I Believe....

As I was sitting here waiting for my decaf coffee to brew I started thumbing though the book "All I Really Need to Know I learned In Kindergarten" by Robert Fulghum. I was looking for something to share with the children I am teaching over at St. Joseph's summer religion program. I have often found thoughts in this book very inspiring and was hoping I would find one that will complement my lesson for today. And it just so happens that I was lucky and did. Here is what I found!

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death!"

Here is to another gift from God - today! Must be going - my coffee is ready!
Namaste.

Toy Story, What a Tear Jerker

Well last night the four of us went to see "Toy Story 3" - Timmy picked out the movie. What I wasn't prepared for was how much of a tear jerker it was and I had no tissues!

The movie brought back beautiful memories of our own boys when they were little guys and how they played with their toys. Some favorites included Buzz Lightyear, Woody and of course all the characters from Thomas the Tank engine. When they played you could see their wonderful imaginations at work. It was such an innocent time of life and there was great beauty in it as I witnessed it.

What the movie illustrated so perfectly was how quickly time passes and that being there for one another is truly the top priority. In other words staying present is key!

After the movie we all came home and hung out in the family room and just talked. No TV just the 4 of us talking and then of course a wrestling/tickling match broke out between the boys which is typical and I have to admit quite funny. Then everything seem to settle again and we found ourselves in the middle of the floor hugging as we had a major pill up on top of Mike.

This truly was one of my favorite evenings ever spent as a family. For that moment we were all truly present and appreciating each other in the simplest ways!

Namaste.

Note: The photo I used was taken over 3 years ago and illustrates how the wrestling/tickling matches begin with the two of them screwing around. How they crack me up!

Authentic Success is a Work in Progress!

Authentic success, what does it mean? Well Webster dictionary describes authentic as, and I quote, "1. Authoritative; 2. worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to fact or reality, trustworthy; 3. not imaginary, false or imitation."

When I read "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach, her entry for September 15th rang true and clear for me. It starts "Authentic success is different for each of us. No single definition fits all because we come in all sizes. One afternoon years ago, while wandering through an abandoned cemetery, I discovered a wonderful definition of authentic success inscribed on the headstone of a woman who died in 1820: "The only pain she ever caused was when she left us."

Wow that is powerful, moving and something to strive towards.

For me authentic success is sometimes a mystery and at other times I feel as if I am achieving it. Some high points for me are... prioritizing my time properly so that family and friends are on top...answering "if not now when?" with NOW!... knowing in my soul that I did my best and being okay with it regardless of the outcome...Making peace with my past... recognizing my talents and sharing them and not diminishing them when they are recognized by others... making a difference in the world one smile at a time... sharing laughter often and being okay with my tears and the tears of others... truly listening to someone else without interjecting my opinion...valuing my dreams and working consistently to reach them and dream even more... cultivating the attitude of gratitude... and being blessed with faith.

As I reach the cross roads of my life I understand where I have been, liking where I am now and loving the ideas that tomorrow brings. And as I remain present to what really matters, I am achieving my "Authentic Success".
Namaste.

What Does a Great Life Look Like?

Ask a hundred people what a great life looks like and you'll probably get a hundred different answers - But certain answers will make virtually everyone's list.

Most people would agree, for example, that a great life includes something worth living for, maybe even worth dying for. A portion of a great life would be devoted to something BIGGER, greater, grander than yourself. Something that inspires you, energizes you, pulls you forward. Something that responds to your unique Talent or Touch and ultimately, makes a difference in the world around you.

A great life would naturally bring more meaning, purpose, love, peace, laughter, wonder and adventure to your days. And, at the end of your journey you would look back on a life of significance, rather than of regret - knowing in your heart that you left the world a better place than you found it. Knowing that you made a difference in the lives of others. Knowing that you got something wonderful out of it and you gave something wonderful back.

A great life, of course is not something we leave to chance, it is something we create!

This is a reading that I found in Starbucks and the author is unknown to me. I use this at the end of my yoga classes from time to time and I love it! Enjoy your day!
Namaste.

