We all know her works Phenomenal Woman or Still I Rise. But, until you've watched the sparkle in her eyes and the glow of her smile as she speaks these works, you just don't truly get it the magic of them. (Or, at least, I didn't!).
Maya was with me today as I worked through my day... making me smile and filling my heart. Ladies, tomorrow, when you sit at your desk working yet another day... let her do the same for you!
There was no mention of more sex or bungee jumps, more money or more fame. A Australian palliative nurse named Bronnie Ware has counselled the dying in their last days and revealed the most common regrets we have at the end of our lives. She recorded their dying epiphanies in a blog which later became a book called the Top Five Regrets of the Dying.
I think of this often when I feel my life is in need of change, or is about to move in a new direction. It gives me self awareness and courage to move forward in an authentic way. I will not offer the insight or explanation she provided to each of the following regrets. I will instead leave them to you to take in and see how they might apply to your life.
Somewhere in these five statements lies a rich true existence.
If you want to read more from Bronnie Ware's observations, visit her blog page.
Perhaps this appealed to me today because my eldest daughter recently moved out to start her new life. Or it is perhaps because I am simply a sap.
But, how can you not watch the following video and feel that (1) Met Life Hong Kong is fantastic for doing this sort of advertising and (2) that everything you ever gave up or every tired day was worth it the second you saw your child's smile.
To Sean, Gabby and Caroline. You have been worth every sacrifice and I pray every day that you know the joy of those struggles for the ones you love.
I simply adore this poem by Walcott. Such a simple premise - to give back to one's self and feast on the richness of your life. Move past the broken hearts and the distracted lives and focus on the one you have long forgotten. Yourself!
It is a grand premise and a beautiful poem that many of us need to take to heart!
I have always believed in the balance of life. That time spent in the solace of dark times or reflecting on the rain that falls around you is just as important as the jubilance of dance and time spent basking in the sun.
No matter which course you find yourself on or the circumstances that surround you, I pray that you find comfort in the knowledge that everything has purpose and that the rain feels just as good on a crisp summer night as the first mornings rays. Embrace it! Enjoy it!
When it comes to saying 'I'm Sorry', I am a steadfast believer that you should never let your pride stop you from maintaining and healing an important relationship. Looking someone in the face, seeing their pain, acknowledging the problem and saying 'I'm Sorry' can not only heal a problem, but strengthen a future together with those that are important to you.
As women, we say 'Sorry' all the time. Our fault, your fault, the moon's fault, it doesn't matter. We say it. Yet, watching this add, I see all the wonderful opportunities to communicate with each other that are missed by a rushed 'Sorry'.
So, ladies... don't apologize anymore! ;)
But, first, watch this video so you understand why!
An interesting article by Time magazine on the campaign.
http://time.com/2895799/im-sorry-pantene-shinestrong/
www.24hoursofhappy.com
Enough said!
Here is a sneak peak of the 10:00 am hour. My favorite? Go to 16:00.
I don't know what it is about this song. I love to leave it on play I the background all day and simply check in from time to time to see who's dancing. Some fun surprise celebrities and characters in there!
Oh, wait... I love this, too! Best one is right away!
I am Second is a movement meant to inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others. Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Drug addicts. Your next-door neighbor.
The authentic stories on www.iamsecond.com/films provide insight into dealing with typical struggles of everyday living. These are stories that give hope to the lonely and the hurting, help from destructive lifestyles, and inspiration to the unfulfilled.
When I am feeling overwhelmed with my life, I often listen to these films in the background. Hearing the stories of struggle, challenges, change and inspiration. I am reminded that God is not in my church, but in those moments when hope is all you have. God is in the inspiration in my heart to do things for another, to set aside my own problems and serve the needs of others. In that action, I realize...
There are many inspiring films on this website. I cannot pick a favorite as each speaks to a different need or emotion I may be having at the time. Instead, I have picked this one to show you as like Kay Robertson, my family is my everything.
In good, in bad and everything in between.
I love words.
The way they make you think.
Give pause for reflection.
Inspire you to change.
Give strength, hope and motivation.
So many words, so many ways to bring about personal change.
Everyone has a time in their life when the world and its problems seem overwhelming. So many things pulling you in so many different directions that you lose sight of one's self and your power to manage it all.
My daughter went through such a time. One of the best things we discovered in helping her cope with great difficulties was the beautiful rainbow jars.
Take small pieces of paper and write down all the problems and worries you have. Put them in a jar and close the lid. Then, simply take one out at a time and only think about and deal with that one issue at a time. The rest do not matter in that moment. It allows you to focus, prioritize and manage it all.
Next, gather a collection of colorful jars. In them, gather pieces with all your favorite quotes, bible verses, messages from friends and the like. When you need a bit of inspiration, a kind word or a bit of hope, they are there.
When you compare the two, no matter how big problems may seem, they pale in the beautiful light of love, hope and friendship.
As Mother's Day returns again, I am mindful of the following which I wrote for my children some time ago.
I have been blessed to have many children call me Mama over the years - three I bore through nature, while many, many more I welcomed into my heart by choice. It has been my greatest reward to know the joy, pain, hope and dream of being a parent and I delight in wondering each day where the road will lead for my family and my children.