Imagine.

The world is but a canvas to the imagination. 

~ Henry David Thoreau

What does your canvas look like?

PS: Love the creativity and imagination in this art piece ...

Be open ...

I like that word - Open.

It reminds me of open arms, open doors, open hearts, open minds.

When we are open, we are able to handle whatever comes next.

I believe in the power of positive thinking! We find what are looking for - good or bad.

What's next?

Be open.

Be ready.

Be excited.

Expect miracles!

Saying goodbye ...

I've never been good at good byes.
I avoid them at all costs.

I prayed really hard to be strong and optimistic.

I did it.

I said good bye to my oldest son ... we hugged and laughed and I shed a few tears.

Till we meet again ... in 2 years!

Go and do and enjoy all the little moments along the way!!
I am proud of you :)

Love you - Mom 

For the presence of wonder ...

We find what we are looking for ... Choose to look for the good and enjoy the wonder of it!

It's all around us ...

Cheers to the presence of wonder.

Wonder - 

noun

1. 1.

   a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable.

J.M. Barrie and Kindness

I have a fond spot in my heart for J.M. Barrie ... I believe I have him to thank for my name!

In English the meaning of the name Wendy is: Literary; a created name that first appeared in James Barrie's Peter Pan.

Thanks Mr. Barrie for my name and for promoting kindness.

I completely agree ... Always be a little kinder than necessary!

It demands to be felt.

What I know ... pain is real. Especially emotional pain.

And when we are hurting - we need to pay attention.

Stuffing stuff away does not help anyone.

Pain... it demands our time, focus and energy.

To everything there is a season ...

A time to cry
A time to laugh
A time to dance
 A time to miss
A time to mourn
A time to reach out
A time to be silent
A time to speak

My heart goes out to all of those in pain ...

Please know that God is listening and hears your prayers.

Please move forward with faith and know that better days are ahead.

With and through the tough days, we can grow, learn and become!

A few ways to deal with pain -

Talk to a trusted friend
Forgive
Move forward
Pray
Listen
Write in a journal
Blog
Be patient with yourself
Get extra sleep
Spend time outside
Seek professional help

All you need is love.

Nothing like brothers trying on hats in a toy store together.

Love.

:)

Enthusiasm (It adds color to life!)

en·thu·si·asm

inˈTH(y)o͞ozēˌazəm,enˈTH(y)o͞ozēˌazəm/

noun

1. 1.

   intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.

We've been having gray winter days ... the kind with little or no sunshine. This little quote reminded me that even on gray days we can have color and 'sunshine'!

How? Live with enthusiasm!

Try it.

Don't You Dare Shrink!

Have you ever wanted to shrink? I have.

Don't do it. Stand tall - hold your ground.

This happens often - people feel insecure and they shrink, play small because of a situation they find themselves in.

Why? I believe it's because we feel alone or afraid of what might happen if we don't shrink. It's scary to stand out or up for something when you might be the only one.

Example:
I was at a youth activity last night (with teens at my church) and was noticing how one really negative attitude (being shown by one person) was affecting everyone present.

ONE person being negative can sink a ship! However, that can only happen if the rest of the members on board shrink and play small and are consumed by the negative, dark side!

It was a great teaching moment. Don't shrink mateys - just be your happy selves and steer your mighty ship forward into the great adventures ahead! The dark cloud will either stay where it's at and continue to rain and dampen those around it or it can let the light in and join the happy side!

Playing small never served anyone... stand tall for the good, happy stuff.

Amazing things happen!

Onward!

Paying it with LOVE ...

Let me just say: We didn't watch the Super Bowl yesterday ... 
so we didn't see the Super Bowl Ads ...

At the beginning of the year, my daughter broke her arm. (She was sledding out of town with a cousin and we received text messages from the ER with updates.) It was a bit traumatic and not the ideal way to start a new year. (We learned a lot together from this experience!)

Jump forward 4 weeks and it's time to have the cast removed! Today was the big day...

8:00 AM - cast off. x-rays taken.

8:30 - Meet with the Dr. - get instructions on how to get the arm moving again ... reminded that it's still broken and fragile. (The arm is much smaller than the other arm due to being stuck in the cast and restrained from movement.) My daughter felt a little discouraged ... (I think she thought once the cast was off, it would be all better.)

I offer encouragement as we check out. We got this! We can do this ... So proud of you!
:)

8:45 - Walked out the door ... I planned on taking her straight to school. She was a little bummed that the appointment didn't take longer as she wanted to miss first and second period :) ... remember those days?

She mentions how much she likes McDonald's pancakes...

8:55 - At McDonald's - we order her breakfast!

Cashier: "Hug!"

I wasn't sure what was going on ... there were people behind us full of smiles ... So I give my daughter a side-half hug ...

I try to pay with my debit card ...

Cashier: "You've probably seen the commercials ...You can pay with love!"

I see the total and try to pay again with my card.

Cashier: "Just hug ... and your meal is paid for!"

(BIG HUG)

Love. It matters.

This morning will stay with us for a long time ... great reminder of how important kindness is and how good it feels to give and share love!

Thanks McDonald's - WE GOT THIS.