The Little Things

(Photo by Microsoft Clipart) ~~ What is one thing that you still remember to this day that warms your heart and puts a smile on your face? I’ll bet it was something spontaneous and incidental but you still remember it as if it was just yesterday….where you were, who was with you, the sounds and smells.

It’s not anything big - you tune into the little things. It may be a twinkle in the eyes of a loved one as they tell you some exciting news or read something to you that inspired them.

My husband wrote a poem years ago that is one of those special little things that means a lot to me. I have it hanging on the wall.

He was taking some classes in college at the time and not long before that we had left our roots in Toledo and Cape Charles, VA and headed west.

It was 1969 and our trek was similar to a modern-day wagon train except we were in our Volvo station wagon with 2 dogs pulling a U-Haul. We had no jobs and knew no one in Denver and no clue where we were going to stay. You wonder whether we were adventurous or ….. better not say.

It turned out to be adventurous as we have lived in Colorado now for 39 years and have more stories to tell of those times. But for now I'll share the poem he wrote:

When, in a distant place by the sea
And I was young and free and alone
I searched for a special someone
To walk beside, someone I didn’t know
And you were there.

Later, when we left the sea
And came to the mountains
The vastness of this new place
Filled me with fear
But you were there.

I roamed from job to job
From trouble to trouble
Searching for something from within and without.
Yet never quite finding and feeling the doubt
You were there.

And now in this time of finding
This time of happiness and joy
This time of reaching and growing
This time especially for sharing
You are there.

Used By Permission - © Jim Ruppel
The little things make life worth living. All over the world little things are happening this moment. People are giving, and sharing. The sun is shining and the streams are flowing. There is good all around in just taking notice. We don’t have to do extravagant things and make a big noise to touch someone’s heart. It’s the little gestures and kind words – the little things that mean so much.

Do you have some special moments, those little things, you’d like to share?


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Through the Eyes of a Child

(Photos by Microsoft Clipart) ~~ We have a 2-year old grandson and I’m constantly amazed at how he’s constantly present and in the moment. He doesn’t think about what happened yesterday or what he’s going to do tomorrow. It’s right now. That’s all he thinks about and what he is involved with.

Can you remember what it was like to be that free spirit? Can you remember what it was like to see a car, a dog or an airplane for the first time? Oh, the wonder and innocence of a child.

Did we lose the curiosity and pure excitement of just being alive every day? Thrilled with the little things like ants crawling across the sidewall or captured by blowing bubbles hours on end. When did we get so serious?

There are some things I’d like to unlearn and roll back time and go back before it was learned. When it shows up again I’ll pass. Wouldn’t it be nice to undiscover anger, hate or greed?

Yes, we have responsibilities and we know things won’t get done if we don’t do them but I think we take it too far and get stuck. We don’t know how to chill – lighten up and just laugh out loud. We get too concerned about what others might think or the next deadline.

I love it when our grandchildren come up and spend the weekend. They’re all boys ranging in age from 2, 8 and 13. It’s a span from toddler to preteen and testosterone. I learn a lot from them and about myself when they come.

I learn what is the latest music on YouTube, how to dual with light sabers and catch up with the latest Shrek videos I didn’t get to see at the movies. I crawl under the table in the pretend fort and jump on the bed with them. On special moments they climb up on the kitchen counter ready to talk and I don’t want to miss it.

I don’t want to miss it. Miss life and the mystery of life. Children will teach you how if you’ve forgotten. Just watch and listen and follow their lead.

Next time you hear a child giggle pay close attention and feel the joy that comes from the depth of their soul and the freedom of spirit. What would you like to see through the eyes of a child?

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A Time to Remember….

(Photos by Microsoft Clipart) ~~ It’s Memorial Day weekend, amidst the barbeques and family gatherings it’s a time set aside when we remember those who have given so much – life and limb – to keep us safe. As Bob Schieffer said this morning on a television program called Face The Nation, “…not as God has made them but as war has left them.”

