Courage, Confidence and Connections

  THE IN BETWEEN     Are you “Stuck In The Middle”? Or maybe you feel like you are in between in your life. You may be at a crossroad and not sure which way to turn or where to go. I can relate.     It can be a helpless feeling with no sense of direction. So many times in my life I have been in a position of not knowing and I like to refer to it now as the ‘unknown’.      A few years ago when I was living in North Carolina my life was uncertain. I knew I was going to relocate to Colorado at least for a few years. However, in the midst of all of this, the house was on the market, I was selling what I could sell and didn’t need, giving away other items, storing long term the valuable items and family heirlooms. Then there was the trailer to carry what I could with me for that period of time.     I was so scared and uncertain in many ways since I didn’t know how it would all unfold. In the exhaustion of all of this, on the last day in my ho...

  KEEPING IT LIGHT     I hope you are having a lovely Sunday this Memorial Day weekend. Where I am in Central Oregon, it is lovely. Wispy clouds with a slight breeze and perfect temperature.      Are you keeping it light? It can be so easy to slip into a mindset of heaviness and not see the beauty around us in people and creation.      I love hot air balloons and one day will have that opportunity to soar ever so gently and smoothly above the earth. For now, I’ll use my imagination. I love this photo because it appears to be suspended above the sun.     Can you close your eyes and escape? To keep it light may take some creativity on your part and it does for me as well. I have a coffee mug that reads “Something beautiful is on the horizon” and it truly is.     No matter where you are or what is going on in your life, pause and see something beautiful. You can change your horizon and venture out in your mind to create a lif...

POTHOLES AND SPEED BUMPS      How's that for a blog title? While visiting with a couple of great friends the other day, we were talking about life in general and how we have things surprise us. As we were chatting, I said those very words that potholes and speed bumps pop up.     Interestingly enough, they have the opposite effect. Potholes cause us to drop suddenly and speed bumps cause us to go up. The potholes are not designed but are damage to a road or highway that occur over time from use. And speed bumps are man made to slow us down.     Now as I write, I don't know where I am going with this. I rarely sit down with my thoughts entirely in tact and all the details sorted out, so please stick with me.      What does it feel like to hit a pothole? There are potholes that are huge that when we drop we know it. Then there's the slight drop of a little pothole. Have you experienced what feels like a pothole in life? A sudde...

  BE YOU!     Are you able to just be yourself? Most of us may think we are being ourselves, but often, we are mimicking someone we’ve seen on TV or in our lives. So many people live to please others and don’t know how to be who they are because they don’t know.     Not too long ago, I wrote about the runaway bride who didn’t even know what kind of eggs she liked. I can relate. I spent so much of my life not knowing who I am and what I really like.      It takes a lot of courage to step out of that box of what we think is certainty into the unknown of life. I am not particularly adventurous and not a real fan of change and the unknown in life. Who is? Some folks love it I am sure, but not me, at least I haven’t been.     Is there anyone else like you? Not even twins are 100% alike. Are you brave enough to take that risk to find out what you like in life and who you are? Many never know, ever. I’m not willing to stay static and be a peopl...

  GRATITUDE     What is gratitude? ‘ Gratitude  is a warm feeling of thankfulness towards the world, or towards specific individuals. The person who feels  gratitude  is  thankful  for what they have, and does not constantly seek more.’     I’ve written before about gratitude or being thankful. Today, I write about it again because I need the reminder. I like the definition where it says a warm feeling of thankfulness. It is a warm feeling when you are grateful.      We all have someone or something we can be grateful for in our lives. I won’t list all that I am thankful for here because it would take hours. However, sometimes a problem, a concern, an issue or busyness puts us in a state of focusing on a need or a lack instead of what we do have.     I read recently that hurry is fear. And that is a fact. When we are rushing or hurrying, it’s because we are afraid of missing out or losing something. Think about t...

  SPILLING THE BEANS     The other day I was having a conversation by way of texting with a friend who was heading over to see me and bring something to me. She texted back to tell me she wouldn’t be able to make it here. Then she explained that the had bumped her cup of coffee in her car and it covered everything in her front seat including what she was bringing me. Oops!     That brought to mind a coffee story of my own. I was in outside sales for many years in North Carolina. I loved going to a coffee shop in the local mall called Gloria Jeans. My favorite for years. This particular day it was raining non-stop and I had on a raincoat and had my huge golf umbrella to keep me as dry as possible.      I headed into the mall, ordered my coffee and more than likely a biscotti to enjoy. I had my purse over my right shoulder as I always did and my coffee in my left hand. I juggled the umbrella with my right hand.      It was quite a lot...

