Hello Fall!

Your colorful, beautiful leaves remind me that seasons change ...

 

And how important it is to slow down and enjoy each moment ... 

Fall is full of my favorite flavors and colors and clothes ...

Dear Fall, I welcome you with open arms. :)
xo - me.

Inspiration from Rocky Balboa

I'm a big Rocky fan ... love his grit, guts and 'go get 'em' style!

So true, how hard can you get hit (life throws some pretty hard punches) and still keep moving forward?

One thing I know for sure - stay in the ring. Fight your fight. Hold your head up high and don't give up!

Be a fountain, not a drain ...

Fountains flow and give and nourish. Drains just drain.
Which one are you?

PS: Positive energy is a fountain. Negative energy is a drain.

Wednesday Wisdom: 20 seconds of insane courage

Love this line from "We Bought a Zoo" - All you need is 20 seconds of insane courage and I promise you something great will come of it.

Can you think of a time you were insanely courageous? I can. I was in my pajamas in my front room and I called the President of a publishing company to ask him to consider publishing my book. (Yup, that took guts). Twenty seconds of pure courage.

Did he publish my book? No. Three days after that phone call, he called me back to hire me as his publicist.

Courage. It matters.

Our ultimate freedom is ...

"Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us."
 ~ Stephen R. Covey

We give our power away every time we allow ourselves to be victim to the stuff outside of us - (circumstances and people). We always have a choice as to how we will let it affect us.

This is not always easy and takes practice but it is the ultimate freedom.

We all have a unique curriculum for our lives.

We all have a unique curriculum for our lives.
I heard that statement earlier in the summer and have spent some time thinking about it.

Let's start with the definition of unique
: very special or unusual
: belonging to or connected with only one particular thing, place, or person

Next, lets find out what the dictionary has to say about the word - curriculum
:  the courses offered by an educational institution

What this means to me, is that each of us has a very special and unusual course for our lives that will help us grow, learn and become.

Inspiring to think about. 

Look at the road before you, it's full of adventure, challenge, heartache, happiness and more. 
Go - keep going! It's there just for you ...

The success formula -

Love this ... just keep doing!

A Leader is someone who demonstrates what's possible!

 

A Leader is someone you can trust. Someone you can look up to. Someone who lifts and inspires!
A Leader is someone who ACTS and shows the way.

Wednesday Wisdom: Learn to select your thoughts

Wouldn't you agree? It takes effort to have a great wardrobe, to work out, to have good relationships, to excel at your job and to be happy!

Effort is another word for work. If you want something to last, or to be good, or to have meaning - you work for it. Well, that's my philosophy.

I bumped into the above quote today and agree. It's true, you can put forth effort to have happy thoughts. It's a learned skill. One you work on every day. :)

Wisdom: Choose your thoughts and live a life you love. Fill your mind with the good stuff and see the impact it has on you and others around you. Positive energy inspires, lifts and edifies.

Out negative thought. Out. - Oh, there's a good, uplifting thought, I choose you!

Not My Circus ...

Every time you feel yourself getting drawn into other people's nonsense, repeat these words ...
Not my circus.
Not my monkeys.

You can do it now!

I love this talk and the message .... Don't we all need someone to believe in us and lift us when we are down?

Watch it here: You Can Do it Now!

Kissing in the rain ...

 

I have the opportunity to teach the young women in church on Sundays. This past month the topic has been about love, dating and marriage. It's been great to discuss their thoughts and ideas on the subject of love.

 

I remember as a teen, being asked to write a list of the traits I would like in a husband. I shared with the girls a few items I remember that seemed so very important at the time ... wear cowboy boots, make me laugh, wear penny loafers (with pennies), write me love notes and so on. It was a long list! And I remember thinking my dream man would be perfect!

 

Thankfully, time and experience have taught me a great deal - and it was wonderful to be able to talk to the young women about the real things in a relationship that make it work or not work. Yes, love notes will always be important! My husband and I have been married for 21 years and together, we have learned and continue to learn how to make our marriage wonderful.

 

Don't worry - I didn't smother their dreams for romance and happily ever after. I just let them know that love isn't just about kissing in the rain and cowboy boots.

