An Italian poet said, "We live in a flash of light; evening comes and it is night forever." It’s only a flash and we waste it. We waste it with our anxiety, our worries, our concerns, our burdens." ~ Anthony de Mello, 20th century Jesuit priest

So True!

I hope that everyone had a great weekend. I'm still waiting on some news about my monitor. Apparently a chip has gone bad (dah!) and since it is a Gateway Computer finding a replacement is rather difficult. Very similar to having a foreign car when it comes time to having something fixed or replaced. Mental note to myself: Never buy a Gateway Computer again.

The following thought is so true, especially now. My mind was so focused on working on my book when my monitor decided to fizzle out on me. I have to find a way to keep my mind focused.

"Modern life is full of distractions"

It seems that something or someone is always trying to take us off track. You have in mind a point of focus, an objective, or destination, then something comes along that grabs your attention and steers you in an entirely different direction.

A certain amount of distraction can’t be avoided, the best way to deal with these distractions is to simply accept them as inevitable and then get back to work as quickly as possible. Don’t let the distractions upset you, your emotional reaction is likely to cost you far more time and energy then the distraction itself.

From Meditations for Women

Henry Fonda was still throwing up before each stage performance, even when he was seventy-five. In other words, fear doesn't go away. The warrior and the artist live by the same code of necessity, which dictates that the battle must be fought anew every day." ~ Steven Pressfield, 21st century writer

Butterflies...

...not the ones that flutter around in your garden but the ones that flutter around in your stomach, ones that my daughter has been experiencing this week as she enters Jr. High. Though she hasn’t changed schools (her school goes from Kindergarten to 8th Grade) she is now changing rooms for each subject and this has caused her a lot of anxiety.

Yesterday I received a call from the school nurse saying that she had a slight temperature and an upset stomach. Since she has been battling a cold since returning from The Wisconsin Dells I gave her the benefit of doubt and picked her up. I quickly came to the conclusion that she was not sick, only suffering from a very nervous stomach.

This morning, I was just about to leave for work when my doorbell rang (a frantic ring I might add). Opening the door I found her standing there (looking rather upset) with her dad. Apparently her dad gave in to her claims of being sick and left it for me to handle. After calming her down I explained to her that she was not really sick, what she was experiencing was something that people refer to as the butterflies, an uneasy feeling in the abdomen caused by nervous anticipation. She seemed to except this explanation and after drinking a glass of water decided to go to school. I’m pleased to say that she did survive the day.

Since I don’t have a home computer at the moment (sigh) I’m afraid I will not be able to get online to read my favorite blogs or post anything until Monday. I hope that everyone has a great weekend.

Sláinte!

"Committing to change is one thing, actually changing is entirely something else"

When you embark on change in your life you undoubtedly feel commitment, determination and the passion to make it happen. As time passes the euphoria that dominated your thoughts has a way of waning. If you let your passion completely fizzle out, the change that you were so committed to becomes internalized as failure.

Don’t let this happen, realize it is up to you and nobody else to motivate yourself to keep pushing and keep the passion alive. It is a time to go that extra mile, you have come such a long way, now is not the time to quit.

From Meditations for Women

In my case it wasn’t my euphoria that fizzled, it was my computer monitor. I had just committed myself to begin editing my book when my monitor began to snap, crackle and pop. Today I lugged my computer monitor to a place in town that came highly recommended by a friend. He charges $20 to run a diagnostic check and that amount is applied to the cost of fixing the problem. If it will be too costly to fix my monitor all that I’m out is the $20. I should be hearing from him on Saturday with the results. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, which makes typing rather difficult.

Remember Me?

Sorry that I haven’t posted anything in a few days. I wish my excuse was that I have been so busy that I haven’t had the time. But sadly the truth is my computer monitor has fizzed out on me. For the moment I’m computer-less, at least at home I am. Until I get a new monitor (or get the one I have fixed) I’m afraid I won’t be able to post on a regular basis. I promise to keep you updated.

