Happy or Not, Here We Are!

Okay... so... here we are.

Some are thrilled that this week has finally arrived...

...some can't wait for it to be over.

Some have been enjoying the sights, sounds and wonders of the season...

...some have just been gritting their teeth and muddling through, best they can.

Some have been waiting all year for this...

...some already dread there being another, next year.

Some want to sing it from the rooftops...

...some wouldn't mind knocking them off.

Some are looking to the new year as a wonderful way to begin again and look to a brighter tomorrow...

...some are just feeling the phrase:

"Next verse, same as the first, a little bit louder, and a little bit worse!'

        And this is what I, personally, have to say about the whole lot of it.

Revisiting That Special Request

        My friends, I have to admit, the response to that last, blog post was absolutely phenomenal, and unexpected!  I had no idea so many people would respond in such powerful, positive and understanding ways, publicly and privately!

        When I discussed the post with the friend who originally inspired it, they had some comments which, when combined with some I received from others, made me realize a follow-up post needed to be made.  This made deciding on a post topic for this week rather simple, even if the composing of the post has not been so easy!  Once again, I hope I do justice to those whose lives and hearts were touched by the things covered in that last post.

A Very Special Request

I'll warn you, now... this post will cover a rather serious, mental health topic, but one which is evidently, very much needed, and often gets overlooked, but this post may not be suitable for every reader.

For those who are struggling, right now, there may be some triggers for you, and you may want to consider giving yourself some time before reading it, if you read it at all, hopefully in a time it won't be so difficult.

For those who love someone who has struggled, whether or not they are in some semblance of recovery, you may want to seriously consider reading it as a way to possibly find some answers.  I don't promise you'll find the ones you need, but it might open you to some ideas, anyway.

The Beauty in the Heart of Life

        What does the heart contain, which allows it to create; and what's more, to create beauty?  Or even to simply appreciate beauty?  What is within us that allows it to reside, there, and to come out of us?

        Yup. That is the question. Well, a few of them.  Hopefully you'll see what I mean.

I Believe in Hope and the Power of the Inner Spirit

        Because of the chaos of both my own experience, and that of all around, this is what I have to say about the chaos of life and the darkness in this world, so evidenced by events like the ones of this past week.

Perhaps a Step Toward Reason?

        The other day, I came across a blog post called, "Everything Doesn't Happen For A Reason", by Tim Laurence, shared on Facebook by the Page, "A Beautiful Mess Inside".  It was so powerful, at the time in my miserably-insomniac state, I was overcome by tears and, "Yes!!!" moments.  It had me immediately signing up for his e-newsletters, because as Gayle at that Page said, "I want to read everything he has ever written".

Lovely Lamps, and Wondrous Windows!

        Keeping with our gratitude theme, though I'm a bit hesitant as we've reached the time of year in which many on the internet have "jumped on the bandwagon" regarding the topic, I saw a prompt asking my favorite, physical trait.  As an American, this is not typically an area I like to discuss, especially since time and illness have started making me feel a bit more self-conscious, even in my attitude of not caring so much what others think. 

        However, maybe doing this will be another good thing?  Let's find out, shall we?

You Needed Me, and We're All Here

        This week I'm going personal, again.  After all, even though the PB Project is focused on us all, I'm still the one writing these posts, so you're going to get to see me get a little egocentric, from time to time.

But who knows?  

Maybe what falls out of my head will help/inspire/entertain you, anyway.  

'Never know.

Another Year, Grateful for Another Post Accomplished

        This week's quote is going to be somewhat unusual for me, my friends.  I typically do not like to give such significant placement to a quote, but as I contemplated the theme of this week's post, it sort of just came together, a step at a time, and felt right.  So, here's what you get, like it or not! ;)

Falling into The Place of Silent Music

        Taking yet a different tack, this week, my friends.

        I've been learning some interesting facts about mindfulness and meditation, lately.  I was skeptical, I admit - but I've tried to be open-minded, because centuries of practice by billions of people couldn't really be totally without merit, right?  So, after a class which I'd not expected to teach some mindfulness meditations, I began to test it out and see which kinds worked and how to make them work for me.

Perpetual Monsters and Chronic Demons

        I've been debating about whether or not it would be better to skip another sensitive topic, altogether.  Actually, I've been debating it since I began the PB Project!  I know I did post along this line a while back, but mostly we're just gonna move on, from here.  That is the best way to keep moving forward, yes?

