Tag: happiness
A Wee Peek….
Hello Dear Readers.
I am posting on my mobile in Edinburgh Scotland!
What a trip this has been so far. I have so much to process before I delve into the journey. So to whet your appetite I will show you Bobby.
This pup lived on his master’s grave until his own death. His nose is rubbed shiny because of everyone who “boops” his nose as they go by.
This nation loves it’s pups. I have never been to such a dog friendly nation. Dogs on busses and trains and walking everywhere. So well behaved.
Here’s Bobby wishing you all a wonderful New Year!
Enjoy!
Cate B
Storm? What Storm?
I recently wrote about “how I calm my inner storm” for a writing challenge. After much contemplation, I found that some of my storms weren’t so big after all. But, I must say that when they first appear on the horizon of my brain or heart they are definitely at least an F5 or Category 4.
I tend to face life head on. I am normally not one to cower when life sends a curve ball. I’ve learned, by experience mostly, that I cannot necessarily change the course of a storm or even the impact it will have on me and my family.
So, when the storms form and come at me, after I react in a highly emotional way, I pull back a little and look. I look into my heart and mind and try to see a higher perspective. A God’s – Eye view, so to speak.
I don’t always see a different view right away. Sometimes it comes in a calming presence of divine. A calm that I could not have found myself. This kind comes during great hurt and loss. The kind of stuff that I can’t help myself at all to get through or face.
Sometimes it comes more in my head where I have to deliberately find the different perspective. I have to actively go to a better place, to look for a different view. That often happens when the everyday kind of storms come along. These are the hardest for me.
Those annoying inconveniences that come out of no where. Those water spouts or dust devils that will not tear your house down but they can make a heart uneasy and things a little messy.
So how do I stay positive from day to day or hour to hour or minute to minute? It’s a tough job and I have decided that life is too precious to waste energy on negatives and inconveniences and bad attitudes. It is a decision that I have to make daily and sometimes often in one day.
I have to decide to be happy and make the most of my life. When I do that I find that everything looks brighter, even the loved ones I spend my life with. Happiness and right choices are contagious. I want to spread that.
It’s not easy. My brother goes to the woods we played in as kids (in his head). His happy place. I like that. For me, even though I have places like The Woods also, I tend more to picture my best Friend, Jesus, sitting there with me. He doesn’t have to speak. He just has to be there. Just be with me and I don’t feel alone inside.
I choose to think on the positive things. That is challenging because I was raised to think on the negative. As an adult I changed that. And as I said above, it is work. But a work that is so rewarding.
It has become a passion of mine to help others to see a different view. I love to see another’s eyes open to a whole new view of their storms. A positive one. We were never promised that our lives would be butterflies, rainbows and sunshine. So, when the rains come and the clouds get really dark we need to embrace the storm and the shelter provided for us. The sun will shine again and the flowers will bloom and yes, the rainbows will appear.
Enjoy!
cate b
Catch a Falling Star – Hope
It’s that time of year where we are inundated with thoughts of family, friends, food and gifts. Everywhere you turn it’s there. We have different names for the holiday season and different beliefs.
It’s a time when memories pop up and some are not welcome and some are very welcome. I have both. I choose to remember the good ones and they usually win out totally. As a matter of fact, sadder ones rarely try to visit me any more.
Some traditions from my childhood and my husbands made their way into our family when we joined together. Now that our kids are grown and have families they are making their own new traditions mixed with some they loved as children.
And it goes on. As it should. New traditions should be forming and evolving. We can’t live in the past forever. There is so much in our world that can grow us and form us into better humans. The things we left behind, whether good or bad, where there to help form us into adulthood, the people we became or are becoming. Growth never stops unless we stop it.
It can also be a season of sadness and hopelessness and loneliness. Let’s try to remember people around us, perhaps ones we do not normally pay attention to. Everyone of us has a story. Everyone of us has something to be heard.
It is also a season of joy. Just look at all the colors out there in the decorations. Even the stop lights are red and green. I can sit here in my home and think of all the things I could be sad about. Really, I can. But I choose to go above and beyond that. I have so much more to be happy about in this life and I do not want to spend the rest of my days thinking about what I don’t or can’t do or should have done. I watched a loved one do that and when they passed I was so sad about what could have been if they just decided to get up and take the hands offered them. I’m sure we all know people like that or maybe you are like that.
This season, look for The Hope around you. The people you see are flawed, we all are. But very few will turn away from you if you ask for help, or ask for a listening ear or a hug or a touch.
