Happy 101

Thank you, Roxy, for passing along this lovely award. In keeping with the spirit of it, I am happy to follow the “rules”: Link it back to the presenter (Roxy at Woman of Essence), pass it on to 3 other bloggers, and compose a list of 10 happy things. So here goes…

I find happiness in the following:

1.    My children’s happiness.

2.    Time to express my creativity.

3.    Communicating with so many interesting people of diverse interests and points of view on the Blogosphere.

4.    A GOOD cup of coffee, especially in the morning.

5.    Spending time in my favourite metaphysical bookstore.

6.    Reading – historical fiction, poetry, esoteric non-fiction.

7.    Beautiful, shiny things – particularly crystals and exotic-looking jewellery (I’m a bit of a magpie).

8.    Casual get-togethers with friends.

9.    Watching feel-good movies – romantic comedies, dramatic period pieces with happy endings.

10.  Creating and enjoying delicious vegetarian meals.

The 3 bloggers I would like to award this to are:

Sir Thomas (aka Winters Reaper) at Destinations Unknown

Em at Emerging from the Fire

Lisa at Schererart

The Key

What views do you hold,

Which paths do you follow,

Are you buffered by love,

Or broken and hollow?

Do you blow with the wind,

Stand where you will,

Are you true to yourself,

Or resentful and ill?

You alone have the power,

To choose what’s right,

Make passion your muse,

Watch spirit take flight.

image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/venbead/3715886611/

55 Flash Fiction Friday: Compose a story in 55 words and report back
to the G-Man at http://g-man-mrknowitall.blogspot.com/ …every Friday.

Sometimes you just need a break…

And sometimes you have a break thrust upon you. And then again, sometimes what you think may have been a break isn’t actually one at all… like when it’s disguised as pneumonia. Two weeks of horrid coughing and ingesting the most vile horse pills is enough to make me really regret getting so rundown.

It’s also NOT a break when you neglect the blog that you love so much because all your energy and creativity has been sapped “assisting” your children with two speeches, a rap song and a fitness routine, all the while attempting not to pass out from exhaustion. (Feel sorry for me now.)

But really, how many moms with kids of a certain age ever do get a substantial time-out? And if you think those stolen hours here and there between running errands, working fulltime and doing housework count… they DON’T! Because you know, it’s not like the work or worrying is being done by anyone else – it’s all still there awaiting your return to reality. So truly, those kind of breaks are just postponement of the inevitable, ensuring you will have to work twice as hard to get everything done or go to bed an hour or two later than you really want to.

So, if you are a mom who desperately needs a break – take one, without guilt, because you’ve earned it! And if you’re not a mom but have one in your life – give her break. And while we’re at it, I think we should declare February “Mother’s Month” because one day is not enough and May is too far off anyway.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/denniswong/2413988302/

What It's All About

“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” ~Mitch Albom

image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/subrinaz/3704145528/

Oh, Mother

As if to further emphasize the point,

Our Great Mother heaved her bosom,

Leaving us open-mouthed,

And collectively holding our breath,

Waiting to see what’s next.

Sunday 160 is a creation of Monkey Man.

If you’d like to participate or check-out other 160s

visit him here!

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trans-formation/249671467/

This post is dedicated to the people of Haiti and all those who have lost loved ones in the earthquake. For anyone wishing to help out please be aware that aid agencies are currently in need of monetary donations. For a list of reputable agencies, just click here and here.

Dare to Live

Monday to Friday, week in, week out, same old blah blah.

In youth, it was easy to imagine lifetimes of happiness, adventure, love and glory… it was the waiting to experience it all that was difficult!

But somewhere between making money and taking on responsibilities, LIFE was put on hold. STOP!

Re-imagine the possibilities.

GO!

Join the fun: Compose a short story in 55 words and report back to the 
G-Man at http://g-man-mrknowitall.blogspot.com/ …every Friday.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/flopper/388066244/

Time for Change

Civilization can only revive when there shall come into being in a number of individuals a new tone of mind, independent of the prevalent one among the crowds, and in opposition to it -- a tone of mind, which will gradually win influence over the collective one, and in the end determine its character. Only an ethical movement can rescue us from barbarism, and the ethical comes into existence only in individuals. ~Albert Schweitzer

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oliverclark/2789118594/

Oops!

Dear John: It’s over. Thought you were my soulmate but you’re not.
I know this ‘cause I just met him Saturday. He’s sooo perfect!
But we can still be friends ; )

Sunday 160 is a creation of Monkey Man.

If you’d like to participate or check-out other 160s visit him here!

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/robert_weissner/3257545171/

Soulmates

When the nights are coldest,

I feel for your presence.

At the loneliest of moments,

I breathe in your essence.

When the days are darkest,

I dream of your face.

Across the expanse of earth,

I reach for your embrace.

For we are connected,

By body and soul.

In coming together,

Our spirits are whole.

Join in the fun: Compose a short story in 55 words and report back

to the G-Man at http://g-man-mrknowitall.blogspot.com/ …every Friday.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwillemburg/1885889524/

Spellbound

The night is darkening round me,


The wild winds coldly blow;


But a tyrant spell has bound me


And I cannot, cannot go.



The giant trees are bending


Their bare boughs weighed with snow.


And the storm is fast descending,


And yet I cannot go.



Clouds beyond clouds above me,


Wastes beyond wastes below;


But nothing drear can move me;


I will not, cannot go.

- by Emily Bronte

And so it begins again... One year closes, while another opens. Our hopes and expectations are fresh and crisp as this January air. Yet, with only 5 day in, all I really want to do is hibernate ‘til spring… and spend my time reading gorgeous poetry like this piece from Emily Bronte!

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/powi/95510861/