Serenity Serendipitously Shared............

I would like to share with you, dear reader, a little photo journal of things that speak "serenity" to me. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Go ahead (if you are so inclined) and take the meditational suggestions given under each, in order to clear your head/mind of all that is bothersome.

Even if it is for just a moment.

Breath Deep.......

Clear your mind of all negative thoughts....

Think of only the good in your life.....

Smile and be grateful....

Know how lucky you really are......

Enjoy these moments in which you are able to reflect in peace....

Know that you are loved.....

Imaging yourself in the "place" you'd like to be.....

Let yourself linger there for as long as you like.....

Breath deep.....

Know that you are not alone....

Know that you are a gift.....

Know that you have purpose....

Now revel in these peacefully positive thoughts....

POST NOTE: 

After drafting up this post last night for publishing today, I serendipitously  came across the photo below. It just so happens to explain in clearer and more precise terms a more defining and meaningful approach to meditation.

I was so excited when I found this and thought that you, dear reader, may appreciate being more enlighten on this subject as I have. I guess this post was meant to be. I just love when this kinda thing happens!

Life Intentions, a funny thing happened...........

 Sometimes, no matter how focused and driven we are, we end up finding ourselves in situations that we would have never imagined ourselves being in, while wondering how in the heck we ended up there.

It's as though all of our efforts were done in futility.

But wait.

It's alright.

And please do not be disappointed in yourself.

There could be many reasons why your journey has taken a left in stead of right (and visa-versa) turn. You may become aware of some of them sooner rather than later. And others will not show themselves but in an epiphany or two (or three and so on) much later on.

We must learn to accept these situations in faith, that maybe there are other forces around (based on your belief system) that have guided you to this place in life, in order to serve a greater purpose for yourself and in some instances, for those around you.

With this acceptance comes the Peace Of Mind that is needed to relax and enjoy this place that we find ourselves in, even though, we may have never intended to be here.

Changes are coming.....

Change is an inevitable part of life.

Better to embrace its challenges than to resist in futility.

Learn what you must through the process.

Making one full circle instead of many.

May you go through change with grace and gratitude.

Dealing with Regret and Moving Forward on a Brighter Path....

 

Regrets are a form of emotional baggage carried by us all. Some, the figurative size of backpacks, others, the enormity of a full set of luggage all compartmentalized into each individual suitcase. This type of baggage is a heavy load to carry along life's path, holding you back and perpetually increasing in volume and mass if not addressed.

 

I would like to say that I have no regrets but then again, I'd be lying. And so would you if you said the same. If we were given the opportunity to turn back time and undo a choice or action, the vast majority would jump at the chance. Unfortunately, that cannot happen. You cannot turn back the hands of time. You cannot have a "Life Redo". But what you can do, is to revisit these adverse choices and their subsequent consequences with an honest and open heart.Then, choosing to learn from these mistakes and appreciating some of these self inflicted advertises as gifts of wisdom and knowledge.This helps us to not dwell on them. These experiences (in part) have led you to the place you are at this very moment in time. They are the culmination of who you are.

 

Reflecting on these circumstances will aid in your coming to peace with them. If you do not given them the proper acknowledgment you will be cheating yourself out of a future which includes good choice making skills and, in turn, the same mistakes will be repeated over and over. They may take on different forms, as time goes by but they will still, in essence, hold the same motivations.

 



 

Moving forward with a lighter load will help you to make better choices. It was also aid in drawing a more positive vibe your way. You will no longer feel held back and your self-pity factor will be greatly decreased if not all together eliminated.

 

If, during this reflective journey, you find an opportunity to right a wrong, please do. Being it as simple as an apology to some one you have hurt in the past. Validating the feelings of another who you have harmed is most important (if possible). Not only will they feel better but then so shall you.

 

I, myself, ponder my past choices quite often. I try to use them as good current decision-making tools. I can easily open my "backpack", take a reflective look, and close it back up till needed again. I make it a point to not forget these moments but to rather continually learn from them. You see, sometimes it is not as apparent as one would like, what the benefits of these adversities are until you find yourself at a certain place and time where they are called upon to show you their gifts.

 

May your load be lightened and you path be brightened!

Balancing Acts.......