  BATS IN THE BELFRY     Thank you for stopping by to see what this blog is all about. This one may have gotten your attention because of the title. I thought of calling it Batter Up, but went with a different theme photo.     This is a little story of a time when I was about 8 or 9 years old. Now it is funny to think and talk about, however, at the time it happened I think I was somewhat traumatized (LOL). In my family, there are four kids. I was second born of the bunch and one of two girls. My older brother is 14 months ahead of me with the younger ones are another boy and a girl.      We lived in Henderson, North Carolina at the time in a little two story house outside of town. This was a parsonage owned by the church my dad pastored. The house had 2 bedrooms downstairs and two upstairs. I was blessed with getting my own bedroom upstairs but the door to the attic storage was inside my room. I don’t recall being creeped out with that at least f...

     SYNCHRONICITY AND SERENDIPITY      What is synchronicity? What is serendipity? Funny you should ask. I’be been intrigued by those words for a while and they keep coming to the forefront of my mind. No doubt I need to write about them.      Synchronicity is the simultaneous occurrence of events which appear significantly related but have no discernible casual connection. And serendipity means the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.      Instead of a “scientific” approach, I’m taking a look at these from a life perspective. Do you remember the movie, “Serendipity” with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale? They keep finding each other by happy coincidence. She believes in destiny and he finds love at first sight. They bump into each other while shopping for the same pair of gloves. They keep bumping into each other and decide a way to see if it’s fate that will bring them back together. 10...

  HMMM, WHAT TO WRITE?     Today is Sunday and I have not written for a couple of day. I find myself in a quandary of what to write today, so I felt to simply get started and see what comes out.      It is a gorgeous day here in Central Oregon, blue sky, slight breeze and 43 degrees when I got up this morning. They say it will be 83 today and that is quite a difference. Ok, this is not a weather report, but more my muse on this quiet day.     What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Well, I had a nice breakfast to get my mind going and will enjoy some tea and coffee. Overthinking is a real issue at times and I don’t think of myself as analytical yet I can put my mind in a tailspin. Now I’m settling down and talking to you.     Sometimes you need to get up and do a couple of chores to get those off your mind, so I do. At times, my kitty cat, Tobe decides for me telling me it’s time to feed him his special treat or bug me until I plo...

  HAVING FUN     I am taking a break from the day and enjoying some fresh air. Having fun is a must in life. I love horses an that is my reason for the photo I chose. I have not ridden for years now and one of my aspirations and plans is to get back on a horse. There are a few in the pasture behind me so I live vicariously for now.     But let’s talk about having fun. We all have different ways of having fun and there are many stories I can tell about my endeavors. Some people love to hike, not my thing unless I’m on a horse. Out here in Oregon, folks love to enjoy the winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. In the summer climbing, hiking and rafting the rivers are popular.      Some people simply love to sit and read a good book, spend time with friends and family. Card games and board games are fun also. Hobbies are a way to take a break and have some fun with others or by yourself. And many enjoy a variety of things in ...

  VALUE OF RELATIONSHIPS     We have just had a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend and I want to emphasize the value of relationships in our lives. Bear with me here, because we tend to take them for granted until too late.     I had a wonderful conversation with my Mom on Sunday, Mother’s Day. She has a hard time hearing and speaking now, but every second was precious. With all that has been going on for over a year, we have not been able to talk for several months. That was tough, I won’t sugar coat it. And another person in my life for years passed just over a week ago. We weren’t close when she passed, but my heart felt the loss of her from this life.     This is not meant to be sad, because I learned something through both of these. Relationships can be complicated without question and demanding at times. Being single now puts me in a position of reflecting back and by the way, without regrets as I’ve said before.      There were those ...

  BUTTER!     You may ask yourself why I am writing a blog about butter. Keep reading and you’ll find out. I am telling a story from my past that few know about. It’s quite humorous too. In the movie “Last Holiday” with Queen Latifah, she thinks she has a death sentence with a brain disease. I won’t spoil it for you if you haven’t seen it yet.      There is a scene with her and Gerard Depardieu who plays a chef. In this scene, they are shopping for items for the New Years Eve dinner at a fancy resort and she has become friends with him. When they are in the outdoor market, he says to her, “You and I know the secret to life: it’s butter.”  Of course he says it with a French accent that I am not able to duplicate here, but it’s stuck with me for years since I saw it for the first time (and the second, third, fourth, etc.).      Anyone who knows me well, knows I LOVE butter, I mean really love butter. I do get teased about it often by those...

