Cocoon - Then Connect

The hustle-bustle of life today wraps us up in our own world. Sometimes, the wrap becomes a cocoon to provide protection and shelter. We all need this nurturing phase throughout life.

At times, the cocoon can become more of a shell enclosing us in our own world. We lose connection and interaction with others who value our relationship.

Just like a butterfly leaves its cocoon, take time to break out, connect, and embrace people. We all need each other and our lives are enriched by it.

Look for the Rainbow

I had the pleasure of waking up yesterday, looking out the window, and seeing a rainbow after the storm. It is always an amazing sight!


Some rainbows are not seen as vividly, or divinely. It is reassuring to remember that after every storm, clouds clear, and the sun shines. We may not always be able to see the rainbow, but take comfort in knowing it is there.   Look for the rainbow in life!

Love and Hope

Last night we watched the Emmy Awards and I was touched by what Michael Sucsy, Director of Grey Gardens said.   He read from Little Edie’s journal: “To love is to nourish with hope.   We live for another who is living for us and each must breathe hope into one another.”

Inspire others by sharing your love, hope, and dreams.

Change of Seasons

The change of seasons refreshes our body, minds, and lifestyle. For some the change is extreme, for others it is subtle.

Fall welcomes new experiences and old traditions. Winter cloaks us in our respite and hibernation. Spring blossoms our world and renews our life. Summer stimulates leisure time and exciting activities.

As we fall back on the Autumnal Equinox, honor past events and greet new opportunities.

Just Be and Breathe

Every day there are so many things on our To Do list. We live in a multi-tasking, non-stop, 24-7 world. As a result, our bodies can be in a constant state of “Fight or Flight” stress.

To help relax our body and calm our mind, we need to take a little time for ourselves to “just be and breathe.”  I recently read an article that said four “mini relaxation” sessions (1½ to 2 minutes) during the day reduce work related stress. 1

Mindfulness teachings start with a focus on your breath. This allows you to breathe consciously and deeply. It also helps to tune out distractions, so you can gaze inward.

Relax, breathe slowly and deeply, and imagine a peaceful, serene place. 1

1 "Instant Calm at Work." Prevention May 2009

Make Your Heart Sing

When you are lonely or down, do something that makes your heart sing!  
I dance.  No matter what, if I put music on and dance - I am instantly lifted.

Most of my friends know that I like to sleep in the morning. But on Tuesday morning, there's something I love more ... Dancing!

The instructor has amazing energy.  To quote a friend: “She’s tiny, but mighty.”    If I’m tired or down, she picks me right up.   I walk out with a smile on my face and a skip in my heart.

Inspiration ... Pass It On

A friend told me about a website called Values.Com – The Foundation for a Better Life.   She said it would make a good link for my blog.

Two nights later while watching TV, we saw a very motivating commercial.   At the end it said:  “Inspiration … Pass it on.”  Turns out it is the same site: Values.Com.    It is a very inspiring resource.    Please find the link on the left side of my blog - under Subscribe To.

Click and you will find an abundance of Good News, stories about every day heros, inspirational quotes, and other points to brighten your world … Enjoy!

Put It In Your God Box

… That’s what my Mom would tell me when we talked about our dreams and our concerns. We both did it faithfully. It’s a sacred place where we give gratitude and offer prayers for ourselves, our family, friends, and the world.

One of the last gifts my Mom gave me was a box from her trip to Morocco. It is now my main God box and sits in the window facing heaven.

I have a smaller God box for on-going prayers. The largest one holds the prayers that have been answered. Try it … it works.

Powerful Lessons Shared

We watched Senator Ted Kennedy's Funeral today. The Eulogy of his son, Teddy Jr. was poignant and particularly meaningful because it captured two of my key beliefs: be positive and treat everyone with kindness.

Teddy Jr. spoke about the difficulties he faced losing a leg at the age of 12. He remembered when his father told him: "Even our most profound losses are survivable. It is what we do with that loss - our ability to transform it into a positive event.”  It is one of my father’s greatest lessons.  He said nothing is impossible.”

Another important value his father taught him early in life was “Greet everyone you meet – no matter what the station – with the same dignity and respect.”

These are powerful principles to instill in our children and embrace in our lives. Senator Kennedy’s hard work and great achievements made a difference.  He will always be remembered by the people he touched.

A Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into our lives for a reason, season, or lifetime.  Some people play a pivotal role in our life and then they are gone.  Others are connected during a chapter in our life.  The friendships that last a lifetime are especially the most cherished.

Our friends make us laugh - embrace us when we cry - support us when we need help - encourage our dreams.

I am so grateful for all of the amazing people and true friends in my life.  We all get by with a little help from our friends. 

Make Someone's Day

Yesterday, my partner said to me, "See what a difference being nice makes?"   I just gave someone a compliment on their work.  He thanked me and said, “You just made my day!”  

His morale and confidence were down from a recent change in management.  One simple act of kindness turned his day around.

A friend told me a long time ago that she was very depressed for some time. One day, she went to the market and a stranger smiled at her.  That one little smile had a huge impact. It pulled her out of depression and gave her hope.

"Pay it forward."   You are kind to someone, then they are kind to someone.

Attitude is contagious ... spread Kindness. 

Experiences Imprinted On Your Heart and Soul

When my Mom died in 2007, it left an imprint on my heart and soul. Her health had deteriorated rapidly in less than a year. We brought her home from the hospital and on the 3rd day, we all knew she was "passing into the next life."

In the last days and hours of her life, she would awake with a beautiful smile on her face. It was an unusually windy, balmy October day. Her passing was peaceful with many touching and divine experiences. I can still hear her exclaiming, "I heard it," when I asked her if she heard her wind chimes. 

The Hospice Chaplain prayed and sang softly to her. My brother and I were by her side, telling her we loved her and what a wonderful mother, friend, and partner she had been. We repeated one of her favorite sayings:

“Let Go and Let God” … She slipped peacefully away into the Angels’ arms.

I miss her so much.

Things You Remember

I think it's profound that something someone said to you once, stays with you forever.

Like one time when I told my friend Sharon that it was unbelievable I would be 40 when I finished my Bachelor's degree. She replied, "how old would you be if you didn't get your degree?"   It was a different perspective that I always remember.

Your Attitude Makes a Difference

Attitudes are contagious.  Would someone want to catch yours? 

Ever notice when you are in a good mood and you smile at everyone, they smile back?

Just as true, if you are stressed or angry, other people feed right into your tension.  Even our pets pick up our stress.

I just watched Deepak Chopra on Ellen and he said that studies show that when we make other people happy, we are happy.

Be kind and and do what makes you smile ... it  makes such a difference!

Inspirations from Mother Nature

Last night, we watched the moon light its path across the ocean.

Tonight, gazing at the ocean ... the sun sets on one side of the horizon and Catalina Island's dark silhouette is on the other.   Blissfully blessed!