And there has been no more prevalent time in my life for this struggle (within myself) as it has been with my teenagers. It's quite the balancing act, for sure. As a parent you must learn to let them go. Even if it is just bit by bit. Each time you loosen the reigns, they grow a little more. Sometimes, you may find that pulling back is just what's needed, in order for you to then, give them even more leeway. It's a constant dance of back and forth.

I'm still in the midst of this give and take phase. I know my children will thrive and most probably turn out to be fine, but I only hope that I will survive this particular journey.

You see, dear read, I'm quite attached to my children as I'm sure many of you are, and the thought of them not being here with me always, is hard for me to wrap my thoughts around. I know reality will kick in soon enough and the fruits of my child rearing labor will ultimately come to fruition.

And yes, logic tells me that this is what is supposed to happen, and that the Universe will be better off as a whole for it. I guess that last thought is what gives me peace of mind. The knowing that they will be contributing great kindness, love and empathy to all that they encounter, throughout their lives.

And in this, I will know full and true pride.

September.............

I have a special affection for September. It's the month in which I was born and it is also my anniversary. That being said, the most important reason why I love September so much, is that , to me, it is Life's Mulligan Month. It's that second chance we all have to turn the year around to be a great one.

A new beginning in the midst of the year. 

My wish, for you, dear reader, is a renewed sense of hope and happiness to sustain you through the rest of the year (and beyond)

We all run in Circles........

One could consider life's journey as a series of circles. In the beginning we all have one main circle of life to complete. While traveling along this circle we will find offshoots of connecting circles that also need to be completed. All of the spheres intertwined with every other individual we come across connecting us all in one way or another. Either traveling along the same circle for a short or long period depending on our spiritual needs.

Some circles are thicker and therefore more complex to navigate along. While others will be small and narrow, shorter and easier, if you will. The common denominating factor of each and every one is that they must all be completed in order to reach a more peaceful and harmonious life. For each circle's completion holds a journey filled with wisdom and enlightenment. If certain circles are not completed you will find yourself continually on a dead-end path that brings only frustration and rejection with a lower sense of one's self.

At times, we may find that a certain circle has become weak or broken or that we ourselves have become weary and tired from traveling so long on it. In these case, we must makes many choices. Do you try and fix it and continue to move along or do you abandon it and consider on an easier more pleasing path. And what would the consequences you will encounter be, if you made a decision one way or another?

The closer the souls are to one another, the greater the chances are of traveling within same circles. With smaller gaps in between, resulting in similar outcomes, which strengthens the bonds between us. For you see,  I believe that we are all connected through these circles and each individuals journey ultimately effects another in either a positive or negative way, and so on, for infinity and throughout eternity.

I know, this sounds a little "way out" and "new age-y", but I thought I should share with you, dear reader, how I view life in a metaphorical way in order to give you a bit of an insight to my mind's eye. You see, this blog, in itself, is a circle of mine in which I encourage you to join me, in order for you to complete your own circles in a more effective and loving manner. We can even hold hands along the way!

"Never in a Million Years"........

Who has not said these words: "Never in a million years" (or something to that effect), only to find themselves a few years later in that very position they had denied previously? Life has a funny way of putting us directly in the path the unexpected/unforeseen in the most inconspicuous way and before we know it, we're there looking back and scratching our heads as to how did this all happen.

Some of these declarations come from fear, others from denial or ignorance, and the most unfortunate ones come from sever judgement of others' circumstances. On the other hand, there are the ones that come from a place of great hope and chance which should serve as a constant reminder that good things can come around, even at the most difficult times.

I can look back in 5, 10, or even as little as 3 year intervals in my life, so far, and site a multitude of examples. I am quite sure that you, dear reader, upon reflection, can do the same. Life's changes, twist's, turn's, and sometimes even detours, can take you to places in which you have either previously denied or never even dreamed of, both good and bad. There could be places you've never thought of living in or visiting, jobs you could not of imagined doing, or people you would have never thought would be such an important part of your life.

In mentioning the positive we must not forget the negative: the illness that comes from seemingly nowhere, the sudden death of a loved one, the loss of your job, home, and/or savings. Your assumptions about your future can be undermined at any moment. Taking a left turn when you were supposed to head right, or visa versa. None of us are immune to any of these adversities, nor are we unworthy of the blessing that come our way.


