Thoughts on 2012

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.  

~Oprah Winfrey

Thoughts on 2012
This year has been one filled with challenges, struggles, heartaches, obstacles and constant change.  We have all felt it one way or another.  Whether it was through our jobs, family life, relationships, communities or even the world, we felt pushed and pulled.  That's because 2012 signified the end ~ no, not of the world, but of a era.  With all endings chaos is rampant and fear can take hold of us too tightly.  If we can see beyond the ending though and look much further to the new beginning that is on the horizon, that's what will carry us through.  2012 was the year of great shifting.  Some was exciting yet most of it was heart wrenching.  We laughed a little and cried a lot.  We found solace in the acts of bravery that seemed to be surrounded by unthinkable acts of violence.  Our consciousness was raised to make us each better and look to love, not fear.  2012 taught us that life is fragile.  That we are not alone.  That there is good in the world.  That fighting does not get anywhere.  That hatred can be silenced by love.  That the human spirit can take on many forms, including angels.  That we are stronger than any one rifle.  That we can forgive in the face of great pain.  That life is meant to be lived an not watched.  That we are meant to be kind and helpful, not the opposite.  That we are meant to make someone else's life better, not worse.

As 2013 knocks on our door, reflect on the lessons of 2012.  Take them with you and let them carry you through to the beginning of this new era.  Decide to walk in peace, love, joy and harmony.  Always have hope that humanity will prevail and our spirit can never be diminished.  Walk through this new door resolute in making the world a better place.  Remember, both your actions and words speak volumes.  Make sure they are always coming from a place of love.

Happy New Year!
Peace,
Mary

Stories

Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening 

when you'd have preferred to talk.  

~Doug Larson

Stories
Everyone has a story and everyone wants theirs to be heard.  But have you ever stopped to really listen to what someone else is telling you?  Have you ever tried to take a lesson out of what you can learn from their experience?  Have you ever realized that even though we go through different scenarios in life, pain is pain, hurt is hurt, joy is joy and love is love?  It doesn't matter what shape or form it takes, it's the underlying emotions that make us all connected and the same.  Take some time to listen to people.  Don't be so quick to interject or give them an example of why you can relate in the middle of their sentence.  Really listen to them.  Let them know they were heard.  The more we realize that we are more alike then we are different, the more we will learn about ourselves.  Isn't that what this is all about?

Easy Does It

Forgive, O Lord, my little jokes on Thee,

And I'll forgive Thy great big one on me. 

~Robert Frost

Easy Does It
We complicate life more than we should.  We invite drama in.  We make messes.  We over analyze.  Basically, we create chaos in our lives in every which way.  Well, what's the point in that?  Do we feel more accomplished or just more stressed?  Probably the latter!  So Stop.  Look at all aspects of your life, personal, professional, living spaces, relationships, and take out the complexities that you put it.  Strip everything down to its core and look at it in a real way.  When we ease into life without overcomplicating situations, we get a whole lot more out of them.  

Baggage

Everything we possess that is not necessary for life or happiness becomes a burden, and scarcely a day passes that we do not add to it.  

~Robert Brault

Baggage
We all have stuff, baggage if you will, that we transport all over the place.  Whether it's actual things or personal baggage, we bring it from place to place.  Well it's time to unburden ourselves because baggage equals an unproductive existence.  It's time to lesson our load and free ourselves from stuff!  By holding on to things that do not serve us or by keeping emotions and feelings stuffed down deep, we keep ourselves chained to the past.  Chained to what could have been.  Chained to "well what if I need this sometime in the future".  It's time to put down our stuff whether it's by donation, throwing it out or if it's emotional, by releasing it from our firm grasp.  Let go of your baggage today and feel how light you will feel tomorrow!

A New Dawn

If you're going through hell, keep going.  

~Winston Churchill

A New Dawn
Sometimes all we need to do is hang on a little bit more before we catch a break.  It might feel like forever but always remember, this too shall pass and when it does a new day will dawn.  With this new beginning will come peace and serenity but to achieve that we must go through some turmoil.  That's what happens when something ends and a new chapter is about to begin.  Be it hurricanes, snow storms, illness, a gas crises...we will make it through and when we do, calmness will occur.  A new dawn is upon us, we just have to stay strong and ride the wave through to the other side.

