Monthly Archives: December 2012

Monday Gets A New Start

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It is New Year’s Eve and so many things to think about that have happened over this year.  “Where O Where has the time gone” is the sentiment of many!  Today is the day to begin our preparation for how the next New Year will play out….making lists, organizing, cleaning out, throwing away, thinking, reflecting, worrying and planning.  Many emotions go into this once-a-year happening.  But more than anything today should be…..

Monday Gets A New Start

How appropriate today is a Monday.  It’s what I’ve been saying all along… Just Start With Monday.  That’s all you have to do for this year’s preparation.  Just take today to be the first day of all the great things you would like to accomplish this year.  New Year’s Resolutions are great, but don’t wait until tomorrow to begin your new regime….start today.  You’ll be way ahead of the game and already on a path of meeting your goals.

So what do you have on your list?  Lose some weight?  Eat healthier?  Get a new job?  What about just trying to be a better person?  Or being a more patient and considerate friend?  One of my friends has planned to “contaminate the world with tolerance.”   I like it!  The world certainly needs more tolerance for sure.  Our resolutions should be more focused on not what we will be giving up, but rather what we plan to give back.

I am excited about what the New Year will bring.  Wouldn’t it be nice if Google had a calendar that could forecast what each day would bring for us?!!  Guess it would make life pretty boring though if we knew what was around the corner each day.  What we can “forecast” is today!  We can start this Monday saying….I’m going to make this a good day!  I’m going to make this day the very best I can!  I’m going to make this a GREAT day!  I’m going to make a difference today….in MY life and in someone else’s life!

So how about you….ready to start this year AND this Monday off with a great start?  I’m sure you can do great things if you make the choice.

I hope 2013 will be the very best year you have ever experienced in your entire life.

I hope each of you will have good health and experience many joyful moments throughout this year.

Happy New Year, Dear Friends.

You Matter to Me!!

Together let’s make the world a better place.

Just Start With Monday.

2013---It's Going to be a Good Year!

2013—It’s Going to be a Good Year!

Smiles,

Nancy

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Monday Gets In the Christmas Spirit

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Went out to do a little last minute shopping today and despite the craziness, actually, got a bit embraced by the Christmas Spirit.  Caught myself singing along to the Christmas music playing….probably much to the dismay of the people next to me.  Every one was hustling around to pick up those last minute gifts….it’s those ‘grab off the table as you pass thru the door’ ones or the ones that are always near the cashier that somehow you think at the moment that it is the perfect gift…..for someone.

As I was standing in line, I was thinking that’s what we sometimes do in everyday life too.  We get in a rush and just “grab” for things and don’t really take time to think about what’s going to happen further down the road.  We don’t even consider what we’re doing and whether it is the right thing for not just ourselves, but those that are closest to us that might be affected.  We barrel ahead and don’t slow down to look at what we are trying to accomplish or how it will affect everyone.   I guess we don’t slow down for fear, we might be on the wrong path and have to do twice as much to get back on the right one….or admit wrongdoing to those that we might have “stepped on” as we were rushing along.

That’s what I like about Christmastime.  It forces me to slow down a bit and just enjoy the moment and reflect on what has happened throughout the year.  It’s not about fancy gifts or big displays of holiday food piled high on the table.  Rather, it’s just about soaking up the magical moments of the holiday.  The most simple happening can bring tears to your eyes and joy to your heart.  Unpacking an old Christmas ornament from days gone by can make you feel like you are experiencing that moment all over again.  I love the thought of believing in Santa and keeping his whimsical spirit alive.  We all like that thought, right?!! Christmas is a time to unbind the restrictions of age and find the child within.

If you are spending time with family tomorrow, I hope you take time to really enjoy the joy and love that surrounds you.  There may be some tired, grumpy ones in the bunch, but you can still love them and give them a big hug and tell them how much they mean to you.  That’s right!  Tell them “You Matter to me!”  Bet they smile.

If you are away from your family this year, I’m sure you can find friends or someone that could use a little holiday cheer and would enjoy soaking up the Christmas spirit along with you.

 Share the joy, share the love, share yourself.

Be in the moment and embrace the magic of Christmas.

It only comes once a year…..Don’t “rush” through the moment.

