The Power of Mothers

I wish my Mom had lived longer. While I know I was blessed to have her here well into her 80’s, it wasn’t enough time. It never is when a beloved one passes away. I look at social media and see all of these people with their moms and I keep hoping that they know they need to treasure this time. Treasure it as life is short and Moms are precious. At least mine was. I hope to carry on that tradition of unconditional love and pass it along to my sons. I pray that one day, when I am gone, they will remember me fondly and be grateful for the time we spent together – as that’s how I feel about my own Mom.

She wasn’t perfect, but then none of us are, are we? She did her best under the circumstances and always, always, told us she loved us. Sometimes repeatedly as if she somehow knew that I would need to rely on those words years later. Shore them up for a later date when that child inside of me needed her Mommy. When I needed to remember how once long ago, I had a Mommy who loved me with her whole heart, for always and forever.

Because I don’t know if it’s the energies or Mother’s Day, but this morning, well, perhaps you can tell, I’m a bit teary. I’m missing my Mom. I’m missing being loved by my Mom. I’ve built a beautiful friendship team of women in my life. Most of us are now the matriarchs ourselves since our Moms passed already, but some have simply lost their Moms which is unfortunate. But what connects us, what we have in common, is the way in which we mother each other.

Yes, you read that right. I am part of a group of women who mother each other – kindly share, mentor, and understand when we feel that nobody else really does. We lead with kindness and supportive love with that imperceptible trusting motherly instinct of sending out comfort when needed. We even go as far as doing the Mom praise and maybe even a lil’ bit of the Mom nagging…LOL Some things just don’t change, do they? I mean, how could we call ourselves Moms if we didn’t do a bit of reminding? Ha Ha

We fill in the gaps that our Moms left. We united slowly, subtly over time. It’s been a beautiful journey, truly. Interestingly enough, not all of them know each other. What I mean is, they know of each other, but some have never met and yet, we are intertwined. Some are not Moms, having chosen to not have offspring, and yet they are Mom-like all the same. Perhaps it’s part of that feminine mystique that is so prevalent in women. We just have it in our genes to mother. We’re simply built that way.

So today, I raise my coffee cup in honor of the women in my life. The ones who have mothered me and who have allowed me to mother them. The ones who cared enough to stick around in the midst of chaos. My appreciation is deeper than they’ll ever really understand. Because kindness and feeling loved is more precious than anything. Don’t you think?

Shine On!

xo

Happy Sunday Happy New Year

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Good morning! Happy Sunday and Happy New Year! I can’t believe we’re in the year 2023! Does it seem as startling to you this morning as it does to me? Perhaps it’s just that I haven’t had enough coffee yet! 🙂 But time truly flies when you sit quietly and reflect as I’ve been doing this morning. Reflecting and being present and also taking care to think about the future. Because isn’t that what we do on New Year’s Day?!

It’s a fresh start beginning with January 1st. While I’m not one for declaring my resolutions for the coming year, I know many people who do. Instead, I’d rather take stock of what I have, count my blessings with gratitude, and plan for the future with lots of hope mixed in.

Faith. Hope. and Love.

I’ve been through a lot over the years while I’ve been writing to you. I’ve battled breast cancer (yesterday marked 21 years since my diagnosis). I’ve lost both of my parents. I’ve cleaned out and sold 4 houses for family due to deaths. The marriage and relationship with his family ceased to exist. I’ve endured open heart surgery and Covid. Those are just the biggies. I’m sure there’s more, I just can’t think of them right now…But what I’m getting at is this: what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger…and I’ve learned how strong I innately am!

As I held my sons last night after we watched the ball drop together in Times Square, I began to get teary. The three of us stood together in a unified hug, as it should be. We are family. We have endured so much together. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been so worth it.

I got teary because I am so grateful. I know how precious life is. I understand that life can change in a moment’s notice. When I look back over the last ten years, so much in my life has changed. So much in my sons’ lives have changed and while we don’t know where this new year will take us, what I do know in my heart is this: we will do it together and there’s no place I’d rather be right now than with them.