Please be advised, dear reader, that you had better be very careful to judge the ones, in the current unfortunate circumstances they have found themselves in, and say "never in a million years" to yourself. Because life has an interesting way of playing a good game of irony with those who shake their fingers in the faces of the unfortunate. A quick example: A mother of a daughter (at any age) should never ever judge another mother's daughter who has become pregnant at a young age. Shame on those who do, because you never know, no matter how good of a parent you may think you may be, what will become of your own daughter. If anything, that mother and child need your love and support, not your "I told you so's".

Enough with the negative; my main intention in writing this post is to show you how to show yourself the power of hope in the face of great challenge and to be able to look ahead by looking back in order to know that you don't know what may lie ahead, and that life can be a series of unexpected surprises and journeys..

I will leave you with this: "Never in a million years" did I ever think that I would be a blogger in any way, shape, or form. I had had preconceived notions about the blogging world and therefore denied it. Well, I guess I was wrong, and here I am with you. Many blessings and happy trails forward for the next million years!

How is it that my 3 year old daughter is driving and now graduating high school?

I could have sworn it was literally just yesterday that my daughter was 3 years old. I remember that time so vividly. She was 3 and my son about 6 months. We had just moved to Texas about 4 months prior, away from my immediate family in Arizona. My husband worked about 60 hours a week and when he was home, it seemed as though he was relentlessly on call. And so, there I was with 2 little ones, in a new state, no family around, and what seemed like an absent husband. You could say that I was feeling a bit overwhelmed.

On one of my parent's frequent visits, I was explaining my woes and frustrations to my dad and this is what he told me: "Enjoy this time while they are little because before you know it, you'll wake up and they'll be grown, and out of your house." I listened to his words of wisdom and half heartily thought to myself, "That's nice, and how soon will this happen?" In great retrospect I had no idea of how right he was.

Flash forward, to today. I wake up and find that my 3 year old baby girl is now driving and about to graduate high school is a few days. How did this happen? Just yesterday, I was wiping her red lipstick smeared face! I could probably go on forever with all she was doing yesterday and what she is now doing today, but I won't.There is just too much that has happened over night. It is now time to open my eyes and wake up to the light of this day and accept that fact that she is growing up and I must let her.

I find myself feeling very sad about these changes yet, at the same time, so proud and excited for her. And so, I've come to the conclusion that in order to deal with these conflicting emotions I must first recognize two important things. First, this experience holds two truths: one being a death of sorts, and the other being a rebirth. Second, I must learn to mourn the past in my own head while rejoicing in my daughter's future.

You see, death, in a figurative sense, is not always a bad thing. As you find yourself having to close a door on one chapter in your life, you are, in essence, killing it away and therefore must allow yourself to go through the proper mourning process. Once dealt with, you can then  find the new door, open it, and walk through with a bright smile toward the future.

This is what I am currently telling and coaching myself through as I find myself deep in the mourning process while writing this post. I expect to cry tears of sorrow as well as joy when I see her parade along the graduation procession. I also expect to be a bit of a mess a couple of days before and after, knowing all the while that it will work out as it should, as it is supposed to be. My heart will be full of joy and hope as her life experiences a rebirth into her future.

As I sit through her graduation ceremony I will be donning waterproof mascara and eyeliner with a big box of very soft tissue by my side while trying to take photos in between moments of lucidity; and I will survive!

Self Respect; For You and Your Children

Pictured above is me at age 5, chubby and happy. Most of my childhood and adolescence was riddled with weight issues and having to be the "new chubby kid" in school, too many times to mention ,which leads to teasing and lots of belly aches (my parents liked to buy and sell houses). Through it all, my stability came from being from a very large and loving Italian family and a father who told me that I was "the most beautiful girl in the world" on a daily basis. My mother lead by example, showing me that being a strong and independent woman was something to be proud of and to strive for. I could have gone either way when it came to my self image.

 After all was said and done, I chose to believe my dad: that I was special and that I could be whoever I wanted because I was worthy. Being innately outgoing, becoming a strong and proud woman was probably inevitable, but through my mom, I knew I wanted to be like her. This was one of the greatest gifts my family could have given to me. After making some bad choices during my teenage years and in my early 20's, it was the basic instilled belief in myself that contributed to me becoming the self confident woman that I am.

