Thursday's Thought for the Day...

"Those wearing tolerance for a label 

call other views intolerable."

~ Phyllis McGinley

Wednesday's Wisdom....

While trying to maintain my footing in the midst of the tiny storms that seem to be swelling around me these days,  I've gone back to an old and reliable source of comfort - my well worn edition of Simple Abundance.

The entry for October 17th struck a particular chord with me.  Like most of my posts, I pass it on in hopes it is of help to others.

The title? "The Habit of Being" - Sarah Ban Breathnach

I highlighted in yellow the following passages from that entry, when I first read it in 1995.  
Obviously still working on this....

     "The habit of being - the exultation in the present moment - is an exquisite concept, one that could enrich our lives beyond measure. We're all habitual creatures, but usually we practice the habits of doing: getting up, making breakfast, getting the kids off to school and getting ourselves off to work.  Then there are the habits of brooding: projecting into the future, dwelling on the past, nursing old wounds, holding imaginary conversations, indulging in comparisons, conducting endless mental calculations about money, gnawing on regrets, second-guessing inspiration, ruminating on problems at work, anticipating the worst.  Habits of brooding are rooted in the past or the future, and they can rob the present moment of all harmony, beauty, and joy.

     But what if, as curators of our own contentment, we deliberately cultivated the habit of being: a heightened awareness of Real Life's abundance?  The habit of being is a grateful appreciation for the good surrounding us, no matter what our circumstances might be today.  What if you knew there was always going to be a simple pleasure to look forward to every few hours? What if you made sure there was? How do you think you would greet the day?"

I've learned that I absolutely do have a choice -  about the conversations I have in my head, the memories I replay, or the fears I feed.

Today I choose being!

Wishing a very Happy Birthday - to daughter #2!!

Outstanding daughter, wife, mother, and author!

Tip for a Tuesday....

Tip for a Tuesday....

A Monday Memory....

This photo recently popped up on Facebook, triggering a memory.

One of my nephews attended West Point.  

The first time I went to pick him up, he introduced me to his roommate.  

The young man called me, "Ma'am".

I immediately liked him. 

Then the conversation went like this:

"Aunt Patty? Would you mind giving my friend Booker a ride to the train station?"

"Certainly," I replied without hesitation. 

"I'll take him anywhere he wants to go 

as long as I don't have to drive over the Bear Mountain Bridge."

My nephew hesitated for a moment, then said:

"Um, Aunt Patty.  

You have to go across the bridge to get to the train station."

People who know me well, know I have a real fear of heights.  

I will go out of my way to avoid mountainous roadways and bridges.

And if forced to take a frightening route, I pray.

Out loud.

But I knew that in this case I needed to make an exception.

My mother frequently drove home the idea, based on her experiences during World War II, 

that we needed to always do things "for the boys."

So I simply smiled and said, "No problem."

Duffle bags were tossed in the back of the car

 and the polite young cadet was deposited safely on the other side of the Hudson River.

 My prayers were simply silent ones that day.

Friday Fotos....

"It's a dog's life...."

Barney

                                                                   

Bentley and Dudley

Talk about a late bloomer.....

Praying for all those that will be affected 

by Hurricane Matthew.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"Things do not change;

we change."

~ Henry David Thoreau

Wednesday's Wisdom....

Several weeks ago, I was reaching for something in the closet when out of the corner of my eye I spotted this arm with long, streaked wrinkles.  

That looks just like Mom's arms, was my first thought.  

My second thought was one of shock and horror as I realized it was my arm!  

"Good Lord," I said aloud, "when the hell did that happen?"

You know that phrase mothers hurl at you when you're a teen - something like:

 "Someday, you'll ......"

Yup. 

It happened. 

"Someday" has arrived.

Now I'm sure I am not the first person to have had an experience like that.  

One minute I'm a young mother, trying to juggle all the balls in air so to speak. 

And the next?  I'm a Grandmother of three and a "senior citizen"  

They are not kidding when they say "Time flies!"

It most certainly does.

But I am heeding the advice of James Taylor, from the lyrics of the song: Secret o' Life

"Nobody knows how we got to the top of the hill.

But since we're on our way down, we might as well enjoy the ride."

I plan on continuing to enjoy every minute of this ride called life, no matter how I look.

Well, that and wear long-sleeved shirts from now on.