Food for Thought

"What impacts children the most is the unrealized dreams of their parents" - Carl Young.

Life is a Blessing!

This past weekend my son Timmy and I drove to Rhode Island to welcome our new little cousin Noah. My cousin Christina just got back from Kazahkstan where she adopted Noah. He is a dream. Very sweet, personable and loves to blow kisses and give hugs. May God bless you all now and forever!!!!

My newest cousin Noah. Welcome sweetheart!!! We love you!!! Christina he is beautiful!

Mother and child after a long day!

Noah and Mommy (my cousin Christina) having fun on Newport beach! Noah's first time!

My cousin Tommy with Noah - A beautiful and watchful Uncle!!!

Me holding Noah infront of my uncle's retirement home with my cousins Mia and Tommy and my Uncle Tom.
Namaste.

Right Where I need to Be

As I was reading from my daily meditation book, "Journey to the Heart" by Melody Beattie today - catching up from the missed meditation from yesterday, I had an "aha" moment that I thought I'd share.

Last evening I was lucky enough to spend with a group of amazing women that are my dear friends from high school. Each have strength that moves me to be a better person. Their courage and kindness are truly gifts from above. And their straight talk is based on their love - priceless.

As we picked up from when we were last together, not skipping a beat, sharing all our "news", they helped me realize that people and experiences cross our journey's path to teach us needed lessons and get us to the next level in life. I shared my Baron Baptiste Bootcamp experience and opened my heart. They reminded me to live in the present and to see what a gift it truly is and to release my ego and use my energy to move forward and fulfill a dream. Like I said their straight talk is priceless.

Here is yesterday's meditation:
"You are right were you need to be - on your path, guided, in just the right place for you today.
Many times on my journey I stopped short, convinced I would never find the place I was trying to find, only to discover that it was right in front of me all the time. I had gone there instinctively. Gone right where I needed to go, right where I was heading.
There is a part of us that knows where we need to be and understands where we really want to go. There's a place in us that has the map, even if our eyes and conscious mind can't see it, can't figure it out, or aren't certain it's there.
If you's spinning in circles, feeling lost and confused, trying to figure out where you need to be and not all that certain where you're going, stop. Breathe deeply. Look around. You are right where you need to be. Maybe you've been there all along."

So here is to the power of friendship, listening and trusting our hearts!
Namaste.

New Work for End of School Year Celebration!

I wanted to share a few photos of the completed bracelet that I made for Miss Durr’s end of year gift using the children’s signatures. I added foil from chocolate wrappers and cut out words from an 1890’s prayer book that describe Miss Durr. Here are a few examples: Love, grace, patient, kind etc… Finally I added cut out hearts and a hidden house to the collages. The final steps included sandwiching the artwork between two piece of cut glass, wrapping each charm with copper tape then melting the silver solder and attaching a jump ring and miniature clasp to hook onto the sterling silver chain. Then I made a heart of fine silver and attached that to the end of the chain.

Miss Durr has taught these 4th graders for the last two years and has had a beautiful impact on their lives and we are grateful to her and all her hard work!!!
Namaste.

Happy Father's Day

Now I look into your eyes and see my husband, the love of my life and a father whose heart embraces his family in a way that simply amazes me. Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband, my partner and my very best friend. I love you!
Namaste.

One of my Favorite Readings

Every time I read this in class someone always asks me to post it so here it is again. Enjoy and let it guide you!

Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you have collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass on to someone else. Your wealth, fame, and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear, so to your hopes and ambitions. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won’t matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter? How will the value of our days be measured?

What will matter is not what we bought but what we built.
Not what we got but what we gave.
What will matter is not our success but our significance.
Not what we learned but what we taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion and valor that encouraged others to do the same.

What will matter is not our competence but our character.
Not how many people we know but how many will feel a lasting loss when we are gone.
What will matter is not our memories but the memories of those who loved us.
What will matter is how long we will be remembered by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident.
It is not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

Choose a life that matters.


Make today a beautiful day - it is within your power!
Namaste.