“Gather strength from life's storms.” Jonathan Lockwood Huie

It's a bright sunny day today. Thank goodness! We have experienced a lot of rain lately and to be perfectly honest, it was beginning to take its toll on me in a very negative way. I am not normally prone to mood swings because of the weather. However, over the last few weeks, even I was starting to feel beaten down. For those who don't know, retail kind of sucks when the weather is bad. But yesterday and today brought bright sunny skies with that crisp autumn cool. Just what the doctor ordered! (At least for the time being)

Keep Telling the Stories! 2023

 

“ Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us.” ― Golda Meir, A Land of Our Own: An Oral Autobiography

As I count off the days one after another, my thoughts turn to my mother who had a unique view of things. While always fully involved in the holiday that was up next, she had an uncanny awareness of the next holiday which was just around the corner. It never diminished her focus on the celebration at hand. Yet both mentally and physically she was engaged in what's next. For her, it was cyclical. On this 150 day journey, there are some intermediate milestones. Columbus Day is here, Day 12. My birthday will be here shortly, another 20days. Then Veteran's Day, followed by Thanksgiving, then Pearl Harbor Day, which also happens to be the first day of Chanukah. Shortly after that,18days, is Christmas, then New Years Eve and Becca's wedding. In early January we'll hit the 100 day milestone, then Valentines day. By St. Patties day, we will hit that 150 day milestone. Not an ending, just a mile marker. I think I will celebrate with a toast with my friend Jim as we both hit another milestone. Looking forward to that!

Keep Telling the Stories! 2023

 

“Our policy is simple. The Jewish state was set up to defend Jewish lives, and we always reserve the right to defend our selves." Benjamin Netanyahu

I woke up this morning with a clear, concise and positive message for myself. I texted a friend just to say good morning. His response was "turn on the news". It was then my day took a dramatic turn. There is an ugly cruelty that exists in this World. Today it is with us in full force. Evil must be destroyed, not just dealt with. And no, there is no "other side" of this debate! A very sad day.

Keep Telling the Stories! 2023

 

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." Maria Robinson

This morning a friend asked me if I was enjoying writing again. Great question! My answer was, I don't know that I am enjoying it but I am appreciative of taking part in the exercise. There is a rhythm added to my day when I make (read take) the time to write. It grounds me. It brings focus to the chaos of the day. It's very familiar to me. I appreciate familiar. Familiar is like wearing a hoodie to me. And I love wearing hoodies!

Keep Telling the Stories! 2023

 

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." Maria Robinson

This morning a friend asked me if I was enjoying writing again. Great question! My answer was, I don't know that I am enjoying it but I am appreciative of taking part in the exercise. There is a rhythm added to my day when I make (read take) the time to write. It grounds me. It brings focus to the chaos of the day. It's very familiar to me. I appreciate familiar. Familiar is like wearing a hoodie to me. And I love wearing hoodies!

Keep Telling the Stories! 2023

 

“With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.” Keshavan Nair

Day 7: “Commitment is doing what you said you would, long after the mood you said it in has left.”  1 day has become 1 week!

Keep Telling the Stories! 2023

 

"The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best." Epictetus

A dear friend of mine shared a bit of wisdom on Facebook yesterday. If I pour myself a cup of coffee and someone bumps into me, I spill coffee all over myself. If I pour myself a cup of tea and someone bumps into me, I spill tea allover myself. When we bump into things we will ultimately spill whatever is in our cup. If we fill our cup with doubt, fear and anxiety, inevitably that is what will spill out. When we fill our cup with positive life affirming thoughts, that too becomes what eventually spills out. Seems like an easy choice if you ask me.

Keep Telling the Stories! 2023