My Kentucky Life: December 2015

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Miracles, Flickers and Self

I cannot say I am one of those people who have witnessed amazing miracles up close. On several occasions, while at church, I have wondered what it would be like to be present at one of those masses where God appears with a message for the entire congregation. Random, I realize, but hey, this is me. What I can say, is that I am lucky enough to witness less obvious miracles on a fairly regular basis, that remind me to keep moving forward, to keep my heart open and to trust the signs around me.

What does this all mean you may ask? Well, as I planned my trip home for the holiday (yes, I still consider NJ my home at this point) I prepared myself for the emotional onslaught of this first Christmas without my Mom, this first Christmas where my children will not wake up in their own house, this first Christmas where I will not be hosting my family around the dinner table in my own dining room. A lot has changed in 2015. And through this change I have become lost.

Even though all of these things are true about this Christmas, I have found a ray of hope instead of grief and sadness. Sometimes the best way to be found is to look into the eyes of the people who truly love you. These people hold your light for you when you are lost, to help you find your way back to yourself. Relationships this true are the miracle. People so unconditionally present in your life are the miracle.

Remember the thing we used in science class to light the Bunsen burner? With each squeeze of the handle a spark would flare. With the help of others, that's me, inside, flicker after flicker working to bring back the light. Self-study lesson, and this is a big one for me, let people help you when you are lost because you don't have to do it alone. Look into the eyes of people who truly see you to find yourself again. Even if you just catch a glimpse, it's enough. It's a reminder. I'm thinking/hoping the rest will come when you are ready.

Merry Christmas and Namaste My Dear Friends!

Inspirational Thought/Tidbits for and about Life

A great quote to take with you into the New Year: "Change is the only evidence of life." ~Evelyn Waugh

Check out my sons weekly NFL updates, injury lists and analysis at itizjman.blogspot.com. So proud of him!

Check out this awesome studio! Take a class, get to know the amazing instructors and enjoy your journey of self discovery, pinklotusnj.com

If you enjoy my blog, please follow my great friend, Kelly, at Mind-Body-Soul Living.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Imperfection is OK

I'm not feeling very inspirational this week! With the busyness of the holiday season it's easy to get caught up in things, obligations, parties, shopping. The other day I binge shopped on Amazon because I was paranoid I didn't have enough "stuff" to give my family. I've been wrapping and frantically packing to be away for two weeks. I'm so excited about the road trip to see family and friends I've been living in the future, imagining what the next few weeks will hold. Mostly, I have been forgetting to be in the moment. I've been forgetting to breathe and take time for silence and reflection.

When I sat down to write this morning (a day late) I kept thinking "I have nothing good to write". After staring at the blank page I realized that not having anything inspirational to write was exactly what I should write about! Self-study lesson today, life isn't perfect. Perfection would be boring! Life is filled with times of busyness, moments we feel overwhelmed. It's important we ride each and every wave presented to us, not just the perfect ones. It's important that we check back in before we get to far away from Self. The more we practice checking in the less time we will go without doing so. For me, writing this at this moment is my check in! I can feel myself breathing with more awareness. I can literally feel my jaw release, my cheeks relax and my forehead soften as I sit here writing.

Take a moment, right now, well after reading this sentence...close your eyes and consciously breath for a minute or two. Feel the change in your physical body, your mental state, your overall well being. Don't ask for perfection. Just ask to live in this moment in time.

Namaste My Dear Friends!

Inspirational Thought/Tidbits for and about Life

I downloaded the app CALM the other day, as a result of my holiday craziness! I'm really enjoying it. It's really a great way to easily incorporate a mediation practice, conscious breathing, relax, live more mindfully. I listened to one of the sessions while sitting in carpool one day this week. Let me know what you think!

Check out my sons weekly NFL updates, injury lists and analysis at itizjman.blogspot.com. So proud of him!

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Grateful for Angels on Earth

Hello there faithful readers! Today's blog is short but (hopefully) sweet. I am currently in love with the song Stand By You by Rachel Platten. Now, I know for some of you this song is a little "Top 40" but the lyrics are so beautiful I can't help but belt them out whenever I hear the song. For me, it is powerful, empowering and soul lifting. The song resonates with me so much at the moment because of the many people in my life who have been holding me up lately. This is just the first verse,

"Hands, put your empty hands in mine

And scars, show me all the scars you hide

And hey, if your wings are broken

Please take mine so yours can open too

Cause I'm gonna stand by you

Oh, tears make kaleidoscopes in your eyes

And hurt, I know you're hurting, but so am I

And love, if your wings are broken

Borrow mine 'til yours can open too

Cause I'm gonna stand by you"

Listen Here

My absolute favorite line is "Love, if your wings are broken borrow mine 'til yours can open too". There are so many angels in my life at the moment, who have been lending me their wings this past year! I am so grateful for each and everyone of them...From the amazing man I married who lets me be who I need to be at every moment of everyday to the person who looks past the smile on my face and acknowledges the sadness in my eyes. From the person who calls me on my crap and pushes me forward to those who just listen! This Christmas season, look around you to find the angels in your own life who give you wings. Embrace those in your life who need to borrow your wings for awhile. Be grateful. And, most importantly, surround yourself with love.