All my friends who have posted here and read my Blog throughout this past year have given me the joy of a big smile each time I’ve read your comments.

This has been a wonderful gift.

Thank you for caring.

Merry Christmas to You All!

Smiles,

Nancy

Monday Gets A New Lesson

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Today, I was reminded of a lesson that I was taught early in my life that at the time seemed like just a big pain in my neck…. but turned into one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Monday Gets a New Lesson

My parents, particularly my Dad, would NEVER let me get away with just doing a job with half effort.  If I was going to do something, I had to do the best job I could.  One time, I took on this project to refinish an old desk.  I think I was 12 or so.  I started my project and after about 5 minutes was really “over” completing this grand idea, so pretty much just slapped the rest of the paint on.  My Dad was watching from a distance and if I recall correctly, even let me walk away from it while the paint was drying.  A few hours later, on my return to retrieve my project, my Dad (in his very quiet manner, with one eyebrow raised) informed me that the job was not finished.  He further proceeded to let me know that I needed to re-sand the whole desk and apply another layer of varnish.  I huffed a bit, of course, but (that raised-eyebrow scowl always scared me a bit), again sanded the desk and “slapped” the second coat of varnish on.  Again…he let me walk away for the desk to dry.  And….AGAIN upon my return, he gave me the same directions!!  More huffing and puffing on my part!

So….I am now a bit embarrassed to admit that this went on for the rest of the day and into the next.  As the project progressed (or di-gressed—whichever way you want to look at it), I stopped even get any words out of him, he would simply look at me and nod his head in a negative manner and walk back to his own project with no further words.

Well…..Thankfully!!….I finally “GOT IT”.  If I was ever going to be free to get on with my life (there’s so many important things happening in a 12 year old’s life, you know), I was going to have to resort to doing the job correctly…..and so I did.

FINALLY, I knew I was finished…..With the last try, my Dad just looked at me……and smiled…..and said “Good Job”!!

Well, that desk is still going strong….now, almost 50 years later.  Through the years NOTHING could permeate its surface with all the multiple layers of varnish….and I always felt a sense of pride when I looked at it.

So…..when I’m somewhere working whether it might be sitting at a desk job typing or washing my car or helping out someone else.  I think of this wonderful lesson I was taught early in life….If you’re going to do something, do it right and do the best job you can!  Not just because you might have to “do it again”, but rather because, in the end,  you can feel a great sense of pride about yourself and about the mission you have accomplished.

I wish everyone felt the same way about tackling projects.  It seems there are so many who just do a “slapped on” job.  Unfortunately, they will never feel that sense of accomplishment or pride about what they do.  Maybe that’s what is so wrong in this world.  Many people just don’t want to make that effort.  Very sad!

So everyone reading today….here’s your challenge.

No matter what you do…whether it is cleaning your house, washing

your car, wrapping presents, cooking dinner, digging a ditch or any

other kind of task you take on…..do the very best job you can

possibly do.  Then….Stand back and admire your work

and feel the sense of pride that spreads through

your whole body!!

And know that….You’ve just made a difference and the world is

a better place because of your efforts!

My Dad will be so proud of you.

He’s an Angel in Heaven now, so I’m sure he will be watching.

You Matter!

Smiles,

Nancy

Monday Gets Merried

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No, it’s not a misspelling…just an acknowledgement of what today is about.  Got your attention though, didn’t it?  The holiday season should be a “Merry” time for everyone so today…….

Monday Gets Merried!

It’s not about presents and demands of buying and fighting crowds that look like they will wrestle you to the ground for that special sweater or mittens.  It’s not about whom to invite to your holiday party and wondering if you will be invited to all the “A” list gatherings.  No thoughts should be of whether the kids will get everything on their list from Santa, or if they will be angry at the ole jolly man for not fulfilling their every wish.  No stressful thoughts experienced of needing to max out your credit cards to purchase gifts for all the loved ones on your list.  Just don’t even go there!!!

Rather, it should be a simple time of reflection and gathering with friends and family to rejoice in the gift of love and friendship that you all share.  It is about the sheer joy of seeing twinkling lights everywhere.  I never get tired of passing house after house with their windows filled with multiple starburst lights.  It really doesn’t matter about the expertise level of the decoration…..it’s just about the world of fantasy that seems to be created.  I am sure there is something hidden in my childhood that makes me revert to that special place each time my eyes catch sight of a wonderland display.