So as I sit here with a kitty on my lap, the boys and pup asleep upstairs in the early hours of the first day of the new year, I send you love, gratitude and a gentle reminder to always remember to enjoy – the presents of presence – in your life!

Shine On!

xo

Reason, Season and a Lifetime

A teacher is a candle who spends their whole life giving light to all of their students.

I never knew there was a World Teacher Day until I saw it on my calendar, so here I am. Because as a retired Spanish teacher, and a blogger who uses – SHINE ON – to end her posts, well, it was only fitting for me to write today.

Perhaps though I’ll go in a bit of a different direction. Because I think that the world is our classroom and all of her inhabitants are our teachers. Each relationship we have teaches us something else. We learn much from the people in our lives. That poem about reason, season or lifetime seems fitting at this juncture. We are blessed to learn something from each relationship we are in. I found this poem by Brian A. Chalker which I think explains it very well. Read on…

Reason, Season and a Lifetime

People always come into your life for a reason, a season and a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, or to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or even spiritually. They may seem like a godsend to you, and they are. They are there for a reason, you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die, Sometimes they just walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season. And like Spring turns to Summer and Summer to Fall, the season eventually ends.

LIFETIME, relationships teach you a lifetime of lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway), and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas in your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being part of my life…..

My heartfelt gratitude to all of you with whom I have been in contact, had a relationship, and learned from as my teachers. You have shaped my life in amazing ways and I am truly grateful for all of you.

Shine On!

xo

Good Thinking

I did not write this – but WOW does it speak to my heart!!! Worth the read.

“Barely the day started and… it’s already six in the evening.

Barely arrived on Monday and it’s already Friday.

… and the month is already over.

… and the year is almost over.

… and already 40, 50 or 60 years of our lives have passed.

… and we realize that we lost our parents, friends.

and we realize it’s too late to go back…

So… Let’s try, despite everything, to enjoy the remaining time…

Let’s keep looking for activities that we like…

Let’s put some color in our grey…

Let’s smile at the little things in life that put balm in our hearts.

And despite everything, we must continue to enjoy with serenity this time we have left.

Let’s try to eliminate the afters…

I’m doing it after…

I’ll say after…

I’ll think about it after…

We leave everything for later like ′′ after ′′ is ours.

Because what we don’t understand is that:

Afterwards, the coffee gets cold…

Afterwards, priorities change…

Afterwards, the charm is broken…

Afterwards, health passes…

Afterwards, the kids grow up…

Afterwards parents get old…

Afterwards, promises are forgotten…

afterwards, the day becomes the night…

Afterwards life ends…

And then it’s often too late….

So… Let’s leave nothing for later…

Because still waiting see you later, we can lose the best moments,

the best experiences,

best friends,

the best family…

The day is today… The moment is now…”

Shine On!

xo

Emergence

I want to introduce you to my dear friend Iris, by way of her blog which you can find here! While she’s not on WordPress like the rest of us, she’s got amazing insight to share and her post today had me immediately writing one to present her to you because I feel many of you will resonate with her messages.

The post I am referring to is titled On Loss, but after 9/11, perhaps it’s fitting that it should be now. (Fitting, the southern term – my Mom or her family must be around!) – because you know the veil is currently thin with the full moon in Pisces and six planets in retrograde etc. But alas, I get off subject…

What came to me after reading Iris’ post was: a deep harkening to the soul…be present it whispers…be grateful…take the time to listen, to hold sacred which is just what I’m planning to do today.

Many of us have suffered losses. I have many loved ones who have passed away and their love stays with me in the deepest part of my soul. Tucked away like a small reminder of what once was. A treasured memory now almost dusty, but still warmed by my soul’s affection for and with them.

