Saturday, November 28, 2015
Unconditional!
So this picture is me with my best friend Nell Foster--otherwise just known as Foster. We have been best friends since our teaching days back in 1980. Her love for others has always been unconditional and non-judging. Truly priceless qualities that made her a mentor in my life at the early age of 21 and needless to say that still holds true today. She has touched the lives of many, changed the lives of many and continues to shine her light on many in the Assisted Living facility she resides in at the ripe young age of 90. Alzheimer's has it grip on her today but I am forever grateful she remembers me, our friendship and love for each other. Thanks Foster for being my BFF all these years and teaching me how to trust my journey.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
It's time to start writing again...
Wow, I was just looking at the dates of the last time I actually blogged. It is coming up on 10 years since my dance with cancer and I know I value life more than ever. The sweetness of friendships and family, my journey home back to Georgia and my health, which I cherish more each passing day. I am so grateful for the message of Trust Your Journey and humbled by the opportunity to share these three simple words with others. Thank you God, for this life of lessons. Thank you for teaching me to see the best in others. Thank you for bringing the right people in my life with perfect timing. Thank you, thank you, thank you... I couldn't have done it without you!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Appreciation
Appreciation
On a typical day I communicate with many people—friends, family and those that share their stories with Ruth and me through Trust Your Journey. The individuals that inspire us by sharing their journey all seem to have one common denominator: in their darkest moment they found a purpose and meaning in their life. It wasn’t the only meaningful event in their lives, but it was the one that stood out like no other experience. I, for one, am grateful not only for the one big thing (breast cancer) but also for the many smaller things that life has shared with me.
I firmly believe that our greatest challenges present us with our greatest opportunities. We need to constantly recognize those opportunities and know that our lives will be enriched when we follow our hearts. I recently came across a quote that resonated deeply with me because it seems to summarize my core belief about challenges and opportunities.
“We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in darkness.”~Unknown
On a typical day I communicate with many people—friends, family and those that share their stories with Ruth and me through Trust Your Journey. The individuals that inspire us by sharing their journey all seem to have one common denominator: in their darkest moment they found a purpose and meaning in their life. It wasn’t the only meaningful event in their lives, but it was the one that stood out like no other experience. I, for one, am grateful not only for the one big thing (breast cancer) but also for the many smaller things that life has shared with me.
I firmly believe that our greatest challenges present us with our greatest opportunities. We need to constantly recognize those opportunities and know that our lives will be enriched when we follow our hearts. I recently came across a quote that resonated deeply with me because it seems to summarize my core belief about challenges and opportunities.
“We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in darkness.”~Unknown
Friday, February 5, 2010
Catching Up
Catching Up
I recently attended a dinner with many dear friends back home. Sometimes there’s so much “catching up” to do in a limited amount of time that the conversations tend to be overwhelming. You focus on giving everyone your undivided attention so as not to miss out on anything special that might be happening at that moment in their lives. I love “catching up” especially since I don’t get to see my dearest friends very often anymore because several thousand miles now separate us. It’s a special time that I cherish when I go ”home.”
Time spent with friends is precious, and as we reach certain milestones on our journey, we can never be certain that this meeting might not be our last chance to catch up with those very special people. Paying attention and listening intently to what our friends have to say is not only a gift to them but also to ourselves because, by choosing to be in the moment, we somehow get insights into what our own journey is all about.
“Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.”—Karl A. Menninger
I recently attended a dinner with many dear friends back home. Sometimes there’s so much “catching up” to do in a limited amount of time that the conversations tend to be overwhelming. You focus on giving everyone your undivided attention so as not to miss out on anything special that might be happening at that moment in their lives. I love “catching up” especially since I don’t get to see my dearest friends very often anymore because several thousand miles now separate us. It’s a special time that I cherish when I go ”home.”
Time spent with friends is precious, and as we reach certain milestones on our journey, we can never be certain that this meeting might not be our last chance to catch up with those very special people. Paying attention and listening intently to what our friends have to say is not only a gift to them but also to ourselves because, by choosing to be in the moment, we somehow get insights into what our own journey is all about.
“Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.”—Karl A. Menninger
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thankful
Thankful
This morning, while reflecting on all that I have to be thankful for in my life, the phone rang, and it was a dear friend catching me up on his recent eight-day stay in the hospital for complications from a serious surgery. He had lost a lot of weight but was gradually regaining his strength. He shared with me how much more each setback made him appreciate the health he once had and that he expects to regain after this cancer surgery and related treatments. I told him I “dittoed” that life lesson since it was five years ago this week that the words Trust Your Journey took on such a powerful meaning in my life as I struggled with my own cancer recovery. We both agreed that it was a time to be thankful yet mindful of all the lessons of the journey.
Thanksgiving week is such a treat and a wonderful time to turn your mind toward all that is good in your life. So often we get hung up on a few situations that might not seem to be going our way or on things that are out of our hands. This week, open your heart to all that is good and the opportunity to share these blessings with others during this very special time of year.
“Nothing purchased can come close to the renewed sense of gratitude for having family and friends.”
--Courtland Milloy
This morning, while reflecting on all that I have to be thankful for in my life, the phone rang, and it was a dear friend catching me up on his recent eight-day stay in the hospital for complications from a serious surgery. He had lost a lot of weight but was gradually regaining his strength. He shared with me how much more each setback made him appreciate the health he once had and that he expects to regain after this cancer surgery and related treatments. I told him I “dittoed” that life lesson since it was five years ago this week that the words Trust Your Journey took on such a powerful meaning in my life as I struggled with my own cancer recovery. We both agreed that it was a time to be thankful yet mindful of all the lessons of the journey.
Thanksgiving week is such a treat and a wonderful time to turn your mind toward all that is good in your life. So often we get hung up on a few situations that might not seem to be going our way or on things that are out of our hands. This week, open your heart to all that is good and the opportunity to share these blessings with others during this very special time of year.
“Nothing purchased can come close to the renewed sense of gratitude for having family and friends.”
--Courtland Milloy
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Water Under the Bridge
Water Under the Bridge
It seems that just about every week people share stories with me about past unpleasant experiences that they’re holding onto for dear life. These “tales of the past” most likely change every time they relate them, but the endings are always the same--they’re not talking to or associating with that person because of what was said or done many years ago. Unfortunately, the shunning is usually directed at family members or even good friends that said or did something that was considered offensive. It’s regrettable that those incidents aren’t confronted immediately since many times the meaning of a person’s words or actions is misinterpreted by the offended person. However, even if you haven’t “cleared the air” in the ensuing years, I can assure you that time will indeed heal the great majority of wounds, if only you’ll allow the mending to take place. I believe there are many paths beyond the hurt and strain in any relationship.
There is no better time than today to move beyond your “hold ups” and let those hurts move on down the stream of life like just so much water flowing under a bridge. If we don’t let go, our minds will gradually make these perceived offenses appear much worse than they really were. Often the person toward whom we bear a grudge wasn’t being mean-spirited at all; it was merely a slip of the tongue or an ambiguous statement or action that was misinterpreted. Always try to understand that the other person might’ve been in a bad place at the moment those unfortunate remarks were made. Forgiveness can be face to face, long distance, or just a mental release of the incident. Life is short and well worth whatever effort it takes to repair a relationship. There’s no substitute for letting unpleasant experiences in our past become just so much water under the bridge.
“What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now.”--Anonymous
It seems that just about every week people share stories with me about past unpleasant experiences that they’re holding onto for dear life. These “tales of the past” most likely change every time they relate them, but the endings are always the same--they’re not talking to or associating with that person because of what was said or done many years ago. Unfortunately, the shunning is usually directed at family members or even good friends that said or did something that was considered offensive. It’s regrettable that those incidents aren’t confronted immediately since many times the meaning of a person’s words or actions is misinterpreted by the offended person. However, even if you haven’t “cleared the air” in the ensuing years, I can assure you that time will indeed heal the great majority of wounds, if only you’ll allow the mending to take place. I believe there are many paths beyond the hurt and strain in any relationship.
There is no better time than today to move beyond your “hold ups” and let those hurts move on down the stream of life like just so much water flowing under a bridge. If we don’t let go, our minds will gradually make these perceived offenses appear much worse than they really were. Often the person toward whom we bear a grudge wasn’t being mean-spirited at all; it was merely a slip of the tongue or an ambiguous statement or action that was misinterpreted. Always try to understand that the other person might’ve been in a bad place at the moment those unfortunate remarks were made. Forgiveness can be face to face, long distance, or just a mental release of the incident. Life is short and well worth whatever effort it takes to repair a relationship. There’s no substitute for letting unpleasant experiences in our past become just so much water under the bridge.
“What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now.”--Anonymous
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