The reason for my sharing this with you is to explain the basis of my belief of how important and vital it is to have a healthy sense of self respect and worth. When you respect yourself you do not allow others to mistreat you and you base all of your decisions with great confidence and in some cases, when appropriate, with tenacity.

When having children, I knew that the gift of a positive self image, would be one of the greatest assets that they would eventually leave home with, helping to guide them throughout their lives. I feel that it a most vital tool to posses in the pursuit of a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life. As a parent I would lead by example; for there are no "victims" in my household because when you play victim so do your children and this is never a good idea.

Basically speaking, I feel that the very first steps in building a positive self image for your children is to start out with them when they are very young. Teaching them the concept of respect for others through discipline, limits, and routine. All of these being taught with great love and empathy. Doing so will make them feel safe and secure. They will know what to expect and when to expect it. This will, in turn, give them the tools needed to want to please themselves after they have worked so hard to please you. Moving forward, they will be used to the idea that what makes them feel good also makes others feel the same way. The rest, with more guidance, will build upon itself  to produce an adult with self love, respect, and the confidence to be an example to others.

Even if you are not the most confident and secure individual, by teaching these lessons to your children, you will in turn be reinforcing these beliefs in yourself and grow along with them. It's a beautiful thing.

"It's the end of the world as we know it" ...Time to take charge and close those doors!

Tomorrow, May 21, 2011 has some predicting The End of The World, The Rapture. I take none of that crazy talk seriously but it did get me thinking as to how we can all turn this around into something wonderful, positive, and empowering. I see an opportunity here to use this moment to reflect upon our lives with the purpose of closing the doors (in essence, ending the life) on some of the issues that have been annoying us, bothersome, and contributing to sleepless nights up until this point.

Why not choose to end these disturbances (kill them off) ourselves instead of waiting for them to dissipate as time goes on. Because, in some circumstances, by being completely honest with yourself, you know very well that that is not going to happen. We must try to become more proactive in our approach concerning these matters.

For instance, is there a relationship that is going absolutely nowhere, never will and/or is a great burden to you? Well then, close the door and end it. Is there a negative behavior that you posses knowing full well that is bothers and irritates others? Then, again, close the door and end it. Is there a project that has been nagging at you to finish? Do you feel that it is just too big to handle and it's keeping you up with worry at night? Go ahead, make plans to just get it over with, closing the door and ending it.

 By making these difficult decisions and following through, you will ultimately gain  the confidence needed to not allow these types of situations to enter or stay long into your life again. You will have the power to close the door and end it yourself. You will be the master of your own destiny. The commander and chief of your world. You will forever insist on being treated with respect and dignity, by being in control of how others interact with you. You will find yourself actually wanting to treat others with respect. With hard work and perseverance it could become your new second nature.

The ending of the world as you know it (in certain aspects in your life) will allow new doors to be opened. It will also breath new life into your outlook, and in turn, attract more positive energy to you with a bright and strong vibe leading they way.

Being grateful for the "little things".......

For today's post I would like to speak to the "little things" and how I am truly grateful for each and every one. Sometime, all we have are these little gifts to make us smile and recognize the good that surrounds us. I try and find at least one thing per day to be grateful for no matter how insignificant it may seem. For instance; while I'm doing laundry (which I do not like doing), I may say a prayer of gratitude that I have a family to do laundry for and the appliances to do them with. It's all about your perspective.

Other times, it's when I notice something in the garden blooming. Like the peonies above that showed themselves to me today. Or maybe my back hurts a bit after I do chores yet I am grateful that I could move around and do them in the first place.

I think it most important to try and find the bright side. Now, I know, that there are many instances in which there is none to be seen but maybe, if you look a little deeper, you'll find it somewhere somehow. For instance, if you are ill and yet have some one to care for you. Or maybe the insurance bill was high but not as high as you though it would be. Insurance bills make no one happy, but then again, there are many without insurance and so one should feel a bit of gratitude in having it. Yes, it's just pouring rain at your house, but you have shelter and some others have to evacuate their homes because of potential floods.

Seeing things in a different and more positive light may help you tone down your need to complain and whine. Those traits can become tiresome. In doing so, your simple life may become more joyful. Finding joy in the mundane can be difficult but with practice it will become second nature.

