Nature’s Jewelry

My beautiful tree in the front yard is still holding onto her leaves. Bejeweled tones of ruby, amber and orange are so stunning in the sunlight that the above photo doesn’t do justice as to her loveliness.

I find a tranquility in communing with nature and this certainly is the perfect setting for it here out in the country. While most of the trees here have let go of their leaves, this one hasn’t yet and what a present that is to me!

How about at your homestead? Are the leaves still hanging on or have they already dropped? I think it’s late for this one to be still full of leaves, but I’m not complaining! I love it!

I hope you’re having a lovely Sunday. Keep shining your heartlights and continue to be grateful for every precious day.

Shine On!

xo

Happy Thanksgiving!

May our lives be full of both thanks and giving!

Good morning to you!  If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving today, please allow me to wish you many blessings on this day along with my gratitude for our friendship and the connections we have made.  Happy Friendsgiving to you!

It’s a quiet morning here.  My children are still sleeping in their beds and as usual, I’m sitting here sipping coffee, thinking about life and counting my blessings.  Especially as I grow older, I find myself appreciating The Presents of Presence more and taking the much needed time to remember and to be grateful for all that I have endured to make this moment in time more precious.

Life continues to change with every passing year.  We lose friends and family along the way as we grow older.  Situations change.  People change.  Life can seem more complicated.  But the simplicity of gratitude which is what Thanksgiving represents makes the now, this present moment, all the more real, for we never know what can change in our lives at a moment’s notice.

So, take this day and remember to:

Speak from your heart and say I love you more often.

Appreciate those with whom you have a lasting connection.

Be thankful for all blessings – big and small.

Shine your heartlights.

Connect with kindness.

Be grateful for all of the kindness you’ve received.

Make sweet memories, for they are your legacy.

Enjoy this day that you’ve been given.

Shine On!

xo

Ode To November

November first flew past me without a Rabbit Rabbit post, but here’s a quick reminder in case you’re new or couldn’t remember why I say Rabbit Rabbit.  Did you miss me?  Because I’ve missed all of you and I hope you are doing well!

November is a busy month as we begin planning for the holidays.  It’s also a melancholy month as we remember those who have passed.  November first is All Saint’s Day and coincidentally the birthdate of my late Father.  November fourth marks the passing of my beloved Uncle as well.

Onward sparks the holiday of Thanksgiving where gratitude for who we have in our lives, both past and present, and for all the blessings that have been bestowed on us are appreciated.  Family meals and traditions continue through the rest of the year with much anticipation.  Are you beginning to think about the holiday season which is coming upon us with rapid speed?

We have a limited time here on this planet and we really never know how long we have, so we need to make the most of today, this precious present moment, for that’s all we can truly count on.  Embrace those loving souls in your life for whom you are grateful.  Take time to quiet your mind and listen to the inner wisdom that you already have.  Reach out to help others and be kind.  Find the gratitude for all you have in your life because those little things sometimes mean more that you’ll ever know.

I’m reminded of a Bible quote my Mom says,

“This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad.” 

To me, it sounds like the perfect plan for a blessed Sunday so I thought I’d pass it along to you too.  May your day be filled with precious moments of love, kindness, health and goodness.

Shine On!

xo

Honeybee Spirit Totem Animal Message

I thought that yesterday’s post about my 3 encounters with the honeybee might interest you as to what I found the message to be for me.  Perhaps you’ve had a visit from a honeybee as well, so I thought I’d share what I found from here.

When the honey-bee spirit animal appears to you, it’s calling your attention to your everyday miracles. Just look at your honey-bee totem which is so small yet able to achieve so much.

The honey-bee symbolism is also of community and teamwork. Use your talents to help humanity and make your personal contributions to change the world for the better.

Add your voice to the collective consciousness. Raise the vibrations of the world you live in.

Wow!  Who knew the honeybee was such a powerful totem?  And as I begin my next chapter into uncharted territory, I am grateful to that sweet little honeybee’s message.  I love our community of bloggers and the friendships we have made.  I am hoping now that we are transitioning into our new home, I can begin again to write, to read, to comment and to grow our community.

Please join me in raising the vibrations of the beautiful world we live in!  It’s time to spread our wings, band together and fly like the darling honeybee!

Shine On!

xo

 

 

 

Loving Someone With Alzheimer’s

 

I have two close family members with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia.  Although we have been walking this path for over two years, the decline is beginning to show the ravages of the disease.  It’s a normal process I’m told that there are declines, progression of the disease and plateaus.  As with many diseases, its course is unpredictable and unfortunately, non-reversible.

