Tuesday, May 27, 2008

HENRY DAVID THOREAU

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." - Henry David Thoreau


Another word for vision -- give it legs -- then see what happens. Sometimes the only way to begin is to be one. If you want to write -- then, write. If you want to paint -- then paint. If you want to teach -- then, teach. If you want to be a comedian -- then, be funny and have fun.

Digging a foundation is not glamorous, yet it is necessary for anything to be solid -- a relationship, an occupation or a bank account.

Roll up your sleeves and discover what is necessary, step, by step, by step. If it rains, you might have mud. So, clean up, and begin again.

Step, by step, by step, by step, by step. Each time you wipe the dust from your eyes the picture will be clearer and brighter. Just like a plant which naturally is drawn toward the sun. Every cell's natural desire is to be drawn toward the sun. So, relax and enjoy the ride. Every bump, every bruise, every acknowledgement, very victory, every........... It gets sweeter - honest.



Thursday, May 22, 2008

Maya Angelou

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.
Don't complain." - Maya Angelou

Could not resist posting this one. It about says it all - don't ya think?

Hey - best wishes for a delightful Memorial Weekend. And, a reminder that it is about saying thank you to the servicemen and women who have tirelessly kept us safe and secure. Please take a moment or two and give thanks. If you have a few more minutes, perhaps discover a way to say it in another way. And, don't hesitate to post it on this blog. It is a wonderful opportunity to share and expand what you are doing.

Cheers - Susan


Friday, May 16, 2008

SIMPLY STATED -- BEING IS WHERE "IT'S"AT

Are you tired of striving, searching, seeking, struggling in the process? This might sound simplistic to some, perhaps to regular readers not -- yet, here is a quick suggestion:

Simply stated --- BE

Some days I have questions or find myself rushing around, striving, and simply working hard. Once I realize it, I change my focus to a "being" focus. Then I begin to slow down. I can actually feel my heartbeat slow and my body relax. Then, I become more effective, thorough, and make less errors.

Have fun in the process -- and be who you are. You will continue to move forward and make accomplishments, yet with more ease and grace of motion.

Squeeze joy in each minute............


Thursday, May 15, 2008

New Bern, NC

How marvelous to hear from someone who lives in New Bern, NC. Thinking back, I'm not certain I have posted about New Bern, yet I lived there, in Fairfield Harbor, specifically, for about 11 months in 2006. From March, 2006 through January, 2007. I am now back in upstate New York for a few reasons, yet what a very sweet town and region of the world.

That bridge that expands the two rivers, as wonderful as it is, truly needs some lights. Hopefully, that will happen sooner than later.

Hearing about the Chelsea restaurant brings back such fond memories. They had a tuna dish that I have since been searching. It was served with pickled ginger and something else. We would go there just for that specific dish.

Thank you soooooooooooooooo much for posting from your world. That is so cool, that you live in New Bern, NC. We may have crossed paths without knowing. Also, congratulations on enjoying the day and celebrating.

Yet, as I continue to say -- Squeeze the joy each minute......................




Tuesday, May 13, 2008

OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES

It appears blogging is becoming the new TV or media sensation. I may be a bit late in the awareness of what is happening with other markets, yet I heard on a local news channel about a blogger that is making $40,000 + in ads on her blog EACH month. It is a Mommy blog, and the writer lives in Utah. She is a former Mormon who blogs about her life, her husband's and her daughters. She gets something like 1,000,000 hits a day.

Granted TV, movies, etc. have more income, yet they also have more expense.

Here is a question for you? And, yes, it is coming from a blog, which is ironic. To what expense to your own life, are you checking out blogs, tv and sites of interest. If you are seeing a return on your time investment, you are making a profit and benefiting. Yet, if you are still searching, still hungry, and uncertain what it is you want, there is a cost aspect to your computer time.

It is rather like going to the kitchen, looking high and low, moving things around in the freezer and fridge, and, still, there is nothing to eat.

What are you hungry for? Consider the cost to your time, energy, and life in general. After all, YOU could be the one who is bowling that 300 game. Or practicing dance moves for Dancing with the Stars, more importantly -- presenting "Dancing in Real Life --- IS.........................."

Enjoy your day - take some time, if you typically don't, to be simply quiet and ask the universe a question. I suggest you be specific. Let me know if it works. You may not get exactly what you wish for, yet something just might happen when you least expect it. Take a minute, and turn the page of life and see what the next day brings.

Squeeze the Joy from Each and Every Minute, Time Does Not Return, Yet, Memories Do!!!


