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?

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!

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!

Never Make It Late to Your Own Future!

        I have to admit I've been chuckling, trying to decide how to carry the rest of my personal challenge of answering the "Motivational Mondays" posts out, for this year...and clearly I didn't plan it out, ahead of time!  But that's okay!  Because you know what?  Life is messy, and it's beautiful that way, so I'm going to pretend that totally carries over, here.  Especially since last week, I was beginning a pre-Christmas post on Christmas night, and I'm now beginning this one shortly before New Year's Eve begins! \o/ (Yes, I do these before Sunday at midnight, folks!)

All I Wanted...was to Say Thank You! ...And Then Some!

        Since I'm a bit slow and behind on this personal challenge thing, I'm going to take it a bit differently than I would have, if topics such as the one I've here are actually, kind of comically lagged behind their intent - I'm beginning to write this post Christmas night!

Thank You: Let's Do This!

        First off, let me make mention that I kinda wondered if I'd be falling a bit behind in the book, this time of year!  I did start this personal challenge a bit late, so bear with me.  That isn't to say that anything intended for later in the year isn't still important...it's just a bit out of sync with the rest of the calendar. ;)

A Caterpillar by Any Other Name

Now here comes an interesting topic for Dear, Ol' PB!

 It's like Christine knew I'd be coming along, eventually. ;)

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like We Need a New View!

"After a visit to the beach,

it's hard to believe that we live in a

material world."

~ Pam Shaw

It's About Time!

        This past week kinda lost me for a bit...somehow.  I'm not sure where I was when it flew by, but alas, it is gone, and here we are, facing a new one!  So...welcome to Monday, my friends!

To Sleep, or Not to Sleep - What Was the Question?

        Okay, I'm just going to come right out and admit it: when I read this week's "Motivational Mondays" personal challenge post prompt, I about laughed out loud!  And I don't mean the kind of "lol" that you add to stuff to communicate humor in text!  Perhaps this is not the post I should write via my phone, from bed? Hah!

Let's Just Can the Can'ts, Shall We?

        Happy Monday, my friends!  How about we tackle this week's challenge of mine, together, hmm? :)

"Do not let what you cannot do

interfere with what you can do."

~ John Wooden

How can you ensure that you have a week filled with cans?

(and not the aluminum kind)! 

        This topic happens to be both a good fit for me, and worth a good roll of my eyes, all in one! Of course, I've never been one to roll my eyes at much of anything...as many of my friends will tell you! *averts eyes* Ahem. Where was I? Oh yes...

        This week's topic is all about "cans" and "can'ts". We each of us have things we can or can't do - that's just part of life! In fact, we humans are an interesting bunch; we are communal creatures for a reason! We've developed the inborn knowledge that we need others of our kind, in order to progress as a species! I'm not exactly talking about the Circle of Life, here, though that is an important factor, too!

        We humans are smart, in that we realize that, because we have individual talents, likes, etc., if we work together for a common-good sort of thing, we come along much better! If we have some people growing crops, others hunting/gathering, others practicing medicine, and so on, then we can all manage to have our needs meet, much easier than trying to do it alone, separately!

        When not focused on the Greater Whole, Bigger Picture, or Grand Scheme of Things, we have smaller, more personal things we would like to do in our lives. This can range from self-care, to greater goals like getting through college or raising a family! Whatever our more immediate, personal goals, we have our own, individual skills and abilities that mean that sometimes, there will be things we simply cannot do.

        So then what? There are a variety of ways we can connect what we need with how to get our needs met.  The most obvious, given everything I've said already, is to connect with others who also have needs, and hopefully our needs match what they have to give, and their needs match what we can give.  This creates a kind of symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship, which allows all involved to have what they need, as well as have the satisfaction of being able to contribute to a greater whole!

This is the most basic answer,

and one that I pretty much find is my actual answer.

However...

        In a more personal context, I suppose I could say that there are many needs I have, especially more in comparison to when my body hadn't decided to attack itself and fall apart!  While there are times this feels like a huge, humiliating battle, I am deeply grateful that I have whanau in my life who are willing and able to give me loving support, when possible.

        I've come to realize that this concept of interpersonal exchange is vital, not only when I am not doing well or when they aren't, but to the flow of everyday living.  There are many times when I can't figure out how to get something accomplished, be it balancing my inner chaos; dressing for the day; developing ideas for this blog or share to the PB Facebook Page; or fulfilling aspirations I desire for my outer life.  It is in those moments when reaching out and connecting with others, if only for inspiration and ideas, can make all the difference in achieving my goals.  And in return, I can help support and counsel others who may need me to pay my own gifts forward.  It is a beautiful system, and one in which I am grateful to play a part!

        So there you go.  That is how my week can be full of "cans", even when I'm challenged with "can'ts" of various descriptions.  Tally ho, and on to greater things, together!

        Better days ahead, together, my friends!

Did You Just Smile at Me? Here, Have One of Mine, Too!

        Week 41 of my personal challenge is a rather sweet one.  The quote is from one of the sweetest, most loving women of all time.

I Suppose Anything is Possible!

        There are many possibilities this post may choose to follow.  As usual, I've no idea which one it will choose!

All That Glimmers Might Be a Silver Lining!

        I don't read ahead in the book for the upcoming sections of my personal challenge, which is why I didn't realize that there would be another section dedicated to happiness.  Of course, having another chapter - or a few more - are certainly welcome!  After all, we can use all the happiness we can get, right?

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!

See That? Who's With Me?

        Have you looked at your calendar?  Have you seen how close we are to the end of the (Gregorian) year?!  Good grief...and if you remember, this personal challenge of mine didn't start on Jan 1st...so don't be counting your weeks by my posts lol!

A Light Topic to Begin a Week!

        Hello, my friends!  Welcome to a new week of The Phoenix and The Butterfly's personal challenge!  This week has a bit of a light note to it, and since we've had some heavy topics the past while, it's about time we looked to lighter things!

Gratitude for Gratitude Regarding Gratitude!

        I'm really grateful for this week's topic, my friends!  In fact, it comes with such perfect timing, I actually laughed when I opened my copy of "Motivational Mondays" for this week's challenge and read the section!  Why is that, you ask?...

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

Out of Dreams, Into Life...Then Into Life, Go the Dreams!

Can you believe we've been at this for 33 weeks?

Um...well...I think I skipped a week there, so whether or not you consider that 33 or 34...

Okay, that really has nothing to do with anything.  

Shall we get started?
...