Endings

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.  

~Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie

Endings
Life is full of beginnings and endings.  It's the flow of the universe.  When an ending comes to pass, we might feel a bit sad, apprehensive or even fearful.  The key is to keep going.  When things come to an end, well that just means you have finished the lesson in that area and it's time to move forward.  Don't be afraid of endings for they are the birth of new opportunities and dreams.  Embrace that which is coming to and end in your life and start to celebrate the newness that this will bring right around the bend.  It's time...time to say until we meet again!

Light

Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times,

if one only remembers to turn on the light.

~Steven Kloves (screenplay), Harry Potter

Light
It's in our darkest moments that we could use just a little flicker of hope, a small little light to shine on us and let us know that this too shall pass.  Maybe that light is a kind word spoken, a small token of gratitude from a loved one or your very own spirit rising up and filling you with a hope that makes you know all will be ok.  We all need to focus on the light, even if the dark seems to be surrounding us.  With hope anything is possible.  Find your inner light and keep rising above or be that light for someone else who is struggling to find theirs.

What Really Matters

That which does not kill us makes us stronger.

~Friedrich Nietzsche

This Daily Pearl is dedicated to those effected by Hurricane Sandy & to my fellow New Yorkers who lost so much and are still trying just to survive...

What Really Matters
If nothing else, this past week should have taught us all a lesson, no matter where we live.  The lesson is what truly matters most in this life; food, shelter, warmth, your health and having amazing people around you (be it family or friends).  Everything else is a bonus, even having a full tank of gas.

The even bigger lesson if you will, is having one of those items and opening up your heart and your home to provide any of those things (or all) to someone in need.  It might be an inconvenience for you but for them, it could be everything when all of the sudden they have nothing.  

And if you do not live close, be sensitive to those that do and are struggling, especially if you are directly connected to them (probably through Facebook).  Give them words of encouragement, not pictures of you going out drinking and dancing.  Show them that you might not physically be there but your heart is.

Be Selfless and not selfish.  Yes during these difficult times people can get on your nerves quicker (maybe even family) than usually.  But by complaining about them instead of taking a deep breath in and realizing that you are one of the lucky ones since they are still here and with you.  They did not get washed away in your arms when the tide came in like some did.  

Be courageous and strong for this too shall pass but let it make you a better person, not a bitter one.  Take care of yourself and take care of each other.  For the true life lesson in this catastrophe, and all that have occurred, is love.  How much love can you give and how much are you willing to receive?  Hopefully the answer you find is that your love is endless in either direction.

When Pigs Fly

It is never too late to be who you might have been.

~George Eliot

When Pigs Fly
What goals have you put aside because you thought they were too big?
What dreams have you downsized because you got scared?
What aspirations have you let go of because you were thrown of course?

It's time to put all of those goals, dreams and aspirations that you changed, let go of and were just too fearful to continue back into your life.  There is no reason not to create the life you want to live.  Do not be just an "alright" version of yourself ~ be more!  You know that you have more to give, more to see and more to do in this lifetime.  Ignoring it won't make that feeling go away because it's who you are truly meant to be.  Stop stuffing down your greatness. It's your time to shine. Go for it with everything you have.  Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you can only accomplish something when pigs fly...it's your job to prove them wrong!

Spoke on the Wheel

The difference between a helping hand and

an outstretched palm is a twist of the wrist.

~Laurence Leamer, King of the Night

Spoke on the Wheel
Contrary to what some people believe, the world does not revolve around one specific person and that includes each one of us! We are all just spokes on the giant wheel of life.  What we say and what we do matters.  That's the energy we are putting out there into this collective journey together called life. When we get too focused on ourselves as the center, we are missing out on so much. We miss out on the lessons we can learn from others. We miss out on the connections. We miss out on growing our circle but most importantly, we miss out on expanding our hearts. By perceiving the world through only our own pair of eyes, well then we are setting ourselves up for a very lonely, unfulfilling existence. It's time we all open up our hearts as wide as we open up our mouths and focus on how we are serving the world, not how the world can serve us.

