomorrow.  Take this time to find what you were grateful for today and find your state of calm.  Let the night wrap around you like an old blanket and fall asleep in a true state of peace.

Moments

(this is a picture of my favorite painting on my wall at work by my friend, Lisa Slomin)

The butterfly counts not months but moments, 

and has time enough.  

~Rabindranath Tagore

Moments
Sometimes all we have is moments.  A few fleeting minutes or seconds that hold such great meaning for us.  It's in these times that we get to see other people for their true beautiful spirit and we get to connect to others in a deeper way.  They can appear anywhere, at anytime and show you the definition of kindness, empathy and love.  Although they do not last forever, moments are our little glimpses into a world of utter peace and harmony.  Let's not take these moments for granted.  Embrace them and hold on tight to their feeling and messages for you. 

God and Dog

My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet.

~Edith Wharton

Today's Daily Pearl is a youtube video by Wendy J. Fransisco.  Let's remember to stop and see God in every aspect of our lives; from our pets to the reflection in the mirror.

God and Dog

Control

You must have control of the authorship of your own destiny.  

The pen that writes your life story must be held in your own hand.  

~Irene C. Kassorla

Control
Have you been feeling a bit out of control lately? Crazy situations seem to be popping up all around. You are spending so much of your energy putting out little fires all day long.  You feel worn out, exhausted, overwhelmed and stretched out like a rubber band.  The problem is your ready to break and that's certainly not fair to you!  Take a moment and breathe.  Actually take a several moments to breathe and on the exhale, let all of the negativity and anxiousness leave your body.  Bring your focus to the real issues going on.  Why do you feel out of control?  What are you doing to perpetuate the chaos?  Where can you start to release and let go?  Who do you need to take a few steps back from?  Where can you just say no?  By letting yourself truly assess what's happening in your life, you will be able to gain the control back you so desperately desire.  This is not being selfish.  It's quite the opposite.  It's being selfless and taking care of yourself, your needs, your body and curtailing the chaos is what you deserve.  Start making the necessary changes today to have a more enjoyable tomorrow.

Role Model

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, 

but our hearts forever.  

~Author Unknown

Role Model
We all need someone to look up to. Someone that makes us want to be a better person.  Someone that makes us see our own potential.  We all need a role model.  We need to know that if someone else can do it, so can we!  


Well it's time to pinpoint who in your life can be that person for you.  Who do you know that emulates the quality of character that you admire?  Who makes you want to be better and do better?  Identifying a role model can be one of the key components in being successful.  We all need encouragement and support.  Find a person in your life that you not only look up to but can be your mentor and guide you along the way.  You may even find more than just one and how lucky are you!


As you go through life, also realize that you may be role model to someone else.  It's just as important that you support and cheer on another spirit too.  

Reaching Out

Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, 

to pull another hand into the light.  

~Norman B. Rice

Reaching Out
We all need help from time to time.  Although we don't like to admit it to ourselves, we can't do everything alone.  Sometimes we need the guidance and assistance of another person to help us along our journey.  Reaching out for help is not being weak, it's actually one of the most courageous things we can do.  There are people in this world far more knowledgeable then us and it's okay to seek out their expertise.  It could be a family members, a close friend, a co-worker or even a stranger that can give you the information and clarity that will help you continue on the right path.  Don't dismiss asking for help and don't diminish how other people can help you.  

Movement

In God we trust, all others we virus scan.  

~Author Unknown

Movement
Being stuck and not going anywhere is not your style.  You have let yourself get too comfortable where you are and it's time to infuse some change into your life.  You need movement in order to grow.  Just like flowers blooming in the spring, this is your time to stretch, give a good few yawns, dust yourself off and start to move again.  Put your dreams and goals at the forefront, silence the doubting voices in your head and go for it.  Now is the time to change your life for the better.

Follow Your Heart

Using the power of decision gives you the capacity to get past 

any excuse to change any and every part of your life in an instant.  