 

We talked about how love takes time. Love lifts you up. Love heals and mends and believes and is patient and kind. We also discussed how marriage takes work and effort and a desire to help another person be happy.

 

It's been a great month of conversations about love, marriage and the reason it matters.

 

Wait for it I told them. Your Prince will find you - or you'll find him!

Yes, I let them know that kissing in the rain is really romantic. :)

 

Mostly, I encouraged them to become the best version of them possible so that when the time was right to marry, they would bring good stuff to the relationship and would be able to stand the 'storms of life' that would most likely come!

 

It's the best adventure there is. LOVE. Marriage and family.

 

If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently. …
It becomes special because you have made it so.

(Watch here: Eternal Marriage by F. Burton Howard)

 



Wednesday Wisdom: Turn your can'ts into cans -

We all have things we believe we can't do. And when we believe we can't, we don't. So this week, turn a can't into a can and see what happens!

You might just see a few dreams getting wings and plans of their own ...

Back to school 2014 ....

She rode.

He drove.

It's here, the first day of school!

6:30 am - My son drove off for his first day of his Junior year in high school. I waved and blew kisses. (I couldn't help myself ... I also wanted to shout: "Make good choices!" But I didn't.)

7:25 am - I rode my bike with my daughter to her friend's. As we were riding, I said something about us for sure needing to wear helmets in the future and she said: "Mom, you're not going to ride with me everyday ... are you?" No, I assured her. Just today. It's your first day of middle school!

Amazing how new school years have a way of helping us see time and it's flying wings - that never slow down or stop.

I hope my kids have a wonderful day!

Cheers to time and getting older and 'letting go' ....

Inspiration for Back to School -

Your Mountain is waiting, so get on your way! :)

Sweet to the soul ...

Yesterday, I read this beautiful verse -

Proverbs 16: 24

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."

So true, the words we say should be sweet and uplifting. They heal and mend and lift.
Kindness matters. Always.

Lessons from running

Endurance -
the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite
fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina

The beginning of a new school season always reminds me of cross country. And when I think of cross country, I think of endurance and the lessons I learned from running so many miles and races.


Some races were good. Some were bad. Some were awesome!


I have used those race lessons several times since those 'running days' and would like to share a few:


First, if you want to be good at something, you have to put in the practice - the miles, the effort and the will to win. Several years ago, my sister and I decided to run a cross country alumni race together. She was young and in shape and I was older and not in shape. What was I thinking? 3.1 miles up and down a course filled with hills and lots of spectators. Let's just say my sister left me in the dust and I finished but that was the hardest race I've ever run! Lesson learned: Practice and prepare!

Second, believe you can. Most often, we don't start something new or take risks because we doubt ourselves and our abilities. We convince ourselves that we can't and make excuses to support those beliefs. Next time you find yourself in the 'doubt zone', say this out loud: I think I CAN! And then do something to prove you can. Take that first step and build momentum with your belief. Before you know it, you'll be running at the top and looking back thinking: WOW! So glad I chose to believe. Lesson learned:  Believe and run forward!
Third, when you have a bad race, remind yourself that you can always do better next time. Life is full of challenges. If everyday was full of rainbows and sunshine, we would never learn to fully appreciate them. We need the 'rain' and 'stormy' times to help us appreciate the sunshine. Lesson learned: Be patient and kind with yourself on the tough, bad 'race' days. And then try harder next time.
Finally, Endure to the end. No matter what is going on in your life it pays to endure to the end. I'm not talking about staying or enduring an abusive relationship - or in something that is bringing you down in an emotional, negative way. I'm talking about never giving up. Never give up on your dreams, on your beliefs, or your will to succeed. Anything that is worth having, takes work, effort and endurance. We all have days when we want to throw in the towel, or quit the 'race'. Don't. The best feeling is crossing the finish line and saying to yourself: "I gave it my all!" or "I did my very best." Lesson learned: Run your race. Don't give up and keep moving forward!


PS: I'm cheering for you to run your race and succeed!
You CAN do this ...


Wendy

You are stronger than you realize ...

