About mountain climbing...

Hello Friends,

The journey up the mountain can be long and difficult; the obstacles at times so overwhelming they cause us to wonder if we can reach the peak.  It's important to remember it is the rests along the way that provide a chance to catch our breath and reflect as we climb.  While the destination is the end goal, it is the journey to the top that is the true measure of our strength and determination.

The very trials and challenges we experience give us hope and courage to find it within ourselves to just keep trying harder and believing the dream is possible.  Making it to the top is our reward and satisfaction knowing with certainty we never gave up short of reaching our goal.  Stay focused and you will make it.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About transformation...

Hello Friends,

We all have times when we know with certainty that something has transformed our mind and spirit.  While we may not always have an explanation of exactly what made that very thing happen, what's most important is the change we feel and how it makes us feel different. 

Not all things we experience cause such transformation but it is in the rare moments of our journey through life that we pause and reflect  and know for sure that in the midst of the experience we are no longer the same; we are better.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About cherishing the moment...

Hello Friends,

When I think of the words 'cherishing the moment' special thoughts and warm memories come to my mind.  I think about what it is to treasure that which you hold most dear and remember it is the sum of all things that the create the experience of our life.

It's wonderful to make that which we cherish most a constant part of our life.  What I mean by that is truly allowing ourselves time to reflect and embrace all that is inherently good and spend less time absorbed in that which distracts us.  It is towards that end goal and in the midst of being so busy that we find time to celebrate and cherish the moments.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About you've got a friend...

Hello Friends,

Most recently I find I am taking more time to laugh out loud with my friends. I'm not sure what's changed, only that it seems more important to me now than it was before. James Taylor sings 'when you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand, and nothing, oh nothing is going right, just close your eyes and think of me, and soon I will be there to brighten up even your darkest day...you've got a friend'.

Perhaps that's the real reason. What I mean by that is friends who love you are always there for you, no matter what. On the hardest of days, and in the most difficult of times, they remind you of your value and why they simply love you for who you are. I can't think of any greater gift in my day than reaching out to embrace my friends. Until next time...

Blondie©

About understanding...

Hello Friends,

There are moments in life that stretch us and when there is nothing left to figure out or solve, we simply must call upon understanding.  While at times it seems like an impossible task we must try.  What I mean by that is we  just think we have things figured out only to find it is often not the case.

Sometimes it is the very act of reaching out to embrace that which we cannot comprehend but know with certainty we want to.  Towards that end we create the foundation of understanding.   With time and patience we are enlightened and continue forward to try harder.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About waiting...

Hello Friends,

Patience has never been something I've mastered.  Rather my mind runs full steam ahead most times, ever after the elusive goal.  There is simply too much to go after and so much to accomplish that I press ever forward.

I've always refused to wait for things to happen, for others to enable a dream to become my reality.  In the process of not waiting, nor simply wishing, I've come to know with certainty that all that lies before me is possible.  To wait is to miss the opportunity.  Until next time...

Blondie©

 

About the quiet...

Hello Friends,

I close my eyes in the brilliant sunlight of the day and listen to the sounds that are all around me.  The voices in the distance, the birds singing so sweetly, each remind me that being present in the moment and expecting nothing more is a gift.

What I mean by that is learning to enjoy the quiet and embracing the opportunity to relax while at the same time being in tune with the very presence of what is all around us.  It is in that stillness we experience contentment.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About singing in the rain...

Hello Friends,

In the gentle rain and the heat of the day a walk along a garden path causes one to sing.  That seems like such a simple and uncomplicated thing to do and so peaceful.  Nothing else is required and smiling comes naturally as you hum the words 'singing in the rain, it's time to let the spirit come in, come on in'...

Sometimes these moments are like finding a treasure and we know with certainty they are rare.  It is a matter of acceptance in looking no further and knowing that everything you need right now in your life is right in front of you.  You are at home.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About the tapestry of our life...

