Join Me and Salute The Veterans

The military has always been a small part of my life.  My Dad was a Navy man.  He and my Mom met at an Army/Navy game.  All three of my Mom’s brothers served as U.S. Marines and one in the Army.  Multiple cousins and extended family have served in the military as well.  I have friends who are veterans and others who are in active duty.  Now the next generation has arrived and I pray for the friends of my sons who have chosen to be a part of the military branches.  I now have ties to Air Force Rangers, Navy Seals, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

I remember wearing a POW (Prisoner of War) bracelet as a young girl.  I asked my Dad for one as he wore one and had explained to me why he wore his.  I wanted to show my support for the man who was missing and his family.  I still have it somewhere and now that I’m older, I need to find out if he was ever found.

Today I salute all those who are a part of our military and their families.  From my heart, I thank you for your service and I don’t take lightly what you have sacrificed for all of us.  The unimaginable atrocities that you have witnessed and experienced sadden me.  I can’t begin to imagine the unfathomable knowledge that you may keep inside and yet you are still here.  I admire your unbreakable spirit and commitment.  I know that what you have gone through may have changed you in ways we civilians cannot even begin to understand.  I have witnessed how the human spirit can be broken irrevocably and my heart goes out to you.

Years ago, I attended many military functions due to invites via work.  I met so many amazing men and women who were in the military and I was always honored when they shared their stories with me.  I never forgot to thank them for their service to our country.  Their calling to be a part of the military was evident and even though I have never felt that calling, I admire their willingness to be a part of it, to proudly stand for what they believe in and to sacrifice themselves for our country’s freedom.

In my heart, mind and soul, I wish we had no need for militia and that peace would reign throughout our planet Earth.  But that doesn’t seem possible in my lifetime, nor in the lifetime of my children unless we all commit to unconditional love prevailing.  Oh what a miracle that would be, don’t you think?

Today, please take a moment to say a prayer for all of the Veterans, those in active duty and those who have lost lives and spirits.  We appreciate you and your families.  We honor your commitments and we hold you tenderly in our hearts.  May God Bless Us All.

Shine On!

xo

Leaving The Traditional Behind

What’s the traditional to you?  Years ago, I would have declared I was the traditional wife, mother, daughter, niece and caregiver to family.  I would have happily regaled you with stories about the traditions as a family we enjoyed and how I came to rely on those traditions, even when I sometimes dreaded the work that the traditions held.  You know what I mean right?  Making huge family holiday feasts, plastering a smile on my face, even when I felt like crying and pretending that all was well, for the sake of the traditions that had come to be expected?

Have you ever felt that way?

But I have been released from the traditional now.  My life has changed dramatically.  No longer am I a wife, but instead, I am a divorced mom.  Today marks the first time I am completely alone as my children have gone to visit my Ex’s family on vacation.  The divorce is official and we have moved into our own little rental for the time being.

It’s a strange in-between place for me.

I was contemplating this when I saw the Traditional – Daily Prompt which I thought fit me well.  I’m embracing a limbo of sorts until I decide what I want to do next.  I have a few days of solitude ahead in which to fill the hours with whatever I choose.  I can’t remember the last time I had time like this!  Being in a new rental means I have no memories of traditions that pin me to the past.  It’s like there’s a clean slate on which to write my next chapter.  As I sipped my morning coffee, I realized for the first time in my life, I have freedom to choose what makes me happy at least for the next few days without worrying about how it could impact anyone else.  I have freedom from the traditional day of routine, of motherhood, of responsibilities.

There’s a plethora of possibilities in my head, swimming around, ripe to pluck and execute.  Do I go for a walk on the beach and inhale the enticing sea air?  Do I take a nap, curled up on the couch and eat bon bons?  Do I call a friend to meet for lunch and enjoy a glass of wine in the middle of the day to celebrate the break from traditional?  Do I stuff myself with popcorn and candies and watch a chick-flick?  Do I read in peaceful silence?  Do I go out shopping and buy myself something fabulous?

Ahhh…the release from the traditional!

All these choices are spinning in my mind and instead of being sad that I am alone, as my children are away, I am divorced, living in a rental and my life is not how I had traditionally planned it to be – in my heart I am planning on embracing the freedom from the traditional!  Of course, I’m sitting here writing to you, but it’s time for me to dip my toes in the sea of possibilities!  So off I go – into the unknown and with love and light, I send you hugs for a Tuesday!

May you also enjoy a break from the traditional – I think it’s time we all have a little moment to break free from the confines that bind us to the plethora of shoulds that cage us at times.  I’m not suggesting you go out and do something wicked.  That’s not me!  But to shake up the routine a bit, now that’s a possibility!  What new tradition can you make today?  Got any ideas?  Please share!

Shine On!

xo

4th of July

Celebrating with you today virtually ~ May your day be bright and happy!  May you find loving connections with all whom you come into contact!  May fireworks brighten your nights and BBQ family parties with friends and family make your day special!  Be free to love with a willingness to forgive, to embrace and to simply find the joy in this life.

You deserve it!

Shine On!

xo

Free Your Mind

“It’s not who we are that holds us back,

it’s who we think we are not.” ~ Michael Nolan

Let this quote settle in your mind for a bit.  Let it linger in your soul.  I remember hearing a quote that said something to the effect that even prisoners have the freedom to think and that nobody can hold the key to the prison in your mind except you.  What do you think of that?  Can you acknowledge that you are the prison guard of your own mind?  What if you were to break free from the prison which holds you?  What if you let go of all that holds you back and allow freedom to reign in your mind?  Can you imagine all you would accomplish?  Can you see how you would shine so brightly?

You can do it.  You now hold the key.  Turn the lock.  Break out.  I believe in you.

Shine On!

xo

Be the Peace ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 15, 1929 – April 04, 1968

 “It does not matter how long you live, but how well you do it,” is just one quote attributed to the man above and because today is his holiday, I am dedicating this post to his quotes.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

“Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.”

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.”

“No person has the right to rain on your dreams.”

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”

“It is cheerful to God when you rejoice or laugh from the bottom of your heart.”

“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way”

“Be The Peace You Wish To See In The World!”

Shine On!

xo

So tell me, which one is your favorite?

Just a few other posts about his quotes:

http://coffeeteaordog.com/2013/01/21/prelude-to-a-dream/

http://joyreturns.com/2013/01/21/hope-disappointment/

http://blog.luckybrand.com/2013/01/21/dream-often/

http://bloggingonthebrightside.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/carve-a-tunnel-of-hope-through-the-dark-mountain-of-disappointment/

http://gainesvilletxsocial.com/2013/01/21/mlk-day/

http://defeatdespair.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/everybody-can-be-great/

http://garyrichmond.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/we-have-a-dream/

http://culturesfashion.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/remembering-mr-martin/

http://ackans.com/2013/01/21/pic-o-the-day-226/

Advice from the Chocolate Factory…Do It!

Hold your breath, Make a wish
Count to three, Come with me
And you’ll be
In a world of pure imagination
Take a look and you’ll see
Into your imagination

We’ll begin with a spin
Traveling in the world of my creation
What we’ll see will defy explanation

If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Wanna change the world?
There’s nothing to it

There is no life I know
To compare with pure imagination
Living there you’ll be free
If you truly wish to be

If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to do it
Wanna change the world?
There’s nothing to it

There is no life I know
To compare with pure imagination
Living there you’ll be free
If you truly wish to be. *

* For MLAngel…this one’s for you…thanks for the suggestion! xo