Enjoy!
cate b
Happy Birthday To Me
I have written before that I just love my birthday! I’m beside myself with joy. I rarely get presents simply because that’s not how we roll in our family. We enjoy each other and eat and if any one wants to buy gifts we do – not because we have to. Such freedom to love.
So, today is my birthday and I am older! I went out for Pie with my good friend D.
I had Gooseberry Pie for the first time in my life and I loved it. Tart and yummy! And this pie shop is so quaint. http://www.uppercrustpiebakery.com/
And then we went to 10,000 Villages. If you haven’t been to a 10,000 Villages store then you really need to find one. They are so much fun to see the crafts from all over the world and the history of these stores can be found on their web site: http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/about-history/
And because it’s my birthday I give to YOU a weekend song:
Old Drum and a Change of Scenery
Yesterday my husband and I took off into the wilds of the mid-west. Well, took off on some country roads and drove east into the wilds of Missouri. Yes, you guessed it, farms. And yes, sky. It really is beautiful and peaceful. Some of you look into the vast oceans we look into the vast sky and rolling hills and the food that you all eat.
These pictures of the farmland were taken from the open window of our non-air conditioned jeep wrangler while going highway speed. And not from my iPhone! I used an actual camera! Dry mid-west breezes reaching temperatures into the low 90s. It was great.
We had a long needed get away that day. Our destination? The lovely town of Warrensburg, MO, home of University of Central Missouri – the Mules.
Home of the Whiteman Air Force Base. Home of Java Junction incredibly good coffee! Home of J & J – two friends of ours that met us in town and had a great time together!
And most importantly – home of Old Drum. The dog that was shot and a court case took place in the old courthouse and the phrase “Man’s best friend” came to life. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Graham_Vest
Myself and Old Drum together on the courthouse corner.
Who says we don’t have fun in the Heartland? We had a great time. Came home feeling rested and hot and rested…..and hot.
It is so good to get away from the daily grind. Even if it’s just going to a nearby park and doing nothing. A change of scenery can clear your mind and give you a better perspective of your life. You begin to see things differently. Really. Try it.
Life is short so get out there and smell the roses or the corn and soy beans.
Enjoy!
cate b
More Happy Ukulele Players!
Here we go again. This tiny little guitar-like instrument has got to be the happiest little happiness bringer I’ve ever seen. Not only does it bring joy to the audiences but the players are by the jolliest!
I dare you to watch any of these clips and not smile…. go ahead!
And lastly….. no words for this young man…..
Enjoy!
cate b
What Was I Thinking?
How can I possibly complain? Well, I can, of course complain. It’s a free country. But it’s more like – why would I complain? Sometimes when my life is full of questions and very little answers I tend to wander…… in my mind mostly. Wander and wonder – should we be doing this? Should we be living here? Should we, should we, should we…….???????
Well all that in the first paragraph takes a lot of energy! I pooped out. When I get restless and tired of waiting for things to unfold I dream of tropical islands. Do you know why? I do. I realized it yesterday. It’s because the few times I visited tropical places was on vacation. They represent peace and rest and comfort and carefree living. But I know that living in these places is not all of those things I just listed. Living in them is exactly that. Day to-day responsibilities just like here exist in day-to-day life on an island in the Caribbean. I lived in a beach town. Tourists everywhere all summer long. I was not tan! Day-to-day life!
That said, my favorite flower is the Plumeria. Not only are they beautiful to my eyes but the scent is magnificent. I live in the mid-west of the USA and it is far from tropical weather. With our harsh winters and extreme summers we cannot grow tropical plants outside. BUT! We can grow them inside. Since last spring I have been nurturing a Plumeria that I named Lelani and she bloomed this summer! I am also nurturing a Plumeria named Carmen Miranda – she has not bloomed yet but is thriving in our perfect, yet rare, summer weather on the front porch. She is getting big. Joining them is a Pony Tail Palm I named Sandra Dee and my Hindu Rope Plant that I named Slumdog Millionaire. It’s alright – I do have a very active imagination and I am fun! And here is a picture of Lelani:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen_Miranda
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_Dee
one of my favorite movies…………………..
May you all find a corner of paradise in your everyday world! It’s there. You just have to look for it.
Enjoy!
cate b
On My Bucket list
One of the things on my bucket list is to be an unsuspecting “victim” of a flash mob or whatever you call them. I would be delighted to experience such a thing. They make me smile, laugh, and yes, even cry.
Enjoy this one from a blog I follow.
http://kindnessblog.com/2013/07/14/elevator-joy-bomb/
cate b
Today is your day….
Have an awesome weekend!
Enjoy! cate b
Let's Have Another Piece of Pie 