My father served in World War II and the Korean Conflict and my father-in-law served in World War II. Both are no longer with us today.

My husband is a Vietnam-era veteran and my son-in-law served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. They both served their country and I’m proud. There are many that have served and haven’t come home and many more that are still engaged in war for this country and many countries all over the world yet to come home.

Growing up, Dad would tell us many stories about the war. One, in particular, I remember was when he told of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. He said they were the closest unit to the bombing and were the first ones deployed and on the scene to secure the area. He spoke of what it looked like in contrast to what he had seen before. Everything was leveled with white ash all over – no trees, no buildings. Nothing was moving and there appeared to be nothing alive. I still have that image of how devastating that must have been.

No one can be fully prepared for this devastation. No matter what your political views or on what side you take your position, war is hell on both sides – for the ones winning and the ones losing. It’s not a win-win proposition.

I think of the stories told in World War I (the war that was supposed to end all wars) when the opposing sides would break from fighting on Christmas and eat with one another and play cards.

It is my prayer that one day we will find a way to end the conflicts and fears and live together in love and harmony in our homes, communities and countries throughout the world.

No matter where you are or what country you live in, if you have lost loved ones in war or are remembering family and friends who have not fought in war but are no longer living, may you find comfort and peace in the arms of an angel on this Memorial Day Holiday weekend that we celebrate in the United States.

Video – In The Arms Of The Angel – Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban from Daving83 on YouTube

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Meme Tag – You’re It – If You Want to Play

(Photo by Microsoft Clipart) ~~ (Meme – according to Wikipedia – it is any unit of cultural information as a practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another.)

I’ve seen others tag each other on other blogs and thought it was interesting but have never taken the chance to enter in and play until now. I’m cheating and using most of what Patricia wrote when she tagged me. Won’t you take the plunge and join me in the fun.

The current meme was passed on to me by Patricia Singleton who writes for Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker. The article that Patricia wrote is called Tag—You’re It—Another Meme.

HERE ARE THE RULES TO THE MEME:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share 4 things in these themes.
4. Tag 4 random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. (I am only tagging anyone who reads this and wants to participate. It is not required. Only do it, if it is fun.)
5. Let each random person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website. (My title is the only notification you are getting if you choose to participate.)

4 JOBS I HAVE HAD:
1. Nanny – I’ve always loved kids and enjoyed mine when they were little and I now enjoy our grandchildren so I thought, “Why not.” I watched a baby girl at the age of 3 months for 5 months until her daddy quit his day job to watch her and go back to school. It was a great experience.
2. Secretary/Admin Assistant for most of my life since I graduated from high school – actually thought I would do something different but since I took typing and shorthand in high school I always seemed to fall into this type of work.
3. Self-employed entrepreneur (Wisdom For The Ages) as a facilitator and speaker and now writer on this blog. This is the heart of what I love – learning to connect with people and talk and listen to their stories.
4. Currently working as a document specialist – data entry. It’s funny – I really like it and look forward to going to work every day. To some people, they might think how can you do such a mundane job but to me I welcome it as I get to work without any constant interruptions or answering of phones. I quietly work away in my little cubicle.

4 MOVIES I CAN WATCH OVER & OVER:
1. “It’s a Wonderful Life” – an old 1940’s black and white movie you usually see on TV around Christmas. It’s become a tradition for me to put it on Christmas eve with nothing but the Christmas lights on, the house quiet and everyone else in bed.
2. “Sleepless in Seattle” – I’m a softy for those chick flicks and a happy ending.
3. “Lady Hawk” – an old medieval time love story with a beautiful black Friesian horse. That’s what I enjoyed the most was the horse trotting to the music.
4. Anything funny and on the light side – Steve Martin and Peter Sellers movies.

