The following tools when exercised help build patience, teach you to appreciate the value that everyone brings to a project, show you how to leave your ego at the door, and help you develop a vital skill of being present.
My granddaughter started writing her blog when COVID began and she was confined. Just found out a few days ago when her mother sent some of her blogs to me. After reading them, I asked Gabby if I could share some of her writings with others.
My granddaughter started writing her blog when COVID began and she was confined. Just found out a few days ago when her mother sent some of her blogs to me. After reading them, I asked Gabby if I could share some of her writings with others.
I recently visited my friend, Lee. There is nothing like being with a friend that you have known for years and whenever you see one another it is filled with laughter and the joy of being able to let your hair down and share. Well for three days we did that and I was rejuvenated, replenished, and overjoyed (cont.)
Books hold the key to life, laughter, love, mysteries, history, future, old myths, and new possibilities. When I lose myself in a book, I find that I can understand what I don’t know. I can escape into unknown territories. In New York recently there was the 2014 Book Expo at the Javits Center. The center looks like a futuristic glass kingdom.....
Growing up in Cleveland Ohio, springtime came with not only lots of rain and daffodils but my mother saying it’s time for spring cleaning. I realize that there are only a few more weeks of spring. However, for those who don’t hear the voice of your mother saying it’s time for spring cleaning, let this post be your summons.
Actually I just cleaned out my closet, organizing the clothes I plan on giving away, sorting through items that are taking up space in my oh too small closets to place into storage for my winter jaunts, and opening up space for new things.
How exciting to anticipate new things coming into my life. I had to fight the feeling that if I give something away I may need it again. It wasn’t until one day my son said Mom don’t worry if it is information you can find it online, if it is articles and you really miss them you can buy them again. Once I began emptying all the “stuff” that I had stored up in the past year, I witnessed a lightening of my spirit and an increase in space.
Why am I writing this to you in the beginning of June? You may have cleaned out your closet and your mother’s voice may still be there in your head to get rid of all that old stuff, but when have you treated yourself like your closet and gone through to explore and clear out the clutter, the “stuff” within you so there is space for new information and ideas to enter. I invite you to try it. Begin with being still and reflecting on where you are feeling overwhelmed. Ask yourself why? Do I really need this and if so for what purpose? You may be holding on to things that are no longer serving you. When you start clearing out what you no longer need, you can feel a lightness of being, greater clarity, overwhelming joy, and some of the happiness that Pharrell has everyone dancing to.
Happy Spring Cleaning to You
Today I decided to start the week off with a hike in Fryman Canyon. I have not hiked the canyon in several months. My first thought was to call a friend to go hiking with me but decided to go it alone. When I entered the parking lot, I saw someone with a tee shirt that said Be Perfect today. Wow what a great suggestion. I looked at my watch and it was 9:30am and I decided that I had to do the walk in 40 minutes. My perfection would be measured if I completed the hike at 10:10. Off I went with this focus in mind.
As I started ascending the hill I found myself huffing and puffing. I had never started huffing so early into the hike. Several times I had to stop take a sip of water and continue. I thought to myself this is far from being perfect. I am usually a trooper when I take this hill. I am challenging myself and frustrating myself as I continue to huff and puff. It was not until I turned a bend and approaching me was a hiker probably in his late twenties who gave me the most radiant smile. His smile not only lit up his face but space between us. I no longer heard my breath but I received this gift from a stranger. Immediately after he passed, two other hikers came around the bend with delightful laughter. I realized that this was perfection the beauty of a smile and the joy of laughter.
When I embraced the perfection of a smile and laughter, I looked up and saw the most amazing view of the canyons. I had been so focused on hiking in 40 minutes and the discomfort of my heavy breathing that I was missing out on the beautiful nature and the breath taking scenery.
What is perfection for you today? Take a deep breath, close your eyes, still your mind and then open to receive what awaits you. I am now at home and basking in the perfection of such a great gift from Fryman Canyon to me. By the way I completed the hike at 10:15 five minutes passed my goal. However, the real gift was so much more enjoyable.
