Tag Archive | #Livinginthemoment2015

A Day and Life of Blessings🎉

May21

Mommy, me, Yogi!

Today as I celebrate 63 years of blessings I find myself feeling blissfully emotional about all the love and grace I’ve received on my “Miracle Day”. I call it “Miracle Day” because we are all little miracles favored by God to exist.

Last night watching Janet Jackson accept her Billboard Icon Award I took a pause and thought, wow, what a career and accomplishments; what have I done? At that same moment I slapped myself and said – girl, what is your deal, you have been blessed in a myriad of ways and never, ever, ever, base your life in comparison to someone else’s! (You don’t know their “back” story – might NOT want it.) 

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My accomplishments can’t be measured by trophies or ceremonies, they are living legacies to love, peace, and humanity; two amazing spirits I’ve been blessed to be called mom! 

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“Fragile is Man, his strength found in boundless love.” DonnaMarie

 

More blessings of a soulmate of over 40-years. Thank you, honey, for your boundlessness. ♥

Thanks so much to everyone for all the birthday wishes and expressions of love you’ve shared with me today; my spirit has been nourished and my heart is forever grateful!

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Livin’ my life like it’s golden🌞

May8

 

My favorite quote. I follow the teachings of Buddha and this perspective is the first intention I see every morning. It hangs in my bedroom in a place of prominent so as to always catch my eye. These words set my day on the path of happiness and gratitude to live my life like it’s precious –  “golden”.

 

When people ask how my morning is going I say awesome! I was blessed to see another sunrise and be surrounded by the love and support of my wonderful family, and friends. It’s an absolutely beautiful day!

 

This Jill Scott tune from 2004, “Livin’ my life like it’s golden”, is all about living each day with joy; owning the richness of life and how amazing it is. Blessed and highly favored, happiness and abundance are yours! 

 

 

I’m taking my freedom
Pulling it off the shelf
Putting it on my chain
Wear it around my neck
I’m taking my freedom
Putting it in my car
Wherever I choose to go
It will take me far

I’m livin’ my life like it’s golden
Livin’ my life like it’s golden
Livin’ my life like it’s golden, golden
Livin’ my life like it’s golden
Livin’ my life like it’s golden, golden

I’m taking my own freedom
Putting it in my song
Singing loud and strong
Grooving all day long
I’m taking my freedom
Putting it in my stroll
I’ll be high-steppin‘ y’all
Letting the joy unfold

I’m holding on to my freedom
Can’t take it from me
I was born into it
It comes naturally
I’m strumming my own freedom
Playing the god in me
Representing his glory
Hope he’s proud of me

Livin’ my life like it’s golden
It really matters to me, oh

I’m living my life like its golden

Jill Scott – Golden Lyrics | MetroLyrics

 

 

There Ain’t Nothin’ Gonna Steal My Joy

Apr12

When I saw this video on Facebook I couldn’t help the tremendous smile that came across my face as I reveled in the sublime joy of this little lady. 

She was present in the moment and oblivious to judgment and the others around her. This is what I call purity of being; or as they used to say in church when I was growing up – “being filled with the holy spirit.” I must have played this proud mom’s video at least 5 times straight including grabbing my husband for the “must watch” this adorable video.

https://youtu.be/3QivliBtpnY

I often remark that kids have no filter. They speak the truth, and as a mom myself, manage to embarrass us at just the right moment. For example, in the grocery store line: Daughter: “What does it mean when you hold up your middle finger?” Me: “It’s not nice and it’s being mean to the other person.” Daughter: (collapsing all her fingers except the middle) “But, what if my fingers accidentally fall down like this?” Me: “Just happen to?” as I notice the cashier with a giant size grin on her face. See what I mean? That incident happened over 30 years ago but I can remember it as clear as ever.

Just like the mom that posted the video, we all share in the joy of our children and achieve a space of pure bliss. This little girl will always be a reminder for me to celebrate my happiness and keep firm in the commitment that no one’s gonna steal my joy!

That I Ever Existed

Mar28

Having a conversation with a girlfriend the other evening about what kind of legacy we want to leave and what our lives are meant for started me re-examining my own life.

Seems lately that every day all day I see infomercials for buying final expense life insurance to make it easier, at least financially, for your loved ones when you pass.

The existential conversation about life and death can be quite complicated. Running the gamut of you live, you die, and that’s it, to a belief in an afterlife, maybe even reincarnation. I’m one who believes in the karmic synergy of the universe and that life on earth is just a way station. Our evolution as humans come from an understanding that our purpose is to learn gratitude, understand we are part of a whole and that what we do to others we do to ourselves. 

Surviving cancer has given me a renewed relationship with my own mortality. I don’t fear death, it’s part of the human experience. I believe we were sent here to understand that we are reflected in the faces of others and that we are our brother’s keeper. In totality, we should aspire to our highest self.

My sadness about departing my physical body comes from the separation, no longer being able to hang out with my family and friends; enjoying precious time together. But, my new consciousness evokes a more incredible point – the amazing reality that I ever existed at all!

 

 

We are all miracles; chosen for an existence on earth. My greatest wish for humankind is that we embrace the fact our lives have an expiration date for the lessons we must learn.

