Just once, perhaps . . . .

Sometimes the heart

should do things

without the brain's permission.

Photo by Anna Kern

Consider a new view . . . .

We live in a world that is constantly changing! In order to keep up, we must be open to new experiences and at least have a willingness to consider a new view on things. Being open-minded will help. To have an open mind simply means you are willing to consider new and different ideas. It means we are able to be more flexible and adaptive to new experiences and thoughts. Choosing to be open-minded, without necessarily accepting it all, can expand our intellectual capability, and if we choose to seek new ways of doing and looking at things, it can certainly make life more interesting. Making a choice to be inflexible, or unwilling to further explore new experiences, I believe, puts a huge limit on so many wonderful possibilities. I'm not saying that you shouldn't stay committed to your decisions, but by learning to be more flexible in your approach could leave you scratching your head....saying....what took me so long to consider this? Leaving the door open for that worthwhile thought could take you down a path that you never considered before, and hey,.....it could have an amazing view!

"An open mind leaves a chance

for someone

to drop a worthwhile thought in it."

-Anonymous

The big secret in life is . . .

. . . . that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work.

Motivation is when your dreams

put on work clothes.

-Unknown author

Finding balance in you life . . .

I don't believe that 'having balance in your life' means that everything in your world is perfect. In my opinion, it simply means that you are giving enough attention to the things that are important to you. . . . consistently, regardless of what your circumstances are. We all know that life gets hectic. It just does! We are all trying to figure out how to balance our work life, our personal lives, raising kids, taking care of our aging parents AND ourselves. It's a lot to manage, but finding balance in the midst of our daily responsibilities can be done. It takes focus, and the willingness to set priorities. First, try letting go of the need to be in constant control. It is a sure-fire deterrent to managing stress and having balance. Also, we can rest assured that things in our life will change, no doubt.....life is ever-changing! Try being more open to inevitable changes and it will greatly reduce your daily stress.

If you are doing too much, or saying yes when asked to take on yet another project, understand that it is okay to say no. Otherwise, it WILL take a toll on you physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually. One of my favorite coffee mugs has a saying on it that makes me laugh every time I read it. It says ...."No, I cannot make 4 dozen cookies. Next question." Believe me, when my boys were in school, I made my share of cookies, but I realized that I didn't have to say yes every time I was approached. If you really want to help, make it easy on yourself and buy them instead. The kids will love them just the same. Saying no more often will make room in your life for the things that are more meaningful to you. Invite simplicity into your life, and realize that it will present you with a chance to have balance, a sense of peace, certainly less stress, and much more joy. And by the way, having a sense of humor can't hurt either, so lighten up!

"A well-developed sense of humor

is the pole that adds balance to your steps

as you walk the tightrope of life."

-William Arthur Ward

Happy Easter!

Time to slow it down . . . .

"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why."

 -Eddie Cantor

Happy Friday!

Have an amazing weekend!

Love your own backyard . . . .

Traveling is so great! I am just returning from two of my favorite cities ... New York and Chicago, and as always, it feels so good to get out of my daily routine, enjoy a new environment, and explore. But there is always something really wonderful about coming home. I am always reminded of just how much I love what I left! I find myself looking at my surroundings with a new eye, almost as if I'm a guest in my own home or community. The following quote reminds us of that very thing; that there is much to enjoy in our own backyard, especially when you can look at it with a fresh mind. Travel through your own surroundings today with a fresh approach, and see if you don't feel inspired.

Bon voyage!

Photo taken myself

It's bottomless . . . .

-Pema Chodron

Photo by Ray Wise via flickr

While putting together today's post, I remembered a previous post from November that relates to the above quote. It's entitled How much can the heart hold? and it always reminds me of just how bottomless the heart really is. The amount of what the heart can hold is truly immeasurable!

Ten words . . . .

Photo via Google Images

LovethisLife...

LovethisLife...

is about celebrating the moment

and that we're not guaranteed or owed another day

and how cool it is that what we hide

can actually be the fuel towards our glory

and that it's not so bad being proven wrong

LovethisLife...

is about welcoming the blind turn

and the possibility

that there's no such thing as coincidence

and that empathy is incredibly sexy

and that it's never too late

to pick up a guitar or a paintbrush

or to make an amend or to make a new friend

LovethisLife...

could be about rekindling a past flame

or igniting a new one

or shapeshifting from a dreamer into a doer

or savouring the caress of a love long gone

LovethisLife...

means whatever it is you want it to mean

because

LovethisLife...

is a celebration of you and your path

LovethisLife...

'cuz it could go at any second

you rock.

-David Culiner

-Photo via One Eyeland

For your viewing pleasure . . . .

Beauty comes from within,

but sometimes,

well, you just have to enjoy the view!

Happy Friday!

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

Photo via The Sartorialist

Today looks really good on you . . . .

-Via Notes from the Universe

-Photo by Cameron McDonald via One Eyeland

Life is here . . . .