  MY MOM     Since this is Mother’s Day, I want to honor my beautiful Mom. Joy is contagious and this face of hers grinning makes me smile from ear to ear. Mom will be 90 on October 6 of this year. That is something to celebrate isn’t it?     What a privilege it is to be her daughter. I could not be there this year since we are over 2,500 miles apart but my older brother and his son, my nephew surprised her with flowers, cheesecake (her favorite) and cards. I happened to be on the phone with her when they walked in! I was as surprised as she was and I can’t stop smiling this afternoon.      Mom is a very smart lady. She had a double major in college of Spanish and English. She taught school for quite a few years and worked in a library for a long time after she stopped teaching. She raised 4 of us and that in itself is a significant accomplishment. I was the second born when my older brother was only 14 months old. Wow! She had her hands full and ...

  CONTEMPLATION     Thank you for coming back to visit my blog.    What does contemplation mean? Here are some definitions I found. The action of looking thoughtfully at something for a long time; deep reflective thought; the state of being thought about or planned.     It’s all about deep thought, consideration, meditation. The photo shows where I often sit and contemplate what to write and always where I journal. You see my friend Cowboy who was visiting when I had the photo taken. He loves to contemplate a nap and I must admit, it happens to me too!      Life gets so hectic and crazy. I worked in a large retirement home for over 5 years as an activity director for the independent residents. It was amazing to me how busy they could stay. Often they would tell me they were busier in their retirement than they were when they were working. That is not uncommon. Maybe we are more ‘together’ or organized when we are working a job.  ...

  HAND ME DOWNS     This week I had a chance to purge my closet. I was somewhat motivated by receiving 3 large boxes of beautiful clothes from a dear friend in North Carolina. With all the gifts, I was able to sift through my own stash in my closet and pass on some things I had been carrying around for some time and no longer wear. Plus I had received so many, I could give some of those away as well.     In a recent move I did the same thing and had comments from a couple of friends on how many clothes I owned. I had handed down, passed on at least half of what I had and still had an abundance. I am often given items others cannot use any longer or they simply want me to have it. How wonderful is that! I pass on what I don’t use or need so others can enjoy it.     Why do I write this? It’s part of my life and in my attempt to be courageous by being transparent. Life is good and I am blessed to say the least. I love to write and I love to help others in...

  REFLECTIONS OF THE OLD     Today I want to chat about reflections of the old. I hope this speaks to you. It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and want the newest and latest, be it a car, a computer, cell phone or even a new look.     This beautiful photo was taken recently by one of my clients who came to my home to take my head shots. This is a very old China Hutch with antique cut glass on display. This hutch was badly damaged when it was moved over 20 years ago. I came to own it when my Mom gave it to me. It was given to her by my great Aunt Hettie. I grew up seeing this upon every visit back to Petersburg, Virginia.      The damage done was bad enough to not be able to repair it. The door to the hutch was busted and the glass shattered. But to me, it is beautiful just as it is. For years I have carried around and protected the pieces to have it repaired. However, as I write, I am deciding to let this antique ...

  MEET ME     Here's a bit of a different blog for you my friends and readers. I just recently had a new series of head shots taken and she was so creative as to want to capture some of me working. She snapped so many shots that I was curious how many. Over 800 and she sent me about 100 or so to decide which ones I liked. I selected 75, yes you heard me.      She asked me while I was being a subject to her camera if I liked having my picture taken. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. Like most people, I am overly conscious of seeing myself in pictures. Do you like looking at yourself? If not, why? Over the years I have started to like myself more but no matter how handsome or gorgeous someone is, they will always find a flaw in how they look.      Ask yourself what you like about you? Too often and too much we see what we don't like. As a personal development coach, I give my clients an assignment to list 10 strengths and 10 ...

  EMERGENCE      The word “emergence” is not one I have used in my vocabulary much if ever. The photo here is one of a beautiful painting done by a dear friend who asked me to name it prior to giving it to me. The word ‘emergence’ popped out of my mouth without giving it a thought.      The Angel is another new addition to my home and the two simply belong together. When I was presented with this painting, I was also asked what I saw. We all see things differently and I saw an angel coming out of the water. You may have a different perspective of course.      Now why am I writing about the word ‘emergence’? First of all the meaning of the word is ‘the process of coming into view or becoming exposed after being concealed’ and ‘the process of coming into being or of becoming important or prominent’.      We all go through stages and phases in our lives. I’m in one of those times. I’ve always loved butterflies and once the bu...