Asking

Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime

and too sleepy to worry at night.

~Author Unknown

Asking
You know the saying, be careful what you wish for...well it really is true. Every single day we are putting our emotions out into the universe and boy is it listening. Not only does it hear you loud and clear, it also responds to you loud and clear only if you open yourself up enough to believing in it though. Most of the times our messages are not direct. We put out prayers or wishes that are half thought out and not really what we want or that are not in alignment with our true nature and we know that.  We feel it when we are asking for something that is not really what we want or should be asking for. So take today to get in right.  Start asking the universe for what you truly want, not what you don't want because you are fearful. Ask for a bigger vision. Ask to be guided in a way that aligns yourself with service to the world. Ask for something that is based on pure love. Then get out of your own way and watch how the universe unfolds it right in front of your eyes. It probably will come much bigger than expected but remember to have patience enough for it to manifest!

Be Vulnerable

Love is how you earn your wings.  

~Karen Goldman

Be Vulnerable

Most of us want to be in control all of the time. We don't necessarily like surprises or not knowing what's going to happen in the future. We have a fear of the unknown but the real fear is that we don't ever want to be vulnerable. Somewhere we connected being vulnerable with being weak. Well this is not true. Being vulnerable means that you are open to change, open to opportunities, open to new paths and friendships. Being open makes all of us more connected to each other and to everything in this world. Being vulnerable gives you permission to keep learning and growing. Don't block yourself by fear or by the perception of appearing weak. Remember, it's at our weakest that we find out how strong we really are.  Don't ever be afraid to be vulnerable.

Open Arms

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel.  

~Author Unknown

Open Arms

Receiving help or assistance from anyone can sometimes be very difficult. Even when you seem to need help the most and it appears, you tend to shun it away quick because you do not want to be a burden on anyone else. But how many times have you helped someone in need just because you could? Well the time has come to start receiving the help, support and blessing that are about to occur in your life from many different areas. When assistance shows up, in any shape and form, receive it with open arms. By letting abundance flow into your life, you also allow other opportunities and growth to prosper as well. When you shoo away help, support or assistance, you are basically telling the universe that you do not want the blessings, growth and opportunities. That's certainly not what you want to do so go on and accept help and support when it comes your way. Whether by a helping hand, a hug, an opportunity or even love, remember to always keep your arms and heart wide open. The more you receive, the more life will bless you.

Quiet

We visit others as a matter of social obligation.

How long has it been since we have visited with ourselves?

~Morris Adler

Quiet
Sometimes you just need some time, some space from everything.  Sometimes you just need to close the door on noise and only invite quiet into your space.  Stopping once in a while to listen to yourself, your soul is vital to knowing who you are, what you want and most importantly to recharge your batteries.  Sitting in silence is like hitting the reset button.  You gain clarity, peace and above all focus.  Don't feel bad taking some quiet time for yourself this weekend, today, or even if it's for a few minutes. You will feel much better when you do.

Thank you for your patience as I took some quiet time this week and

did not publish the Daily Pearl for a few days. 

Bubbles

Learn how to exhale, the inhale will take care of itself.  

~Carla Melucci Ardito

Bubbles
Did you ever play with bubbles as a child or with a child?  They are fun and yet so fragile.  The more you chase after them, the more they allude your grasp.  But if you remain very still, they tend to float gently by you and then softly land on or very near to you.  Our goals and dreams are like bubbles.  If we try and grasp them to hard or to desperately, they will always be just an arms length away.  If we do the work to create them though, and take one step back to let them land exactly where they should, most likely it will be directly on top of us.  Whatever your dream or dreams may be, do the work necessary to bring your vision to life.  Then make sure you leave enough room for your dreams to grasp a hold of you instead of the other way around.

Ground Yourself

A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.

