Day 133: Wit and Wisdom from Mother Angelica

I've recently discovered Mother Angelica, and her wit and wisdom are quite adorable and inspiring! Something about her reminds me gently of my grandmother (who I never got the chance to meet, sadly ;(  
You can follow her on twitter, facebook or wherever you socially meditate ;)  This quote gives you a "taste"!  

Day 132: A literacy lover! The Power of Words!

I have always been a literacy lover!  I grew up with my nose in books.  From learning how to read upon my daddy's lap with Dick and Jane books, to Dr. Seuss, The Berenstein bears, Amelia Bedelia, Judy Blume, Roald Dahl, and so many countless others!  My life has been a soundtrack of various authors and books that met me at the door and carried me through life! 

I am so thrilled that my children are lovers of literacy as well!!! I've never been able to say no to a request for a book.  I've joked that we could open our own library!  ;)  

 Recently, I began to think about all the social media that is so currently prevalent and it occurred to me that we have a new generational literacy--social media!! A few years back, we were discussing the literacy emerging through the internet but it's evolved again.  Just look at all the READERS and WRITERS emerging!!  I love it!  As a literacy lover--I especially love that it involves my passion too--technology!   There will always be nay-sayers with negative things to point out about social media......but I see a very positive aspect of it ALL and that is LITERACY is alive and growing!  

So go on with your bad selves--bloggers, tweeters, facebookers......instagrammers!!!  It's all literacy! and it makes my little bookworm heart happy!! :)

Day 131: Raising Kind Children

A few days into my 21 Day Challenge (a prayer challenge to read specific passages in the bible each day .....for 21 days--inspired by Daniel and including the last few days of reading from the book of Daniel)  I happened upon a prayer to ask God to help identify those who aren't FOR you.  Those who may actually be AGAINST you.  It termed it fairly heavily (in my opinion) because it went as far as to say ask God to reveal any who plot evil against you, and to me, this just didn't resonate.  Maybe I'm naive, well, ok.  I definitely am, but I honestly don't ever think that anyone has "plotted evil" against me.  Well, not since an old college boyfriend cheated on me!  And even then......I wouldn't consider it "plotting"  He probably didn't have the sense to "plot" if he tried!  ;)  But I guess I don't think of people being against you to that extent--the word PLOT.  But after the day I posted it, my own daughter disclosed to me that her "friend" had asked my daughter's date to take her to an upcoming dance. Knowing very well that my daughter was already asked by the boy to be her date for the dance.  Sad face?  yes!  Really?  yes!

I instantly thought of the prayer for that day!  Hmmm......perhaps God means "plot" in the  more general terms.  The more common things that occur such as a "friend" being......not so much of one!  It saddened me that this type of behavior was common among high school "friends" and I had to (again) explain to my daughter that some people are out for themselves.....even if it means hurting a friend in the process.  I'm so glad that we have raised our children differently.  They're not perfect--by any means.  They just know how to be a good friend and thankfully--they've learned it through parental friendships which model true friendship.....and relationships in general, for that matter.  Being a good friend is really quite simple.  It means being loyal, true, and solid to the core.  It starts with a person who has good character traits and morals and is blossomed by relationships that foster caring for one another, enjoying each other's company and supporting each other through the good and the bad all while sharing a standard of behavior for what is and what is not kind.  That's the part I'm seeing quite lacking in a few teenagers......and it brings me to today's "share post".  

This post was shared on social media about raising kind daughters.  It applies to sons as well.  It's an example of what real, true friendship SHOULD look like and it's heart warming!  You may see yourself in it--or you may realize there is some growing to do in this area.  Either way--I think you'll enjoy it.  Brings to mind a common quote (which I've blogged about earlier) that I saw posted in a local bakery.

Here's to Good Women

May we Know Them

Be Them

Raise Them!

Here's to good people!  May we Know Them, Be Them, Raise Them!  :)

Kindness among young girls doesn't start on the playground or in the locker room -- it starts at home. Most notably, it starts with kind mothers raising kind daughters. Our girls see how we treat our friends. They also notice how we treat their friends.

We moms rub off on our girls. Over time our way of thinking becomes their way of thinking. If we want to raise kind daughters, we need to start by being kind mothers.

Click here for the link to the entire post. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kari-kubiszyn-kampakis/raising-a-kind-daughter_b_4661700.html

Day 130: Parental Loss and Love

A dear friend of mine lost her mother to cancer a couple of years ago.  We have shared a bond of losing a parent through this experience and even though I lost a father and hers was her mother--it pretty much comes down to the same basic feelings when THE parent you lose meant the world to you!  She recently shared this post and I wanted to share it here for my own children.  It is beautifully written and will likely make you cry--even if you haven't lost a parent.  If you just ARE one--you will find beauty in her words!


The parts that struck a strong chord with me:

For a long time(after Mother's death) I didn't understand how I could (for me, it was.....I didn't understand how I could ever feel joy again)

And then I had you, (my children). And I became a mother myself. I wrapped my arms around you, your little breaths hot and quick on my neck. I learned how to rock you to sleep, how to pick you up when you fell, how to make you giggle, how to make your eyes light up with wonder. I held you closer than I've ever held anyone and I vowed that I would never, ever let you go (and my life was full of joy again!)

This bond (parent/child) between us -- the one between she and I, and the ones between you and me -- is something utterly intangible, unbreakable, and unstoppable. Nothing, not distance or silence or chaos or death, could ever undo this connection we have.