Sunday, May 11, 2008

FYI -- Every Now and Then

I publish a post that has previously been drafted in blogger. And, it pops up under the date that I drafted it. So, if you are a faithful reader, and I understand there are some, you may want to check out a few of the older ones.

My intention is to create in Microsoft Word and move the posts into blogger; yet I'm rather a spontaneous writer with the blog.

And, for all you who are mothers, I hope you enjoyed the day. It, to me, is rather a Hallmark day, so I don't put too much energy into it. Yet, it is a time for all women to unit and check in to see what they would like different, and perhaps do something about it. And, for me, most importantly, to simply realize and appreciate the opportunity I was provided to have children and the wonderful ones that I do have. That is what I did. I took time for, oh, yes, my mom and my daughter. Yet, I also took time for me.

AND, a very special treat today was my roommate, and friend, took us out to dinner. Yummy - I had sesame tuna and a very nice wine - Rex Hill Pino Noir. I recommend it - a bit of raspberry or similar fruit flavor. If you try it, please let me know what you taste.

(I have since discovered that it was cherry and perhaps pomegranate that I tasted in the Rex Hill Pino Noir. It was quite nice.)


Friday, May 9, 2008

JOY CHALLENGE

This is a challenge for me, and I'm offering it up to those who are reading this blog. As I continue to quote - ah, myself. I say "ah" because I am truly accessing the meaning behind it each and every day. With that came the thought to discover, uncover and WRITE DOWN all the things that bring me joy that do not have a financial attachment to them. Oh, other than, perhaps, the gas to drive myself to the Erie Canal or experience green lights. Things that have minimal expense for purists.

Also, I am curious, as always, and ask you, the reader, what are you reading?

Squeeze the joy from every minute, minutes do not return, yet memories do!

Namaste!




Thursday, May 8, 2008

JAMES 1:19-20, NLT

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
~ James 1:19-20, NLT


This arrived in my email this morning from K-Love.com. Simply felt the need to share. Another example of feel it, do it.

Of course the intention is without pain, injury, or hurting any person, or being.

Cheers!


Wednesday, May 7, 2008

FIRST REACTION or FIRST THOUGHT

Today I took a test for the first time in, well, a few years. I sat for the NYS Notary Public exam, which is a set of 40 multiple choice questions. Leaving the exam, and while I sit here writing this post, I am 99% confident that I received a passing grade. The requirement is 70%, and the test is pass/fail. We will learn the outcome in three weeks through the mail.

It was actually more enjoyable this time, as the proctor was very specific with instruction, and, thankfully, was also realistically humorous. After misjudging the time it would take to get to the test site, I arrived with 10 minutes to spare, which was a relief, yet, I was armed with the knowledge that I had prepared well.

First reaction, first thought, first response was the proctor's suggestion when looking at a question that was puzzling. This, he stated was experience talking. This is not the first time I have heard this concept, and likely you have heard it before true.

Yet, how often do we subscribe to that axiom in other areas of our lives? I am paying more attention to this in the dating world. It seems to be working, for me, that is. Now I'm going to try it in other environments of my life.

I picked up at the library today the book entitled, "Blink," by Malcolm Gladwell. There is also a film made based on the book. I rented the film, and had difficulty sitting through it. It includes scientific principles, which I can read better, that view. The first example in the book references relationship research. I thought this interesting, as on the local PBS station last weekend, hosted by John Cleese, a celebrated member of the Monty Python comedy show, there was a segment about facial expressions and how they can be utilized to determine the strength or true, actual and current status of a relationship. They process through words and expose feelings and moods which are not accurately reflected by the words that the couples use to communicate with each other.

Is this confusing to you? Possibly, because I saw it, yet it is in a brief paragraph difficult to explain. Let me know if you have questions, and I will respond.

The first reaction or thought concept utilized with a test application, can be used whenever we make a choice or face a decision.

Suggestion: Simply take a minute and make a conscious decision to become aware when making a decision. Trying to lose weight, and pick up a candy bar. What was your thought? You instinctly grab a candy bar, and perhaps, think, "Oh, I should put this back." Then, put it back. You see someone on the street, and you smile. If you have a chance, say hello, and perhaps they have information that you can use. Yesterday in the library, I picked up a book off the shelf. A woman walking by, stopped and commented, she truly appreciated and liked the author. With that a man appeared, apologized for interrupting, and asked about the author. I had heard of the author, and was aware she speaks on Hay House Internet radio. With that on my business card I wrote the Hay House website down for both when they asked me for it.

Both people took a minute, with a split second of thought, made a connection, and walked away with information.