~Aesop, Fables

Ground Yourself
When you feel off balanced, out of sync or just plain scattered, it's time to ground yourself! Grounding helps you bring instant calm and peace into your life. It helps focus your energy in a more positive way. Grounding is very simple. With your eyes closed, take a few deep breaths in and out. Concentrate on your breathing as you inhale in and exhale out slowly. Picture a cord ~ any cord you choose (a rope, a braid, a plug, a root, a vine, etc.) ~ that starts at your belly button and extend down out through your feet and goes straight through to the center of the Earth. Feel it grip a hold with strength and stability that plants your feet firmly on the ground. Then picture a bright warm light above your head that slowly descends down through you, through your cord and flows into the Earth. Take a few more deep breaths in and out. Slowly open your eyes and know that you are now grounded. You can now face decisions with clarity, problems with calm and chaos with peace. Once you ground yourself, nothing will throw you off balance!  Try it today and see how much better you feel.

Wash Away

Bad habits are easier to abandon today than tomorrow.  

~Yiddish Proverb

Wash Away
What actions have you been doing that are not congruent with your higher self?  Whom do you need to apologize to? How did you let yourself stray so far away from that which gives you hope?  How can you move forward in a more positive way?

Today is a day to sit an reflect on your life, how you live, what you say, what you do and who you surround yourself with.  Today is a day to take the time you need to connect back to that which give you joy and love.  Today is a day that you can start anew.  That's the beauty of being human. Nothing ever stops us from choosing a new path. Wash the hurt away today and ask for forgiveness where you must.  Then open your arms willingly to all of the abundance that can now fill that wide open space you have created in your life.  Don't ever be afraid to begin again and walk forward in the peace and love that is truly you.

Knee Deep

Wising I was knee deep in the water somewhere

Got the blue sky breeze and it don't seem fair

Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair

Sunrise there's a fire in the sky

Never been so happy

Never been so high

And I think I might have found me my own kind of paradise

~Zach Brown Band "Knee Deep"

Knee Deep
The wind is blowing, the sky is a beautiful blue and the birds are singing.  Where are you?  Well, probably at a desk in front of a computer with pile of papers needing attention and people needing you as well!  Although a week vacation to a tropical location is probably what is needed right about now, the best gift you can give to yourself is to take a mini vacation right this minute.  Whether it's going for a walk, finding your favorite song and playing it, looking up a joke, calling a friend to say hello or just finding a window to look out of for a few minutes, find something you can do right now that will help bring your stress down, make you breathe easier and put a smile on your face.  Your mind is one of the most powerful tools you have so use it to bring some joy and serenity into your life right now.  Don't wait to book a trip in a year, don't wait until the holidays and certainly don't wait until the weekend.  Find a way to be knee deep in the water some where, even if it's by closing your eyes and dreaming...

Rise

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.

~Maya Angelou (excerpt from Still I Rise)

Rise
You have been doing some soul searching lately but it's time to dig even deeper and go directly to the source of your pain, anger and fear. You have spent too much time blaming the world or the people in it for your troubles. It's time to stop that old story you keep telling yourself over and over and start retelling a new one. One more full of hope, love and healing. But in order to do that, first you need to get real. You need to let yourself go to where you haven't gone before and that's directly to the source of your pain and suffering. Face it head on. Look at it. See it for what it is. Weep for it. Feel it with every ounce of your being. Then dust yourself off, wipe away the tears and rise up like you have never done before. Let the chains of your past fall at your feet and know that as you take your first step, you will never again look back. You will never again repeat the old patterns. You will never again underestimate your own power. You will never again diminish your self worth. You will never again allow your control to go to somebody else. You will never again be a victim.  You will be a creator. You will be a victor. You will be courage. You will be healthy. You will be energized. You will be honest. You will be forgiving. You will be kind. You will be impeccable with your words. You will always do the best that you can do. You will not place false boundaries around yourself or your soul. You will rise up like a Phoenix and fly forward soaring above your past and into your bright future.

Know Thyself

This above all; to thine own self be true.

