Monday, November 28, 2016
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Saturday, November 26, 2016
New Joyful Experiment - Blog Moving To Word Press
CHECK US OUT @ https://joyfulpursuitoflife.wordpress.com !!!!!!!!!
Sunday, November 20, 2016
FREE GIVEAWAY PROMOTION WITH FREE DOWNLOAD OF THE MERMAID"S KEY: A NOVELLA! CHECK OUT THE FACEBOOK PAGE NOW!
FREE GIVEAWAY PROMOTION WITH FREE DOWNLOAD OF THE MERMAID'S KEY: A NOVELLA! CHECK OUT THE FACEBOOK PAGE NOW!
https://www.facebook.com/JHollywoodProductions/posts/1155700544466024
JHOLLYWOOD PRODUCTIONS CONTEST/GIVEAWAY:
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FREE iTUNES BOOK - The Mermaid's Key: A Novella
The legends are real, partly. Atargatis, the first mermaid, was an ancient witch thrown into the sea by the hostile and fearful townspeople who didn’t understand the magic they knew and sensed. What they didn’t see was the consequences of their actions, Atargatis’ use of magic and the creation of the mermaid with all of its magical abilities. Centuries later Ariana, a young daughter of the clan leader, lives her life in torment, torn between her love of everything under the ocean and the beauty of the boundless sky above. She discovers Theodore, a human, and falls so much in love that she can’t fathom a life without him - an ideal that she will go to any length to stand by. What you think you know is but a small part of a much larger story, one that before now has never been told. Love is simply a transfer of energy from one of us to another, all of us connected in a web that we simply label “The Universe.” Love and sacrifice have consequences, some which can never be foreseen.
The Mermaid's Key: A Novella
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“The Mermaid’s Key” Synopsis:
After his grandfather Theo’s passing, James sets about
clearing and cleaning up his grandfather’s belongings before the estate sale
when he runs into something peculiar. A box made of shells, worn shut with
time, and hidden in the dark recesses of the past. The contents: a key, a brass
heart, a journal and letters that leave behind a glimpse into a part of his
grandfather’s life that James never expected - a world of ancient magic,
witches and wizards, mermaids and a love story strong enough to break any heart.
The
legends are real, partly. Atargatis, the first mermaid, was an ancient witch
thrown into the sea by the hostile and fearful townspeople who didn’t
understand the magic they knew and sensed. What they didn’t see was the
consequences of their actions, Atargatis’ use of magic and the creation of the
mermaid with all of its magical abilities. Centuries later Ariana, a young
daughter of the clan leader, lives her life in torment, torn between her love
of everything under the ocean and the beauty of the boundless sky above. She
discovers Theodore, a human, and falls so much in love that she can’t fathom a
life without him - an ideal that she will go to any length to stand by. What
you think you know is but a small part of a much larger story, one that before
now has never been told. Love is simply a transfer of energy from one of us to
another, all of us connected in a web that we simply label “The Universe.” Love
and sacrifice have consequences, some which can never be foreseen.
DOWNLOAD FOR FREE NOW ON iTUNES STORE:
Monday, October 3, 2016
Joyful: The Pursuit of Life Is On The Road
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Joy In Everything Around Us
Lately I have been consumed by work and stress and life and I have been too caught up to write. It had been killing me. So I stated again. This poem is about the statue of a brass mermaid that is on my nightstand next to my bed. Ever since I got it over a year ago I have had some insane connection with it. Then the other day, in this awesome obscure antique shop i found this clamshell brass key. It was just to perfect. It has started as a poem, and will grow, has already, into so much more. :)
Find Joy in the things that you really connect with and keep them around you, let them inspire you. When something speaks to you it is because the universe is trying to tell you something. Try listening for once. You'd be amazed at what you find.
The Prayer of a Mermaid's Tale
The pressure to just be, was more than she could take
Was more than she could bear, more than she could stand, more than she could tolerate.