For me, it means being given this amazing gift of life to explore, reflect, and leave this world a little better than I found it. My desire is to achieve my highest self; moving on with a smile on my face from having lived a life of joy with no regrets; clear in the ultimate understanding that every moment is precious so, be present and choose love as a mantra for existence.

 

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The Quest for Self

Mar14

What have I come here to do with my life?

The Quest

Consider this quote from author Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)

“Share what you’ve learned.”

A big part of who I am and why I love to write is expressing and exploring my life’s journey with others.

writers quote

“Bring the light”

This is what I strive to do by sharing my thoughts and communing with others thru my blog.

If you’re searching for happiness or striving to find the light, start by creating mini quests.

Every day go out and find something beautiful.

beauty-in-everything-just-not-everybody-sees-it

Circling back to my original question, I think it’s important for us to ask…

What have I come here to do with my life?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Your Intent Today?

Mar2

 

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What is my Intent?

Each and every day I choose to live my life without fear; understanding that taking chances and keeping faith through adversity is to grow as a person and citizen of the world. Fear makes some people commit heinous acts and is responsible for so much suffering in people’s lives. Fear can prevent us from speaking out when seeing a wrong or blaming some “other” for our problems. 

 

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But, living fearlessly can open infinite possibilities. Believe and realize your dreams. Reach out and understand that a simple smile can brighten someone’s day. Adjust your attitude to a positive point of view and create the life you seek. 

 

Take the leap and have faith. Destiny lies in your hands.

 

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My Intention for each day:

  • Stand up for what’s right.

  • Show up as a witness and speak for the voiceless.

  • Choose to be positive in word and deed.

  • Be a possibility for the future.

  • Demonstrate Fortitude, Determination, and Hope

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Power of Words🗣️

Feb5

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I remember hearing this as a kid but I believe more untrue words have never been spoken. Words do hurt and people often use derogatory terms to gain control over another person.

Language can be a beautiful form of expression, as in poetry or song, but deliberate or not, our words can either uplift or serve as a verbal weapon to give a sense of importance or superiority.

Humans have a need for order in our lives; a sense of security in what to expect. When we misinterpret a verbal exchange or words don’t fit the meanings we’ve accepted, we’re off balance; full of anxieties and fears.

That’s why I say, we create our own reality and have the power to change the world we’ve designed for ourselves. Words pay a significant role in our vision of our existence and living a conscious life with purpose requires our understanding of this complexity.

 

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Black, white, right, wrong are subjective to the person who’s dictating their definition. What we accept as true, shapes our self-image and can either limit our possibilities or help us soar to great accomplishments.

It’s critical to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes for our experience may be a complete 180 degrees of another’s; your truth may have no relevance in a different life.

We need to stop judging others and reach out to understand the realities of our fellow people. Be aware of the duality of language and speak from a place of love and compassion.

 

Remember, “Sticks and stones may break my bones and

words Can truly hurt me.”

 

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Your Book is Still Unwritten👣

Jan22

Music can be so therapeutic. It can lift your spirit or feed your melancholy. It creates a mood and can affect your state of mind.

“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield reminds me that I’m still a work in progress and I get to write my own story!

 

 

New Attitude

Jan7

Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy, shaping our lives and image of ourselves based on outside input and descriptions others have deemed to be true. From birth, we take on the totality of remarks and declarations outright or subtly put in our heads. Whether it’s from parents uttering – “oh, you’re so pretty” maybe trying to build up our self-esteem or to teachers concluding “you don’t really have a head for numbers” in an effort to shield us from what they perceive as a possible failure.

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These early definitions paint a picture we add to as we approach life and try to sort out how we fit in and what we’re capable of accomplishing. We are socialized by our peers, teachers, and loves. What we hear we sometimes assimilate to and believe.

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I used to call myself a late bloomer, but a therapist corrected me saying “No, you come into things in your own time.” That perspective totally changed the way I thought of myself and opened my eyes to the fact that I was basing my definition of self on what others deemed as “appropriate” timing or behavior. I had been primarily judging myself by letting society dictate, on some level, my worthiness.

Maybe, if we stop letting others define who we are, we might just find the person we were meant to be.

 

 

 

I’m Still Standing!😎

Dec27

2017 has been an incredible year! I’m a cancer survivor with my health and body getting stronger every day! And, Florence Italy in May, a dream trip of a lifetime come true!

Florence, Italy

Cancer survivors are fighters and that’s just what I’ve been doing as an Ambassador for The American Cancer Society, Cancer Action Network. I made a promise to myself during Chemotherapy treatment to give back and be a voice not only for myself, but cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

Me in September on Capitol Hill

I had the honor of representing my Congressional District in Charlotte and advocating on Capitol Hill in D.C. Meeting with my representatives was an incredible feeling of accomplishment. 

We were advocates not only from this country but Ambassadors from around the world! We made quite the statement in our light blue shirts in Washington as strangers asked about our work and what they could do to help. 

A friend once said that God has great plans for me and I agree. Every day I get to make a difference and give back to my community.

Watching one of my favorite inspirational films on Christmas about making dreams come true “Sing” (2016), Taron Egerton’s (Johnny) cover of the Elton John epic “I’m Still Standing” (1983) put a big smile on my face as my head nodded yes, I’m not only a survivor but thriving with the Grace and Favor of God.

When you hear this song, think about how dreams come true and how one voice can make a difference in your community.