March is Women’s History Month. This is the one occasion that Hallmark has not capitalized on by creating greeting cards. Perhaps because cards are given for Sweetest Day and Valentine’s Day. Those two days celebrate love and being oh so sweet. Mother’s Day cards shares appreciation for the qualities motherhood represents. Women’s History Month recognizes the contribution that women have made to the world. That sounds huge. However, these women looked at what was going on in their homes, in their communities and thought about what they could do to make it better. Their actions and courage changed not only their homes, their communities, their cities, and in many cases examples spread throughout the nation, and in some cases throughout the world. These acts are so significant that there is no need for a sentimental card. The message is seen and heard.
The Theme for 2014 for Women’s History Month is Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment. I read an article by Max Lucado on how character creates courage. Character is found and nurtured from within. As you work to build your character, the courage will come to do what is important for you. He illustrates this with an Indian fable where there is a mouse who fears cats and asked to become a cat, and when he becomes a cat, he fears dogs, and asked to become a dog, the story goes on as the mouse asked to be transformed to whatever he feared in the form that he was. Finally the magician said to him that he was returning him to a mouse because no matter who he became outwardly he was still a mouse within.
Is the mouse in you holding you back from something that you want to do or somewhere you want to go? Once you find that mouse, the hardest part of the work is done and you can begin to tame that beast. Be a part of the history that you want and you can begin now. Celebrate You this month and throughout the year. Use your courage to do what needs to be done in your home and in your communities. The message will be seen and heard.
Missing Peace Blog has been missing in action for too long. I have decided to re-launch this site’s blog for Valentines. For me Valentines represents taking the time to say I love you to not only my husband who hears it a lot, but to my friends, family, and to myself. Even though I spend the year showing love through my actions to those who are dear to me, I wonder if I say I love me enough to myself and show myself enough love. For me showing love for myself is being proactive about my health. Am I on target with my physical exams? Is my diet healthy? Am I getting sufficient rest? Am I being physically active on a daily basis? Do I take the time to meditate to keep centered? Am I in charge of my actions? Do I schedule time for me?
I would like to offer you the opportunity to include yourself as someone worthy to be celebrated this Valentine. Think about what you can do special for you. Write down what loving yourself looks like and find a way to make that a part of your Valentines to you. Let this be an action that you incorporate into your life after February 14th. Notice I said action and that means to act upon what you have identified as loving you.
I am looking forward to celebrating this Valentine Day by loving me. Be my guest to do the same for you. The PEACE you will experience from the love you give to yourself will be an amazing gift not only for you but for your family and friends.
Happy Valentines
Someone asked me to write something about ageless beauty for her website. I sat down and began writing about my grandmother. 25 years after her passing, I was able to still see her captivating smile. At 88 her face was wrinkle free because she gave love through her smiles. The names we are given do define who we are. My grandmother was no exception, born None Such Can Be Beat until she went to college. She was called None Such for short. I learned this one day when I was shopping in Higbee’s Department Store in Cleveland Ohio with my grandmother and a woman said None Such several times As my grandmother turned to her and responded, my grandmother became a girl and she embraced her childhood friend with bexcitement. After she left I asked my grandmother why did she call you None Such. She told me that was her name. She was 50 years old when I learned that she was None Such Can Be Beat. When she enrolled at Tuskegee Institute, Booker T Washington renamed her Wilhelmina, the name I knew her by until that day. Although she became Wilhelmina, she carried the spirit of not being beaten throughout her life.
What did I learn from my grandmother? I learned love. I have a deep abiding love for her and to this day I feel her warmth in my heart. I learned that a smile and laughter is essential. My grandmother loved to smile, wink, and laugh. When she smiled at you, you felt blessed. When she laughed with you, you felt exhilarated, and when she winked at you, you felt included.
My grandmother was life. Oh do I smell White Shoulder when I think of her. Do they still make White Shoulder? The scent is indelibly imprinted in my brain.
My grandmother’s favorite saying was when she leaves here, she wants to use every gift and talent she has so that everything she has is second hand. I am so happy she did because I experienced the richness of her life.
What are you doing to live your life to the fullest? Will the fragrance you wear be imprinted on someone as they think of you? Take a lesson from None Such Can Be Beat and be love, live love,and give love.
I was not aware that I wrote of her on her birthday February 2nd. Nonesuch Can Be Beat Ivory aka Wilhelmina Cole was truly ageless beauty.
By the way, this is not what I wrote for my friend’s website which she will be featuring in April. Go to agelessbyglynisbarber.com and not only see what I had to say about None Such Can Be Beat but get some of Glynis’ wonderful tips on ageless beauty.
