Decisions

The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.  

~Flora Whittemore

Decisions
Life is constantly presenting decisions for us to make.  Some decisions take almost no time to think about since we feel the answer in our hearts immediately.  Other decisions take time for us to think over and weigh the pros and cons of what could happen.  We can't shy away from making decisions though, the only thing we can do is embrace them and learn from each move we make.  They won't always be easy and some can even be life altering.  But we need to lean on our knowledge, our experience and go with the choice that is best for each one of us in the moment that it's presented.  Know that you can't make a wrong decision if you quiet your soul and listen for the answer. 

Integrity

You have no power over me.

~Sarah from the movie Labrynth

Integrity
There are a few things that no one can take away from you, one being your dignity.  Your true character, who you are at your core, is what will always shine through even in the darkest moments.  When people are doubting you, ignoring your talents, or questioning who you are, stand strong and hold on tightly to your integrity.  Keeping poised and calm in the face of turbulence, doubt, fear or challenges will not only help you push through, it will ultimately be a model for everyone around you.  When you lead your life with integrity, you show the world that grace, gratitude and dignity will always win.

Master of the Universe

Today, resign as Master of the Universe.

~Cheryl Richardson, Life Coach

Master of the Universe
More often than not, we try and control everything in our environment. We take on projects at work and at home because we feel nobody can do it better than we can!  We over schedule ourselves and usually end up frustrated and exhausted by the end of each day.  Well what if I tell you that it's okay to not be everything to everyone?  What if I assured you that you truly are not in control, of anything?  What if I promised you that life would continue if you lost your iphone or planner?  It's time to put down the reigns of your life that you have been holding tightly to and realize that while you are trying to control it, you are not really living your best life.  Mistakes happen, plans get changed and ready for this one?  NO ONE is perfect, not even you!  Nor should you be.  That's what makes you unique, quirks and all.  Once you decide to resign as Master of the Universe, then and only then can you enjoy your journey here on Earth.

Don't & Do's

(the 10K Cow Harbor Race 2011 team)

How did it get so late so soon?

It's night before it's afternoon.

December is here before it's June.

My goodness how the time has flewn.

How did it get so late so soon?

~Dr. Seuss

Don't

Don't ever question who you are.  
Don't ever question your purpose.  
Don't ever let anyone define you or label you.  
Don't ever give your power over to someone else.  
Don't ever settle for less than what you deserve.
Don't ever let someone question your character.
Don't ever take yourself too seriously.
Don't ever give your love away carelessly.
Don't ever ignore a child or animal in need.
Don't ever strive for anything less than your best.
Don't take things personally.
Don't create stories in your head that are not true.


Do
Do find someone to love, unconditionally.
Do give life a chance to bring you great treasures.
Do listen to your gut and your heart.
Do hug and kiss those that you love often.
Do have a good friend you can tell anything to.
Do dance when nobody is looking.
Do sing in the shower.
Do light up a room when you enter it.
Do bring happiness with you throughout your day.
Do find the beauty in everything your eye can see and even that which you can not.
Do read a great book and tell someone else about it.
Do try something that scares you at least once a week.

Awakening

Just like the butterfly, I too will awaken in my own time.  

~Deborah Chaskin

This pearl is dedicated to all of the strong and fearless females in my life.  

You are all so amazing!

Awakening
Sometimes it takes a major situation to happen in your life for your spirit to be awakened to your life purpose.  It's not what you had imagined and oh how has it not been easy getting here but you are starting to see the forest through the trees! You have so much to offer this world and you're now just now hitting your stride with your new found clarity.  You were meant to be more and do more of that which is in alignment with your soul.  It's your time to take care of yourself, get healthy and strong and move forward with your eyes, mind, body, soul and purpose all working together as one.  This is your time to shine.

Expectations

To free us from the expectations of others, 

to give us back to ourselves - 

there lies the great, singular power of self-respect.  

~Joan Didion

Expectations
We all have expectations for ourselves.  Hopefully we strive to meet them every single day. It's the expectations of others that can be tricky. People will demand a lot from you.  Sometimes more than humanly possible or what you can even handle. Your life is constantly changing and thus so are your goals, values, priorities and expectations. That just means you are going with the flow of life. When people get disappointed in you or set expectations that are impossible to meet, realize that they are not looking through the same lens as you. They can't see the bigger picture like you can and you know what?  That's okay! You can't change someone else's perspective, you can only live and walk forward in your own personal truth. Choose to live only up to your expectations and don't be afraid to ruffle some feathers along the way.

A New Day

The past is a guidepost, not a hitching post.  