Hello Friends,

As I think about the beauty of tapestry and the multitude of colors that weave so wonderfully together, I am reminded life is just like that.  So many things contribute to our journey and it is the very parts that create the whole of who we become.

What's most important to remember is that alone the pieces do not work.  If we ever have moments we wish for things that are not or for things that were, we must remind ourselves once again that it is only when we embrace all of our experiences we create the tapestry of our life.  Until next time...

Blondie© 

About finding the calm...

Hello Friends,

I received a pink journal book this week entitled 'Keep calm, have a cupcake'.  The combination of pink being my favorite color, fondly remembering baking cupcakes, and my first post on Blondie Talks about that very thing made me smile.   It's so important we take time out of our busy lives and find the calm among the drama.

It is during these times we allow our mind to rest and rejuvinate and ready ourselves for another day.  Perhaps it's not so much the baking of the cupcakes that's needed; more it is just stopping and seeking that which creates the calm which so often eludes us.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About being complicated...

Hello Friends,

Life is complicated at times.  There is always so much to consider and so may things to figure out.  It's important we find moments to rest and take time out to rest awhile.  Sometimes our happiness is found in the uncomplicated and we must simply look for it.

What I mean by that is accepting our life just as it is right now and leaving aside the complex.  There we can find our joy in the ordinary things that need so solving and no explanation; they just are.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About enlightenment...

Hello Friends,

I love the thoughts that the word enlightenment brings to my mind, how it lifts up my spirit and wraps a warm blanket around my soul.  As I read these thoughts by Thich Nhat Hanh the other day I  was reminded yet again of the wonderful sense of peacefulness that comes with enjoying the journey of our life. 

He wrote,  'as I carefully sweep the ground of enlightenment, a tree of understanding springs up from the earth'.  How important to reflect and know with certainty the very act of opening our heart and mind to possibilities we find such understanding.  We must search for this and embrace all that it gives to us; a gift of spirit and encouragement that comes with being enlightened.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About thinking makes it so...

Hello Friends,

How often do we find ourselves thinking on things?  Shakespeare said it best; 'nothing is either good or bad, but thinking makes it so'.  The truth is what we think about becomes our reality.  It's possible we may never live out our thoughts but that does not mean they do not absorb our mind and take a toll as we process through the emotions.

Perhaps our happiness is simply found in taking a break from thinking for awhile, a chance to stop, relax our mind, and just be present in the moment.  To realize that sense of peacefulness would truly be a gift in our day.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About getting back in the game...

Hello Friends,

There are words in life that ring true about many situations.  What I mean by that is not everything in life comes easy and while that would be nice, so often it is not our reality.  Instead we find ourselves struggling yet ever determined to figure it all out.

Frank Sinatra sings this wonderful song and the lyrics are so true; 'every time I find myself flat on my face, I pick myself up and get back in the race, that's life'!  While we may at times be stretched, it is in knowing for sure we are not beaten that we carry on and learn with every experience.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About relaxing awhile...

Hello Friends,

I have to admit relaxing does not come easy to me.  Rather it takes focus and determination to figure how out how to do that very thing.  I admire people who seem to know intuitively how to embrace it and make it fundamentally an important and integral part of their life.

It should seem natural to find a way in the midst of all that is demanding to just stop and rest awhile.  That is not always the case but what I know for certain is it's important to keep trying for it in the magic of relaxation we find our true joy and happiness.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About empathy...

Hello Friends,

The ability to have great empathy is a gift; to be able to put yourself right at the heart of the situation and find a level of understanding  is the essence empathy. It's not always easy to open your heart and be present in the moment and it can be hard, especially when it's difficult the hear.

The power to listen with patience and kindness is what matters most.  Often advice is not what is expected; rather it is in being present in those moments with genuine care and concern for the other person that is the true measure of having and embracing empathy.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About a sense of accomplishment...