Above dreary waves she dreamed of being, of feeling, of loving most of all
Giving up a piece of her sou; I can feel the yearning in her glance, the pierce of her gaze
“Dear Universe,” She must dream, “My Soul, my heart, my very being is torn from within.
Free me of this prison of not so happenstance; let me go and let me free.”
The ancient metal key she wore around her neck, purposefully hidden there in the beautiful strands of her hair and other jewelry,
Was more than just the precious thing it stood to for her; a world lost forever to her, but also a pining love that is eternally lost but not quite forgotten.
“Or forever keep me here; a sculpted figure of brass, a mere treasure now
Only a keepsake, a flash of something once grand and majestic
Something of such happenstance.”
So like this mermaid we must always try to be; filled with the courage of living hope that thrives there waiting under the sea
Dear Universe, We pray, give us the strength to love as freely and as deeply as she.
Just as she, the little mermaid under the sea, willing to give up all to gain the love of her dreams
To sacrifice all, to fulfill her destiny, she swam waters unknown
May that we find the same end of fountains fulfilled and waters traversed.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
The Brass Mermaid
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Joy With Tami #8 - The Magic of Music
Tami is right. Like Jenny before her Tami has seen the importance and value of music in our lives. Just like Tami said, music is powerful; it can heal, it can transform and it can encourage. It is so easy to get distracted by the thousands of little things in life. Music is one way to help lift ourselves up, especially at the beginning of the day. That's the most important time of day to get your mind centered and focused because it dictates the rest of your day as well as your outlook. Do yourself a favor and start the day right. On the other hand keep in mind what you listen to, angry music leads to angry thoughts and an angry mind. Everything in its place, just try to start on a positive note and see what happens.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Joyful Jenny #7 - Mountains & Mountain Ranges
window and remember life goes on."
These are some lyrics to a great song called, "Curious" by Emblem3. It
reminds me that no matter what happens, I have to live my life to the
fullest. You only live once. There are times where you lose something so near and dear to your heart and you just feel like there's nothing else to do. You begin to surround yourself with negativity and think that it's the end for you. I have personally thought that at one point. I lost my grandma in 2012 and I will I admit that it still does hurt me. But I say to myself... Would my grandma really want to see me in tears? Would she like to see me hurting? I don't think so. Therefore, I manage to stay strong. I believe that as long as you stay positive and strong, you can overcome these mountains. Mountains aren't smooth. They have rocks in the way and you have to get over them at one point. So just think of life as a mountain. Having a positive and determined mind can help you stay happy. I know that from experience.
There's always going to be something in the way. But you have to get over it. Get passed that rock in your way. It's just a test to see how much you can handle until you make it to the top of that mountain. Show that mountain that you will conquer it. Strong and ready. Find
your joy in these lyrics in your own way. Say them to yourself every once in a while. You don't necessarily have to look at it the way I do or the way I explained it. But find your own. Everyone has their own view to life. Take yours and put it to these lyrics. It has helped me and I am so glad that I found these lyrics. They always help me through the rough times. It helps me find that joy and positivity that
we should all have.
The Most Precious Thing I Own Is My Wedding Ring
My faith in love began to disappear. In the bright shining lights of Hollywood it was hard to see love anywhere. But, just like that, out of the blue, he appeared. We met online, today something that isn't so unconventional anymore, and hit it off right away. I know from the first night I met him he was the one. I was dating someone at the time, someone I had caught cheating on me more than once, and as I walked my newfound love out that first night I remember turning around the hallway corner and thinking about what I was going to do and say to my boyfriend to make sure I got to see this man again. Maybe it sounds bad, but to go from being treated like crap to being put first is an amazing difference. I never had anyone treat me the way he did. He forced us to move slow and stay friends for a few months before we made a move. And I remember that first move - a night out with our friends, feelings I could no longer hold back, liquor, loud music, a speaker and a kiss. A first kiss. One I will never forget. That started it all.