Oh yes, and all the smells that come from doors you pass at this time of year….cookies baking, pies cooling and lots of “roasting” going on.  I’m not sure if it’s the cooler weather or holiday spirit that creates the fever of baking in people, but it sure adds a wonderful flavor to the air.  I’m not really one who does regular displays of baked goods; but at Christmas, suddenly I’m searching my archives for special recipes to stir up.

Today, I would like to send special wishes for a very joyful and merry holiday season to everyone who is reading this post.  Please take time to reflect on all the wonderful gifts you have in your life.  Be sure to count your blessings……. every one should be able to create a long list.  Instead of buying an expensive present for someone who already has lots (and maybe even way more than they need), perhaps, take some of that money and give it to a family that is struggling right now.  Christmas time should really be about taking the opportunity to make a difference in this world and bring joy and smiles to those around you who really need a boost.  Don’t get caught up in the frenzy of mandatory shopping…..instead look forward to being grateful for what you have right now and sharing that feeling with others.

A simple Christmas card filled with words of appreciation and good wishes can mean more to some people than an expensive present from Rodeo Drive, Louis Vuitton’s jewelry collection or one of Michael Kors latest creations.  Be in the moment and spend your time appreciating your friends and family instead of spending your money shopping for something that they may never use.  I think you will be surprised to find how it is a win-win situation for both of you.  One special friend started sending me Christmas cards in October.  Silly, but so appreciated!!  Smiles are priceless and she has given me many now.  Another one recently sent me a long note telling me how much she appreciated and enjoyed the time we had spent together.  I haven’t seen her in about four or five years, but it made those special moments come back to life and feel like it was only yesterday that we were together.

So, I sure hope your Monday is Merry and all the days that follow.

Be sure to share your merriment with others

and focus on what is really important right now.

Hope your holiday season for 2012 is

the very best ever…..it’s up to you to make that happen!!

Happy Holidays.

wreath

Smiles,

Nancy

Monday Gets Thankful for Special Friends

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As we grow older, we realize that friends we have met in our life become very precious to us.  In many ways, they define the person we are and let us know what our life reflection is really about.  We can hide our identity from every day acquaintances, but our friends can see right through our walls…..and miraculously, they even like what they see!   They make us feel good about ourselves and make us forget any negativity that we might have built up into a road-blocking disability.  They energize us and applaud us for the simplest of things.  They make us laugh over silly occurrences.

Monday Gets Thankful for Special Friends

I recently spent a few days with some really special friends who gave me just such an experience.  They lifted me up and gave me the feeling that no matter what…… I will always have a place that makes me feel special and loved.  It’s almost like they became a large mirror that I was allowed to look into but only see the beauty of my existence.  They are not family, but it sure feels like we could be.  Secretly and without acknowledgement, we adopt each other to solidify our forever togetherness.

I am very thankful for the fact that some of the friends we meet will always be a part of our life…no matter how much time passes between the visits we have…….we are always able to pick up where we left off and continue to allow the love to grow and become more and more special.  In fact, they kind of seem like angels here on earth that continue to watch over us and make sure when we stumble that they are by our side to pick us up, brush us off and send us back into the game.

Sometimes, I wish we could all move through life at the same pace, so that we never had to leave our friends.  I guess, however, a relationship could become kind of boring if we all had the same story to tell every single day.  So….until “we meet again”, we allow our hearts to silently communicate each day to stay connected.

How about you?  Do you have a friend or two….or maybe even several…that allows you to be exactly who you are?  No barriers, no false pretense….just good ole fashioned togetherness.  How lucky we are!

And, have you told these special friends just how much they mean to you?  Don’t let another moment pass….reach out and let them know how special they are and how much they matter to you.  Consider yourself lucky that they are in your life.  I think “friends” are gifts we are given to reward us for getting thru some of the daily struggles that we have to overcome.

friends_forever-1933

And to all my dear friends everywhere….

just want to let you know how special you are to me.

My life is so much better because you are a part of it.

Thank you for your gift of friendship.

It is a true blessing to me.

You All Matter to me.

Smiles,

Nancy