I have made many friends through this journey.  Today I was speaking with another daughter of a Mom with Alzheimer’s.  Commiserating about our loved ones’ situations, we found solace in sharing our feelings about the disease without a cure.  A disease which is documented to be exponentially growing in the coming years, with the ability to even touch our own lives since many times, it is genetically carried.

How mind-blowing is that?  Yes, pun intended.

I read other bloggers who are touched by these diseases.  Caretakers, patients as well as doctors who are dedicated to finding a cure and making life better for those afflicted by this disease and their loved ones who wrestle heart-breakingly with the changes that come as the diseases progress.

Of course, I have much empathy and compassion for those who endure this disease, including my loved ones.  How could I not when I see as they move along this path?  I’m not saying it isn’t confusing or frustrating for those who have the diseases because I know that it is and frankly, I fear that it may strike me one day as well.  So I find myself always trying to go with the flow, to assure my loved ones that they are safe, all is well and to make sure that their lives are as lovely as I can make them.  And that sometimes, in itself, is a full time job.

But every once in awhile, there comes a time when it feels unbearable.  To watch a loved one’s mind slip away is heart-wrenching and I feel so incompetent and powerless to make things better for them.  When there come personality changes which may or may not last for long, but still sting because my loved ones perseverate over something or get angry because of something they believe (which may or may not be true), it’s hard to handle.  It’s difficult to manage and to let go of what is being said because in my heart, I know she doesn’t really mean what she is saying as she just doesn’t know because she has this disease.  But the words and the feelings, sting and pierce my heart anyway.  Probably because I still want her to be who I remember fondly and not the grouchy person who is so angry.

It has been said that when the full moon comes, our minds often are affected and surely, with this disease, I have found that theory to be true.  The coming full moon and eclipse may even be a double whammy in memory care facilities world-wide.  Who knows?

In any case, thank you for reading as the road through aging, isn’t for sissies, no matter how old you are!

Shine On!

xo

 

It’s Been 15 Years and I’m Still Here!

Fifteen years ago today, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  At times, it seems as if it were yesterday.  At others, it seems a lifetime ago.  But as any cancer survivor knows, we never forget the diagnosis which begins this journey.

So today, I celebrate with gratitude the triumph of still being here to enjoy my life with my children.  Even though I celebrate this milestone alone today, I have many angels in my life to whom I look with loving gratitude for all that they have done for me throughout the years.  I hold dearly those memories of loving support and kindness which were gifted to me.  Indeed, sometimes it takes a village.

My life has changed by leaps and bounds since that fateful day.  I’ve overcome 10 + surgeries, chemotherapy, baldness, radiation and countless scares that the cancer had returned.  I’ve loved and lost and let go.  But what remains is my faith, my courage and my choice to stay here and fight for my life.

I’ve learned so many lessons by enduring cancer, ones that perhaps I wish I’d never learned, but yet I am grateful all the same.

So on this New Year’s Eve Day, please celebrate with me as I celebrate with you.  Cheers with gratitude to the lessons learned in the past 15 years and cheers to another year filled with light, love, health, prosperity and happiness for all!

Shine On!

xo

88

Happy Birthday Auntie M!

Eighty-Eight Years Young!

Turning 88 years old is a milestone.  Born in 1928, my Auntie M is celebrating her birthday today and unfortunately, I can’t be there to see her.  However, I was able to talk with her on the phone and sing the customary Happy Birthday To YOU song to which she giggled.  It’s lovely when someone with dementia laughs and understands.  It’s a pure gift to the loved ones who surround her.

Life here on Earth can be fleeting, gone with the blink of an eye as we’ve experienced through various tragedies.  So to celebrate a loved one’s birthday is special.  My heart is saddened that I am so far away from her today, for even though she might not remember later that I was there, in the moment, she knew that I was not, but that I was connecting with her via telephone and singing off-key, her special song.  Her, “I love you,” to me was special and her gratitude for my remembering her birthday gladdened my heart.  But truly, how could I not remember her special day?

But, isn’t that what life is all about?  Connecting with others, feeling the shared love that runs through our souls even for a few fleeting moments of clarity in the mind of someone with memory issues?  I treasure the connection we made today.  I love to hear her laugh as she can’t believe her actual age!  I think of how, when I reach 88, I will probably feel the same way.