It was the first time in my life that I felt truly special, really and truly wanted by someone. For someone like me who spent most of my life believing I wasn't good enough to be loved this was something unfathomable. Something so new it was overwhelming. I was diagnosed with bi-polar when I was 17 and it has been a long and rough journey up and down and all around. It taught me to hate myself for who I was and hate the things I did that I couldn't control. I couldn't, and sometimes still can't, separate me from my disease. I see myself as bi-polar and not me. My husband was the first person to see through that and see me for who I really am. I didn't see myself as worthy of anyone's love and I excepted to spend my life alone, always searching for someone who wasn't there.
But I did find that person, or rather he found me. Through all the chaos and the mess, when I was least expecting it, he swept me off my feet and carried me away. I still can't believe it's true. It's so fantastical to me. The downside now is living with the bi-polar while I am with the love of my life. The ups and downs don't stop, they never go away. I can be so mean and uncaring without even realizing it. I can be terrible. I hate it, and it makes me hate myself even more. I cant fathom or understand why my husband has faith in me or even still loves me. No matter how I treat him he takes care of me and loves me and goes out of his way to protect me. I would do anything for him, and I do every chance I get.
Our wedding rings are Tungsten Steel and Meteorite; our love is to infinity and beyond, as is inscribed on the inner side of the band. My wedding band is the most important and invaluable thing I own. It means the world to me, and more. I never thought I would get one, that someone would love me enough to give me one. When I put it on or see it on my finger it reminds me not only of the love that my husband and I share but also that I am worthy of being loved and someone out there thinks so. Yes I know I should believe that myself, and I do to a point, but my disease blinds me to it. This reminder keeps me going when I want to give up. It gives me strength and reminds me of what I have. To everyone out there, single and married, love is out there for you - don't forget. I went through hell and back before it found me, and it was only after I stopped looking. Never give up. Never. This morning my husband left for work before I got up, and after I got up to get ready and went into the kitchen I saw the surprise he had left me. Sitting there on the counter were two notes with a sandwich and chips for my lunch and my coffee ready to be made. I am loved so much and it means the world to me; the best gift in life is realizing someone loves you. Take a moment and show the people you love just how much they mean to you. It will mean the world to them.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Tami Tuesdays #8 - Love Yourself
Tami is exactly right, no one else can love or respect you until you can love and respect yourself. It's not always an easy thing to do, and sometimes it takes a lifetime to learn and master. In the meantime though we have to constantly be working on ourselves and working toward that love and respect. If you can't love yourself, it is impossible not only for others to love you but also to love others. We learn how to love through our relationship with ourselves and the growth that we go through everyday. Life can be mean and tough and hard, we have to shield ourselves from all of that using all of our strength and the tools we have available such as our husbands or wives, friends, family, co-workers and on and on. Know who you are and learn to love that person. If there is something you don't like about yourself start working on changing it. Change doesn't happen overnight, the respect for yourself comes in when you allow yourself the time and patience to keep trying until you do get it right. Never give up, you're worth it. And so is the love you have to share.
Monday, May 23, 2016
Standing Alone On The Street Corner
Another day, another chance to shine. Or not to shine. I guess it all just depends. I realize more and more every day just how short, precious and fleeting life is. As I approach my thirtieth birthday I spend more and more time thinking not about the things I have accomplished, but about where I am in this life to launch myself from and where I am going to go. Do I have anywhere to go? Am I trapped by debt and student loans? What about bills and the price of living? All so much. I went to school for 4 years to get a degree I will be paying for for the rest of my life. More than anything I want to go back to school and get my Master's in Public Health in Epidemiology. Then I wouldn't have to worry about money, well after student loans, and I could travel the world and find a job anywhere. If I could do anything that's what I would do, but I'm stuck. I can't afford to work and go to school or take out more student loans on top of all my other bills. I have to take the GRE as well before I can even apply. It's been years since I was exposed to this math back in high school. It's tedious and time consuming and I get frustrated and never even start studying.
