Laughter

Laughter

In my recent travels I was waiting for a flight and noticed a family that was laughing that laugh we all know—the one where it is so deep and hard you just can’t stop. The family actually had me smiling from their pure joy in the moment. The ripple effect of laughter is magnificent.

I’ve always believed laughter is a wonderful gift. If you pay close attention, you’ll notice that whenever there is laughter in your day, 99% of the time you’ll find yourself focused on that moment. Have you ever found yourself in a hearty laugh and at the same time thinking about something else? My guess is probably not. We all know that when you sneeze you can’t keep your eyes open. As hard as you try, especially when driving, it’s almost impossible. Laughter works just like that. It’s the song of the heart and the reward of a well-balanced life and good sense of humor. We all need more laughter in our lives.

“A good laugh overcomes more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other one thing.”
--Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957) American Pioneer and Writer

Click "Comments" below to share your thoughts or opinion.

Kay Yow

Kay Yow

One of the first things I did in March, 2007, when Trust Your Journey was yet to come to life, was to write to Kay Yow to congratulate her, her staff and the team on advancing to the Sweet 16 in women’s college basketball. I also shared with her the similarity of our paths through life, the challenges of breast cancer and the three simple words that changed my life forever. Most importantly, I wanted her to know just how much she had inspired me and so many others.

Kay Yow passed away today, leaving behind more than just memories. The many seeds she planted during her journey among us will hopefully bear much fruit. She established an incredible foundation that will continue to work toward a cure for cancer. She touched the hearts of countless women who will carry her vision forward into future generations. She taught all who knew her that their greatest challenges can become their greatest opportunities. She truly trusted her journey.

“I am so honored and blessed to have the opportunity to establish the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund in partnership with The V Foundation. Despite all the games that I have coached and all the great opponents that I have battled on the court, breast cancer has by far been the toughest opponent I have faced. My hope is that this funding will help to change the lives of many men and women who face this opponent daily. Cancer is something that touches everyone’s life and it is important to understand that we all can make a difference. Each of you can be a part of finding an answer. Join me today and let’s beat cancer once and for all!”—Kay Yow (1943-2009)

Click "Comments" below to share your opinion or thoughts.

The Puzzle

The Puzzle

Every Christmas my family sets up a jigsaw puzzle for all of us to enjoy piecing together throughout the holiday season. It really wasn’t until this year that I realized how much meaning the puzzle had for our family and about life itself. I was amazed by how this holiday tradition got the attention of all the family members, from 13 to 83. We often found ourselves shoulder-to-shoulder searching patiently many minutes for one or two pieces. Better yet, when someone eventually found a crucial piece, they’d get on a roll and fit five or ten more in quick succession. Sometimes you’d walk away for a breather; other times you’d sit there contentedly for hours just staring, searching, choosing, and hopefully making a contribution to the overall effort. Occasionally you’d get a little frustrated and try to force the wrong piece into the right space but found out repeatedly that you can’t get into a contest of wills with a jigsaw puzzle. In the end, all the pieces fit together to make a lovely picture that was the sum of the efforts of many family members.

After reflecting on this Christmas tradition for a while, I realized that this is how the journey works. It is comprised of many pieces that gradually form the whole of your life. Those pieces come into your life with their own perfect timing, and it’s futile to try to force something that just doesn’t fit. In your heart you know what works and what doesn’t. And in the end, all of these pieces will form a picture of your unique journey through life. They’ll fit together seamlessly, and the resultant picture will be perfect, clear, and quite beautiful.

“Who in the world am I? Ah, that is the great puzzle!”—Lewis Carol (1832-1898)

Click "Comments" below to share your thoughts or opinion.

"Tis the Season

’Tis the Season

I recently heard about a man who had been in a coma for some time and whose family had tried just about everything to wake him. It wasn’t until he heard someone singing a Christmas song that he awoke and then recovered fully from that deepest of sleeps. I can’t recall exactly what tune they sang, but it did the job, and now he’ll continue his life’s journey.

Christmas songs hold some of our most vivid memories, and I’m sure that no matter where you are or what you’re doing, hearing Christmas music triggers flashbacks to your childhood or adolescence and some especially precious moments associated with the holiday season. Never deny yourself a few minutes to reflect back on those days and all those special memories. One thing for sure, if I’m ever in a coma, be sure to play The Carpenters’ “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” or Andy Williams singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” I promise I’ll wake up.

“What is Christmas? It is the tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.” –Agnes M. Pharo (19th/20th –Century American Writer)

Click "Comments" below to share your thoughts or opinions.

The Value of...

The Value of…

On a long drive recently I was listening to the radio and heard one of my favorite country songs, “Chicken Fried,” by the Zac Brown Band. Probably because I was born and raised in Atlanta, this song touches many chords with me. Among the many great lines in the song, one of my favorites is “no dollar sign on a piece of mind.”

I started thinking about all the wonderful things in life that have incredible worth but are often overlooked on a daily basis. What’s the value of a piece of mind, good health, your family’s health, friends, the love within your home, someone special in your life or one more sunrise? My wish for you is that in the hubbub of daily living, you take a few moments to recall the value of life’s simple but precious things. You’ll soon realize that they are indeed priceless.

“Well I was raised up beneath the shade of a Georgia pine

And that`s home you know

Sweet tea, pecan pie and homemade wine

Where the peaches grow

And my house it`s not much to talk about

But it`s filled with love that`s grown in southern ground

And a little bit of chicken fried” –Zac Brown Band 2008

Click "Comments" below to share your thoughts or opinion.

Thankful

Thankful

I wanted to take this special week and share with you the words to one of my favorite songs by Josh Groban. There truly is so much to be thankful for—Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful
Some days we forget
To look around us
Some days we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more

There's so much to be thankful for …

Click "Comments" below to share your thoughts or opinion.

The Greeter

The Greeter

There is a gentleman--I would guess in his 50s--who greets each and every person as they enter a Laguna Beach church every Sunday. His name is Skipper, and he’s always dressed in a full baseball uniform, from cap to cleats. He gives unconditional hugs and wishes all “a homerun day!” with more enthusiasm than someone who just won the lottery. He’s full of wonderful energy and exhibits the true spirit of Trust Your Journey. Skipper has some special needs but doesn’t allow those needs to interfere with his love of people and enthusiasm for life.

Needless to say, Skipper touches my heart. He makes me realize that all is right with the world, and that I should take time each day to count my many blessings. Skipper is definitely one of those blessings.

“Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.”
-- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (1926-2004 Swiss-American psychiatrist and author)

Click "Comments" below to share your thoughts or opinion.