Namaste My Dear Friends!

Inspirational Thought/Tidbits for and about Life

My amazing 12 year old son, James, has started a blog of his own. I have never met anyone who loves football as much as this kid! Check out his weekly updates, injury lists and analysis at itizjman.blogspot.com. So proud of him!

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Lessons I Learned in Walmart

Yup, you read the subject of this blog correctly. Sometimes, you learn a lot about yourself in the most unexpected places. For me, it was Walmart. I was preparing for a Thanksgiving week full of visitors. With much excitement and enthusiasm, I carefully planned my menus and entertainment. The best place for me to get everything I need under one roof is the superstore known as Walmart. Sadly, we do not have Target in Somerset, *sigh*. Long, long list in hand I headed out on my adventure. The length of the list was weighing heavily on me but I was determined to enjoy the shopping experience.

Things were going quite well except for the disappointing fact that Walmart doesn't sell soft bread for stuffing making, shallots or Gruyere cheese. But, I am not to be deterred. I can simply pick those items up at my calm and quiet grocery store. I did notice for a Thursday, late morning, this place was packed! I figured I was getting a jump on the holiday shoppers since I was so prepared with my list a week ahead of time. Apparently, I wasn't the only person in Kentucky with this idea.

My happy mood began to shift as I turned down the aisle with baking needs. My daughter decided she wants to make a three tiered cake to serve as dessert on Thanksgiving. I am not a baker people, not even from a box! My one attempt at a cake was for my Mom's birthday years ago, she ended up with something like a birthday pancake. Not only is my daughter invested in the three layer idea, she also wants to turn the vanilla layer orange in keeping with the Fall colors. If the panic from this baking prospect wasn't enough, the sheer terror I felt entering this aisle was enough to put we over the edge! At least 90% of the shoppers were in this aisle, vying for positions closest to the shelf. A group of women were debating the merit of store bought fontana vs. homemade. They may as well have been speaking Greek! Ducking and pushing, I grabbed my boxed mixes and pre-packaged whipped frosting. Quickly scanning the food dye, I was mildly disappointed to realize the store did not carry orange but not patient and secure enough to figure out which two colors to combine to make this color. (Special thanks to my sister for decoding that for me).

By the time I clawed my way to the end of the aisle, using my cart to push people out of my way (don't judge, it was seriously every man, woman and child for themselves!), I was barely getting enough oxygen to my brain to stay upright! There was literal sweat running down my back as if I just ran a marathon in 100 degree weather with 85% humidity. What is the point of my story you may ask? Well, here it is...

First, I have never been a fan of crowds. They make me extremely nervous and very sweaty. I am one of those people who Christmas shops early and just goes to the mall during holiday shopping time to enjoy the ambiance. I always assumed the crowd thing bothered me because I am vertically challenged. Who knows?! If you ever ask me to go to a concert with you the answer will be NO! Unless we are in a respectable, crowd controlled theater.
Second, I'm really not a person who can shop for many items, with many planned meals, well in advance. I think I was meant to live in a small city apartment with minimal storage which requires me to pop into the market every day or two. Although the crowd thing might be a problem in the city!

At the end of the day, obviously, I survived this "harrowing" experience at the superstore known as Walmart. I did have to call my sister when I got in the car but that resulted in the the solution to the "Great Food Dye Case", so all is OK! Self study is about seeing yourself within the situations of your life. Really, truly seeing yourself. What you find is part of the journey. This isn't the first time a large crowd has thrown me off and it won't be the last. For me, I will shop differently next time, or perhaps bring a shopping partner. Take a moment to look at your own life, come up with a plan when you need one, and most importantly, be okay with where you are along the way!

Namaste My Dear Friends!

Inspirational Thought/Tidbits for and about Life

In salute to the superstore, Walmart, I thought I'd give you a little history.

Walmart opened in 1962! The first store was in Arkansas.
Walmart is now the largest retail store in the world. IN THE WORLD!!!!
This company employs over 2 million people world-wide. Thank you Walmart.