I feel stuck, isolated and alone. I don't really have any friends, the ones I had I have pushed away - mostly for good reason. I cant take any more unnecessary drama or lying in my life. Some people just need to go no matter who they are. Of course in the end I end up not having anyone to turn to except myself. I have my parents and my brother of course, but there is only so much you can talk to family about. My husband has been my best friend from the moment we met, but even with him for some reason things don't work how they are supposed to. I cant open up and I feel isolated. I want to talk but I can't because either my head cant stop spinning or I know the response I'm going to get - the same as always, sympathy without understanding. I mean how can I expect more from someone who will never understand what it feels like to live with my brain and the chaos that it brings with every waking moment? It's hard to explain to him and even harder for him to underatand. When I feel that fire burning inside, when that anger begins to blind me and take over or when the mania starts to set in I can feel it coming but I don't know how to stop it. I've been trying for so long. Worse than that, it's like I can see a car crash happening with no control over the outcome. My husband used to be able to tell when I was acting like this and he would act preemptively to keep me grounded. He was my lighting rod. Lately though things have changed, mostly because of me.
My husband now will mostly take a step back and let me deal with what I have to deal with. He will see it coming in my eyes and hear it in my tone and either let me have space to implode or give me something to chill me out and hopefully prevent a meltdown. It's not like how he used to come hold me until I stopped shaking, how he would lie in bed with me and hold me while he whispered in my ear until I fell asleep or relaxed completely. It was an amazing thing to have, and it always made me feel like I had someone who understood me and would be there to help me when I needed it most. Because of all I have done though things have begun to change. It's different now. It is as if I have pushed him away through all my manic episodes and attacks of frustration and anger that his only goal now is to make it out the other side alive. I can't really blame him though, I know I can be crazy and irrational, I hate that about myself. I really do. I think in the process of being me and trying to make it through and survive to the next battle I have left myself alone to face the future.
I'm not sure what I feel more guilty about, being a person I hate or making people hate me. Well maybe not hate me, but hate the person I can be. I know I have been mean and cruel unintentionally and it kills me. Especially knowing I do it all the time to the person I love. I don't deserve for him to still be with me, but he is. These feelings have pushed us farther apart as well, we don't talk or share like we used to. We don't tell each other what the other is thinking. It's like walking on eggshells all the time, trying to always do the right thing. Maybe it's all me and how I am perceiving everything? How am I supposed to know, and what am I supposed to do?
Being bi-polar my life is constantly up and down and always has been; even in the best of times I feel the tug of the depression and the mania, sometimes together. Recently they have begun changing all my medications again, this time for my liver and kidney function, but it's like starting all over again learning how to control who I am and how I feel. A lot of people don't understand bi-polar, it's pretty simple - being bi-polar means feeling every emotion on the spectrum to every degree at some point, combined and singularly, so that control feels like an illusion and life feels like a cage with steel bars. The worst part is knowing that you are the cause of all of this, and then the blame and guilt set in. I see myself as the bad guy, as the one causing all of this. Which leads to depression and closing myself of from those I really need. I stop talking because I feel like either no one cares or they are tired of listening. I don't like feeling like a bother, which is just about always. I see myself as a bad person even though I do good things and can help people, I will always feel that the harm I have caused outweighs the good. I feel like I am standing alone on a street corner waiting; waiting for direction, waiting for hope, waiting for inspiration ...waiting for a sign that I am worth it after all. I've left myself standing here alone, no one around to help hold my hand or guide me. Is this the way it's supposed to be? I'm not sure, I've never gotten this right before. Standing here which way do I go? How do I know the right way? Will I ever know? All I can do right now is try to ground myself as much as I can and mindfully press forward toward the next goal I can see, taking it one small step forward at a time.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Joyful Jenny #6 - The Beauty Within
of the magazine. But we don't have to. The beauty is all on the inside. I don't think you should judge anyone on their appearance. It might be the first thing you see, yeah. But just because they're not physically attractive, doesn't mean you shouldn't take the time to see what they're like on the inside. Personally? I am insecure about many things. I am insecure on many levels, actually. I'm insecure because I know that I'm not the most attractive girl in the world. That's only because society has manipulated us into thinking we have to look a certain way. But I recently realized that your looks don't matter. But I'm also insecure of my personality. I'm afraid that people won't like the way I am. That honestly