So today’s post is dedicated to my Auntie M who has shown her loving light and caring soul to all!  Today I celebrate her spirit of kindness, of caring, of love and connections.  She helps me to remember to enjoy the present moment and she is a great role model of doing just that!

She’ll be enjoying her favorite chocolate ice cream cake this afternoon with her sister and friends today.  I will have to go out to get a cup of ice cream myself to toast a life well-loved!

Shine On!

xo

 

 

 

Life’s Journey

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

– Lao Tzu

Life has its own path of twists and turns, many of which are made by our own free will or the free will of others in our tribe.  Sometimes circumstances beyond our control can also throw a proverbial monkey wrench into our life paths, causing us to traverse mountains and rugged terrain as we sort through changes that we may have never wanted to see coming.

What I’ve found to help me as I’ve traversed rocky terrain has been to add love to every situation by throwing in a dash of positive thinking, forgiveness for myself and others, a splash of kindness and compassion and a letting go of the reigns of responsibility and control to which I sometimes grip too tightly.  A continual reminder to keep gratitude in the forefront has aided my healing as well.  Keeping the faith and allowing the Universe to help me has created much positivity and peace in my life.  Lastly, connecting with others, opening my heart, mind and soul to trusted friends who have helped me when I’ve stumbled, has made the journey more endearing and has lessened the angst.

For me, I always feel as though I can do anything if someone else believes in me and walks along with me on this chapter of life’s path in a companionable way.  Connect with me, hold my hand (not necessarily physically, but emotionally), for awhile, link arms with me in friendship and support and know the difference between listening, advising and telling.

I am here, hopefully back to blogging as I have missed you all very much.  I pray that while I’ve been absent from blogging that you have been well, continuing to shine your heartlights and being you ~ a loving, supportive community of heartlit writers who care!  You know, I’m your biggest fan!

Shine On!

xo

The Layers of Now

Being present is what I yearn to be, although like many others, I teeter-totter in the realm of past rememberings or anticipating future fears of what’s to come.  It’s a fine line between the past, the present and the future.  One sharp word can trigger a memory and I’m conjuring up past wounds, beliefs and heartbreak.  One kind word and I’m breathing deeply in the present moment, finding my center of peace.  One anxious word and I’m fearing the uncharted territory of the future.

So where does one go?

Into The Layers of Now!

The Layers of Now is how I’ve found peace within me during chaotic times of trouble which seem to gather around me lately like thunderclouds sweeping in during a summer storm.  I don’t know if I can explain what I’m doing so that it will make sense to you, but I will try.

Simply put, I consciously try with all of my might,

to layer my present moment of presence.

If I need to cha cha into the past, I take a few steps back, rock forward to the present moment and repeat as necessary until the dance becomes obscured by the smile on my face as the music trills in my head, because I have changed my tune.  I drop what wounds I held onto as they don’t serve me anymore.  I allow the knowledge that we are all here together, doing the best we can to remind me that I am not without mistakes either.  I forgive the past, remember what I have endured and face the present with peace in my heart.

If I need to face the future, I step up, then rock back to the present and repeat as necessary.  Never actually staying in the future for it is certainly uncertain at this point, but also, never losing sight of the solidity of the present moment.  Thus I can grow my presents of presence.

Then, when I need to feel present in all the glory or chaos that is this very moment, I step to the side, into observer mode, facing my fears, my angst, euphoria and sadness with the magnitude of a maestro layering the chorus of past/present/future into a hit song that encompasses it all!  I stand by, not engaging, but simply looking with gratitude for all the facets of my life, no matter where they may be, past, present, future, happy, sad, uncertain and I just envelope them in my heart as the layers of now and rejoice, for I am here to experience and connect each and every emotion and feeling.

I am here,

to witness my life as it is right now with gratitude.

*

I am here,

to remember how far I have come from my past with gratitude.

*

I am here,

to open my heart, mind and soul,

to welcome with arms outstretched,

the unseen experiences that may come my way on my future path.

All at the same time.

Connecting…The Layers of Now.

Shine On!

xo

 

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/layers/

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day

To all of the Moms out there who mother, cuddle, protect and love,

To all of the children out there who are mothered, cuddled, protected and loved,

To all those who through friendship, mother their friends,

I am grateful for you.

It’s been awhile since I’ve written on my blog.  But today, I am reaching out with my heartlight to connect with each and every one of you, to let you know that I am thinking of you.  To all of you who are mothers, and to all of you who have been mothered and to all of the women who mother others, I send you peace, love and nurturing.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Shine On!

xo