Iris has another website as well so you can really get to know her which is thelightanddarkofday.com As someone who has benefited from her gifts, I can heartily recommend booking a session with her as she is warm, inviting and full of inner wisdom which radiates within us. Please tell her I sent you if you should decide to reach out to her. She can let you know what session would best benefit you. She’s been a dear friend to me, as well as an insightful companion and mentor. Her understanding of our world and its creatures as well as the humanity and heart of all that beats within is incredible. You will find yourself grateful for the gift of Iris as I do.

Shine On!

xo

Remember You Are Loved

There have been a few people in my life who have sadly taken theirs, so when I heard it was World Suicide Prevention Day, I felt it was important to honor it. Please accept my heartfelt hugs to those of you who know someone(s) who have chosen this path. For me, I know that any passing leaves a deep sadness in its wake, but somehow it seems a suicide feels more tragic to me, as if it were preventable on some level, even if we didn’t have control over it ourselves.

Preventing a suicide is key:

The key to me is to listen with an open heart and mind to those who are hurting. To care about them and let them know how much you care. To be with those who are hurting. To listen beyond what’s being said to what is silenced. To hold sacred space for them while encouraging their participation in this world. To gently take their hand and walk with them for as long as it takes. To be aware that ‘I’m fine” may not mean “I’m fine” in the way you want to believe it does. To always let people know you love and care for them and that you’re really here for them through thick and thin. They are never alone…

For those who are hurting:

To allow someone to hold our hands when we’re feeling low. To open up to trusted friends and family. To talk about it. To write about it. To get the feelings out when they are messy so that the despair doesn’t fill us up inside. To try. To share. To ask for help. To receive help. To believe that this will help us. To see beyond the present moment and ourselves. To realize there are other choices. To take baby steps towards healing. To feel the love that others have for us. To realize and know we are never alone. To think beyond that present moment as to how an potential action affects those around us and question how we can save ourselves and others. Because we can stay here and get help and feel better…

While I am not suicidal, we have all had low moments in our lifetimes I think and so we can understand how someone may feel in that moment…let’s make sure that all who inhabit our earth feel our heartlights shining so that we can help each and every person so that no one feels alone again.

Shine On!

xo

Angels Walk Among Us

Throughout my lifetime, I have been blessed. I know this and I don’t take it for granted. In fact, I want to celebrate it so that you can see it in your lives too! Because when we see with a grateful heart, we understand that we are never alone. God sends us angels in all different forms to help us along the way. Strangers who become friends. People who go out of their way for others whom they don’t know. Information and synchronicities that come out of nowhere that are the key to unlocking certain situations. Wisdom that’s shared simply because it will help someone else. Do you see what I mean?

These human angels walk among us. Have you ever wondered how you got the right person on the phone when you were trying to fix something? Or noticed a stranger in line at the grocery store doing something so kind and it makes your day? Have you ever been nudged to reach out to someone to help them? Why, that’s God’s way of expanding his angelic kindness through us!

If you’re not a believer in God, but perhaps in Mother Nature’s infinite wisdom or the Universal Laws or something else, I feel as if it is all similar when we connect with kindness with others. Can you feel it?

Since the start of this next chapter with my heart, I have met so many angels along the way that it’s been amazing. The Divine Timing of our meet cutes has been extraordinary. But I know (big inner smile) that there’s a soul plan here at work. It’s not by chance most likely. It’s got more of an angelic feel to it and I am relishing in all of it.

For when we are grateful, when we acknowledge the blessings, we open our hearts/minds/souls to more of the same. When we receive with grace, we can also give out and flow with the loving energies that are so healing.

Not just now, but throughout my life, angelic humans have made their presence known to me, helping me when needed in extraordinary ways. My sister and I have had many of these experiences and we are so grateful to continue to have them. We marvel at each encounter which solidifies our thinking.

So I hope that if you are nudged to get out of your comfort zone to connect with someone else that you will not hesitate. Sometimes we are the catalyst for joyfully changing someone else’s life and that’s the best feeling ever! For those of you, who like me, have been the recipient, let’s continue to pass it along, spreading kindness and love with each personal encounter.