terrifies me. There are times where some of us look in the mirror and don't like what we see. We try so hard to impress others with our looks but that's not how it should be. Girls sometimes think make up makes them look better. Honestly, it covers the real beauty. We're all
beautifully and wonderfully made. We shouldn't cover that up with a bunch of cosmetics. Be your natural, beautiful, and unique self. I'll admit, insecurity can destroy you in a mental way. It makes you think negatively towards yourself. But we need to start focusing on what really matters. Personality is a big part of you and we need to embrace it. If we start to focus on others and our self aside from
looks, I'm sure we can find so much more positivity. If we start to believe that we are beautiful no matter what, we will start to find some joy in not just others but within ourselves too. That is very
important. The beauty within you is what makes you. If you're insecure, start to think positive thoughts. Tell yourself you're beautiful every morning. It will help. Stay positive and be yourself. You're beautiful and unique in your own way. Don't let society or anyone tell you otherwise. Remember... You're
beautiful.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Tami Tuesdays #7 - Purge & Embrace
Spring cleaning is one of the best times of the year. Whether it's cleaning out your mind, your priorities or your closet it is a time for fresh beginnings. Before those beginnings though come the reflection on the things that have passed. Cherish and hold close the memories you have, even the bad dark ones. They have helped shape you into the person you have become. Everything you own says something about you. When you pick up an item does it give you Joy or does it not? That should be your deciding factors.
I love to read so much, I always have. I have a rule about my books, I never see or trade back. I always either keep for myself to read again or I give away to a charity or someone I know who will read it. I love that feeling of passing on something that brought me good memories and knowing that it will bring good memories to someone else. Clean out your closet and dust off your shelves for some Spring Cleaning, get rid of the things that you no longer need and cherish the memories you have. Have a Yard Sale, give it to charity or someone in need and move on. A fresh start.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
It's All About Perspective
Back at one of my favorite spots, the Los Angeles Zoo. Perspective is something that we often don't put much thought into, but it so importantly shapes our outlook on and interpretation of life and the world around us. By altering ones perspective one alters his or her outlook and demeanor, but it can go either way. What can go up can also go down, our perspective can downshift or upgrade depending on which perspective we allow ourselves to look through. Standing there at the zoo I looked up and heard the waterfall before I saw it. I love waterfalls, any moving water at all really. So relaxing, so beautiful, so alive. It took me a couple of minutes to realize what I was really looking at. Standing there on top of the rock outcrop was a beautiful bird that I believe was from Africa. The colors on it were so bright and vivid, especially contrasted with the black of so many of its feathers. I also noticed that right next to me was a telescope to help better view the birds and animals there on top of the rock and in the surrounding areas. I laughed to myself. What a great metaphor. Using the tools around me that I hadn't taken the time to see, I could have seen the bird up close as soon as I arrived at the spot. I tend to get consumed though and forget about everything else. I tend to get lost in certain things. I become so enthralled by something or someone that I don't even see the rest of the world happening all around. It's moments like those that we have to stretch and get up, get moving. Look for the telescopes around you, the things that will help give you perspective. The things that will help open your eyes to the world around you and truly see. So often we get caught up in the beauty and excitement of something new or something we love and we miss the fact that there are so many other beautiful and amazing things out there. Why limit ourselves to just one when the world is vast and full of wonder?
"The Wisdom of Joy From Jerry" #3 - My Grandson Daniel
Do you know what really brings joy to my life? After having 6 kids and 6 grandkids I haven't, until now, had the opportunity nor the time to really be there every step of the way for one of them as they grew up. Retirement has its benefits. Three, and sometimes more, days a week I watch my grandson Daniel. We spend most of the day together, at least half of it alone. He's my little buddy. It's amazing to see the rate of development of the human mind and witness it's exponential experimental growth. It is phenomenal to be able to witness something like that. He is two, going on three here in June. He's been talking for a while now, but to witness him go from sounds to individual words to sentences and where he is now is something they will always amaze me. It is interesting, if you listen closely they speak in thoughts instead of sentences or formed ideas. You can literally listen to them work things out.
