Internal Monsters

 As I was sitting in "my room" last night, I noticed unfamiliar patterns displayed on the ceiling and wall. I was intrigued and mesmerized by the different movements of the pattern and how it engulfed the entire room.  When looking to see what the origin of this pattern might be, I found a very tiny lady bug dancing across the surface of the night light in the room. When I stopped to think about it, I guess I should have been releived that it was a ladybug and not the bigger-than-life monster as it appeared to be. Lucky for me, I don't usually run into real live monsters. However, like everyone else, I have little internal monsters which, if not controlled, can become all consuming. Those monsters differ with each person, but we all know what they are.  I think as we grow older and wiser, these monsters have less influence on us and do not rear their ugly presence. We learn and discover what is important to us in life and those monsters decrease in their size and strength.   I read a book once that referred to the internal monsters as "The Skunks of Mrs. D".  I kind of like that name because it reminds me of a quote from Abraham Lincoln:  "What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself".

Life's Stories

In the theatre of life, we tell ourselves stories in order to live, and we then live in those stories. When circumstances change, or a key figure is no longer a character in that story, we then have to reconstruct our understanding of life. Such was the case 40 years ago on Father's Day when a railroad freight train rolled through a small community town leaving war-zone devastation in its path. That particular chapter of this writer's life is one that is filled with emotions, tears, fear, anger and grief. Grief of things that are no more....a home that marked our beginning,  personal belongings never to be found, baby's first pictures burned, and treasures never to be replaced.  Since that famous day so many years ago,  lives have changed, challenges conquered,  and new chapters written.

As my husband and I lead the parade in the original fire truck summoned to that scene, we will again block the pain of that father's day and instead celebate the blessings. 

Upside Down

I am sure you have heard the expression, "It turned my world upside down!"  This can be a bad thing, which is what we usually think of, such as a death, loss of a job, a natural disaster to name a few.  However, it can also be a good thing, such as a daughter's wedding, a day with the grandchildren, or an anticipated retirement.  Whatever those emotions are that surround the event, they ripple out to touch others around us.
It is from that ripple that we become attentive to other's needs and we become present in their world.  We cry with them; we laugh with them; we celebrate the good and mourn the bad.... we turn ouselves upside down in order to share their experience. 

I am reminded of the story of Winnie the Pooh where Eeyore had his tail stolen.  Eeyore was so upset that Winnie decided he would join Eeyore in his dilema and search for the missing tail.  Winnie turned his world upside down in order to retrieve the missing tail and return it to make Eeyore a very happy donkey.

It is experiences such as these that allow us to grow.  The successes and downfalls that we experience can create who we are.  Sometime we have to let the world turn us upside down so we can live right side up.

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Be Your Best

My parents were people of great intelligence and character. They taught us to love and have faith in God; by example they taught us our daily life ethics; they forced us to make difficult decisions and live with those decisions; they showed us the importance of family, and they encouraged us to be the best we could possibly be on any given day. 

What does it take to be your best?  I guess that answer would depend on who is answering.  
The issue here is are we working to raise the standards and be the best we can be?  or... are we lowering the standards in order to meet them?  If we lower the standards, how are we going to be better than the competition?  How are we going to be leaders and progress in our profession?  How are we going to gain the respect of our community and the people we serve and with whom we associate?

What will it take to be your best?
     First, decide on what it will take;  Make your time line and list your steps to get there.  Identify your support people and talk with them;  Acknowledge possible obstacles and letdowns; make your encouragement cards and post in your office; Take a deep breath and go for it.  At the end of your task, celebrate!  Be proud of your accomplishment and use your gained knowledge to help your family, your organization, but most importantly..yourself!  Congratulations

Chocolate and Books

Everyone has a favorite thing they like to do in order to relax.  One of my favorite things is to make the trip to Barnes & Noble and browse the huge assortment of knowledge that is within.  Books are so very much like people.   Some are amusing, some are mysterious, some are informational, some are less than desirable, some are romantic, some are inspirational, some are difficult to understand and are complex while others are See Jane Run books.  On my last trip to the bookstore I bought a book entitled, "Chocolate Lover's Club".  It seemed like a sensible book since I am a chocolate lover at heart.  Is the book a best seller?  Obviously not, but what catches my attention is the fact that these four women  in the book are totally different...different life styles, different levels of financial living, different intelligence, almost different worlds.  Because of their passion for chocolate, they are united and they think they can do anything, endure anything, and be anything.... they are steadfast friends over one simple common thread...CHOCOLATE!

Books can take us  places we could only dream; they allow us to transform ourselves into our heroes; They allow us to live in a castle by the ocean or a shack in the forest.  They fill our heads with knowledge and our hearts with love.  They encourage us to laugh and allow us to cry. They can be our best friends in good and difficult times.  We can escape reality by simply exploring the contents of a book.

As I was reading in "My Room" (and eating my snickers bar) I became a member of the Chocolate Lover's Club!  What fun!   I am so thankful for all those " book covers " that have been a part of my life. 
Now... before I leave you there is one last thing you must know.  Please pay attention as this is very important!  If you ever receive a text message from me that says: "Chocolate Emergency" it is imperative that you send chocolate immediately!  Have a good week and enjoy good friends, good books, and of course good chocolate.

Friends

As I sit in 'My Room' today, I am having a difficult time thinking of what I can share with you this week.  My thoughts keep returning to "friends".  So... I guess I am meant to share my feelings about friends.  I have some really great friends that I cherish more each year.  They are our biggest influence in life... we learn from each other.  As I get older, friends become so very important and special.   As Kim Anderson stated in her book, "It's such a comfort to know that whenever the stress and demands of the outside world get us down, we can count on each other's support to help build us back up.  We are there for each other through the highest and lowest of times, applauding success, and easing the pain of defeat; sharing the magic of each other's dreams... " 

Such good friends are known as my "Anyway Friends".  No matter what I do, my friends will love me anyway and vice vesa.  It is a great feeling knowing there are so many special people in my life.  We don't know what lies ahead, but what I promise is that I am here for my friends today to listen or talk, to applaud or console, and to be your anyway friend.

It is my hope that you have "anyway friends".  Have you let them know how much they mean to you?

The Climb

Today my room happens to be the veranda where I am trying desperately to rid the area of the "whirligigs" that fall continuously from the trees.  Why is it that those little whirligigs can land anywhere, and come spring without any effort, they sprout little trees.  But..., the tree I just purchased for the yard needs watering and nurturing to overcome the possibility of dying and then pray that the winter does not kill it?  I guess we all face obstacles of our own design and making.

I think about the obstacles that people face each day.  What may not be an obstacle to me, may be a mountain to someone else.  What is a struggle for me, is a blessing to another.  What is important is what we learn and experience in the process of conquoring those obstacles. We are made to overcome.   I am reminded of the song sung by Miley Cyrus, The Climb:

"There's always going to be another mountain, I'm always going to want to make it move.  Always going to be an uphill battle.  Sometimes you're going to have to lose.  Ain't about how fast I get there, ain't about what's waiting on the other side.  It's the climb.  The struggle I'm facing, the chances I'm taking.  Sometimes they knock me down, but no I'm not breaking.  I may not know it, but these are the moments that I'm going to remember most.  Just got to keep going, got to be strong, just got to keep pushing on cause there's always going to be another mountain."

So...what are your obstacles and what have you learned in the climb?