~Shakespeare

Know Thyself

You owe it to yourself, and everyone around you, to know yourself first before you cast judgement or blame on anybody else.  When you know who you are, what your values are, what your purpose on this earth is for then you realize that being petty, negative and pointing fingers is not only meaningless, it's only perpetuating negativity in your own life.  It's time to be accountable for your own actions, for your words and for the energy you put out into this world.  It's time to peel back the protective layers of fear and issues that you have and do some deep work to set your life on the path it's supposed to be on.  Life is here to teach us lessons and if we ignore the lessons, we will keep repeating the behavior in many different forms.  It's time to look in the mirror and point the finger where it belongs, at you and no one else.  You deserve to be happy.  You deserve to have wonderful things happen in your life.  You can't achieve this things fully if you are holding on to hurt and pain and displace it on others.  It's time to face your biggest fear, get quiet with your soul, listen to your heart and make sweeping changes that will change your life for the better. 

Take Your Time

Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering.  

~Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne

Take Your Time
Today is a day to go easy on yourself. Don't rush and don't run in a million different directions. Just like you would take care of a child or pet, be gentle with yourself. Treat yourself like you are a fine piece of china. Handle yourself with great care. Protect yourself, your time, your energy and be extra good to yourself today. Take your time and ease into the day, stay relaxed and enjoy just going with the flow.

Invitation

Respect yourself and others will respect you.  

~Confucius

Invitation
We are in constant communication, whether it's verbal, non-verbal or even by the energy (good or bad) we put out to each other and the universe.  Every thought, action and reaction causes either love and happiness or fear and anger in your life.  Knowing this, what are you inviting into your life?  Are you inviting good people, warm hearts and supportive arms or are you inviting in chaos, turbulence and negativity?  Remember you are responsible for only you and the energy that you bring into a room as well as the energy you surround yourself with.  It's time to get real and see what you have allowed yourself to be surrounded by.  If it's not healthy and loving, well it's time to rescind your invitation!

Stay Calm

The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking... the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker.
                                                                               ~Albert Einstein


Stay Calm

It's easy to get ourselves riled up over the chaos happening in the world and even  in our own lives.  Between our jobs, our families, news reports and a campaign year, we are being inundated with so much negativity.  Understand this though, chaos breeds chaos so when you let yourself get swept into it, your life will start spiraling in all different directions as well.  Here's the advice for today, don't believe the hype!  Don't believe that in order to make real changes you must get angry, you must tear someone down or that you must put negativity out there.  Understand that when you do this, that is what comes back at you.  Stay calm, stay focused and stay in your state of peacefulness.  Be a guide for others.  Show yourself and the universe that you can remain calm in the midst of a storm.  That you can stay grounded in the center of a hurricane.  The more you can stay in a state of peace the more good you can do for yourself and ultimately the world. 

Forgive

Forgive all who have offended you, not for them, but for yourself.  

~Harriet Nelson

Forgive
It's time to let go of the hurt you are holding on to.  Someone or something has triggered pain in your life and the only person suffering now is you.  You have continued to carry around these feelings of resentment which is doing you absolutely more harm than good.  It's actually blocking abundance in your life.  So now is the time to release these feelings once and for all.  How do you start?  Well by understanding that the people who hurt you, are only a mirror for yourself.  How have you been hurting yourself every single day?  How have you been sabotaging your own life?   You must start to shift your focus from the inside out not from the outside in.  Releasing anger, frustration, hurt and pain are the first steps to healing your heart and your life.  Pain begets more pain but the reverse is also true.  Once you start to truly heal your inside, the people that come into your life will mirror back the love, light and happiness that is overflowing in your soul. It's time to own your life, your decisions, the people you surround yourself with and realize that every single day you can create a brand new start!

Respecting Yourself

Your life may be the only Bible some people read.  

~Author Unknown

Respecting Yourself
There are many areas of your life that you disrespect yourself. Well, no longer!  It is time to get rid of the toxic relationships and energy that surround you and only allow positive ones to exist in your world. If you have friendships that are only one sided, it's time to release them. If you have family members that only bring pain, it's time to distance yourself. If you have a job that is no longer fulfilling, it's time to look for another one. If you are in a relationship that takes more than it gives, it's time to mosey along. If you living an unhealthy lifestyle and it's not working for you, then change it to make it work. Respecting yourself is not only your feeling of self-worth but also who and what you allow into your life. All of that is a reflection of how you feel about yourself. The more you are confident in who you are as a person, the more you will only allow supportive and positive people and situations into your life. It's that simple and yet that difficult. Find the strength that is down deep to make the sweeping changes that are necessary to live your best life.