There are times Daniel will just look at me out of the corner of his eyes like a little miniature adult, as if he knows exactly what I'm thinking. Watching him play brings me so much joy, we have a lot of fun together. He loves playing with his new Jet Planes. He will pick them up, lift them high in the air and run around telling everyone that the Jet Planes are coming and to watch their ears. Then he will make his Jet Engine sounds as he maneuvers them all over the house. The greatest learning curve in life is supposed to be somewhere around three or so until about age seven. If he is this amazing now I can't fathom the strides he is about to take, and so quickly at that. I can sit and have a conversation with him now, it's unbelievable; no more babytalk. It is also one of the greatest gifts I never would have thought to ask for. After always being so busy and taken up with work being retired is welcome and freeing. I never thought I would be able to spend that free time with my little guy Daniel. He turns three in less than a month and as my wife retires at the end of the month there will be more people around in the mornings and afternoons. Not that I don't love that as well, but I really do treasure and cherish those moments we had and have between us. It's not often in life you get an opportunity like that, an opportunity to really connect with and help shape someone. It's a two way street as well, as you shape someone else they shape you as well. Having Daniel brings me so much Joy and the opportunity to be there for him gives me more Joy than almost anything else. I thank God everyday for all of my kids and grandkids and my wife; family is everything in the end, when you are there for each other it help lifts everyone up and promotes growth and learning which fosters hope and courage leading to strength. Human beings are amazing and intricate creatures; the fact alone that we are living, that the billions and billions of things necessary for our survival go right at the right time and all together, is reason enough to bring all of us Joy. We are living. Don't ever forget that, it's something that is surprisingly easily forgotten.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Joyful Jenny #5 - Your Happy Place
Well, it's Wednesday. The middle of the week. Which can also be one of the hardest days of the week. I am kind of freaking out right now. Later today, I am getting pulled out of school for an appointment with the doctor who is making my prosthetic eye, which is a good thing. But the appointments are so uncomfortable. It's weird. But anyway, I know that it'll all be worth it at the end. I'll have two eyes and they'll be the same color! That has always been my biggest insecurity. But either way, I am still terrified of the whole situation. You know what though? I shouldn't be. When things like this happen, it's best to stay calm. The more I think about it, the more I stress. So I just think about my happy place. My happy place contains music, friends, family, and a nice mellow setting to just relax and hang out. Your happy place is your escape. It can make you feel better in almost any situation. It can be anything. When I was younger, my happy place was a land made out of deserts. But it can change anytime. As long as it gives you that alright feeling, it's all good. This literally works with anyone. I remember when I would always get my shots, I take a deep breath and just think aboutmy happy place. I still do, actually. It might sound weird, but I actually enjoy getting shots now. I just think that having a mind full of good and happy thoughts can really help with a positive outlook in
life. I know that it helps me. Always! People sometimes ask me why I am so calm. It's probably because I was thinking about my happy place. Just don't let it distract you so much when you're doing something important for school or work. That's probably not a good idea. Haha.
Find your joy in a happy place. Whenever you are feeling stressed out, worried, or just really bad in any way... Think about your happy place. It will most definitely bring a smile to your face. That's another way to find some joy in your life. I'm sure many people do it. I do. You should give it a try.
life. I know that it helps me. Always! People sometimes ask me why I am so calm. It's probably because I was thinking about my happy place. Just don't let it distract you so much when you're doing something important for school or work. That's probably not a good idea. Haha.
Find your joy in a happy place. Whenever you are feeling stressed out, worried, or just really bad in any way... Think about your happy place. It will most definitely bring a smile to your face. That's another way to find some joy in your life. I'm sure many people do it. I do. You should give it a try.