What are you missing by ignoring those inklings, subconscious thoughts, the "other" voice, whatever you call it.

Take a minute follow that first thought or first reaction, response, and see where it leads. Every person on this blog will gain from your posts and comments. Let us know if and how this works.

And, again, Squeeze the Joy each minute, minutes don't return, yet memories do! Create special memories with joyful minutes. Begin to practice your joy muscles. It is a wonderful experience.

Cheers!




Monday, May 5, 2008

NO WASTED TIME

No wasted relationship time happened yesterday. You know, the time that you think "What took me so long to realize what was I doing with him?" or "her?"

I was invited out for dinner a week ago and could not make it, so I suggested coffee. It would be a first date. A suggestion came back with how about breakfast, perhaps Sunday. This was all done via email, after having met about three weeks back during a gathering of a group from meetup.com.

To jump to the chase - he, the self-acknowledged planner did not seem to have his wallet, so he declared, "I guess you are buying me breakfast." I thought quickly about that, figured it was an inexpensive lesson, he took me home, and that thought was to never cross my mind again.

Yet it did, if only to post this, and ask. Has this ever happened to you, and what did you do? I thought about it after. If I did it over again, I might have payed for mine, then walked over to Target and called a friend to come pick me up. Also, I don't mind "dutch treat."

Yet, perhaps he simply needed a "free" meal.

So, I wasted no time in realizing that any more time spent with him will be a waste of time. So, a quick, inexpensive lesson and I move on.

Your thoughts?

Squeeze joy.......

Namaste

Saturday, May 3, 2008

WORD VERIFICATION

Not sure what happened to have this appear on my blog creation screen, yet Word Verification has slowed me down with posting anything.

I'm looking into clearing it up, yet I'm not sitting idly by. The NYS Notary test on May 7th has 92% of my attention this last week, and will have until Wednesday afternoon. After that my first day on my new job will take my attention.

This gave me a thought -- some things I have wanted to do, or thought I wanted to do, did not generate a large percentage of my time. Thus, they have not happened, been created or been accomplished yet. Are you splitting your time too thinly between needs, wants and "stuff" in general, and feeling as if the wheels are spinning?

It can totally stop, or, make progress with the spinning slowed down.

Suggestions: On paper - and I truly think this is very helpful. Put on paper the top 20 projects, wants, needs, etc. that you want to accomplish, perhaps, in 6 months or less. Then, move the top 10 off that list onto the "Top 10" list. Then pick the projects that can be accomplished with a phone call or two, or the least amount of attention. Set those aside on a separate list.

Begin taking care of the small projects 1-2 each day, while establishing, creating and designing the steps to take with the bigger projects.

Look at the resulting projects. If you want help with this process - post a comment with a bit of specific information or email me, and I will collaborate with you to get these accomplished also.

How will it feel to have that 3 ton elephant off your back?

Squeeze the joy................

Thursday, May 1, 2008

GOOGLE LINK

To help visitors to this blog, if you have not noticed, there is a link to Google for your convenience.

If you are here and want to return to search more - simply go to the sidebar on my blog and click on the Google link. Poof -- you will be at Google and can search away.

Thanks to all who continue to leave comments, and especially to those (you know who you are) that are leaving comments for the first time. All comments are welcome, and, they actually provide energy for me and likely for others.

Thank YOU!!!

Squeeze the joy from every minute - time does not return, memories do!!!!! Make them bright memories, and know that it is your choice and you have the power.

Namaste

NAPLES, NY

Got some time this weekend and wondering what fun and different thing to do? They are performing Sat., May 3rd and Sunday, May 4th.

Perhaps check out this link http://twoshow.com/

I am offering this sight unseen, yet I have an inkling that it will be entertaining, fun and different. Also, I'm looking forward to checking out the venue. Here is what you will see at the link:

May, 3 2008 07:00 PM - Bristol Valley Theatre (((FUSION SHOW)))
151 S. Main Street, Naples, 14512 - $10 for adults, $5 for children and $20 for the whole family Fusion mixes all elements of theater from side-splitting comedy to awe-inspired beauty, from precision choreography to total collapses. Fusion is juggling, improvisation, theater, comedy, darkness, light, music, and more melded together to create a performance that leaves audiences breathless! Fusion is made up of Jason Tardy, Michael Miclon and Matthew Tardy. You’ll remember Jason and Matthew as TWO – the high energy juggling team that has delighted BVT audiences in the past. Now they are joined by Michael, and the fun multiplies! This all-star cast has amazed audiences around the world including places like Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, The Bahamas and even the White House