Until the next time, here’s some tips on How to Stay Young.

1. Discard non-essential numbers, i.e., age and weight.
2. Keep only cheerful friends.
3. Never stop learning.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often; loud and long.
6. When tears come, endure, grieve and move on with your life.
7. Surround yourself with what you love most.
8. Cherish and care for your health.
9. Don’t take guilt trips.
10. Say, "I love you" often, and mean every word.

Always remember: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Too often we under estimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. ~ Leo Buscaglia

Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use. ~ Charles Schulz

Aim for the moon, and if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~ Unknown

"Take a moment today to sit outside and enjoy the splendor"

Have you ever been stopped in your tracks by the majesty of a great old tree, a spectacular garden or the power of the ocean? Natural wonders like these help us reshape our definition of joy. When you take time to notice these things you begin to realize the world is at your fingertips.

Take a moment today, tune in to your senses and observe the joy around you.

From Meditations for Women

Ain't That the Truth!

My life has a superb cast but I can't figure out the plot. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

Well, I survived my first attempt learning how to in-line skate. I received the following tip last week from a friend: If you’re just starting to learn, strap on your skates and head straight for…your lawn. Walking with skates on grass or even carpeting is a great way to develop the balance you’ll need when you hit the harder (and faster) pavement.

Guess what? It worked! Now I'm ready to take on the harder and faster pavement (don't worry Dick, I'll be sure to wear a helmet, knee pads, wrist....). I can't wait to get rolling. This will be something do with my daughter who is already a pretty good skater (she learned in ten minutes...*sigh*).

Well, I got a brand new pair of roller skates...

This week I’m going to do something I have been wanting to do for years. I’m going to learn how to rollerblade. I was hoping to be able to give it a shot tonight but it looks like it might rain. With a little luck maybe the rain will hold out for a little while. Check back tomorrow to see what emergency room I ended up in.

It is precisely when every earthly hope has been explored and found wanting, when every possibility of help from earthly sources has been sought and is not forthcoming, when every recourse this world offers, moral as well as material, has been drawn on and expended with no effect, when in the shivering cold every log has been thrown on the fire, and in the gathering darkness every glimmer of light has finally flickered out—it is then that Christ’s hand reaches out, sure and firm, that Christ’s words bring their inexpressible comfort, that his light shines brightest, abolishing the darkness for ever ~ Malcolm Muggeridge, "A Twentieth-Century Pilgrimage"

"Joy, rather than happiness, is the goal of life, for joy is the emotion which accompanies our fulfilling our natures as human beings. It is based on the experience of one's identity as a being of worth and dignity." ~ Rollo May, 20th Century Existential Psychologist

Perhaps we are looking at this from a wrong perspective; this search for the truth, the meaning of life, the reason of God. We all have this mindset that the answers are so complex and so vast that it is almost impossible to comprehend. I think, on the contrary, that the answers are so simple; so simple that it is staring us straight in the face, screaming its lungs out, and yet we fail to notice it. We're looking through a telescope, searching the stars for the answer, when the answer is actually a speck of dirt on the telescope lens. ~ Jason Q., from Generation Terrorists

Not much going on these days...

We’re just waiting for the school year to start up again (two more weeks and counting). The weather here has been rather cold and damp lately. Strange weather for August. I predict that once school starts up it will get hot and muggy again.

Last night Axel and I went to see The Chronicles of Riddick staring Vin Diesel. If you are curious to read my review of the movie head on over to my movie review blog Let’s All Go to the Movies.

Hope everyone is having a good week.