Our world aches to grow in love so let’s feed it! Keep shining your heartlights for we can see them!

Shine On!

xo

Heart Of The Matter

Those ‘a-ha’ moments are fascinating when we realize the breadth and scope of the bigger picture, don’t you think? In the moment perhaps we are stunned by realizations, but afterwards, a few steps beyond the initial shock, we realize what we’ve known all along and chosen not to see. I often wonder if it is the heart or the mind which blocks the inner knowing until we are able to understand fully. Either way, I am now grateful.

The heart of the matter came unexpectedly as those types of realizations often do. Searching for answers, for reasons, the path became clear almost immediately when the realization was freed from prior naiveté. What I believed was normal for me was not at all. Believing that it was all in the brain was proven to be incorrect. It is in the heart, the soul’s residence, from which our heartlights emerge. It came as a huge surprise to me even though others did not have the same reaction. Perhaps it is in how I love that could be different, that makes no sense to those who find my thinking nonsensical, my forgiveness extraordinary and my silence merciful. But I am none of those as typified by normality. I’m an empath who has emerged from her cocoon without fear.

I imagine, after all is complete, I will emerge as a healed Phoenix from the ashes, ready to soar to the heavens with grace, strength and wisdom from the experience. There are so many cliches I want to input – my heart will go on – but it’s true. I am hoping I will go on as well and not leave this earthly plane before my allotted time. There is still much to do for me here.

Shine On!

xo

Homesick For The Light

There are times when the low vibrational energies drain us.  I’m still hearing from friends who are talking about this energetic shift that is progressing so slowly that at times we feel as if we are in a stagnant pool of waiting.  It’s as if all is flowing in slow motion to the point of actually not seeing any movement, even though we know there is progress.  Does that make sense to you?

The phrase Homesick For The Light popped into my head this morning so I’m just going to flow with it.  To me, the phrase means that we are longing to be surrounded by kindness, tranquility, and being bathed in heartlight for a little while.  To me, that’s home.  This seesaw energy and spiritual chaos exhausts many of us.  As our eyes have been opened, it is hard to watch others who manipulate, deceive (themselves and others) and prefer disconnection to unity.

I think what frustrates many of us is that we know there is another way – unity, compassion, love, kindness, peace, connections.  We have seen and felt the light shine from our own heartlights and been united with similarly thinking souls.  We know how great it feels.  So when we find people in our lives who have turned towards the shadows, we long to help, but we are thwarted for different reasons.

May you find your light in the everyday moments.  May you shine your heartlights brilliantly.  May you light another’s light when theirs dims.  May you find comfort in connections.  May you find peace within and spread your peaceful countenance to all.

Shine On!

xo

The Gift of Choice

In my last post I asked you about making lemons into lemonade…then, I found this inspiring woman and had to share her story with you. She’s got her heartlight lit and shining for all to see and I just love that about her. Her honesty, her humor, her way of seeing life’s challenges will summon your inner strength and renew your spirit.

Isn’t that what sharing is all about in this life? Each of us learning from the other person’s experiences, holding hands and helping each other over the rough spots? Making lemonade and sitting on the porch on a warm afternoon together, sharing the moment of peace? Knowing that someone’s supporting you through the hard times is a priceless gift and one that I always appreciate.

It’s always about how you look at the situation that you’re in. The GIFT OF CHOICE is yours to do with how you wish…so, now let me introduce you to Kathy…

A living example of turning lemons into lemonade, Kathy inspires people to determine their life’s course by sharing her own stories of hardship and self-discovery. She is an active volunteer for causes close to her heart, and volunteers at many children’s charities including No Limits, a non-profit organization for children who are deaf and hard of hearing

https://www.kathybuckley.com

Keep shining your heartlights my friends and making that delicious lemonade!

Shine On!

xo