 

 

“Stand tall and walk in the light … You are stronger than you realize.
You are more capable than you can imagine. Your destiny is a glorious one!”
~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 

 

Saying good bye -

Over a decade ago, this dog entered my life. My husband and kids really wanted a dog. I was outvoted on this one. I had never had a dog and didn't want one.

They convinced me they could find a nice dog. One day it happened, they showed up with a black dog - named Sadie. They found her at the local pound and told me they had checked her out (for 3 days) to see if she fit in with the family. I thought that was interesting! Check out a dog like you check out a library book. Return it when you are finished.

Anyhow, they loved her. And she stayed. I was afraid to go out of the backdoor to the backyard because there was a big, black dog outside. It took me a long time to finally bond with her.

She had been abused as a puppy and had separation anxiety. We kept her outside and she cried for a couple of weeks. I did too. (Mostly because I couldn't believe we now had a family dog.)

As time went by, she calmed down. Realized we were not leaving her. I did too. I started to enjoy her company.

She went on almost every family vacation to the ocean and loved the beach as much as we did. We moved five times during the duration of our decade with her. She adapted to every new house, yard and neighborhood. She was just happy to be with us - no matter what.

She would chase my car down the road every time I left and in every time I came home. She is the only dog I've ever seen with a constant smile. She loved kids and was a member of our family. She wagged her tail and greeted us with enthusiasm every day.

Up until the very end, her big brown eyes were filled with love and acceptance. It was so very hard to say good bye to that sweet, old dog.

Thanks Sadie for all the memories. You were the best dog a family could ever dream of having.

I will miss you.

Just this morning as I pulled out of the garage, I imagined she was standing in the drive way bidding me good bye...

It's on my list ...

 

So many wonderful things to look forward to!
What's on your 'to do' list?

Oh, my darling, what if you fly?

Don't we all have moments of vulnerability? Times when we think - "What if I fall?" Don't we all wish someone would simply say: "Oh, my darling, what if you fly?"

Beautiful.

What have we got to lose? Nothing - flap your wings!
GO! FLY!

Always believe ...

Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.

 Love this quote!

I believe ... :)

Joy ...

I believe as we find joy in the seemingly ordinary moments, they are no longer ordinary. It's easy to get caught up in the mundane routines of day to day life but joy comes when we see them with appreciation.Our thoughts really do make our world.

There's joy in the sound of the morning songbird
There's joy in making lunch for the 100th time
There's joy in folding the laundry
There's joy in making the bed
There's joy in watering the flowers
There's joy in planning dinner
There's joy in driving my daughter to school

The list goes on and on. We add joy to the events in our lives by the meaning and value we place on the task at hand. If we think it does not matter - it won't. If you want the ordinary moments to matter - find joy and turn them into 'little moments that matter'!

What will you find joy in today?

The to-do list can wait!

I'm a to-do list person. I do well with lists. The lists motivate me and I like to check things off...
Today's list is long. I planned on completing every item.

How am I doing with the list? Not so great.

I got distracted by the gorgeous weather and the chairs on the back patio!
I sat. I soaked up a few rays and I thought - the to-dos can wait!

Happy Tuesday :)

For Kade ...

On the day you were born, the Nurses called you Elvis... check out that head of hair!

On the day you were born - your dad and I both cried.

We were so excited to have you join our lives!

We spent a lot of mornings making pancakes and singing songs together ...

 Your smile will forever brighten my day.

I must have made you 100 sets of wings to wear ... You lived in wings! 

I love your art - especially the flowers!

Never lose your creativity! It's a gift and you can touch so many lives (for good).
You make a difference - always have. Always will!

 Art on display

Happy birthday - I love you. ~ Mom

PS: Thanks for 18 years of 'little moments that matter' - I cherish them all.

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly ...

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly,
but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” 
― Maya Angelou

When you get the chance ... Dance.

A gazebo at sunset ...

My husband and I recently celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary ... As part of our adventure, we took the Bed & Breakfast bikes for a spin around the city (oh so romantic!) We found ourselves at a park (at sunset) and bumped into this gazebo!