Hello Friends,

My mind is naturally wired toward achievement and constantly focused every day on possibilities.  It's a struggle to find a balance between all one wants to do and moments where you must simply stop and rest a while to be able to carry on. 

It stretches me to the core to know where my greatest focus should lie.  On one hand I am exhilarated in achieving that which is so very important to me, yet on the other hand arriving at a sense of peacefulness that only comes at times with rest.  For some reason I simply cannot choose between the two.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About change...

Hello Friends,

Life is about change and it's possible to live amongst it when we find a way to embrace it.  Sometimes it simply overwhelms us as nothing ever seems to stay the same.  Change is constant and the way we find our happiness is to learn how to live within it and adapt to it.

Perhaps it's during these times we reflect most and wonder if we can manage the change that surrounds us.  We question what it will take and the strength and resolve needed to help us cope.  In the end it is like many things in our life; we discover the determination to not be beaten is so much bigger than the change we are facing.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About owning your flair...

Hello Friends,

It's important we embrace our individual flair.  What I mean by that is knowing with certainty that which we bring to any given situation is unique and valued.  We must own that and create what we become known for and that which we stand by as true for us.

Flair has style and creates a way to stand out rather than blending into the landscape.  Flair may come naturally but more often it is developed.  Finding your sense of self confidence and self esteem only comes from searching within ourselves; discover that and you will discover who you are.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About solutions and acceptance...

Hello Friends,

As I reflect on the word 'solutions' I realize that it embraces so many different meanings.  While the word proposes an outcome, it naturally brings with it much reflection and review before an action can be taken.  Pearl S Buck says; 'solution is possible where acceptance is ready'.

Deciding on solutions takes time and may  require several discussions to gain agreement to an outcome.  Acceptance on the other hand means starting right now.  Perhaps the very thing that prevents us from moving forward is our inability to accept; it is in embracing acceptance even without having all the answers we find ourselves ready to embrace and action what lies ahead.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About celebrating...

Hello Friends,

If we choose we can find moments to celebrate every single day.  Interestingly enough though, we often get caught up in what's not going well or thinking of  things we don't like that a day happens to bring to us.  In the process we lose our focus and our energy.

It is in seeking out these moments in our life that we find a sense of accomplishment and purpose; we come to know with certainty that this very thing should be our daily focus.    Life is short and sometimes it's that very perspective that wakes us up to all there is to celebrate with joy.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About determination...

Hello Friends,

It's wonderful to feel a sense of determination and resolve towards accomlishing certain things.  How amazing to find within ourselves the will power that propels us forward towards our destination and realizing the outcome of our goals.

There will always be difficult times that seem to zap our energy from us and try as we may we cannot seem to accomplish the tasks set out before us.  While I'm not sure who uttered these words, I find them profound.  'Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try'. Now that is determination.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About expecting the best...

Hello Friends,

I have always been a person who expects the best.  What I mean by that is I don't see the point in delivering less than the best that can be given.  Whether it's work or personal it just seems natural to want to do my best; equally, I have come to expect that in others.  Sometimes it's important to measure our expectations.

Is it possible they are unrealistic and as such they place a high degree of pressure on both ourselves and others?  Or could it be that others admire that very strength in us? Perhaps what's most important is knowing with certainty what is real and true and the minimum we can live with to realize a sense of contentment.  Therein we will find our measure in expecting the best.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About believing in ourselves...

Hello Friends,

It's important every single day we find ways to believe in ourselves.  What I mean by that is knowing with certainty the value we bring to any one given circumstance.  It's easy in the process of surrounding ourselves with all we are passionate about and getting so busy just doing, we fail to realize that it is a gift to continually believe in all that we have to offer.

At times we get wrapped up and sometimes lost then fail to remember that it is a core hope we must keep ever present in our heart and mind.  We need to surround ourselves with people who remind us of that very thing and who lift us up to embrace our potential. What I know with certainty is that we must stop every now and again and remind ourselves to just believe.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About Aubergene...

