personal growth

Making Space in Life for What Really Matters

“The quality of your commitments will determine the course for your life.” ~Ralph Marston The computer is running low on space, the email account is flashing a warning that my storage is almost full, and my smart phone is behaving more like antiquated technology than the latest and greatest it claims to be. Furniture that was his family’s, […]

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Going with the Flow offers a Better Life

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” ― Lao Tzu The thought of not having a manicured yard never crossed my mind.  I’d watched my daddy spend lots of time trying to […]

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The Plight of Outsiders

“If you’ve ever had that feeling of loneliness, of being an outsider, it never quite leaves you. You can be happy or successful or whatever, but that thing still stays with you.”― Tim Burton Feelings aren’t facts, that’s true, but man oh man can feelings be our reality.  You’ve hit your thumb with the hammer […]

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Radically Renew Your Life!

Perhaps the earth can teach us As when everything seems dead And later proves to be alive.  —Pablo Neruda The monkey grass looks dead with its brown edges. The butterfly bush finally seems to have seen the last bit of life, offering no more protection to the birds who hid among the dying blossoms and […]

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Composing Life’s Picture

“The subject here is not at all clear. There is too much going on and the viewer is not being directed where to look. It’s easy, with interesting subjects like this, to try and include too much…” ~Darlene Hildebrandt The picture was actually very nice, but it was very busy, and I couldn’t decide where […]

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Lose the Label for a Better Look at Life

“Once you label me you negate me.” ~Soren Kirkegaard. Standing before the camera was an elderly woman holding a yellow star with some faint handwriting on it that I could not read. This woman, who was much older than I, stood before me on the screen, explaining that when she was a very young girl […]

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Sandwich Your Sentiments

“In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must also be prepared to work hard and be willing to accept constructive criticism. Without one-hundred percent dedication, you won’t be able to do this.”  ~Willie Mays Playing a sport, being part of a group or a member of a family, […]

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Whistle and Work While you Wait

“Things may come to those who wait, but only things left by those who hustle.” ~Abraham LIncoln Cars not moving at a green light A drink to be prepared at the coffee shop The dog to do his business when you walk him People talking in public on their cell phone to hang up Friends who […]

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Snipping Strings that Seek to Control

“Prove yourself brave, truthful, and unselfish, and someday, you will be a real boy.” ~The Blue Fairy, Pinnochio Do these sound like things you’ve heard, or possibly said: If you do ___ for me, I’ll do this for you. I did _____, but they didn’t do anything for me.    People, including ourselves, have unfair expectations sometimes, […]

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Mask on? Self Care 101

“In the event of a decompression, an oxygen mask will automatically appear in front of you. To start the flow of oxygen, pull the mask toward you….If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your own mask first, and then assist the other person.” ~a portion of Airlines Preflight Instructions […]

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Thoughts to Encourage

Joy is the will which labors, which overcomes obstacles, which knows triumph.~ William Butler Yeats

Whether you think you can or think you can’t you’re right. - Henry Ford

The best way out is always through. ~ Robert Frost

Real difficulties can be overcome, it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. ~ Theodore N. Vail

Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall. ~ Oliver Goldsmith

You must be the change you want to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

Nothing helps like a good nap…

Birds are Beautiful

A Dog is Faithful…