HelloAgain

Working on a dream

Like the boss (Bruce Springsteen) would say it,

"The sun rise up, I climb the ladder. The new day breaks and I'm working on a dream."  

My two rules

Rule number one: ALWAYS DO SOMETHING. 

1. When fear paralyzes you, pray.
2. When you are filled with doubt, choose faith.
3. When you are sad: cry if you must, but only for a brief moment; then proceed to pick up a good book, call a caring friend, pick up your camera to capture life around you, write a letter to heaven, sing a favorite song (or just listen to it), watch an inspiring movie, go buy yourself flowers, eat a chocolate, drink some coffee…take action towards healing yourself.  Sadness is not a good long-term companion.  Chocolate and coffee are always really good helpers in this business of making oneself happy. 
4. Whenever you are busy or overwhelmed: begin an exciting new project.  Nothing creates more energy than a new creative endeavor.  It will ultimately free your mind to get all the important things accomplished. 
5. When you are tired: PLAY! And then take some time to rest, and dream.
6. When someone hurts you: Forgive, and forget.  Life is too short to waste it on bad feelings.  Choose the happy memories and keep a content heart.  Be wise though.  If the hurt is truly monumental, move on.  Or move away if you must, but forget the hurtful feelings towards the transgressors.  Nothing ever good comes out of holding grudges.  
7. If you feel misunderstood: take yourself lightly!  Not everyone around you will see things the way you do.  In fact, hardly anyone ever will.  If that ever happens, you’ve found a soul mate!

Rule number two:  DO NOT EVER STOP BEING YOURSELF.

1. Remind yourself that being you is the best gift you have to give the world.
2. Do not stop believing in the magic of your own dreams.
3. Smile often.
4. Do not be afraid to say no. 
5. You don’t always have to do it all. 
6. Ask for help.
7. Learn something new every day.

 

Making rules is fun! 

* Blog post inspired by Linda and Karen's awesome new book: You Rule: The Art of Taking Charge.  I love books that inspire you, and invite you to share your own perspective.  Some people are insighful, creative and funny (like Linda and Karen) and others, like me, might just be a bit too mushy or silly, but that is the beauty of life.  We all need to have our very own rules to live by, our own unique perspective!  

 

Back from Philly and a new kind of busy

* Photo above taken by my friend Beth.

Early this month I traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a work related three-day conference. This was my first time in that beautiful and historical city.  I do not have enough wonderful things to say about this glorious place.  I only wish I had had more time for sight-seeing!  It was truly inspiring to walk around those sights of such historical importance to our country.  

I have a re-newed love for Benjamin Franklin and his legacy. And I have a new list of books (all about his life) to read.

I would love to go back to Philly some day with more free time to just walk around and take it all in.  On the last day we were there, we had two free hours to walk around before we had to head over to the airport.  We walked about two miles from our hotel to the Rocky statute (I needed a photo of Mr. Balboa, a special request from the husband who is a huge fan of the Rocky movies), and back.  During those two hours, my camera managed to capture one thousand photos.  I have no idea how that happened!  

Any free time I had in the evenings, after the conferences were over, involved picture taking, good food, and Starbucks!  And that reminds me, another thing I loved about Philly is their love for coffee, chocolate and gelato!  I was in heaven I tell you.

If you are interested, you can view some of the photos I took in Philly right here.

And well, life has been a new kind of busy around here.  It is INSANE how time does fly.  The days, the weeks and the months seem to melt together into a pile of blur; but so grateful for it all.  Blur and all.  

The edge of the world

“She always had that about her, that look of otherness, of eyes that see things much too far, and of thoughts that wander off the edge of the world.”
― Joanne Harris

Looking up into the clouds is amazing, but looking through the clouds from above is utterly magical.  Up there where dreams begin and never end.  Where thoughts are as clear as ice, and as real as it gets.

I love flying, can you tell?

So many flowers so little time

One of the things I love the most about the month of May is the blooming flowers everywhere!  

This is the time when most of my favorite type of blooms begin showing up in every place I go, and every unexpected corner. 

The month of May houses special holidays such as Mother's Day, Teacher's Day, my mom's birthday and a few good friends' birthdays as well.  Lots of little cards and things to make in May. It's like a national crafty month in our house!

May is always such a great month.

The magic of everyday things.

As Joanne Harris once said (in Blackberry Wine), “The right circumstances sometimes happen of their own accord, slyly, without fanfare, without warning. Layman's alchemy. . . . The magic of everyday things.” 

It is remarkable how very special and truly magical those simple things we do every day really are, specially when we pay attention to the little details that can easily go unnoticed.  Just like a simple walk we gotta take to get to a certain destination, if we only look up once in a while, can be full of wonder, and new perspectives.  Yes, it may contain the same buildings, the same trees, the same steps, but in reality, it is always quite different.  

The sky is never really the same.  The clouds tell you a different tale every time you glance in their direction.  The right conditions, the perfect timing, are only there once.

If we really pay attention, EVERYTHING is different because WE are a little bit different every day.  Our perception; the way we capture, observe, or experience our days, is always new.  

Every moment is a new opportunity to experience life in a different, new form.  Isn't it quite amazing? 

Memories and weddings

My middle sister, Laura, and her husband got married almost seven years ago (such an adorable couple, if I may say so myself).  This past weekend I needed copies of some of the photos I took at her wedding for a project that she is working on, and looking through those pictures was a nice trip down memory lane.  It is surreal how fast time has gone by since then!  

I love weddings!  Well, who doesn't, really.  Families get together, everyone dresses up, special memories are created, and loving couples make promises to each other.  Weddings are such happy, memorable, occasions!

Happiness and life

With all the challenges that we often face, it is important that we give invite happiness in. Specially in those moments when we feel less than stellar.  For me, the simple act of thinking happy thoughts can switch my mood from stressed out to PEACEFUL.  And certainly from angry or disappointedd into an inspired-let's-make-some some-changes-and-approach-things-differently kind of person. And yes,  sometimes it is healthy to be angry or disappointed because it is only then I can realize that changes need to be made.  And once I realize that, then I have room for more happiness.  As long as I don't hold on to the bitter feelings too long, the real me comes back.  And I like that person.  

I love a quote by Joanne Harris (author of Chocolat and Lollipop Shoes) 

“I believe that being happy is the only important thing. Happiness. Simple as a glass of chocolate or torturous as the heart. Bitter. Sweet. Alive.” 

Alive, indeed.  And this is why I love the way young children approach life.  Happy, care-free, authentic, full of wonder and willing to allow the "make-believe" world make them happy at any given time.  No appointment necessary.  

But well, since I am talking about happiness.  These photos that my sister Laura shared with me of my nephews totally make me happy.  I haven't seen them in a little over a year and I can see how much they have all grown since then!  I'm thinking a little trip should be on the planning soon.  Oh, how I miss them!   

 

 

Abuse no one and no thing...

“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.”

~ Chief Tecumseh (Poem from Act of Valor, the Movie)

I came across this amazing poem thanks  to photographer Wayne Moran.  If you like it as much as I do, you can order one of his posters using this quote, here.

Today I kept thinking of some parts of this poem, specially the section that says:

"...abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision."

It is heart breaking when we see people in positions of power abuse their position to favor their own ego centered motives with absolute disregard of other people's dignity.  Hard to believe this kind of stuff happens in our society more often than not.    

Those magical memories.

This is why we keep going there.  

Year after year.  

It never gets old.

The magic is always there, waiting for us.  

Yes, in our family, we are total Disney nuts.  

And so overly GRATEFUL for it all.  

Every single time.