When we are alone on a starlit night, when by chance we see the migrating birds in autumn descending on a grove of junipers to rest and eat; when we see children in a moment when they are really children, when we know love in our own hearts; or when, like the Japanese poet, Basho, we hear an old frog land in a quiet pond with a solitary splash - at such times the awakening, the turning inside out of all values, the "newness," the emptiness and the purity of vision that make themselves evident, all these provide a glimpse of the cosmic dance. ~Thomas Merton

A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they’re not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they’re not so bad. ~ Arnold Glasgow

M. Night Shyamalan's
The Village

Yesterday I went to see the movie The Village and initially I felt a big letdown. I was expecting to see a movie about a small town, frightened by mystical spirits in the nearby woods. But half way through the film I realized this wasn't the case. In an attempt to try and conceal the plot, the previews made us form our concept before the movie began. I must admit my own preconceptions about what I was hoping to see and what actually unfolded disappointed me. But after leaving and replaying the movie in my mind I really began to like the story. In fact, I can’t wait for it to come out on DVD so I can add it to my M. Night Shyamalan collection.

I really don’t want to give away too much of the plot here. All that I will say is The Village is a really compelling story and will keep you thinking for days to come. The characters are enthralling, the love story is idealistic and the twist is what is nagging at the very back of your mind since you saw the first shot of the trees and sky. M. Night Shyamalan's plot is brilliant and his vision is great. Not to mention the amazing performance from Bryce Dallas Howard (Ron Howard’s daughter!).

When I was leaving the theater I heard several people say to each other that the movie "sucked." Those who dislike the movie use only the surface of the film to do so, rather than going deep into the writing style and the cinematography. If you went into this movie expecting to be scared out of your seat or to be overwhelmed with special effects just stop it! This movie has substance, it is definitely a thoughtful movie.

Don't listen to others about how the movie "sucked" or to me for that matter. See the movie for yourself and develop you own opinion about it. Just remember, if you're expecting to turn your brain off and just ride some rollercoaster ride, The Village may not be the movie for you. Go see Alien Vs. Predator (which starts this week) instead.

"Why be happy tomorrow when you could be happy today?"

It is not unusual for us to postpone our pleasures and happiness, hoping for a better tomorrow.

We place demands on our happiness like, "I’ll be happy when I lose ten pounds", "I’ll be happy when I get a new job or a new car", "I’ll be happy when I get a new outfit", "Once I do that, life will be great."
Why put off your happiness until Friday night or Sunday morning or this summer or next winter?

The real fun in life is in the journey, to enjoy each and every moment. Be happy today!

From Meditations for Women

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken. ~ James Dent

What is your idea of the perfect summer day?

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. I was hit hard by a nasty strain of the flu on Tuesday and have been feeling pretty bad since. My daughter had this bug last week so it was only a matter of time before I came down with it.

Axel is in Minneapolis this weekend for the Metris Uptown Art Fair. Check it out if you happen to live in the area.

Well, that's enough for now. Time to lay back down.

Words of wisdown: Life is a roller-coaster. Try to eat a light lunch.- David Schmaltz

Do Good Anyway
Dr. Kent M. Keith Quote

"People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest person with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest person with the smallest mind. Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack if you help them. Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you might get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you've got anyway."

The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith

Something to silly to start the day with...

Check out The Dysfunctional Family Letter Generator

Click here: The Dysfunctional Family Letter Generator

Simplicity, Clarity, Singleness...

In the end, what affects your life most deeply are things too simple to talk about. ~ Nell Blaine

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. ~ Robert Brault

Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough. ~ Charles Dudley Warner

I believe the art of living consists not so much in complicating simple things as in simplifying things that are not. ~ François Hertel

Simplicity, carried to an extreme, becomes elegance. ~ Jon Franklin

Simplicity, clarity, singleness: these are the attributes that give our lives power and vividness and joy. ~ Richard Halloway

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

To know when you have enough is to be rich. ~ Lao-Tzu

Cats are Wonderful Friends

Gentle eyes that see so much,

paws that have the quiet touch,

Purrs to signal "all is well"and

show more love than words could tell.

Graceful movements touched with pride,

a calming presence by our side

A friendship that takes time to grow

Small wonder why we love them so.

Author unknown

If you love animals, click on the link below.

http://itsmeowornever.org/homeless.html