. . . and it is now.....either we meet it, we live it or we miss it. All life resides in the narrow margin and the broad expanse of the moment. It is in the doing, the dreaming, the feeling and the caring. It is always present in a glorious attemt, a lofty dream, a brilliant insight, an irreplaceable experience, a calming breath, an unbelievable feeling and an irrepressible passion. An unlived life is littered with "could haves," "should haves" and "if onlys." Each moment greets us full of possibility and leaves us hoping we are better for having met. While it is true that we only have right now, there will never be a time when it's not now. Grandma Moses said it best, "Life is what we make it, always has been and always will."

-Kobi Yamada

From the book "be"

Oh, the experience of this sweet life.

-Dante

Photo via Getty Images

Do yourself a favor . . . .

Are you putting too much pressure on yourself to be a perfect parent? Do yourself a favor, and STOP! We're not perfect...no one is!, and we need to stop putting that kind of pressure on ourselves. We can start by focusing on giving our children the best of who we are. Learn to let go of judgements, both from yourself and others, and give your child one of the best gifts available........the best of who you are.

Photo via Melanie Acevedo

"Live" is a verb . . .

Life is waiting for you to live it--your way. There is no "life" without you--only an inert potential that needs you to give it meaning, shape, and purpose. "Live" is a verb; it means to take action, and that's the point. Life is waiting for you to take action, to exercise your free will, to choose your path by using its principles to invoke the magic behind creation in order to live the life you've always dreamed you could live. This is why you're here!

Our actions are our beliefs in motion,

linking the present we know

to the future we expect.

From the book Infinite Possibilities

by Mike Dooley

Photo via Getty Images

From the book "be"

Happy Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Make it genuine . . . .

Via Quote Book

May you never forget what is

worth remembering,

or remember what is best forgotten.

-Irish blessing

Pure pleasures . . . .

Reading in bed on a rainy day.

The laughter of children.

Having time.

Chocolate.

The warmth of a hand.

Happy thoughts.

Photo credits:

Photo #1 unknown

Photo #2 by mosippy via flickr

Photo #3 by Yvette Inufil via flickr

Photo #4 via Google Images

Photo #5 via Most Beautiful Darling

Photo #6 via Getty Images

Give it a try . . .

I'll bet you could do something for someone today who'd remember it for the rest of their life. In a good way.

On your mark, get set . . .

-via A Note from the Universe

-Photo via Google Images

Thank you so much to the staff over at Fab Over Fifty for naming me as one of their (FAB FAVES) favorite blogs. I am truly flattered! How nice is that?

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words,

but to live by them."

-John F. Kennedy

Have a wonderful weekend!

Via la la Lovely

Give the world your best . . .

Photo via Lerkenfeldt Photography

Perception. . . .

The place: Washington DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007.

The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:

The violinist received his first dollar; the woman threw the money in the hat and without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes later:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes: A 3-year-old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:

The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money, but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100. This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.

The questions raised: In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made, how many other things are we missing?

Would you recognize beauty incognito?

Virtuoso & Grammy Winner - Joshua Bell

Images via Google Images

"To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to."

-Kahlil Gibran

Photo via Twenty Three

Peace through music . . .

"While walking down the street in Santa Monica, CA., the voice of Roger Ridley singing "Stand By Me" was heard from a block away. His voice, soul and passion set us on a course around the world to add other musicians to his performance. This song transformed Playing For Change from a small group of individuals to a global movement for peace and understanding. This track features over 35 musicians collaborating from all over the world. They may have never met in person, but in this case, the music does the talking."

- Playing For Change

Watch, and be inspired.

The Playing for Change Foundation is dedicated to connecting the world through music by providing resources such as facilities, supplies, and educational programs to musicians and their communities around the world. Support them if you can.

Happy Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

via Quote Book

Here's To You . . . .

From the book Here's To You

Photo via Google Images

Living in the moment . . .

Have you ever had the experience of driving on the highway, only to realize that you missed your exit, or worse, have no recollection of the previous 15 minutes? We just 'zone out' occasionally. The same thing may happen when you are reading a book. You find yourself at the end of a chapter, and have no idea what you just read! We become so lost in our thoughts that we become unaware of what is going on around us. This is when life can literally pass us by! We can change this by doing our best to live in the moment. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't care about the future. It merely means that when you make a choice to do something, you actually focus on doing it. Most of us have a lot of chatter going on in our minds and when we learn to cut through all that noise, this is when we become more mindful. I find it helps to think of what you're doing as possibly the last time you'll get to experience it. What if it truly was the last day of your life? Would you finally pay attention? No matter what you're doing, try to find something beautiful around you. Being thankful for something that is already in your life will help you notice the present moment. Even the small things can bring life and happiness to routine days.

In her book Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert writes about her friend who, whenever she sees a beautiful place, exclaims in near panic, "It's so beautiful here! I want to come back here someday!" "It takes all my pursuasive powers, writes Gilbert, to convince her that she is already here."

"We have more possibilities available

in each moment than we realize."

-Thich Nhat Hanh

Photo via Getty Images