What did we do? We danced. It was spontaneous and one of my favorite romantic moments of all time ...

In love, it's all about the little moments!

Want to dance? YES!!!!!

Keep Going.

Two inspiring words ... Keep Going.

Yes, the road is long but the journey is worth it ... GO!

Take random road trips ...

It's been a stressful week ... ever have those? Oh good - I'm not alone! Bumped into this image via Pinterest and it made me smile. I need a random road trip! Something about the road and 'leaving it all behind' does wonders for my soul.

Cheers to the road and the adventures of life. :)

This far ...

God didn't bring you this far to abandon you.

Ever felt like you were being thrashed about by the 'storms of life'? I like this quote and the reminder that even in the midst of our trials and 'stormy' days, we are not alone. Our Heavenly Father is always there - always ready to take us by the hand and see us through whatever we are going through.

I am so thankful for His constant love and guidance - He is always ready to lift us up and out of troubled waters.

It's humbling to know that He cares about each of us so very much.

Always remember, you are not alone. And with and through the trials and storms of life, He helps us become something better, stronger and wiser. For that ... I am eternally grateful.

Why do we fall?

Truth.

Reminds me of one of my favorite lines from 'Batman Begins' -

And why do we fall, Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.

(Not always easy - but worth it)

Rise up!

What do you radiate?

We influence others by what we say, what we do, and who we are.

Every person who lives in this world wields an influence, whether for good or for evil. It is not what he says alone, it is not alone what he does. It is what he is. Every man, every person radiates what he or she is. Every person is a recipient of radiation. The Savior was conscious of that. Whenever he came into the presence of an individual, he sensed that radiation—whether it was the woman of Samaria with her past life; whether it was the woman who was to be stoned or the men who were to stone her; whether it was the statesman, Nicodemus, or one of the lepers. He was conscious of the radiation from the individual. And to a degree so are you, and so am I. It is what we are and what we radiate that affects the people around us.

… As individuals, we must think nobler thoughts. We must not encourage vile thoughts or low aspirations. We shall radiate them if we do. If we think noble thoughts, if we encourage and cherish noble aspirations, there will be that radiation when we meet people, especially when we associate with them.

The effect of our words and acts is tremendous in this world. Every moment of life you are changing to a degree the lives of the whole world. … So, it’s not the surroundings, it isn’t the positions; the thing that will influence [others] in this world, are personalities. No matter what you are, people will feel and recognize this. You radiate, you can’t hide it. 

It is important … that we seek, both in life and in books, the companionship of the best and noblest men and women. [Thomas] Carlyle, a great English writer, says that “Great men taken up in any way are profitable company. We cannot look, however imperfectly, upon a great man, without gaining something by him. He is the living ‘light-fountain,’ which it is good and pleasant to be near.”

If you will study the lives of these great “light-fountains” of the world, you will learn of at least one thing that has made their names endure. It is this: Each one has given something of his life to make the world better. They did not spend all their time seeking only pleasure and ease, and a “good time” for themselves alone, but found their greatest joy in making others happy and more comfortable. All such good deeds live forever, even though the world may never hear of them.

No good deed, no kind word can be spoken without its effect being felt for good upon all. Sometimes the good may be infinitesimal, but as a rock that is thrown in a pool starts a wave from the center which continues to enlarge until every part of the shore is touched, so your deeds, silent, many of them, unknown, unspoken, unheralded, continue to radiate and touch many hearts.

~ David O. McKay

Artwork by Lori Portka

The value of a moment ...

A beautiful Saturday morning reminder ...

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
~ Dr. Seuss

Leaders (create more Leaders) -

I like this quote ... Leaders create more Leaders.
How do they do that?

I believe Leaders create more Leaders by believing in the people who follow them. Leaders inspire, lift, help, encourage and persevere.

By so doing, they model empowered leadership that allows others to step up and LEAD!

For Kaleb

With a praying mantis ...

Flying paper airplanes ...

Dancing with a peacock ....

Kaleb,

I love your kind heart.
I love your curious spirit.
I love your drive to learn, see and do.
I love being your mom.

Never lose your sense of wonder.

Love,
Mom.