4 PLACES I HAVE LIVED:
1. Philadelphia – actually a small borough south of Philly (Norwood) – with my parents and sister. It’s where I grew up and graduated from school. Nothing too exciting about it with the refineries and typical suburbia.
2. Cape Charles, Virginia – first place where I truly felt at home with my grandparents. I loved being with them and my cousins and the beach. Good memories.
3. North Denver, Colorado – where we settled in shortly after we got out of the military and headed west for the first time leaving roots and family.
4. Bailey, Colorado – a small town in the mountains almost 50 miles from downtown Denver at an elevation of 8500’. We’ve lived here over 25 years and it is our slice of heaven – our home.

4 TV SHOWS THAT I LOVE (when I watch TV it’s mostly reruns):
1. Frasier
2. Northern Exposure
3. Men in Trees
4. Boston Legal

4 PLACES I HAVE BEEN ON HOLIDAY:
1. Virginia
2. Ohio – not for the holiday but to visit my husband’s parents
3. Colorado
4. Colorado – sounds boring but we’ve never gone anywhere for the holiday except to visit family if we’re living there.

4 OF MY FAVORITE DISHES:
1. Shrimp Cocktail
2. Wine and Cheese
3. Veggies and Dip
4. Lobster and Crab (I miss my seafood from Virginia)

4 WEBSITES THAT I VISIT FREQUENTLY: (It was so hard to just pick 4. I read so many. In addition to Patricia’s choices here are some more great sites to check out in spreading the love around.)
1. Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker found at http://patriciasingleton.blogspot.com/
2. The Next 45 Years at http://www.thenext45years.com/blog/
3. Blogging Without A Blog at http://bloggingwithoutablog.com/
4. She-Power.com found at http://she-power.com/

4 PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
I’m happy and content right where I’m at right now. Anything else would just be icing on the cake.

4 BLOGGERS I AM TAGGING:
I am not tagging anyone specifically. If you would like to be tagged to do this meme then go ahead. Have fun with it.

Thank you, Patricia, for tagging me and all of the readers that choose to participate. I used this meme as an opportunity to share more of my life with my readers.

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A Little Slice of Heaven

As I sit here this evening at my kitchen table writing a post, the light is waning but it’s still bright enough to look out back across the field and see something wondrous and beautiful – 3 bull elk grazing. This is my slice of heaven sitting in my home with the Rocky Mountains all around and wildlife close by.

They were there in our neighbor’s yard early this morning before I left for work and again this evening on my return. As my husband took pictures, he was amazed of their size. Their racks are some of the biggest he’s ever seen still in velvet and not fully grown yet.

Here are some pictures (elk photos are copyrighted by Jim Ruppel):



Not only the elk gave me a send off this morning and a greeting this evening but a rainbow peaked out from some early evening thunder clouds off in the distance having just moved through.

~~ (Rainbow Photo by Microsoft Clipart)~~
Whew!! No matter where you live there’s beauty all around and it’s your slice of heaven too.

From the mountains where I live, to the beaches on either coast, to the southern bayous over to the desert, to mention a few - this is a beautiful world.

These are just some of the many blessings graciously given us at no charge and, “Oh” how they touch my heart and soul in this little slice of heaven.

"A Moment of Happiness"
A moment of happiness,
you and I sitting on the veranda,
apparently two, but one in soul, you and I.
We feel the flowing water of life here,
you and I, with the garden's beauty
and the birds singing.
The stars will be watching us,
and we will show them
what it is to be a thin crescent moon.
You and I unselfed, will be together,
indifferent to idle speculation, you and I.
The parrots of heaven will be cracking sugar
as we laugh together, you and I.
In one form upon this earth,
and in another form in a timeless sweet land.
~~Jalalu'l-din Rumi

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What Would You Like to See and Do?

IMAGINE...You may say I'm a dreamer... But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us...and the World will live as one~~John Lennon~~
Do you have some things in mind you would like to do or some place you would like to visit before your time with this life on earth is over? I have a small list of things on my frig and now and then I add to it.

I’ll share them with you and I’d like you to comment and share some of the things that stand out for you that you would like to do. Here are mine:

1. SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS (AURORA BOREALIS). I’ve read about them and have seen glimpses of them on TV shows now and then. But, I can only imagine how mystical they are in their greens and blues swirling around and moving with the currents of the air.