Possibility of Today

If you have one eye on yesterday, and one eye on tomorrow,

you're going to be cockeyed today.

~Author Unknown

  Possibility of Today

Let life fill you up with all the happiness that you can hold in your heart today. Despite the challenges, obstacles and maybe even pain, today is a day to focus on the love that surrounds you, the smiles that walk by you, the birds singing on your path into work and having the chance to make today only about peace, love and of course joy! When you change what you focus on, your whole world changes. Toxic conversations and people will fade into the background and only positive experiences will come your way if you open your heart wide enough to the possibility of today.

Acceptance

We are all primary numbers divisible only by ourselves.  

~Jean Guitton

Acceptance
It's time to feel good, overall, about who you are, where you are and what your doing in life.  There is no reason to walk around feeling otherwise.  The more you can start to relax into your life and who you are, the more you can be open to the opportunities and doors that open along your journey.  When you get too wrapped up in fear, rejection or the sense that you are "not good enough", you block yourself from moving forward.  Why do that?  Why block good things?  Stop being so hard on yourself and embrace every part of who you are.  Know that every decision and action is connected to something greater so don't ever feel like you are alone, that situations can't change or that you are unworthy in any way.  Accept yourself and start loving who you are today!

Deserving

The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.  

~Arnold Toynbee

Deserving
We are all deserving of great things.  Sometimes we may not believe that and what happens then, well usually opportunities float right on by our noses.  It's time to stop and tell ourselves that we are deserving of everything good.  

We are deserving of...

• Something more than just a job, a purpose in life.
• Great friendship filled with people who are positive and supportive.
• Family members that love you no matter what.
• Partners who love us with every fiber of their being.
• Belly laughs, smiles, good food and great discussions.
• A decent roof over our heads and reliable transportation.
• Living the life we know we can rather than just dreaming about it.

We are deserving of a lot more than we let ourselves dare to imagine.  It's time to let go of the fear and guilt and embrace our own worthiness.  It's time we see ourselves for who we truly are ~ deserving of it all!

Ride the Wave

If you surrender to the wind, you can ride it. 

~Toni Morrison

Ride the Wave
Have you ever noticed that the more you try and control the direction of your life, the more stress and chaos occurs? Yet when you surrender and relax into it, you seem to naturally flow in the right direction and doors seem to open us all around you. The more you can naturally "ride the wave" of life and remain as peaceful as you travel from one experience to another, the more miracles will manifest. That doesn't mean you can't work hard for a goal, you should! But rather be conscious of not letting your fear and anxiety rule your life. When you operate on those emotions solely, you are not leaving room for abundance. It's time to let go and see where the current brings you.

Persevere

Persevere
When life gets tough; when you are too tired to take one more step; when you feel paralyzed by what direction to take, you must persevere and carry on.  Muster up the strength you have deep down inside and bring it to the forefront.  Sometimes pushing ourselves further than we think we can go shows us what we are truly made of.  Keep telling yourself that you can do anything with just a little bit more perseverance and a "never give up" attitude.  Don't let anything stop you from being the best YOU that you can be!

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Today's Daily Pearl and picture are by my good friend Lisa Slomin. 

Everyone should have a friend like her!

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems,

but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.

~Herm Albright

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Why do we always dwell on what other people have? It's time to focus on YOUR life, and all the good things that you have in it. Sure, we'd all like to make as much money as him, or have a great body like her. But how awful would it be if we were all the same? We should be celebrating the things that make us unique and different. Today is a day to think about all the wonderful, joyful things that you have in your life; your family, your friends, your health. Stop sweating the small stuff and and start embracing the awesomeness that is you!

 

Slow Down

Life is too short to sleep on low thread-count sheets.

~Leah Stussy

Slow Down

Slow it down before you run yourself completely to the point of exhaustion and getting sick.  You've been racing around, filling up every second of your time and not resting as much as your body needs you to.  Take the next few days to build some rest and relaxation time into your schedule.  Nobody can run on full speed day after day for weeks on end without some down time.  Your body, mind and soul deserve the rest so make sure you take some today and the next two days too!