~L. Thomas Holdcroft

A New Day
Today is a day to put the past behind us and walk feeling courageous and peaceful into our future.  It's a brand new day and that means we can create anything we choose.  Let's leave our burdens on the floor, our fears behind us in the trash and live life to the best of our abilities.  It's another day to walk forward in our goals, embrace our dreams, breathe in as deeply as we can and to center our souls so that we feel balanced and whole.  It's a day to start again.  So what are we waiting for, let's enjoy this new day!

Sunset

A pessimist sees only the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; 

a philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; 

an optimist doesn't see the clouds at all -

 he's walking on them.  

~Leonard Louis Levinson

Sunset

Have you ever watched the sun slowly descend for the night leaving streaks of beautiful colors strewn across the sky?  It is absolutely wondrous.  It can take your breath away and leave you in awe.  That's if you ever look up long enough to see it.  We spend most of the time looking down or even looking behind us.  We usually don't spend a lot of time looking up.  If we did, we would realize that the world is so much greater.  We are truly apart of something bigger.  There is beauty that surrounds us every single day but we miss it constantly because our gaze is fixed on something that is below us or behind us, not right in front of us.  We rarely stop to see the bigger picture.  Realize that you are significant, just a like a sunset and the more you take the time to cherish what life is showing you, the more you open up your future to amazing opportunities.

United

(photo from Katherine Welles/shutterstock.com)

Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.  

~Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Letters to Lucilius

United
On this day, 10 years ago, it was a perfect morning.  The sky was clear and a beautiful blue.  The air was crisp like a fall day on the East Coast should be.  Then, in a matter of minutes, everything changed.  Tragedy was unfolding around us, fear engulfed us, panic ensued and the loss of life was almost too much to bear.  It is estimated that 2,996 people perished from the September 11 attacks.  It is also estimated that tens of thousands were saved that day or even more.  We, as individuals and as a nation, would never be the same.  In an instant, we all became united.  We became one nation under God.  Nothing mattered anymore except that we were all Americans, one people.  


September 11, 2001 may have shook us to our core but it didn't destroy our strength, perseverance and resolve.  May we always remember.  May we continue to move forward.  May we not forget that lessons learned that day.  May we continue to embrace each other, even with differences, and work towards a place of peace.  May we live our lives as a testament of courage.  May we walk confidently into the future.  May we continue to support and love those families and friends that lost someone that day.  May we stay united as one nation.


We will never forget...

Serendipity

Jonathan: This is the ultimate blend to drink. How’d you find this place?

Sara: I first came in because of the name: Serendipity. It’s one of my favorite words.

Jonathan: It is? Why? 

Sara: It’s such a nice sounding word for what it means: a fortunate accident.

- From the movie Serendipity (2001)

Serendipity
How sweet it is when something wonderful happens to us by accident, or so it seems.  Life has a funny way of showing us its playful side if we choose to let it.  We can ponder for hours if its fate, by chance or has been predestined somewhere but that would take the fun out of enjoying those moments in your life that bring you pure happiness. Know that there is a meaning for everything, whether we are aware of it or not.  It is our job to keep our eyes open, arms wide, thoughts kind and just relax into life.  Resign as master of the universe (as Cheryl Richardson says) and start to enjoy the serendipitous moments in each and every day.

Working

(a baby monkey at the National Zoo)

Accomplishing the impossible means only 

that the boss will add it to your regular duties.  

~Doug Larson

Working
Most of us spend our days working so hard in order to build a life.  We push the limits of our endurance at times because we believe if we work a little harder and do just a little bit more, it will be pay off in the end.  We even find work to do on our days off.  Now we all need to make a living to survive but why can't we also make a life while we are working so hard?  Why can't we build our dreams starting today and not waiting until we feel like we finally have "enough" to do so?  Why can't we work just as hard on our personal lives as we do our careers?  The answer is we can and we should.  We can work ourselves so hard that we forget to live.  We forget to breathe.  We forget to truly love.  There must be a balance.  On this Labor Day, find a way to adjust your life so that you are enjoying all aspects of it.  Be just as passionate about your life as you are your career.

Lessons

I love to think of nature as 

an unlimited broadcasting station, 

through which God speaks to us 

every hour, if we will only tune in. 

 ~George Washington Carver

Lessons
After a storm has passed, there is a deafening silence.  It's as if everything is frozen in awe and time is standing still.  It is in this moment that we can feel so connected to life and to something much greater than ourselves.  It is then that we are at our most vulnerable and most powerful. This is where we can find our center and calm just like the storm.  There are lessons in everything; it's our  job to realize what they are and grow into better human beings.  Our lives are just like the weather.  They can be unpredictable, turbulent at times or peaceful and full of sunshine.  It changes every day, sometimes several times a day.  But there are lessons in everything and if you aren't taking the time to reflect, it will be much harder to grow, learn and enjoy your journey.  You are not here to just survive.  You are not here to "get through" the storms of your life.  You are here to learn.  Let me say that again, you are here to learn.