~Anthony Robbins

Follow Your Heart
Life may seem a little crazy right now.  You have a lot of people pulling at you in many different directions, maybe even giving you advice, and you are left confused and torn at what to do.  It's time to silence everything around you and delve deep inside your soul.  It's time to listen to your heart.  What is it that you are supposed to be doing?  In what direction are you supposed to be going in?  Have you lost your way or have you gotten stuck?  Only you can answer these questions.  Many people have your best interest at heart but nobody truly knows your walk in life, what your desires are, what makes you tick, what you want and how you see yourself getting to that coveted point of true peace.  Take the  necessary time and attention to listen to the guidance coming from deep within and let that be your only guide in defining your future.

Understanding

Peace cannot be achieved through violence, 

it can only be attained through understanding.  

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Understanding
It appears that the world is in a bit of turmoil and our lives are no different.  Lately things just seem to be a bit harder and our patience is not as free flowing as it once was.  But if we take some time to understand our situation, including what's happening all around us, we can start to uncover the real truth.  Times are changing and along with this comes some uneasiness.  It doesn't mean it's all a bad thing, it's just not what we are used to.  We need to learn how to adjust, get creative and continue to grow so that we can stay in a state of peace and serenity.  


Bring some understanding into your life, give yourself time to adjust accordingly and don't forget to smile along the way.  :)

Unconditional Love

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; 

they give unconditional love.  

For me they are the role model for being alive.  

~Gilda Radner

Unconditional Love

There is nothing like being loved unconditionally. It's not easy to come by (unless you have a pet) and it's also not easy to love someone else without conditions. Being accepted, flaws and all, is something that's hard to find but certainly not impossible and loving someone without conditions is the best gift we can give them. Now this doesn't mean excusing bad behavior or putting up with abuse. It's about understanding that the people are flawed, that's what makes us who we are.  We shouldn't all think and feel the same, have the exact same interests and share the same goals.  If we did, we wouldn't be challenged to be our best and stretch ourselves.  Loving someone for who they truly are, will let someone love you for who you truly are in return.  Be authentic and let other's be that way too.  Go on and love someone unconditionally today and see what happens in return.  You just might love the results.

Complaining

I will not be as those who spend the day in complaining of headache, 

and the night in drinking the wine that gives it.  

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Complaining
It's so easy to find faults with almost everything!  Your job, friends, family, clothes, hair, transportation, relationships, etc.  Complaining is usually how most of us pass the time.  We think there is nothing wrong with airing what's irking us and sometimes for all to hear.  Let's take a moment though and really think about this.  Are we complaining just to have something to say?  If so, why do we feel the need to always be so negative?  Yes there are things that happen to us every single day that can really annoy us.  Do we deserve to take a moment and let out one giant AHHHHH.  Yes we do but when our complaining becomes the only way we communicate, well than Houston we have a real problem on our hands!  Just as life has some rough spots, there are also so many glimmers of hope, resiliency and of course positivity to share.  It might mean retraining our brains and our behavior but isn't it worth it?  Who really wants to be around such negativity all of the time?  Probably none of us.  So before we start complaining to anyone that will hear us and before we take up shop in the negativity department, truly stop a moment and think.  Is this something we really need to share?  Or can we substitute our complaining by something good that happened to us today.  It's time to stretch ourselves and take ownership of the attitudes we put forth in our lives.

Struggle

(I believe this pic was taken by my cousin Tia in Puerto Rico)

Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges, 

but eventually you find a hair stylist you like.  

~Author Unknown

Struggle
Sometimes it can feel like you are getting pulled in so many directions. You are trying to please everyone but you're quickly running out of energy and patience. You have put your own desires on the back burner and just when you try to grab a hold of them, a struggle ensues that makes you leave them in the background.  Well not anymore and certainly not today.  It is the perfect time  to start anew.  Take your goals, dreams and desires and place them right in front of you.  Refuse to let anyone or anything get in the way of what's important.  Life can be challenging and a struggle all on its own.  What you can't afford is not paying attention to your personal aspirations.  That is just not fair.  If you are going to struggle, do it to achieve your own goals and your own success.  At the very least, you deserve that.  Stop putting yourself last and start living the life you are meant to.  There will be no stopping you now!