Hello Friends,

Aubergene is one of my favorite colors.  There's something about it that's warm and inviting and quite different in how it captures the eye and causes one to pause and reflect, if only for a little while.  Perhaps that's the same manner in how life gets to us at times.

What I mean by that is in the process of living our lives something such as the beauty of a color captures us and for a while we find ourselves embracing and enjoying a sense of peacefulness that only comes with being present in the moment.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About contentment...

Hello Friends,

Being content may be one of the most difficult things to realize.  We aspire to reach so many goals and in the process we find it is elusive in reaching contentment.  Perhaps it's because we think of it as settling.  What I mean by that is falling short of our goals we've set out for ourselves and thus not being willing to find a sense of contentment until we arrived at the state we so desire to be.

How do we measure if we've done enough so we can finally stop and rest awhile? We must find a way and know with certainty we have done as much as we could and gone as far as we could go with any one particular thing.  What's most important to remember is our happiness is found in moving through the journey and discovering moments to relax and relish in the joy that is found in contentment.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About surprises...

Hello Friends,

We all have these moments in our lives when things simply surprise us and we are not prepared with our reaction to the event.  While it's true that some surprises are good ones, as often though, we find ones that simply catch us off guard and we are not sure what to do to manage the emotions.

At times what is required is to not panic, to take a breath, and not read  anything into the surprise without all the facts.  It's human to over react and often to worry.  It takes great strength and determination to step back and at times simply allow ourselves to rest awhile.  Time shows, yet equally heals all things, including surprises.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About exquisite things...

Hello Friends,

There is something about the word exquisite that fills my mind with wonderful thoughts.  Perhaps it's because it represents to me all things beautiful and something worthwhile in having that just makes me happy.  I've come to appreciate that often we must find a way to earn and have exquisite things as they so often come with the connotation of cost. 

The truth is we can find exquisite treasures daily if we but open our mind to what surrounds us.  A walk on the beach at sunset, a wonderful friend to confide in, or the realization of a sense of peacefulness that comes  just from choosing to stop and rest for a little while; these are all exquisite things no money can buy.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About writing your story...

Hello Friends,

Everyday is an opportunity to write our story.  Life is about the journey and not always about the destination.  With arms wide open and passion embraced, it's important to seek the experience and find a way to embrace all that a day holds for us.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the doing we fail to take the time to discover these defining moments.  The truth is they are all around us.  Why should we miss the opportunity to find and celebrate them?  After all they are the very things that create the words, enable us to translate the thoughts, and write our story.  Until next time...

Blondie©

About being sorry...

Hello Friends,

Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of all that overwhelms us.  We struggle to process the conversations and the words yet we fail to understand.  In the midst of that sense of hopelessness, we have nothing left to say except 'I'm sorry for not understanding'. 

Whether we ever come to understand it or not, it is the heart feltness of the words that mean the most.  Life is like that and we don't always get things right or find the perfect way to express our thoughts.  What I have come to know with certainty is in the midst of it all, two words 'I'm sorry' have the power to heal all wounds.  Until next time.

Blondie©

About friendship...

Hello Friends,

I often think about how incredibly fortunate I am to have such wonderful friends in my life.  On the hardest of my days they lift me up and support me in a way sometimes words cannot explain.  Perhaps that is the magic.  What I mean by that is true friends sometimes can't be explained in what it is they do for your heart and spirit; more you just know deep within you that your life is better for spending time with them.

I love these thoughts translated from Chinese by Arthur Waley; 'I want to be your friend forever and ever without break or decay; when the hills are all flat and the rivers are all dry; when it lightens and thunders in winter and when it rains and snows in summer; when heaven and earth mingle - not then will I part from you'.  How wonderful to know amongst our very busy lives we have such wonderful friends to count on.  It is a wonderful gift.  Until next time...

Blondie©