One Step At A Time, Never Thinking Of More Than What Surrounds You
My biggest problems in life have always been depression and anxiety. Even when I was a kid I remember lying in bed at night and praying for the safety and health of me, my family, my friends, my friend's family, friends of my friends and their families too. Over and over I would go through everything in my head like a practiced rhythm, making sure to include every tiny detail and person. I would pray for people I didn't know, for strangers and neighbors. I couldn't stand the thought or worry over someone being hurt, and believe it or not those thoughts were always there no matter what I did. But if I went through my rituals it helped me cope and made things more bearable. I of course have always missed the fact that the problem isn't trying to find rituals to cope but to learn to live without the anxiety to begin with. Taking it day by day has always been a foreign concept to me, therefore so has happiness. I mean, I know what it feels like to be happy, but true happiness I didn't discover until a few short years ago. I still struggle today, but it is much easier than before. Learning how to live both Joyfully and Mindfully have guided me to a life not free of bad things and negativity, but free of needless anxiety and worry over things that are neither under my control nor even necessary to worry about.
I have ground my teeth bad since I was a young kid, probably starting in high school. By the time I got to college the dentist asked if I had a stressful job because I had ground my k9's completely flat, all of my teeth were and are now completely flat. When I get really stressed I will do it throughout the day without even realizing. That's when the headaches get really bad, although I still get plenty in the mornings from nighttime grinding. The sound, just thinking about it makes me cringe and tremble. I wear a night guard now and it helps most of the time. The point is I really take anxiety to heart and I don't let go. It has really been a challenge for me to let go of the reigns and allow myself to just be. When you think about it though, it is all we truly have. The here and now, what is right in front of us. That is life, our lives. The lives we are supposed to be living. All we have is today because we really have no freaking idea if we will be alive tomorrow. That thought has terrified me since I was a little kid, knowing I could and would eventually die any day of any number of things. That is what makes life precious, that is what makes it mean something. We are only here for a short time and what we do in that time is what matters. Our lives have value because they are mortal. Just like a rose has its value because it will eventually wilt and die and no longer be beautiful.
We have to think of life like a flower, it's going to end sometime in the future and we have to live every moment to the fullest because we don't know how many of them we are going to get. You never know what you have until it's gone. I wear my mala beads everyday under my shirt to work, to the store, around the house, and they are amazingly calming. There are times where I won't have too long but I will stop for even just a few seconds and recite my mantra moving bead to bead and focusing my intention and thoughts. It makes me feel safe, it makes me feel a little stronger. My mantra helps too. That's the first step. Pick one for yourself if you don't have one, think about it and make it something that is important to you. Something that has meaning. Something that is relatively short and easy to remember and repeat. Make it something that describes who you feel you really are, make it something to give you strength and empower you. I was walking through the multi-level and multi-enclosure Aviary at the LA Zoo the other day when I saw this staircase going down. I was so busy looking over the edge at the birds and small animals that I took each step slowly and carefully and used the railing to help my clumsy self. It reminded me of being mindful and living in the present, literally taking it one step at a time. The path ahead curved downward, how fitting to complete the metaphor for life. You don't know what's coming, no one does. Live today to the fullest while making sure tomorrow is secured. Don't waste time over worry and unnecessary stress, all stress is unnecessary by the way. Things will always get rough, find your mantra and be mindful. Taking it one step, one day, at a time is the best place to start when you want to take control of your life and turn it into one filled with Joy and free of anxiety and stress.
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Tami Tuesdays #6 - Decompression
-Tami
Tami is right, having something to look forward to can be an amazing inspiration and motivation through tough times. I have come to find that most of the time I need something to look forward to or plan for in my head to help deal and make it through the day. Sometimes it's planning a trip and sometimes it's planning which shows or movies to watch that night with whatever we decide to make for dinner. The point isn't to focus on the future and forget about the present, but to live mindfully with the reminder in the back of your head that you can push on through whatever is happening because at the very least you have something awesome on the horizon. It is funny that today of all days Tami felt inspired by planning a trip because I just yesterday bought round-trip plane tickets for my husband and I to fly to Tennessee in June for my birthday where I will be able to actually see and hang out with her! I can't wait!
