Lessons of a Lifetime in a Year

        As we find ourselves winding toward the end of another year, I have to take a moment to think about what that means, and for me in particular.  So if you'd like to come along, I'm happy to take you along with me.  Maybe something I end up saying will have something meaningful for you; if possible, perhaps for us both.

A Little Dose of Reality

        This week, I want to approach something of a bit of a sensitive nature.  I truly hope that those for whom it might be a bit triggering will allow me to finish my point before giving up on me, because it's about how we face our own mortality when - well, faced with our own mortality.  It really shouldn't be too bad, but I like to give people the heads up.

I Write... Because...

        This week, I'm going to write about... my writing.  I'd more or less been floating around a topic for this week's post, and came across something which resonated so purely with me, it dropped all the other thoughts I'd had, and had me riveted.  This post is unlikely to be as riveting as her message was to me, but it might at least touch someone, in some way, hopefully positive, and that is all it is meant to be.  My heart speaking to someone else's.  So, here we go.

The Non-Post Post

        This is a non-post post.

        Because sometimes it's just appropriate to have a non-post post, and this seems like one of those times.

Working on Standing Up to Be Counted!

        Some perspective to be added to that expressed all across the 'net in behalf of those who need others to understand.  Not chewing anyone out, nor trying to give tickets to any kind of guilt trip; just trying to do my part to help spread understanding, empathy and compassion to this world.  As usual, I've no idea what will be falling out of my head and into this post, but whatever it will be, I hope someone can benefit from 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.

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".

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.

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.

What I Want to Be, Every Day, for the Rest of My Life

        Sometimes it's nice to have no sense of clearly-defined structure for this blog.  Because honestly, who wants to be tied down to superficial rules based on false pretenses about goals and processes, anyway?  I mean, that sentence alone is almost painfully heavy!  By the end of this month, I'll have finished the personal challenge I made for myself, having only missed one week, that I can remember, and that one was with special circumstances. Otherwise, I've been true to my goal and... wow!  How on earth did I do that? lol!

        Okay...I started this post before I realized what this week's section of Christine's book actually is.  I looked at the section, re-read what I just said to start, and smirked.  And why not? Hah!

Sunshine, Rainbows, Sunglasses - Oh My!

        This week's topic of my personal challenge appears to be a pretty straightforward one!  I'm quite happy with that, actually!

Sunshine and Shadows

        Week 34 of my personal challenge includes one of my favorite quotes.  Actually, it isn't a quote, so much...

Turn your face to the sun

and the shadows fall behind you.

~ Maori Proverb

Hey! Come On Down! The Ground Seems Very... Grounded.

        The topic for Week 31 is a bit of a solid one, as some things go, but I think we can handle that, here.  Last week we discussed misusing our imagination by using it to feed fear, and this week we are hoping to use imagination to overcome pessimism, which I never really thought of, in that way.

Up, Down, All Around...Get Me to the Ground!

"I went on a roller coaster once.  You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together!  Some didn't like it.  They went on the merry-go-round.  That just goes around.  Nothing.  I like the roller coaster.  You get more out of it."

~ Grandma in the film, Parenthood

A Matter of Moments, Milestones, and Mental Meanderings

        Here we are, at Week 18 of my Motivational Mondays, personal challenge, and I must say that this past week, as I compose this, I'm doing a whole heckuvalot better than I was last week!  Actually, better than I have been for...a while. 

        This week's question is perfectly timed, actually...so let's get into the fun, hmm?

Don't Worry, Be Grateful!

        This week's Motivational Mondays' section came as a surprise to me.  After thinking about it a while, I've decided to just preface it with a disclaimer, because ... well, isn't that the way everybody else does it?  So here' goes:

        The following post is based on actual topic prompts, but the perspective has been broadened to protect the moderate.  It has been edited for judgmental content and formatted to fit this audience.  If you try reading this at home (or anywhere else)... try to keep an open mind, hmm?

Play It Again, But This Time Shake It Up a Little!

        So, it's Monday (when I likely will post this anyway), and so, as is my tradition, I'm here working on my personal challenge of taking on Christine Morgan's "Motivational Mondays" topics for this week, Week 16.

The Magic of Memories

You know...this week's personal challenge is just... kinda...

...let's just get on with it, shall we?

Treading the Storm

        Ever feel like life seems to be nothing but a storm-tossed sea; one wave after another; a cold, dark and endless deep?

        Neither do I.  Just checking.