Credits Go To Carlos (RioMondego) On YouTube

2. PARAGLIDE. I once saw this TV spot on Colorado Getaways of a woman and her friend trying out the adventure of tandem paragliding. If you have someone with you on the first time out, you may feel more secure. What would that feel like soaring like a bird?

3. VISIT SCOTLAND. I have ancestry that came from Scotland (both grandparents) and a friend that has frequently visited the Findhorn Foundation. I have my father’s 100-year old book written about my great-great-great Grandfather, Thomas Edward, called “The Life of a Scotch Naturalist” by Samuel Smiles, LL.D. He was given an award from Queen Victoria in the late 1800’s and one of the people who gave him tribute in the book for his work was Charles Darwin. I would love to visit and explore some of the places talked about in his book and do a genealogy research as well as take in the sights and get to know the people.

4. SWIM WITH THE DOLPHINS. I met a woman who practices Reiki a few years back who took regular trips to Cancun, Mexico to swim with the dolphins. She invited me to go with their group but I wasn’t able to go at that time. She talked about the spiritual and therapeutic benefits her clients received and the wonderful experiences.

5. VISIT THE GROTTO OF LOURDES, FRANCE AND TAKE PART IN THE EVENING PROCESSION. Dr. Wayne Dyer talked in one of his lectures about participating in this procession in the small town of Lourdes, France. He said this procession takes places every evening from early spring to the fall. No one advertises, there aren’t any real instructions as to what to do. Ten to fourteen thousand people from all over the world show up every evening with candles. There’s a strong peace and energy force somehow orchestrating the event. There are wheelchairs and people with crutches and no pushing or shoving. It all seems to move and flow so effortlessly. It was a powerful experience for him.

6. SEE THE TULIPS IN FULL BLOOM IN HOLLAND. I love flowers and can just imagine the fragrance in the air as you take in field after field of brightly colored tulips.

This is my list so far. I know there are many other wonderful things on this God’s earth to discover and explore. As I learn about them, I’ll add them to my list. I'm excited for the time when I'll get the chance to visit and do these things and cross them off my list. How about you? What are some of the things you’d like to do - places you'd like to see?

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Blessings To All Mothers

(Photo by Microsoft Clipart) ~~ Mother’s Day - a special day honoring all mothers far and wide. I didn’t want the day to end without sending warm thoughts and best wishes to all of you out there privileged to be mothers.

I hope your day is filled with laughter and sweet sounds of children at play.

I hope you are honored and treated with respect this special day with much gratitude for which you so deserve.

I hope you are reminded of days gone by of times where all you did was run here and chase there making treasures of memories for the wee ones now grown.

You are a Mother – a role to be cherished for having the awesome responsibility of bearing children and taking part in keeping them safe, watching them grow and passing onto them your wisdom and stories.

On Children
Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

God bless you on your special day – Mother’s Day.

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Alone

~~ ALONE ~~ What does that feel like? I wondered about that after viewing an hour-long documentary last night on PBS. The show was about Dick Proenneke alone in the wilderness in Twin Lakes, Alaska.

It started out with him wanting to see if he could live one whole year in remote Alaska. It turned out with him finally leaving at the age of 82 after 35 years.

Here is a compressed 9-minute glimpse of this amazing man and how he worked using simple tools to build his cabin living in harmony with Nature and the elements.

Alone In The Wilderness taken from ihateyotube11 on YouTube

I have been feeling reflective lately. I suppose it’s the energy of Spring coming on and noticing the changes all around. This was another one of those introspective times in viewing this video.

I wondered what does a man think of in his quiet times when he is alone in a remote area like this. What keeps you there – for 35 years? In the beginning, long days and months are spent in building your shelter, as it was for Dick, and preparation for food and water and in exploration. But when that is finished and life settles in to routine maintenance and chores, do you ever miss companionship or the sound of someone’s voice? Or, maybe because you are so one with who you are from within the need is not there for companionship because you’re content and satisfied wherever you are.