I thought that it would be nice if I randomly posted short notes with or without pictures in regards to the what I am grateful for called "Today's Gift". Starting today, my gift is the above pictured pink peonies that have bloomed in my garden. They are one of my favorite flowers. Their scent is divine and their petals, full and seemingly infinite. The fact that they come back every year to greet me is very comforting.

May you also find peace and joy in the little things in your life. Looking around, they are just waiting for you to notice!

Dealing with regret and moving forward on a brighter path.......

Regrets are a form of emotional baggage carried by us all. Some, the figurative size of backpacks, others, the enormity of a full set of luggage all compartmentalized into each individual suitcase. This type of baggage is a heavy load to carry along life's path, holding you back and perpetually increasing in volume and mass if not addressed.

I would like to say that I have no regrets but then again, I'd be lying. And so would you if you said the same. If we were given the opportunity to turn back time and undo a choice or action, the vast majority would jump at the chance. Unfortunately, that cannot happen. You cannot turn back the hands of time. You cannot have a "Life Redo". But what you can do, is to revisit these adverse choices and their subsequent consequences with an honest and open heart.Then, choosing to learn from these mistakes and appreciating some of these self inflicted advertises as gifts of wisdom and knowledge.This helps us to not dwell on them. These experiences (in part) have lead you to the place you are at this very moment in time. They are the culmination of who you are.

Reflecting on these circumstances will aid in your coming to peace with them. If you do not given them the proper acknowledgment you will be cheating yourself out of a future which includes good choice making skills and, in turn, the same mistakes will be repeated over and over. They may take on different forms, as time goes by but they will still, in essence, hold the same motivations.

Moving forward with a lighter load will help you to make better choices. It was also aid in drawing a more positive vibe your way. You will no longer feel held back and your self pity factor will be greatly decreased if not all together eliminated.

If, during this reflective journey, you find a opportunity to right a wrong, please do. Being it as simple as an apology to some one you have hurt in the past. Validating the feelings of another who you have harmed is most important (if possible). Not only will they feel better but then so shall you.

I, myself, ponder my past choices quite often. I try and use them as good current decision making tools. I can easily open my "backpack", take a reflective look, and close it back up till needed again. I make it a point to not forget these moments but to rather continually learn from them. You see, sometimes it is not as apparent as one would like, what the benefits of these adversities are until you find yourself at a certain place and time where they are called upon to show you their gifts.

May your load be lightened and you path be brightened!

"At least the rhododendrons are blooming......"

Those were the words I uttered to my mom during our last phone conversation about our daily woes. It lightened up the mood and put things into a happier perspective; which leads me into why I decided to create this blog.

How we see things makes all the difference in the way we perceive our daily circumstances. We should seek the reasons for why we see things the way we do and how it makes us feel. We all come from different places, and as a result, our life experiences shine through in our daily outlook.

In these increasingly volatile times in which we all live in, peace and security seem to harder to achieve now than ever before. When your head is filled with distractions, it is quite difficult to focus on any task, large or small. This is why it is so very important to clear your life of the "clusters" that have been holding you back from enjoying the little things, like the blooming rhododendrons. Because sometimes the little things are all we have to fall upon.

The day my daughter was born, I decided to stay home and raise my children. In making this choice, I knew that it would be more difficult financially and that sacrifices would have to be made. Even so, I felt great comfort in knowing that this was the right path for our family to take. I have never had regrets for doing so, and believe that being a stay-at-home mom was my calling. Furthermore, through this I have learned great lessons in patience, acceptance, and healing.

My purpose is to have a place where I can share the way in which, through the years, I have been able to find peace through the chaos life hands us by being truly honest with myself about who I am and where I am coming from. I would like to share my vision with you: that you, the reader, may gain a more honest and soon positive perspective by looking at your own life experiences with a less cluttered mind, home, and eventually life. In short, lightening the load and moving forward with grace.

I encourage comments from all viewpoints. There is no room for judgement. We all have our own personal issues to deal with. I am excited about the opportunity to help each other along life's journey in an open, honest, and grateful way. My subjects will vary greatly, discussing everything from how the simple task of organizing a closet can reap larger benefits than originally intended, to dealing with the fact that bad things that happen to good people.

A sense of gratitude is, for me,  probably the biggest factor in being able to achieve a positive outlook when  hope seems to be fading. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog, and I sincerely hope you find what you are looking for.