The Dream of Each and Every Universe

I need to give you a bit of a disclaimer, this time.
Well, maybe not a "disclaimer", but more like... a warning?
Nah, not so much of a "warning" as perhaps... notification?
Um... that sounds so business like!  I'm not a bill collector!

Just letting you know... 

I'm about to let my inner nerd/geek show, a little.

The Freedom to Be Better

        I've an interesting topic this week, my friends.  At least, I think it is.  Perhaps I should preface each one that way, since it's better promotion than starting off with, "Well, sorry, but this is another boring post."  But I was talking to a friend about choosing a topic for this week, and this friend suggested using the subject of our little chat we had been having.  Of course it was an interesting conversation, or I wouldn't have chosen it, nor would I have prefaced the post this way.  Ahem.

Permission to Take Care

        This week I've had to face a decision that I'd hoped I'd never have to make, and I've struggled with making it.  Not a major one, but one that has brought some annoyance, frustration and disappointment to me.  I'm sure it is the best choice, that I will be grateful I made it, and that while it isn't the first time, it probably won't be the last time I'll have to choose it.  Sharing this with you is my attempt at letting you know that I really do understand the realities of life, in my own way, and that I do understand the value of making choices that can be difficult, but are the best direction to follow.

Permission to Communicate

When was the last time you told someone, "No," when something was asked, requested, or even demanded of you?  When was the last time you said, "Yes," even though you secretly wished that you could say, "No"?  

In other words, have you ever not said or done something, 

because you were afraid of the consequences, such as rejection or disapproval? 

You wouldn't be the first.  But perhaps we can find a way to fix that.

Create, Build and Rebuild

        Okay, I think I have my act together again, this week.  Well, not really, but at least in the sense that I found a perfect quote for the things I've been wanting to share, and while I never know what I'll end up actually having shared, at least it's a great start!  So let's get started, shall we? 

Keeping Anything, as a Part of You

       Since I've sort of been breaking my standard format for a few weeks, I figured I might as well go with something a bit different, again. I was reading some things about journaling, and one idea came to my mind that caught my attention. So, I thought I'd share it, because sometimes my readers let me know that my random thoughts are just what they needed to read. So I try to trust my "instincts".

A Somewhat Brief Note of Thanks

Thank you.

Choices, Challenges, Regrets and Creating Joy

        So...today is another day.  Some of the same challenges remain from yesterday, and the fact is, some will carry over into tomorrow.  Some will even stay with us the rest of our lives.  

        This is another of the not light nor *warm-fuzzy* posts, but it is one that I feel needs to be said.  Hopefully we'll be able to return to those relatively soon, though!  In fact, I've not even a quote this week, but that's more because I'm tired and don't want to search for one that fits, than that there isn't one out there.  Pardon my swerving from habit. ;)

The Genuine Troubles of Heartaches and Battle Scars

        The premise of the PB Project has been, from the very beginning, that we all have our own challenges, and yet we all have commonalities in our experience.  Love, joy, fear, heartache, pain; all the emotions, thoughts, vulnerabilities and quirks that make us human, may be somewhat different in details, but make us all similar in one way or another.  Even when we are strangers to one another, we have bits and pieces that can connect us and help us feel a part of something bigger.  Our hearts yearn for this, as humans are communal creatures for a reason.  It is in our DNA to crave the safety and security that can come from being connected to other people.

A Quick Restart and Old SoCks

        This week's post is going to be a bit unusual, because my brain needs a clean restart and unfortunately those don't easily come along every day, if you're not actually a computer.  Therefore, I'm just going to post something a little more fluffy and see if that allows my brain to do whatever it is that it needs to do.  

        But I did find a quote for that, too. ;)

The Risks and Courage of Real Conversations

        Have you ever known someone with whom things just seemed to "click", as we say here in the States?  Meaning, you meet a new person whom you've never known before, and as you get to know them, it's as though you've known each other all your lives, or longer, and/or as though you are almost like the same person, or a reflection of each other?  Some call these situations "kindred spirits", or in a more romantic sense, "soul mates".

        Just wondering.

Giving is Living, Sharing is Caring, and Loving is... Wonderful!

        I've been inspired to ponder the effects of an even more positive idea on which I've touched before, but can always be mentioned again!  Perhaps something new, different and worthwhile will fall out of my head, this time.