As I watched this video, I was in awe how a cabin grew, a moss roof and fireplace emerged, doors were hung with wooden hinges. He created everything with the resources around him. Just watching made me realize the incredible ability and potential a human possesses.

In our culture, we are lured into believing we need this or we need that or else we can’t survive. What a different world compared to the wilderness Dick Proenneke lived in. He used his God-given talents and strengths fully carving out a life in harmony with the energy of Nature and the resources given him. Why are we any different in the lives we are living? We all can’t go to the wilderness but I believe we can let our own individual strengths come through in the same way everyday in our lives.

ALONE – what would our thoughts and feelings be in a remote wilderness for 35 years? I feel that peace and contentment. It’s learning to let it shine through every day in whatever we’re doing – right here, right now.


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Music Between the Notes

(Photos by Microsoft Clipart) ~~ We just started to get a rain shower tonight. What a wonderful break to have rain instead of snow.

As I sit listening to the patter of drops pondering what to write, I think of the beauty and wonder of this world and how most of the time we’re unconscious and miss so much of it. Just a little thing like a gentle rain can remind us to stop and listen to life that is going on all around and within us.

We miss it because we’re looking only with our eyes and ears and if it’s not obvious we move on. The essence – life – is the pause of your breath before you exhale, the feel of the air and expansion of the sky as you step outside, the sound of your heartbeat and the music between the notes.

Herein lies the key to a New World. The changes you’ve been believing in and praying for is already in our midst and in our presence if we would only look and listen with our soul eyes instead of our physical eyes.

Moment-to-moment and hour-by-hour, we can learn to be aware of the unseen and unspoken nuances around us and bring them into whatever we’re doing at the time allowing that energy to flow through us.

As Eckhart Tolle quotes from Hafiz, a 14th century Persian poet and Sufi master, as translated by Daniel Ladinsky in The Gift:

“I am a hole in a flute that the Christ’s breath moves through. Listen to this music.”

The answers we are looking for cannot be found in thought or form. We can’t use the same physical eyes and ears to understand. It’s as if we have to put that aside and listen as the animals listen. They are in tune with the energies and unseen forces of life and nature. That’s why they knew to move to higher ground when the tsunami hit in 2004.

Listening to the gentle rain connects me to the whole and I feel complete. For a little time, I’m conscious and sense the awesomeness of life. Sweet.

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One Hundred Posts

(Pictures by Microsoft Clipart) ~~ Woohoo! This is my 100th post. I’m dancing around happy – ecstatic of this accomplishment, for me. You have to understand that this is the last thing I ever imagined I would do is write.

As a child growing up, I didn’t like to read. My father read all the time to the point it became a pet peeve to me. It would be nice outside and he would sit there with his nose in a book. I thought it was the biggest waste of time.

In school, when book reports were due, I would read a few chapters in the beginning, middle and end and look at the front and back inlays for a summary of the book and write my report. Then, I would pray there would be no test or called upon for questions and answers. It worked some times but most often it didn’t.

Then, I married and, guess what, my husband loved to read and more than my father. So, it was then that I thought I’d better get serious and read a book or two. It was a slow go and over the years I developed a love for reading. In fact, my husband has his bookcase with his favorite books and I have mine. I’ve actually filled up a bookcase with my favorite books. Now, I love to read and look forward to quiet times on the weekend, when the weather is stormy, curled up with a good book.

I have a lot of ground to make up for all those lost years but the books are not going anywhere. In fact, with this discovery of writing, I may one day add my own contribution to the volumes already published. I never knew you could write and feel so fulfilled and amazed as the story unfolds. It’s like something talks through you and words pour out on the screen. When I’m finished, I’m in wonder as to where it came from.

So, in light from where I’ve come, what I’ve learned in the process and what I have accomplished, I thank you for coming along on this journey with me, reading and sharing your thoughts and wisdom.

I INVITE YOU TO JOIN ME IN THIS CELEBRATION OF MY 100TH POST

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