"I Don't Know, I Don't Care"

The past year has been a whirlwind of unexpected losses and challenges. I have discovered in my elder years that we can never know why some things happen, and we need not worry our heads with extra stress to analyze things out of our control. Judgmental thoughts, angry non-stop thoughts, and punishing “how to fix others” conniving fear thoughts waste precious time on this Earth with family.

Our time would be better spent focusing on our internal gifts and how to share these with others. We are gifted, and if we look inside to find what motivates us to have fun, we find that gift.

Years ago, I heard a wise saying, “Find something you love to do and find a way to get paid doing it.”

I discovered that you first have to find that love of self and forgive yourself for not being kind to you. When you do, you can learn to speak well of others and forgive them too. When we share our best selves, it will be that gift we give to the world. Some may like it, and others may not. That is expected. Everyone does not need to like or accept us. If someone doesn’t want your gift, move on to find other friends. A few billion people are on the planet, and I bet a few will welcome you and your unique gift.

Once we know who we are and our birthright to be gentle and kind, we will not be so easily seduced to fade into the mentality of destructive behaviors. We must mind our business and let others mind theirs. Their journey is not ours to travel. Diversity unites us.

The elders who have successfully navigated these dangerous waters in times of toxic influencers must give the younger generation the tools to get back on track, stay focused, and serve others with kindness and compassion. Fear is a debilitating invisible control tactic; do not fall victim to it.

Thank goodness I have a wonderful life and family. I love my simple life. I bet I’d love you, too.

And about the so-called” Aliens in the sky…” I don’t know; I do know that open minds and hearts need no weapons.

The best response is to remain free and calm, focus away from toxic influencers who want to instill fear in you, and say aloud, “I don’t know, and I don’t care.”  

Happy Holidays! 

Eleven Lovely Things

1)     The memory of a laugh with a family member or friend

2)     The memory of a ridiculous situation you survive with a family member or friend

3)     The memory of sharing a good meal with a family member or friend

4)     The memory of having someone to share trouble with and get comfort from a friend

5)     The memory of a great adventure on vacation that was FUN with a friend

6)     The memory of celebrating any achievement or promotion with a friend

7)     The memory of kayaking or canoeing up a river with a friend

8)     The memory of staying with someone through good times and bad when others ostracized

9)     The memory of standing up for what you believe with family or friends

10)  The memory of being so lucky to be born in a country with individual freedoms shared by family and friends

11)  Knowing that now is the moment to forgive someone and love them, “NOW” is all we have.

 

The Majority of Ordinary Folks

 As every year goes by, I am more thankful to be me.

As every stone is turned over and we see, I am grateful to know you.

As every system flaw is revealed, I am glad we survived thus far.

And thus far, we know we will triumph over what is yet to come.

The majority of people and families we know are good, good people.

Good people are the majority worldwide.

Exciting times to be alive and witness the incredible adventure we call life.

It gets easier and easier as we stay faithful to positive collaborations when challenged.

A mantra I repeat to myself in unexpected situations is, "Everything happens for us, not to us; we don't have to like it. It's just easier if we welcome challenges with necessary actions to preserve the hope of a better day."

When you change your perspective, your world opens up possibilities for change.

A better day always comes when we hold on. History has proven this.

Thankful for the world's ordinary people, I am among the majority. 

When I said "I Do.."

Clint black and his wife Lisa Hartman sing a song of our love. The lyrics and tune are so beautiful that I wanted to share them with you. August 16th, forty-six years with my true love, it was a love hard fought nonetheless helped us become better persons. Thank you, Charlie, for loving me as I have loved you. Forgiveness, laughter, kindness, and compassion are the glue that holds us together forever. If you have true love, you will feel what these words mean, too. Enjoy.

Title: When I said I Do... By Clint Black

https://genius.com/Clint-black-when-i-said-i-do-lyrics

Happy 46th Anniversary Charlie, I love you.

Letting Go, Holding On, Accepting Reality

Twenty-twenty-four is offering change to everyone.

It began with unexpected loss and expected loss.

It continues with surprises to change our lives.

After all, I am thankful to have held on to great memories.

What is this life like if you do not accept reality and move ahead with hope?

Life is a gift, and your life is a gift to the world. I’m grateful you and I are here.

Exciting time to be alive and experience the evolution of love and light.

Everything is getting better every day in every way; I feel it.

Thankful. 46 years with my true love. Daffodils, I'm blessed.

Slow Down and Realize How Lucky!

 Slow down and look at the sky,

Slow down and look at the trees,

Slow down and look at the water,

Slow down and enjoy the food we eat,

Slow down and enjoy the comfortable bed we sleep,

Slow down and enjoy the comfortable chair we sit in,

Slow down and feel the majesty of witnessing an eclipse,

Slow down and feel the majesty of good health,

Slow down and feel how wonderful it is to be alive,

Slow down and see how lucky we are to “Be.”

Truelove Found Twice In One life

 A young widow moved into the neighborhood. I met her and was so pleased to see how adjusted she was, knowing she had two teenage sons to raise. Despite missing her first truelove, she continued to be a devoted mother to her sons. Their children were loved well. When her dear husband died unexpectedly due to cancer, the grief resulted in them not putting up a Christmas tree and mistletoe. Holidays were not the same without their father. She stayed home, heartbroken in grief.

 A year went by, and she decided to do volunteer work to get out of the house while her sons were away at school. Getting out was a step to recover her life. Another year went by, and with the encouragement of friends, she decided to try to socialize and maybe even date again.

Without much hope, she went on a dating app and gave little detail about her personal life with her picture. She is a stunning figure of a woman. Then, the emails came pouring in. Being older and wiser and believing in a higher power, she perused the many emails. She was in no hurry.

She immediately deleted any email asking for information on her profession or living situation. Dozens of emails kept coming, but one day, one email interested her. The email wanted to know how she liked her coffee. She answered, and a gentle conversation ensued for a month until they decided to meet.

He had his own construction business but bartended on the weekends for society. He invited her to the bar where he worked so she would be in a public place to meet him and his friends.

That first night, they met eyes, and both saw something. All his friends at the bar could not believe how much fun these two had together upon their first meeting. By the end of that night, all his friends told him, she is the one you have been waiting for all your life. She and he have been inseparable since. He was a bachelor with no children, about five years older than her, and never married. It is the perfect age and match. He met her sons, and they liked each other straight away. She could not believe her life was turning so bright so quickly after such grief of losing her first truelove. She told me this love was new, different, but as beautiful. She found truelove twice in one life.

Two months later, he proposed, she said, “Yes!” He took her on a two-week cruise to celebrate.

(Coincidentally, she was the teacher’s pet in a high school class, her future mother-in-law.)

When she returned home, her youngest son had put up a holiday tree and mistletoe.