Dancing, Every Moment of the Journey

        This week, I decided we needed to lighten things up a bit.  I've been going on about such heavy topics lately, and while they have their own merit, I do have the occasional, lighter moment, and so should you!  However, I never, really know what is going to fall out of my head, so we'll see when we get there.

To React, or To Transform?

        Sometimes when I begin the process of finding the inspirations for these posts, it works for me to go randomly searching for a quote which stands out to me, and I let it grow from there.  But this time, I found myself actually looking for a quote that went with what I was experiencing and how I was feeling.  So now you get to find out what I've found, and a bit more about it.

Resilience in the Face of the Wrong

Ever have one of those moments when you think,

"If I have one more thing hit me, I'm going to give up."

And then it's like Life smirks at you and says,

"Oh yeah? Let's see about that!"

And it throws one more thing at you.

What is up with that anyway?

How cruel does Life have to be?

How many things must we bear, before we are permitted 

to give in, and give up?

The Light Left Behind from a Shooting Star

        This past week the world as I know it lost a very beautiful, talented, amazing woman who influenced countless lives easily listed in the thousands, each in individual, dedicated, and personal ways.  At her passing, her Facebook timeline alone has been overwhelmed with hundreds of tagged posts and direct messages, expressing our grief and gratitude for this woman who did so much for so many, each with Likes and comments from others who may or may not know each other, but who are now uniting in a common bond: love for a shining star of this world.

        Who could possibly touch so many, individual lives, as a friend, mentor, mother, daughter...so many things, to so many people, having known them, personally, and having shared love and light on such an incredible scale?

A Sum of All the Parts. All of Them.

        There are a very few people whom I've told this, directly, but... I must admit, those people deserve the gratitude of anyone whose life as been positively affected in any way by my existence.  Because it is thanks to those people that I still remain in existence here in life, and if anyone is glad I'm around, then they need to be glad those few people have helped keep me around.

        Hmm... this hasn't been intended as a heavy post... but surprises do happen.  I could blame it on a very taxing week; I guess we'll have to see what falls out of my head, hmm?

Worthwhile, Broken, Butterfly Wings, and Other Things

        I'm not sure how to describe this week's post, actually.  It could be seen as part macabre, and part inspiration, perhaps?  Don't worry, though...I have young friends who read this blog, so I'm going to do my best to keep it in the spirit of the PB Project in general.  It's just that I found this quote and it has been nudging me for ages, begging to be used, and I've not been giving it its due, so...here we go.

 

        No idea what I'll be writing after this, but hopefully it will be worth reading!

Finding Meaning and Value in a Positive Spin

        I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about some of the really horrible things that can happen in life, in general.  Between things like catastrophe, accident, illness, loss, pain...

        Stress, strain, grief, and pain, are all a part of life, but we don't need to have it rule our lives.

Choosing Your Own Challenge of Courage and Change

        I would like to start with a truth, this week.  I usually throw a truth or two into the mix, at some point, but this time, I want to start with one that will set the stage for whatever it is that will come after the page break.  An important one, and somewhat multi-faceted.

        The truth:  I am not good with change.

Smiling in the Face of Life's Experience

Ever have an experience in life when you've made choices that led to amazing things...

and then ended up with undesirable consequences?

Or perhaps an experience when you've felt absolutely wonderful...

and then suddenly something happens and you're left with undesirable

(even horrible) circumstances?

Well, I have some news for you!

Conquering Opposition while Illustrating with Charm!

        Ever meet someone who just "rubs you the wrong way"?  They might seem rude, or mean.  Maybe they intimidate or scare you.  Perhaps you just don't see eye to eye, and you don't like their perspective.  Whatever the reason, it seems like they get on your nerves and sometimes you don't even care why; you just don't like them and don't like having them around!

        Yeah, I've never had that happen either.  Ahem.

Life's Renewal in the Flow of Change

        Here in my little corner of the world, Spring is having a bit of a bumpy start, but I see the life around me trying to renew itself, and it doesn't matter what the weather tries to throw at it; the life continues trying to grow and continue with its tasks of existence.  I do realize in other corners of the world, the changes grow colder, which in and of itself is still life moving through its cycles, if only taking a few moments to rest and catch its breath.

So... the constant of change continues.

And it continues in every life, one way or another.