Mothers are mysterious creatures. For us women, they at once anchor us and support us. They hold us back and teach us how to go forth. We rebel against the women they are, and we desperately try to become the women they are. I know that throughout your lifetimes you will push and pull against me as only daughters can do.

There will be times . (as a my child)...., when you question every decision I have ever made, when you frown upon all the things that I am. And there will be other times in which you try to fit your very shadow to match mine, times in which you wish with everything you are that you could be me. These swifts kicks and tugs will overlap so many times that you may never be quite sure what it is you want from me.

Even now, 18 years after her death, I can feel her all around me, her existence inextricably linked to mine.

What a blessing PARENTAL LOVE is!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/claire-bidwell-smith/dear-girls-on-half-a-lifetime-without-my-mother_b_4653980.html

Day 129: The Four Agreements Post

These are very good, basic principles to live by.  It comes from a book, The Four Agreements by Don Ruiz.




1.  Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love. 

2. Don't Take Anything Personally

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret

Day 128: Happiness Perspective

This post comes from social media-but it is one of those with a message that is just too good to not share!  It's about happiness!  And I like Happy!!!  :) :)

The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with her hair fashionably coiffed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.

After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window. “I love it,” she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

“Mrs. Jones, you haven’t seen the room …. just wait.”

“That doesn't have anything to do with it,” she replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged, it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away, just for this time in my life.”

She went on to explain, “Old age is like a bank account, you withdraw from what you’ve put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing.”

And with a smile, she said: “Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less
Shared by John at Suspended Coffees

 — with Josefina Mariano.

Day 127: Guardian Angels

Guardian Angels!  It's a term I heard about as a child growing up and I often wondered about it over the years.  It was mystifying and intriguing to me and my first strong memory of the term was when I was about 4 years old.  I remember small patches of things from my early childhood years, but this event was one of those memories that stayed strong my whole life.  It was significant because it was one of those memories where you are going about your childhood day, and then something happens that makes you 'wake up' or really hone in, and pay attention to what's going on around you.  I imagine, I was probably like my own children at that age-- and often had imaginary play going on with frequent bouts of interaction with my surroundings.  You know, those times when the kid is driving his toy car up the parent's leg with great intensity-sound effects "broom, broom" and then suddenly says, "I love you mommy", then goes back to the car noises.  

Well this memory was when we were on a family trip.  We were driving somewhere (probably on  a vacation or to visit family, which we did often).  I remember that we had some type of car trouble.  I can't recall exactly what it was but I knew it was urgent and dangerous.  It was daylight out and the sun was shining but I remember the sense of seriousness with my dad as he pulled off the road and began to deal with the situation.  I remember there was another man who got involved to help us out.  I didn't pay much attention to him or the situation until after it was over and we were driving off.  I can recall my dad getting back into the car, with a great sound of relief and gratefulness in his voice, praising the man who had helped us and then the words......Guardian Angel!  I distinctly remember my dad saying, now THAT man, .......that was a guardian angel right there!  Suddenly I recall looking out the window.  What? I thought!  Where?  I was so curious.....what does a guardian angel look like?  Are they angels?  Why can't I see him?  is he invisible? Oh, the questions!  Then as we began to slowly drive off, I looked back, hoping to get a glimpse!  I recall seeing a white haired man in a blue shirt.  He looked pretty normal.  I didn't see any wings or anything and I'm not even sure what I thought he might look like but I recall thinking that he looked "special" to me now that I had this word, Guardian Angel floating around in my mind. 
We pulled away and went on with our trip, but my dad kept on talking about him for a few more minutes.  He was so appreciative of the help that the man gave us and continued to refer to him as a Guardian Angel as I kept trying to look back and see more of him.  Instantly wishing I'd paid more attention sooner and could have gotten a better look at him.  I really wanted to see him now and have a good look at him.  
We went on our way, with no other issues with the car that I can recall.  But that memory will stand out in my mind forever, as the first time I really heard the term, Guardian Angel. And that man.....whoever he was, became my model image for a Guardian Angel as I grew up.  I pictured what little glimpse of him I got, for years!  

We had many discussions over the years about Guardian Angels and what they are, if people believe in them or not and my image of them sort of evolved.  At one time in my life, I think that I thought they were selected people......maybe sent down from heaven to do a certain act of kindness.....but later, as I matured, I learned that God USES us, everyday people as Guardian Angels in everyday, ordinary events that happen and it's more about good people, being in the right place at the right time and then being in a position to help out and CHOOSING to do something.  So this made me realize that anybody COULD be a Guardian Angel to anybody else at any given time in life.  Then I began to be more aware of them and over time, I found there are many situations in which the term would be fitting.

Today I had an opportunity to be a Guardian Angel to someone.  It was my own mother!  I was coming out of the grocery store with my son and I looked over and saw my mom entering the store.  My mom is 82 and while she gets around independently, she's definitely showing signs of her age!  At first I thought she was just coming to the grocery store but as we talked, she quickly told me that she had already shopped and that she was coming back into the store for help because her car wouldn't start. (it was a cold, cold day in January with record lows, even for winter).  I didn't have any jumper cables with me (which I should, by the way! Safety people!) so I quickly called my husband to see if my father-in-law (who I knew would be closest) could help.  Thankfully, my father-in-law was available to help and within minutes, had my mother's car up and going!

While I've often thought back over situations in my life and different events that occurred, I can definitely recall situations where a Guardian Angel (or two!) came along to help at just the right moment!  I can also recall situations where I think God was protecting me from certain, bad decisions (of even my own doing!) and I believe those are Guardian Angel occurrences as well!  It was nice today, to be in a position to help someone else!