TLC

If you haven't any charity in your heart, 

you have the worst kind of heart trouble.  

~Bob Hope

TLC
It's time to infuse some Tender Loving Care back into your life. Whether you need to take care of yourself or there is someone in your life that needs some extra care, it's time to concentrate on bringing that in. TLC not only helps a person physically but it can help heal them emotionally and spiritually as well. We all need to feel loved and cared for, especially when we are hurting or down and out. Take a look around (and in the mirror) and see who in your life needs some TLC. Be the one to provide it today.

Close Calls

(picture from wehearit.com by -jean.deviantart.com)

The only difference between a rut and a grave is their dimensions.

 ~Ellen Glasgow

Close Calls
You have had many close calls in your life. Whether they were "small" close calls or "life threatening" close calls, you were able to get through them. The key is to not only make it through but to actually learn from them too. If you dwell on these close calls, if you choose to surround yourself by guilt and fear from them then you are not learning from the experience. When something almost happens to us that could have had a much more tragic ending or turn, it is our responsibility to look at the situation for what it truly is, a life lesson. What did we need to learn without having to pay the ultimate sacrifice? We were given another chance but it order to embrace it fully, we need to extract the lesson and use is to improve our lives for the better.

Thank You

(picture taken from google images)

The only people with whom you should try to get even

are those who have helped you.

~John E. Southard

Thank You
What in your life are you thankful for and have you stopped long enough to acknowledge the blessings and people around you? If not, today is the day to be thankful and to express it in many different ways. Being grateful for the small and big things in your life is a way to keep you connected to the universe. You can always find something or someone in each day to be thankful for. Whether you keep a gratitude journal, send out an email, post a picture on facebook or use any other means to let someone know that you are grateful for them or for the abundance in your life, you need to connect to that place at least once a day. Being in touch with that space in your heart filled with gratitude will enhance your life in more ways than you can imagine. Try it ~ it can't hurt!

Know that today, I am beyond grateful for each and every single one of you that take the time out of your busy days to read the Daily Pearl. 

Hurdles

(picture from google.com, Olympics 2012 Hurdling event)

Life's problems wouldn't be called "hurdles"

if there wasn't a way to get over them.

~Author Unknown

Hurdles

Your life will be filled with many hurdles. Some will be bigger than others but they are all put along your path to make you learn more about yourself and what you are capable of. Some hurdles might look like mountains at first and maybe even too big to climb. The more you tackle them head on, and sometimes with a great leap of faith, the more you will realize just how strong you are. Every hurdle is placed at a specific time in your life to challenge you in order to make you grow. If life didn't have challenges, how would we get to know our true capabilities? Look at each hurdle in your life as a challenge, one that will make you a better person in the long run. Don't ever stop short of jumping over the hurdle. Remember, once you get to the other side, it's a beautiful view!

Sisters

More than Santa Claus, your sister knows when you've been bad and good.  

~Linda Sunshine

Today's Daily Pearl is dedicated to my sisters, Colleen & Karen.  

You are incredible women and I am blessed to call you family.

Sisters
Nothing is like a sister. They share the same childhood as you, laugh with you, fight with you, cry with you and always come to your defense, especially with the neighborhood kids. They are connected to you no matter how close or how far away they are. Sisters are the first people you call when there is something great to share or something heartbreaking. They are the greatest support system and cheering section you could have. This could also be true of brothers, cousins and those family members that you share a special connection with. These are bonds that no matter how many years pass or how far the distance, they only get stronger with age. 

More

A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.

~Benjamin Franklin

More
You are more than what you do. 

Too many times we allow titles to define who we are or how we feel about ourselves.  When someone asks us to tell them a little about ourselves we usually lead with our job titles or personal titles like mother, daughter, son, etc. The truth is, we are more than our titles, what we do or who we have connections with. 

A title could never truly explain your character, what you stand for, your values and your moral compass. Challenge yourself to broaden your perspective on who you are. Don't define yourself into a box. You are more than what you do. Always remember that.