The Magnum Opus in the Garden of our Soul

Do you happen to like butterflies?  I would imagine we might have at least that in common! ;)
Well, let's consider the butterfly, for a moment.  Might as well, right?

Improve the World... in a Single Moment

If you could do something that would improve the world, right now, would you do it?

I Think We Can... I Think We Can... Just Don't Stop!

        This post has had a bit of a slow start.  I normally have the majority of the thing done by Sunday, but honestly, I guess this week has been listening to the chosen quote, because while I've worked on it, I've had to restart more than once, and I've just not felt that what I've tried to say was "right".  So... here we go again.  Let's hope it's a bit more fitting than I've felt, up til now!

Silence that Voice, and Get Busy!

Today's message brought to you by PB,

Vincent Van Gogh,

the internet,

electricity,

a bunch of other people,

and your ability to read.

Thank a teacher.

The Enlightening Answers in the Question

        I found another, thought-provoking quote to share, this week.

        Well, it might not be all that thought-provoking to you, but it has had me thinking, so maybe it can get you thinking, through me...which might be saying I'm the thought-provoker...

        Never mind.  Let's just get on with it, shall we?

Being Successful at Finding Our Value

        Last week's post seemed to work out okay, I think.  Dunno what you think, but being able to actually post something at the beginning of the week means that I get to think about something for an entire week before it posts.  So in a way, my view is the opposite of yours; I'm pondering before the post, and you after (one might hope).  Well...this one hopes, anyway.

So let's do this.

Sweet Dreams, When You Get There!

        When was the last time you considered your bedtime routine? 

        I mean, being really mindful of it?

        Here's some food for thought, on the matter...

Not Just Carpe Diem ... Memento Vivere

I'm taking a bit of a different tack on this one, than I had previously decided.  

We'll see how that turns out.

To Gain Within Surrender, and Persevere

        This week's topic is a bit awkward for me.  I really squirm and hesitate to talk about some things, because I have emotional quirks, like everyone else, and this one has been with me a lifetime; so while I'm well-acquainted with it, I'm in the process of overcoming my fears of things (hence beginning the PB Project to begin with).  Therefore, this topic in my list of potentials happens to be one I'm ready to stare down and hope not to stumble in the process!

        Just know: this is a lot of my head bumbling about, this week, so no promises of eloquence, clarity nor entertainment value.  My only goal in the Project is to help connect with those who need it in a way that is hopefully healthy and uplifting.  My apologies if I kinda fall flat, this time.

Ignorance Isn't the Bliss You'd Like It to Be

        I'm not usually one to directly share links to other entities, here on this blog, partly because I am very aware that there are a LOT of "awareness" days, weeks, months, etc.; but this one is different. This one is important to me, in a very personal and unique way.

How Do I Love Thee? No, Seriously - How?

        Okay..so I mentioned last week, as I have before, that I'm a little squirmy with the holiday observance thing. But you know... there are some pretty powerful thingies that can be related to the reasons we celebrate those other thingies! 

        And I'm all for acknowledging and celebrating powerful, worthwhile thingies!  For instance, there is light, hope, courage... and of course love.  So please bear with me as I continue to take advantage of the spirit of the month with my topics.

Dancing to the Beat of My Own Heart Strings!

        Once again, I'm sitting here feeling a bit torn.  On the one hand, February is, in my part of the world, traditionally celebrated (at least the first half) as a month for love.  I'm not sure why we seem to have to have a theme for each month, but it appears that love is the theme for February. 

So what to do?  Go with it, or rebel? *sigh*  Choices, choices...

Don't Forget to Use Your Rear-View Mirror!

Perhaps I'm doing this, and the last post, in the wrong order.

I probably realized that when I made the list -

I skipped this topic on purpose, then decided to go back.

Why, you might ask?

Caution: Limited Visibility Ahead! Get moving!

The future is unsure, so why look to it?  Why have goals and dreams?

        Welcome to the first day of the rest of our lives, my friends!  And hopefully, we can find ways to make the future a bit brighter than our limited visibility might have us believe. ;)

A Letter to the Powers That Be

Dear Life,

        Thank you for being a part of my existence.  I want to let you know some of what I think of you, and the things I know of you, based on my experience, so far, in your care.

A Sincere Thank You! And Full Steam Ahead!

        When something amazing and wonderful comes along, it's important to not only feel grateful, but to openly acknowledge it.  Therefore, this post is dedicated to something that has been just like that!