Blooming!

“The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer somebody else up.” Mark Twain

It’s not always easy on a gloomy day to find a lot to be cheery about. But I love to remember the scene in Singing in the Rain where Gene Kelly is dancing in the rain.  And it reminds me of the many walks I have taken in the rain and the joy I found walking and jumping in puddles — maybe not the ones I brought home with sopping wet clothes… but I thought about things I could do and worked through things and often felt a whole lot better by the time my “walk” was done — and then a plan was usually hatched as well. I know was usually smiling by the time I walked through the door at home again.

I have learned over the years if you choose to lose yourself in the service in others and you can’t help but find a smile on your face and the faces of those you serve.  Your heart will definitely grow in the process.  Remember it doesn’t have to be something big — or even cost a lot of money if you’re strapped for cash.  Often, it’s those “gifts” from your heart that make the greatest difference.

Take a few minutes to watch  the clip.  Be sure to notice the last few seconds of the video clip – what do you notice?  Did you see it?  As many times as I’ve watched this movie before, how many times has that act of kindness escaped my view? It won’t again!  There was a new rainbow born in the movie for me this week.  How about you?

Happy Spring!

cherish now…

“Children will not remember you for the material things you provided,
but for the feeling that you cherished them.”  Richard L. Evans

While it may seem important to keep up with the Jones’ and get the latest and greatest in technology or style — the greatest gift you can give your child is a treasured, nurturing relationship. It’s never too late.  Start today.

 

Make a difference

“Kindness gives birth to kindness.”

This thought and  many such acts of gracious kindness have been repeated over and over by many, throughout the ages – there goes that rippling again!  Simplistic?  Yes. It’s simple to do.  The more we give away, the more we get in return.  I truly believe that and I truly have been the recipient — maybe not in monetary gain, but in so many other ways.

Give a little more, stand a little taller, and more will come your way… as paraphrased from a song by Nancy Hanson and Sam Payne.  You definitely will be better for it.  Think of those who paved the way for us with their generosity, courage, and other gifts – and without them, we would not have the gifts we have today.

Give a gift, large or small today.  Pay it forward — be it a smile to a stranger, a hug, a donation to your favorite charity, some time at your child’s school, or an organization of your choosing.  Just do it and let the ripples begin….. be the difference today and every day.  Make it happen.

holding hands….

“There are spaces between our fingers so that another person’s fingers
can fill them in.”  — Anon

Close your eyes and think about the last time you held your partner’s hand — felt it’s warmth,  truly cherished that moment.  Felt the energy that passed between the two of you.  Yes, the energy that was exchanged — whether you were sharing words or not — just think about all that passed between you in those moments – I enjoy watching couples old and young engage in this “old-fashioned” entanglement if you will.  Often you can see smiles form as arms swing back and forth or bodies snuggle just a little closer as the energy gauge raises a notch.

Hold a hand today — even if it’s your grandbaby’s!  😀 I’m wishing mine were closer…….. Love you all!

be courageous, stand in your greatness

“It takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been
before… to test your limits… to break through barriers.”  Anais
Nin

Whether it’s a new goal or something just happening in life that requires you to step beyond the so called “comfort zone,”  your fearlessness is being tested to the limits on a daily basis.  Are you reaching the boundaries or beyond?

There are a myriad of self-help books on the market and motivational seminars we can attend or buy to watch or listen to.  All tell us they can make us “better,”  give us more skills in the  market place or help us with our relationships at the workplace or interpersonal relationships.

Standing in your greatness isn’t always easy. However, since I’ve learned the Greatness Practice that Howard Glasser talks about in his book, You Are Oprah, Igniting the Fires of Greatness (2009);the practice is becoming much easier – it’s definitely worth the “greatness boost” every now and then – you can’t help it!

Set your intention today.  Where are you headed?  Are you self-limiting?  Are you breaking the limits with greatness choices?   Is the journey one of Greatness?

Today, be courageous!  Set your intention and find the gems of greatness that are yours.  It’s a new day – Be Fearless!

Gifts from the heart

“Aim high and consider yourself capable of great things. Lend your talents to the world to make it better.” –Van Cliburn

We have all been blessed with great gifts and talents — many of them lay dormant or idle as we pursue other things in our lives due to priorities or commitments we choose to “survive” these days.

What are those talents or gifts you’ve once had a passion for?  Could they be in the realm of music, painting, cooking, sewing, needle arts, listening, humor, reading, compassion, writing, carpentry, creativity, or any other pursuit you may think of …. Is it time to develop one or more of them again? Create an hour or more a week and enjoy watching the colors flow again as you dip your paintbrush in the medium and then on the canvas.  As with anything that is important enough — we find the time… so make it happen!  Develop those gifts — March is National Craft Month here in the U.S.  Celebrate your gifts (of greatness) and talents this month — then do the next best thing — SHARE IT with someone you love!

service begins with me

“Many acts of service cost nothing and take little time:  encouragement, compliments, listening, gratitude and compassion.  Any time you affirm the worth of others, you serve.”  –Chris Karcher

It takes less physical energy to say something nice, than to complain.  Yet more positive Life energy is generated when we say something positive.  The Nurtured Heart Approach™ techniques offer you even more opportunities to share the joy of service. Watch the face and eyes of someone who is the recipient of a sincere, specific detailed and affirming recognition. Did you see the shift in their posture? Do you feel the energy ripple outward? How does your “heart” feel now?

photo credit: Jan Hunter

possibilities

“Everyday holds the possibility of a miracle.”  Unknown

photo credit: Jan HunterWhat will I make of today?  How will I use it?  Will I see the potential of a miracle or two or will I let them slip by because I’m too busy to notice?  Ah, there’s the rub!  Do we get too caught up in the daily hub-bub and forget to smell the roses? Stop to make a phone call or send a note?  I fear I’m just as guilty as the next person at times, but today, I choose to stop, take a deep breath, smell the roses, make two or three phone calls;  even send a couple of  handwritten notes and drop them in the mail.  Today’s the day — will I be someone’s passing thought “It’s a miracle, someone cares about  me?”

Every new day brings new possibilities our way — what will you choose to do today?  Tomorrow or the next?  Have you been the recipient of a miracle recently?  I know I have… more than just a few!  It’s time to give back!  Today’s my day!

blessed by miracles

photo credit: Jan Hunter 2011

“Miracles happen to those who believe in them.”   Bernard Berenson

Don’t overlook  them – they’re happening every day – in every moment.  In EVERY BREATH!  Recent happenings have made me stop and take a look again — rethink and ponder the many miracles that are mine EVERY day.  They come in multiples!  Take a few minutes today to jot your blessings down — how many of those are truly miracles in your life when you stop to ponder them?  I’m truly, truly blessed in more ways than I can count … and I’m betting, so you are you.

Thanks for stopping by. ♥

Smiles and Ripples…

“Remember that there is no such thing as a small act of kindness.
Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”  Scott Adams

I think it would be fun to follow a smile some day and see just  how far around the world it might travel.  Don’t you?  You wouldn’t have to be in a major metropolitan area in these tech connected times — just a few clicks of a mouse and around the world we go!  How different the world might be if just one smile went round the world a a “few” times and touched everyone’s lips just once …. hmmmm, I wonder………..  (click)