skip to main |
skip to sidebar
My mother has a lot of interesting quotes/sayings, some of which have been passed down from my grandmother. One saying in particular never used to make much sense to me, but as I've gotten older, I've come to understand...
"Life is not a dress rehearsal".
That's right, we have one chance to do it right; but by 'right', I mean, 'right for us', not 'right' according to what society thinks. Life is LIVE, not taped. We can't go back and edit things once we've done or said them, so it is vital to try our best to get it right the first time.By the same token, we're not asked by our creator to be perfect, just to do the best we can with who we are and the hand we've been dealt. Not one of us is exactly like any other on this planet. That should make things interesting and intriguing, but sometimes it creates friction if one of the people involved is not secure with their identity. It is ok to be different, ok to be who we each are, and if we find that someone else takes issue with that, we must question whether that person should be in our lives at all. We can all learn from each other, especially if they come from a different world than we do.
I have a family member who rarely thinks before she speaks. Dad called it, 'ready, fire, aim'. She acts, then she thinks. Many people are like that---but Dad taught me something very valuable that has stuck with me for many years: Think before you speak, because your words will stay in a room long after you've left and gone on with your life. If you believe that unkind words don't do harm, just look at the teenagers who kill themselves after being called names in school. Words can be the most damaging weapon anyone can use.
As a healer, and as a human being, I try to choose my words wisely, and to never cause harm, because its difficult to take back ugly words spoken in the heat of the moment. So I suppose the point of this blog might be, you get one chance to treat others the way you'd like to be treated. Each day is a new opportunity to cause no harm, to make the world a better place, and also, to speak only the words you wouldn't be offended to hear yourself when dealing with others. No one wins when insults fly, so hold your tongue until you have something kind to say. I often wonder to myself what kind of a place the world would become overnight if we all decided to never do or say anything harmful, ever again. Utopia. I know its not real, but I'm naive' enough to believe in the possibility of a more loving Universe.
So today, live life like you've got one chance, and make compassion and kindness the essential life-tools you can't live without. Forget revenge, forget anger...and put love front and center. Your heart will thank you for it when you get up there in years by still beating strongly.
Bless you and thank you for reading!
Happy Spring!
You either love it or hate it, right? There really is no in-between when it comes to Valentine's Day, is there? Those of you who have a significant other, please enjoy your day to the fullest and consider yourselves very lucky to have found the love of your lives. This blog entry is meant more for those of you who have no one; and who may endure deep emotional suffering on this day because you're alone without someone to love who loves you back.
But wait...I think that although its not enjoyable to be without a lover/partner on this day, there are ways to make the day possibly even more meaningful and memorable, if you approach it from a different angle. You have family, right? Pets? Maybe even children? Is there some rule that says we cannot celebrate them just as joyfully on Valentine's Day? Does it HAVE to be all about romantic love?
I know that the media and the shopping malls would love to have us think that its all about romantic love and spending money, but can we say beyond a shadow of a doubt that love is all about high expectations and the almighty dollar? Who really believes that, seriously? Well, everyone loves presents, but I believe we've lost the true meaning of love in the midst of all the material items....So think on it for a little while---what can you give(forget for a moment what you lack, or whom you lack, more specifically) that money could never buy, and to whom you could give this priceless gift. Who would appreciate you stopping by to go for a walk with them, or to have a nice catch-up chat? I think if you're smart---and I know my readers are---you'll get where I'm going with this. Oftentimes we're so busy being gloomy because we aren't in a relationship and we're not receiving tokens of love, that we forget that it is better to give (of oneself) than to receive. And isn't the old adage, 'What you give will return to you thrice over' something most of us understand and live by? So if that is true, why not start today to make Valentine's Day a day about giving of yourselves in priceless ways? Take the focus off what you lack and place it upon what you have to give that is unique and could possibly change someone else's day, or even their life, forever. I suggest the you sit down with pen and paper and make a list of ways you can give---these ways can be as simple as a hug or as detailed as taking a homebound friend out for a drive----just do it, and see how your entire attitude changes.
And as a bonus, you may notice something interesting happening.....while you're giving and caring for others, the positive energy you're generating sends out loving vibes into the Universe. You may unknowingly attract a wonderful new love into your life without even realizing it. Most folks are drawn to people who are loving and kind, and who know who they are and the effect they are able to have upon the world. What better way to spend Valentine's Day, then? Let me know your take on it! Drop me a line!
Loving Blessings~
Autumn
I've been a little preoccupied lately, due to some huge changes that are taking place in my life. So I look forward to the fact that my mother usually saves me her copy of a local paper, which comes to her house free every week. This week she didn't...but she did tell me about something that happened across the street from where I live, at the local Humane Society...right under my nose. So I searched it online to find out what the fuss was about. When I read the story, it made me take pause...because a few years back I had taken a baby bird to these folks, trusting that they would see to it that the bird got to the sanctuary they spoke of taking it to when I phoned them later in the day.
Just because I am a sensitive person does not mean that the rest of the world follows suit. However, considering that human beings are supposedly the highest form of life on this planet, I seriously have to wonder what goes on in peoples' heads! If you're interested in reading the story, please visit this link. Its sad but it does have a happy ending.
http://www.explorehoward.com/news/68413/animal-shelter-director-accused-stealing/
After reading this story four or five times and feeling very reassured that 'JayJay' was now in loving hands, I thought about something that a friend once sent me in an email, which I saved for a day such as this one, when I might have good reason to pass it along to others. Print it out and hang it up if you have pets. Read it every day:
A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being..
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