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Tami Tuesdays #5 - Friends
I have been very lucky to have some close friends thru out my life. Lisa and Kathy have been by my side since first grade and for many years afterwards. Even when I moved far away.our spirits were never apart. Maureen is a found friend later in life. She was my parachute during my separation and divorce. Those three strong, wonderful women have been not only friends but life coaches and sisters. My life has been blessed. If you have such fabulous friends in your life, let them know and celebrate each other!
It is so easy to get lost in life and the everyday things that happen, but it is important to remember the foundation we have that helps define us and make it through those days. That foundation includes the friends that we have, the close ones. The ones who lift us up and are there for us in our darkest moments. We choose to let them in our lives and our hearts and they choose to be there for us. Don't forget to say thank you to those who have been there for you, those close to your heart. In return, try to emulate their behavior and be there for the people you love when they are going through hard times, when they need you. We can't live in a bubble, we all depend on each other to survive. The more we fight that fact the more stress and angst we cause ourselves. Let it go, be honestly thankful and do the same for those around you. That's how to live a Joyful life.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Staying Grounded Through The Chaos, The Storm, The Calm & The Stressful
I haven't been able to post much the past week and a half or so, it seems like life has just been crazy. With work pretty much completely taking over my life it was hard enough to get things done, it took all my free time to keep my sanity and keep me afloat. It really has been non-stop, all day for over a week. I'm not complaining, I do love my job and I know I can handle it all, it's just that after that long I start to go from tired to exhausted. I hate how I felt after finally getting some time off this afternoon. It felt amazing to just relax in bed, read a book, take a nap and even get up and cook dinner for me and my husband. It felt great to do something for me, to take care of me. It was also nice to have a moment to breathe and look back at everything I had just gone though. To reflect.
Looking back I wanted to figure out what had gotten me through so well, what had kept me so much more grounded than I thought or expected of myself. Every step of the way, even through the unexpected situations, I kept reminding myself of the things I was Joyful about, the things I had to be Joyful about and the things the helped remind me of who I was. I wore my Mala-bead necklace and even when I couldn't meditate completely I could still touch the wooden beads on my neck and take a second to repeat my mantra for five or six beads and keep myself grounded. Just feeling them under my shirt or playing with them absentmindedly kept reminding me that I had to just stay true to myself and keep myself grounded. I took time to be mindful and live in the present. I slowed myself down at every step, at every point when something crazy happened or came up, I took a second to just look at what was going on around me in that moment and what needed to be dealt with right now. It's quite calming, living in the present, even if you can only do it for a few minutes at a time here and there. It all starts with practice and practice makes perfect.
Normally I would have overreacted so many times over to so many different things that happened, but I didn't. Being more mindful of being mindful can help though. It sounds dumb, but by spending so much time reminding myself to be mindful and thinking about how to be more mindful I made myself a little more mindful. It shows that it really does work, but you get out of it what you put into it. If you try, if you really want it, then it will come. All you have to do is open yourself up and be willing to let go and just be. Live in the here and now, both when times are crazy and when times are going smoothly. The other day out in our side garden at home I was watering the plants and something really neat caught my eye. On one of the tree stumps we have there was a rainbow, but a rainbow spot so bright it looked as if it had been painted on. I thought for a second that it had been, until I waved my hand and made it disappear. I couldn't figure out where it came from, but it looked so awesome. It was truly living in the present, at that moment the sun was shining just right and refracting off something to create a rainbow in just this spot. Even something that seems as intangible as a rainbow, or mindfulness, shines so bright it casts it's beautiful shadow of color all over. Never underestimate the power of mindfulness. Don't forget how much it can help you, help you live and help you grow. Never give up and hold on to your Joy everyday, that's what we have in this life. The everyday, and the Joy we can find in it.
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